With over 160 nationalities represented and situated at the meeting point of France, Germany and Switzerland, Basel is one of Europe’s most diverse and culturally rich cities and this is perfectly represented in its food culture. You can eat well from a wide variety of interesting locations, from market halls to food courts to street food trucks. From Thai, Indian to Syrian to Mexican, there is a big range of international dishes you can choose from. Basel, however, like the rest of Switzerland is an expensive place to visit and the average price of a main dish will start at around 20 CHF. However, the main supermarkets, Migros and Coop have their own branded restaurants which are great value for money and there are also a few notable cheap eats in Basel, which I have listed below. Plus, there are number of excellent doner kebab joints in Basel ( Kebab Square is excellent ) where you enjoy a classic doner for are around 10 CHF. Checkout also my brand new guide to the best free things to do in Basel 1. Sapori Del Sud Address: Spalenvorstadt 34, 4051 Basel Beloved Italian-Sicilian takeaway near Spalentor, famous for pastrami sandwiches and arancini Mother and Son: The amazing Antonio and Grazia from Sapori Del Sud The famous Pastrami sandwich from Sapori Del Sud Right next to the Spalentor lies a slice of Italian and Sicilian heaven – Sapori Del Sud is a takeaway run by the affable Antonio Russo and his mother, Grazia who specialise in preparing paninos and their signature pastrami sandwiches, which in a bite takes me back to New York. The prices are very reasonable – 11 CHF for a Jumbo Sandwich, which is enough to feed two people 2. Coop Restaurant Basel Pfaufen Address: Freie Strasse 75, 4051 Basel Self-service Coop buffet restaurant atop the Pfauen department store, pay-by-weight salad and hot buffet Whether you are looking for takeaway sandwiches, snacks or a proper sit down meal, Coop is your life saviour in Switzerland. If you are looking for simple, affordable meal in Basel with lots of good options that include their signature salad buffet plus chicken and fish, prepared on demand in front of your eyes, then definitely pop into Coop Restaurant at the top of the Pfaufen department store on Freie Strasse, Basel’s popular shopping street. The buffet which you pay by weight and plate size, includes plenty of vegan/ veggie options that include fresh salads and self-serve dishes to sandwiches, soups, desserts and both sweet and savoury snacks. For a stacked plate from the buffet with a mix of items, expect to pay around 15 CHF. It can get crowded around lunch time so be prepared to wait a little. They also have daily value specials that range from pastas to Asian classic dishes. Currently they are offering Fried Halloumi on Mediterranean-style rice for just 9.95 CHF or Arabic casserole with aubergines, tofu, herby bulgur and cucumber salad with pomegranate for 13.95 CHF. If you are looking for a great breakfast buffet, they also offer a all-you-can-eat breakfast for CHF 19.95 per person- you can refill your plate and cup as often as you like, until 10.30. Plus they do a coffee and cake combo from 2pm everyday for 5.95 CHF too. 3. Buon Gusto Streetfood Basel Address: Marktplatz, 4001 Basel Food truck serving Sicilian-inspired burgers and steak paninis Dominated by its vibrant rouge red 16th century town hall, the Marktplatz is a definitely worth wandering, especially during the week when there’s a busy weekly market on where locals come to buy fresh vegetables, fruit and flowers. If you are looking for good quality burgers and panini sandwiches at the market at a reasonable price, then Buon Gusto Streetfood truck is a popular choice with locals and visitors. Burgers ( veggie, cheeseburger ) and Paninis ( include famous steak panini ) start at 13.50 CHF and portion of fries is 5 CHF. 4. Pilz Hüsli Address: Marktplatz, 4001 Basel Mushroom and truffle specialist stand also serving risotto and pasta dishes If you are a mushroom and pasta lover, then the Pilz Hüsli food truck at the Marktplatz is also a great choice. Open from Monday to Saturdaym ( till 2.30pm ) besides offering fresh and dried mushrooms, they also serve an inexpensive delicious lunch, from an excellent mushroom risotto to a four cheese ravioli with mushroom sauce, all from 13 CHF. 5. Mum’s Kitchen Address: Margarethenstrasse 45, 4053 Basel Cosy Vietnamese restaurant near the SBB train station, known for pho and lunch menus Close to the main train station, this Vietnamese restaurant offers a lunch menu offer of a choice of main dishes ( from thai red curry chicken to