Arbon - a town with history on Lake Constance

In the heart of the medieval old town lies the fish market square, closely surrounded by houses. Where markets were held in the past, there are still atmospheric flea markets four times a year in May, June, September and October. The picturesque square lends them a particularly beautiful atmosphere. Arbon also has Easter and Christmas markets. These are distinguished by their lovingly homemade products from the region, such as culinary, knitted, wooden or handicrafts. Information for stall holders is listed here.

Arbon's prime location on the shimmering expanse of Lake Constance simply allows nothing other than: off into, onto or onto the water! From Steinach to Arbon and almost to Egnach, you can stroll along the shores of Lake Constance through chestnut avenues, flowery parks, along extensive playgrounds, lidos and nature reserves. Lake lovers can venture onto the water either by canoe, kayak or stand-up paddle. Both courses and spontaneous rentals (one call to the canoe school is enough) for an adventure on your own are possible. And with the course boat of the Schweizerische Bodensee-Schifffahrtsgesellschaft you can experience Lake Constance from the water along the Swiss shore or across the lake to the German neighbour.

The shores of Lake Constance around the harbour town are just as suitable for long walks and hikes as Arbon's hinterland. During the flowering season, when the fruit trees are in full bloom, the latter is particularly idyllic. Those who like a more challenging hike can follow in the footsteps of St. Gallus from Arbon through Achtobel to St Gallen. You can also discover a piece of Arbon's history on the old town walk, up to the ruins of Steineburg castle or on the diocese trail, which starts at Wasserschloss Hagenwil.

The Swiss Cidery and Distillery Muesum MoMö in Arbon brings the apple and traditional as well as modern juice production in Thurgau to life. From the blossom on the tree to the shorley in the bottle, the entire world of apples, the role of bees and their care, and everything to do with apple juice can be discovered interactively with all the senses. By the way, MoMö 2019 had barely opened when it won the XAVER prize, the Swiss Award for Excellence in Live-Communication. The world of apples is also thematised in the form of a scavenger hunt on the Detective Badger-Trail. In addition, a visit to the museum can be combined with a bike tour on the Möhl Cider Bike Tour.

Cycling along Lake Constance is particularly beautiful. Various cycle routes lead through the harbour town of Arbon. But an excursion inland is also worthwhile. Especially in spring. During the "Obstbaumbluescht" (fruit tree blossom festival), the region reveals itself in a white blossom dress. On the Mostindien-Tour you can follow the apple with a panoramic view right across Thurgau. For an excursion with the rascals, there's the family route. It combines cycling with the most beautiful family attractions along Lake Constance. And on the enjoyable FoodTrail scavenger hunt, gourmets ride along six enjoyment stations through the Lake Constance region. By the way: Rent or repair bicycles or recharge e-bike batteries? No problem at all. Arbon's specialist shops lend and repair bikes, and many restaurants allow you to charge your batteries on request.

Arbon's eventful past began almost 5500 years ago with a pile-dwelling settlement. Then came the Romans, the Middle Ages, modern times and industrialisation. There are vivid witnesses of each epoch in Arbon. Incidentally, Arbon is a UNESCO-World Heritage Site for its pile-dwelling settlement, which today lies well preserved under a car park. In the Historical Museum in Arbon Castle there is a wonderfully staged exhibition on the subject and many original finds. Parts of the old city wall and towers from Roman times have been preserved in the city. They can be discovered on a cleverly designed discovery tour around the castle. In just 15 minutes, 5500 years of Arbon's eventful history are presented here.

The location on the lake provides Arbon with great bathing opportunities. The Buchhorn Lido with its park-like sunbathing lawn was built by the people of Arbon at the beginning of the 20th century. It has been designated one of the most beautiful baths in Switzerland by the Swiss Heritage Society. Next door is the Buchhorn camping site. The Arbon swimming pool on the lakeside promenade offers various pools and, of course, lake access. And the only ten-metre jumping tower on the southern shore of Lake Constance! Near Egnach is the Wiedehorn Lido, also with a campsite next door. The baths are all very child-friendly.

City leaders make the extremely rich history of Arbon heard. And it is worth listening. As early as the Neolithic period, around 3384 BC, there was a pile-dwelling settlement on what is now the site of Arbon. The Saurer family were also exceptional industrial pioneers who lived in Arbon. Participants can learn about this and more on public guided tours or for groups with advance reservations. The Zeitfrauenrundgang (Women of the Time Tour) theatrically tells of the female influence on Arbon at the time when women began to work in factories. But there are also guided tours on foot or by bike, as well as a scavenger hunt through Arbon's nature via app. Guided tours can be requested here.

One of the most interesting families that shaped the past of the town of Arbon was the Saurer family. Their company, Adolf Saurer AG, was the most important Swiss manufacturer of trucks for a long time. The Saurer Museum brings this past to life and guides visitors through the history of the motor vehicles and later also textile machinery produced in Arbon. Today, production no longer takes place in Arbon, but various buildings and squares still recall the era. Those interested can learn more about this piece of industrial history on guided tours of the town.

In addition to cultural greats such as theSaurer Museum or the MoMö, Arbon is also a town of art, especially sculptures. On squares and streets you will find a plastic installation here, a spatial installation there, a sign or a figure... Once you start looking, you will find a multitude of works of art and be amazed. Contemporary works can be found in ever new forms but also in the Kunsthalle Arbon und in the Bleisch Gallery.

When nature awakens to new life in spring, the Thurgau-Lake Constance region shows itself from its most beautiful side. With over 210,000 standard apple trees and over 1600 hectares of fruit crops alone, Thurgau is the largest fruit-growing canton in Switzerland. From April to May, when the flower buds of the fruit trees open, you are immersed in a true blossom paradise in many places. The Bluescht-Velotour tour leads through Arbon, but the natural spectacle can also be discovered on foot or by train. The collecction of fruit varieties is also worth a visit. It houses almost 400 high trunk trees: each tree is labelled. Each one is a different traditional fruit variety that is being preserved from extinction here.

Celebrating is something people in Arbon do with great dedication. In addition to one of the most beautiful lake night festivals on Lake Constance and an annual open-air cinema right on the water, there are also more unusual events such as the "Usestuehlete": Old town houses open their doors. Everywhere there's a chair in front of it, you can look in. At the Arbon Classic every two years, classic vehicles are brought out on land, in the air and on the water and given a new lease of life. The Summerdays Festival brings well-known musicians to the stage directly on the shores of Lake Constance, and the Slowup makes sportsmen's hearts beat faster. During one Sunday, 40 kilometres of road belong solely to cyclists, skaters and walkers.