Bike in front of Stele by Hans Arp and School of Design Basel. Photography: © Karin Bürki, Heartbrut.com
Participants of Heartbrut Brutal Basel bike tour meet at Basel SBB station. Photography: © Karin Bürki/Heartbrut.com
St Anthony Church, Antoniuskirche, Basel. Photography: © Karin Bürki/Heartbrut.com
Schule Brunnmatt, Heartbrut x Open House Basel: Brutal Basel Ride 24.5.2025. Explore more on Heartbrut.com
Markthalle Basel, featuring market stands and concrete dome. Photography: © Karin Bürki, Heartbrut.com
Bibliothek Universität Basel © Karin Bürki. Explore more on Heartbrut.com
E-Bike in front of Maurerhalle in Basel. Photography: © Karin Bürki, Heartbrut.com

Brutal Basel: The Essentials Bike Tour

March – November
3 hours

Discover the trailblazers of early 20th-century concrete modernism and brutalist masterpieces from the 1960s and 1970s by bike! Along the way, soak up Switzerland’s art and culture capital and uncover hidden urban oases. Your tour guide is Karin Bürki, Head of HEARTBRUT.

  • 6 game-changing raw concrete icons from 1913 to the present day
  • School of Art & Design Basel & Maurerhalle (1961), St Anthony’s Church (1927) and more
  • Learn about the buildings’ striking bios and fun facts
  • Brutalism, architecture, art, culture, city experience
💳 Fee: 650 CHF
Starting point: Basel SBB
End point: Silo Erlenmatt
Distance: 8.2 km
Level: easy, tour with gentle inclines
Language: ENG /DE
Group size: max 15
Mix of internal & external viewings

BOOK TOUR

Ready to explore? Get in touch to plan your experience

GOOD TO KNOW

Our walks and rides go ahead in all weathers. However, if you prefer to avoid the rain, we can arrange an alternative date if possible

  • Don’t forget to pack drinks and snacks
  • Weatherproof clothing is recommended

You can safely ride a bike in the city. Participants bring their own bicycles, e-bikes and helmets. In Zurich, ‘Züri rollt’ offers free city bikes (with a deposit) and e-bikes for CHF 30 per day. Other rental options in Zurich and Basel include PubliBike and Rent-a-Bike. International guests should enquire at the local tourist information office about special rental offers.

Public tours: see programme

Private tours: advance payment. In exceptional cases, we also accept a deposit. Please contact us regarding payment terms

Participants are responsible for their own insurance covering accidents, illness, theft, cancellation costs etc

  • Cancellations made between 120 and 60 days before the tour date will incur a service fee of 10% of the total amount
  • Cancellations made between 60 and 30 days before the tour date incur a fee equivalent to 50% of the total amount
  • Cancellations made fewer than 30 days before the tour date are not refundable

If we have to cancel the tour due to unforeseen circumstances, such as illness or accident etc:

1. The tour takes place on the agreed alternative date

2. If there is no alternative date, you will receive a full refund of any payments you have already made within five working days of us cancelling your tour

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