Meersburg Christmas Market

Meersburg — Germany's oldest inhabited castle

Meersburg, with around 5,800 inhabitants, is a picturesque town on the northern shore of Lake Constance in the Bodenseekreis district (state of Baden-Württemberg). The old town is divided into the Lower Town (by the lake) and the Upper Town (on the hill), connected by the famous Steigstraße. The landmark is Meersburg Castle itself—Germany's oldest inhabited castle, whose keep is said to date from the 7th century. Next to it is the New Palace, an 18th-century Baroque residence (seat of the Prince-Bishop of Constance).

Castle Square and Vorburggasse

The venue for the Christmas market is the Schlossplatz (Castle Square) directly in front of the old Meersburg Castle, as well as the adjacent Vorburggasse—a narrow, medieval alley that leads down to the Steigstraße between half-timbered houses. Few places in Germany offer a comparable Christmas market backdrop: on the left, the medieval castle complex; on the right, the narrow half-timbered buildings; in the background (visible in the gap between the houses), Lake Constance with the island of Mainau and the Swiss mountains on the horizon.

Stalls, Atmosphere, Specialties

The market is decidedly stylish and romantic—not a mass of stalls, but a compact selection of approx. 30 stands:

• Handicrafts from the Lake Constance region: ceramics, woodwork, jewelry, textiles
• Lake Constance specialties: smoked whitefish (Felchen) and char (Saiblinge), Lake Constance apple brandy (Bodenseeapfelbrand), Constance Lake Constance wine (Konstanzer Bodensee-Wein)
• Mulled wine (Glühwein) in stylish mugs, mulled wine variations with blueberry or elderflower
• Lebkuchen (gingerbread), roasted almonds, crêpes, bratwurst
• Christmas tree decorations and Advent decorations

Romantic Atmosphere

The old town is festively illuminated during the market: fairy lights across the alleys, illuminated half-timbered facades, decorated fir trees. The mix of narrow medieval alleys, lake views, and atmospheric lighting makes the Meersburg Christmas Market one of the most romantic Advent markets on Lake Constance—a classic destination for a weekend for two, often combined with a boat trip from Constance or Friedrichshafen.