What to do in Basel between Eurovision shows? The ultimate Eurofan guide!
As any Eurofan with Eurovision tickets will tell you, a week in the host city means two rooms, two atmospheres. On the flipside, the excitement of the shows: singing, dancing, applauding in the arena, the votes. On the flip side, there are the days without a show, those moments when you recharge your batteries before the next adrenaline rush. Here at Eurovision & Friends, this is our fourth live » Eurovision, so we're giving you our Eurofan tips for keeping busy between shows!
If you're looking for accommodation or access information, click here.
'In' Days – Our Selection of Must-See Events in Basel
Before you find out what to do on the "off" days of », we've put together this schedule of key moments to make sure you don't miss an important date, and a selection of Eurovision events you won't want to miss!
List and dates of Eurovision shows
| Eurovision Show | Evening Preview Show | Afternoon Preview Show | Live TV Show |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semi-Final 1 | Monday 12 May 21:00 | Tuesday 13 May 15:00 | Tuesday 13 May 21:00 |
| Semi-Final 2 | Wednesday 14 May 21:00 | Thursday 15 May 15:00 | Thursday 15 May 21:00 |
| Grand Final | Friday 16 May 21:00 | Saturday 17 May 13:30 | Saturday 17 May 21:00 |
Our smart tip - If you're lucky enough to have a ticket for the shows with free seating, don't hesitate to get in the queue well in advance. In Malmö we experienced a 4-hour wait before entering the arena. And we weren't the first. Take cereal bars, very good shoes, your country's flags, a pack of cards, and a battery, because your smartphone will be your best companion the whole time 🙂
Sunday 11 May: The Turquoise Carpet
The Eurovision week will kick off with the Turquoise Carpet, which will see all the artists parade through Basel on Sunday afternoon at 2pm. It will stretch for over 1km, from the market square just in front of Basel town hall to the Riehenring near the Eurovision village.
Our smart tip The Turquoise Carpet: if you're in Basel on Sunday, this is certainly the event not to be missed. Last year's Turquoise Carpet was a dud, quite frankly, and the public were disappointed. This year, Switzerland seems to have pulled out all the stops, with a 1km parade, vintage trams, etc. We can't wait! We can't wait!
From 10 to 18 May: Eurovision Village
The Eurovision Village will host Eurovision artists such as :
- Saturday 10 May: Remo Forrer (Switzerland 2023)
- Monday 12 May Conchita Wurst (Austria 2014)
- Viewing shows during the semi-finals and final.
It's a lively place, full of energy, not to be missed, where every Eurofan should drop in at least once. It's open to all, with free admission. It is located in Hall 1 of the Messe Basel exhibition centre, right in the heart of the exhibition district. Full programme here.
Map of Eurovision events in Basel
'Off' Days – Recharging before the next Show!
Visiting Basel
There's nothing like starting off a stay in the host city with... a visit to the host city, of course! Basel's Old Town is a labyrinth of quaint old streets, lively squares and medieval buildings.
Strolling through these period streets, crossing the MarktplatzYou can also take in the atmosphere of the city, stroll along the Rhine or even take a sightseeing cruise, and finally visit the Basle town hall. Basel Cathedral (you know, the one that was on the press pack!) should take up a good part of your day. If you're interested in art, there's also the Fondation Beyelera museum of modern art.
We also stop for a snack at the Läckerli Huus. You'll be able to sample a local speciality: Läckerli, a biscuit made with honey, nuts, candied fruit and spices.
There are also some really exciting museums in Basel, such as the Kunstmuseum 🐈😱, the oldest public art museum in the world, housing a collection of works from the Middle Ages to contemporary art, and the Museum Tinguely which is dedicated to the Swiss artist Jean Tinguely and features interactive mechanical sculptures.
Finally, as Basel is also, and above all, a city situated at the confluence of 3 countries: Switzerland, Germany and France, we suggest that you visit the "Dreiländereck" for the photo, but be warned, the surrounding area doesn't look very dynamic or touristy.
Around Basel...
For those wishing to get away from the hustle and bustle of Basel, there are a number of interesting destinations that can be reached in less than 30 minutes by public transport, bus, tram, train or cycle paths.
In Switzerland...
- Augusta Raurica Just 20 minutes from Basel, the remains of an ancient Roman town with an ancient theatre. A wonderful immersion in the past!
- Tour du Jura Balois The route takes you through hilly countryside and superb Swiss villages, but the villages of Liestal, Sissach, Läufelfingen and Waldenburg can be reached by train in less than 40 minutes from Basel.
In Germany...
- Freiburg im Breisgau (not to be confused with Fribourg in Switzerland): Around 1 hour by train from Basel, this charming German town is ideal for a quick getaway. Stroll through its medieval streets, sample its local specialities in one of its many cafés and discover its warm atmosphere.
- Just 20 minutes from Basel, the Beuggen medieval castle (in Germany) dating from the 11th century, overlooking the Rhine, with its half-moon-shaped enclosure, will be perfect for a visit or a leisurely stroll.
- Waldshut-Tiengen Basel: Around 30 minutes by train from Basel, this small German town is perfect for a leisurely stroll. Enjoy the typical architecture and local shops in a picturesque setting on the banks of the Rhine.
- Rothelin Castle The castle: An impressive site, as it is one of the most imposing fortified castles in the country.
In France...
- Read Little Venice and Colmar's historic town centre less than an hour by train from Basel.
- Read Cité du Train and the Automobile Museum in Mulhouse, two of Europe's most important and renowned museums, just 30 minutes from Basel.
A day's adventure by train
Thanks to Switzerland's ultra-efficient rail network, you can get to destinations in less than an hour from Basel. Here are a few ideas for day trips that won't take you too far from Basel.
- Lucerne Lucerne: Just an hour away by train, Lucerne is a city surrounded by mountains and lakes, a combination of nature and culture. There's the medieval old town, the Chapel Bridge, you can take a cruise on Lake Lucerne or climb Pilatus for a panoramic view of the Swiss Alps.
- Zurich is also ideal for a city break just 1 hour from Basel. Its lake, the shopping streets of its old town, its museums and art galleries. You can also take a train to the surrounding hills for a breathtaking view of the city and lake.
And if you want to stay in the Eurovision mood?
Our friends at Wiwibloggs are organising fan events with the artists every afternoon during Eurovision week at the House of Helvetia in Basel. The full programme hasn't been fully released yet, but it's a generally fun, lively venue with a chance for fans to get up close and personal with their artists and also take some great photos.
Whatever the level of Eurovision fannishness, there will be something to keep everyone busy. The competition was created to bring people together, and having 'off »' days to visit other countries and cultures does exactly that. But make sure you wear your favourite Eurovision T-shirt when you're out and about outside Basel, so that you can be identified and meet other fans along the way! Eurovision isn't just a competition: it's a big family. 🩷
