France
Mulhouse
Nestled in the Alsace region of France, Mulhouse is a city with a rich industrial past and a bright future. Located just west of the Rhine River near the German border, this city has been transforming from its hard-working roots into a vibrant cultural hub. Thanks to investments in revitalizing neighborhoods, modernizing public transport, and attracting new shops, Mulhouse is gradually shedding its old reputation and embracing a renewed identity.
Image: Wikimedia Commons
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Things to do
## Things to do in Mulhouse Wondering what to do in Mulhouse? Start with the city’s distinctive industrial and cultural heritage. The Cité de l’Automobile – Collection Schlumpf houses one of the world’s major historic-car collections, with celebrated Bugatti, Rolls-Royce and Mercedes models. At the Cité du Train, enormous locomotives and carriages trace the development of French railways, while Electropolis uses interactive displays and historic equipment to explain the story of electricity. The Musée de l’Impression sur Étoffes explores Mulhouse’s long textile tradition through printed fabrics, design and creative workshops; the Musée des Beaux-Arts and Musée Historique add fine art and local history. What Mulhouse is famous for is not limited to museums. The city’s textile and manufacturing past is visible in its colourful architecture, public art and street-art trail, which leads past painted façades, murals, sculptures and installations. In the historic centre, what to do in Mulhouse city centre includes strolling around Place de la Réunion, admiring the Renaissance-style former town hall and Temple Saint-Étienne, browsing along Rue du Sauvage and looking for the city’s decorated houses and contemporary artworks. The Musée Historique occupies the former town hall, and the nearby Musée des Beaux-Arts is another worthwhile cultural stop. For a greener outing, spend time at the Zoological and Botanical Garden, where wildlife and plant collections spread across 25 hectares close to downtown. The covered market is a good way to experience everyday Mulhouse: more than 300 traders sell produce, cheeses, spices, Alsatian specialities, textiles and other goods. Saturday morning is particularly lively, making it a natural choice for weekend activities in Mulhouse. A weekend can also combine the market or a city-centre walk with one of the major museums, the zoo or an evening performance at venues such as La Filature, the Noumatrouff or the Théâtre de la Sinne. Check individual opening hours and current programmes before visiting.
Things to do
## Things to do in Mulhouse Wondering what to do in Mulhouse? Start with the city’s distinctive industrial and cultural heritage. The Cité de l’Automobile – Collection Schlumpf houses one of the world’s major historic-car collections, with celebrated Bugatti, Rolls-Royce and Mercedes models. At the Cité du Train, enormous locomotives and carriages trace the development of French railways, while Electropolis uses interactive displays and historic equipment to explain the story of electricity. The Musée de l’Impression sur Étoffes explores Mulhouse’s long textile tradition through printed fabrics, design and creative workshops; the Musée des Beaux-Arts and Musée Historique add fine art and local history. What Mulhouse is famous for is not limited to museums. The city’s textile and manufacturing past is visible in its colourful architecture, public art and street-art trail, which leads past painted façades, murals, sculptures and installations. In the historic centre, what to do in Mulhouse city centre includes strolling around Place de la Réunion, admiring the Renaissance-style former town hall and Temple Saint-Étienne, browsing along Rue du Sauvage and looking for the city’s decorated houses and contemporary artworks. The Musée Historique occupies the former town hall, and the nearby Musée des Beaux-Arts is another worthwhile cultural stop. For a greener outing, spend time at the Zoological and Botanical Garden, where wildlife and plant collections spread across 25 hectares close to downtown. The covered market is a good way to experience everyday Mulhouse: more than 300 traders sell produce, cheeses, spices, Alsatian specialities, textiles and other goods. Saturday morning is particularly lively, making it a natural choice for weekend activities in Mulhouse. A weekend can also combine the market or a city-centre walk with one of the major museums, the zoo or an evening performance at venues such as La Filature, the Noumatrouff or the Théâtre de la Sinne. Check individual opening hours and current programmes before visiting.
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Basel
Switzerland
Nestled along the Rhine in northwestern Switzerland, Basel stands as a sophisticated gateway to both culture and history. Often overlooked, this city boasts a captivating medieval old town, a lively carnival that captures the essence of local tradition, and an impressive collection of world-class art museums designed by visionary architects like Renzo Piano, Mario Botta, and Herzog & De Meuron. Its architectural landscape is a harmonious blend of ancient and contemporary, featuring the Romanesque Münster Cathedral, the Renaissance-era Rathaus (Town Hall), and cutting-edge modern structures that showcase Basel’s innovation. Strategically located at the crossroads of three countries—Switzerland, France, and Germany—Basel offers effortless access to the Swiss Jura mountains, Zürich, Lucerne, Alsace, and the Black Forest. Whether exploring its rich cultural tapestry or venturing into the surrounding natural beauty, Basel promises an experience of understated elegance and intellectual vibrancy.
