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Shabbat in Basel

Switzerland · community hub: Leimenstrasse / Grosse Synagoge area · airport BSL, about 20 min by car. Everything below was checked against the sources on each listing in November 2026; confirm times with the shul before you rely on them.

5 minyanim (5 with times)7 hotels (4 confirmed, 0 guest-reported)10 kosher places (1 sell Shabbat meals)2 mikvaosEruv: no
Plan your dates: candle lighting, walk map, Yom Tov, flights →

Eruv

No eruv

No eruv in operation per the latest official source I could read (Grosser Rat document, Oct 2025): Verein Eruv Basel was still planning a building application (no applications filed), and the IGB Luach 5787 (Sep 2026) still lists the Verein among donation causes. Not re-checked in the canton's building-permit records. Treat Basel as having no eruv; ask the IGB Rabbinat if this has changed.

Where to stay

Hotel Spalentor

Schonbeinstrasse 1, 4056 Basel
Shabbat-ready notes

Listed on Chabad Basel's Accommodation page, 7 min walk to Chabad; roughly 7 min to the Grosse Synagoge (map estimate). Booking.com (Nov 2026) lists 'Key access' where the other Basel hotels list 'Key card access', and an elevator; its Q&A could not confirm a metal key, Shabbat elevator or kosher breakfast: ask for a metal key before booking. · +41 61 262 26 26

ODELYA Stadthotel im Park

Missionsstrasse 21, 4055 Basel
Shabbat-ready notes

Listed on Chabad Basel's Accommodation page, 7 min walk to Chabad; roughly 9 min to the Grosse Synagoge (map estimate). Booking.com Q&A says physical metal room keys and an elevator to the 4th floor only (stairs for the top floor); kosher breakfast only if arranged in advance. · +41 61 260 21 21

Steinenschanze Charming City & Garden Hotel (Hotel Garni Steinenschanze)

Steinengraben 69, 4051 Basel
Shabbat-ready notes

Listed on Chabad Basel's Accommodation page (19 min walk to Chabad); about 6 min to the Grosse Synagoge (map estimate), the closest listed hotel to Leimenstrasse. No Shabbat key or elevator information published; Booking.com lists key card access (Q&A Nov 2026 has no Shabbat information); guests report key card access. · +41 61 272 53 53

Hotel Rochat

Petersgraben 23, 4051 Basel
Shabbat-ready notes

Listed on Chabad Basel's Accommodation page; roughly 8 min to the Grosse Synagoge (map estimate). No kosher or Shabbat arrangement published. Booking.com lists key card access (Q&A Nov 2026 has no Shabbat information); reviewers mention small lifts and some stairs between lobby and rooms (Google/TripAdvisor). Ask about key type before booking. · +41 61 261 81 40

Motel One Basel

Barfussergasse 16, 4051 Basel
Ask for a mechanical key

Old Town; roughly 10 min walk to the Grosse Synagoge (map estimate). Booking.com Q&A (Nov 2026) gave no Shabbat, mechanical-key or kosher information; Google and TripAdvisor reviews mention none either. · +41 61 226 22 00

Grand Hotel Euler Basel

Centralbahnplatz 14, 4002 Basel
Ask for a mechanical key

Opposite SBB station; roughly 14 min walk to the Grosse Synagoge (map estimate). Booking.com lists key card access; Booking.com Q&A (Nov 2026), Google and TripAdvisor reviews have no Shabbat information. · +41 61 275 80 00

Hotel Victoria Basel

Centralbahnplatz 3-4, 4002 Basel
Ask for a mechanical key

Opposite SBB station; roughly 15 min walk to the Grosse Synagoge (map estimate). Booking.com lists key card access; Booking.com Q&A (Nov 2026) and Google reviews have no Shabbat information. · +41 61 270 70 70

Where to daven

Grosse Synagoge - IGB (Israelitische Gemeinde Basel)

Leimenstrasse 24, 4051 Basel
Orthodox

Minyan: Fri Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat at Shabbat entry time (6 Nov 16:45; 4 Dec 16:20); Shabbat Shacharit 08:30, Mincha 40 min before nightfall (7 Nov 17:09); weekdays Shacharit 06:45 (06:50-07:05 in some Dec-Feb weeks; Sun 07:45), Mincha/Maariv at the Friday-evening time. Daily minyan; full Luach published.

