Basel: Three Borders, Rhine Swims & Carnival Soul

Three Countries, One Tram Ride: Basel sits where Switzerland, Germany and France meet. Tram 8 runs to Weil am Rhein (Germany) and tram 3 to Saint-Louis (France), and locals cross the border for groceries, a haircut or Sunday lunch without a second thought - bring your passport or ID anyway, because spot checks happen.

The Airport Is in France: EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg is on French soil, with a Swiss exit and a French exit. Take the Swiss side if you are heading into Basel, otherwise you will end up in Saint-Louis.

Motor-Free Ferries: Four little ferries (Fähri) cross the Rhine with no engine at all - they hang from a cable and use only the river current, steered by the ferryman's rudder. Locals use them as ordinary public transport, and they stay silent on board out of respect for the ferryman.

Paid Rubbish Bags: The city uses official 'Bebbi-Sagg' bags that you buy at the supermarket, and rubbish in the wrong bag gets sorted out and traced. Do not leave a hotel-room bag on the street.

Sunday Silence: Shops, most supermarkets and many restaurants close on Sunday, and there are quiet-hours rules in apartment buildings. Locals do their shopping Saturday and spend Sunday on the Rhine or in the Black Forest foothills.

Pharma Money, Quiet Wealth: Roche and Novartis shape the skyline (the Roche Tower is Switzerland's tallest building) and the economy. The wealth is rarely shown off - old Basel families (the 'Daig') are famously discreet.

Basler Fasnacht: Switzerland's biggest carnival and a UNESCO intangible heritage tradition begins on the Monday after Ash Wednesday at exactly 4:00 AM, when every light in the old town is switched off for the Morgestraich. Costumed 'Cliquen' march with piccolos, drums and huge hand-painted lanterns and the whole thing lasts 72 hours. Read more in this overview of the Basler Fasnacht. Etiquette: wear the Fasnachtsplakette badge (CHF 10-ish and up) to support the Cliquen, never talk over the music, and expect 'Räppli' confetti in your coat for weeks.

Schnitzelbängg: Satirical singers in masks recite rhymed verses on local politics and gossip in packed Beizen during Fasnacht evenings. Even if you do not understand the dialect, the laughter is the show.

Vogel Gryff: A mid-January ritual in Kleinbasel where three emblem figures - the Wild Maa (wild man), the Leu (lion) and the Vogel Gryff (griffin) - dance on the Mittlere Brücke and the Rhine bank. Locals watch from Greifengasse and the Rhein promenade.

Rhyschwimme: From June to September, locals float down the Rhine from Kleinbasel to the Johanniter Bridge with a Wickelfisch dry-bag. It is not a tourist stunt, it is how people commute home on hot afternoons.

Basler Fasnacht - Monday after Ash Wednesday, 4 AM (15-17 February 2027): Three days, the old town closed to cars, hotels booked months ahead. Lanterns are on display on Münsterplatz on Monday night. Book early or skip.

Museumsnacht - January: Dozens of museums open late with one shared ticket (about CHF 25-30), plus shuttle buses. Locals plan a route and eat on the go.

Art Basel - mid-June: The biggest contemporary art fair in the world fills Messe Basel and the city with galleries and parties. Hotel prices can triple, so book months in advance or sleep in Germany or France.

Basel Tattoo - July: Military bands and pipes in the Kasernenhof, the city's second-biggest summer event. Tickets from around CHF 50-130.

Basler Rheinschwimmen - mid-August: A group swim of several thousand people through the old town. Usually organized by the Swiss lifesaving society.

Basler Herbstmesse - late October to early November (24 October to roughly 8 November in 2026): A 550-year-old fair across Petersplatz, Barfüsserplatz, Münsterplatz and Messeplatz, with 'Mässmogge' candies, roasted chestnuts and rides, open about 11:00-23:00.

Swiss Indoors - late October: Tennis at St. Jakobshalle, the hometown event for Roger Federer, who started here as a ball kid.

Basler Weihnachtsmarkt - late November to 23 December: Münsterplatz and Barfüsserplatz markets with Läckerli, mulled wine and craft stalls, which also rank among the best Christmas markets in Europe. Go on weekday afternoons to avoid crowds.

