365 Media Group - Euro 2008 In association with Puma

Known by the locals as 'Joggeli' and home to FC Basel, the new 42,500-capacity St-Jakob Park is the largest football stadium in Switzerland.

The old stadium was demolished in 1998, with the new venue completed three years later.

The stadium complex houses a three-story shopping centre and even an old people's home - so if you're going, be quiet when you leave after the game.

The opening match of the tournament will take place here when Switzerland tackle the Czech Republic in their Group A match.

The City

Bordered to the west by France and the east by Germany, Basel is Switzerland's most northerly city and the country's third largest.

Its beautiful old town, which dates back to the 12th century, straddles the Rhein, with plenty of places of interest on either side of the river.

The city is more than just a pretty face, though, boasting strong industrial and commercial sectors away from the well-touristed centre.

Despite its proximity to France, Basel is one of three Swiss-German venues alongside Berne and Zurich.

It is the home town of Roger Federer, who chose a career in tennis over football - he was a talented youth player - but who continues to support the local team FC Basel.

Basel is Switzerland's primary venue for the tournament, with six matches taking place at the St-Jakob Park stadium including the co-hosts' three group games.

Transport

Due to its quirky geographical location Basel has three main train stations, one serving Swiss railways and one apiece for France and Germany.

Trains to Geneva take three hours, it's an hour to Zurich and journeys to the capital Berne take just over an hour.

From the Swiss station it's a half-hour, signposted walk to the stadium or you can take the tram.

To reach the Fan Zone at the Munsterplatz from here it will take 20 minutes on foot.

Public transport will run through the night throughout the tournament and match

tickets are valid for travel until 12 noon the following day.

A daily travel ticket costs 8CHF, or it's 35CHF for a weekly pass - these can be bought at the station or at kiosks around the city.

What to Visit

Towering over the Rhein, the 15th Century Munster is an impressive sight, as are the views from the top of its towers.

If the prospect of walking up an awful lot of steps (i.e. more than a couple of dozen) puts you off, the Baslerpfalz behind the Munster affords similar views of the river and the countryside towards the French and German borders.

The Rathaus on the colourful Marktplatz is bound to be the centre of attention as is the Mittlere Brucke, the 12th Century bridge across the Rhein.

The bridge will house one of two giant screens for public viewing, the other can be found in Munsterplatz, where there will be live music on stage before every match.

A 'Fan Boulevard' will stretch 3.2km from the main station to the Badischer station on the opposite side of the Rhein, taking in bars, restaurants, shops and the two Fan Zones.

Food & Drink

Pasta and pizza are especially popular in Basel and Italian restaurants offer some of the least expensive meals.

Local specialities include Rosti (similar to hash browns) and a variety of things made from Swiss cheese, including Fondue and Alplermagronen, a mix of noodles, onions, bacon and melted cheese. There are many restaurants around Barfusserplatz and Marktplatz, but the latter is likely to be busier given its proximity to the public viewing areas.

Basel is a university town and a large number of students means bars aplenty.

Brauerie Fischerstube on Rheingasse, a biergarten next door to the city's oldest brewery, is sure to be a hit.

If you like your partying to go on into the wee small hours - and you surely do - then this is the place.

Most of the clubs are in the area around Barfusserplatz and the locals often are only just getting started at 2am.

Phrasebook

Can you tell me where my seat is?

Entschuldigung, wo ist mein Platz?

Where is the toilet?

Wo finde ich die Toilette?