Basel River Cruises

About Basel

Cosmopolitan Basel is Switzerland’s third largest city and the point at which you’ll start or end your Rhine cruise before transferring overland to Lucerne if your voyage concentrates on exploring the lower regions of this epic river. It has the distinction of being one of the few cities in the world where three different nations come together; in the case of Basel, France, Germany and obviously Switzerland. This geographical meet of nations makes a Basel a fascinating multicultural city to explore and if you’re in the city for more than a day, also offers the opportunity to experience a little of the beautiful Swiss Rhineland which surrounds it. Aside from its beautiful medieval old town centre, it’s famous for being home to a number of exceptional art museums.

Exploring Basel

Basel is a real city of culture and one of its most popular attractions is the distinctive and beautiful Munster cathedral, made of red sandstone and featuring a multi-coloured tiled roof. As well as being an architectural eye-catcher, its lofty hilltop position means that you can enjoy some fabulous views of Basel while there. Another landmark in keeping with the red stone theme is the beautiful Rathaus or Town Hall, which features some splendid architecture and stone engravings.

As a true cultural giant, Basel boasts more museums than anywhere else in Switzerland and holds one of the world’s most respected art markets each year – no surprise then that the Fine Arts Museum is one of its most popular attractions. Take a look inside and you’ll find a wealth of works by the likes of Picasso, Van Gogh, Renoir and Rodin to name but a few. Other notable museums include the Natural History Museum and another of the city’s most popular attractions, the Paper Mill Museum, which offers a unique insight into the history of paper-making, where you can see craftsmen at work and even try your hand at creating your own sheet of paper. Or for something completely different, take a trip out to the Jean Tinguely Museum, where you’ll be able to view a number of this ingenious artist’s works of moving metal.

Basel also acts as the gateway to some of the country’s most beautiful scenery, so it follows that there is some bountiful green spaces to enjoy during your visit. The University Botanical Garden offers some superb glasshouse exhibits and provides a welcome escape from the city, while Solitude Park certainly lives up to its name, offering leafy respite and a pleasing riverside Rhine walk. It’s also where you’ll find the aforementioned Jean Tinguely museum if you want to combine two attractions in one visit. As well as a pleasing outdoor space, Tierpark Lange Erlen is also a free zoo which offers plenty of space for the animals to roam and is not so big that you won’t have enough time to look around.

Basel Tips

As a place where several nations meet, Basel’s a foodie's delight and boasts some exceptional gourmet restaurants – perfect if you’ve got a little more time to spend in the city. Basel also has an extensive tram network which makes it easy to get around, but also keep a lookout for trams if you’re exploring on foot, as they’re efficiently silent.

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Castles along the Rhine

7 Nights
Sailing Date : 24 Apr 2026
Rhine

THE MOST ALL-INCLUSIVE AMENITIES finely tailored to your tastes.

Inspired by their destinations, each ship in the fleet has a uniquely beautiful design

Was £4004pp

Cruise Only From £3843pp

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Romantic Rhine & Moselle with Switzerland

18 Nights
Sailing Date : 24 Apr 2026
Rhine, Moselle

Ultra-luxury cruising in a class of its own

Custom-designed ships offer you space to relax and indulge

BLACK FRIDAY SALE - Save up to an additional £200pp

Was £6780pp

Fly Cruise From £6508pp

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Romantic Rhine (Southbound)

7 Nights
Sailing Date : 25 Apr 2026
Rhine

Gratuities and a choice of daily excursions are included

Avalon Panorama Suites are thirty percent larger than the industry standard

FREE case of wine with every Avalon booking

Was £2766pp

Cruise Only From £2655pp

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Remarkable Rhine & Historic Holland

10 Nights
Sailing Date : 25 Apr 2026
Rhine

THE MOST ALL-INCLUSIVE AMENITIES finely tailored to your tastes.

Inspired by their destinations, each ship in the fleet has a uniquely beautiful design

Was £3824pp

Cruise Only From £3671pp

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Romantic Rhine (Southbound)

7 Nights
Sailing Date : 26 Apr 2026
Rhine

Gratuities and a choice of daily excursions are included

Avalon Panorama Suites are thirty percent larger than the industry standard

FREE case of wine with every Avalon booking

Was £2966pp

Cruise Only From £2847pp

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