tourist info meersburg

Meersburg, Germany Travel Planning Guide

Visit one of Lake Constance's most Charming Villages

Meersburg, the "Burg on the lake" is located directly across from the town of Constance ( Konstanz ) on the shores of Lake Constance . It is a popular summer travel destination for both Germans and foreign tourists. Meersburg has a fine and meticulously kept medieval center surrounded by vineyards and makes a good hub for exploring destinations around the lake.

How to Arrive in Meersburg

Meersburg is connected by car ferry from the larger city of Constance. You can arrive at Meersburg by car via the E54 from Überlingen or Friedrichshafen, other towns on Lake Constance (See the Lake Constance Map ). Meersburg is about a three-hour drive from Munich .

Friedrichshafen airport is 20km (12 miles) to the east of Meersburg. The closest international airport is Zurich Airport .

The nearest rail station is in Überlingen, 14km (9 miles) to the northwest of Meersburg on the Basel to Lindau line.

What to See and Where to Stay in Meersburg

Meersburg is comprised of two distinct areas, the lower town ("Unterstadt") and uptown ("Oberstadt"). You can walk between them via stairs or a steep street. The tourist office is located on Kirchstrasse 4 in the upper town.

Meersburg Tourism offers many ways to tour the city, from thematic tours to general city tours .

Meersburg Attractions

The New Palace --Neues Schloss, the elegant palace that once served as the residential palace of the prince-bishops of Constance faces the Schlossplatz forming the southern boundary of the square. Construction began in 1712 and finished in 1740. You can take a tour into the living quarters and also see the painting gallery and the Dornier Museum focusing on the history of aviation (the Lake Constance area was a hotbed of Zeppelin development as you'll see later).

The Old Palace --a privately owned medieval castle you can visit that lacks the elegance of the New Palace. The Altes Schloss was a successful defender of Meersburg and the narrative of the self-guided tour is all about knights and weapons of war.

The Bible Gallery includes exhibits not only of bibles but of the Guttenburg press that first made printed copies.

Other museums include the Zeppelin Museum, Meersburg Tapestry Art Museum Droste Museum, the Town Museum, and a Viticulture Museum (wine is a very important part of the culture of Meersburg, try the local "Weissherbst" wine, which grows on the northern slopes of Lake Constance.

Of course, there are many well-kept half-timbered houses and interesting town gates to keep your camera busy for a while.

Where to Stay

Meersburg and the loop of interesting cities around the lake make it easy to think of a longer stay for this leg of your European vacation, perhaps in a cottage or, for a large family or gathering of friends, a larger villa. HomeAway lists 47 vacation rentals around Meersburg.

One of the top-rated hotels in Meersburg, although a bit pricey, is the Romantik Hotel Residenz am See.

The bargain choice for where to stay near Meersburg is Hotel-Gasthof Storchen with spa and restaurant. It's near the lake north of Meersbug in Uhldingen-Muehlhofen near the station.

Meersburg Impressions

If you're not into shopping for tourist trinkets or fake medieval swords and don't like museums or pretty German medieval villages, Meersburg will probably not be a good place for you to visit. This is the reason for giving the destination only 3.5 out of 5 stars. 5 Stars for medieval eye candy and museums though.

There are plenty of restaurants and hotels in Meersburg, as it is a prime tourist destination on the lake.

Near Meersburg

The entire area of Lake Constance is a good place for a longer vacation. Meersburg is worth a day or two and can be done as an easy day trip from Constance, a larger town, also in Germany.

To the northwest is the pile-dwelling museum in Unteruhldingen, Germany, a good stop for those interested in archaeology and ancient cultures.

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Explore Meersburg (Bodensee)

Plan Your Trip to Meersburg (Bodensee): Best of Meersburg (Bodensee) Tourism

Essential meersburg (bodensee).

Meersburg (Bodensee) Is Great For

Eat & drink

• Jufa Hotel Meersburg
• Romantik Hotel Residenz am See
• Gasthof zum Baren
• Strandhotel Wilder Mann
• Hotel zum Schiff
• Hotel Seepromenade
• Restaurant Meersburger Winzerstuben
• Badische Weinstube Meersburg
• Drachenfeuer
• Burg Meersburg
• Meersburg Therme
• Fähre Konstanz Meersburg
• Zeppelin Museum Meersburg
• Seepromenade

• Was erleben?
• Übersichtskarte Bodensee

Tourist-Information Meersburg

• Zurück zur Übersicht

Meersburg. Mehr davon! Barocke Prachtbauten, meisterliches Fachwerk, stolze Burg. Malerisches Meersburg. Schon zu Zeiten der Merowinger zog die erstaunliche kleine Stadt, eingekuschelt in üppige Rebhänge, Reisende mit ihrer reizvollen Lage in ihren Bann. Und heute ist Meersburg mehr von allem: mehr Muse, mehr Museen, mehr Genuss, mehr Wasser. Mehr Burg. Meersburg!

Bilder & Videos

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Tourist-Information Meersburg Kirchstrasse 4 88709 Meersburg Deutschland

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Burg Meersburg

Die älteste bewohnte Burg Deutschlands lädt ganzjährig zu einer Reise in die Vergangenheit ein. Lassen Sie sich an 365 Tagen im Jahr ins Mittelalter entführen oder speisen Sie wie die...

Fürstenhäusle Meersburg

Versteckt zwischen Weinstöcken liegt auf einer Anhöhe das um 1600 erbaute Fürstenhäusle. Dieses kaufte sich 1847 die berühmte Dichterin Annette von Droste-Hülshoff, um es als ihren Rückzugsort...

