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Merian Park (Brüglingen Botanical Gardens)

In 1980 Basel hosted a garden show with the not very imaginative title of Green 80. This name stuck in the public's imagination and was also applied to the botanical gardens. The original name comes from a homestead, the remains of which are still visible. The small nearby castle, which served as Christoph Merian's summer residence, is now a cafe. The huge area of the park is ideal for sports, and kids love the enormous dinosaur statue (affectionately known as Dino), who quietly lets everything pass over him.

Antikenmuseum Basel und Sammlung Ludwig

Antikenmuseum Basel und Sammlung Ludwig is entirely devoted to the historical origins and the development of art in the Mediterranean region. A range of special displays and temporary exhibitions make for a worth trip back into the history of the region. You will find a range of exotic displays ranging from 4B.C to 6 A.D that will allow you to delve deeper into Roman, Egyptian, Greek and Etruscan cultures.

Natural History Museum of Basel

The Naturhistorisches Museum (Natural history museum) has been located in this former Augustine monastery since 1849. What began as a collection of curiosities is now a center for science and research. Most of the eight million objects in the colletion are on display, and the museum's strengths lie in paleontology, mineralogy, zoology, entomology and anthropology, but you don't need a degree to visit. The other exhibits, including early man, dinosaurs and insects, will appeal to visitors both young and old.

Spielzeug Welten Museum Basel

Basel's Spielzeug Welten Museum Basel honors and exhibits every child's first playmate and best friend- dolls and teddy bears. With over 6000 on display at this museum, everyday scenes from the life of dolls have been recreated with love and a fantastic flair. At Puppenhausmuseum the exhibits certainly inspire the same magical fascination as in childhood. The four floors with around 1000 square meters (10,763 square feet) of dolls will make anyone feel nostalgic. After visiting this museum, you'll go home, throw out the new computer game, find your old teddy and return him to his rightful place.

Zoologischer Garten Basel

Zoologischer Garten is one of the largest and most popular zoos in the world. With extensive areas and a large variety of animals and plants, this place stands as a pride of the city. Also on store are a range of tour programs which attract large crowds. A large share of visitors here is students from various educational institutes. The diversity of animal species and the quality facilities offered here makes this place distinct. Call ahead or check the website for more details.

Kunstmuseum Basel

The foundations for the Kunstmuseum were laid when the city of Basel purchased the Amerbachsche Kabinett. This private collection, which boasted works by Holbein among others, was the world's first publicly owned one. Work by Witz, Schongauer, Cranach, Grünewald and others also displays the renaissance's rich artistic traditions. 19th-century art is also featured with Arnold Böcklin's work at the forefront. He did, after all come from Basel. Marble steps take visitors to the museum's upper floors. 20th-century art by greats such as Leger, Braque and Picasso can be found here as can abstract expressionist and pop art pieces. The building itself is almost cubic. Situated near the Wettsteingbridge, it also houses a library and copper-plate engraving cabinet.

More Attractions

Skulpturhalle Basel

Mittlere Strasse 17, Basel, Switzerland, 4056

An intriguing yet extraordinary museum of art, Skulpturhalle Basel features some of the most popular statues and sculptures. While most of what is housed here are replicas of the originals that can be found around the world, the installations found here are not any less fascinating than their original counterparts. With a collection of over 2,200 casts of Roman and Greek masterpieces, this is believed to be the largest of its kind. While catching a glimpse of the original works might cost you much more time and money, this museum enables you to experience it all in a single visit.

Jewish Museum of Switzerland

Kornhausgasse 8, Basel, Switzerland, 4051

Jewish Museum of Switzerland pays a fitting tribute to the Jewish culture by way of exotic displays that illustrate old world Jewish charm,thanks to a plethora of artifacts and objects. Explore the Jewish calendar, their way of dressing, facets of their daily life, tombstones among other interesting facts of their life. Glimpse into their historical-social backgrounds as you trace their development as a religious group.

Anatomy Museum

Pestalozzistrasse 20, Universität Basel, Basel, Switzerland, 4056

Anatomisches Museum at the University of Basel was set up by Carl Gustav Jung is a unique place to be. If you are a student of medicine and are looking for a detailed study into the anatomical structure of man, this is the place for you. Special exhibits and temporary collections take you through a detailed tour of the human body. Check website for more details on current and upcoming events.

Kleines Klingental Museum

Unterer Rheinweg 26, Basel, Switzerland, 4058

Housed within the confines of the former Klingental Dominican convent, Museum Kleines Klingental displays sculptures right from the Middle Ages. For the history and art aficionados, there is also a 17th Century model of the city, awaiting you. The convent's history unfolds itself through the art works on exhibit. The venue can also be hired for private parties, anniversaries, weddings, business meetings, seminars and other events.

Natural History Museum of Basel

Augustinergasse 2, Basel, Switzerland, 4001

Music Museum

Im Lohnhof 9, Basel, Switzerland, 4051

This collection of instruments seemed like the poor relation of the Historical Musem for many years - a lack of money and space that only a few of the more than 2000 instruments were on display. Anonymous donors made the dream of a building for the museum possible - instruments from over the ages are now exhibited in this former prison. The instruments all come from civil collections, which makes this museum slightly different to those in Paris and Vienna. Drums, trumpets, horns and many other lesser-known instruments are all on display. They have 255 examples of music being played on the instruments on display, and the touchscreen technology insures an educational visit.