Klassikwelt Bodensee

Friedrichshafen sits on the northern shore of Lake Constance, at the edge of Baden-Württemberg where Germany meets Austria and Switzerland across the water. The Messe Friedrichshafen is an exhibition ground that also has a runway — which is what makes the Klassikwelt Bodensee unlike any other classic car fair in the region.

The 17th edition runs 12 to 14 June 2026. The format spans three categories simultaneously: historic cars and motorcycles inside the halls, classic boats on the lake, and historic aircraft on the airfield with a daily airshow. Over 500 exhibitors fill the indoor spaces with vehicles for sale, parts, restoration services and more than 100 marque clubs. The 2026 edition introduces a dedicated special exhibition on extinct European car brands — makes that once appeared on bonnets across the continent and are now rarely seen at events. The Vintage Demo Race uses a 1.6-kilometre circuit laid out on the exhibition grounds; this year's grid includes 12 DTM cars from the touring car era of the 1980s and 1990s.

The restoration and parts trade is a serious component. Specialists in bodywork, leather, engine and electrical restoration are present throughout, alongside tools, care products and accessories specific to historic vehicles. For a collector actively maintaining or rebuilding a car, the combination of club knowledge and specialist traders in one place has practical value beyond the spectacle.

The A96 motorway from Munich reaches Friedrichshafen in around 90 minutes. From the west, the A81 south from Stuttgart connects to the B31 lakeside road, which follows the shore of Lake Constance into the city — a considerably better arrival route than the motorway. Ferry connections across the lake from Romanshorn and Konstanz run regularly throughout the weekend.