I flew to one of the 'most picturesque countries in the world' - and it was a 'melting pot' of views, history, and art

Switzerland is undeniably one of the most picturesque countries in the world – thanks to its alps, scenic waterways, and quaint villages.

It also has plenty of history, art, museums, and culture.

And if that's what you're looking for on your next holiday, than look no further than a trip to Basel, Switzerland, an impressive melting pot of the above.

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Basel is the home city of the iconic Art Basel art fair and can be considered an art capital of the world.

There are almost 40 museums alone in the city, which sits on the Rhine River, it boasts a population of more than 173,000 and is close to the borders of France and Germany.

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I travelled from Sydney to Basel, which is just over an hour's drive from Zurich, to watch the 69th Eurovision Song Contest earlier this year.

I got plenty of exploring in; I wanted to make the most of it after flying about 22 hours to Europe.

Here are some of the best things I think you should see and do in Basel.

Visit the Kunstmuseum Basel

And at the top of my must-see list is the Kunstmuseum, right in the heart of the city.

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw some iconic works from some of the most acclaimed artists in history; including Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, Claude Monet and Vincent Van Gogh.

Yes, I laid eyes on Van Gogh's iconic 'Self-portrait with a Japanese Print'.

While I was a little time-poor when I visited the gallery, you could easily spend a whole day here admiring the works. And it's a short stroll to the Rhine.

And conveniently, when I went, there were no huge crowds to contend with, which is a rarity for most museums.

Stroll through the Historic old town

The Basler Münster, built between 1019 and 1500, is another must-see in the city. As a local said to me, the city is divided into the old, historic part, and the new part.

The cathedral is in the stunning historic old town and features red, sandstone walls and the tomb of philosopher Erasmus of Rotterdam.

You truly don't realise how big it is until you see it person and walk around it, and you can even walk inside and around its manicured grounds.

When I was in Basel, there was also an eye-catching art exhibition of painted hearts set up right near the cathedral.

Take in the Graffiti spots and musicians hall of fame wall

The city is full of museums, but it's also filled with cool street art.

One of the biggest graffiti murals in the city is in Gerbergässlein; in an alleyway, featuring some of the most iconic musicians of all time.

You'll find everyone from the Beatles, to Michael Jackson, Pink, John Lennon and David Bowie on the music wall.

Nearby, there are an abundance of shops, food stores and restaurants to explore; but, best be warned, it was busy when I went.

Enjoy scenic views along The Rhine

You can walk right down to the river and explore bars, coffee carts, and restaurants along the Rhine.

There scenic views from the riverbank and you can immerse yourself like a local, but you can also choose to go for a swim, float down the river, or enjoy a cruise along it.

I opted for a short cruise, which went for over an hour, and it did not disappoint.

I find it's one of the best ways to see a new city from a different point of view. Tickets were decently priced too.

Where to stay in Basel

I stayed at the Nomad Design and Lifestyle Hotel in Basel, via Booking.com, which was a handy and central location and a short walk from the church and river.

Think an all-concrete, trendy design, with friendly staff, a yummy breakfast buffet and comfortable and spacious rooms.

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They have a sauna room and even waterproof bags at the front desk to use to go floating down the river, if you want to commute like a local.

At certain times, the front desk even transforms into a negroni bar!

The writer travelled to Switzerland for the 69th Eurovision Song Contest with Booking.com.