Laufen

Laufen is the administrative and commercial capital of the Laufental district in the canton of Basel-Landschaft, situated along the Birs River within the Swiss Jura foothills. The settlement was established as a fortified market town in 1295 by Prince-Bishop Peter Reich von Reichenstein of Basel. Historically tied to the Prince-Bishopric of Basel and later annexed to Canton Bern following the 1815 Congress of Vienna, Laufen made headlines across Switzerland when its residents voted in a 1989 referendum to switch cantons, officially joining Basel-Landschaft on January 1, 1994.

The town is known for its intact medieval core—called the Stedtli—bounded by remnants of medieval defensive stone walls and preserved gate towers such as the Obertor (Upper Gate) and Untertor (Lower Gate). Laufen is also the birthplace and headquarters of Ricola, the confectionery manufacturer founded here in 1930, which operates a production center designed by Basel architects Herzog & de Meuron. The surrounding limestone ridges and valleys support a dense network of marked walking paths, cycling routes, and karst gorges.

Laufen has a temperate oceanic-continental climate. Summers (June to August) bring pleasant daytime highs between 22 °C and 26 °C, though passing afternoon thunderstorms are common. Winters (December to February) are cold, with daytime averages of 0 °C to 5 °C, occasional snowfall, and persistent valley fog. Spring and autumn are mild, with temperatures ranging from 10 °C to 18 °C.

By Air

EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (BSL) is the nearest international airport, located 30 km north across the French-Swiss border. The airport serves major European airlines including Swiss, easyJet, Lufthansa, British Airways, and Air France. From the airport terminal, take BVB Bus 50 to Basel SBB railway station (15 minutes), then board the S3 S-Bahn train direct to Laufen (22 minutes). Zurich Airport (ZRH) is 105 km east; regular SBB trains connect Zurich Airport to Basel SBB in approximately 1 hour 15 minutes.

By Train

Laufen railway station (Bahnhof Laufen) is on the SBB Jura line between Basel and Biel/Bienne. Basel S-Bahn line S3 operates every 30 minutes between Basel SBB and Laufen, with journeys taking 22–25 minutes. Regional InterRegio (IR56) trains also link Laufen to Delémont (15 minutes) and Biel/Bienne (50 minutes). Standard 2nd class one-way tickets from Basel SBB cost CHF 8.80 (~$10 USD). Trains provide 1st and 2nd class cars with power sockets and overhead luggage racks.

By Bus

PostBus (PostAuto) operates regional lines from the bus terminal at Bahnhof Laufen. Line 111 runs to Breitenbach and Nunningen, Line 112 connects to Röschenz and Kleinlützel, Line 114 serves Bärschwil, Line 118 runs to Wahlen and Grindel, and Line 119 travels to Dittingen and Blauen. Services operate every 30 to 60 minutes. Fares are integrated into the Tarifverbund Nordwestschweiz (TNW) network, with local one-way fares costing CHF 3.80–4.70 (~$4.30–$5.30 USD).

By Car

Laufen is situated on Cantonal Route 18 (Hauptstrasse 18), which connects Basel (24 km north, 25–30 minutes) to Delémont (15 km southwest, 15–20 minutes). From central and eastern Switzerland, take the A2 or A3 motorway toward Basel, exit onto the A18 expressway south through Reinach and Aesch, and continue on Route 18 into Laufen. Paid public parking is available at the railway station (Bahnhof P+R) and near the town gates (Parkhaus Nau). Swiss motorways require an annual vignette costing CHF 40 (~$45 USD).

The medieval Stedtli is compact and navigated entirely on foot, with attractions located within 500 meters of each other. Regional PostBus lines connect the train station to outlying residential quarters and neighbouring villages.

Public transport operates under the Tarifverbund Nordwestschweiz (TNW) zone tariff. A single local zone ticket is CHF 3.80 ($4.30 USD), and a TNW day pass covering the regional network is CHF 9.90 ($11.20 USD). The SBB Mobile app provides route planning and mobile ticketing. Taxis can be found outside the train station or booked through local providers such as Taxi Laufental (+41 61 761 11 11).

• Laufen Old Town (Stedtli) (Hauptstrasse) — The walled medieval core established in 1295, arranged along a central axis flanked by historic stone townhouses, carved fountains, and cobblestone lanes. Free access.

• Obertor (Upper Gate Tower) (Amthausgasse) — The primary southern gate tower of the town fortifications, featuring an astronomical clock, a mechanical clockwork display, and a roof bell turret. Free to view.

• Untertor (Lower Gate Tower / Basler Tor) (Vorstadt) — The northern fortified gateway standing alongside remaining sections of the 14th-century town wall. Free to view.

• Museum Laufental (Helye-Platz 2) — Housed in a historic former schoolhouse, this local museum displays Paleolithic stone tools, Roman artifacts, Jurassic fossils, and historical records on the 1994 cantonal vote. Open Sundays 13:00–17:00. Free entry.

• Birsfall (Birswasserfall) (Nau / Birs River) — A natural six-meter limestone waterfall on the Birs River located beside the town center, featuring a viewing terrace, riverside paths, a fish ladder, and a historic mill site. Free access.

