From Altstadt (the ‘Old Town’), steep cobblestone streets wind up – past enough chocolate shops to delight any gourmand – to Nobility Hill, where antique hounds will be in seventh heaven. Cross the river to Kleinbasel, however, and you’ll find fashionistas revelling in avant-garde boutiques. And through all this runs the artistic heart of Switzerland’s most densely packed city of art and architecture. Basel may be a small town, but it has the spirit of a big city, so while there is only a handful of exclusively gay bars and clubs, there are mixed options for almost every taste.

Highlights in Basel