This is the way: Street Art in Basel, Switzerland

Recently, I trekked to Munich

I went to see my sister and brother-in-law as well as to attend the famed Oktoberfest. I’d found significantly cheaper flights through Basel, Switzerland than through Munich — it was cheaper even after adding train travel and an extra night at a hostel on the way home.

So I found myself in Basel. On a Sunday.

You may or may not know, but things in Switzerland close on Sunday. Like, everything. So I was left to wander aimlessly throughout the city to find ways to entertain myself. When I got tired of riding the tram from one end of town to the other, I got off to walk around.

I did manage to find one place open for lunch. It was a very hipster-y place called Hirscheneck. Yelp said it was “Swiss cuisine”. More importantly, it was open and listed under only one dollar sign. When I arrived, it seemed like the entire hipster population (which I later found out is most of the population) of Basel was having brunch on the patio. I pranced in with a huge smile on my face (funny how sunshine does that to you, eh?) and asked if they have wifi. I don’t think the staff here knew what to make of me. I have no German whatsoever, and the staff here were able to speak some English, but they didn’t seem very comfortable with it. They were, however, very nice; my waitress translated the menu for me, and looked very confused when I ordered a continental brunch “with a side of bacon”.

In Switzerland, you don’t eat meat for breakfast. It’s all croissants, breads, jam, and spreads. Anyway, it was delicious, and fueled me for a day of wandering.

This is the Way Graffiti in Basel, Switzerland

Street Art, it exists

As I wandered around town, I noticed a number of interesting artworks scattered around the city. As I mentioned before, Basel seems like a very hipster town, so it’s no wonder they would support an artwork like giant ants on the side of a cafe.

I was inspired by Vlad from Eff it, I’m on Holiday, whose post on the street art in Porto made me want to share the street art I saw in Basel! I don’t have nearly as many photos as he does, but here’s what I’ve got.

Ants art in Basel, Switzerland Street Art

Those are ants.

Street Art of animals dancing in Basel Switzerland

Crazy drawing on a construction barrier across the street from the giant ants.

A glowing gutter art display in Basel, Switzerland

On my way to the river, I passed under a bridge and encountered this glowing gutter.

A painting of dancers street art on the side of a building in Basel, Switzerland.

Saw these dancers while waiting for the tram to go back to the hostel.

6 comments

  1. Adorable photos, I especially love the one with the dancers and the giant mutant ants, had to stare at them for a few minutes, haha. 😀

    • Yeah, totally. The ants were crazy. I have no idea who thought that was a good idea. And above a restaurant, too! Although, it certainly caught my attention 🙂

  2. What an interesting way to spend a Sunday. I’m glad you found bacon… and some street art. Sundays can always be improved by bacon and street art, right?

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