Things to Do in Basel

Basel sits where Switzerland, France and Germany meet, and its art collections are out of proportion to the city's size. The Fondation Beyeler, in a Renzo Piano building outside the centre, holds an exceptional collection of Impressionist and modern works; the Kunstmuseum in town covers a longer span, from Holbein to Picasso. The Tinguely Museum, dedicated to the Basel-born kinetic sculptor, is a strange, mechanical detour if you want something less conventional. In summer, locals cross the Rhine on small cable-guided ferries for a few francs, or simply float downstream in a waterproof bag bought from any kiosk. Basel is about an hour from Zurich HB by direct train, and its museums alone justify a full day.