Basel

Basel sits at Switzerland's northwestern corner where the country meets Germany and France — the only place in the world where three countries share a tram network. It is the global capital of the pharmaceutical industry, home to Roche, Novartis, and dozens of biotech and medtech companies. This heritage means Basel has one of Switzerland's most educated and internationally mobile expat populations. The old town (Grossbasel) is a beautifully preserved medieval quarter perched above the Rhine, while Kleinbasel on the north bank is younger and more multicultural. Art lovers know Basel for Art Basel, the world's premier contemporary art fair, and for a museum density that rivals far larger cities. The Rhine serves as the city's social spine in summer.