Steckborn combines historic townscapes with collections, water activities and cultural events. Depending on your interests, you can focus on the Old Town and museum, plan a boat trip or a walk along the lakeside promenade, or choose the circular hiking trail. Timetables are seasonal, and event programmes may change.
Old Town and architectural history
Steckborn’s Old Town features historic buildings and squares worth seeing. Its boundary is marked by the former continuous town wall, some remnants of which have been preserved. The Old Town Hall was built in 1667 and housed the district court from 1798 to 2010. The Old Schoolhouse dates back to 1457 and is now used as the Evangelical parish hall. A fountain and the Zum Kehlhof building, dating from 1731, stand on Kehlhofplatz. Steckborn Reformed Church dates from 1766. The preserved Powder Tower on Schützengraben is also part of the town’s fortifications; it was first mentioned in 1497 and restored in 1988/1989. These buildings tell the story of Steckborn not only through their construction dates, but also through their varied former and current uses.
Museum in the Turmhof
The Turmhof stands directly on Lake Untersee. This historic building is a cultural asset of national importance. The Museum in the Turmhof showcases the culture and history of the Lake Untersee area. Its exhibits include prehistoric finds from the Neolithic sites of Turgi-Steckborn and Insel Werd. The museum focuses in particular on Steckborn stove-making and bobbin lace-making. There is also a rich collection of Bernina sewing machines and a furnished smithy. In this way, prehistoric finds sit alongside tangible examples of local crafts and collecting. Those especially interested in historic objects and crafts will find a different perspective on local history here than in the buildings of the Old Town.
Harbour and lakeside
Steckborn harbour is an attraction featuring a ship crane, rigging mast, slipway and boat-washing station. It has 273 berths and around 20 visitor berths. Boat trips on Lake Untersee depart from Steckborn; timetables are seasonal, so check the relevant timetable before travelling. Feldbachareal offers a different way to enjoy the water: the lakeside park has a promenade for walking and relaxing. The harbour and park provide different ways to spend time on Lake Untersee—the harbour with its technical facilities, and Feldbachareal with its promenade and park.
Culture and event dates
Phönix Theater in Feldbachareal, also known as the Pumpenhaus, presents contemporary theatre and dance theatre productions. The programme may change, so check the current listings for your preferred date. The Phönix Theater foyer is also home to the Vollmondbar, which opens at full moon and offers artistic performances. Here, too, the current programme can help with planning your visit. Steckborn Reformed Church is also available for cultural events; whether a specific date is possible depends on the event calendar. You can combine a trip with an event if the programme fits your dates.
Hiking, swimming and grilling
The circular hiking trail in Steckborn is about 12 kilometres long and takes around three hours. Its length and walking time together provide a guide for planning a longer activity. For time by the water, Steckborn lido has a large play and sunbathing lawn, a children’s pool and play equipment for children. The lido also has a campsite, a tent site and a hostel with group accommodation for 30 people. For a different kind of break in green surroundings, visit the Härdli fire pit: you can grill food there in a woodland setting. The circular hiking trail, lido and fire pit each offer something different—exercise, time by the water or grilling together.
A historic connection to accommodation
Steckborn’s history is also reflected in its accommodation: today’s See & Park Hotel Feldbach was once an abbey founded by Cistercian nuns in 1253/1254.
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