Basel scavenger hunt for kids and families
Basel is a city built for walking, which makes it a good city for a hunt. This is a free, self-guided scavenger hunt you play on a phone: nine stops through the old town, each one a thing to find and photograph, with the app checking every find on the spot. No booking, no guide, no set start time. Open it when you get there and go.
How the hunt works
Each stop is a thing to find. When your child spots it, they take a photo, and the app checks two things at once: that you are actually at the location, and that the photo shows the right thing. Only then does the stop count.
That verification is the difference between a printed checklist and a game. Nobody can tick off the Münster from a café two streets away, which is exactly why children take it seriously.
What you'll find in Basel
9 verified stops listed below
Basel Landmarks
The icons of Basel, from the Münster to the Rhine. Nine geofenced stops the app only counts when you are actually standing there.
- 01The Basel MünsterRed sandstone cathedral with two spires, standing above the Rhine.
- 02The Münster whispering archA round arch at the base of the Georgsturm where a whisper carries to the far side. The one most families remember.
- 03The red Rathaus on MarktplatzThe painted red town hall on the market square.
- 04The Tinguely FasnachtsbrunnenJean Tinguely's kinetic fountain on Theaterplatz, machines splashing in the water.
- 05The Mittlere BrückeThe Middle Bridge over the Rhine, one of the oldest crossings on the river.
- 06The SpalentorBasel's medieval city gate, west of the centre.
- 07A Basel drinking fountainThe city has hundreds of ornate public fountains. Any of them counts.
- 08A green BVB tramThe classic green Basel tram. Easy points while you wait to cross.
- 09A Rhine ferryBasel's four ferries have no engine at all. The current pulls them across.
Questions parents ask
How much does the Basel scavenger hunt cost?
Nothing. The Basel Landmarks trail is free in the Scavvi app on iOS and Android. There is a paid Pro tier for bigger custom hunts, but you do not need it to play this trail.
What ages is it for?
Roughly four to fourteen. Younger children do the finding and the photographing; older ones tend to take over the map and start racing. Nobody needs to be able to read well to play.
Do we need to book or start at a set time?
No. There is no booking, no guide and no time slot. Open the app in Basel, start the trail and stop whenever you like. Your progress is saved.
How long does it take?
It depends entirely on how long you linger. The stops sit within a comfortable walk of the old town, and most families spread it across an afternoon with stops for food and the river.
How does the app know we actually found something?
Two checks. The stop is geofenced, so you have to be there, and the photo is checked by AI to confirm it shows the right thing. That is what makes it a hunt rather than a checklist.
Does it work in other languages?
Yes, eight: English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch and Japanese. Useful in a city where the tram announcements are in German and half the visitors are not.
What if it rains?
Most of the stops are outdoors, so a proper downpour will cut it short. The app also has indoor hunt packs you can play anywhere, which is the usual rainy-afternoon fallback.
Playing in Basel?
The app is free, the trail is free, and there is nothing to book. Download it before you go and it will be waiting when you arrive.
Download Scavvi free