Explore The Most Charming Spots To Visit Around Lake Constance
As my two-hour rail journey from听Munich听came to a halt 鈥� the train could travel no further, I was in Lindau, the end of the line 鈥� I knew my hunch that听Lake Constance听was a bucket list-worthy travel destination was spot on. Known as Bodensee in German, Lake Constance is impressive in size:听Central Europe鈥檚 third-largest freshwater lake, this spectacular body of water is 39 miles long and shared between Germany,听Austria, and听Switzerland, three of the best places to visit anywhere on the planet. How could it be anything other than awesome?
Not only that, but I knew that in addition to its beautiful scenery, a mix of rolling German countryside with vineyard-adorned slopes on one side and the Austrian and听Swiss Alps听on the other, Lake Constance was of cultural and historical significance. Inhabited since the Stone Age, this fertile region was of importance to the Romans as well as the rival states that grew up around it.听
My research also confirmed that Lindau, located on the lake鈥檚 north shore near its westernmost point, was the ideal base from which to explore this beautiful corner of Europe. From here, I was able to spend three glorious days in early October enjoying its mild climate while exploring some of the most charming spots to visit around Lake Constance.
Medieval Lindau
In my opinion, the magnificently preserved architecture of Lindau, especially around its Old Town (Altstadt), rivals that of many of Germany鈥檚 better-known Medieval towns, including the famous Rothenburg. Its quaint cobble-stone streets are fun to explore on foot, especially Maximilianstrasse with its beautifully preserved听Medieval听补苍诲听Renaissance听buildings, many of them now home to classy boutique shops, galleries, caf茅s, and restaurants.
From here, head down to Lindau Hafen, the town鈥檚 harbor area, passing the 15th Century Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus) along the way and stopping for a photo of its richly frescoed fa莽ade. The harbor itself is simply stunning and is where you鈥檒l find two of Lindau鈥檚 most famous historic landmarks: the 20-foot-tall Bavarian Lion (Bayerischer L枚we Lindau), which gazes out (welcomingly, I was told) over the harbor entrance and the nearly 120-foot tall New Lighthouse (Neuer Lindauer Leuchtturm).
The town鈥檚 most charming spot, though, was one I stumbled upon by chance on the last day of my visit. Realizing I hadn鈥檛 explored the island鈥檚 west shoreline, I headed for the Pulverturm, or 鈥淧owder Tower.鈥� Built in 1508 and an integral part of the old city walls, I arrived at the town鈥檚 westernmost point just in time to witness a picture-perfect sunset over Lake Constance.
Cruise Lake Constance听
Hopping aboard one of the many听听that ply the waters here is an excellent way to get to see more of the lake. Several of these operate out of Lindau harbor, where I sailed from, as well as other towns on Lake Constance, including Friedrichshafen. While a variety of cruise options are available, including dinner cruises, I chose a 90-minute tour that journeyed across to the Austrian side of the lake so that I could catch a glimpse of Bregenz from the water.听
The views of Lindau were also awesome, especially from the ship鈥檚 stern as you pass through the harbor entrance into the lake and again from the bow as you return. The best photographs frame the town鈥檚 magnificent Mangturm, the 12th-century tower built to defend the harbor from lakeside attacks, framed by the harbor entrance with its Bavarian Lion and lighthouse.
Regular ferry services also operate out of Lindau, Konstanz, and Friedrichshafen. These include a high-speed catamaran service and a car ferry. Traveling to Lake Constance in the colder weather? Don鈥檛 worry; winter ferry service and cruise vessels operate year-round, offering a different perspective.听
Friedrichshafen
An easy 20-minute train rider from Lindau-Insel train station (an hour by bike or five hours if you choose to hike), the town of Friedrichshafen is another charming spot to include on your Lake Constance travel itinerary. It鈥檚 also a great place to stay for a night or two, especially if you plan on spending time exploring the town鈥檚 deep-rooted connection with Germany鈥檚 aviation history.
