18 Top Tourist Attractions around Lake Constance

Known as "Bodensee" in German, Lake Constance lies below the northern edge of the Alps. Not only is it the largest lake in Germany, it's also one of the most beautiful bodies of water in Europe. Bordered by Austria and Switzerland, it offers strikingly breathtaking scenery with its majestic expanse of water, and encompasses some 270 kilometers of shoreline, by far the greatest share of it in Germany.

The largest and deepest part of the lake, the Obersee (Upper Lake), extends from Bregenz Bay to Konstanz and is fringed by numerous old lakeside towns and attractive villages. These quaint communities each offer very pleasant diversions, along with incredible views of the Swiss Alps.

Long a center for water sports, Lake Constance is particularly popular among sailing and windsurfing enthusiasts. The area is also rich in culture and history and boasts many old castles, picturesque medieval villages, and beautiful gardens. Popular things 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 this time of year are the Christmas markets. Those in Lindau and Konstanz are among the best, with music, skating, and food all adding to the fun.

You'll discover more great places to visit with our list of the top tourist attractions around Lake Constance.

Visit Konstanz Minster and the Old Town

Konstanz, situated close to the Swiss frontier, is the largest town on Lake Constance. It's also an important cultural center with an active theatrical and musical scene. Prominent among its many beautiful old buildings is Konstanz Minster (Konstanz Münster). This attractive old church dates from the 11th century, with later additions in the 15th and 17th centuries.

Its most notable features include its 15th-century main doorway, a fine interior that includes choir-stalls from 1460, as well as a 13th-century Holy Sepulcher. Be sure to climb the tower with its excellent views over the old town.

Other Old Town (Altstadt) highlights include the 15th-century Hohenzollernhaus, the 16th-century Town Hall (Rathaus), and the lovely Haus zum Rosgarten. The latter served as the butchers' guild-house in medieval times, and is now occupied by the Rosgartenmuseum, a great museum with a collection of local and regional artifacts.

Those traveling with children will want to add SEA LIFE Lonstanz to their itineraries. Here, you can spend a pleasant few hours viewing a wide variety of marine life, including freshwater species indigenous to the region and the Rhine River. A highlight is walking the tunnel through the large Red Sea aquarium.

Afterward, head to the adjoining Lake Constance Nature Museum (Bodensee-Naturmuseum), which provides a fascinating glimpse at the flora and fauna found in and around Lake Constance.

Address: Münsterplatz 1, 78462 Konstanz

Explore Spectacular Flower Island (Mainau)

The spectacular 110-acre "flower island" of Mainau (Insel Mainau) is one of the best places to visit around Lake Constance in spring and summer. Just over seven kilometers north of Konstanz off the southern shore of the Überlinger See, it's also one of the most popular tourist attractions in all of Germany. And for good reason.

This spectacular natural island attracts many visitors with its beautiful parks and gardens, luxuriant with semitropical and tropical vegetation. This abundance of flora and the surrounding clear waters of the lake are also a big draw for photographers who come here to take memorable photos of some of the best scenery in Germany.

The island also boasts a spectacular palace, Schloss Mainau. Built in 1746 for the Grand Duke of Baden, its notable interior features include the lovely White Hall. Also worth seeing is its well-preserved old defensive tower, one of the original 16, and a gatehouse.

Those traveling with kids will want to check out Mainau Kinderland. This island-based kids' play area has a petting zoo and a fun wet play area called Water World (Wasserwelt). There's also a butterfly house (schmetterlingshaus), the largest such attraction in Germany. Two restaurants are also available for visitors to enjoy.

Access to the island is by boat or via a pedestrian bridge connected to the mainland. Ample parking is available.

Get Back to Nature at Wollmatinger Ried-Untersee-Gnadensee

Various areas on the shores of Lake Constance, particularly near the mouths of the larger tributary rivers, have been declared nature reserves in order to maintain their relatively unspoiled condition.

The most important nature reserve, and the largest on the German shores of the lake, covers an area of nearly 20,000 acres. Known as the Wollmatinger Ried Untersee-Gnadensee, it's situated where the Rhine flows from the main lake into the Untersee near Konstanz.