Basler Läckerli: Hard, spicy honey-and-almond gingerbread with a thin sugar glaze, made since the 1700s. Locals buy it by weight at Läckerli Huus or in the traditional tearoom Confiserie Schiesser on Marktplatz. Expect around CHF 3-4 for a small bag of pieces and CHF 10-25 for a gift tin.

Basler Mehlsuppe: Dark, toasted-flour soup with cheese on top, eaten before dawn during Fasnacht at 5-6 AM and in Beizen all winter. A bowl is about CHF 9-14. It is more comforting than it sounds.

Zwiebelwähe and Käsewähe: Savoury onion or cheese tarts - the standard Fasnacht breakfast alongside the soup, and also a lunchtime bakery item for CHF 5-8 a slice.

Rhine-Side Beizli Dining: Traditional Beizen such as Löwenzorn (Gemsberg) and Fischerstube (Kleinbasel, serving its own Ueli beer) serve local classics - Wurstsalat (cervelat sausage salad), Rösti and Leberli (liver). Mains cost CHF 28-45.

Mittagsmenü Rule: Lunch is the main meal and the best deal. A weekday set menu with soup or salad costs CHF 19-28, versus CHF 45-80 at dinner for similar food. Locals eat lunch at 12:00 sharp.

Coffee Culture: A café crème is CHF 4.50-5.50. Order at the table, do not expect free water refills (tap water is excellent and free if you ask), and tipping is a round-up, not a percentage.

Understated Pragmatism: Basel was a trading and humanist city for centuries, and people still prize being low-key, punctual and fair. Boasting is bad form and a quiet 'it's fine' is high praise. The city also sits in a country with four national languages, so see our Switzerland country guide for the wider context.

Dialect Pride: Baseldytsch is distinct from Zurich German - softer and with unique vocabulary. Locals switch to standard German for outsiders but love it if you try a 'Salü' (hello).

Culture Capital: Basel has more than 40 museums for 180,000 residents, and Art Basel puts the city on the world art map each June. Many locals have a museum membership the way others have a gym card.

Order and Punctuality: Trams are on time to the minute, noise rules are real, and the fine for riding without a ticket is CHF 100. Greet shopkeepers with 'Grüezi' or 'Salü' when you enter, and say goodbye when you leave.

Neutral but International: Pharma and universities bring a large expat and cross-border commuter community (tens of thousands of Germans and French cross every day), so English works in most places, but German first earns smiles.

Baseldytsch Greetings:

• "Salü" (sah-LUE) = hi/bye, the all-purpose friendly greeting
• "Merci vilmol" (MEHR-see FEEL-mohl) = thanks a lot
• "Adie" (ah-DEE-eh) = goodbye
• "Gälle" (GEL-leh) = right? / isn't it? (used at the end of sentences)

Local Words:

• "Bebbi" (BEB-bee) = a Basel native
• "Drämmli" (DREM-lee) = the tram
• "Fähri" (FEH-ree) = the Rhine ferry
• "Rhy" (ree) = the Rhine
• "Zmorge / Zmittag / Znacht" (ZMOR-geh / ZMIT-tag / ZNACHT) = breakfast / lunch / dinner
• "Znüni" (ZNUE-nee) = the 9 AM snack break

Fasnacht Terms:

• "Morgestraich" (MOR-geh-shtraikh) = the 4 AM carnival start
• "Larve" (LAR-feh) = the carnival mask
• "Räppli" (REP-plee) = confetti
• "Waggis" (VAG-gis) = a caricature costume figure with a huge nose
• "Clique" (KLEE-keh) = a carnival group

Trams and Buses (BVB/BLT, TNW fare network):

• A single ticket within the city is around CHF 4-5 and a short-hop ticket about CHF 2.60-3 - check the TNW app for exact current fares
• A Basel day ticket (zones 10-15 including the airport) was CHF 10.70 on the last published fare table
• Trams run every 6-10 minutes from about 5 AM to midnight, with night buses on weekends
• Tickets must be bought before boarding, and inspectors do check - the fine is CHF 100

BaselCard and Mobility Ticket:

• Hotel, hostel and apartment guests get a BaselCard covering public transport in the city zones and 25% off many attractions
• It does not cover trips to France or to the Vitra Design Museum in Germany

Trains:

