Rhine River Boat Ride between Konstanz and Steckborn

(This post published on March 1, 2023)

Tuesday May 31, 2016 -- This wasn't a particularly spectacular day, but we wanted to do an excursion. We figured that maybe a boat ride on a river might make a good change from a hike. In fact, some of these river boat rides are very popular in summer, so this was a good time to try it out, without all the tourists on the boat!

We chose to ride the Rhine Riverboat from Konstanz (which is actually in Germany, on Lake Constance / Bodensee, right on the border) down the Rhine River to end at the village of Steckborn (the boat actually continues to Schaffhausen, but 90 minutes on the boat was enough for us). But first we had lunch in Konstanz and had a look around that city first. 

As hoped, there were few people on the boat, and the air was warm enough to sit outside and enjoy all the lovely villages along the rivershore here, on both the Swiss and German sides of the river. (In fact, when the boat docked at each village, it was almost too warm!). A highlight of the trip was shortly after we left Konstanz, when the boat had to go under a low bridge, the roof canopy of the boat was lowered to just above our heads, in sitting position! 

Technically, this section of the Rhine River is actually called "Untersee", or "Lower Lake", and even though we entered Swiss waters right around the bend from Konstanz, the boat crosses back and forth along the river between German and Swiss towns. After disembarking in Steckborn on the Swiss side, we had a look around the village before returning home via train.

Even without a lot of sunshine, it was a successful outing. 

(Interestingly enough, exactly one year later, to the day, we did a hike in this same region, and took a boat ride on the Rhine River in the opposite direction, from Stein am Rhein to Berlingen. Those photos are HERE)

The streets of Konstanz, Germany

An interesting fountain in Konstanz

Cute brass figures on this fountain

Getting on the Rhine River boat at about 14:45. This is the notable figure (it revolves) at the harbour entrance at Konstanz

The bridge canopy was lowered to just over Urs' head! This was necessary in order for the boat to pass under a low bridge.

VIDEO:

Raising the bridge canopy after passing under the bridge

Around the corner, passing Konstanz, on the way westward on the Rhine River, just before it widens to form the lake Untersee

There were a lot of water birds, including cormorants, in this section. 

Between Konstanz and Steckborn, the ship crossed to the German side twice. (On our next boat ride on the Rhine River exactly one year later, we came from the other side and got out in Berlingen.)

The first stop after Konstanz: Gottlieben (Switzerland)

Leaving Gottlieben

The river here is actually a lake, called Untersee

Next stop, Ermatingen

Docking at Ermatingen

Enjoying our boat ride...

Up on the hill, Schloss Salenstein near Mannenbach

Schloss Salenstein

Docking in Berlingen (where we got off our Rhine Boat Ride a year later). 

A look back at the lakeside village of Berlingen, as we continue on to Steckborn

First view of the Steckborn castle right on the lake! The castle, also called "The Tower of Steckborn", was built in the early 14th Century.

Disembarking in Steckborn (about 90 minutes after leaving Konstanz). Since it was already past 4 p.m., we didn't want to continue on the boat ride. 

Ship dock at Steckborn

The ships basically cross at Steckborn. Here is the ship heading to Konstanz, a similar ship to the one we rode on. 

The main passage from the lakeshore into Steckborn (looking behind us after we passed through the gateway)

Walking around Steckborn

Many beautiful half-timbered houses here

Gasthaus Kehlhof, another beautiful half-timbered house

This is the "Pulverturm" (or "Powder Tower"). This is the most impressive of the remaining towers around the village. It stands here since 1497

Information about the 1497 Pulverturm ("Powder Tower", most likely gun-powder)

Standing beneath the Steckborn castle

Heading to the railway station for our trip home. 

Another view of the Untersee and the fabulous clouds on our train ride back toward Konstanz

Location of Lake Untersee in Switzerland/Germany