The reserve boasts a wide variety of plants and animals, including more than 600 fern and flowering plants, as well as in excess of 290 bird species drawn to its rich reed beds. An excellent place from which to explore the nature reserve, as well as the flora and fauna of Lake Constance, is the NABU-Centre. This top-notch information center features exhibitions and slideshows, and also offers informative guided tours into the park.

Another important area nature reserve is Eriskircher Ried, popular with bird-watchers for its many species of birds and waterfowl. It's also popular among outdoor enthusiasts for its great biking and hiking trails.

If you've time, be sure to also visit the Halbinsel Mettnau. This waterfront nature reserve serves as a habitat for numerous varieties of birds with a small island to explore. Also worth a visit is the Prunger-Burgweiler. Here, you can also visit the Wilhelmsdorf Nature Conservation Centre with its fascinating museum describing some 12,000 years of moorland history.

Address: NABU-Bodenseezentrum Am Wollmatinger Ried 20, 78479 Reichenau

Lindau

Picturesque Lindau, the largest town on the Bavarian shores of Lake Constance, is split between an island and the slopes of the mainland and linked by a bridge, the Neue Seebrücke. The harbor is well worth visiting and is notable for its old lighthouse, the 13th-century Mangturm.

At the ends of the outer harbor walls are Lindau's best-known landmarks, the six-meter-high Bavarian lion and the 33-meter-high new lighthouse, both dating from 1856. The latter offers magnificent views of the town and the Alps.

Other fun things to do in Lindau include exploring the Old Town (Altstadt). Much of this historic town center is now pedestrian-only and boasts many beautifully preserved Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque houses. Particularly attractive is Maximilianstrasse, the main street, with its trim patrician houses, arcades, fountains, hotels, and cafés.

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's also a pleasant walking path around the island, the Uferweg. It offers fine views from two old bastions, the Gerberschanze and the Sternschanze, and from the Pulverturm (Powder Tower).

Read More: Best Small Towns in Germany

Allgäu: The Uplands of Lake Constance

The Allgäu is an attractive upland and mountain region that occupies the southern part of Bavarian Swabia, between the popular travel destinations of Lake Constance and the Lech Valley, and extends northwest into Württemberg. Traversed by the Deutsche Alpenstrasse and, farther north, a branch of the popular Upper Swabian Baroque Highway tourist route, it's a beautiful area for a driving trip or to explore on foot.

The high Alpine chain of the Allgäu Alps, part of the Northern Calcareous Alps, forms the boundary between Bavaria and the Austrian provinces of Vorarlberg and Tirol. The landscape is spectacular, with its tiers of steep foothills, magnificent lakes, quiet ponds and moors, vast forests, lush mountain meadows, and trim villages set against an imposing backdrop of mountains.

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

Konstanz Harbor

A highlight of any visit to Konstanz is exploring the town's harbor. It's here you'll find the famous Kaufhaus. Dating from 1388, this old warehouse was built specifically for trade with Italy. It's often referred to as the Konzilsgebäude, having been the meeting place of the conclave of cardinals who elected Pope Martin V in 1417.

The harbor entrance is marked by a fascinating statue called Imperia, which commemorates this famous event. Although only erected in 1993, this stunning nine-meter-high statue has become a well-known landmark in Konstanz.

Address: Hafenstraße, 78462 Konstanz

Visit the Zeppelin Museum

The pretty town of Friedrichshafen has long been famous for its connection to Germany's Zeppelin airships. It was here the famous Hindenburg, heralded as the world's most luxurious "liner of the air," was built, only to meet its tragic, fiery end in Lakehurst in the US in 1937.

Today, the airship's former hangar now houses the Zeppelin Museum Friedrichshafen with its fascinating displays and exhibits retelling the history of LZ 129 and the events leading up to its destruction.

An interesting thing to do is explore the 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 displays of artifacts and pieces of wreckage, artworks, and photos, as well as scale models showcasing the history of airship travel. English-language guided tours are available.

Address: Seestraße 22, 88045 Friedrichshafen

Take a Zeppelin Flight

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

A "cruise" can last anywhere from 30 minutes to three hours, while those with the money and inclination can opt for a two-day personal Zeppelin flight training experience. Once airborne, you'll marvel at the views through the airship's large panorama windows as you slowly pass over the town and lake at heights of 300 meters.