Contact: +41 61 279 98 50 · sekretariat@igb.ch · igb.ch · Rabbinat +41 61 279 98 40

IRG Basel (Israelitische Religionsgesellschaft)

Ahornstrasse 14, 4055 Basel
Ashkenaz

Minyan: Shabbat Shacharit 08:15; weekday Shacharit 06:30 or 07:15 (winter follows sunrise); Fri evening at Shabbat entry time (per Chabad Basel 2019 notice). Times from Chabad Basel visitor page: confirm by phone.

Contact: +41 61 301 48 98 · irginfo@gmx.ch

Chabad Lubawitsch Basel (Rabbi Zalmen Wishedski)

Ahornstrasse 33, 4055 Basel
Chabad

Minyan: Fri Mincha 17:00 and Maariv 17:30 on 6 Nov (chabadbasel.com events, checked 2 Nov 2026; Mincha is 15 min after candle-lighting); Shabbat Tehillim 07:00 on Shabbat Mevarchim (7 Nov); Shabbat Shacharit 09:15 with Kiddush/cholent after Musaf; Mincha + shiur 60 min before motzei Shabbat. Weekday times are not published: the site only lists a 'Sunday Shacharit & Breakfast' with no clock time, so call before relying on a weekday minyan.

Contact: +41 61 301 90 23 · +41 76 559 92 36 (call/SMS; site footer also shows +41 76 55 99 236) · rabbi@chabadbasel.com · chabadbasel.com

Agudas Achim (Sefard minyan)

Leimenstrasse 45, 4051 Basel
Sefard

Minyan: Shabbat Shacharit 09:00 (Chabad Basel visitor page, undated); other times: call. No phone published; ask the IGB office. Not confirmed by a second source: Chabad Basel's visitor page (footer 1993-2026, undated) still lists Agudas Achim with Shabbat Shacharit 09:00, but it is not on swissjews.ch's 2026 Basel prayer-room list, the IGB prayer-times page or the IGB Luach 5787 (a 2009 SIG factsheet mentions an Agudas Achim minyan keeping the East-European rite). Ask the IGB office before relying on it.

Contact: No direct contact published; IGB office +41 61 279 98 50

Holbeinhof (Jewish care home) minyan

Leimenstrasse 67, 4051 Basel
Orthodox

Minyan: Shabbat Shacharit 09:00 (Chabad Basel visitor page, undated); other times: call. A Google reviewer (Holbeinhof listing) says the synagogue is in the basement of the care home. Holbeinhof visitor rules from 1 Sep 2026 do not mention the synagogue: visiting hours are 08:00-12:00 and 14:00-17:00 (Sat/Sun from 09:00), visitors ring the doorbell 12:00-14:00 and the night-watch bell from 17:00, so phone before you go.

Contact: +41 61 270 68 68 · holbeinhof.ch

Kosher food

Cafe Babait (Holbeinhof)

Leimenstrasse 67, 4051 Basel
dairyIGB Rabbinate (dairy). Chalav Yisrael per Holbeinhof's own site ('Koscher Milchig - Chalav Israel') and swissjews.ch (Nov 2026); the IGB Luach 5787 lists only 'milchig': ask to confirmFri closes 16:00

Closed Saturday and closes Friday 16:00; hot kitchen 12:00-13:45 (cafe website); no prepaid Shabbat meals, Friday take-away ordering or catering stated. Sits inside the Jewish care home. swissjews.ch and Google show 11:00-18:00 Sun-Thu; the cafe's own site says 10:00-17:00.

Hours: Sun-Thu 10:00-17:00; Fri 10:00-16:00; Sat closed · +41 61 270 68 10 (swissjews.ch also lists +41 61 270 69 92) · info@babait-cafe.ch (older: info@holbeinhof.ch) · babait-cafe.ch

Ta'am Tov by IGB (meat catering)

Order via IGB, Leimenstrasse 24, 4051 Basel
cateringRabbinat Basel (IGB)

Catering for apero, Kiddush and simchas; CHF 400 minimum for private events. Shabbat meals for visitors not stated: email to ask.