Neues Schloss Meersburg

Eindrucksvoll thront das Neue Schloss Meersburg über malerischen Weinbergen und dem imposanten Blau des Bodensees. Eine der originellsten Barockresidenzen hat seit ihrer Erbauung 1710 nichts an...

vineum bodensee

Interaktiv, abwechslungsreich und für alle Sinne wird die Kulturgeschichte des Weines am Bodensee mit weltweitem Bezug präsentiert.

Ausstellung und Schauanlage Omas Kaufhaus® Meersburg

Omas Kaufhaus verkauft Kindheitsträume: Nostalgisches Spielzeug und Kinderbücher, nostalgische Dekoration und eine ganzjährige Weihnachtswelt laden zum Stöbern ein. In Omas Kaufhaus erwartet Sie...

ROTES HAUS I MEERSBURG

Neue Impulse im Blick auf die Region geben die Schauen im ROTEN HAUS Meersburg. In den historischen Räumen des Barockpalais am Meersburger Schlossplatz zeigt die Galerie Bodenseekreis in der...

Bibelgalerie Meersburg mit Bibelgarten

Bibelgalerie Meersburg im ehemaligen Dominikanerinnenkloster: Bibelspuren entdecken in Kultur, Geschichte und Gegenwart und im Alltag. Für Jung und Alt – unterhaltsam und informativ: Nomadenzelt...

Stadtführung Meersburg

Erleben Sie eine Führung durch die historische Altstadt mit all ihren romantischen Gassen und Winkeln. Sie erhalten Einblicke in die Geschichte der Stadt, inklusive Besichtigung der Schlosskirche....

• 1 Understand
• 2.2 By boat
• 2.3 By train and bus
• 3 Get around

Meersburg [dead link] is a town in the south of Baden-Württemberg in Germany . It lies on Lake Constance . Meersburg is known for its two castles and for its wines.

Understand [ edit ]

• 47.69501 9.27205 1 Tourist Info ( Gästeinformation ), Kirchstraße 4 , ☏ +49 7532 440400 . M-F 09:00-12:00 and 14:00-16:30, Sa Su closed . ( updated Mar 2016 )

Get in [ edit ]

By car [ edit ].

Meersburg lies along the B31 and B33 highways.

By boat [ edit ]

There is a car ferry several times an hour from Konstanz , which takes about 15 min.

Boats from other locations around Lake Constance also stop in Meersburg.

By train and bus [ edit ]

There is no train station in Meersburg. The best way to get there by train is to travel to Friedrichshafen or Überlingen and take the bus into Meersburg.

Get around [ edit ]

The most interesting parts of the city are lower town ("Unterstadt") and upper town ("Oberstadt") and are best seen on foot. They are mostly pedestrian zones, and connected by stairs or alternatively via a very steep street. There are great views from the upper town over the lake.

See [ edit ]

Do [ edit ]

• 47.69009 9.27829 1 Meersburg Therme , Uferpromenade 12 , ☏ +49 7532 440 2810 , [email protected] . Beautiful pool/spa right at the lake €12/4 hours for adults .  
• Meersburg International Castle Music Concerts , New Castle . Concert series taking place during the season. ( updated Mar 2016 )
• Wine Festival , Castle square . Yearly event on the second weekend of September featuring wines from the surrounding area. ( updated Mar 2016 )

Buy [ edit ]

• 47.69331 9.27308 1 Staatsweingut Meersburg , Seminarstraße 6 ( upper town ). Buy or drink a bottle of the local wine. At the official shop you can also try the wine before you buy it.  

Eat [ edit ]

Drink [ edit ], sleep [ edit ].

• Zum Bären , Marktplatz 11 ( upper town central ), ☏ +49 75 32-43 22-0 . Single €47, double €79-104 .  
• Hotel Seehof , Unterstadtstraße 36 ( lower town east ), ☏ +49 7532 80769-0 .  
• [dead link] Strandhotel Wilder Mann , Bismarckplatz 2 ( lower town west ), ☏ +49 7532 4349-0 . Single: €70-80, double: €95-130 .  
• Zum Schiff , Bismarckplatz 5 ( lower town central ), ☏ +49 7532 4500-0 . Single €54-75, double €81-124, suites €105-180, prices depend on the season and the room's view .  
• 47.6925 9.278056 1 Hotel Garni Eden , Menizhoferweg 4 ( Height Town east ), ☏ +49 753243050 . In this family-operated hotel, guests will find modern and elegant rooms as well as a quiet residential location and every desirable convenience. Single €79, double €108-139 .  

Connect [ edit ]

Go next [ edit ].

• Other cities and towns on Lake Constance . Especially recommended are Überlingen , Konstanz , Lindau and Bregenz .
• Stein am Rhein
• Schaffhausen — go there to see the Rhine Falls
• Salem — castle and Affenberg (monkey hill) [dead link]
• Unter-Uhldingen (Uhldingen-Mühlhofen) — Pfahlbauten (Lake Dwellings)

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Beste Lage : Meersburg zählt ohne Umschweife zu den schönsten Flecken am Bodensee – einer Region, die mit ihren landschaftlichen Reizen nun wahrlich nicht geizen muss!

Hoch über der schönsten Steilküste am See, begrenzt nur von den schimmernden Gipfeln der Schweizer Alpen, vermittelt Meersburg eindrucksvoll ein wohliges Gefühl der Unbeschwertheit und des Urlaubs vom Alltag.

Our recommendations

Museum für bildteppichkunst, vineum bodensee.

