🇨🇭 Basel, Switzerland
Cityflats
📍 1, Peterskirchplatz, Basel, 4051
Your stay — Cityflats
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The Property — Cityflats
Cityflots is a no-fuss 3-star hotel in Basel’s old town, two minutes from the Marktplatz and the town hall. The lobby is compact and functional – laminate floors, a small reception desk, a couple of armchairs. It’s clean, efficient and aimed squarely at budget-conscious travellers or business visitors who need a bed near the city centre, not frills. You check in quickly and head straight out the door.
Chronicles of Basel
Basel was founded as a Roman settlement around 44 AD under the name Basilia. It grew into a major medieval trade hub, joining the Swiss Confederacy in 1501, and later became a centre of the Reformation – Erasmus lived here. Its architectural mix includes the red sandstone Münster (cathedral), intact medieval streets in the Grossbasel district, and modernist buildings by Renzo Piano and Mario Botta around the Messe (exhibition centre). Today it’s a quiet, wealthy city of museums, the chemical industry (Novartis) and a large annual art fair.
Best Time to Visit
Full Basel guide →Best months
June and September: warm weather (22–26C), long daylight, city quietish after Art Basel and before the autumn trade fairs.
Peak / festival surge
June: Art Basel (usually third week) fills the city – hotel rates triple, rooms book out months ahead. Also December Christmas markets, though standard. Expect Cityflots prices to double during Art Basel.
Budget shoulder season
January–February: cold (0-5C), low season, deep discounts on rooms; not many tourists. Also April: spring flowers, mild, cheaper than summer.
Weather & packing
Basel sits in a Rhine valley that can be muggy in summer; July can hit 30C, but also short thunderstorms. Pack a thin rain jacket and walking shoes – the old-town streets are cobbled and steep.
Live City Briefing — Basel
- The Basel tram system is undergoing line 2 closures for track replacement on Heuwaage–Bäumlihof section until end of 2026; check SBB or BVB app for replacement buses.
- The Kunstmuseum Basel is closed for renovations from May 2026; its temporary exhibitions move to the Kunsthalle Basel until autumn 2027.
- Basel’s summer bathing season at the Rheinbad St. Johann has a warning for high bacteria levels in the first week of July after June’s heavy rain – best to check the Stadt Basel website before swimming.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Cityflats, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floor 3 or 4 facing the inner courtyard. These floors are high enough to reduce street noise but still accessible via the lift, and the courtyard side is quieter.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on floor 1 – directly above the street (Peterskirchplatz) and near the lobby/breakfast area. Also avoid any rooms facing Peterskirchplatz, as it's a busy square with foot traffic and occasional events.
Best views
Rooms facing the Münster (cathedral) or the old town rooftops – request 'city view' or 'courtyard view' to avoid the square. Rear-facing rooms have a more peaceful outlook.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are the quietest – set back from street-level noise and not adjacent to any service or lift machinery.
🔊 Noise notes
Peterskirchplatz is a semi-pedestrianised square near Basel University, so expect church bells, student chatter, and occasional events. No nightclub noise, but morning deliveries from cafes and waste collection can be audible on lower floors.
Insider tips
1) If you're driving, the hotel has no on-site parking – use the 'Parkhaus City' garage (5-min walk, pre-book for discount). 2) Check-in after 3pm avoids the busiest front-desk queue; request a late checkout if possible.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Cityflats
Free WiFi for all guests (up to 30 Mbps, enough for video calls and streaming); no login or time limit
One lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections
Complimentary digital access to PressReader at the lobby tablet; no physical newspapers delivered to rooms; no building heritage quirks worth noting
Check-in from 14:00 to 22:00; early bag drop possible from 10:00 (no charge); late check-out until 12:00 costs CHF 30 (until 14:00: CHF 60, subject to availability)
Free luggage storage during opening hours (08:00–20:00) behind reception; no overnight storage
Step-free access via ramp at main entrance (width 85 cm); lift doors 80 cm wide; one adapted room on ground floor. No automatic door openers; bathroom grab rails present
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park: City Parking Münsterplatz (Schützenstrasse 15, 4051 Basel), 5-minute walk, CHF 30 per 24 hours. No EV charging on site
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: CHF 5.00 per person per night
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment due 14 days before arrival; CHF 100 incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Käppelijoch (168 m · ~2 min walk)
- Church: Clarakirche (320 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Martinskirche (355 m · ~4 min walk)
- Mosque: Kaserne Moschee Basel (430 m · ~5 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Bâleo Erlenmatt — 1.8 km · ~22 min walk
Claramatte — 545 m · ~7 min walk
Rappaz Museum — 176 m · ~2 min walk
Kaserne — 428 m · ~5 min walk
Spielestrich Kaserne — 422 m · ~5 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 230 m · ~3 min walk
Saner Apotheke — 90 m · ~1 min walk
Aggarwal — 401 m · ~5 min walk
Rhytaxi / Rheintaxi — 992 m · ~12 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Swiss Franc (CHF)
Travellers can exchange currency at banks, post offices, or currency exchange offices (Wechselstuben) in the city centre. Be aware that airport exchange services often have poor rates and high fees.
Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) and contactless payments are widely accepted in Basel, including at many public transportation machines and restaurants. Mobile payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay are also accepted at many locations.
