Timeline
16:15
Grab a bowl of Pan-Asian noodles at Lily's Maxim. The bench-table setup is casual and filling, perfect for fueling up before the walk. The terrace is nice if the sun is still out, but the interior is cozy enough to avoid the chill.
16:45
Walk nine minutes east to the Kunstmuseum Basel Gegenwart. Enter the building and head straight for the exterior terrace or large windows facing west. This is the key spot. The sun sets toward the WSW, aligning perfectly with this view. Arrive early to secure a good vantage point without the evening rush.
17:30
Walk thirteen minutes back towards the city center to Restaurant Kunsthalle. It is a Basel classic with a rustic 'Schluuch' section that feels warm and inviting after standing in the cold. Order a beer and some rustic fare to digest the sunset and the walk.
Local tip
The Gegenwart building is separate from the main Kunstmuseum Hauptbau. The ticket covers all three buildings, but the sunset view is specific to the modern wing's western exposure. Check the route if you are not familiar with the path from the city center to the museum district.
Check before you go
- Lily's Maxim is open Mo-Su 10:00-24:00, so it will be open for your pre-sunset snack.
- Restaurant Kunsthalle is open Mo-Sa 09:00-23:30. Since sunset is at 17:05, you will arrive well within opening hours.
- The moment relies on the sunset on 15 January (17:05). If you visit on a different date, adjust your arrival time at the museum accordingly.
Worth knowing
- Restaurant Kunsthalle is open at 17:30 only on Mo, Tu, We, Th, Fr, Sa
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Basel (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).