• Basel SBB is the hub: Zurich in about 55 minutes, Bern in 55 minutes, Paris by TGV in roughly 3 hours, Frankfurt by ICE in about 2.5 hours
• Basel Badischer Bahnhof is for German trains, so check which station your train uses

EuroAirport:

• Bus 50 runs to Basel SBB every 7-15 minutes in about 20 minutes with a city fare ticket
• A taxi costs around CHF 50-70

Fähri, Bike and Walking:

• Ferries cost about CHF 1.60-2 per crossing
• The old town is compact and best on foot, and cycling lanes are good, with rental bikes from Swiss Pedelec and local shops at around CHF 25-35 per day
• Trams get crowded around 7:30-8:30 AM and 5-6 PM

Food & Drinks:

• Café crème: CHF 4.50-5.50
• Beer 0.5 L in a Beiz: CHF 6-8
• Weekday lunch menu: CHF 19-28
• Dinner main course: CHF 30-50
• Kebab or falafel takeaway: CHF 10-15
• Bakery tart slice: CHF 5-8

Groceries:

• Coop and Migros are the main supermarkets, with Aldi and Lidl cheaper
• Locals often shop in Germany or France for 30-40% less, which is cross-border shopping 'Einkaufstourismus'
• Bread loaf about CHF 3-5, litre of milk CHF 1.80-2

Activities:

• Kunstmuseum Basel: roughly CHF 20
• Museum Tinguely: roughly CHF 18-20
• Fondation Beyeler: roughly CHF 28
• Münster tower: about CHF 5
• Basel Zoo (Zolli): roughly CHF 25-27 adults, less for kids
• Check each website - prices change and BaselCard gives 25% off

Accommodation:

• Hostel dorm: CHF 45-70
• Mid-range hotel: CHF 140-230
• Upscale hotel such as Les Trois Rois: CHF 600+
• Fasnacht, Art Basel and trade-fair weeks can double or triple prices

Budget Tips:

• Picnic by the Rhine from Coop or Migros
• Eat the Mittagsmenü as your main meal
• Drink tap water
• Stay across the border in Saint-Louis or Weil am Rhein during fairs, since tram 3 and tram 8 connect them
• A daily budget of CHF 120-200 per person is realistic

Year-Round Basics:

• Basel has Switzerland's mildest climate, sheltered by the Jura and Vosges and with some of the country's warmest summers
• Rain is spread across the year (about 800-850 mm), so pack a compact umbrella
• Locals dress neatly and practically - dark layers, good walking shoes and a jacket that handles the tram and a cold terrace

Seasonal Guide:

Spring (Mar-May): 5-18°C

• Cool mornings and sunny afternoons
• Light jacket, scarf, waterproof shoes
• Fasnacht in February or March is cold at 4 AM, so wear thermal layers

Summer (Jun-Aug): 15-28°C, heatwaves to 33°C+

• Warm and humid, with thunderstorms
• Light cotton, swimwear and quick-dry towel for the Rhine
• Hotels often lack air conditioning, so ask

Autumn (Sep-Nov): 6-20°C

• Golden light, wine harvest, then fog in November
• Layers and a rain jacket for Herbstmesse

Winter (Dec-Feb): -2 to 6°C

• Grey, damp and sometimes foggy, with occasional snow
• Warm coat, hat, gloves and boots for the Christmas market

Evening Social Scene:

• Rhine buvettes and Kleinbasel bars (around Klybeckstrasse and Feldbergstrasse) fill from 6 PM in summer
• Small clubs and concerts at Kaserne Basel, Sommercasino and Kuppel

Language and Expat Meetups:

• Language exchange nights and expat gatherings are common because of the pharma community
• Search Meetup and InterNations for current Basel events

Sports & Recreation:

• Join pickup football, running clubs along the Rhine, and SUP rentals in summer
• Public Rheinbad clubs offer cheap day entry

Cultural Activities:

• Kult.kino and the Neues Kino screen independent films
• Museum evening programmes and public lectures at the University of Basel

Clubs and Fasnacht Groups:

• Cliquen are social clubs with long waiting lists, but beginners' piccolo and drum courses exist before Fasnacht
• Ask at a Beiz or the Fasnachts-Comité for introductions

Float the Rhine with a Wickelfisch: Buy a waterproof fish-shaped bag for about CHF 25-30, put your clothes in, and walk upstream along the Kleinbasel bank, then get in and let the current carry you past the Münster and Pfalz. Only swim when the water is clearly above 18°C and the level is low, never alone, and exit at a marked ladder. It is for confident swimmers.

