Constance The Literary City Tour
Gallery image 2
Gallery image 3
Gallery image 4
Gallery image 5

Constance The Literary City Tour

Active
2h
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Manual confirmation
Mobile or paper ticket accepted

About this experience

Litera tour with poetry through Constance!

Many poets and scholars have written about and in Constance: the knight and minstrel Wolkenstein, the poets Rilke, Goethe and Schwab, the writers Scheffel, Zweig and Kisch, the medieval mystic Heinrich Suso, the French novelist Honoré de Balzac, who made Constance the scene of one of his 'brazen stories', the future Pope Pius II, the reformer Jan Hus, the humanists Leonardo Bruni and Erasmus of Rotterdam, the essayist Michel de Montaigne, even Sigmund Freud - to name but a few!

We offer you a contemplative and sensual city tour full of poetry. Follow in the footsteps of numerous poets and see the city through their eyes!

We visit places where literature originated and/or was written about in Konstanz and recite the corresponding texts.

Let yourself be enchanted by literary constancy!

Available options

Constance The Literary City Tour

What's included

Personal guide, only for your group

Detailed itinerary

1

The first stop is at the port in front of the historic council building. A pope was elected here in 1417. Our guide will tell you about participants of the Council and who immortalized the city literary at that time.
Here you will also get to know the port beauty of Constance called Imperia , an impressive statue of an equally impressive lady who allegedly turned the heads of all men 600 years ago, during the Council period, and inspired Honoré de Balzac to write his "Bold Stories".

2

Lake Constance was already described in Roman antiquity. Overlooking the Swabian Sea, you will listen to our guide, who poets and scientists were inspired by the city and lake to write poetic works - or were mistaken.

3

Here, in the former Dominican monastery, the mystic Heinrich Suso worked in the 14th century. Your guide will introduce you to some of his beautiful poems here.

4

Numerous poets and scholars tell us about the time of the Constance Council of 600 years ago. Follow in their poetic footsteps through the oldest district of Konstanz, the Niederburg.

5

Time and opportunity to listen to poems and descriptions in the shadow of the Münster, in which the Münster is the focus.

6

History was not only made once in the cathedral of Constance. Fortunately for us, there were chroniclers and scholars at that time who were there "life" and wrote eagerly. Listen to some of the texts written here.

7

Here at the fish market it is now time to listen to a reproach poem by a Tyrolean knight and minstrel who was a guest of the Council of Constance of 600 years ago and was terribly upset by the bad wine and the high prices. After all, he praised the beauty of the Constance women and also called us the place where he dared to dance with the beautiful ladies at that time...

8

The old streets of Constance seem to invite poets to tell stories about the city. Listen to what Marylin Monroe's favorite poet came up with about the old Council town on Lake Constance at this beautiful place in Hohenhausgasse.

9

Time to take a literary look back at the time of the 13th century minstrel. Our guide will recite a minstrels song that originated in Constance and will teach you about the nature of love...

10

Considering the curious sculptures around the Kaiserbrunnen, a story about the 7 Swabians and what once happened to them in "Kostnitz" fits here. But we also want to let other writers have their say and listen to their reflections on the city of Constance.

11

The Rhine Gate Tower from the 13th century once formed part of the city wall. From here a bridge led over to the other side of the Rhine. Although this bridge no longer exists, it was immortalized in a poem by Gustav Schwab. Hear from our guide what a historical event the poet rhymed with.

What's not included

Tipping

Available languages

Guide guide
DE

Important information

Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Meeting point

Meeting point is at the Historical Harbour Clock, next to the Council building and the ticket office of the Bodensee ship companies.

About Konstanz

Konstanz is a charming city on the shores of Lake Constance, known for its picturesque old town, rich history, and vibrant cultural scene. It offers a unique blend of medieval architecture, beautiful lakeside promenades, and stunning views of the Alps.

Top Attractions

Konstanz Cathedral

A stunning Gothic cathedral with a rich history and impressive architecture.

Historical/Architecture 1-2 hours Free

Mainau Island

A beautiful island in Lake Constance known for its gardens and palaces.

Nature Half day Moderate

Sea Life Konstanz

An aquarium with a wide variety of marine life and interactive exhibits.

Entertainment 2-3 hours Moderate

Must-Try Local Dishes

Käsespätzle

A comforting dish made with egg noodles and melted cheese, often topped with crispy onions.

Dinner Vegetarian

Fischbrötchen

A fish sandwich made with fresh local fish, typically served with onions and sauce.

Lunch Contains fish

Popular Activities

Hiking Cycling Boat tours Spa visits Museum visits Historical tours Swimming Boating

Best Time to Visit

June to August

This is the warmest and most popular time to visit, with plenty of outdoor activities and festivals.

15-25°C 59-77°F

Practical Information

Language

  • Official: German
  • Widely spoken: English
  • English: Moderately spoken

Currency

Euro (EUR)

Time Zone

GMT+1 (CET)

Electricity

230VV, 50HzHz

Safety Information

Overall Safety Rating: Very safe

Konstanz is a very safe city with low crime rates. However, always be aware of your surroundings.

Important Precautions:
  • • Keep valuables secure in crowded areas.
  • • Use licensed taxis or ride-sharing apps.
  • • Be cautious of pickpockets in tourist spots.

Getting there

By air
  • Zurich Airport • 50 km
  • Friedrichshafen Airport • 30 km
By train

Konstanz Hauptbahnhof

By bus

Konstanz Central Bus Station

Getting around

Public transport

Efficient and reliable bus network covering the entire city.

Taxis

Available • Apps: Taxi Konstanz

Rentals

Car, Bike, Scooter

Neighborhoods

Old Town Petershausen

Day trips

Meersburg
10 km • Half day

A charming medieval town on the shores of Lake Constance with beautiful views and historic sites.

Mainau Island
2 km • Half day

A beautiful island in Lake Constance known for its gardens and palaces.

Festivals

Konstanz Christmas Market • Late November to late December Lake Constance Festival • July

Pro tips

  • Visit the Christmas market in December for a festive atmosphere.
  • Take a boat tour to see the city from the lake.
  • Explore the nearby islands of Lake Constance for a unique experience.
  • Try local specialties like Käsespätzle and Fischbrötchen.
  • Use a day pass for unlimited public transport.
From $25 per person

Price varies by option

Booking requirements:
  • Min travelers: 1
  • Max travelers: 15
Secure booking
Free cancellation available

Similar Experiences

Similar on Klook