Most beautiful villages in Thurgau

Idyllic villages as well as lively little towns can be found in the gentle greenery of rural Thurgau. What they all have in common is that they know how to preserve their historic past. Wonderful timber-framed buildings, historic bridges or the picturesque lakeside location are just as fascinating as the legacy of pile dwellers or industrial pioneers. The following is a compilation of the most beautiful gems in the Lake Constance canton.

Gottlieben - home of the waffle roll

Gottlieben lies on the Seerhein, the short waterway between Lake Constance and Untersee. The picturesque townscape is characterized by beautiful half-timbered houses from the 17th century directly on the water. Gottlieben Castle was once owned by French Emperor Napoleon III and is best seen from the water. The village is also home to the Gottlieber Hüppen, an internationally renowned pastry specialty: wafer rolls filled with melt-in-the-mouth cream.

Taste waffle rolls at the Gottlieber Seecafé & Manufakturladen

Ottoberg on the Ottenberg

Ottoberg lies on the south-western slope of the famous Ottenberg vineyard in Weinfeld. With its beautiful townscape and well-preserved timber-framed houses on every corner, Ottoberg has earned itself a place on Switzerland's list of sites worthy of protection. The former village community is therefore a must for every Thurgau culture fan. The popular Weinfelden wine trail leads through the vineyards of the historic village. The wineries Weingut Wolfer and Weingut Bosch are also located here. So Ottoberg not only has excellent things to offer for the eye, but also for the throat. Cheers!

Wine hiking on the Ottenberg

Fishing village Ermatingen

The former fishing, farming and wine-growing village of Ermatingen is located on a rising delta of a stream directly on Untersee between Kreuzlingen and Steckborn and is the first village in the canton of Thurgau to be mentioned in a surviving document. Ermatingen is also listed in the ISOS register, which designates the most valuable settlements in Switzerland. The former fishing village is a delight with its dense development directly on the lakeshore and picturesque, closely spaced half-timbered buildings and stately houses from the 17th to 19th centuries.

Hiking through Ermatingen on the Throne Trail

Lake idyll in Steckborn

Steckborn's favorable location between the Seerücken ridge and Untersee lake already appealed to the pile dwellers of the Neolithic Age. Archaeological finds from that time can be admired in the local museum in the Turmhof. The compact, enclosed townscape with its magnificent timber-framed houses is listed in the Federal Inventory of Valuable Townscapes. Parts of the town wall and powder towers have been preserved to this day. To the west of Steckborn, directly on the lake, is the Feldbach area. A wonderful park landscape that invites you to take a dip in the cool water and linger. It is also home to a former monastery, now the See- und Parkhotel Feldbach.

Old town tour through Steckborn

Diessenhofen on the most beautiful river in Europe

The small town of Diessenhofen is located directly on the south bank of the High Rhine between Schaffhausen and Stein am Rhein. The original medieval structure of the largest old town in the canton of Thurgau has been preserved to this day. A highlight of the town is the former monastery of St. Katharinental, located outside the town. Today it belongs to Spital Thurgau AG. In the cafeteria, you can enjoy the picturesque monastery grounds and the passing Hochrhein. If you are traveling from Schaffhausen towards Kreuzlingen on one of the most beautiful river trips in Europe, you will pass under the only completely preserved wooden bridge on the High Rhine in Diessenhofen.

Discover how people lived in Switzerland 200 years ago at the St. Katharinental show depot

Uerschhausen, the farming village

Uerschhausen near Hüttwilen is nestled between the Iselisberg and the Seebachtal valley. The farming village has a very original and authentic charm. Almost all the villagers are still involved in dairy farming and agriculture. The locals are particularly proud of their natural bathing area on the south side of Lake Nussbaum. Archaeological excavations have been carried out here, which have since been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Together with the Hüttwiler and Hasensee lakes, the three lakes form the Seebachtal valley, which is worth a visit at any time of year.

Swimming in the lido of the Nussbaumersee

Arbon - a town with history on Lake Constance

The third-largest town in the canton of Thurgau looks back on a rich history. Traces of pile dwellers and Roman town walls have been preserved. There is also the only intact medieval old town on the southern shore of Lake Constance to discover. Or the legacy of industrial pioneer Adolf Saurer with his motor vehicles. The glistening Lake Constance adorns Arbon's trains and invites you to enjoy refreshing water experiences or walks along the picturesque promenade. The world of apples can be experienced in the excellent MoMö cidery and distillery museum.

Discover the world of apples at MoMö

Bischofszell - town of 1000 roses

The old town of Bischofszell was awarded the Wakker Prize back in 1987. This is awarded to towns and villages that make a special effort to preserve their historic old town. Bischofszell is located where the Sitter flows into the Thur. The eight-bay crooked old Thur bridge is the largest surviving medieval bridge in Switzerland. Bischofszell was already known as a town of roses in the 18th century. The baroque rose gardens of yesteryear are still maintained and newly planted today. The legendary Bischofszell Rose Week takes place every two years.

Night watchman tour through Bischofszell

Diessenhofen_Schupfen_Rhyschueuer_exterior_view_3

"Mini-Ballenberg" Rheinklingen

The small farming village on the southern bank of the Rhine takes its name neither from the Rhine nor from Hohenklingen Castle. It comes from the name of its original founder, the Alemanni Rikile. Rheinklingen is also known as the "Ballenberg of the Thurgau", as the townscape of Rheinklingen is almost exclusively characterized by old farmhouses, which has also earned it an entry in the inventory of Swiss sites worthy of protection.

Dine in style directly on the Rhine at Gasthaus Schupfen

Stop off and enjoy

Discovering and experiencing makes you thirsty: Whether by the water, in the midst of blossoming fruit trees or high above the vineyards - over 100 Thurgau innkeepers look forward to your visit.

Discover restaurants in Thurgau villages and towns