Cross the Rhine on the Fähri: Four ferries (Münster, St. Alban, Klingental, St. Johann) cost roughly CHF 1.60-2 and run daily. Take the Münsterfähri at sunset for the best view of the cathedral.

Morgestraich at 4 AM: Stand in the dark on Barfüsserplatz or Freie Strasse when the lights go out. After the piccolos start, follow a clique through the alleys, then eat a Mehlsuppe at a Beiz.

Tinguely Fountain and Museum Tinguely: The kinetic fountain at Theaterplatz splashes and clanks like a machine. The nearby museum on the Rhine has the sculptor's mad machines, with a ticket of about CHF 18-20.

Fondation Beyeler in Riehen: Renzo Piano's gallery set in a park with Monet water lilies and modern masters. Tram 6 from the centre takes 20 minutes, and admission is roughly CHF 28.

Stand in Three Countries at the Dreiländereck: At the Rhine port in Kleinhüningen, a monument marks where Switzerland, France and Germany meet. Cross the Dreiländerbrücke footbridge to Huningue (France) and Weil am Rhein (Germany) and then come back along the river.

Marktplatz Market:

• Daily fruit, vegetable and flower stalls in front of the red Rathaus, Mon-Sat mornings
• Best before 10 AM, when locals buy regional cheese, bread and seasonal produce

Petersplatz Flea Market:

• Saturday morning, with antiques, books, vinyl and bric-a-brac under the trees
• Arrive by 8-9 AM for the best finds

Markthalle Basel:

• A domed hall near the station with international food stalls and a lively lunch crowd
• Good for cheap global food at CHF 12-18

Münsterplatz and Barfüsserplatz Markets:

• Weekly stalls in front of the cathedral with local produce
• Check the days on the city website, since schedules change

Cross-Border Supermarkets:

• Locals take the tram to Weil am Rhein or Saint-Louis for groceries, wine, meat and drugstore goods
• Respect duty-free limits when returning

Pfalz Terrace behind the Münster:

• A high terrace over the Rhine with benches and chestnut trees
• Locals come at sunset with a take-away coffee or a beer

Kleinbasel Rhine Promenade (Oetlinger Buvette to Dreirosenbrücke):

• The sunny bank in the afternoon with steps down to the water
• Fills with swimmers, picnickers and music from June to September

Merian Gardens (Brüglinger Ebene):

• A landscape park of ponds, meadows and a historic estate
• Quiet on weekdays, popular with families on Sundays

St. Alban-Tal:

• Old mill quarter along the Teich canal, with the paper mill museum and a quiet riverside walk
• Good in the early morning

Tüllinger Hill (Germany):

• Vineyards and a view over Basel reached by tram 6 and a short climb
• Locals go on autumn weekends for Sauser and Zwiebelwähe

Beiz (BYTS):

• A neighbourhood pub-restaurant with simple food and local wine
• Regulars have a table (Stammtisch), and you will see Jass card games after work
• Look for 'Kulturbeiz' venues that also host small concerts

Buvette:

• Rhine-bank bar kiosks open from spring to autumn, such as Oetlinger in Kleinbasel
• Plastic cups, cheap beer and sunset on the riverbank

Rheinbad (river bath):

• Wooden riverside bathing clubs such as Rheinbad Breite and St. Johann
• Open in summer with sun decks, a restaurant and a changing room

Clique Keller (Fasnacht cellars):

• Basements where carnival groups rehearse piccolo and drum from January
• You can hear the practice from the street in the evenings

Kulturzentrum:

• Kaserne Basel and the Sommercasino host concerts, dance and festivals
• Often cheap tickets for local acts

Self-Mockery in Dialect:

• Baslers love teasing themselves for being reserved, 'too proper', and a bit over-polite
• 'Gälle?' is added to everything with a wink

The Zurich Rivalry:

• Baslers joke that Zurich is arrogant and noisy while Basel quietly does the real work
• Football matches against FC Zürich are where it all comes out

Schnitzelbängg:

• Rhymed satire sung by masked performers, with a drawn picture ('Helgen') for each verse
• Politicians, trams, rents and neighbours are all fair game

Fasnacht Costumes:

