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Shopping in Basel

Shopping opportunities are excellent and abundant both within the city and in the region surrounding Basel. One of the key advantages of shopping in the border region is the price difference on various types of goods between Switzerland,France and Germany. Each country has its own price advantages, which serious shoppers can explore.

Key areas

Shoppers will be spoilt for choice of tempting stores and boutiques in the city centre, in the Old Town and around Claraplatz in Kleinbasel. Freie Strasse, the main shopping street, contains numerous upmarket designer and fashion boutiques.

You can find many top designers in the famous fashion store Trois Pommes, Freie Strasse 74. For more arty and alternative, but still fashionable goods and for independent stores selling artisan jewellery, antiques and vintage clothing, check out the areas around Schneidergasse (off of Marktplatz), Spalenberg and adjacent little alleyways such as Heuberg and Nadelberg.

Markets

Every second and fourth Wednesday of the month between 7am and 7pm, shoppers flock to the Barfüsserplatz to seek bargains. There is also a flea market at Petersplatz every Saturday morning. On the same day, market traders gather at the Matthäusmarkt with freshly harvested seasonal produce from the region's fields and farms as well as home-made produce from the Kleinbasel region.

Shopping centres

There are a number of different shopping centres in the city. Globus, on Marktplatz, is an upmarket department store; Manor on Greifengasse is renowned for its food department. The Stücki Shopping Centre, on Hochbergerstrasse 70, has 80 shops split over two floors while the St Jakob-Park shopping centre, adjacent to the football stadium, boasts with 50 shops.

Opening hours

Shops are usually open Monday to Friday 0800/1000-1830/1900/2000 and Saturday 0900-1600/1700/1800. Most shops are closed on Sunday.

Souvenirs

Basel has many jewellers, watch shops, book stores and chocolatiers. Many tourists pick up Basler Läckerli, a local biscuit, from Läckerli Huus, Gerbergasse 57, which sells traditional and more modern versions.

Tax information

Some luxury stores offer tax-free shopping for tourists.

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Featured Hotels

Hotel Rheinfelderhof

A few minutes' walk from the city centre (and even closer to the Messe Basel trade fair venue), this is a well-priced hotel with almost 50 rooms. It's nothing fancy but has all the basics covered, from free wifi to satellite TV. There's a traditional restaurant on site.

Swissotel Le Plaza

The Swissotel Le Plaza, graded as four-star superior, is a stylish option a few minutes' walk from the Rhine and the Old Town. The hotel has 238 rooms and offers 24-hour room service, as well as a gym with a sauna and steam room. Its Grill25 restaurant serves up the classics in smart surroundings.

Les Trois Rois

One of the oldest city hotels in Europe, Les Trois Rois is Basel's grandest residence. Over the years, its luxurious rooms and suites on the banks of the Rhine in the Old Town have accommodated such luminaries as Napoleon, Charles Dickens, Pablo Picasso, Thomas Mann and Queen Elizabeth II. It also has a fitness centre and various top-notch restaurants and bars.

Courtyard Basel

Part of the Marriott Group – and consequently a reliable if rather vanilla option for an overnight stay – the Courtyard Basel Hotel is set on the southern outskirts of the city and has 175 rooms and suites with the usual amenities and plenty of meeting space.

Hotel Basel

Situated in the heart of the old city for the past four decades, this 4-star hotel has 70 rooms and three suites, all comfortably furnished and equipped with the standard mod cons. There are three restaurants, including a brasserie, and a couple of small meeting rooms.

Teufelhof (Devil's Court)

This enjoyably quirky establishment comprises two hotels: the Kunsthotel (Art Hotel), with nine rooms each designed by a local artist, and the larger Galeriehotel (Gallery Hotel), in which both the rooms and public spaces function as exhibition spaces for artists. Prices can vary greatly according to demand.

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