15 Top Rated Tourist Attractions around Lake Constance

Lake Constance, situated below the northern end of the Alps, is the largest lake in Germany. It also borders Austria and Switzerland, offers stunning scenery with its majestic expanse of water, and covers some 270 kilometers of coastline, by far most of it in Germany. The largest and deepest part of the lake, the Obersee (Lake Superior), stretches from the Bay of Bregenz to Constance and has surrounded by many ancient lakeside towns and attractive villages with incredible views of the Swiss Alps.

Long a watersports hub - it's especially known among sailing and windsurfing enthusiasts - the area is also rich in culture and history and boasts many ancient castles, quaint medieval villages, and beautiful gardens. Popular activities to do here include hiking and mountain biking. As well as swimming at the many beaches or enjoying a relaxing boat ride.

And don't be shy about visiting the region in winter. Especially popular now of the year are the Christmas markets, especially those in Lindau and Konstanz, with music, skating, and food to add to the fun. Discover more amazing places to visit with our list of top attractions around Lake Constance.

Table Of Contents

1. Konstanz Minster and the Old Town
2. Mainau (Island of Flowers
3. Nature reserves: Wollmatinger Ried-Untersee-Gnadensee
4. Lindau Town
5. Allgäu: the highlands of Lake Constance
6. Port of Konstanz
7. Flights and Zeppelin Museum
8. Reichenau: the largest island in Lake Constance
9. Lake Constance Trail (Bodensee-Rundwanderweg)
10. The German Stilthouse Museum
11. Exploring Lake Constance by Boat
12. Hohentwiel Castle
13. The Castles of Meersburg
14. Heiligenberg Castle
15. Salem Monastery and Palace

Konstanz Minster and the old town

1. Konstanz Minster and the Old Town

Konstanz, near the Swiss border, is the largest city on Lake Constance and an important cultural center with an active theatrical and music scene. Prominent among its many beautiful old buildings is Konstanz Minster. It dates from the 11th century, with later additions in the 15th and 17th centuries, and its most notable features include the 15th-century main portal, an exquisite interior that includes 1460s choir cabins, as well as a 13th-century Holy Sepulcher. Be sure to climb the tower with its great views over the historic center.

Other highlights of the Old Town (Altstadt) include the 15th-century Hohenzollernhaus; the 16th-century Town Hall (Rathaus); and the lovely Haus Zum Rosengarten, the home of the medieval butchers' guild now occupied by a museum with a collection of local and regional artifacts.

Those traveling with children will want to add SEA LIFE Constance to their itineraries. Here, you can spend a few pleasant hours viewing a wide variety of marine life, including freshwater species native to the region and the River Rhine. A highlight is walking the tunnel through the large aquarium of the Red Sea. Afterward, head to the nearby Lake Constance Nature Museum, which offers a fascinating glimpse into the flora and fauna found in and around Lake Constance.

Address: Münsterplatz 1, 78462 Konstanz

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Mainau Island

2. Mainau (Island of Flowers)

One of the most popular tourist attractions around Lake Constance - and for good reason - is Mainau's spectacular 110-acre "island of flowers". 4.5 miles north of Konstanz, off the southern coast of the Überlinger See, this location attracts many visitors with its beautiful parks and gardens, lush with semi-tropical and tropical vegetation. The island also boasts a spectacular palace, the Schloss Mainau, built-in 1746 for the Grand Duke of Baden. Notable features of the interior include the lovely White Hall, as well as an old defensive tower (one of the original 16) and a gatehouse.

Those traveling with children will want to check out Mainau Kinderland, a children's play area located on an island with a zoo and a fun wet play area called Water World (Wasserwelt). There is also a butterfly house (schmetterlingshaus), the biggest attraction of its kind in Germany. Two restaurants are also available for visitors. Access to the island is by boat or via a pedestrian bridge connected to the mainland.

