Freiburg – Basel – Zurich
Suggested route
3 cities, 2 countries, plenty to discover
Travelling sustainably from A to B
From Freiburg, the route follows the Southern Black Forest Cycle Route to Basel. If you only wish to cycle as far as Basel, you can complete the route as a seven-day round trip. If you plan to continue from Basel to Zurich, it is advisable to cycle directly. This involves covering the roughly 70-kilometre route in a single day, with rest stops in Badenweiler, Müllheim or a detour to the Isteiner Klotz in the district of Lörrach. Those taking more time can plan further stops or excursions during their road trip between Freiburg and Basel.
Stage 2 runs from Basel am Rhein via Rheinfelden, covering 110 kilometres to Switzerland’s largest city. The route has few elevation changes and, despite the distance, can be completed in a single day. Those who prefer to spread the journey over two days can stop off at the thermal baths in Zurzach.
Money-saving tip: If you’d rather travel by train, you can travel from Freiburg to Basel using the Baden-Württemberg or Germany Ticket. The ticket is valid as far as Basel SBB station.
Route
Freiburg im Breisgau – Basel:
Approx. 53 kilometres as the crow
flies Journey time by train: approx. 30 minutes
Journey time by bike: approx. 4 hours
Basel – Zurich:
Distance as the crow flies: approx. 90 kilometres
Journey time by train: approx. 1.25 hours
Journey time by bike: approx. 6 hours
Starting point: Freiburg
Freiburg im Breisgau has been regarded as a cycling city since the 1970s. This mode of transport is popular there for both environmental and practical reasons. After all, the best way to explore the city’s narrow streets is by bike or on foot.
What’s there to see?
The university town of Freiburg has everything you could wish for on a relaxing summer trip. Plenty of nature, fantastic viewpoints, delicious eateries and sights that you can discover as you go. A stroll through the old town takes you past Renaissance houses, Baroque and Gothic façades (e.g. the Haus zum Walfisch and the old town hall), the cathedral and the Martinstor.
Green and (almost) free
Thanks to its large student population, the city is a vibrant mix of people, brimming with ideas and offering activities that are easy on the wallet.
Cooling off: There are two places in the city where you can cool off for free. Whether you go for a swim in the terraces and pools along the Dreisam river or dip your feet in Freiburg’s Bächle, the choice is yours. But beware: according to legend, anyone who steps into the Bächle will marry a woman or man from Freiburg and never be able to leave the city again!
Gazing into the distance: The most beautiful view in the city is free. During the day – or even better at sunset – make your way up to the Schlossberg and enjoy the view of the surrounding Black Forest and the vineyards. It’s particularly lovely up there with a packed picnic basket.
Free city tours: Anyone wishing to learn about the city’s history can contact the Freiburg Greeters. As part of this charitable project, locals offer free guided tours of the city.
Pure indulgence
Freiburg’s food scene offers everything to make a nature lover’s heart beat faster. Our tip: the vegan supermarket Venoi. Here you can get everything you need for a picnic on the Schlossberg. Those who prefer to eat out should try Blattwerk, Salädchen, Veggie-Liebe or Café Hinterzimmer.
Out into nature
If you fancy getting out of the city for a few hours or days, you don’t need a car. As well as the Southern Black Forest Cycle Route, which leads all the way to Basel, the Baden Wine Cycle Route, which winds through the Black Forest wine region, is also lovely. A trip to Titisee-Neustadt or the Kaiserstuhl is also possible by train or bike.
Particularly handy: if you fancy a day trip into the countryside by bike, you can hire bikes from Motel One or store your own bike safely with us.
What’s on in summer
In summer, life in Freiburg takes place outdoors. This includes festivals and street parties. One of the most beautiful festivals with a strong environmental focus is the Zelt Music Festival. If you enjoy making music yourself, don’t miss the participatory festival ‘Freiburg stimmt ein’.
Stopover: Basel
Basel has set itself the goal of becoming climate-neutral by 2037. To achieve this, the Swiss city is relying, among other things, on a good infrastructure that makes private cars unnecessary. The city has three railway stations and well-developed cycle paths; a solar-powered ferry operates in Basel’s Rhine harbour, and the ferry on the Rhine is powered solely by the river’s current.
What’s there to see? In Basel
, too, the motto is: just go with the flow. You’ll discover plenty of sightseeing spots along the way. The city thrives on the harmonious tension between old and new, where buildings from every era come together. There’s the over 800-year-old Basel Minster, the Palatine Palace behind the Minster, the Mittlere Brücke, and the Spaltentor. Art lovers will find what they’re looking for in the numerous world-class museums and will constantly come across fascinating sculptures throughout the city.
Tip: As you walk around, you’ll keep coming across fountains. Here you can not only cool off, but also top up your water bottle with the finest Swiss drinking water.
Green and (almost) free
As Switzerland isn’t exactly known for being cheap, bargains are a rare commodity. But they do exist. Here’s a selection that’s kind to both your travel budget and your conscience.
