The best town to base your trip to Lake Constance has to be Meersburg, Germany!
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First off, let’s clear up some confusion around the names of the area. It’s not always clear, especially considering you’re dealing with a lake that borders three countries.
In German, you’ll more likely see the area referred to by the lake’s name, Bodensee. This the name of the lake (“see” as an ending in German means lake or sea). Technically, the lake has two parts, Obersee and Untersee.
Either way, people will know what you mean when you say Lake Constance in English. But overall, Bodensee is the official name and what the locals call it. I’ll use both interchangeably here.
The lake borders Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. This is worth keeping in mind for two reasons: if you’re driving, you need to know what countries need vignettes (Switzerland, at the time of publication). Even if you’re not, keep in mind that Switzerland isn’t part of the EU and therefore isn’t part of your 90 days in the EU visa free.
Konstanz is one of the biggest cities on Bodensee’s shore and how the lake got its English name. However, there are more charming towns to base your time in!
The Best Town to Base your Trip to Lake Constance: Meersburg, Germany
Meersburg is 100% the best town to base your trip to Lake Constance.
The town itself is full of charm, historic buildings, beautiful views, and great food. It’s a great little weekend getaway even if you only see Meersburg.
One of its major perks is that it has a couple ferry routes in town. That alone makes it the best town to base your trip to Lake Constance! These ferries are good with or without cars.
Getting to and around Meersburg
This is a good area to consider renting a car: it connects you to the smaller towns, nearby vineyards, and neighboring regions easily, without the nightmare driving and parking of major metropolitan areas. I’ve lived in southwest Germany for nearly a year and can say that the driving isn’t scary.
If you’re car-free, Meersburg still a good home base! The nearest train stations are Uhldingen-Mühlhofen or Überlingen, and then you take a bus or taxi. You can also take a train to Konstanz and then a ferry over to Meersburg.
Either way, once you’re here, you’ll walk everywhere. It’s small enough that you won’t be trekking all over the place every time you want a coffee, and it’s best enjoyed by meandering slowly!
The Best Hotels in Meersburg
We stayed at Hotel Seehof and loved it! It’s a great location, and offered nearby parking if you’re roadtripping. It sits right along the lake and off the main road, so easy access to everything! Our stay also included breakfast at nearby Hotel Wilder Mann.
Want a few more hotel options? I use Booking.com to research hotels at any price point!
What to See in Meersburg
Meersburg is at its best when you wander the street without any real agenda. Here are the highlights you don’t want to miss, and you don’t need to spend a penny to see them!
Start at the boardwalk, or seepromenade. It’s beautiful to walk along the lakeside and soak it all in! Grab an ice cream and enjoy the views!
Don’t miss the weirdest art I’ve seen in a while. At the end of the pier you’ll find the Magische Säule, or Magic Column. It is just… bizarre. One of those pieces that gets weirder the longer you look at it. It highlights some of the famous people of Meersburg. While most of them aren’t globally well known, they feature Germany’s most famous poetess and the founder of modern hypnosis theory. The art pokes fun at them for sure. Artist Peter Lenk is known for controversial art. Consider reading what all the strangeness represents, but even if you don’t, go see how weird it is.
Head back along Unterstadstrasse for traditional picturesque buildings along the main road. These colorful buildings are dotted in beautiful details, so take your time to soak it in! The street ends in a typical tower that acts as the divider between the upper and lower town.
From here, head up the hill! You’ll pass the old castle, now a museum. It’s the oldest castle in Germany! I skipped this one, but if you’re into medieval art and interiors consider heading inside. Either way, see the outside and the fountain outside.
From here, wander the upper historic town. Make sure to see the buildings around the Schlossplatz, and the surrounding streets like Marktplaz and Kirchstrasse. These are some of the cutest buildings in Meersburg, full of color and half timbered houses!
When you head back down, opt for the tucked away staircases for more views! I took this one and it had little benches along the vineyards. I think there’s another one here.
Since we’re at the lake, go swimming! There’s a large beach on the north side of town, right here.
A word about swimming: I first visited in late September and the beaches/swimming areas were already closed. The weather was definitely too cool, even for someone like me who grew up swimming in the Atlantic Ocean. So if water activities are what you crave, plan to come in summer!
If you want a little more outdoor options, there’s a walk to a small waterfall! It’s a little hidden gem that most visitors don’t find. It’s a short, not strenuous hike through woods and vineyards. You can find it here!
On the other end of town, there’s a beautiful little public park called Meersburger Brunnen. It also has a little beach area if you want to swim. Don’t forget to look back up the hill at the gorgeous vineyards and palace behind you!
What to Do in Meersburg, Germany
Those were the free sights. Let’s talk about where to consider spending your money!
You can’t visit this area not try the wine! So if you’re interested in learning more about winemaking right here in town, try vineum Bodensee, the wine museum. The exhibits teaches about local grapes, how wine is made, and the history of wine around Lake Constance! It hosts one of the oldest and largest wine presses in the world. They also offer tastings at very inexpensive prices.
Nearby, Staatsweingut is the official regional winery. In summer they offer tastings every Tuesday and Friday at 3pm, or by appointment!
In addition to the Burg Meersburg (the old castle) which houses the medieval museum, there’s also a Neues Schloss (new castle)! This one is a Baroque palace and grounds that formerly housed the Prince-Bishops of Constance. It’s now a museum as well, and the interior design is gorgeous!
If you’re looking for more water activities, there’s a nice spa setup along the lake. MeersburgTherme has sauna, thermal baths, massage services, and more . Best of all, it has outdoor and indoor options to take advantage of the lake!
Day trips from Meersburg
One of the best ways to explore Lake Constance is by doing some day trips from Meersburg!
The number one Lake Constance day trip is to Mainau, the flower island. It’s across the lake and exactly what it sounds like: a private island that’s been cultivated into one big garden! I’m working on an entire guide to visiting Mainau, so check back soon.
You can take ferries to see many of the main cities around Lake Constance. Konstanz is the biggest city on Bodensee, and Lindau is a cute town at the southern end. Ferries run regularly out of two different ports in Meersburg, so be sure to check which route operates in each spot!
Biking around Bodesee is a great way to explore! There are several well-marked routes in the area, either for you to explore on your own or experience on a guided trip. You can find a route overview on the Bodensee website.
Want something a little offbeat? Try renting a 4×4 to explore! Or buggy, whatever you call these. This is probably the most exciting way to explore the vineyards and the thing my husband would be the most into.
The Best Restaurants in Meersburg, Germany
For dinner, head to Haus der Weine. The food is great and they have a pretty wide range of options! They have one menu entirely dedicated to wild game, so you know that’s where I focused. The wild boar was delicious!
Another great option is Meersburger Winzerstuben. They have plenty of local dishes, especially fish based, and a bunch of different options of spätzle, the regional German version of “pasta.”
For quick bites, I liked Pension Ins Fischernetz. They had quick bites like burgers and fish & chips, as well as both coffee and wine/beer/soda drink options. It’s ideal if you need something for your hanger, or for those times when you arrive in town but haven’t eaten all day!
Meersburg is the best town to base your trip to Lake Constance! As the weather finally gets warmer, we’re hitting the perfect time to visit.
Want more Germany guides outside the major cities? Try the Black Forest, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, or Bad Reichenhall!
