Bern or Basel?

Basil is on the French border north of Zurich. And it's nowhere near the mountains that draw all the tourists. I'd go elsewhere.

I spent 3 nights in Basel at the end of a river cruise and frankly there isn't much there - at least historical types of sites. We only stayed longer as a chance to visit Schaffausen and the Rhine falls about an hour away by train.

Basel is mostly a business convention sort of town. There is the Red Rathaus and an interesting kinetic sculpture garden.

Part of our cruise included a visit to Lucerne and that was lovely. Well worth visiting.

So far I've resisted the temptation to join in, but cj-traveler's comments persuaded me otherwise.
I am biased, I have lived in Basel for many years and really enjoy the city. It is a city for wandering around, soaking up the city and enjoying wonderful places. There are many little corners where you can just stand and stare, and wonder "WTF century am I in?".

The centre is car free. The main axis, where the shopping streets are, is trams only. The streets each side are narrow alleys where there is nothing but pedestrians and bicycles. You need to look at a map to find the best places, or ask a local.

• Start with the view along the Rhine: (click for photo)
• The Markplatz with town hall and market: photo
• Then head up to the Münsterplatz (Cathedral square): photo
• And then get lost in the alleys: Photo 1, photo 2, photo 3
• This is where I had a coffee earlier today: photo
• Nearly forgot, Basel is famous for its fountains. All dispensing drinking water, vital in the summer: photo 1, photo 2
• And how could I forget the ferries? photo

There are some 360° panoramas here. Menu of places to select on the right: https://www.basel.com/en/360

Chris, thanks for taking the time to attach all those wonderful pictures!

Ok I never said it was a bad city. Seemed quite nice but it just had a more modern feel. Our hotel was opposite the convention center which you have to admit is VERY modern but cool. Keep in mind we'd just spent 2 weeks on the Rhine and Moselle visiting numerous castles, churches, roman ruins, etc.

We visited most of the items on Chris-f's list. Since the trams are free for visitors we rode several of them end to end just enjoying the place and chilling a bit after days of guided tours. It was Oct and the week long city fair was going with amusement park rides and vendors all over the city. From our hotel window we could watch one of the rides going up through the hole in the convention center.

And Schaffausen is because it was my grandfather's home town. Sadly didn't make it as the usually reliable Swiss trains had a problem. Still hoping to get back there one day.

My wife and I are huge fans of Bern and make a point of spending a couple days there whenever we head to the Berner Oberland. We actually prefer Bern to Luzern. I never really had much interest in Basel but we did day trip there two December’s ago to see their wonderful Christmas market. In short, Basel really surprised us and we really enjoyed our day there. Even outside the Christmas season, we plan to return to see more of Basel. I suppose we still prefer Bern to Basel, but you cannot go wrong with either of the two cities.

I'd go with Bern. Bern is right in the middle of the three points you list - Luzern, Murren, and Lausanne/Montreux. Easy access to and from each of these destinations...Basel is about an hour north of Bern. Still accessible, just a bit further.

Regarding Basel, [and I did post this same query under similar topic,] what are recommended hotels/neighborhoods in the Old Town, with easy access to the train station [using the trams?], and walking distance to the Christmas markets? I'm willing to pay for location and proximity. As discussed on another post, Basel is not covered in the RS Guides. Thanks!

There's not much within the city of Basel that isn't very easy access to the station. Trams go everywhere, they are free if your hotel is in the city, fast and frequent. Comfy and great views, too. Some even have free wifi too.

The same goes for getting to a market.

I like the Ibis which is walking distance from the back door of the SBB station, but it isn't to everybody's taste...

what are recommended hotels/neighborhoods in the Old Town, with easy access to the train station [using the trams?], and walking distance to the Christmas markets?

Pam, the old town doesn't really sub-divide into neighbourhoods, it is not that large. Perhaps 15 minutes walk across.
The two stations (Basel SBB and Basel Badischer Bahnhof) are on opposite sides of the old town (opposite sides of the river). Which station you arrive / depart from depends on where you are going to / coming from. Most Swiss destinations are served from Basel SBB.
Both are connected to the old town by tram, 4 stops from Basel SBB to "Marktplatz", 7 stops from Badischer Bahnhof. You can get anywhere in the city by tram (and connecting buses). And if you stay in any hotel in the city you get free transport for the duration of your stay.

The Christmas market is split between Barfüsserplatz and Münsterplatz. Barfüsserplatz (unofficially "Barfi") is a central square with a tram stop of the same name. Münsterplatz (= Minster square) is where the cathedral is. This is about 5 minutes walk from Barfi. This is all a pedestrianised area, you can only get to Münsterplatz on foot.

Official Christmas Market website: https://www.basel.com/en/Christmas-in-Basel

As far as hotels go, you can't go far wrong as you can get from anywhere to the centre by tram. If you want one right in the centre. I would suggest (not recommend, as I have never stayed in either as I live here):

• Hotel Basel: https://www.hotel-basel.ch/en/home/
• Motel One, more basic "new build" hotel. This actually overlooks the Barfi: https://www.motel-one.com/en/hotels/basel/

Chris,
Thanks so much. You really are this site's resident expert on Basel, and most things Swiss. I contacted the Basel tourism center, I and think they are mailing me a paper guidebook and map. I'm so poor at directions, I really need to study a paper map.
Is there an issue of staying too close to the Christmas markets, because of the noise? Or do events shut down at a reasonable hour?
I will study your posts and I really do appreciate the energy you put into sharing your info. Thx again!