Immediately, let's start with the fact that Basel is a very interesting city with its own characteristics that it is desirable to know before you come here. Small nuances will help to prevent small incidents and create more pleasant recreation conditions.
After all, by itself, it is a very pleasant and attractive town that won the hearts of millions. The largest tourist influx here is exactly when festivals and carnivals are held in the city, which are especially colorful and fun. All of them have a centuries-old history and are valuable for patriots of their country.
1. In the habit of citizens included the creation on all the main streets of the Basel of colorful markets, which offer everyone to acquire national costumes and traditional wooden shoes. Residents love in the days of the celebration to dress up in costumes and hats with wigs, and walk in such outfits through the streets. It is best stocking with sweets that the kids should be treated.
2. Stores in Basel work exclusively from 9:00 to 18:30. And the weekend, that is, on Saturday and Sunday, in stores and shopping complexes, as well as supermarkets, are considered a reduced working day, and closed at 16:00.
3. In restaurants, shopping centers, as well as hotels, you can pay credit cards that comply with international standards. But there are some hotels in which you need to pay in cash, but when booking, they may require your credit card data to block the amount necessary for its booking.
4. When setting in hotels, it should be borne in mind that in some of them belonging to the list of accommodation hotels in the economy class, there are old sockets that do not comply with the European standard. Therefore, for example, to use the laptop, a special adapter will be required. They can be purchased both in electronics stores and in large shopping centers.
5. Basel is distinguished by a large number of banking offices, as well as a large number of currency exchange items. Almost all of them are offering favorable conditions for sharing, so there is no big need to take a lot of cash with you.
6. When visiting various excursions with groups, good discounts are provided, so in the city you can sign up for group excursions in the tourist bureau. Excellent discounts provide pensioners and students, so you can safely go to inspect the attractions in the company of other tourists.
7. Basel is distinguished by expensive restaurants and cafes, so people wishing to save on food, advise you to eat in bistro or small snacks, which in the city there is a very large amount. The city also employs numerous cooking, which are usually located near the entertainment centers, as well as large shopping centers. They offer a large selection of salads and fresh baking.
8. Basel is also characterized by very volatile weather, so if you are going on a long walk through the sights of the city or around the neighborhood, it is better to take an umbrella or rain with it. After all, even in sunny weather you can overtake the small rain.
9. The most popular souvenir here is the exceptional local chocolate, as well as traditional army knives and watches. In the city markets, prices for souvenirs can be greatly overestimated, therefore it is better, and most advantageous to buy souvenirs in large supermarkets and shopping centers. Popular souvenirs in the city are also cow bells, as well as plates and cups with images of cows, or symbolic cow flowers. For example, a cup with black and white spots and the flag of Switzerland.
10. The use of public transport in Basel is very convenient. The transport network covers an absolutely whole city. In the city, at each post of public transport, there are automata that sells travel tickets. Remember that they take only coins and do not give out delivery. Such machines work throughout Switzerland, so they are not uncommon to meet them in different cities.
11. In Basel there is a speed limit, a minimum is 50 kilometers an hour. Therefore, it is worth considering if you prefer to move by car. For violation of traffic rules, as well as speeding, very expensive fines are provided.
12. In cafes and restaurants it is customary to leave tips, because they are not included in the total cost of your account. Tips are approximately 10% of the order amount. You can buy food for removal in bistro and diner cities.