The Naturhistorisches Museum Basel, also known in English as the Natural History Museum Basel, sits at Augustinergasse 2 in the centre of Basel, Switzerland. It is a museum of the natural world, bringing together extensive collections of minerals, fossils and specimens gathered from around the globe.
What to expect
The museum is built around its collections, so a visit is largely a walk through rooms of carefully displayed objects. Mineral specimens show the variety of the earth's materials, while the fossil displays trace life across very long spans of time. Among the highlights are its notable dinosaur exhibits, which tend to draw visitors of all ages.
Because the holdings cover so much ground, the museum suits a range of interests. Families with children, students of geology and biology, and anyone curious about how the natural world is classified and preserved will each find something to look at closely.
Planning your visit
- Address: Augustinergasse 2, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
- Telephone: +41 61 266 55 00, if you want to check details before you go
- Allow time to move slowly through the mineral and fossil collections
Basel's old town lies within easy reach of the museum, so it works well as part of a day of sightseeing in the city. Pairing a visit with a walk through the surrounding streets gives a fuller picture of the city than the museum alone.
