Lake Constance

Spectacular scenery, medieval towns, quaint lake-side villages, stone-age lake dwellings, baroque churches, a gothic cathedral, potters' and founders’ workshops going back to the bronze age, 3 islands with magnificent gardens, vineyards and a cliff top castle – all can be found along the 270km shoreline of beautiful Lake Constance.

The lake is bordered by Austria, Switzerland and Germany and even Liechtenstein is just a short drive from the lake making it possible for you to visit 4 countries and to experience 4 different cultures, histories and distinct local cuisines in just one day.

The town of Constance in Germany is in a unique location on the shores of the lake and the Rhine River. Its historic center is relatively unchanged since the Middle Ages. Constance makes a good base from where to explore the rest of this region, islands and other townships by criss-crossing the lake by boat or cycling along the 300km lakeside bike path.

The 2000 year old town of Bregenz in Austria with its medieval historic old town and baroque St Martin's Tower is the center of cultural events. Stroll along the lake-side promenade or take the cable car up to Mount Pfaender for panoramic views across the lake and the Alps.

From Kreuzlingen in Switzerland you can take off on one of Europe's most picturesque day cruises along the Rhine River and Lake Constance.

Attractive Meersburg in Germany is built on the slopes of a steep vineyard, towered over by a medieval fortress and featuring many historic half-timbered houses.

Lake Constance Islands

The flower island of Mainau has an almost tropical climate with magnificent gardens set around an ancient castle, the origins of which can be traced back to 3,000BC.

In the spring, over a million blooms turn this island into a magnificent ocean of colour. Apart from the fountain arena with its Mediterranean terraces and butterfly, scent and rose gardens, the absolute highlight of Mainau is the Renaissance Floral- and Water Staircase.

Delightful Lindau is the perfect place to relax in one of its wine- or beer gardens with unique views of the Austrian and Swiss Alps and to the iconic Bavarian Lion statue and lighthouse that stand guard at the entrance to the picturesque harbour.

Cultural Immersion - Authentic Experiences - Sustainable travelling

Getting around

Purchase the very convenient Lake Constance EuRegio transport card, valid for all boats, buses, cableways and trains around and on the lake and covering all three countries.

If you are cycling around the lake you can have your luggage transported from one hotel to your next destination for €11 per day.

Accommodation

Lindau Germany - Hotel Helvetia. Lake-side luxury in an environmentally friendly hotel powered by its own thermal energy plan. Enjoy a large organic breakfast buffet with lake views. More hotel information and guest reviews.

Seehotel Off in Meersburg, Germany, has officially been recognized as an environmentally friendly hotel. More hotel information and guest reviews.

Rorschacherberg Switzerland - Castle Wartegg. Stay in a 16th Century castle. More hotel information and guest reviews.

List of bicycle friendly hotels and B&Bs along Lake Constance.

Click here for more centrally located, budget to luxury hotel rooms and apartments around Lake Constance for solo travellers, couples and families.

Eat locally

All the major towns as well as villages along the lake have various farmers' markets throughout the week and speciality markets throughout the year.

Try the local game, freshly caught fish and their famous regional wines

Local events

The unique Christmas market in Constance will enchant you with its atmospheric ambience, picturesque setting with the stalls stretching from the historic inner city right to the harbour, where a Christmas Ship is moored. We can include a visit to Lake Constance in our Christmas Markets Tour.

The harbour festival, a 'Gourmet and Culture festival' in Bregenz is one of the highlights of the year, but the most famous and spectacular event is the annual Bregenz festival, during which an opera is performed on the biggest floating stage in the world.

Witness a very unique spectacle on the second weekend in October in Meersburg township and fortress, the annual medieval festival. On the first weekend in July Meersburg hosts the traditional procession of vintners with fanfares and floats followed by extensive sampling of their famous wines.

For more details see our Tour of Germany and 'Best time to visit Germany' pages.

Photo permission Bregenz tourism office. Bregenz festival: ©Bregenzer Festspiele Anja Koehler. Pfaenderbahn: ©Othmar Heidegger.