Staatsweingut Meersburg

Neues schloss meersburg, meersburg therme, burg meersburg, description.

Meersburg vereint Kultur, Geschichte, Genuss und Freizeit auf engstem Raum und bleibt dabei immer stilvoll und einzigartig.

Die Weinhänge, die steil zum See abfallen, gehören zu den besten Lagen der Region. Entschleunigung für Geist und Seele bieten die zahlreichen Wander-, Spazier- und Radwege rund um die Stadt und die Meersburg Therme lädt mit ihren sieben individuellen Dampf- und Saunabädern zum Kraftschöpfen und Auftanken ein.

Beeindruckende Stadtsilhouette

Hoch über der Unterstadt thront das „Neue Schloss“, in dem heute ein Museum und Veranstaltungsräume untergebracht sind. Von der Schlossterrasse aus kann man wie einstens den grandiosen Blick über den See genießen. Der historische „Reithof“ beherbergt das Staatsweingut Meersburg mit seinem beeindruckend tiefen Weinkeller. Das „Priesterseminar“ dient mit dem Droste-Hülshoff-Gymnasium nach wie vor als Lehranstalt. Gemeinsam bildet das Gebäudeensemble die berühmte Meersburger Stadtkulisse, die weit über den See strahlt und ein imposantes Zeugnis der barocken Blütezeit ablegt, als Meersburg fürstbischöfliche Residenzstadt war.

Das „Alte Schloss“, die älteste bewohnte Burg Deutschlands, die direkt und lebendig ins Mittelalter entführt, vervollkommnet die imposante Kulisse. Stilvoller und geschichtsträchtiger geht es kaum!

Etwas mehr als 6.000 Einwohner zählt Meersburg heute, ist aber längst eine „Millionen-Stadt“: Mehr als eine Millionen Tagesgäste besuchen Meersburg pro Jahr, eine Million Liter Wein werden pro Jahr hier gekeltert und eine Viertelmillion Gäste bleibt über Nacht in Meersburg zu Gast.

Tipp: Meersburg, Stadt der Museen und der Kultur

Das Fürstenhäusle und die ehemaligen Wohnräume im Alten Schloss widmen sich Annette von Droste-Hülshoff. Die umfangreichste, private Zeppelin-Sammlung kann im kleinen Zeppelin-Museum unterhalb der Burg besichtigt werden. Die Kreisgalerie im Roten Haus lockt mit abwechslungsreichen Gemälde-Ausstellungen. Spannend, unterhaltsam und lehrreich zeigt die Bibelgalerie Meersburg alle Facetten des Buchs der Bücher und im vineum bodensee wird die Weinkulturgeschichte der Region mit allen Sinnen erfahrbar. Ganzjährig finden vielfältige Veranstaltung aus allen Genres in den Meersburger Kultureinrichtungen statt und die unterschiedlichsten Ausstellungen laden zur Besichtigung ein.

Tipp: Meersburg, Stadt der grandiosen Aussicht Der „Dagobert-Turm“ der Burg ist nur im Rahmen einer Gruppenführung begehbar. Für den steilen Treppenaufstieg belohnt die spektakuläre Aussicht jedoch allemal! Das Neue Schloss ist weit über die Region hinaus ein Begriff und der Blick über den See von der prächtigen Schlossterrasse aus ist grandios. Der Meersburger Weinkundeweg führt auf dem Höhenweg entlang der schönsten Meersburger Weinlagen und bietet Aussichten der Superlative.

Tipp: Meersburg, Stadt des Genusses Auch die Gaumenfreuden kommen nicht zu kurz. Die Meersburger Gastronomen haben sich mittlerweile international einen Namen gemacht. Hier ist für jeden Gusto etwas dabei – vom noblen Restaurant, über das gemütliche Café, der mittelalterlichen Taverne bis zur urigen Weinstube.

Länger bleiben lohnt sich also : An einem Tag allein lässt sich Meersburg jedenfalls nicht ermessen und zahlreich sind dafür die Übernachtungsmöglichkeiten, die Unterkunft für den mehrtätigen Aufenthalt bieten. Und das ganzjährig! Denn wo es im Sommer schön ist, hat auch der Winter seine Faszination.

88709 Meersburg

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Gästeservice Meersburg

+49 7532 440400 [email protected]

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• Meersburg am Bodensee

Meersburg, Germany

Where is meersburg.

Meersburg am Bodensee is an attractive small port on the northern shore of Lake Constance in the southwestern part of Germany.

Once a residence for the prince-bishops of Konstanz on the other side of the lake, the old town centre is filled with evidence of its history.

The 'old castle' - the medieval Burg Meersburg - still towers above the surrounding houses while the 'new castle' - the Neues Schloss - sits above the steep vineyards that are a striking feature of the town.

The historic town is nowadays an attractive centre for exploring Lake Constance, with regular ferries across to Konstanz and the flower island of Mainau as well as to other destinations along the shoreline.

How to get to Meersburg

Nearest airport to meersburg.

The two more local airports at Friedrichshafen and Memmingen are definitely the preferred option but only if appropriate flights can be found to these much smaller destinations.

Distance to Bodensee Airport: 22km Distance to Memmingen Airport: 102km Distance to Zurich Airport: 115km ( 78km (with ferry)) Distance to Stuttgart Airport: 185km Distance to Innsbruck Airport: 237km Distance to Munich Airport: 240km

Zurich and Stuttgart are the best options when it comes to major international air routes, with the extra journey around the lake from the motorway making both Munich and Innsbruck just a bit more unattractive.