Hours: — · taamtov@igb.ch

Kol Tuv / Judische Genossenschaftsmetzgerei (kosher butcher)

Friedrichstrasse 26, 4055 Basel
groceryMehadrin butcher; IRG + Rabbinate Agudas Achim (per Kol Tuv)Fri closes 12:00

Meat, cold cuts, cheese, snacks, cakes, wine. Order by WhatsApp/SMS 079 225 80 56. Closed Sat and Sun, Mon morning.

Hours: Mon 14:30-18:00; Tue-Thu 07:30-12:15 and 14:30-18:00 (Wed to 18:30); Fri 07:30-12:00 · +41 61 301 34 93 · basel613@gmail.com · koltuv.ch

Chabad Basel Shabbat meals

Ahornstrasse 33, 4055 Basel
catering—Shabbat meals · pre-order

Visitors invited to the Friday-night and Shabbat-day meals; pre-register by phone/SMS or the website form (name, adults, children, email, mobile). In summer, when Friday dinner is very late, Chabad has held a dairy buffet Seuda Shelishit instead (e.g. Sat 8 Jun 2024, 18:00; pre-registration not required but helpful). An older Kabbalat Shabbat event page (a 9 Dec event, year not stated) said 'Free entry', advance reservation required, sponsor CHF 500; current price and Shabbat-day meal time are not published: ask.

Hours: — · +41 61 301 90 23 · +41 76 559 92 36

Smart Savers (kosher supermarket, members/appointment)

St. Galler-Ring 80, 4055 Basel (Google lists Allschwilerstrasse 117)
groceryZurich rabbinates (kosher milk; Beth Din Schweiz Koscherliste Oct 2022, may be outdated)

Open to members or by appointment only; call ahead. The Oct 2022 Beth Din Schweiz list names it as the only Basel source of kosher milk.

Hours: By appointment · +41 61 525 10 35 · office@smartsavers.ch

Backerei Gaugler (Allschwilerstrasse 11 branch only)

Allschwilerstrasse 11, 4055 Basel
bakeryIGB Koscherliste (partial range only)Fri closes 18:30

Only items on the IGB Koscherliste; not a Jewish-run bakery and open Saturday.

Hours: Mon-Fri 06:15-18:30; Sat 06:30-14:00 · +41 61 302 54 55

Sutter Begg (challah at Spalenring 100)

Spalenring 100, 4055 Basel
bakeryIGB Koscherliste (partial range; all branches)Fri closes 18:30

All Basel branches carry listed items; berches/challah only at Spalenring 100. Open Saturday.

Hours: Mon-Fri 06:00-18:30; Sat 06:30-17:00 · +41 61 685 26 27 · sutterbegg.ch

Coop Bachletten (kosher section)

Steinenring 45, 4051 Basel
grocery—Fri closes 20:00

Small kosher products and wine section, not a kosher store; check symbols.

Hours: Mon-Fri 07:30-20:00; Sat 07:30-18:00; Sun closed · +41 61 270 91 30

Coop Spalemaert (kosher section)

Missionsstrasse 53, 4055 Basel
grocery—Fri closes 20:00

Selection of kosher products; close to Hotel Odelya and Hotel Spalentor.

Hours: Mon-Fri 07:30-20:00; Sat 07:30-18:00; Sun closed · +41 61 385 94 45

Migros Schutzenmatt (kosher section)

Schutzenmattstrasse 27, 4051 Basel
grocery—Fri closes 19:00

Selection of kosher products; Chabad's 2019 notice says Migros bread is acceptable if baked at the Jowa bakery.

