Binningen: Castles, Museum and Carnival

Binningen lies in the Leimental valley at an elevation of about 292 metres above sea level and borders the city of Basel to the north and east. On the Birsig, Binningen is the last municipality before the river flows into the Rhine in Basel. The municipal area covers 4.46 km²: 72 percent is residential and built-up land, 21 percent agricultural land and 7 percent forest.

Castles and landmarks

The former moated Binningen Castle was probably built in 1293. The renovated castle now houses a renowned restaurant; check its current dining facilities before your trip. The hotel’s breakfast room in the castle is also a public café with garden seating. Check the café’s current opening arrangements before your visit.

Built around 1553, Holee Castle is a late Gothic country estate and one of the municipality’s most significant architectural monuments in terms of history, art history and settlement history. St. Margarethen Church is Binningen’s landmark; it was probably built on a Celtic sanctuary.

Local history at the museum

The oldest surviving documentary mention of Binningen dates from 1004. In 2004, the municipality celebrated this with a festival entitled “Botz 1000”. The municipal coat of arms also tells the story of the village: it is based on the coat of arms of the Basel family “von Binningen”, documented from 1292 to 1300; the municipality adopted it in 1921.

Admission to the Binningen Local History Museum is free; this arrangement may change, so check before your visit. The museum’s four floors house collections on contemporary history and periods reaching far back before Binningen was founded in 1004. The Binningen pin factory is also part of local history: its operations moved to Binningen in 1943 and continued under the name “IRIS Stecknadeln AG” until 1991. The Local History Museum acquired the entire manufacturing plant.

The LEbrickGO Museum has a building area for children. As this facility may change, check before visiting whether the building area is currently available.

Carnival and observatory

At the first small Binningen carnival in 1991, 274 participants took part in 20 groups; the Binniger Fasnachts-Comité was founded in the autumn of the same year. During the parade, cliques, floats, Guggenmusik bands, carriages and “Schissdräggziigli” process through the streets in traditional costumes and masks. The parade is organised by the Comité. Details vary from one edition to the next.

St. Margarethen Observatory is a public observatory and meteorological observation station in Binningen, near Basel. If you plan to visit, check the current access arrangements in advance.

By bicycle or on foot

Numerous signposted cycle routes pass through Binningen. BLT trams to and from Rodersdorf carry bicycles; check the current carriage conditions before travelling. As a hiking option, the Gempen–Binningen route follows the Dorenbach stream to its destination in Binningen. Routes and trail conditions may change, so it is worth checking the latest information before setting out.

The difference is worth bearing in mind when choosing when to travel: the castles, church and Local History Museum offer cultural and historical attractions, while the carnival parade takes place on dates that vary with each edition. If you are travelling to Binningen for the parade, check its date before looking for a hotel.

Discover more destinations: Birsfelden, Allschwil, Münchenstein, Reinach, Schönenbuch, Aesch, Muttenz, Arlesheim

Back to the main travel overview: Arlesheim.