Markdorf combines an early market tradition with preserved sections of the medieval town wall and a historical walking tour. The hiking trails described also offer different points of focus: GuckinsLand highlights forests, clearings and views, while the Fürstenberg tour is described through a sequence of named stops. The weekly regional market and the Friedrichshafen–Überlingen–Basel railway line provide further practical information for planning your trip.
City History and Townscape
Markdorf was granted market rights by 1236 at the latest; Emperor Charles IV confirmed the grant in 1354. After the great fire of 1842, Markdorf decided to preserve the market square as a larger open space for markets and other events. The early market tradition and the later decision about how to shape the square therefore belong to different historical contexts.
Remains of the medieval town wall can be found in buildings on Ulrichstraße, on Stadtgrabenstraße and at the Schlossscheuer. These locations complement the market square with further specific points of reference to the town’s older layout. In St. Nicholas Church, the Chapel of the Virgin of Mercy is particularly worth seeing for its three Madonnas. The historical walking tour of Markdorf introduces the Bishop’s Castle and the Witch’s Tower and includes puzzles and prizes.
Hiking Trails and Starting Points
The second half of the GuckinsLand circular trail runs mostly through scenic woodland, across clearings and over a wooden bridge, and past another rest area. In places, it passes directly through isolated farmsteads and offers views of the hinterland and the Alps. Alternative starting points include Markdorf’s market square, the Hohreute car park, Gangenweiler and the Wirthshof in Steibensteg. As parking arrangements can change, check the current situation for your chosen starting point in advance.
The Fürstenberg tour leads from Markdorf via Möggenweiler, the Vogelsang hiking car park, the Gehrenberg Tower and the Schweppenen barbecue hut before returning to Markdorf. The two route descriptions offer different kinds of guidance: GuckinsLand focuses on the landscape features of its second half and alternative starting points, while the Fürstenberg tour is described through a sequence of specific places.
Regional Market and Getting There
The large regional market on MarktstraĂźe takes place every Thursday from 07:00 to 12:00. As the exact times can change, it is a good idea to check shortly before planning a visit specifically for the market. This makes it easy to include the market as a specific event in your plans.
Markdorf is on the Friedrichshafen–Überlingen–Basel railway line. For your specific journey, check the appropriate connection and departure time on the day of travel. Markdorf is also part of the Gehrenberg-Bodensee holiday region. The Lake Constance district, the wider travel destination, extends along almost the entire northern shore of Lake Constance in Baden-Württemberg and reaches into the Upper Swabian hill country and, to the east, the West Allgäu hill country.
Discover more destinations: Tettnang, Langenargen, Sipplingen, Ăśberlingen, Hagnau Am Bodensee, Meckenbeuren, Salem, Meersburg
See the wider travel overview: Lake Constance.