Train station near Meersburg

Meersburg does not have its own train station, with the nearest being six kilometres away at Uhldingen-Mülhofen on the Lake Constance northern shore local rail route. Probably the best option for rail travellers is to use the main Friedrichshafen Stadt railway station and then take a local bus to Meersburg.

Ferry travel across Lake Constance

Probably the best ferry service is the extremely cheap and frequent service to Konstanz run by the municipal ferry operation, Stadtwerke Konstanz. Website : www.stadtwerke-konstanz.de

The BSB ("Bodensee-Schiffsbetriebe GmbH") is also owned by the Stadtwerke Konstanz and they operate the slower regular passenger ferry around the lake from Bregenz to Konstanz. There is also a popular service to the flower island of Mainau . Website : www.bsb.de

Where to stay in Meersburg

Meersburg is set on a steep hillside with the main road following Lake Constance near the top section of the town. The old town descends to the area containing the castles and then drops suddenly via steps or alleys to the lake promenade and the main street in the lower town.

Many of the main hotels are located on the lakeshore or just behind it.

Meersburg accommodation map

If you know when you are planning to go but haven't decided on accommodation, then use the map below to get an idea of which properties are available and to compare prices during the period you wish to travel.

Enter your proposed dates and use the '+' to zoom in on a location and reveal more properties. Click on the price above a property to see more information.

( Please note that this selection will also include some guesthouses, pensions and self-catering apartments for those who are interested in that form of accommodation !)

Check Meersburg accommodation availability

Alternatively, if you would like a list of properties available on your proposed dates of travel, use the search box below to find accommodation:

History of Meersburg

Little is known about the foundation of Meersburg am Bodensee. It is thought that there might have been a fortification here constructed by the Franks. The first use of a name recognisable as a forerunner of Meersburg was in the 11th century.

The history of the town is closely connected to the Prince Bishops of Konstanz on the opposite shore of Lake Constance.

A Prince Bishop was a medieval combination of religious and worldly power with a special place in the hierarchy of the Holy Roman Empire and who controlled towns and the surrounding regions in the Middle Ages.

Meersburg had become the property of the bishops of Konstanz in the 13th century when the ruler of the town died without any heirs. They developed what at the time was a small town around the old castle with city walls and obtained the rights to hold a market. On the shores of the lake, reclamation work extended the area which could be used under the town.

Konstanz had become a Free Imperial City and subsequently the scene of frequent political disputes between the city council and the prince bishops. As Konstanz had also declared itself for the Reformation, the prince bishops decided to move their residence across the lake in the 16th century.

Even though Konstanz later became officially Catholic again, the prince bishops decided to stay in Meersburg and remained in the old castle until the construction of the impressive new palace in the 18th century.

With the secularisation of German states in the Napoleonic era, the prince bishops were removed and the town became part of Baden. As it was no longer an important residence for those in power, the removal of the infrastructure led to an economic downturn which was eventually compensated for by the growth in tourism in the later part of the 19th century.

Part of this was due to the introduction of the ferry service on the lake and the rail connections to other nearby towns. The harbour was expanded and Meersburg became an important location for visitors with its position between Konstanz and Friedrichshafen .

Nowadays the town boast more than a million visitors - including day trippers - in a year.

Meersburg Castles

Both the 'old' and the 'new' castles in Meersburg were formerly residences of the prince bishops of Konstanz and enjoy a stunning position high above Lake Constance.

The 'old' one - the Altes Schloss - is the oldest inhabited castle in Germany and is thought to date back to the 7th century.

The name 'Meersburg' is thought likely to refer to this imposing fortification - never taken by enemies in its long history. It now houses a museum offering a self-guided tour of various rooms. The castle tower can only be visited as part of a guided tour. Website : www.burg-meersburg.de

The 'new' palace, the Neues Schloss, is a very different building constructed in the Baroque style of the time at the beginning of the 18th century. It is now owned by the state of Baden-Württemberg and also houses a museum devoted to the history of the prince bishops. Website : www.neues-schloss-meersburg.de

Meersburg and Wine

Winemaking in the Meersburg area can trace its history back to the 13th century but in all probability grapes were being produced on the sunny slopes above the lake far earlier than that.

The wine production belonged to the Prince Bishops of Konstanz and today many of the vineyards above the lake belong to the Staatsweingut Meersburg (owned by the state of Baden-Württemberg).

There are a number of other private wine (and schnaps) producers in the Meersburg area who are part of the winemakers' organisation (' Winzerverein Meersburg '), one of the oldest in Germany.

The town organises two festivals to do with wine:

• the Winzerfest is organised by different groups from the town of Meersburg and is held on an early weekend in July
• the Bodensee Weinfest is held in the Schlossplatz in September and invites wine producers from other towns in the area

The Vineum Bodensee is a museum devoted to the history of the viticulture on the lake located in the upper town. Website : vineum-bodensee.de

Other towns on Lake Constance

Lindau, Germany, is an attractive medieval town on an island in Lake Constance. Lindau's old town features cobblestone streets and timber-framed houses. Lindau's famous lighthouse and lion statue serve as the town's emblem, with impressive views over the harbour from the top of the lighthouse.

Friedrichshafen is a town in a beautiful location on the northern shore of Lake Constance. It was a centre for the aviation industry and is home to the Zeppelin Museum and the Dornier Museum. Both companies were based in Friedrichshafen. Bodensee Airport is just to the north of the town and provides the closest flight link to the Lake Constance region.