• Katharinenkirche (St. Catherine's Church) (Kirchgasse) — A late Baroque Catholic church constructed between 1698 and 1700, containing classical altarpieces, historic statuary, and wood furnishings. Free entry.

• Ricola Kräuterzentrum (Baselstrasse 31) — A major production facility for Ricola herbal lozenges designed by architects Herzog & de Meuron. Completed in 2014, it is Europe's largest rammed-earth building, constructed using local loam, clay, and gravel. Exterior viewable from public pathways; free to view.

• Schloss Zwingen (Schlossgasse, Zwingen — 2 km northeast) — A 13th-century moated fortress located on an island in the Birs River, featuring an entrance bridge, perimeter walls, and an interior courtyard. Free access to grounds.

• Hike the Chaltbrunnental Gorge — Follow the marked karst trail through the Chaltbrunnental ravine between Grellingen and Laufen. The route passes limestone rock faces, moss-covered stream banks, and the Chessiloch cave shelter, which features military crest paintings left by Swiss soldiers during World War I.

• Cycle Route 23 (Rhine–Jura Path) — Ride sections of national cycling Route 23, which follows paved paths and quiet country roads along the Birs River between Basel and Delémont.

• Walk the Laufental Planet Trail — A 1:1-billion scale educational astronomical path starting near Laufen that winds through rural farmland with scale models and informational panels illustrating the solar system.

• Swim at Freibad Nau (Sportplatz Nau) — A seasonal outdoor swimming facility along the river open from mid-May to September. Includes a 50-meter swimming pool, diving boards, waterslides, and lawn areas. Admission is CHF 6 ($6.80 USD) for adults and CHF 3.50 ($4 USD) for children.

• Attend Laufner Fasnacht — If visiting in February, watch traditional carnival parades, costumed brass bands (Guggenmusik), and confetti celebrations throughout the Stedtli.

• Restaurant Lamm (Hauptstrasse 15) — Located in the medieval center, offering seasonal Swiss and Italian dishes including house-made pastas, veal specialties, and game dishes. Mid-range, mains CHF 26–48 (~$29–$54 USD).
• Restaurant Rathausstübli (Hauptstrasse 28) — Traditional dining room near the town hall serving classic Swiss cuisine, including Cordon Bleu, cheese fondue, and beef tartare. Mid-range, mains CHF 28–52 (~$31–$59 USD).
• Rössli - Art Laufen (Viehmarktgasse 5) — Casual tavern serving hearty Swiss plates such as Rösti, sausages, and grilled meats alongside rotating daily lunch menus. Budget to mid-range, mains CHF 18–34 (~$20–$38 USD).
• Pizzeria Krone (Hauptstrasse 36) — Central pizzeria serving stone-baked pizzas, pasta dishes, and salads in an informal setting. Budget to mid-range, mains CHF 17–32 (~$19–$36 USD).
• Konditorei Café Kern (Amthausgasse 2) — Bakery and coffee shop by the Obertor offering fresh bread, sandwiches, birchermüesli, and Swiss pastries. Budget, items CHF 4–14 (~$4.50–$16 USD).

• Hotel Restaurant Jura (Bahnhofstrasse 2) — Conveniently situated opposite the train station, offering en-suite guest rooms with free Wi-Fi and an on-site restaurant. Doubles from CHF 110–160 (~$125–$180 USD) per night.
• Hotel Restaurant Wydehof (Wydenstrasse 19, Breitenbach — 3 km southeast) — A 3-star hotel with comfortable rooms, an on-site fitness area, bowling alley, and restaurant with a garden terrace. Doubles from CHF 130–190 (~$145–$215 USD) per night.
• Riverside Apartment Hotel (Baselstrasse 40, Duggingen — 8 km northeast) — Modern serviced studio apartments with kitchenettes, private balconies, and self check-in near the Birs. Units from CHF 100–150 (~$112–$170 USD) per night.
• Bad Bubendorf Hotel (Kantonsstrasse 3, Bubendorf — 22 km east) — Upscale 4-star historic hotel featuring boutique rooms, an Italian fine-dining restaurant, a lounge, and wellness facilities. Rooms from CHF 210–340 (~$235–$385 USD) per night.

• Delémont (15 km southwest, 15 minutes by train or 18 minutes by car) — Capital of Canton Jura, known for the Prince-Bishops' Palace, the Jura Museum of Art and History, and a pedestrianized historic center.
• Basel (24 km north, 22 minutes by train or 30 minutes by car) — Major cultural city on the Rhine River featuring the Kunstmuseum Basel, Basel Minster, the historic Rathaus, and world-class museums.
• Mariastein Abbey (12 km north, 20 minutes by PostBus or car) — A Benedictine pilgrimage monastery perched on a limestone outcrop, containing a subterranean cliff chapel (Gnadenkapelle).
• Saint-Ursanne (38 km southwest, 40 minutes by train via Delémont or 35 minutes by car) — A preserved medieval town along the Doubs River featuring a Romanesque-Gothic collegiate church, a 17th-century four-arch bridge, and riverside walking paths.
• Liestal (30 km northeast, 35 minutes by car or 40 minutes by train via Basel) — Capital of Basel-Landschaft, featuring the painted Törli town gate and the Kantonsmuseum Baselland.