Welcome to Lake Constance

Welcome to Lake Constance

Internationale Bodensee Tourismus GmbH www.bodensee.eu

Lake Constance – View from the west looking east

Lake Constance – View from the west looking east

Surrounded by four countries – Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein – Lake Constance, Europe’s third-largest inland lake and a drinking water reservoir for 4 million people, is the region’s common focal point.

Constance – Town on the water

Constance is the largest town on Lake Constance. Arriving from the water, we are welcomed at the harbour by Imperia. This voluptuous lady turned the heads of the clergy and noblemen back in the days of the Council of Constance (1414 – 1418).

Constance – Town of culture

Constance has plenty to offer art enthusiasts and culture buffs. The Council Building, the cathedral and Niederburg district are all worth a visit.

The Council of Constance

From 2014 to 2018, Constance welcomes guests to Lake Constance to celebrate the 600th anniversary of the Council of Constance under the title “Europe is a guest�. A wide range of cultural, experiential and scientific events recall the unique council that transformed Constance into a centre for encounters and inspiration towards the end of the Middle Ages.

Mainau Island

On Mainau Island, flowers, shrubs, trees and bushes can be admired all year round in their many facets and fantastic colours.

Mainau Castle

The flower island on Lake Constance is famous for the magnificent parks and gardens surrounding the Baroque castle belonging to the Bernadottes, who are related to the Swedish royal family.

Lower Lake

The Untersee, or Lower Lake, at the westernmost end of Lake Constance on the Swiss-German border is a well-kept secret for many holidaymakers. Flanked by attractive hills, its unique landscape and cultural diversity attract visitors from far and wide.

Reichenau Island – UNESCO World Heritage site

The “monastic island of Reichenau” has been included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites as a cultural landscape. The island is also famous for vegetables, salads and herbs of the highest quality.

Arenenberg Castle and Park

This estate surrounded by picturesque parklands was once the residence of French Emperor Napoleon III and his mother Queen Hortense and is today home to the Napoleon Museum Thurgau with original furnishings from the days of the Empire.

The Rhine between Lake Constance and the Rhine Falls

A trip on one of the elegant passenger boats along the river Rhine takes visitors past unspoilt shorelands and picturesque little towns. The route between Lake Constance and the Rhine Falls is considered one of Europe’s most attractive river trips.

The Rhine Falls – Europe’s largest waterfall

The Rhine Falls in Schaffhausen are Europe’s largest waterfall and an impressive natural spectacle. A climb to the top of the rock surrounded by thundering masses of water is an unforgettable experience.

Stein am Rhein

Stein am Rhein has one of the most beautiful and best-preserved medieval town centres in Switzerland and is famous for its magnificent painted faรงades.

Hegau – Hohentwiel fortress ruins

Hohentwiel is crowned by one of the largest fortress ruins in Germany with breathtaking views over the volcanic landscape of Hegau and Lake Constance.

Ăœberlingen

Ăœberlingen boasts Mediterranean flair, a varied choice of cultural events, and not least a wonderful lakeside promenade with countless cafes and restaurants.

Birnau pilgrimage church

Birnau, a Baroque church on the shores of Überlingen Lake between the towns of Überlingen and Uhldingen-Mühlhofen, surrounded by the picturesque vineyards of the Margrave of Baden, can be seen for miles.

Winegrowing on Lake Constance

Winegrowing flourishes on Lake Constance thanks to its climate and position. It offers something for everyone – from crisp summer white wines to fruity rosÊs and sublime barrelaged pinot noirs.

Salem Monastery and Palace

Salem Monastery and Palace with its Gothic abbey church, its magnificent halls with Baroque stucco and paintings and the complex’s gardens take visitors on a journey through centuries of monastic culture.

Lake Dwelling Museum in Unteruhldingen

In the Museum of Lake Dwellings, the lives of early farmers and merchants in the Alpine foothills are shown in 23 reconstructed houses. The prehistoric pile dwellings around the Alps are UNESCO World Heritage sites, bringing history to life.

View of Meersburg

Meersburg boasts a medieval fortress and an impressive Baroque castle. Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the idyllic narrow lanes and beautiful squares directly on the shores of Lake Constance.

Meersburg Castle

Meersburg Castle looks back on more than one thousand years of European history and is Germany’s oldest inhabited castle. The famous German poetess Annette von Droste-Hßlshoff lived here during her stays on Lake Constance.

Friedrichshafen

Friedrichshafen is an important hub in the Lake Constance region with its airport and exhibition centre.

Friedrichshafen – Promenade with Zeppelin Museum

Friedrichshafen’s lakeside promenade is one of the longest and most attractive on Lake Constance. On clear days, it offers wonderful panoramic views of the lake and the Alps.

Friedrichshafen – Dornier Museum

Fans of aviation have the choice of two museums in Friedrichshafen: Zeppelin Museum with its unique concept of “Technology and Art” and Dornier Museum dedicated to 100 years of aerospace history.