Konstanz is situated on the border with Switzerland and is known for its beautiful location on the lake, as well as its historic city centre. Konstanz has a rich history dating back to Roman times and features many notable landmarks such as the Konstanz Minster, a 14th-century cathedral.

Tourist Office in Meersburg am Bodensee

The Meersburg Tourist Office is situated in the upper town near the start of the pedestrian area. (There is another location with brochures and information in the large wine and cultural centre on the main road.) The main office is open Mon-Fri except for lunchtimes with shorter hours on weekends and holidays. Website : www.meersburg.de

© GermanSights.com

A Guide to Meersburg, Germany

Meersburg is an absolutely beautiful medieval town on Lake Constance in southwest Germany. Lake Constance is situated where Germany, Austria, and Switzerland meet, making it a very popular place to visit. Meersburg is the epitome of a charming German town and I highly recommend visiting if you are visiting southern Germany. I hope you enjoy my guide to Meersburg, Germany!

I honestly couldn’t believe my eyes when I was walking through Meersburg’s fairytale medieval Old Town. It is so colourful, filled with flowers, interesting buildings, and half-timbered houses. Many of the streets in the Old Town are pedestrian-only, which makes it a great place to walk around.

After you’ve walked around the old town, head towards the lake and take a stroll along the beautiful waterfront promenade. Meersburg has a nice harbour and several restaurants along its promenade. This is the perfect spot to stop for a drink or bite to eat.

Meersburg Castle

Meersburg is known for its medieval castle, which is considered one of the oldest inhabited castles in Germany. It is said that a tower was built on the site in 630 by King Dagobert I, although the structure we see today was most likely built in the 12th century. Tours of the castle are available.

Just steps away from the Old Castle is the New Castle, completed in 1712. I love this castle because it’s pink! The views of Lake Constance from the castle grounds are stunning. The castle is home to several museums, including an art gallery.

Meersburg has a winery called Staatsweingut Meersburg . The winery has a nice restaurant, Gutsschänke Meersburg , which has an amazing view overlooking the vineyard, Meersburg, and Lake Constance. 

WHERE TO EAT

We had an amazing lunch at Meersburger Winzerstuben – I highly recommend it. Some other great places to eat in Meersburg are Hotel Seepromenade, Droste-Cafe, Alte Poste, and Weinkellner Weinstube . Grabbing ice cream or gelato on the promenade is also a must!

I hope you enjoyed my guide to Meersburg, Germany!

To read my blog post, “5 Cute Towns in Southern Germany,” click here.

To read my blog post, “A Road Trip Through Southern Germany and the Austrian Alps,” click here.

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Meersburg, Germany Guide

Medieval city on lake constance.

Meersburg, the "Burg on the lake" is located directly across from the Swiss town of Constance (Konstanz) on the shores of Lake Constance. It is a popular summer travel destination for both Germans and Foreigners. It's like Rothenburg but on the shores of a lake. There is plenty to do around this huge body of water, from visiting the place where Zeppelins were born to seeing ancient pile dwellings.

Meersburg is comprised of two distinct areas, the lower town ("Unterstadt") and uptown ("Oberstadt"). You can walk between them via stairs or a steep street. The tourist office is located on Kirchstrasse 4 in the upper town.

How to Arrive in Meersburg

Meersburg is connected by car ferry from the larger city of Constance. You can arrive at Meersburg by car via the E54 from Überlingen or Friedrichshafen, other towns on Lake Costance (See the Lake Constance Map below). Meersburg is about a three hour drive from Munich.

Friedrichshafen airport is 20km (12 miles) to the east of Meersburg. The closest international airport is Zurich, Switzerland.

The nearest rail station is in Überlingen, 14km (9 miles) to the northwest of Meersburg on the Basel to Lindau line.

Attractions & Things to Do

The New Palace--Neues Schloss, the elegant palace that once served as the residence palace of the prince-bishops of Constance faces the Schlossplatz forming the southern boundary of the square. Construction began in 1712 and finished in 1740. You can take a tour into the living quarters and also see the painting gallery and the Dornier Museum focusing on the history of aviation (the Lake Constance area was a hotbed of Zeppelin development as you'll see later).

The Old Palace--a privately owned medieval castle you can visit that lacks the elegance of the New Palace. The Altes Schloss was a successful defender of Meersburg and the narrative of the self-guided tour is all about knights and weapons of war.

The Bible Gallery includes exhibits not only of bibles but of the Guttenburg press that first made printed copies.

Other museums include the Zeppelin Museum, Meersburg Tapestry Art Museum Droste Museum, the Town Museum, and a Viticulture Museum (wine is a very important part of the culture of Meersburg, try the local "Weissherbst" wine, which grows on the northern slopes of Lake Constance.)

Of course there are many well-kept half-timbered houses and interesting town gates to keep your camera busy for a while.

Where to Stay

Meersburg and the loop of interesting cities around the lake make it easy to think of a longer stay for this leg of your European vacation, perhaps in a cottage or, for a large family or gathering of friends, a larger villa. 

If you prefer staying in a hotel, you can find user-rated hotels and apartments in Meersburg at Booking.com

Meersburg Impressions

We took the ferry from Constance; there was ample parking for the car in the terminal, at least in October. The pleasant trip across the lake is part of the fun of visiting Meersburg.

We did a fair amount of walking on our day trip. There's no easy way to avoid walking up the hill unless you don't visit the upper town, so keep that in mind when planning a trip.

