Fa La La La La…Fun on a Festive European Christmas Markets Cruise! (part 3: Basel)

In part 3 of the 4-part series, Bethany explores the beautiful city of Basel, Switzerland before she joins her European Christmas Markets cruise.

In December 2021 I had the pleasure of sailing on my fifth Avalon Waterways river cruise. The Christmastime in Alsace and Germany itinerary is a European Christmas Markets cruise chock-full of festive holiday cheer from start to finish. Even though this was a wee bit chillier than the other cruises I have done, this Florida gal thoroughly enjoyed it! I spent four glorious nights aboard the Avalon Passion. I also added a few extra days before and after the cruise on my own.

Beautiful Basel

I spent two days in beautiful Basel, Switzerland before embarking on the Avalon Passion. Many European river cruises start or end in Basel. I highly recommend adding an extra day or two here so you can explore and enjoy this beautiful city at your own pace. Basel is full of charm and character. It is a very easy city to navigate, either on foot or by using the handy public transportation options. The people are friendly. The food is delicious. What more can you ask for?

Extra Time Pre-Cruise

I always plan at least one (preferably two) nights in the city of embarkation prior to any European river cruise. This is a great option for two key reasons:

1. It provides some flexibility in case there are any delays or other challenges along the way. There is nothing worse than missing the ship, so plan ahead to ensure you have plenty of time to get to the ship on time (and well rested!) on embarkation day.
   
2. It allows time to adjust to the new time zone and work off that dreaded jet lag. My tried-and-true method to beat jet lag is to hit the ground running when I land (which is typically early in the morning in Europe). I like to get out, get some fresh air, and start exploring. The longer you can keep going that first day, the better. Your body will want to sleep, but staying up through that first day and keeping active will help your body clock adjust accordingly. Try to go to sleep close to your regular bed time (but in the adjusted local time) that first night in the new time zone. This will allow you to get a good, full night sleep and awake rested and refreshed the next morning.

Getting To Basel From Zurich

Basel, Switzerland is a beautiful city with a population of around 177,000. Basel is approximately 50 miles west of Zurich. Most flights from the U.S. will arrive in Zurich. So, be aware that it takes about an hour (by car or by train) to get from the Zurich Airport to Basel. Zurich itself is a wonderful city and is worth visiting. However, on this trip I chose to stay in and explore Basel and I am so glad I did! The city is well laid out and is very pedestrian friendly. I was able to navigate my entire visit entirely on foot, but there are good public transportation options available as well.

My Basel Itinerary

Arrival on Day 1

• Check in: Hotel Krafft Basel
• Rathaus (Town Hall)
• Münsterplatz Christmas Market
• Basler Münster (Cathedral)

Full day to explore on Day 2

• Spielzeug Welten (Toy Worlds) Museum
• Barfüsserplatz Christmas Market
• Musikmuseum

Wrapping up on Day 3

• Spalentor Gate
• Altstadt (Old Town) Grossbasel
• Check out: Hotel Krafft Basel
• Embark: Avalon Passion

Christmas Markets in Basel

Of course, the Christmas markets are the highlights of this trip! I visited three different Christmas Markets in Basel. Münsterplatz and Barfüsserplatz are traditional Christmas Markets with various vendors selling clothes, decorations, toys, souvenirs, food, and drinks. The Adväntsgass im Glaibasel market is an evening market that only has food and drinks available. Not surprisingly, Basel is often on the “best of” lists for European Christmas Markets, and often tops the list as the best! The entire city is decked out for Christmas and the markets are no exception.

Münsterplatz Christmas Market and Basler Münster

Münsterplatz, or Cathedral Square, is the main town square in Basel. The highlight of the square is Basler Münster, or the Basel Cathedral. However the entire square is absolutely beautiful. All of the surrounding buildings are also very festively decorated for Christmas.

The Christmas market here is large but easy to navigate. The market has a large, beautiful pyramid as well as many vendor stalls. The magnificent Christmas tree is also a must-see! There are plenty of places within the market area to relax and enjoy a hot mug of gluhwein and a delicious plate of raclette. Shopping opportunities are also plentiful here as well, with a wide assortment of vendors and products to choose from. There are typically around 130 vendors at this market.