Hours: Mon-Fri 08:00-19:00; Sat 07:30-18:00; Sun closed · +41 58 575 86 20

Mikvah

IGB Mikwe (women's mikveh) and public dish mikveh

Eulerstrasse 8, 4051 Basel

Booking: Book by phone, SMS or WhatsApp: 079 208 23 65 (Channa Kohn Mugdan, Esther Lang, Rabbi Chana Baumel)

IRG Mikwe (women's, rainwater)

Thannerstrasse 60, 4054 Basel

Booking: Book: 078 880 22 18

What locals would tell you

  • Where to stay: the Spalentor / Missionsstrasse hotels (Spalentor, ODELYA, Rochat) are about 7-9 min on foot from both the Grosse Synagoge (Leimenstrasse 24) and the IRG/Chabad pair on Ahornstrasse; the two shul clusters are roughly 11 min apart on foot. Hotels near the SBB station are 13-15 min from the IGB.
  • Shabbat meals: Chabad (Rabbi Zalmen Wishedski, +41 76 559 92 36) invites visitors to the Friday-night and Shabbat-day meals; pre-register by phone/SMS or the website form. I found no kosher restaurant open on Shabbat (not found online as of Nov 2026): Cafe Babait is closed Saturday, so buy food on Friday and bring it.
  • Friday timing: Shabbat enters 16:45 on 6 Nov, 16:20 in early Dec and about 20:00 in June (IGB Luach 5787). Kol Tuv butcher closes Fri 12:00 (order by WhatsApp 079 225 80 56), Cafe Babait 16:00; Coop and Migros stay open late but stock only a few kosher items.
  • Security and registration: the IGB synagogue asks visitors to carry ID, and guards may question first-timers, so bring a passport. Call the IGB office (+41 61 279 98 50, Mon-Fri 09:00-12:00) or Chabad before Shabbat to be expected.
  • Hechsherim: the IGB Rabbinate (Rabbiner Elimelech Vanzetta) publishes the Koscherliste (latest update 22.10.2026; also in the Swiss Koscher app; koscherliste@igb.ch). Chabad Basel notes only the list up to p. 88 meets the stricter Chalav Yisrael / Pat Yisrael standard used by the IRG community.
  • Airport and transit: EuroAirport (BSL) is on the French side with Swiss and French exits; take the Swiss exit for Basel (bus 50 to SBB, or taxi about 20 min). No kosher outlet found at the airport (Google Places and web search, Nov 2026), so carry food. Basel hotels usually give guests a free local transport card, but do not use it on Shabbat; Art Basel (June) and other Messe events fill hotels, so book early.
  • Room keys: Booking.com lists key card access for Euler, Victoria, Steinenschanze and Rochat but only 'key access' for Spalentor, and ODELYA reportedly gives metal keys (Booking.com Q&A). None of the Basel hotel pages and Q&A I read states a Shabbat elevator, so ask the front desk for a metal key and a stairs-friendly room before booking.
  • Cafe Babait (Holbeinhof) is the only kosher eatery I found (the 2026 IGB list names only it and Ta'am Tov catering): dairy, closed Saturday, Friday to 16:00. Holbeinhof's own site and swissjews.ch call it Chalav Yisrael, but the IGB list says only 'milchig'; ask if it matters. Chabad Basel's weekday minyan times are not published, so for a daily minyan use the IGB (Shacharit and Mincha/Maariv). Restaurant Topas / numnum dEllicious (Leimenstrasse 24, IGB building): the Jerusalem Post (3 Sep 2023) reports the IGB withdrew its supervision, and the 2026 IGB list does not name it; Google Places still lists it as open, so it is not closed, but treat it as not kosher-supervised unless the IGB confirms (+41 61 279 98 50).

Seen in older guides, checked Nov 2026: Hotel Basel (Munzgasse 12): not listed under that name; Google Places (Nov 2026) shows only Limehome Basel Town Hall at that address (self check-in apartments, no breakfast) and Booking.com did not return Hotel Basel. Renamed or replaced; no closure date found · IGB Mittagstisch (community lunch table): not found online as of Nov 2026 (igb.ch 2026 pages, IGB Luach 5787); ask the IGB office on +41 61 279 98 50 · Hotel Wettstein and Hotel Schweizerhof: not checked for Shabbat facilities or walking distance, so left out. · Basel eruv: some older guides assume one exists; the latest official source I could read (Grosser Rat document, Oct 2025) says none is built yet. Not re-checked since

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