If you're not into shopping for tourist trinkets or fake medieval swords and don't like museums or pretty German medieval villages, Meersburg will probably not be a good place for you to visit. On the other hand, like the tourist's beloved Rothenburg ob der Tauber is full of cheap tourist crap, too. Sometimes you just have to hold your nose and enjoy the architecture.

There are plenty of restaurants and hotels in Meersburg, as it is a prime tourist destination on the lake.

Near Meersburg

The entire shoreline Lake Constance is studded with interesting towns and villages for a longer vacation. Meersburg is worth a day or two, and can be done as an easy daytrip from Constance, a larger town, also in Germany.

To the northwest is the pile-dwelling museum in Unteruhldingen, Germany, a good stop for those interested in archaeology and ancient cultures.

We enjoyed the two major islands at the west end of the lake, both easily reachable from Meersburg or Constance: Richenau and Mainau. Mainau is a prime garden island with a butterfly sanctuary and palace to visit. See our Mainau Island Pictures for more. The history of the monasteries of Reichenau Island is fascinating, and the island is known for its vegetable gardens--although it was once known for wine.

Take a look at our Lake Constance Map below to see the location of Meersburg and for more vacation ideas nearby.

Map of Lake Constance

Meersburg is on the German side of the map.

The lake covers three countries, Switzerland, German and a corner of Austria.

Meersburg Pictures

Winzerstube zum Becher

A Recommended wine bar in the upper town.

Building Decorations

It's a joy to wander Meersburg for the architectural details.

Meersburg's upper town with a view of the sea.

Medieval entrance to the city of Meersburg

Art in the upper town

Moonrise Meersburg

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12 Best Things to Do in Meersburg, Germany (2023)

Meersburg is a beautiful lake town located at Lake Constance in the most southern part of Germany, and only a stone’s throw away from Konstanz .

Well-known for its castles, medieval architecture, and wine, Meersburg is a must-see location when you’re in Germany .

There are so many things you can do to have a relaxing and peaceful time. The town is also a great place to start if you are looking to learn about the medieval history of German culture.

In this article, we have listed down the 12 best things to do in Meersburg to help you have an enjoyable time and not miss any of the good stuff.

So, without further ado, let’s begin!

12. Bibelgalerie Meersburg

The Bibelgalerie is an awesome museum filled with the history of the Bible.

The museum offers guided tours, exhibitions, open tours, tours for children, and many other services to give you an amazing and informative experience.

Overall, it is one of the best family-friendly museums that you can visit in Meersburg that’s suitable for people of all ages.

11. Weingut Aufricht

Winemaking is a big part of Meersburg’s culture and history. So your trip to the old town would be incomplete if you don’t visit the famous winery that is Weingut Aufricht.

The winery offers a great selection of wines in a special venue. Besides the wine, you will also get to enjoy an amazing view of the surrounding area, including the vineyards and lake. There are several places to just eat and chat with your friends as well.

10. Staatsweingut Meersburg

The Staatsweingut is one of the most beautiful wineries in all of Europe.

Located on a beautiful landscape in Meersburg, the winery has gorgeous views all around. You can check into the Staatsweingut for some fine wine tasting and meet new people.

It offers an enjoyable and sociable experience for anyone who’s new in town.

9. Unterstadttor and Obertor

The Unterstadttor and Obertor are two iconic clock towers in Meersburg. They are a popular tourist spot for their unique design and colors.

Unterstadttor is actually a gate tower with a huge clock mounted on it. The clock has a gorgeous design with gold-colored fingers and Roman numbers to indicate the time.

On the other hand, the Obertor was part of the city’s fortification. It was the entrance into Meersburg’s oldest parts.

Both these clock towers play have a huge significance, and you should definitely check them out on your next trip.

8. Magische Säule des Peter Lenk

If you’re in the mood to look at some beautiful art pieces in the city, you will love to visit the Magische Säule des, Peter Lenk.

The Magische Säule is a magnificent piece of art sculpted by Peter Lenk. The artwork portrays satirical portraits of famous people in Meersburg’s history. The Magische Säule or the Magic column is one of his best works and attracts thousands of people.

While the artwork is a great sight to see, you can also enjoy the view surrounding the sculpture. It is an amazing place to relax and chill with your friends.

7. Altstadt von Meersburg

Altstadt von Meersburg, which basically translates to Old Town of Meersburg, is one of the best places to visit when you’re in the city. It offers a unique perspective of the medieval city with the old cottages and homes.

There are several things you can do when you’re in the old town. You can just take a stroll and look at the centuries-old buildings, go sightseeing, or just sit at one of the restaurants and chat with your friends while eating.

6. Vineum Bodensee

The Vineum is another fascinating museum located in Meersburg. It is a mix of both historical buildings with modern installations like multimedia. You will find this museum in a 400-year-old building by the name Heilig-Geist-Spital.

When you visit this museum, you will learn a lot about the history and process of winemaking in Meersburg and its surrounding areas. You will also get to sniff and taste 16 different locally produced wines.

However, the main attraction of this museum is the winepress from early 1600s, which is one of the biggest and also the oldest in Europe.

5. Zeppelin Museum Meersburg

The Zeppelin Museum is a fine private-owned museum that you can check out during your trip. While it is a private collection, you can visit it by paying a small fee.

The museum, as you can guess from its name, is all about Zeppelins and their history. The items there are quite interesting, and you’ll find them very informative as well.

You can check out the amazing scale models of original zeppelins. What’s great is that it also has a cute little gift shop with some nice items.

4. Fähre Konstanz – Meersburg

The Fähre Konstanz is a ferry company in Meersburg that takes you across the beautiful Lake Constance . This ferry is highly recommended for anyone visiting Meersburg. It provides a wonderful experience over the iconic lake.

