Beat the Heat in Basel

Meaghan Renner Ofori
7 days ago
4 min read

Summer is here...with a vengeance! Heatwaves can be a real trial in Basel where air conditioning is not the norm, but not to worry we have some tips to help you keep a cool head.

Take Care of Your Health

Heatwaves are no joke and can pose a serious health risk. The most important thing is to take care of your health and respect your limitations. This means common sense things like drinking adequate water, staying out of the sun and avoiding physical exertion during the heat of the day. Heatwaves pose an even greater risk to the elderly and as such, Basel Stadt has set up a 'Heat Hotline' 061 206 44 42 which offers support measures, such as callbacks, information, or organizing services like shopping.

Adjust Your Schedule

Take some tips from the southern Europeans and adjust your daily schedule to make the most of the cool hours of the day. Morning people can rejoice, as this means getting up at dawn, getting the bulk of your work done (and getting outside!) before noon and then taking it slow during the heat of the day, or even having a well-deserved siesta. You can then more comfortably complete tasks again in the late afternoon and evening when the sun is not as strong. Given the number of daylight hours right now this makes sense and you won't feel like you are trapped in a hot, dark apartment all day. A short afternoon nap (30-60 mins max) is also such a pleasure once you get into the habit of it, and studies have shown will even make your smarter. The key is to do it consistently so that your body adjusts to the new schedule. Try and nap at the same time for the same amount of time each afternoon.

Close Your Blinds

Nobody likes to sit in a hot, dark little sweat box, but closing your blinds during the heat of the day definitely keeps your home cooler. There is no need to sit in complete darkness all day though. Timing is everything: open your windows and blinds first thing in the morning and let the cool air in, close everything up as soon as the outside air is warmer than the inside air (use your arm to feel - this is usually around noon) and then open everything up again just before bed. You may be hot when you go to bed, but an ice pack on the back of your neck can help you fall asleep and the cool nighttime air should help keep things breezy until morning.

Get Wet

Cool showers, swimming and even a well-timed water fight are great ways to keep cool in the summer. In Basel we are lucky to have so many options! There are numerous swimming pools (see our article, Outdoor Swimming Pools in Basel), Rhein swimming (for experienced swimmers only) and even fountains you can bathe in. Yes you read that correctly, Basel had designated fountains around town that you can swim in (map here). Of course like everything in Switzerland there are rules (we live in a civilized society after all!): don't make noise, clean up afterwards, and don't apply sunscreen beforehand, which leaves residue on the historic, sometimes centuries-old water features. There are even two official dog bathing areas in Basel for your furry friends: the fountain at St. Alban-Rheinweg (Grossbasel) and the fountain at Solitude Park near the Tinguely Museum (Kleinbasel).

Public Spaces to Escape the Heat

Older apartment buildings can be stifling in the summer. If you find that you need an escape, Basel Stadt has provided a list of places where you can go that are relatively cool. These places do not necessarily have air conditioning but they provide a cool refuge and there is no obligation to consume, so you can stay as long as you like.

What?	Where?	Further information
The public plaza	k Haus Kasernenhof 9 4058 Basel	The Plaza Open Monday to Sunday from 9:00. to 19:00 No obligation to consume.
GGG Basel City Libraries	various locations in Basel with different opening hours	When it's hot outside, the St. Johann JUKIBU, Breite, and Schmiedenhof (lower floors) locations, in particular, have relatively cool temperatures.
Unternehmen Mitte	Unternehmen Mitte Gerbergasse 30 4001 Basel	Unternehmen Mitte no obligation to consume, drinking water station.
Café Rosa in the Park	Hirzbrunnenstrasse 58 4058 Basel	Cafe at St. Claraspital No obligation to consume, pleasant shady climate with loungers and benches.
Neighborhood meeting points Basel	16 locations in Basel	Neighborhood meeting points Most neighbourhood meeting places aren't air-conditioned, but they do offer shaded areas, terraces, and so on.
St. Matthew's Church	Feldbergstrasse 81, 4057 Basel	Stay in the naturally cool basement of St. Matthew's Church. Meals, drinks, coffee, and tea are free (collection). Opening hours during school holidays: 11:00–15:00, closed on August 3rd.
Theodore's Church	Theodorskirchplatz 5, 4058 Basel	TheoBar: Wednesdays from 12:00-18:00 (closed during school holidays), open meeting place in the pleasantly cool Theodorskirche, including open neighbourhood lunch at 12:15 (free of charge, collection), children's play area, coffee bar (no obligation to consume, collection).