Altstadt

Basel's Altstadt is a near-flawless medieval old town that straddles the Rhine, split between Grossbasel on the high south bank and Kleinbasel across the water. Narrow alleys open onto hidden squares, more than 200 fountains splash on street corners, and the Gothic red-sandstone Muenster cathedral looks out over the river from its terrace. The crimson Town Hall on Marktplatz, the daily produce market beneath it, and the steep, boutique-lined Spalenberg give the quarter a grandeur that feels entirely lived-in rather than museum-like. Life here moves at a civilised pace. In summer, residents float down the Rhine with their belongings in a waterproof 'Wickelfisch', then dry off at a riverside bar in Kleinbasel's Mediterranean-feeling squares. The Kunstmuseum, the Tinguely Museum and a short tram to the Fondation Beyeler put Basel's renowned art scene within easy reach, while Freie Strasse handles luxury shopping. For investors, the Altstadt is a textbook Swiss store of value: scarce, conservation-protected, ultra-safe and denominated in one of the world's strongest currencies, offering security and prestige rather than high yield.

Altstadt in Basel, Basel-Stadt, Switzerland