Official website: www.mainau.de/en/welcome.html

Geese in a Lake Constance nature reserve

3. Nature reserves: Wollmatinger Ried-Untersee-Gnadensee

Several areas on the shores of Lake Constance, particularly near the mouths of major tributary rivers, have declared nature reserves to maintain their intact condition. The most important nature reserve - and the largest on the German shores of the lake - is the Wollmatinger Ried Untersee-Gnadensee, where the Rhine flows from the main lake into the Untersee near Konstanz.

The reserve has a wide variety of plants and animals, including over 600 ferns and flowering plants, as well as over 290 species of birds attracted by its rich reed beds. A great place to explore the nature reserve, as well as the flora and fauna of Lake Constance, is the NABU-Center, an information center with exhibits and slide shows. Informative guided tours are also available.

Other important nature reserves in the area include Eriskircher Ried, popular with bird watchers for its many species of birds and waterfowl (as well as great cycling and walking trails); the Halbinsel Mettnau seaside nature reserve, home to countless varieties of birds (with a small island to explore); and Prunger-Burgweiler, where you can also visit the Wilhelmsdorf Nature Conservation Center with its fascinating museum that describes some 12,000 years of health history.

Address: Kindlebildstrasse 87, 78479 Reichenau

Lindau Town, Lake Constance, Germany

4. Lindau Town

Picturesque Lindau, the largest town on the shores of Bavaria's Lake Constance, it has divided between an island and the slopes of the mainland and is linked by a bridge, the Neue Seebrücke. The Port is well worth a visit and is notable for its former lighthouse, the 13th-century Mangturm. At the ends of the port's outer walls are Lindau's best-known landmarks, the 20-foot tall Bavarian lion and the 33-meter new lighthouse. Tall, both dating from 1856 (the latter offers magnificent views of the city and the Alps).

Other fun things to do in Lindau include exploring the Old Town (Altstadt), much of which is now and has many preserved Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque houses. Particularly attractive is Maximilianstrasse, the main street, with its elegant patrician houses, arcades, fountains, hotels, and cafes.

Other highlights include the Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus) built in 1436 with its colorful facade, and St Peter's Church (Peterskirche), founded in the late 10th century. There is also a pleasant walking path around the island, the Uferweg, which offers beautiful views of two ancient bastions, the Gerberschanze and the Sternschanze, and the Pulverturm (Powder Tower).

The lush landscape of the Allgäu

5. Allgäu: the highlands of Lake Constance

The Allgäu is an attractive mountain region that occupies the southern part of Bavarian Swabia, between the popular tourist destinations of Lake Constance and the Lech Valley, and extends northwest to Württemberg. Crossed by the Deutsche Alpenstrasse and, further north, a branch of the popular Upper Swabian Baroque Highway tourist route, it is a beautiful area to take a road trip or explore on foot.

The high alpine range of the Allgäu Alps, part of the Northern Limestone Alps, forms the border between Bavaria and the Austrian provinces of Vorarlberg and Tyrol. The landscape is spectacular, with its layers of steep foothills, magnificent lakes, tranquil ponds and heaths, vast forests, lush mountain meadows, and elegant villages against an imposing mountain backdrop.

The Allgäu is also a region of spas and medicinal springs, and the well-known Kneipp water cure was first conceived in Bad Wörishofen and is now applied in many other spas.

Port of Konstanz

6. Port of Konstanz

One of the highlights of any visit to Konstanz is exploring the city's harbor. This is where you'll find the Kaufhaus dating from 1388, a former warehouse built for trade with Italy. It is often referred to as Konzilsgebäude, as it was the meeting point of the conclave of cardinals who elected Pope Martin V in 1417. The harbor entrance has marked by a fascinating statue called Imperia, which commemorates this famous event. Although it was only erected in 1993, this impressive nine-meter-tall statue has become a well-known landmark in Konstanz.

Flights and Zeppelin Museum

7. Flights and Zeppelin Museum

The beautiful city of Friedrichshafen is famous for its connection to the German Zeppelin airships. Here was the famous Hindenburg, proclaimed the world's most luxurious "ocean liner", it has built only to meet its tragic and fiery end in Lakehurst, USA, in 1937. Today, the former airship hangar now houses the Zeppelin Museum Friedrichshafen with its fascinating exhibits and displays recounting the history of LZ 129 and the events that led to its destruction.

