Cooling Off at the Kunstmuseum Basel

The Kunstmuseum Basel is the perfect refuge on hot days. Due to strict guidelines for the preservation of artworks, the temperature in its galleries remains around 21 degrees Celsius year-round. Sofas and other seating areas in the foyers and the small courtyard invite you to relax and linger.

For seniors aged 65 and older, the Kunstmuseum is offering free admission through Sunday, July 12, 2026. This offer applies to the collection galleries in the Hauptbau and the Neubau and is available upon presentation of valid identification. The special exhibitions Helen Frankenthaler in the Neubau and Cao Fei in the Haus Gegenwart are excluded from this promotion.

Furthermore, the Kunstmuseum Basel features several areas that do not require a ticket—meaning they are accessible free of charge at any time during opening hours. These include the following areas:

Hauptbau: the entire ground floor, including the foyer, small courtyard gallery, gift shop, and exhibition halls (currently hosting the Im Obersteg Collection)
Neubau: the ground-floor foyer and the large event foyer in the basement
The passageway connecting the Hauptbau and the Neubau (including the current exhibition by Marc Bauer)

Over the summer, the Event Foyer transforms into a place that invites you to take a break. Furnished with items from Macht Platz!, you’ll find play elements for young visitors, a library where young and old alike can browse, and seating where you can relax.

You can also visit the collection for free during the following times:

• Tue, Thu, Fri: 5–6 p.m. (excluding holidays)
• Wed: 5–8 p.m. (excluding holidays)
• First Sunday of the month