Basel is at a crossing point between Switzerland, France, and Germany, which makes it one of the easiest cities in Europe to use as a base for day trips. Within an hour or two of the city, you can walk through medieval old towns, cross the Rhine into a different country, and be back at your hotel in time for dinner. If you have already spent a day or two exploring Basel's museums and old town, it is worth setting aside time to see what lies just outside the city limits.
Below are seven small towns that are well suited for a Day trip from Basel, along with a few notes on what makes each one worth the drive.
Colmar is often the first stop people think of when planning a Day trip from Basel, and for good reason. The town is roughly an hour away by car and is known for its canal district, La Petite Venise, where colorful half-timbered houses line the water. The cobblestone streets, flower boxes, and quiet canals give the town a storybook feel that photographs well at any time of year.
Beyond the canals, Colmar is home to the Unterlinden Museum, which houses the Isenheim Altarpiece, one of the most significant works of art in the region. The town is also in the heart of Alsace wine country, so a stop at a local wine bar for a glass of Riesling is a natural way to end the day.
Freiburg is a short trip north into Germany and offers a different pace from Basel. The city center is largely pedestrian, with small canals called bachle running along many of the streets. Local tradition says that if you accidentally step in one, you are destined to marry a local, which gives visitors something to smile about as they walk around.
Freiburg's cathedral, the Freiburger Munster, took centuries to complete and remains one of the best examples of Gothic architecture in southern Germany. The town also has a lively student population, so cafes and small restaurants stay busy well into the evening. It is a good choice for travelers who want a mix of history and everyday city life.
Solothurn is frequently overlooked by visitors who stick to the more famous Swiss cities, which is part of its appeal. The town sits on the Aare River and is often described as one of the finest examples of Baroque architecture in Switzerland. Its Old Town is compact and easy to cover on foot in a few hours.
The St. Ursus Cathedral is the centerpiece of the town, and the surrounding streets are lined with cafes where you can sit and watch the river go by. For those who enjoy a bit of a walk, the funicular up to Weissenstein offers wide views over the Swiss plateau and, on a clear day, the Alps in the distance.
Rheinfelden is one of the closest options on this list, sitting only about twenty minutes from Basel. It straddles the Swiss and German border, so it is possible to walk across the Old Rhine Bridge and be in a different country within minutes. The town has a relaxed, small scale charm that makes it a good half day option if your schedule is tight.
Rheinfelden is also known for the Feldschlosschen Brewery, one of the larger breweries in Switzerland, as well as a set of thermal baths that draw visitors looking to unwind. A walk along the riverside promenade is a pleasant way to spend an afternoon before heading back into the city.
Like Rheinfelden, Laufenburg is split by the Rhine, with one half belonging to Switzerland and the other to Germany. The two halves of the town share a history that goes back centuries, and the short walk across the bridge connecting them is one of the more memorable parts of a visit.
The old town on the Swiss side has narrow, winding streets, arched passageways, and a small square that often hosts a local market. Laufenburg does not draw the same crowds as some of the other towns on this list, which makes it a good choice for travelers who prefer a quieter pace.
Murten sits on the shore of Lake Murten and is one of the best preserved medieval towns in Switzerland. Its city walls are largely intact, and you can walk along the ramparts for a view over the rooftops and out toward the lake. The town center is small enough to explore fully in half a day, which leaves time for lunch at one of the lakeside restaurants.
Murten is a bit farther from Basel than some of the other towns here, so it works best as a full day trip. The drive itself passes through pleasant countryside, and the lake setting gives the town a different character from the river towns closer to Basel.
Stein am Rhein is known for the painted facades on its buildings, many of which date back several centuries and still show their original detail. The main square, Rathausplatz, is the best place to see this up close, with building after building decorated in frescoes depicting historical and folk scenes.
Above the town sits Hohenklingen Castle, which can be reached on foot and offers a good view over the rooftops and the Rhine as it flows past. The trip out to Stein am Rhein takes a bit longer than some of the closer towns, but it is a worthwhile stop for travelers interested in art and architecture.
Public transportation in this part of Europe is reliable, but train schedules and transfers can eat into the time you actually have to enjoy each town, especially if you are trying to fit more than one stop into a single day. A Private Zurich chauffeur service takes that planning off your hands. You are picked up at your hotel, driven directly to each destination, and free to spend your time exploring rather than checking timetables.
This is particularly useful for the towns that sit on the border, such as Rheinfelden and Laufenburg, where a private driver can handle any border formalities without the need to switch between train systems in two countries.
Whether you are drawn to the canals of Colmar, the quiet streets of Solothurn, or the lakeside views of Murten, the towns around Basel offer a good deal of variety within a short drive. Black Limo Transfer provides private chauffeur services for day trips from Basel to all of the destinations listed above, with flexible scheduling and comfortable vehicles suited for individuals, couples, and small groups.
If you would like help planning a route or booking a private transfer for your next day trip from Basel, get in touch with our team and we will put together an itinerary that fits your schedule.