One interesting thing to do is explore reconstructions of the airship's Bauhaus-inspired interiors, including the elegant lounges and passenger cabins, as well as areas used by the crew. Other highlights include exhibits of artifacts and pieces of wreckage, artwork, and photos, as well as scale models that show the history of airship voyages.

Be sure to also include the remarkable Zeppelin NT in your Friedrichshafen itinerary. This modern version of the famous Zeppelin airships from the 1930s demonstrates how the technology remains relevant and how, thanks to modern technologies, it is now completely safe. Best of all, the company behind Zeppelin NT now offers a variety of exciting excursions over Lake Constance from Bodensee Airport.

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Reichenau, Island Lake Constance

8. Reichenau: the largest island in Lake Constance

Close to Konstanz is the largest of Lake Constance's many islands, Reichenau. Connected to the mainland by a bridge and covering an impressive 1,057 acres, this beautiful island has long been inhabited.

Among its oldest artificial structures are three churches belonging to the famous monastery of Reichenau: the Church of Saint George in Oberzell with its beautiful wall paintings from the Ottonian period, the Cathedral of Saint Mary and Saint Mark with a rich treasure in the sacristy and Saints Peter and Paul in Niederzell. Founded in 724 AD by Charles Martel, grandfather of Charlemagne, they are among the finest examples of early Romanesque art in Germany, both for their architecture and their magnificent frescoes.

Also of note on the northwest tip of the island is the 14th-century Schloss Windegg.

View from Lake Constance trail

9. Lake Constance Trail (Bodensee-Rundwanderweg)

Hikers and cyclists are well served by the excellent Lake Constance trail (Bodensee-Rundwanderweg), which circles the entire lake at varying distances from its shores for around 272 kilometers. In Germany, the trail often follows the paths marked by the Black Forest Association (Schwarzwaldverein).

Highlights include the Wollmatinger Ried nature reserve, as well as most of the small lake villages, the historic towns of Lindau and Konstanz, and the islands of Reichenau and Mainau. You can join a hike, which can last anywhere from a day to a week (or longer). Even casual hikers and cyclists can enjoy the trail as it is accessible at various entry points around the lake.

German Stilthouse Museum

10. The German Stilthouse Museum

A highlight of a visit to Lake Constance is the chance to visit the wonderful Pfahlbau museum Unteruhldingen, the German Stilthouse Museum, an open-air museum with reconstructions of stone and bronze aged houses. Opened in 1922, it's a great way to spend time exploring the living conditions of the lake's original residents, which date back 6,000 years. Tours tour the recreated buildings on the shore before delving into the heart of the attraction, the lake villas, built over the water and offering superb views of the area's stunning scenery. Guided tours have included in the ticket price and last up to one hour.

Address: Strandpromenade 6, D-88690 Uhldingen-Mühlhofen / Unteruhldingen

Official website: www.pfahlbauten.com

Exploring Lake Constance by Boat

11. Exploring Lake Constance by Boat

Exploring Lake Constance can do by boat, a means of transport that offers plenty of opportunities for sightseeing without the need for a car. Sightseeing boat services on Lake Constance operate from mid-April to mid-October, major routes including Konstanz, Überlingen, Kreuzlingen, and Lindau, with many more stops made for smaller communities. There are also car-carrying ferry services, most of which run year-round between Friedrichshafen and Romanshorn and between Konstanz-Staad and Meersburg.

Local passenger ferries also operate between Allensbach station and the island of Reichenau and across the Rhine to Konstanz. During the summer, many excursions of various types have been offered, from full-day or half-day trips to shorter breakfast or lunch trips, as well as fun trips including mystery night excursions.

Hohentwiel Castel

12. Hohentwiel Castle

On top of the ancient volcano of Hohentwiel is one of the largest and most impressive castle ruins in all of Germany. Located 30 kilometers west of Lake Constance near Singen, it is an easy place to find, as both the hill and the castle stand out from their surroundings.