Back on terra firma, join an English-language guided tour of the Zeppelin Hangar, one of the largest such aircraft facilities in Germany, and learn more about the workings of these amazing machines. And if you're hungry after all that excitement, there's also a restaurant on-site offering great views over the airfield.

Address: Messestraße 132, 88045 Friedrichshafen

Reichenau: Lake Constance's Largest Island

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

Among its oldest man-made structures are three churches belonging to the famous monastery of Reichenau: St. George's Church in Oberzell with its fine wall paintings of the Ottonian period, the Minster of St. Mary and St. Mark with a rich treasury in the sacristy, and the church of Saints Peter and Paul in Niederzell.

Founded in 724 CE by Charles Martel, Charlemagne's grandfather, they're among the finest examples of Early Romanesque art in Germany, both for their architecture and for their magnificent frescoes. Also of note at the northwestern tip of the island is the 14th-century Schloss Windegg.

Hike or Bike the Lake Constance Trail (Bodensee-Rundwanderweg)

Walkers and cyclists are well catered to by the excellent Lake Constance Trail (Bodensee-Rundwanderweg). This spectacular trail network encircles the entire lake at varying distances from its shores for about 272 kilometers. Within Germany, the trail frequently follows the paths waymarked by the Black Forest Association (Schwarzwaldverein).

Highlights you'll encounter along the way include the Wollmatinger Ried nature reserve, as well as the majority of the lake's small villages, the historic towns of Lindau and Konstanz, and the islands of Reichenau and Mainau. You can join a hiking tour, which can last anywhere from a day to a week or even longer. Even casual walkers and cyclists can enjoy the trail, as it's easily accessible at numerous entry points around the lake.

The German Stilthouse Museum

A highlight of a visit to Lake Constance is a chance to visit the wonderful Pfahlbaumuseum Unteruhldingen. Literally translated as the Pile Dwelling Museum, it's usually referred to as "the German Stilthouse Museum." This fascinating attraction consists of an open-air museum with reconstructions of stone- and bronze-age homes.

Opened in 1922, it's a wonderful way to spend time exploring living conditions of the lake's original residents, dating as far back as 6,000 years. Tours take in re-created buildings on the shore before delving into the heart of the attraction, the Lake Dwellings, built over the water on piles and offering superb views of the area's stunning scenery.

English-language guided tours are included in the price of admission and last up to an hour.

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

Exploring Lake Constance by Boat

Exploring Lake Constance can easily be done by boat, a mode of transportation that offers many opportunities for sightseeing without needing a car. Tourist boat services on Lake Constance run from mid-April to mid-October, the main routes including Konstanz, Überlingen, Kreuzlingen, and Lindau, with many additional stops being made to smaller communities.

There are also ferry services capable of carrying cars, 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 at Konstanz.

During the summer, numerous excursions of various kinds are offered, from whole-day or half-day trips to shorter breakfast or lunch trips. There are also fun journeys including evening mystery excursions.

Hohentwiel

Perched high atop the ancient volcano of Hohentwiel stand the ruins of Hohentwiel Castle (Schloss Hohentwiel), one of the largest and most impressive castle ruins in all of Germany. Located just 30 kilometers west of Lake Constance near Singen, it's an easy place to find, as both the hill and the castle stand out dramatically from their surrounds.

While the now much-eroded volcano is many millions of years old, the historic castle dates back to 914 CE and was part of a fortress complex that included a monastery. It remained in use right up until the 1800s, and in that time withstood countless sieges, as well as serving later on as a prison.

Today, it's a delightful place to explore for its interesting history, as well as its amazing views over Singen and the surrounding countryside.

Explore Meersburg's "Old" Castle

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

Notable as the oldest still-inhabited castle in Germany, it's well worth visiting for its interesting interiors, with highlights that include the Fortress Museum with its many original artifacts and furnishings. Be sure to also take a peek at the old dungeon and torture chamber. All told some 30 rooms can be visited as part of a self-guided tour, including the kitchen and bakery, guards room, and armory. A restaurant is also located on-site.

