Antikenmuseum Basel und Sammlung Ludwig

A great museum and selection of different eras and the Egyptian one is super. The balance between What’s on display. The staff are nice. They also have a nice patio and gift shop. Definitely it’s a must visit when in Basel.

The Antikenmuseum Basel und Sammlung Ludwig is a real gem for anyone fascinated by the ancient world. It is one of the very few museums in Switzerland devoted entirely to classical antiquity, and the quality of its collection is outstanding. From ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia to Greece, Etruria, and Rome, the museum offers a sweeping journey through thousands of years of human history and artistic achievement. What impressed me most is how beautifully the museum is curated. The galleries are not overwhelming in size, but each object is displayed with care and clarity, allowing visitors to take their time and truly appreciate the craftsmanship. Highlights include finely preserved Greek vases, delicate Etruscan jewelry, and Roman sculptures that still carry an astonishing sense of realism. The Egyptian collection is also captivating, with statues, sarcophagi, and small artifacts that provide a glimpse into daily life as well as ritual practices. The Sammlung Ludwig section complements the museum perfectly, adding remarkable pieces of classical art that were collected with a keen eye for quality. Together, the two collections feel both scholarly and accessible. Even if you don’t have a deep background in archaeology, the museum does an excellent job with explanations in multiple languages, making the stories behind the artifacts engaging and understandable. The setting itself is serene, with quiet galleries that allow for reflection. It feels more intimate than larger institutions like the British Museum, which means you can enjoy the treasures without crowds pressing around you. Staff are friendly and knowledgeable, and there is a pleasant café where you can pause and reflect on what you’ve seen.

Great museum in a historic building. Great use of the space. The woman at the ticket counter was very helpful and spoke English very well. She made sure we had any information we needed and understood that the top floors close earlier than the lower floors, so recommended we start there. Great advice!

It is an extraordinary museum and well worth a visit, particularly the Egyptian exhibit. The audioguide explains many items and is really helpful; unluckily we had problems hearing it  when we were in the Egyptian section as it is underground (both Wi-Fi and the phone connection didn't work): we had to come up the ramp and upload it there. There are some rare and exceptional items, so well preserved. Do not miss the dedication on a hand mirror gifted from a father to his daughter, that was so astonishing. A good bargain is the booklet "101 Masterpieces" which you can get for 5 fr. ; it's a piece of the museum that you can take home.

Not very big, quite interesting, especially the section dedicated to ancient Egypt. Other sections are dedicated to ancient Rome and ancient Greece. You need about 90 minutes to visit it, at least an hour.

The Antikenmuseum Basel und Sammlung Ludwig is a place of great significance for archaeology and history. Here, you can truly feel the depth of ancient history and appreciate the importance of archaeology. The entrance fee was very reasonable, making it an accessible experience for visitors. Additionally, there is a bistro conveniently connected to the museum, offering a pleasant spot to relax. Visiting this museum in Basel, Switzerland, was an unforgettable experience.

FREE ON WEEKENDS. Small museum which can take up to 1 hour. Really good expositions especially the Egyptian one which I recommend to do last. The interactive part for kids/adults where you can touch stuff is fun and very welcome. Don’t skip the small but nice museum shop.

Squicky floors and awful, mostly natural lightning. Arnold Böcklin's paintings are amazing but it's impossible to enjoy them if you can't really see them due to reflections. Paintings lacks information about where they were painted and generally floor plan seems a bit chaotic, without guidance how to proceed. I was expecting much better quality of presentation, feels a bit like a waste of time and money.