fried tofu with veggies ) and water for 18 CHF. Good price-quality ratio for Basel 6. Za Zaa Address: Petersgraben 15, 4051 Basel Stylish Syrian-Lebanese restaurant for mezze, salads, hummus and falafel A stylish Syrian-Lebanese eatery in the heart of Basel, Za Zaa  offers a nice range of dishes, from homemade soups ( Yellow Lentil soup with Curkuma: 9.50 CHF) to traditional salads ( from 12.50 CHF) , excellent hummus, both cold and warm mezze and great falafel teller. ( from 23.50 CHF) Lily Maxim Basel 7. Lily Maxim Address: Rebgasse 1, 4058 Basel Modern Asian eatery blending Thai, Indian and Chinese dishes Serving a mix of classic Thai, Indian and Chinese dishes, if you are looking for an  unpretentious dining experience with fast, good service, then you will like Lily Maxim. The food is adapted to local tastes but there is a good range of condiments to customise the dish to your style. Curries ( Thai Green or Red of Yellow Curry start from 23.50 and their Lentil Dahl Curry is 19.50 CHF) 8. Klara Address: Clarastrasse 13, 4058 Basel Kleinbasel food court with nine international kitchens around a central bar Another excellent option for dining is Klara, a food court that serves culinary treats from Japan, Argentina, Thailand and Africa. Locals rave about

Europe has no single perfect travel month, which is convenient since there are twelve months to choose from. If you want the best time to visit Europe for sightseeing, start with May or September. May offers mild days, flowering gardens, and comfortable city sightseeing. September keeps the Mediterranean warm and reduces summer crowds. Dreaming of Greek islands or Croatian beaches? Aim for June to September. Exploring Amsterdam by bicycle in autumn. Photo by Fellipe Ditadi via Unsplash+ Planning an Alpine ski trip? Choose January to March, when resorts in Switzerland, Austria, and France are in their main winter season. Love big events? Reserve July for Tomorrowland in Belgium, August for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, or September for Oktoberfest in Munich. December deserves special mention if Christmas markets are your thing. Vienna, Prague, and Strasbourg become wonderfully festive. So, when should you pack your bags for the ultimate Europe group tour? Take a month-by-month tour to discover the weather, destinations, events, and experiences to find the best time to visit Europe from India. Conditions vary considerably by region and elevation, so check the forecast for each destination before packing. January – Ski Slopes, Snowy Streets and Northern Lights If snow is your idea of good weather, January has plenty to offer. Ski the slopes around Innsbruck or St. Anton in Austria, or head to Zermatt in Switzerland for skiing beneath the Matterhorn. In Finnish Lapland, join a reindeer-sled ride, husky safari, or northern lights tour around Rovaniemi. After a day outside, warm up with hot chocolate in a Viennese café or glögg in Scandinavia. Winters in Europe are cold, but that is the point. Weather snapshot: Freezing and snowy in the Alps and Lapland; generally cold and damp in many central and northern European cities.Where to go: Austria, Switzerland, Finland, NorwayBudget: Low-moderate, except ski resortsBest for: Skiing, northern lights and winter scenery February – Venice Carnival and Romantic Europe February gives you the best time to visit Europe from India to witness it at its most theatrical. In Venice, Carnival brings masked revelers, elaborate costumes, and events around St. Mark’s Square and the historic center. If romance is your priority, stroll along the Seine in Paris, then escape the cold inside a Left Bank café. For snow, ski around Innsbruck or St. Anton in Austria or head to Finnish Lapland for husky rides and northern lights tours near Rovaniemi. Weather snapshot: Cold winter weather across much of Europe, with snow in Alpine and northern destinations and milder conditions around the Mediterranean.Where to go: Venice, Paris, Vienna, PragueBudget: ModerateBest for: Couples, culture and winter events March – Las Fallas and the First Taste of Spring March brings the first real signs of spring to southern Europe, along with some seriously colorful celebrations. In Valencia, Las Fallas fills the streets with towering satirical sculptures, marching bands, firecrackers and spectacular fireworks before the sculptures are burned in the festival finale. Seville and Lisbon are pleasant for walking tours and outdoor dining, while Rome is warming up nicely for sightseeing. Weather snapshot: Mild spring weather in southern Europe, while central and