Antikenmuseum Basel und Sammlung Ludwig — Attraction 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...

This museum could be incredible but instead it’s a very frustrating experience, especially for non-English speakers. I don’t expect everyone to cater to English speakers; these problems transcend that.

There are many impressive Ancient Greek and Egyptian pieces, but little information about most of them in any language, even less so in English.

There is a map that is supposed to highlight some key important pieces and provide additional info, but the map isn’t always correct and the additional information is in German and formatted in a way that makes it difficult to scan with your phone for translation.

There are information placards in most rooms, but they are printed on clear plastic, which means there are shadows from the text on the wall immediately behind. This makes it look like more text and so if you take a picture for translation, the translation app is completely confused. Simply using an opaque background would solve this problem without the need for posting an English translation.

I just found myself very confused and wanting so much more information as I gazed on the impressive collection. Why were some things in a display case and others out in the open? Were the uncovered pieces replicas? Why are so many pieces from these cultures in Switzerland instead of in their native countries? After a couple of hours in the museum I still have no idea about any of this.

Adding insult to injury, a good portion of the museum was closed as of early...

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...