Things to Do in Lake Constance (Bodensee)

Konstanz Port, Konstanz, Germany | Photo by Lisa Fecker on Unsplash

Due to its renovation, the Münster of Konstanz (also known as the Münster Unserer Lieben Frau) is even more beautiful as it proudly represents more than 1,000 years of history. An amalgamation of Baroque, Renaissance, Romanesque and Gothic styles, it used to be the church of the diocese of Konstanz until 1821. Recommended by Feride Yalav-Heckeroth.

Mainau, the Flower Island, Konstanz, Germany | Photo by Harry Dona on Unsplash

You can spend a whole day on the islet of Reichenau, another UNESCO World Heritage Site once famous for producing some of Europe’s most beautiful illuminated manuscripts and frescoes. Nowadays, three gorgeous historic churches from Reichenau’s heyday as well as orchards and wineries have made the islet a definite must-see. Recommended by Feride Yalav-Heckeroth.

Lindau is a town in Bavaria, Germany, known for its gorgeous panorama over the lake and historic architecture from the Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque eras. Lindau’s harbor is guarded by the two most famous landmarks of Lindau—the 33-meter-high (108 ft) lighthouse and the six-meter-high (19.6 ft) lion. The 20-meter-high (65.5 ft) Mangturm Tower with its glazed roof tiles remains an inspiring sight even after it lost its job to the new lighthouse. Travelers willing to climb 89 steps to the top of the tower are rewarded with uninterrupted views over the lake.

You’ll often see a Zeppelin floating over Lake Constance (you can even book a tour flight) and the Zeppelin Museum is the place to revel in the historic significance of this unique aircraft. Housed in the former main train station at the Friedrichshafen lakefront promenade, the Zeppelin Museum’s most impressive display is a full-scale mock-up of the Hindenburg, famous for being the largest airship to have ever been built. Recommended by Feride Yalav-Heckeroth.

The entrance of the old medieval Meersburg Castle | © Feride Yalav-Heckeroth

What was once a Cistercian monastery in 1134 became one of the richest and largest castles in Southern Germany. Nowadays, the grand estate’s west wing serves as an elite boarding school, which Prince Philip briefly attended, and the rest is open to perusing – hedge mazes, gardens and rococo style apartments included. Recommended by Feride Yalav-Heckeroth.

Allgäu, Germany | Photo by Marius Badstuber on Unsplash

You can’t visit Bodensee without becoming familiar with local sculptor Peter Lenk, whose work is scattered all around the Bodensee districts. Even though one of his most controversial works is Ludwigs Erbe (a mural where, among other things, Germany’s politicians are grabbing each other’s genitals in glee), Imperia, the nine-metre-high sculpture at the end of Konstanz’s pier, is his most well-known work. The sculpture depicts a prostitute from a novel by Balzar who lived during the days of the Council of Constance. If you look closely, you’ll see naked sculptures of Pope Martin V and Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund hanging in her grasp. Recommended by Feride Yalav-Heckeroth.

One of the most important sights on the Swiss side of Lake Constance, Rhine Falls is the largest waterfall in Switzerland at 150 metres in width and 23 metres in height. After walking through the lovely Laufen Castle, an elevator takes visitors to a platform overlooking the magnificent waterfall. Recommended by Feride Yalav-Heckeroth.

Cruise ship on Lake Constance, Lindau, Germany | Photo by Max Böttinger on Unsplash

If you want to travel back in time and see what it was like to live by Lake Constance in the Stone and Bronze ages, you’ll definitely have to visit this unique museum. The museum is composed of reconstructed prehistoric pile dwellings that sit right on the water. Recommended by Feride Yalav-Heckeroth.

Bregenz, Austria | Photo by Andreas Weilguny on Unsplash

Another one of Lake Constance’s most beautiful castles, Schloss Arenenberg looks out over the lake and the beautiful surrounding landscape (including Reichenau Island). Built between 1546 and 1548, the castle is famous for being the final domicile of Hortense de Beauharnais, the stepdaughter of Emperor Napoléon I (which is also why the estate houses the Napoleon Museum). Recommended by Feride Yalav-Heckeroth.

Säntis, Switzerland | Photo by Kevin Schmid on Unsplash

It is now possible to travel back in time to the Stone and Bronze ages, thanks to the Stilthouse Museum (Pfahlbau Museum Unteruhldingen). This unique museum showcases reconstructed stilt houses belonging to the natives of this region between approximately 4300 BC and 800 BC. The museum offers guided tours and a wealth of information on the lives of the original inhabitants and their lifestyles.

This former cloister with its gorgeous garden now houses a school and seminar centre, as well as a lovely restaurant, dairy and winery. Make sure to try the house wine, the cheese and the delicious cloister beer after you wander around the idyllic gardens and the museum about the Carthusian way of life. Recommended by Feride Yalav-Heckeroth.

Located on top of an extinct volcano (part of a chain of volcanoes in the Hegau region, which are around seven to eight million years old), the ruins of Fortress of Hohentwiel are truly spectacular. Built in 914 by Burchard III, Duke of Swabia, the fortress later became a prison during the reign of Duke Ulrich von Württemberg. Recommended by Feride Yalav-Heckeroth.

Lake Constance’s famous flower island is indeed a giant garden in full bloom overlooking the beautiful lake. The arboretum on the water was created by the late Frederick I, the Grand Duke of Baden, who purchased the island in 1853 and used the beautiful island palace as his summer retreat. Recommended by Feride Yalav-Heckeroth.

Due to its renovation, the Münster of Konstanz (also known as the Münster Unserer Lieben Frau) is even more beautiful as it proudly represents more than 1,000 years of history. An amalgamation of Baroque, Renaissance, Romanesque and Gothic styles, it used to be the church of the diocese of Konstanz until 1821. Recommended by Feride Yalav-Heckeroth.

Overlooking the valley from its perched position in the village of Heiligenberg, Schloss Heiligenberg is one of Lake Constance’s most beautiful castles. Guided tours are available daily so that visitors can be astounded by the ornate interiors of the Renaissance-style structure. Recommended by Feride Yalav-Heckeroth.

This beautiful pink and white church overlooks a hill of vineyards as well as the lake. Inside the extraordinarily ornate interior is a real work of Rococo exuberance. Built in the 18th century, the church’s terrace is one of the best places to watch the sunset. Recommended by Feride Yalav-Heckeroth.

Constructed in the 11th century by Herren von Bodman, this tall tower has a 360-degree view of the entire landscape, including the lake and the Alps. Be aware that the climb to the top is a bit arduous due to the narrow staircase, but the view is definitely worth it. Recommended by Feride Yalav-Heckeroth.