It was here in Friedrichshafen that Count Ferdinand Graf von Zeppelin, a one-time military officer turned entrepreneur and inventor, chose to base his iconic airship company. Established in 1900 with the inaugural flight of his legendary line of airships, Zeppelins soon became synonymous with luxury air travel, culminating with the tragic听Hindenburg disaster听of 1937 when the largest and most opulent such airship, the听LZ 129 Hindenburg,听crashed in Manchester Township,听New Jersey.听听
You can learn more about both the man and his invention at the Zeppelin Museum Friedrichshafen. Housed in the town鈥檚 former harbor train station and just steps away from Lake Constance, the museum does a superb job of demonstrating the influence of Zeppelin and his machines on the local community, as well as the country (and the 海角社区) at large.听
While Friedrichshafen is known for its industry 鈥� the famed Dornier aircraft company, also called the town home 鈥� it鈥檚 not without its quiet corners. For me, the most picturesque and charming spot in town was the Schlosshorn, a delightful viewing platform and park located at the base of the Schlosskirche that overlooks the lake. While a 20-minute walk along parks and promenades from the town center, it鈥檚 well worth it for another of those stunning Lake Constance sunsets, especially if you鈥檙e lucky enough as I was to catch a glimpse of a Zeppelin passing overhead.
Take A Zeppelin Flight
Yes, your eyes won鈥檛 deceive you: Zeppelins do still fly out of Friedrichshafen. These modern-day Zeppelins fly out of the Zeppelin Hangar at Friedrichshafen Airport, a short bus ride from the town center. These unique tours over Lake Constance will leave you feeling both exhilarated and amazed that this more than 100-year-old design is as nimble, airworthy, and comfortable as it is.
Operated by听听(Neue Technologie), these state-of-the-art machines are filled with non-flammable helium, so safety isn鈥檛 a concern. The whole experience right up to boarding the aircraft is not unlike that of most airlines, with safety manuals to review and videos to sit through.
Arrive early like I did, and you鈥檒l get to witness the flight before yours takes off, including a first glimpse of the boarding procedure. To ensure weight is distributed evenly through this lighter-than-air aircraft, passengers board one at a time as passengers disembark: one-off, one-on. But with only 14 passengers and two crew members, it鈥檚 a fast procedure.
The first thrill comes with the silent, near-vertical take-off. Once at the cruising altitude of around 1000 feet, we head out over the lake on a tour that covers many of the top attractions on Lake Constance, our vantage point providing excellent aerial views of the towns of Meersburg, Immenstaad, and Konstanz, and attractions including the famous 鈥淔lower Island鈥� of Mainau and the German Stilthouse Museum, a replica of a bronze age village built on the water.
Bike Around Lake Constance
For a truly memorable experience, consider indulging in a multi-day cycling journey around the entirety of Lake Constance. Stretching for 160 miles around the lake and touching all three countries, the Lake Constance Cycle Path sticks close to the shoreline and offers no end of charming views of this beautiful body of water.
Did I do it? Not this trip. But I did speak to several people who did, and every one of them said the 10 to 12 days they鈥檇 spent doing it was the experience of a lifetime. Looks like Lake Constance is back on my bucket list.
The Final Word听
To help you plan your own adventure exploring the most charming spots around Lake Constance, here are a few tips and tactics I picked up along the way:
Getting Around:听Available to purchase from multiple locations around Lake Constance, including rail and bus stations, as well as online, the听听is your ticket to fun experiences in this beautiful region of Europe. These all-inclusive travel cards are available in several multi-day configurations and cover admission to many area attractions, public transit, and adventures, including a Lake Constance boat cruise. Best of all, the card is good in all three surrounding countries, plus the neighboring country of Liechtenstein.
Where to Stay:听In Lindau, I stayed in the excellent Hotel Alte Schule Lindau/Bodensee. Set in a 15th-century former schoolhouse, this charming family-run boutique hotel was not only comfortable but also extremely quiet thanks to its Old Town location. A delicious, healthy buffet breakfast with espresso coffee is included with your stay.
In Friedrichshafen, I stayed in the hip (but not too hip) Lukullum Hotel. This lovely modern hotel boasts excellent views over Lake Constance from its rooftop bar and patio, which also serves delicious traditional dishes with a modern flair.
More Info:听To find out more about the locations I visited, check out the following official tourism board websites (all are in English):
Lindau Tourism @听
Lake Constance Tourism @听
German National Tourist Board @听