After visiting the market I also explored the Basel Cathedral. It is currently a beautiful Reformed Protestant church but was originally a Catholic cathedral. The original cathedral was constructed between 1019 and 1500. However, part of it was rebuilt after an earthquake in 1356. The cathedral has colorful roof tiles and a striking red sandstone exterior. Münsterplatz also has a gorgeous view overlooking the Rhine River. Additionally, there is a large promenade area behind the cathedral which provides sweeping views of the river and Basel.

Barfüsserplatz Christmas Market

Barfüsserplatz is another wonderful Christmas market to visit in Basel. This town square is centrally located near several different tram lines so it is very easy to get to. The Barfüsserkirche (Barefooted Ones Church) in the square was founded by barefoot Franciscan friars in the 14th century. This market is a bit more compact than Münsterplatz but is still easy to navigate. There is indeed a nice variety of vendors here as well. I enjoyed a fantastic hot chocolate here, made with Swiss chocolate of course!

Adväntsgass im Glaibasel Christmas Market

Directly in front of my hotel is the Adväntsgass im Glaibasel Christmas market. Unlike the first two markets, this one is exclusively for food and drinks and is only open in the evenings. The Adväntsgass im Glaibasel Christmas market takes over an entire city street and spans several blocks. It is lined with food vendors, some in typical stalls and others in their own food trucks. Of course, there are many Swiss favorites available here, from raclette to crepes to brats. There are also several different seating areas and standing tables within the market. Nonetheless, this is where tourists and locals alike go in the evenings to eat, drink, and be merry.

Basel Museums

In between visiting the amazing Christmas markets in Basel I also found time to explore two very unique museums. Of course, there are many different museums sprinkled throughout Basel. I chose to focus on these two smaller (and a bit more off the beaten path!) museums instead of some of the larger, more traditional ones. Both are well worth the visit!

Spielzeug Welten (Toy Worlds) Museum

I undeniably adored the Spielzeug Welten Museum! This fun and informative toy museum covers several floors and is filled with over 2,500 teddy bears, dolls, doll houses, miniatures, and mechanical toys. The teddy bears and dolls were of all shapes and sizes and presented in fun displays and vignettes. Another section includes very elaborate and absolutely gorgeous doll houses. Additionally, there is a section of the museum dedicated to mechanical toys and an entire carnival is set up with all of the moving pieces and parts whirling away! Also, the temporary “Ho Ho Ho” exhibit included some Christmas-themed toys and collectibles from around the world. This museum is obviously a great place to feel like a kid all over again! The Spielzeug Welten Museum is adjacent to Barfüsserplatz.

Musikmuseum (Music Museum)

Another unique and interesting museum is the Musikmuseum. This museum houses over 3,300 objects including musical instruments and other music-related items. It is the largest collection of musical instruments in Switzerland. The instruments span five centuries of history. They are presented over the three floors of the museum and are grouped by type and age. The museum is housed in a former monastery and prison and there is one section of the museum that retains part of the original cell block of the prison. It was fun to wander through and see the beautiful instruments.

In and Around Basel

As I walked through Basel to visit the markets and museums I also got to see a lot of the city itself. Some key areas I visited included Altstadt (Old Town), Rathaus (Town Hall), and Spalentor (Gate of Spalen). The entire city is beautifully decorated at Christmastime, with gorgeous trees, garland, and other decorations on many buildings and sidewalks. The city is beautiful during the day and becomes magical after dark when all of the twinkling lights are on.

Where I Stayed In Basel

I stayed in the beautiful Hotel Krafft Basel, located directly on the Rhine River in the Rheingasse area of the city. The hotel was in a perfect central location and provided easy access to all of the main sights I wanted to see. I chose a river-view room and the views were fantastic. The beautiful Basler Münster and Altstadt were directly across the river. The hotel dates back to 1873 so there is a lot of charm and character everywhere. Breakfast is included at the onsite Restaurant Kraft and it was a plentiful buffet with hot and cold items, as well as made-to-order eggs and omelets. Lunch and dinner are also served at Restaurant Krafft.

Check out the final part of the 4-part series where Bethany explores the full itinerary of her Christmas Markets cruise on Avalon Passion!