Switzerland’s oldest university city, Basel is not afraid to compete with other Swiss centers: it hasthehighestconcentrationofmuseumsinthecountry(about40),hoststwoworld-renowned orchestras and the country's largest three-section theater, and every June, it welcomes one of theworld'smostimportantartfairs,ArtBasel.TheRhineRivermakesitromanticinanyseason, and especially at sunset, a stroll along the Mittlere Brücke bridge offers an unforgettable view. FromThePassage,reachingtheBaselArtMuseum,theMuseumofCultures,andtheFondation Beyeler is effortless, whether on foot or by public transport. Basel is also a green city, adorned withparksineverydistrict:amust-visitistheBotanicalGarden(oneoftheoldestintheworld), belonging to the university and dating back to the 16th century. Another great reason to add Basel tothetravellist?The carnival(Fasnacht),whichafterAshWednesday transformsthecity into a procession of colors, scents, and sounds. This centuries-old spectacle was declared a UNESCO Heritage Site in 2017.