Address: Schloßpl. 10, 88709 Meersburg, Germany

Tour Meersburg's "New" Castle

Just a short stroll away from Meersburg's Old Castle is the New Castle (Neues Schloss). This attractive 18th-century edifice with its Baroque flourishes was completed in 1712 as a palace of the Prince Bishops. Now open to the public, the castle houses the Town Gallery (Städtische Galerie) and the Dornier Museum, both worth visiting for their impressive displays and exhibits related to local history and culture.

The New Castle is also where you'll find the Palace Museum of the Prince Bishops (Fürstbischöfliche Schlossmuseum), which includes a variety of rooms preserved in their original manner. Also worth a visit are the castle grounds, which include a lovely garden terrace boasting magnificent views over Lake Constance.

After exploring these two lovely castles, be sure to spend time visiting some of the historic castle-inspired attractions in the old town of Meersburg itself. Highlights include the town square, or Schlossplatz, notable for its large old clock with an attractive face portraying Chronos, the God of Time, and the pleasant Castle Chapel.

Also worth seeing are the two old town gates that have survived since medieval times, along with a number of well-preserved half-timbered houses. For those with an interest in German literature, the Droste Museum is worth popping into for its mementos and displays of original writing by poet Annette von Droste-Hülshoff.

Address: Schloßpl. 13, 88709 Meersburg, Germany

Heiligenberg Castle

Another area castle that has seen continued ownership and occupancy over the centuries is the beautiful German Renaissance-era Castle Heiligenberg (Schloss Heiligenberg).

Built in the 16th century on the ruins of an old medieval fortress, Castle Heiligenberg is considered to be one of the luckiest castles in the country. Not only has it survived countless conflicts intact, it was miraculously spared during the Thirty Years War after an attempt to destroy it with barrels of explosives ended up failing after the fuses had been lit.

These days, in addition to enjoying its superb views over Lake Constance, visitors can explore the huge two-story-tall Grand Hall. This splendid room is notable for its elegant wood ceiling and floor, along with its many fine artworks and old coats-of-arms.

Be sure to also visit the equally fascinating Castle Chapel. It's home to the family's crypt and a burial place for family members since 1586. Also worth seeing is the Fürstenberg Collections with its fine displays of historic uniforms, chalices, and trophies.

Also of interest are unique artifacts, such as a portable urinal that once belonged to Napoleon and an impressive natural history collection. Regular events from musical concerts to Christmas festivals and polo matches are held here. English-language guided tours are available.

Address: 64342 Seeheim-Jugenheim, Germany

Salem Abbey and Palace

The town of Salem should certainly be included on your Lake Constance itinerary. Here, you'll be rewarded with a chance to explore the lovely Salem Abbey and Palace (Kloster und Schloss Salem), a former Cistercian monastery in one of the most beautiful settings in the area.

The monastery itself can trace its history all the way back to the 12th century and was once the most important such site in the country. After secularization, interesting decorative Baroque flourishes were added to the surviving Gothic-style monastery buildings, making for a unique display that has remained largely unchanged since then.

An on-site museum showcases the "Masterpieces of the Imperial Abbey," including many fine original artworks and furnishings. Other highlights include a collection of antique firefighting equipment; the delightful gardens, complete with an adventure playground for the kids; plus a shop and on-site dining. English-language guided tours and audio guides are available.

If time allows, be sure to also visit the famous Affenberg Salem, home to one of Europe's largest open-air monkey enclosures. This fascinating attraction is home to some 200 or so Barbary macaques. Feeding time is a great time to visit.

Address: Kloster und Schloss, 88682 Salem, Germany

Bregenz, Austria

Located on Lake Constance's southeastern shore, the small city of Bregenz is a great place to visit if you're looking to sample Austria. This vibrant cultural center is popular for its many interesting festivals, the largest of which, the Bregenz Festival, features an array of operatic and orchestral performances.

Given its size and beautiful lakeside setting, Bregenz is immensely fun to explore on foot. Starting at the harbor, follow the lovely Lake Promenade (Seepromenade) past an array of pleasant shops and cafés.

From the waterfront, you're an easy walk to some of the prettiest parts of Old Town Bregenz. Along the way, you'll want to watch out for the old market square, notable for its many historic buildings and churches, some dating back to the 17th century.

Read More: Best Places to Visit in Austria

Map of Tourist Attractions around Lake Constance