Two medieval castles tower above Lake Constance in this Bavarian wine town. Its steep cobblestone streets lead to half-timbered houses and waterfront promenades.
Meersburg rises above Lake Constance in southwestern Germany, its medieval stone towers visible from miles away. The town's cobblestone streets lead past wine taverns housed in 17th-century buildings, through palace gardens, and down to a busy waterfront where ferries cross the lake every 15 minutes. You can climb stone stairways between the town's two levels, passing centuries-old wine cellars and stopping at viewpoints that look out toward the Swiss Alps.
Getting Around Meersburg's Two Levels
The town splits into the Unterstadt (Lower Town) and Oberstadt (Upper Town), connected by stone stairways and the steep Steigstrasse street. In the Lower Town, you'll walk along Lake Constance's waterfront promenade, past cafes and the public swimming beach. The Upper Town's narrow lanes wind between medieval buildings, leading to wine cellars and museums. Two staircases connect the levels - the shorter western steps take about 5 minutes to climb, while the eastern route takes 10 minutes and passes several viewing platforms.
Wine Culture and Local Specialties
Vineyards cover the slopes around Meersburg, continuing a winemaking tradition from the 13th century. The State Wine Estate (Staatsweingut) opens daily from 10 AM to 6 PM for tastings of local Weissherbst rosé and other regional wines. The town's medieval cellars, such as Winzerverein Meersburg, welcome visitors for tastings and tours. Two wine festivals animate the town: the Winzerfest in July (2nd weekend) and the Bodensee Weinfest in September (3rd weekend), when local vintners set up stands throughout the Upper Town.
Museums and Cultural Sites
The Bible Gallery displays 15th-century printed bibles and runs daily demonstrations on a working Gutenberg press replica. At the Zeppelin Museum, you can examine original airship components and photographs from the 1920s and 1930s. The Droste Museum maintains the study where poet Annette von Droste-Hülshoff wrote her later works, including her desk, personal library, and original manuscripts.
Medieval Castle and Royal History
Germany's oldest inhabited fortress, the Old Castle (Alte Burg), opens daily from 9 AM to 5 PM. Inside its 7th-century walls, you'll see medieval weapons, suits of armor, and a dungeon. The castle tower's viewing platform looks across Lake Constance and, on clear days, extends to the Alps. The New Castle, built in 1750, contains 18th-century furnished rooms and an art collection spanning three centuries, with paintings from regional artists.
Lake Transportation and Day Trips
Car ferries depart from Meersburg to Constance every 15 minutes between 6 AM and 10 PM. Passenger boats run to Überlingen (30 minutes), Lindau (2 hours), and Bregenz (2.5 hours) from April through October. The ferry terminal in the Lower Town has electronic displays showing real-time departure times. Between June and September, evening boats circle the lake, with the last return to Meersburg at 11 PM.