The Zeppelin

The Lake Constance region is not only a popular holiday destination; it has also produced fantastic inventions. Two names that took the pioneering spirit from Lake Constance out into the world in the first half of the past century were Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin and Claude Dornier.

Langenargen – Montfort Castle

Montfort Castle built in the Moorish style in 1866 stands magnificently in a unique position on a peninsula jutting out into Lake Constance.

Upper Swabia – Weingarten

Weingarten with Germany’s largest Baroque basilica St. Martin, called “Swabian St. Peter”, is a pearl on the Upper Swabian Baroque Route.

Wasserburg on Lake Constance

Wasserburg situated on a landmarked peninsula on the eastern shore of Lake Constance is stunning.

Lindau

Situated on the border between Germany, Austria and Switzerland, the southwesternmost town of the Free State of Bavaria is a gem on Lake Constance. The historic town centre with its famous harbour entrance is built on the largest of the three islands in the lake.

Hohentwiel steam ship

The historic paddle steam ship Hohentwiel launched in 1913 was the seventh steam ship of the Royal Württemberg State Railways. Following extensive renovation work, passengers can now see the Hohentwiel as it was in its heyday and experience a touch of the “belle époque”.

Bregenz – Festival House

Bregenz Festival House is one of the leading event locations in Europe. Its central position, modern architecture and state-of-the-art equipment as well as its distinctive service mentality make it an ideal venue for conferences and events. The Festival House also sets standards in terms of sustainability and has been awarded the Austrian “Green Meetings� environmental label.

Bregenz Summer Festival 2013/2014

Bregenz Summer Festival is a cultural highlight on Lake Constance. This event features topclass performances, the unique atmosphere of the floating stage on the lake and impressive stage sets. The opera and stage sets change every two years.

Bregenz – Pfänder cable car

Pfänder Mountain rises up from the shores of Lake Constance to an altitude of 1,064 metres.

Visitors can take a cable car to the top to enjoy magnificent panoramic views of Lake Constance and the Alps.

The Principality of Liechtenstein – Vaduz Castle

Vaduz Castle is perched high above Vaduz, the capital of the Principality of Liechtenstein. The town’s landmark can be seen from far away.

Switzerland – Säntis Mountain

Säntis in Switzerland can be seen from all over Lake Constance. The cable car takes visitors up almost 1,200 metres in altitude to the top, where they can enjoy the fabulous views from 2,502 metres above sea level.

St. Gallen – Abbey precincts

History buffs will enjoy a visit to this UNESCO site. The abbey precincts of St. Gallen have been a World Heritage site since 1983. The Textile Museum in St. Gallen also offers exciting insights into the Swiss textile industry today and in the past.

St. Gallen collegiate library – a UNESCO World Heritage site

Romanshorn – the Swiss shores of Lake Constance

Romanshorn is an attractive starting point for trips all around Lake Constance and into the Alpine foothills. The large harbour offers a wide choice of water sports.

BodenseeMobil – autobau Romanshorn

autobau Romanshorn is home to a spectacular collection of more than 80 racing cars and exclusive automobiles belonging to the famous Swiss racing driver Fredy Lienhard.

Lake Constance – ideal for bathing

Lake Constance is a popular lake for swimming and bathing. The countless lidos, open-air pools and spas are ideal for having fun in the water. Enjoy a holiday on and in the water, for the body and soul.

Lake Constance – three spas

Holiday makers can relax to their heart’s content in one of the spas on Lake Constance in either Constance, Meersburg or Überlingen.

Boat trips on Lake Constance

Probably one of the best ways to explore the Lake Constance region is on a boat trip. Many destinations around the lake can be reached conveniently by boat. Fantastic views are included in the price.

Well connected

The catamaran (Constance – Friedrichshafen) and the car ferries (Constance – Meersburg and Friedrichshafen – Romanshorn) connect towns across the lake.

Lake Constance Cycle Track

The Lake Constance Cycle Track around the lake is 273 kilometres long, making the region an attractive destination for active holiday makers.

A lake for all seasons

In winter, visitors can experience a quieter, more contemplative but no less fascinating aspect of the lake. Plenty of destinations also offer things to do in the colder seasons, because Lake Constance is open 365 days a year.

Christmas magic on Lake Constance

Visitors can get into the mood for Christmas at the many Christmas markets around the lake – in historic town centres, along the lake, like here in Constance’s harbour, or in Baroque castles, as well as on Christmas cruises on the boats of the Lake Constance Shipping Company.

Vibrant traditions

During Swabian-Alemannic “Fasnet”, winter is banished with much ado. The carved wooden masks and traditional costumes worn by the groups of “Narren”, or fools, running through the streets are an impressive sight.

One lake. Four countries. A thousand possibilities!

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