Claramatte

Claramatte is a neighbourhood park in Kleinbasel, the densely built part of Basel on the right bank of the Rhine. At roughly 1.2 hectares, it works as a shared backyard for the surrounding streets, with a large playground, open lawns and mature trees.

Where does the name come from?

The park grew out of part of the garden of the former St. Clara convent, hence the name. Over the years the site was used for other purposes, including surface parking. Around 2000 the green space was enlarged by about 1,600 m² to approximately 10,000 m², keeping 70 existing trees and adding twelve new ones.

How has it changed?

Between 2004 and 2006 the park was fully redesigned. The Christoph Merian Foundation funded the project on condition that the park be restored to its original extent, so the open-air car spaces were removed and replaced by an underground garage with 154 spaces. The park reopened with a neighbourhood festival in June 2006.

After about thirteen years of heavy use, the city renovated it again in 2018–2019. The playground was refreshed and the temporary container housing the children's kiosk, the Kindertankstelle, gave way to a purpose-built building. The works cost CHF 1.2 million, and the reopening took place on 23 August 2019.

What is there to do?

• Playground for ages 0 to 12, with a castle, bridges and a climbing tower, slides, rope rides and a small football pitch.
• Kindertankstelle, a kiosk and activity base for children.
• Lawns and shade trees for picnics, reading or meeting neighbours.
• The city has announced fitness equipment and chess tables, expected in autumn 2026.

Who is it for?

Claramatte suits families travelling with children and anyone curious about everyday Basel away from the Old Town sights. It is not a formal showpiece park; its appeal is how well it serves local life. Kleinbasel has many residents and little green space, so the park is busy on warm days and weekends, and it is a convenient place for children to burn off energy between museum visits.

Frequently asked questions

Is entry free? Yes. It is a public city park maintained by the Basel Stadtgärtnerei.

Is it suitable for toddlers? Yes. The play areas cover ages 0 to 12 and there is a children's kiosk on site.

How big is the park? About 1.2 hectares of green space in the middle of the urban fabric.

Can I park nearby? An underground neighbourhood car park with 154 spaces sits beneath the area; it opened in 2004.