5 things to do in and around Basel, Switzerland on a budget

Basel is a beautiful and diverse city, but it is no secret that a visit to Switzerland can come at a hefty price.

However, don't be dissuaded. Since starting university and having found myself increasingly out of pocket, I have composed a list of activities that are either free or come at a small price and will keep you busy and entertained in the summer months.

This way, if you are new to Basel or travelling through, you can still enjoy everything it has to offer in the summer months: a warm climate, enthralling atmosphere and charming surroundings- without having to break the bank. 

1. Rhine Swimming

If you come to Basel in the summer, this really is a must. The River Rhine flows through the city and in the summer months, it is not unusual to see hoards of people floating down, hanging on to floating dry bags. Bizarre as this might sound, this brilliant tradition means that you can jump in at an earlier point of the river, and let the current take you as far as you wish. Cafés and bars line the river, and people can always be seen lounging on its banks, enjoying the ambiance and watching the swimmers float by. It's certainly a way to see the city from another perspective, and offers a exhilarating and refreshing interlude to the pattern of daily city life.

Cost: Absolutely free. Although you might want to invest in a floating dry bag (Wickelfish) which cost about 30CHF, and means you'll not only have a buoyancy aid, but also have something to keep your clothes and valuables dry as you float down.

Season: July and August, weather permitting. 

2. Open-air cinema, Münsterplatz

If you follow the cobbled streets up to Münterplatz, you will find a magnificent square in the shadow of the impressive cathedral. From the end of July into August, a huge screen is erected and the square becomes an outdoor cinema, showing the latest films every evening under the stars. 

The schedule can be viewed and tickets brought online, and be sure to check the language that the film is being shown in. There are also a number of food options available in the form of little stands offering various cuisines, of which I personally recommend the fajita stand. At 15CHF they don't come cheap, but they really are something special. If you're strapped for cash, why not take a picnic and make the most of the free Ben and Jerry's ice cream that is included in the ticket price. I would recommend arriving earlier rather than later, as the cinema soon fills up so it is worth reserving a seat and then hanging out and soaking up the ambiance until the film begins.

Cost: 10CHF regular ticket, 5CHF for students. Ben and Jerry's ice cream included.

Season: July 28th-August 21st (2016).

3. Go for a BBQ in some castle ruins

If you fancy taking a trip out of the hustle and bustle of Basel City and into the surrounding countryside, why not jump on the tram to one of the neighbouring towns and have a BBQ in the ruins of a castle? Many of the towns in Basel-Land have fire pits and picnic areas which are nestled within impressive castle ruins. A tram ride from the centre of Basel, followed by a short walk will bring you to one of these ruins, where you can bring some food and enjoy the serenity and effortless beauty of the Swiss countryside. If you fancy passing through two countries in one day, why not take the number 10 Tram to Leyman, a idyllic French town just over the border housing Ruine Landskron, a huge castle ruin burrowed into the alluring Alsace. A list of the castle ruins can be found on the Basel-Land Tourist Website, and you can work out the quickest way to get there by the Tram Map.

Cost: Visiting the castle ruins and using the fire pits is absolutely free. Although remember to factor in the cost of a tram ticket and BBQ food.

Season: Anytime. Weather dependent.

4. Outdoor swimming pools

One of the great things about Basel in the summer is that the public outdoor swimming pools open. Most of the towns in Basel-Land have their own outdoor swimming pool, fully equipped with slides, changing rooms, cafés and banks of grass for lounging and sunbathing. When the sun is shining, there really is no better place to be. There are no restrictions on bringing picnics and refreshments, and there are usually multiple pools and areas for hanging out, so they are perfect for groups of all ages. The outdoor pool in St Jakob is particularly popular, most likely due to its multiple pools, exhilarating slides and attractive location.

Cost: 7CHF for adults, 4CHF for students and 3CHF for children

Season: May-September

5. Explore the surrounding countryside

If you're in Basel on a budget then look around you. You're in a city that is blessed with being placed in the centre of magnificent countryside. You not only are surrounded by the stereotypic 'Swiss' landscape of rolling hills and roaming cows with clinking bells, but you are also on the edge of both France and Germany, meaning that the delightful Alsace and Black Forest are right on your doorstep. Hire some bikes or jump on a tram and get out there! Get hiking, get cycling, get going... There is so much to be explored that won't cost you a penny. 

Cost: Nothing.

Season: Anytime.