northern destinations remain cool and changeable.Where to go: Valencia, Seville, Lisbon, RomeBudget: Low-moderateBest for: Festivals, sightseeing and budget-minded travelers April – Tulips, Cycling and Springtime Europe April is when Europe starts looking like a travel brochure. Visit the Netherlands for spring flowers, explore Amsterdam by bicycle, or wander through Parisian parks as they burst into color. Italy is equally tempting, with Rome and Florence offering comfortable sightseeing before summer heat arrives. If you’re excited to photograph Europe, this month offers plenty of colorful material. Weather snapshot: Generally mild but changeable, with a mix of sunshine, showers, and cool evenings.Where to go: Amsterdam, Keukenhof, Paris, FlorenceBudget: ModerateBest for: Flowers, photography and city breaks May – The Sweet Spot for Your European Holiday If there is one month worth circling on your calendar, May makes a strong case. Explore Rome’s Colosseum before the summer heat sets in, explore lower-elevation trails around Chamonix in the French Alps, wander the whitewashed lanes of Oia in Santorini, or follow Portugal’s Atlantic coast from Lisbon to Lagos. May is especially appealing for honeymooners because you can combine romantic cities, coastal scenery, and outdoor dining without the high heat and crowds of July. Add a sunset dinner overlooking the Amalfi Coast and choosing your wedding date suddenly seems easy. Weather snapshot: Warm and comfortable in much of southern Europe, with mild days and cooler evenings farther north and at higher elevations.Where to go: Italy, Greece, France, Spain, PortugalBudget: ModerateBest for: First-time visitors, couples and outdoor adventures June – Long Days, Hiking and Mediterranean Beaches June is for travelers who would rather be outdoors enjoying summer in Europe than watching it through a hotel window. Cruise the Geirangerfjord in Norway, hike around Interlaken and Lauterbrunnen in Switzerland, or explore Hvar and the Dalmatian Coast in Croatia. In Greece, head to Naxos or Crete for swimming, island-hopping, and waterfront dinners. If you’re considering Europe tour packages with island stops, book early. Popular ferries, trains, and hotels can fill quickly, and no one wants a dream Greek holiday derailed at the ferry terminal. Weather snapshot: Warm to hot around the Mediterranean, with long, generally mild days in northern Europe and cooler conditions in the mountains.Where to go: Norway, Switzerland, Croatia, GreeceBudget: Moderate-highBest for: Hiking, families, beaches and road trips July – Tomorrowland, Island Hopping and Peak Summer If electronic music, huge stages and thousands of concert-goers sound like your idea of a great weekend, Tomorrowland in Belgium is worth planning around. Prefer saltwater to speakers? Swim off Mykonos or Naxos, island-hop around Croatia’s Hvar and Brac, or spend late evenings dining on tapas and watching the sunset along Spain’s Costa del Sol. July is peak season, so expect higher prices and busy transport in popular areas. Weather snapshot: Hot and sunny across southern Europe; warm in central and northern destinations, although rain is still possible.Where to go: Belgium, Greece, Croatia, SpainBudget: HighBest for:

Where Switzerland, France and Germany meet, Basel with a population of under 200000, packs a punch with its perfect blend of old and new. Beneath the picture-postcard cobblestone streets and classic architecture there is a quirky cool edge, which is evident from quirky public sculpture pieces, to its avant garde art galleries and its breathtaking modern architectural buildings – there are stories in every corner of this city. There is a ton of culture, from giants of the art scene like Fondation Beyeler to a rich hive of independent art galleries, this city is very rich in terms of the arts. Plus, the food scene, thanks to the melting pot of cultures, is very diverse and caters to all budgets. ( Checkout my brand new guide to the best cheap eats in Basel ). Basel has something for everyone, whatever your passion and interests are. Here is my guide to the best things to do for free in Basel. 