This lakeside town sits on the Swiss-German border near Lake Constance. Its calm waterfront parks, local restaurants, and direct access to German city Konstanz make it appealing.
Kreuzlingen sits on Lake Constance in northeastern Switzerland, forming a continuous urban area with the German city of Konstanz. You can walk through Seeburgpark with its 2,000-square-meter playground, watch local birds in the animal sanctuaries, explore the 12th-century Basilica of Saint Ulrich, or see the extensive puppet collections at Girsberg Palace.
Location on Lake Constance
Kreuzlingen lies where Lake Constance narrows into the Untersee, right on the Swiss-German border. The city connects directly with Konstanz, creating an urban area of about 120,000 residents. Walking between the two cities requires your passport for border checks. Look for the yellow border markers on several streets where Switzerland meets Germany.
Exploring Seeburgpark
The lakeside Seeburgpark contains wildlife zones and play areas. You'll spot local endangered birds in the sanctuaries, including kingfishers and reed warblers. Children can enjoy the 2,000-square-meter playground with its climbing structures and water play areas. Visit the Seemuseum to learn about Lake Constance's maritime history through detailed boat models, traditional fishing equipment, and historical photographs.
Religious and Cultural Buildings
The Basilica of Saint Ulrich, built in the 1100s, contains medieval frescoes and a baroque altar from 1760. The 15th-century Girsberg Palace houses the puppet museum, where you can see collections of intricately crafted marionettes and hand puppets from different eras. The museum runs regular puppet shows for children during weekends.
Transportation Hub
Take direct trains from Kreuzlingen station to Zürich (1 hour), St. Gallen (45 minutes), or Konstanz (3 minutes). Catch boats at the harbor to visit Meersburg, Überlingen, and other lake towns. The A7 motorway links Kreuzlingen to major Swiss cities. Local buses connect Kreuzlingen and Konstanz every 15 minutes during peak hours.
Sports and Recreation
Watch SC Kreuzlingen's water polo team compete at the Bodensee Arena - they've won nine national championships. Rent bikes at the train station and cycle part of the 270-kilometer Lake Constance Cycle Path. In winter, go skiing at the Säntis mountain area, 90 minutes away by car. The Bodensee-Therme in Konstanz has indoor and outdoor pools plus saunas open year-round.