• The Waggis, a big-nosed farmer figure, throws oranges and sweets at the crowd
• Cliquen choose a theme and parody something current in the city each year

Erasmus of Rotterdam (humanist):

• Lived and died in Basel in 1536 and is buried in the Münster
• Locals refer to him as a symbol of open thinking and printing

Hans Holbein the Younger (painter):

• Court painter later for Henry VIII
• The Kunstmuseum holds the world's largest Holbein collection

Friedrich Nietzsche (philosopher):

• Taught at the University of Basel from 1869 and mixed with Jacob Burckhardt, the cultural historian

Albert Hofmann (chemist):

• Discovered LSD at Sandoz in Basel in 1943, and 'Bicycle Day' (19 April) still lives in local lore

Jean Tinguely (artist):

• Kinetic sculptor whose machine fountain is a city icon

Roger Federer (tennis):

• Basel native and 20-time Grand Slam winner, he is the city's favourite son

Herzog & de Meuron (architects):

• Basel firm behind Tate Modern in London and the Beijing 'Bird's Nest', and several buildings around Basel itself

FC Basel 1893:

• Red-and-blue FCB plays at St. Jakob-Park ('Joggeli') and has dominated Swiss football in the last 20 years
• The Muttenzerkurve stand is the loud heart of the stadium
• Rivalry with FC Zürich and Young Boys is intense, with Zürich the true enemy
• Tickets for league games cost around CHF 25-70

Tennis:

• Swiss Indoors Basel in late October is the city's big sporting week
• Roger Federer grew up here, and locals follow his foundation and every Basel match

Rhine Swimming and Paddling:

• Summer sport number one, with Rheinbad Breite and Rheinbad St. Johann as local swim spots
• Stand-up paddling and kayaking run from the harbour to the old town

Ice Hockey and Hiking:

• EHC Basel plays in the lower leagues but has loyal supporters
• Locals hike the Jura at Gempen and Bruderholz at weekends, and cycle through three countries

Mehlsuppe with Zwiebelwähe at 5 AM:

• Flour soup and onion tart eaten together after the Morgestraich
• Eaten standing in Beizen with confetti in your hair
• Locals debate which Beiz makes the best soup

Cervelat-Cheese Salad (Wurstsalat):

• Sliced sausage, cheese, onion and vinegar dressing
• Standard Beiz lunch, often with Rösti on the side

Läckerli with Kirsch or Coffee:

• The hard gingerbread is dunked in coffee to soften it
• Some also pair it with a small glass of Kirsch (cherry spirit)

Sauser with Chestnuts:

• Autumn grape must (fermenting juice) with roasted chestnuts from the Herbstmesse stalls
• Locals watch the alcohol level, because Sauser is stronger than it tastes

Fasnachtschüechli:

• Paper-thin fried dough dusted with sugar, a carnival-season sweet
• Often eaten from a paper bag in the street

Reformation City: Basel became Protestant in 1529 under Johannes Oecolampadius, and the Münster (cathedral) is Reformed rather than Catholic. Its Romanesque and Gothic interior is plain, and you can climb the tower for around CHF 5 for views along the Rhine into Germany and France. The tomb of Erasmus of Rotterdam is inside.

Mixed and Secular Today: About a third of residents have no religious affiliation, with Reformed, Catholic, Muslim and Jewish communities in the rest. Religion is private business, so avoid pressing people on it.

Zionist Congress, 1897: Theodor Herzl convened the First Zionist Congress in Basel's Stadtcasino, a landmark of modern Jewish history. Basel still has an active Jewish community.

Visiting Churches: Dress normally, keep quiet, and skip photos during services. Church bells ring from 7 AM and on Sunday mornings, and quiet laws mean no mowing or loud laundry on Sundays.