You can enjoy the beautiful lake and also the view of the cities surrounding it. A ride on the ferry is pretty relaxing, and the best thing is that you can plan your own trip and choose a timetable that’s suitable for you.

3. Neues Schloss

The Neues Schloss, which means New Castle, is one of the most well-known castles in Meersburg. Located near Lake Constance, the Neues Schloss is one of the top tourist destinations for many people due to its supreme architecture and history.

Formerly owned by the Bishops, the Neues Schloss is now state-owned, and a visit will give you a unique experience of the castle. You can check out the extravagant apartments of the bishops, walk up the elegant staircases, and take a stroll on the gardens that provide an amazing view of the lake.

2. Meersburg Therme

There’s no denying that traveling to a new place can be extremely tiring and exhausting. If you can relate to this during your trip to Meersburg, you will love to visit the Meersburg Therme for a relaxing day.

The Meersburg Therme offers a complete spa experience with saunas and pools. You will also love the thermal pools that will give you unmatched relaxation.

Once you dry yourself off, you can get a massage from the masseurs there. There are also separate pools and adventure pools for children as well.

1. Burg Meersburg

Burg Meersburg is one of the best places to visit when you’re in the city. With a medieval design, the castle has a lofty perch that looks across the beautiful Lake Constance.

This castle played an important role during the medieval period by acting as a stronghold, complete with a drawbridge, dungeons, and knights’ hall.

Built during the 7th century, this castle is one of the oldest in the whole of Germany . Considering the fact that Germany has a lot of old towers , it is definitely a big deal.

Today, you can access several rooms through a tour and enjoy the classic design.

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After 4-1/2 years of covering European travel topics for About.com, Durant and Cheryl Imboden co-founded Europe for Visitors (now including Germany for Visitors) in 2001. The site has earned "Best of the Web" honors from Forbes and The Washington Post .

For more information, see About Europe for Visitors , press clippings , and reader testimonials .

Photos 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 16, 17, 18, 19 copyright © Meersburg Tourismus. Used by permission.

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How to travel to meersburg, the charming medieval town on the shores of lake constance in southern germany.

Already hundreds and even thousands of years ago people have been intrigued by the charms of Meersburg. Situated 440 meters above sea level, the medieval city is divided into two parts: the lower town right at the shores of Lake Constance, and the upper town with its historic sights encircled by a busy roadway. It is definitely recommended to visit Meersburg , however, in the warm summer months, you definitely won’t be alone. During summer the tiny streets and alleys of Meersburg are flooded by visitors. There isn’t that much to do and see in Meersburg, however, the tiny selection of sights and activities is definitely worth it. The views on the lake and nearby shores of Switzerland with its majestic mountaintops alone is worth a visit. If you want to visit Meersburg, you have to be cautious. As masses of people visit the small city on a daily basis, parking is quite difficult. Below you will find all your options on how to travel to Meersburg, to visit the charming medieval town on the shores of Lake Constance in southern Germany .

Table of Contents of this Article

How to reach Meersburg by public transportation

Getting to meersburg by train.

Meersburg is a small city located right at the shores of Lake Constance. However, even though train tracks pass by the town, Meersburg does not have its own train station. The nearest train stations, with regular connections, are Überlingen, Markdorf, Friedrichshafen or even Constance/Konstanz. From there it’s recommended to take a Bus to Meersburg. Trains from Switzerland are connecting via Constance (there is a direct train to Zurich for example) and the train station in Friedrichshafen is connected via direct Trains to Stuttgart, Ulm and Lindau. Via Lindau, you are connected to direct trains to Austria (Vorarlberg, Innsbruck) as well as the bavarian Allgäu and Munich. It’s definitely possible to travel to Meersburg by public transport from quite some directions.

To check out connections, I can highly recommend www.bahn.de or the DB Bahn App for your smartphone.

Getting to Meersburg by Bus

As Meersburg doesn’t have a train station, bus connections are essential if you want to visit the City. Various lines are connecting to the probably most important bus stop, Meersburg Kirche at the church. You can travel all the way from Friedrichshafen Airport FDH, Friedrichshafen main station, or Constance. No matter from what direction you are approaching Meersburg, there is always a bus — often running multiple times per hour during the day. To check out connections and timetables, it’s, again, recommended to use bahn.de or the app.

Getting to Meersburg by FlixBus

This is lap a convenient option if you want to get to Meersburg, taking a FlixBus. Without having to change busses, you can travel from those following cities straight to Meersburg Kirche: Berlin, Munich , Zurich, and more. To check out timetables and availability, you have to check them directly at Flixbus.com or on their App FlixBus.

Getting to Meersburg by Ferry

Taking a car ferry or ship to Meersburg is a more leisurely option. Enjoy the benefits of Lake Constance, and arrive in style straight at one of the two ports in Meersburg. There is one port solely for the car ferries, and another one, more in the centre, for the boat lines. Some time ago I have already published an article dedicated on travel on lake constancy by Terry, Katamaran and co .

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How to Fly Your Kid Solo, Free of Stress

By Alexander Nazaryan

For many parents and guardians, putting a child on a flight alone may seem terrifying. Belligerent passengers, delays, turbulence: All loom large in a caregiver’s imagination.

Life sometimes leaves no other option. Hudson Crites , 17, of Marshall, Va., was 10 when he started flying unaccompanied to visit his father in Kansas and later Georgia, said his mother, Chelsea Tippett. But the extra attention from airline staff made Hudson “feel special,” Ms. Tippett recalls. Other than a single tarmac delay, he has had no problems.

