Things to do in Augst

Basel Zoo is an enormous home for animals with an aquarium, a birdhouse and many vast expanses of vegetation where exotic beasts roam. The zoo’s philosophy is to keep the animals happy in large spaces resembling their natural habitats. Look for the 650 different species in Switzerland’s oldest animal park, which dates back to 1874.

The Basel Art Museum is one of the oldest and most significant art collections in Switzerland. The museum, which dates back to the mid-1600s, holds an array of art from across the centuries. Explore how art has changed over time as you view the works.

Set in a commanding position beside the Rhine River, Basler Muenster (Basel Cathedral), is one of Basel’s most famous landmarks. Look out over the city and river from the church’s towers while its medieval gargoyles look down on you.

The Beyeler Foundation is a gallery of 200 classic modernist works of art that once belonged to a pair of dealers. The site includes a building of modern design with a glass roof, a Baroque villa and a charming garden. Relax in the tranquil environment of the museum and scrutinize the works of past masters.

Two millennia ago, in the Roman Empire’s glory days, the Celtic Rauraci tribe settled here along the banks of the Rhine River. At its peak, Augusta Raurica was home to over 15,000 inhabitants.