Freiburg
Germany
Nestled at the threshold of the enchanting Black Forest, Freiburg im Breisgau emerges as a city where nature’s beauty and cultural heritage intertwine. As of 2024, this southwestern gem of Baden-Württemberg boasts approximately 237,000 residents and enjoys a sun-drenched reputation, basking in more sunlight than most of Germany’s urban centers. The Dreisam River guides the city’s lively streets, whispering stories of centuries past and present. Here, history and modern life dance in harmony amid cobblestone alleys, medieval spires, and vibrant neighborhoods, inviting travelers to experience its warm, radiant soul.
Bern
Switzerland
Nestled on a peninsula carved by the winding curves of the Aare River, Bern emerges as a city of timeless charm and architectural harmony. Its UNESCO-listed old town, a marvel of coherent design, beckons visitors with 6.4 kilometers of arcaded walkways, where fountains dance and clock towers punctuate the skyline with rhythmic elegance. As Switzerland’s de facto capital, Bern exudes a quiet grandeur, blending medieval splendor with the vibrant pulse of modern life. In 2018, its population numbered around 134,000 within the city proper, with a broader urban embrace reaching approximately 420,000. This historic city, founded around 1191 by the Zähringer family and gaining free imperial city status in 1218, has grown into a bastion of Swiss history and sovereignty. Surrounded by the Aare, Bern’s streets whisper stories of centuries past, while its lively neighborhoods reflect a city that balances tradition with progress.
Strasbourg
France
Nestled in the Alsace region of northeastern France, Strasbourg stands as the capital of the Grand-Est area and a vibrant hub of European activity. With its picturesque historic center—the Grande Île—standing as the first city district entirely designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city offers a captivating blend of history and modern diplomacy. As the seat of the European Parliament and other key European institutions, Strasbourg has earned recognition as one of the continent’s de facto capitals, embodying a unique Franco-German cultural nexus. Its population exceeds 300,000 within the city proper, while the greater metropolitan area boasts over a million residents, making it a significant center of commerce, transportation, and international diplomacy. The city's historic core, complemented by the UNESCO-listed Neustadt district, reflects a rich history of cultural exchange and resilience. Strasbourg’s economy thrives on manufacturing, engineering, and its strategic port on the Rhine, which ranks as France’s second-largest river port after Paris and the second largest on the Rhine after Duisburg.
Zürich
Switzerland
Zurich stands as Switzerland’s largest city and a major global financial hub, nestled at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich. While many visitors head straight to the Swiss Alps for skiing, Zurich itself offers a vibrant urban scene rich with culture, history, and modern flair. With roots stretching back over 6,400 years, it was originally a Roman settlement called Turicum and gained prominence during the Middle Ages, eventually becoming a key player in the Protestant Reformation under Huldrych Zwingli in 1519. Today, Zurich buzzes with activity, featuring the busiest railway station and airport in Switzerland, and a population of around 436,551 residents in the city proper, swelling to 1.45 million in the urban area and 2.1 million in the metropolitan region. While the official language is German, locals speak Zurich German, a lively dialect that echoes the city's distinct identity. Beyond finance, Zurich dazzles with world-class museums like the Swiss National Museum, Natural History Museum, and Kunsthaus, alongside one of the most influential theaters in the German-speaking world, Schauspielhaus Zürich.
Luzern
Switzerland
Nestled on the shimmering shores of Lake Lucerne, the charming city of Lucerne—known locally as Luzern—embodies the poetic heart of Switzerland’s central landscape. With its picturesque streets and storied past, this small yet vibrant city beckons travelers seeking both serenity and adventure. Surrounded by the majestic Swiss Alps and crowned by the historic Chapel Bridge, a wooden marvel from the 14th century, Lucerne offers a timeless escape where history whispers through its ancient structures and the lake’s tranquil surface reflects the grandeur of nearby mountains like Pilatus and Rigi. As the cultural and economic hub of the canton, with a population of around 82,000, Lucerne’s lively atmosphere extends beyond the city limits, inviting exploration into the surrounding towns and the breathtaking scenery that has made it a perennial favorite among wanderers.
Besançon
France
Nestled in the heart of eastern France, Besançon stands as a vibrant hub within the Franche-Comté region. This city weaves a rich tapestry of history, culture, and local charm, inviting visitors to explore its timeless streets and discover the stories that shape its unique identity.
Baden-Baden
Germany
Tucked at the edge of the Black Forest in southwestern Germany, Baden-Baden is famed as a luxurious spa town built around natural thermal springs. While its reputation as a playground for the wealthy might precede it, this charming town offers a more accessible side—nestled in a lush, wooded valley, you can soak up its historic charm without breaking the bank. Recognized as one of Europe’s 11 Great Spa Towns and a UNESCO World Heritage site, Baden-Baden invites you to indulge in its timeless elegance and natural beauty.