Payment Methods:

• Currency is the Swiss franc (CHF), not the euro, though many shops near the border accept euros at a poor rate
• Cards and contactless (Visa, Mastercard, TWINT) work almost everywhere
• Keep a little cash for Fähri tickets, market stalls and some Beizen

Bargaining Culture:

• Fixed prices in shops and no haggling
• The flea market on Petersplatz on Saturdays has some flexibility on antiques, but modest

Shopping Hours:

• Typically Mon-Fri 9:00-18:30/19:00, Saturday 9:00-17:00/18:00
• Many shops close on Sunday, with the exceptions of SBB station shops and some convenience stores
• Thursday evenings stay open late in the centre

Tax & Receipts:

• Swiss VAT (MWST) is 8.1% and included in the price
• Non-EU tourists can reclaim VAT on purchases above CHF 300 in one shop on the same day if you ask for a refund form and have it stamped at customs when leaving
• Keep receipts, because the stamp is required

Absolute Essentials:

• "Ja / Nein" (yah / nine) = yes / no
• "Bitte" (BIT-teh) = please / you're welcome
• "Danke" (DAHN-keh) = thank you
• "Entschuldigung" (ent-SHOOL-di-goong) = excuse me / sorry
• "Sprechen Sie Englisch?" (SHPREH-khen zee ENG-lish) = do you speak English?

Daily Greetings:

• "Grüezi" (GRUE-et-see) = hello (formal)
• "Guete Morge" (GOO-eh-teh MOR-geh) = good morning
• "Uf Widerluege" (oof VEE-der-loo-eh-geh) = goodbye
• "Salü" (sah-LUE) = hi/bye (casual)

Numbers & Practical:

• 1-10: eins, zwei, drei, vier, fünf, sechs, sieben, acht, neun, zehn (ayns, tsvai, drai, feer, fuenf, zeks, ZEE-ben, akht, noyn, tsayn)
• "Wo ist der Bahnhof?" (voh ist dair BAHN-hohf) = where is the train station?
• "Wie viel kostet das?" (vee feel KOS-tet das) = how much is it?

Food & Dining:

• "Ich hätte gern..." (ikh HET-teh gairn) = I would like...
• "Die Rechnung, bitte" (dee REKH-noong BIT-teh) = the bill, please
• "E Guete!" (eh GOO-eh-teh) = enjoy your meal
• "Ein Hahnenwasser, bitte" (ine HAH-nen-vas-ser BIT-teh) = tap water, please

Authentic Local Products:

• Basler Läckerli: CHF 10-25 per tin from Läckerli Huus or Confiserie Schiesser
• Basler Brunsli: soft chocolate-almond cookies, mainly sold at Christmas
• Fasnachts-Plakette: collectible carnival badge, CHF 10 and up, bought to support Cliquen

Handcrafted Items:

• Wickelfisch dry-bag: about CHF 25-30 from the tourist office or youth hostel
• Prints and posters from local art shops, and Fasnacht lantern miniatures
• Art books and design objects from museum shops such as the Kunstmuseum or Fondation Beyeler

Edible Souvenirs:

• Swiss chocolate from Confiserie Beschle or Schiesser, around CHF 8-20 for a box
• Mässmogge sweets, available only at the Herbstmesse
• Läckerli keeps for weeks in a tin

Where Locals Actually Shop:

• Gerbergasse and Freie Strasse for chocolate and independent shops
• Petersplatz flea market for vintage finds
• Avoid airport and tourist-office stands with mass-produced Swiss clichés

Family-Friendliness Rating: 9/10 - safe, clean and compact, with excellent public transport and child discounts.

Local Family Cultural Context:

• Children travel to school alone by tram from a young age, and parents trust the system
• Many families are dual-language and dual-income, with a big expat and cross-border community
• Parents expect kids to be polite, quiet on trams and on time

City-Specific Family Traditions:

• Kids make and carry lanterns and piccolos in Fasnacht cliques and the Kinderfasnacht on the Wednesday
• Families spend summer afternoons at the Rhine and Rheinbad, with children learning to swim in the Rhine early
• The Herbstmesse is a family tradition passed through generations

Local Family Values:

• Punctuality, nature and outdoor time, and modest spending
• Sunday is for family walks and lunch

Practical Family Travel Info:

• Strollers work on all trams, which have low floors, and most of the old town is paved - the Münsterberg and Spalenberg hills are steep
• Basel Zoo (Zolli) is among the best in Europe, with an ape house and a children's zoo
• Spielzeug Welten Museum (toys), Naturhistorisches Museum, the paper mill in St. Alban-Tal and the Fähri are good kid options
• Public changing tables are in department stores and museums, and restaurants provide high chairs
• Children under 6 ride free on trams, and 6-16 get reduced fares
• Avoid swimming in the Rhine with small children - use the Rheinbad pools instead