Although the now eroded volcano is many millions of years old, the ancient castle dates back to 914 AD and was part of a fortress complex that included a monastery. It remained in use until the 19th century, at which time it withstood many sieges, as well as later served as a prison. Today, it is a charming place to explore for its interesting history as well as its incredible views of Singen and the surrounding countryside.

The Old Castle, Meersburg

13. The Castles of Meersburg

The attractive old lakeside town of Meersburg - a name that translates to "Castle on the Sea" - is home to not one, but two ancient castles. The oldest of these, referred to as the Old Castle (Alte Burg), is a well-preserved medieval fortress, which can, in fact, trace its history back to the 7th century, when its original central tower has built.

Notable as the oldest still-inhabited castle in Germany, it's well worth a visit for its interesting interiors, with highlights including the Fortress Museum with its many artifacts and original furniture, as well as the dungeon and torture chamber. In all, around 30 rooms can be visited as part of a self-guided tour, including the kitchen and bakery, guard room, and armory. A restaurant is also located on-site.

A short stroll away is the New Castle (Neues Schloss), an attractive 18th-century building with Baroque flourishes that had been completed in 1712 as a palace for the prince bishops. Now open to the public, the castle is home to the City Gallery (Städtische Galerie) and Dornier Museum, which are well worth visiting for their impressive displays and exhibits relating to local history and culture. The New Castle is also where you'll find the Museum of the Palace of the Bishops' Palace (Fürstbischöfliche Schlossmuseum), which includes a variety of rooms preserved in their original way. The castle gardens are also worth visiting, which include a lovely roof garden with magnificent views of Lake Constance.

After exploring these two lovely castles, be sure to visit some of the historic castle-inspired attractions in Meersburg's old town itself. Highlights include the town square, or Schlossplatz, notable for its large antique clock with an attractive face depicting Chronos, the God of Time; the pleasant Capela do Castelo; two old city gates that have survived from medieval times; and several well-preserved half-timbered houses.

For those interested in German literature, the Droste Museum is worth checking out for its souvenirs and displays of original writings by poet Annette von Droste-Hülshoff.

Address: Schloßpl. 10, 88709 Meersburg

Official website: www.burg-meersburg.de/index_engl.html

Heiligenberg Castle

14. Heiligenberg Castle

Another castle in the area that has had continuous ownership and occupation over the centuries is the beautiful German Renaissance-era Heiligenberg Castle (Schloss Heiligenberg). Built-in the 16th century on the ruins of an ancient medieval fortress, Heiligenberg Castle has considered one of the luckiest castles in the country; not only did it survive countless conflicts intact, but it was also spared during the Thirty Years' War after an attempt to destroy it with barrels of explosives ended up failing - after the fuses were lit.

Today, besides enjoying its superb views over Lake Constance, visitors can explore the massive two-story Great Hall, notable for its elegant ceiling and wooden floor, along with its many beautiful artworks and ancient coats of arms. of weapons. Be sure to visit the fascinating Capela do Castelo, which houses the family crypt and has been a burial place for family members since 1586; and the Fürstenberg Collections, with their beautiful displays of historic uniforms, chalices, and trophies.

Also interesting are the unique artifacts, such as a portable urinal that once belonged to Napoleon, and an impressive natural history collection. Regular events from music concerts to Christmas festivals and polo matches are held here.

Address: 64342 Seeheim-Jugenheim

Official website: https://haus-fuerstenberg.de/heiligenberg/?lang=en

Salem Monastery and Palace

15. Salem Monastery and Palace

The city of Salem should include in your Lake Constance itinerary. Here, you will be rewarded with the opportunity to explore the lovely Salem Monastery and Palace (Kloster und Schloss Salem), a former Cistercian monastery in one of the most beautiful settings in the region. The monastery itself can trace its history back to the 12th century and was once the most important site in the country. After secularization, interesting Baroque decorative embellishments had added to the surviving Gothic-style monastery buildings, creating a unique display that has remained unchanged since.

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