On rare occasions, children have had troubling experiences. In December, Spirit Airlines accidentally flew a 6-year-old to Orlando, Fla., instead of the intended destination of Fort Myers. Spirit apologized, fired the gate agent responsible and offered reimbursement to the boy’s grandmother for her travel to Orlando. But while the boy was unharmed, his grandmother expressed worry that he had been kidnapped .

If you decide to fly your child unaccompanied, you’ll discover that each airline has its own procedures, fees and routes open to children. While some may find the process complicated, flying alone may be exciting for your child, instilling some independence. Here’s what you need to know.

Before you book, know the process

Regardless of the airline or route, flying an unaccompanied minor differs from an adult or a family catching a flight. Airlines require a trusted pre-authorized adult to be at the departure and arrival gates, and will ask you at booking to provide contact information for those adults. They will also need to present identification at the terminals.

The journey begins at the originating airport’s airline ticket counter. There, airline staff will check your identification and check in the child, perhaps handing them a lanyard or wristband to wear. The agents will provide you with a pass to get through security with your child. You will accompany them to the gate, where you will hand them off to a gate agent. You must stay at the gate until the plane takes off.

In the air, the flight crew will keep watch — but will not babysit, or sit with, your child. If the flight has a connection, a crew member will walk your child off the plane and a gate agent will take him or her to the next gate.

At the arrival airport, the child will be handed off by staff to the authorized guardian or parent who should have already checked in at the ticket counter with proper identification, gone through security with their gate pass and be waiting at the gate.

To learn more about this process, read the Department of Transportation’s online guide, “When Kids Fly Alone,” followed by the website of your selected carrier.

Choosing an airline and paying an extra fee

Before purchasing a ticket, experts advise you to consider an airline’s on-time performance. “Solid on-time performance is hard-earned, and signals a carrier that has tight control of its operation,” said the Ask the Pilot author, Patrick Smith. The Bureau of Transportation Statistics has those numbers.

Booking procedures vary. Delta Air Lines and American Airlines require you to call. United Airlines allows bookings online. JetBlue Airways does online bookings, too, but asks for three printed copies of its forms upon arrival at the airport.

International flights may call for a notarized consent letter describing where the child is traveling, with whom they’ll stay and how long they’ll be there.

On top of the ticket fare, flying an unaccompanied minor can be pricey.

Southwest Airlines charges $100 one way for each child, regardless of distance. Alaska Airlines charges $50 per child if the flight is nonstop; a connection adds $25. On Delta, one $150 fee will cover up to four children, and American’s $150 covers all siblings, with no cap on number. United charges $150 for one child, or two children flying together.

Restrictions: There are plenty

U.S. carriers allow children to fly as unaccompanied minors once they turn 5 and before they turn 18. But regardless of your child’s age, make sure he or she is ready by discussing the trip details and your expectations of their behavior. No policy can replace your judgment.

The low-cost carriers Frontier Airlines and Allegiant Air don’t allow unaccompanied minors, Other airlines have restrictions that, in the broadest terms, differentiate between young children and teenagers. American and Delta restrict children under 8 from routes requiring connections. Both airlines allow children between 8 and 14 to take some connecting flights.

On American, no unaccompanied minor is allowed to take an overnight flight requiring a connection, or a flight that includes a connection on its final leg that also happens to be the last such flight that day (“unless it’s the only flight,” the company adds). Minors are not allowed on code-share flights.

United and Delta have similar rules. Southwest, JetBlue and Spirit don’t allow unaccompanied minors on connecting flights.

JetBlue prohibits minors from flying to Europe, and limits the number of unaccompanied minors in one party to three. Spirit does not allow children on flights to Central or South America. Southwest doesn’t allow children on any international flights. American, United and Delta let minors fly abroad, but restrictions on connections, code-shares and overnights limit options.

American and Delta allow children to opt out of flying as unaccompanied minors once they turn 15 — that is, the child can fly without the assistance of airline personnel. JetBlue ends unaccompanied minor service at 14, while Alaska has an opt-out option at 13. Southwest boasts the lowest opt-out age: 12.

However, you should be able to accompany your child to the gate even if they’re not flying unaccompanied. American requires that you do so for teens between the ages of 15 and 17, even if they’ve opted out.

What to pack

Have a plan to head off your child’s hunger, boredom and thirst. If they are older, make sure they have emergency money and a charged phone.

When her two daughters, then 9 and 11, flew to Denver, Joey Conover of Charlottesville, Va., had a long list for their carry-ons.

“Pack a backpack with iPad, headphones, lightweight book to read, a pad of paper and colored pencils (markers might smear), a small travel game, water bottle (bring empty and fill in airport), snacks, some kind of surprise fidget or animals to play with, hoodie, and a lovey,” she wrote in an email.

“Write your name and phone number on the inside of their arm in Sharpie and put a parent’s business card in a luggage tag on both suitcase and backpack,” Ms. Conover said. (A sheet of paper with all their identification, and their guardian’s contact information, also works. Simply stick in an easy-to-access pocket.)

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Fire broke out at energy facilities in Russia's Smolensk region after a Ukraine-launched drone attack and people were evacuated from parts of Lipetsk in Russia's southwest after a drone there fell on an industrial park, regional officials said.

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A Russian deputy defence minister in charge of military construction has been detained on Tuesday on suspicion of "large-scale" bribe-taking, in one of the highest-profile corruption cases since Moscow launched its war in Ukraine.