The most important of the city monuments is the Münster St. Nikolaus, a surprisingly large medieval structure that required 200 years to build. The larger of its two towers functioned during wars as a military watchtower and was later capped with an eight-sided Renaissance lantern. The severely dignified exterior is offset by an elaborate and intricate Gothic interior. Take special notice of the main altarpiece, carved in the early 1600s by Jorg Zürn. It is open daily 8am to 6pm. Entrance is free.

On the opposite side of the square is Überlingen's Rathaus, built in the late 1400s. Most of its interior is devoted to municipal offices, except for the Ratsaal, whose vaulted ceiling and lavishly paneled walls make it the most beautiful public room in town. Notice the coats of arms representing various factions of the Holy Roman Empire. Hours are Monday to Friday 9am to noon and 2:30 to 5pm; in summer, it is also open Saturday 9am to noon. Entrance is free.

The city maintains a Heimatmuseum (Museum of Folklore) within one of its most prized buildings, the Reichlin-von-Meldlegg Haus, Krummeberggasse 30 (tel. 07551/991079; www.museum-ueberlingen.de). This building artfully emulates the style of the Florentine Renaissance. Inside, you can also visit both a chapel and a lavishly ornate rococo ballroom. The museum is open only April to October Tuesday to Thursday and Saturday 9am to 12:30pm and 2 to 5pm, and Friday and Sunday 10am to 3pm. Admission is 5€ adults, 1€ children, and free for children 5 and under.

Also look for the Franziskanerkirche, Spitalgasse. Especially striking is the contrast between this church's severely dignified exterior and its lavishly baroque interior. It is open daily 8am to noon and 2 to 5pm.

The townspeople of Überlingen took great care to ornament the medieval fortifications that protected them from outside invaders. The best preserved of these walls is the Stadtmauer, which in recent times was landscaped into a graceful ramble lined with trees and shrubbery. It's part of the encircling walls that flank the north and east sides of town.

The pleasant Seepromenade (lake promenade) offers a panoramic view of the faraway Swiss Alps. Nearby stands the Greth, one of the largest old buildings in town and originally a market and storage vault for corn.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.