Radolfzell
Radolfzell is a city of 32,000 people (2020) in southern Germany in the Lake Constance Region about 20 km north-west of Konstanz and 10 km east of Singen.
Understand
Radolfzell was developed out of a monastery founded in 826 AD as a "cell" under Bishop Radolf of Verona.
- Tourist information office, Bahnhofplatz 2 (at the train station). M-F 09:00 - 18:00, Sa 10:00 - 13:00.
Get in
By plane
Radolfzell has no commercial airport. The closest airports are:
- Zurich Airport (Switzerland). By car slightly over 1 hour to Radolfzell. By train 1.5 to 2 hours to Radolfzell.
- Friedrichshafen Airport (Germany). By car 1 hour to Radolfzell. By train 1 to 1.5 hours to Radolfzell.
- Stuttgart Airport (Germany). By car 2 hours to Radolfzell. By train 2.5 to 3 hours to Radolfzell.
By train
Radolfzell can easily be reached by train, as it is an important railway junction in the Bodensee area.
Get around
By bus: there is a bus network through the city. All buses leave from the central bus station next to the train station.
By taxi: Taxis are normally stationed outside the train station.
By foot: Radolfzell is pretty small and you can probably walk anywhere you want to go. The old town/pedestrian zone is compact and easily walkable.
See
- Radolfzell city museum, Seetorstraße 3 (in the open area directly across from the train station). Tu-Su 10:00-12:30, 14:00-17:30. Th until 20:00. Mondays and holidays closed. Adults €6, students €4, under 14 years free.
- Minster (Münster Unserer Lieben Frau). The relics of Radolfzell's patron saints (St.Theopont, St.Senesius and St.Zeno) are kept in this church.
Do
- Hang out at the lake (beside the train station; use the underpass under the tracks to get to the lake). The lakeside has walking and cycle paths, a couple of restaurants, a beer garden, and a harbour.
- Beach, Strandbadstraße 100 (on the Mettnau peninsula). Adults €2, children 6 years and older €1.30, under 6 free.
Events
- Carnival (Zeller Fasnet). The Radolfzell carnival takes place in the week leading up to Ash Wednesday, and includes events such as: "Hemdglonkerumzug" on Thursday where everyone dresses up in nightgowns and parades through town to chase out the ghosts of winter; a big street parade on Sunday; a "fool's fair" in the market place on Monday; burning of the giant straw Carnival man to finish things off on Tuesday.
- Hausherrenfest. The third weekend in July is the feast of the patron saints of Radolfzell. There's a big festival at the waterfront on the weekend, and Monday morning citizens of Moos (across the lake) paddle over in flower-decorated boats for their annual pilgrimage.
- Christmas market. The Christmas market is the first weekend in December. The main market place is filled with stalls selling mulled wine and food. There is live music.
Buy
- Market (main marketplace). W Sa 07:00 - 14:00. Market days are Wednesday and Saturday.
- Downtown shopping (old town). The old section of town, in the pedestrian zone, is full of stores.
- Seemaxx factory outlet, Schützenstraße 24. M-Sa 10:00-19:00.
Eat
- Sonnenklar bistro, Josef-Bosch-Str.9, ☏ +49 7732-4505. 11:30 - 14:00. This bistro in the back of the Sonnenklar health food store serves organic, vegetarian meals. The menu changes every day. There are always about 5 or 6 options. approx €7.
Sleep
- Hotel am Stadtgarten, Höllturmpassage 2 (downtown in the pedestrian zone). Single rooms €79 to €90, double rooms €119 to €150.
Go next
- The Black Forest (Schwarzwald) in Germany is about 2 hours away by train or 1.5 hours by car.
- Other cities and towns on Lake Constance. Especially recommended are Konstanz, Meersburg, Lindau and Bregenz.
- Stein am Rhein
- See the Rhine Falls in Schaffhausen
- Reichenau Island