S AM Swiss Architecture Museum

The S AM Swiss Architecture Museum in Basel, Switzerland, is the leading institution for communicating contemporary architecture in Switzerland. Located in the city centre of Basel, it specialises in changing exhibitions, with around four exhibitions per year focused on themes such as history and present in Switzerland and 'Learning from...'. The museum addresses both professionals and a broad architecture-interested public, and its exhibition contents are complemented by guided tours, panel discussions, talks, workshops and accompanying publications. The museum also hosts changing temporary exhibitions.

Families and Kids

The S AM offers age-appropriate dialogic guided tours and workshops in the museum for kindergartens, schools and day-care structures. Leisure offers such as holiday workshops and family Sundays give children and young people various opportunities to discover and help shape their built environment.

Information

  • Visit duration: 90 min
  • Barrier free: Yes
  • For rainy days: Yes
  • Topic: Art
    • Guided tours: Yes
    • Workshops: Yes
    • Children experience: Child friendly
    • Children age group: 6-12, 12-18
    • Children activities: Workshops, Tours and demonstrations
    • Entrance fee: 12 CHF
    • Free entrance: No
    • Price range: $$

Opening hours

Closed on Mondays. From 1 July to 26 August 2026 open Tuesday to Sunday from 16:00 to 22:00; from 27 August 2026 open Tuesday/Wednesday/Friday 11:00–18:00, Thursday 11:00–20:30, Saturday/Sunday 11:00–17:00.
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
16:00-22:00 (1.7.–26.8.2026)
11:00-18:00 (from 27.8.2026)
Wednesday
16:00-22:00 (1.7.–26.8.2026)
11:00-18:00 (from 27.8.2026)
Thursday
16:00-22:00 (1.7.–26.8.2026)
11:00-20:30 (from 27.8.2026)
Friday
16:00-22:00 (1.7.–26.8.2026)
11:00-18:00 (from 27.8.2026)
Saturday
16:00-22:00 (1.7.–26.8.2026)
11:00-17:00 (from 27.8.2026)
Sunday
16:00-22:00 (1.7.–26.8.2026)
11:00-17:00 (from 27.8.2026)

Admission fees

12 CHF
Adult admission
8 CHF
Reduced admission for pupils, students and apprentices (with ID)
8 CHF
Reduced admission for seniors (from 64/65 years), pensioners and AHV recipients (with ID)
8 CHF
Reduced admission for groups of 10 or more people
0 CHF
Free admission for all under 18 years

Contact

Webpage
sam-basel.org
Email
info@sam-basel.org
Address
Steinenberg 7, 4051 Basel

Access

Nearby stops

  • Basel, Bankverein100 meters walking distance
  • Basel, Theater150 meters walking distance
  • Basel, Barfüsserplatz200 meters walking distance

Travel duration

From
Travel time
Basel SBB
8m
Olten
37m
Bern
1h 8m
Zürich HB
1h 9m
Luzern
1h 18m

FAQ

  • Is the museum wheelchair accessible?
    All rooms of the S AM are completely wheelchair accessible. Only at the entrance on Steinenberg 7 you need the help of the museum staff, who are available by phone at +41 61 206 99 01.
  • Does the museum have its own parking facilities?
    The S AM has no parking spaces of its own. For arrival by car, the museum recommends using one of the nearby car parks such as Anfos-Haus, Elisabethen or Steinenparking.
  • Can school groups and kindergartens book guided tours and workshops?
    Yes, the S AM offers age-appropriate dialogic guided tours and workshops in the museum for kindergartens, schools, universities, institutions and day-care structures. These offers can also be booked outside the official opening hours.
  • Are there family and children's leisure activities at the museum?
    Yes, leisure offers such as holiday workshops and family Sundays give children and young people various opportunities to discover and help shape their built environment.
  • Does the museum offer guided tours in the city and architecture tours?
    Yes, the S AM offers S AM Tours in the urban space as well as architecture tours in cooperation with Basel Tourismus, exploring topics such as new districts in northern Basel and the architecture of Basel from the old town to the present.

Included in