Free art: The world-famous Kunstmuseum Basel can be visited free of charge on certain evenings. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, it opens its doors for free from 5 pm to 6 pm, and on Wednesdays from 5 pm to 8 pm. If you can’t make it during these times, simply explore the many works of art in public spaces, such as the statues on Theaterplatz – the Tinguely Fountain, the Intersection installation and the Great Moon Ladder.
Swimming fun: The Rhine not only divides the city into Greater and Lesser Basel, but also offers one of the most beautiful leisure activities in the form of swimming in the river. What’s an essential item for this? The Wickelfisch. This waterproof bag keeps your clothes dry whilst you drift downstream.
High up: Basel boasts numerous vantage points. There’s not only the viewing terrace at the Basler Pfalz. On Saturdays, you can also take part in free guided tours of the glass Roche Towers and enjoy the highest view of the city.
Pure indulgence
Vegetarians, vegans and fans of sustainable dining needn’t miss out on a treat in Basel. Bistro Indigo Elephant serves up healthy vegetarian cuisine, whilst at Restaurant Lauch the name says it all: here, locally sourced vegetables are served up with a creative twist. Za Zaa serves up Lebanese mezze, whilst Vegitat offers vegan street food. Those with a sweet tooth will find what they’re looking for at Mystifry in the historic old town – where doughnuts are served over the counter.
Out into nature
Basel lies in the border triangle. In just ten minutes, you can walk from Germany through Switzerland to France. Thanks to its central location, the Swiss city also benefits from the many natural attractions of its neighbouring countries. In Switzerland itself, the Rhine invites you to go on bike rides and long walks. The North-South Route and the Jura Route are considered particularly beautiful for cycling trips. You can combine nature and culture on a 30-minute cycle ride to Riehen to visit the Fondation Beyeler art museum.
What’s on in summer
In summer, celebrations take place along the Basel riverfront and in the old town. For example, mini-bars – known as ‘buvettes’ – open up where you can buy drinks. Temporary pedestrian zones are created in the city centre, easing traffic congestion. And at the Floss Festival, you can enjoy live music for free.
Destination: Zurich
In Zurich, nature is never far away. The lake offers swimming in the heart of the city, and the mountains are within easy reach. This love for the environment is also reflected in the goals the city has set itself. Zurich is working towards becoming climate-neutral as soon as possible. It aims to achieve this by 2040 at the latest.
What’s there to see?
As with the previous stops, you can simply stroll around Zurich and discover the historic highlights on foot. These include the Grossmünster, the Frauenmünster (with windows by Marc Chagall), the cobbled Old Town and the oldest part of the city, Lindeplatz. From here, you have a great view of the Limmat and the Grossmünster. You shouldn’t miss Zurich’s west end either, which is considered the city’s young, creative hub.
By the way: if you get thirsty whilst out and about, there’s no need to buy bottled water. Instead, you can simply top up your own water bottle at one of the 1,200 drinking fountains in the city.
Green and (almost) free
Getting around by bike: The best way to explore the city is by public transport, on foot or by bike. You can even hire a bike for free through Züri rollt.
Swimming fun: River bathing has a long tradition in Zurich and is wonderfully refreshing on warm summer days. Some of Zurich’s river bathing spots are still free today. These include, for example, the Oberer Letten and Unterer Letten bathing areas.
Free city tours: You can discover the city with locals on the Free Walking Tours. Here you’ll not only learn facts about the individual buildings, but also pick up the odd insider tip about the city.
Pure indulgence
Did you know that Zurich was home to the world’s first strictly vegetarian restaurant? The Hiltl first opened its doors in 1898. Since then, the selection of vegetarian, vegan and sustainable eateries has, of course, expanded. Alongside the many weekly markets where you can find everything you need for a delicious picnic by the lake, we also recommend The Artisan restaurant with its own garden produce, the inclusive bakery at enzian vegan food, or Loi Bistro. Maison Manesse has a Michelin green star and is ideal for special evenings. At the Stadtgarten Frau Gerolds Garten, produce is not only grown but also prepared directly in the kitchen.
Out into nature
In Zurich, nature is part of the city. Yet for those who still feel the urge to get out, you can take the S4 to the Sihlwald nature reserve for a hike, cycle along the Limmat to Fahr Abbey, or reach the Uetliberg, the city’s local mountain, in less than half an hour.
Summer activities
In summer, everyone is drawn to the water. Whether to the many ‘Badi’ public swimming spots along the riverbank, to the lake, or to float down the Limmat. When ‘Böötli’ing, you lie back in rubber rings or inflatable boats and let the Limmat carry you from Platzspitz to Dietikon in about two hours. You can hire these ‘Böötli’ from various providers. Lööböötli is considered a sustainable hire company. An equally lovely alternative for exploring Zurich from the water: taking a pedal boat out on the lake or buying a ticket for the electric ferry.
If that’s too laid-back for you, you’re sure to enjoy two festivals of the highest calibre. At the Caliente street festival, Europe’s largest Latin festival, people celebrate with food and music. There’s even more of a party atmosphere at the Street Parade. The world’s largest techno festival takes place every year on Zurich’s Seeboden and is completely free.
