Will only have one day in Basel before Rhine Cruise on dec 12th. What are the Must See or Do's? thanks

Depends on your interest I'd say. There is so much to offer that you can pick the things you really WANT to see/do. Some options:

The cathedral (Münster). Stunning Romanesque-Gothic architecture. Cross the river by one of the cute little ferries.

One of the other major churches (St. Leonhard or St. Peter).

The orphanage in Kleinbasel is cute - get a key at the entrance and have a look at the church/remaining wing of the cloisters and the wood-panelled gothic room.

Art museums: Fondation Beyeler in Riehen or Kunstmuseum. Have a coffee and buy pralines at Schiesser's (Marktplatz).

There is so much more ...

I.

i have a trip report under my name about basel.

it is a museum town, but if you aren't into museums and the weather is good, just ride the trams with your free pass (your hotel confirmation gives you free transport from basel airport until you can pick up the voucher7ticket at teh hotel).

to the left of the three king' hotel is a stairway that goes down to the fourth king restuarant on the rhein, and a little ferry that crosses.

do not miss "old basel".get lost in the narrow streets that cross canals.

go up to beyeler foundation , have lunch at bistro next door. enjoy the countryside views.

my report is about number 24 if you click on my name. i just had trouble copying the url. sorry.

Another vote for the Beyeler. You don't have to be a museum lover to love this little museum. A varied and small permanent collection plus whatever temp. exhibit, plus a beautiful building in a pretty setting.

It's about a 20 minute tram ride from the main train station.

gruezi

If you are looking more for city landmarks, I would also add the Marktplatz where there is a morning vegetable market in front of of the imposing red cityhall landmark. It used to be one of my favorite meeting places when I spent a summer in Basel as a student. Don't forget to buy and taste the chewy honey almond spiced cookie from Basel called Lekerli. I used to buy them from the inexpensive Migros supermarkets or the Globus dept store at the Marktplatz.

If you are in Basel on a Saturday morning, you may enjoy interacting with the locals at the antique flea market in Petersplatz. The restaurants and cafes around Barfuesserplatz are also where the locals meet & hang out.

The Tinguely moving kinetic art fountain in front of the city theatre is another important unique landmark of Basel. If you are intrigued by it, you may consider visiting the Tinguely museum.

As Ingo has already mentioned, another Basel special experience is crossing the Rhine river on the medieval style Klingental ferry which is led by wire and powered by the river current(8 minute ride). You can then visit the art museum and cross the river back again over the oldest bridge in Basel, the Mitlerebruecke.

You can get a quick glance of Basel from the changing pictures at: www.basel.com/en/welcome.cfm

How could I forget the Basler Läckerli? Thanks DAX for mentioning them.

If you are interested in old musical instruments, the Music Museum is definitely worth a visit. It is in the old city jail and each type of instrument is given a cell. There is an interactive panel in each cell so that you can also hear selections that feature these types of instruments.

Ever had a Basler Mandlefisch, Ingo? There is a bakery close to Spalentor that makes them (hope it's still there, it's been a while). Pastry in the shape of a fish with an almond-marzipan filling. Pretty and absolutely yummy.

quokka: Hmm the Mandlefisch sounds very tempting to me. Any chance you remember the name of the bakery? I can ask a friend to buy those for me if I know the bakery.

Ingo: Thanks for correcting my spelling of Laeckerli, I forgot to wear my thinking cap.

You might enjoy the Christmas Markt at Barfusserplatz and the lights and decorations, especially on Freistrasse.

quokka, was Gilgen the bakery with the Mandlefisch? If not, ezel, go there anyway! You'll find something delicious...

Oh, here's another vote for the Beyeler!

Sorry guys, I do not remember the name of the bakery (too long ago), but it was in the street leading towards Spalentor.

Basel's old town is, to me, a place that's worth strolling and watching out for little and hidden remarkable things. Like the basilisk fountains, the scriptorium shop along the stairway that leads from the old bridge up to the Münster church, the Romanesque side portal of the Münster church, details of the old houses, the view down to the river from the back cloister of the Münster, watching people swimming in the Rhine on the Kleinbasel side, the Tinguely fountain with its funny constructions...

Hi all,

The bakery producing the Mandelfisch used to be run by the Rutschmann family. After the last of the Rutschmanns retired, it changed hands and now is run by the Streuli family. They continue to produce the Mandelfisch (Address: Spalenvorstadt 41).

Be sure to visit the Gilgen Confiserie mentionned earlier (at the bottom of Spalenberg). My favourites there are the Hefekranz and Russenzopf (and on saturdays the Butterzopf). It is pricey but very well worth the price.

If you are into chocolates, you must go to Schiesser on market square. Their Carrés Délicats are beyond belief.

Enjoy.

Phil.

Wow, thanks Phil for the bakery address. I'll keep that in mind for my next visit.

Thanks all for those wonderful suggestions. I'm going to have a lot to do and taste!