1. Enjoy the amazing Street Art Basel has a diverse and interesting street art scene and everywhere you walk in the city, you will find an eclectic mix of murals, graffiti and installations, especially on the outskirts of the city. You will find striking graffiti and murals along the tracks between the Swiss SBB railway station and Schwarzwaldbrücke bridge, as well as around Schänzli near St. Jakob-Park and the Sommercasino. The harbour also features impressive street art. Additionally, the Bell site showcases Basel’s largest installation, a 1,700 m² wall created by over 30 artists during the Change of Colours event in August 2020. Here are my favourite spots: 1. Gerbergässlein 4001 Basel Commissioned by the rock bar L’Unique across the alley, this is probably Basel’s most famous street artwork – it is a massive artwork featuring an array of world famous musicians, from the Beatles to Jimi Hendrix to Ozzy. Malaga loves Basel, by Kohlenberg 2. Malaga loves Basel – Kohlenberg Kohlenberg 13, Basel Dest Jones from Basel and urban artist Lalone from Malaga both created this mural as a homage to Pablo Picasso and his influence on the cities of Basel and Malaga. Sommercasino 3. Sommercasino Münchensteinerstrasse 1, 4052 Basel A former society house dating from the 19th century, the Sommercasino besides being a popular hotspot for concerts and parties, is also a popular hangout spot for local graffiti artists and you will find some impressive artworks and motifs on the entire facade. 4. Space Invaders Clarastrasse, 4005 Basel Across Basel you will find 20 Space Invaders by Paris based Invader, a leading light of the urban art world. Of the 20 pieces, the most famous one is in Kleinbasel, around the Corner from the Messe Basel. Created in 2019, “The Golden Pot of the Art World”, is one of the biggest in the world. 5. Port Uferstrasse, 4057 Basel Along the remote edges of Klybeck right upto the “border triangle” aka Dreiländereck where the three countries meet, you will find a great mix of murals and graffiti art adorning everything from the walls of industrial buildings to freight Wagons and also in the culture space, Holzpark Klybeck. Kunstmuseum Basel 2. Museums you can visit for free in Basel – Kunstmuseum Basel Kunstmuseum Basel houses the second largest public art collection in Switzerland, after the Kunsthaus Zürich and is listed as a heritage site of national significance.Its lineage extends back to the Amerbach Cabinet, which included a collection of works by Hans Holbein purchased by the city of Basel and the University of Basel in 1661, which made it the first municipally owned and therefore, open to the public museum in the world. Its collection is distinguished by an impressively wide historic span, from the early 15th century up to the immediate present. Its various areas of emphasis give it international standing as one of the most significant museums of its kind. These encompass: paintings and drawings by artists active in the Upper Rhine region between 1400 and 1600, and on the art of the 19th to 21st centuries. The collection can be visited for free on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5 to 6 p.m., Wednesdays and Fridays from 5 to 8 p.m., and the first Sunday of each month. – Museum Tinguely A visit to Museum Tinguely is a must for an insight into the life and genius of Jean Tinguely, one of Basels most celebrated citizens for his pioneering work in the field of kinetic works. Spanning his career which last more than 4 decades, the museum is the largest collection of his works, from early, filigree reliefs to his monumental machine sculptures from the 1980s. Inspired by Tinguely, Museum Tinguely is very playful and interactive, hosting diverse events and exhibitions that will bring out your inner artist. The museum is free to visit late on Thursdays between 6 – 9 pm. – Hoosesaggmuseum In the heart of the charming and steep Imbergässlein, once the street of Basel’s spice merchants, lies the fascinating Hoosesaggmuseum (Pants Pocket Museum). There’s no entry fee, but also no entrance possible to this museum- the entire collection is displayed within a two-foot-by-two-foot window in the door of Dagmar and Matthias Vergeat’s 600-year-old home, tucked away in this narrow pedestrian alley in Basel’s Old Town. This unique museum showcases miniature collections small enough to fit in your pocket. Anyone with a private collection of tiny objects of more than 30 items can display them here for a limited time, adding a personal and whimsical touch to the exhibits. Niki de Saint Phalle, Solitude Park Basel 3. See Niki de Saint Phalle sculpture at Solitude Park On our way back from Museum Tinguely, we strolled through the beautiful Solitude Park ( Later discover that Niki Saint de Phalle and Tinguely were partners in life and art, the ‘Bonnie and Clyde of the Art World’ ) we discovered one of Niki de Saint Phalle’s colorful painted polyester sculptures. I’m a huge fan of her buxom, bold and beautiful sculptures and followed her work ever since I saw an exhibition