Tipping in Switzerland is not mandatory but is generally 5-10% in restaurants and bars. For taxis, rounding up the fare or adding 5-10 CHF for a long journey is sufficient. Hotel staff may not expect tips, but rounding up the bill or leaving 5 CHF per day is appreciated.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A typical coffee costs around 3-4 CHF at a local café or bakery.
A budget-friendly lunch option is a 'Brötli' (sandwich) from a bakery or a street food stall, costing around 6-8 CHF.
A budget-friendly dinner option is a meal at a 'Gaststätte' (casual restaurant), with a main course costing around 20-25 CHF.
The area around Marktplatz and surrounding streets has a variety of street food options, including food stalls and markets.
Common budget supermarket chains in Basel include Coop, Migros, and Lidl.
Affordable high-street shopping can be found at the Bahnhofstraße and surrounding streets, with a mix of international and local brands.
A day pass for public transportation in Basel costs around 8.80 CHF. The cheapest way to get to the city from the airport is by taking the SBB train (around 3 CHF) and then the tram.
Avoid eating at touristy restaurants and opt for local eateries instead.Use public transportation instead of taxis or rental cars.Buy snacks and drinks at supermarkets or bakeries instead of at touristy shops.
Good to know — Basel
Type C/J · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ CHF0.81 · CHF
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Basel, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Cityflats
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 230 m · ~3 min walk — pharmacy · Saner Apotheke — 90 m · ~1 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →EuroAirport taxi rank → Hotel Merian, Basel (Rheingasse 2, 4058)
💡 Flat rate from airport to city centre is around 35–40 CHF. Ask driver to take the A3 motorway exit at Dreirosenbrücke to avoid city-centre traffic—saves 5 minutes during peak.
EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (BSL) → Basel SBB station
💡 Buy tickets from the SBB machine at the airport; avoid the at-platform validator confusion by validating before boarding if using a paper ticket.
EuroAirport bus stop (exit arrivals) → Basel SBB station
💡 Bus 50 is cheaper than a taxi and runs late—last bus around 1am. From Basel SBB, take tram 6 towards Allschwil and get off at Paulusstrasse; your hotel (Merian) is a 3-minute walk east.
Basel SBB station (tram stop) → Paulusstrasse tram stop
💡 From the stop, walk east along Rheingasse for 150m—Hotel Merian is on the right. Buy a day pass (9 CHF) if you plan multiple trips; Basel's trams are efficient but cash only on board—use the BVB app for contactless.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Cityflats?
Request a room on floor 3 or 4 facing the inner courtyard. These floors are high enough to reduce street noise but still accessible via the lift, and the courtyard side is quieter.
Which rooms should I avoid at Cityflats?
Avoid rooms on floor 1 – directly above the street (Peterskirchplatz) and near the lobby/breakfast area. Also avoid any rooms facing Peterskirchplatz, as it's a busy square with foot traffic and occasional events.
Is Cityflats noisy?
Peterskirchplatz is a semi-pedestrianised square near Basel University, so expect church bells, student chatter, and occasional events. No nightclub noise, but morning deliveries from cafes and waste collection can be audible on lower floors.
Which rooms have the best views at Cityflats?
Rooms facing the Münster (cathedral) or the old town rooftops – request 'city view' or 'courtyard view' to avoid the square. Rear-facing rooms have a more peaceful outlook.
What are insider tips for staying at Cityflats?
1) If you're driving, the hotel has no on-site parking – use the 'Parkhaus City' garage (5-min walk, pre-book for discount). 2) Check-in after 3pm avoids the busiest front-desk queue; request a late checkout if possible.
What time is check-in at Cityflats?
Check-in at Cityflats is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Cityflats have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi for all guests (up to 30 Mbps, enough for video calls and streaming); no login or time limit
Is there a city or tourist tax at Cityflats?
CHF 5.00 per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Cityflats?
A budget-friendly lunch option is a 'Brötli' (sandwich) from a bakery or a street food stall, costing around 6-8 CHF.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Cityflats?
A day pass for public transportation in Basel costs around 8.80 CHF. The cheapest way to get to the city from the airport is by taking the SBB train (around 3 CHF) and then the tram.
When is the best time to visit Basel?
June and September: warm weather (22–26C), long daylight, city quietish after Art Basel and before the autumn trade fairs.
Top Attractions in Basel
💡 The bridge itself is free—cross it around sunset for the best light. Bring a swimsuit in summer: locals float down the Rhine on 'Wickelfisch' bags; the bridge steps are a popular entry point.
💡 The tower climb costs a small fee (around CHF 5) but the cathedral interior and the terrace overlooking the Rhine are free. Go on a weekday morning to avoid crowds.
💡 Arrive 15 minutes before opening to join the queue for free Sunday entry. The museum also has a free outdoor sculpture garden—combine it with a walk through St. Alban quarter for a full afternoon.
💡 Take the No. 6 tram to 'Riehen Dorf' stop—the park entrance is a 5-minute walk. Bring a picnic and a blanket; the hill near the vineyard has the best views. No dogs allowed in the main meadow.
💡 Free entry every first Wednesday of the month (from 11:00 to closing). Otherwise, entry is CHF 18—still good value for a two-hour visit. Combine with a walk along the Solitude Park riverbank.