June in Basel isn’t just summer, it’s the heartbeat of Switzerland’s cultural landscape. This charming Rhine city, known for nearly 40 museums, architectural masterpieces, and a vibrant art scene, becomes the epicenter of global creativity during Art Basel week, from June 19 to 22.
If you’ve never been, or if 2025 is your year to finally experience it, we’ve put together everything you need to know: how to get tickets, where to go beyond the Messeplatz main events, which exhibitions not to miss, and where to find that after-hours creative buzz only Basel can offer.
A Handful of Ticket Options
Art Basel happens in Switzerland, and we know this country isn’t exactly cheap. But tickets for Art Basel 2025 offer a wide range of prices, from CHF 65 for a regular Day Pass to CHF 120 for an all-days “Permanent Pass”, with reduced rates (CHF 40–50) available for students, seniors, and Basel residents. For those who don’t mind visiting only during the evening hours, there’s also an Evening Ticket (4–7 pm, CHF 40), an Unlimited Night Ticket (7–10 pm, CHF 38), and even an Evening + Night bundle for CHF 70.
Looking for VIP treatment? The Premium Passes offer a luxe experience with extra benefits and additional perks. Be ready to pay for it though, these luxury options range from CHF 750 to CHF 2,990.
Find all the information about tickets here.
Pro tip: If you book through the SBB train + ticket combo, you’ll score a 10 % discount on admission.
What Else is Happening in Basel During This Week?
Gallery Circuits & Satellite Fairs
During Art Basel week, galleries across Klein- and Grossbasel host late-night openings, meet-the-artist events, and thematic pop-ups. While the main fair is at Messeplatz, don’t miss parallel fairs such as Liste Art Fair Basel, Volta Art Fair Basel, and Photo Basel, each showcasing experimental, niche, or emerging art scenes.
For more info about parallel events during this week, check This is Basel.
Vitra Summer Party (Weil am Rhein)
- When: Wednesday, June 18, 2025, 7 pm–midnight
- Where: Vitra Campus, Charles-Eames-Strasse 2, Weil am Rhein, Germany
Each year, this invite-only event brings together an eclectic mix of architecture lovers, designers, artists, and collectors. Imagine a twilight soirée among iconic buildings, open exhibitions, and DJ sets echoing through the Vitra Campus.
If you’ve secured a Premium ticket to Art Basel, your physical invitation will be tucked inside the gift package, which you can pick up at the Premium Desk in Hall 5.
A free shuttle service runs from Messeplatz to the Vitra Campus between 6:30 and 9:30 pm.
If you manage to snag an invite, don’t miss it. This is where the Art Basel crowd unwinds in style, at an event not listed on the average “what to do in Basel” guides.
What to See in Basel When You’re Not in the Messe Hall
There’s no doubt Art Basel is the main attraction, but the city itself is a cultural heavyweight year-round, and skipping its museums would be a missed opportunity.
Start with the Kunstmuseum Basel (St. Alban-Graben 16–18), considered the crown jewel of the city’s art scene. This is Europe’s oldest public art collection, but it feels anything but dated. Think Holbein’s Renaissance portraits side by side with Picasso, Rothko, and Giacometti. The museum is split across three buildings, including a modern extension that’s worth seeing even for the architecture alone.
Check all the info here: Kunstmuseum Basel
Just a few tram stops from the city center, in the neighboring Gemeinde Riehen, you can find the Fondation Beyeler. Housed in a serene Renzo Piano-designed building surrounded by gardens, this gallery focuses on blockbuster temporary exhibitions, always impeccably curated. It’s quieter than the fair and deeply immersive.
More info: Fondation Beyeler
For those with a taste for the avant-garde, Museum Tinguely on the Rhine showcases the whimsical kinetic art of Swiss sculptor Jean Tinguely. Nearby, Kunsthalle Basel leans into experimentation, often featuring thought-provoking installations by emerging international artists.
Check them here: Museum Tinguely | Kunsthalle Basel
But Basel’s cultural offer doesn’t end at museum doors. Public art dots the city.
Architecture fans should head toward Les Trois Rois hotel, where a new Herzog & de Meuron wing will be unveiled for Art Basel 2025. The city itself is a living gallery, if you know where to look.
Insider tip: Most hotels in Basel provide a BaselCard, included with your stay. It gives you free public transport and discounts on museum entries—definitely worth using if you’re museum-hopping or planning a side trip across the border to the Vitra Campus in Weil am Rhein.
If you decide to stay a bit longer in this beautiful city to get the most out of its summer nights and cultural events, you can’t miss the Vitra Campus ArtNight.
- When: Tuesday, July 1, 2025, 7–9:30 pm
- Where: Vitra Campus, Charles-Eames-Strasse 2, Weil am Rhein (just a 20-minute train ride from Basel)
Imagine strolling into a stunning design-meets-art campus, settling in with a glass of sparkling wine, then taking your pick of a guided painting session: Blossom Rush, Abstract Structure, or even a Banksy-inspired stencil piece. All materials are included. It’s really about showing up curious and ready to create in a laid-back, creative crowd.
- Tickets: From €59, available directly through the Vitra Campus site. Be quick, they go fast!
- Why go: The question here is, why wouldn’t you want to? This event has all the ingredients for a perfect evening. It’s a relaxed, hands-on, social, artsy evening where creativity meets conversation.
Public Transportation in Basel
Getting around is a breeze. Basel’s tram system is one of the best in Europe, and the BaselCard unlocks not just local transport but also routes to Weil am Rhein (hello, Vitra ArtNight). During Art Basel week, shuttles often run between satellite events, and even walking is a pleasure in this compact, charming city.
Looking for Tips or Someone to Go With?
If you’re planning to visit Art Basel 2025 and feel like asking questions, sharing impressions, or even finding someone to explore the fair (or the city) with, our Swiss Ready Telegram community is the place to start. It’s a growing space for expats, creatives, and curious minds who like to mix culture with connection. Whether you’re hunting for satellite shows, looking for a Basel lunch buddy, or just want to know if the Vitra ArtNight is really worth it, come say hi.