Naturhistorisches Museum Basel

About the museum

The Naturhistorisches Museum Basel was founded in 1821 as a natural history collection. Its roots go further back: many objects come from the cabinet of Basel physician Felix Platter (1536–1614) and the Amerbach Cabinet, which the city and university jointly acquired in 1661 to prevent its sale to Amsterdam. The collection's first home was the Falkensteinerhof at Münsterplatz; when the cantons of Basel-Stadt and Basel-Landschaft separated in 1833, it remained with Basel-Stadt by arbitral award.

Since 1849, the museum has resided in the late neoclassical Berri building on Münsterhügel, Basel's first major museum structure. It originally also housed lecture halls, library, and physics and chemistry laboratories. Today, the collections comprise approximately twelve million objects from zoology, entomology, mineralogy, anthropology, osteology, and paleontology—the "archives of life."

The permanent exhibitions range from regional fossils through dinosaurs and mammals to extinct and endangered species. Because old-town buildings and storage facilities are in urgent need of renovation, a new building is being created jointly with the state archive in the St. Johann district (architects EM2N). The relocation of collections begins in March 2027; the museum at Augustinergasse remains open as long as possible and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2028; the new building's opening is planned for June 2029.

Highlights

• Dino & Reptiles with Allosaurus skeleton and Oviraptor embryo in egg
• Mammoth & Saber-Toothed Tiger: Evolution of mammals
• Quagga & Dodo: Specimens of extinct and endangered species
• Whale & Fish, Ammonite & Thunderbolt, and other permanent exhibitions
• "Please touch!" stations for the blind, visually impaired, and children
• Berri building from 1849 on Münsterhügel

Permanent exhibitions

• Dino & Saurier – Vivid pictures of bygone days: a 7.5 m long Allosaurus, a life-sized Plateosaurus model, an Oviraptor embryo in egg, and a sandbox for excavation by children.
• Mammut & Säbelzahntiger – The evolution of mammals from their beginnings over 210 million years ago to humans, with the famous mammoth as the highlight.
• Quagga & Dodo – Original specimens of over twenty extinct and many endangered species, including quagga and dodo, and conservation efforts.

Founded

1821

Operated by

Kanton Basel-Stadt (Präsidialdepartement)

Director

David Alder und Basil Thüring (Co-Direktion)

Visitors per year

approx. 176,301 (2025)

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Permanent exhibitions: free admission in the last opening hour (Tue–Sat) and the first Sunday of the month.

Prices for permanent exhibitions. Free admission according to the museum for members of the support association, holders of Museums-PASS-Musées, Swiss Museum Pass, Raiffeisen Member Plus card, and Colourkey; ICOM/VMS members as well as people in need of protection, asylum seekers, and provisionally admitted persons with status F, N, S, and recognized refugees (ID B). Special exhibition also free with KulturLegi.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

In the permanent exhibitions, there are "Please touch!" stations with objects to touch, whose texts are printed in easily readable font and in Braille. Audio guides have connections for induction loops; tours with sign language interpreters are possible (interpreter costs additional). Two public disabled parking spaces in front of the museum; additional spaces in the courtyard by registration at the cash desk. Programs for groups with intellectual disabilities from CHF 180 (max. 10 people).

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Kids’ birthday parties

The museum describes itself as family- and child-friendly: touch stations, an excavation sandbox in the dinosaur room, "Nights in the Museum" for ages 6–10, children's birthdays (CHF 350 flat fee, from ages 5 or 7, max. 12 children), and KITZ club for ages 11–16. Children under 13 and their companions on kindergarten visits have free admission.

Getting there & parking

Highway exit "Basel City" or "Badischer Bahnhof," then follow parking guidance system.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check

Museum shop and cloakroom in the entrance area.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The historic auditorium is available for events; capacity and conditions not published online.

Plan your visit