In a nutshell
- Our two insiders Franziska and Lukas answer 22 questions about their adopted hometown in our Heimatliebe series and share their very personal insider tips for the best attractions, restaurants, activities, and hotels in Konstanz.
- Konstanz is the largest city on Lake Constance — diverse, indulgent, and home to a beautifully preserved historic old town.
- Enjoy the lake and stunning mountain views, or wander through the city and discover the many highlights Konstanz has to offer.
- The surrounding area is packed with great day-trip destinations — including Mainau Island, Reichenau Island, and the charming Swiss city of Stein am Rhein.
Tips and Info for a Vacation in Konstanz
Before we get to our interview, here’s the most important info you need before visiting Konstanz.
Location
Konstanz is in the very south of Germany, in the state of Baden-Württemberg.
More specifically, it sits right on the shores of beautiful Lake Constance.
Lake Constance is where Germany, Austria, and Switzerland all meet at a tri-border point.
Zurich is under an hour away by car, and Freiburg is just 100 kilometers as the crow flies.
Our Hotel Picks
Here are our hotel recommendations for Konstanz to suit every budget:
Interview with Two Locals: The Best Insider Tips for Konstanz
Our Experts
We’re Franziska and Lukas — world travelers, nature lovers, and travel bloggers. Since 2014 we’ve been exploring the world together, and since early 2021 we’ve been sharing our big and small adventures on our personal travel blog.
We fulfilled a longtime dream by writing about what we love while also inspiring other travel enthusiasts along the way.
We originally come from the beautiful region of Lower Franconia, specifically the culturally diverse city of Würzburg and its surroundings.
We then moved together to gorgeous Lake Constance — our adopted home. We love living right on the water in such a fantastic vacation spot. And by now we know the Lake Constance area and the region around Konstanz far better than most of our neighbors.
Konstanz in Three Words
Indulgent, diverse, historic!
Why Go There?
Konstanz is the largest city on Lake Constance and yet still one of the most beautiful small towns in Germany. It’s a historic, indulgent city that’s full of surprises.
For us, Konstanz is one of the most beautiful and charming cities on the lake. No other city on Lake Constance has such a well-preserved old quarter that is at the same time so lively and culturally diverse.
While you can set off on a historic exploration tour in the Niederburg neighborhood, life unfolds right next door along the Konstanz lakefront promenade! You can relax at a cozy café with views of Lake Constance or admire the sights, like the imposing Imperia statue.
A vacation in Konstanz pairs perfectly with a day trip to not just one but two islands on Lake Constance: the vegetable island of Reichenau and the flower island of Mainau.
Mainau Island, the third-largest island on Lake Constance, is one of the most beautiful day-trip destinations in the area and combines wonderfully with a city visit to Konstanz.
Reichenau Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is without question one of the most popular spots on Lake Constance. Vast vegetable fields, historic buildings, and beautiful beaches all await — see for yourself.
If those aren’t two more reasons to visit Konstanz!
What Makes Konstanz Unique
What’s truly one of a kind: from 1414 to 1418, the only papal election north of the Alps took place here in the free imperial city of Konstanz. A visit to the Konstanz Council building is therefore something special that simply doesn’t exist anywhere else north of the Alps.
Things to Do in Konstanz
Must-Sees
After a stroll through Konstanz’s oldest neighborhood, Niederburg, we love showing friends and family the lakefront promenade with the impressive Imperia statue and the Council building whenever they come to visit.
We also like to make a detour to Dominican Island. Shopping in the historic center is a must on every visit. And of course, don’t miss the Konstanz Minster of Our Lady.
Our tip: The view over the Konstanz old town from the Minster tower is absolutely fantastic!
The impressive Imperia statue is the world’s largest monument to a courtesan and stands an incredible nine meters tall. The figure weighs 18 tons and was cast from concrete. The Imperia completes one full rotation on its own axis every four minutes. Inside its base, by the way, is the oldest water gauge station in Baden-Württemberg — since 1816, the water level of Lake Constance has been regularly measured and recorded here.
When It Rains
When the weather turns, we’d head to one of the museums, like the Rosgartenmuseum, or pass the time at one of our favorite cafés, such as Café das Voglhaus.
With Kids
That one’s easy: rent a pedal boat with a slide and head out onto Lake Constance. Fun is guaranteed!
Best Day-Trip Destination
Even though we really love Konstanz, we appreciate the peace and quiet of nature just a little bit more. The most beautiful day-trip destinations nearby are Reichenau Island, Mainau Island, and the Mindelsee Bird Sanctuary.
During your stay, you should definitely not miss a day trip to the beautiful city of Meersburg on Lake Constance.
You can reach the Meersburg old town easily by ferry. Cultural highlights like the oldest inhabited castle in Germany await you there, along with fantastic viewpoints and great restaurants.
And the best part: you get a boat ride across Lake Constance included with that ferry trip!
When we feel the urge to see another country, we simply cross the Swiss border, which is right next to Konstanz. Our favorite excursion is to the Werd Islands and the impressively historic city of Stein am Rhein.
To Relax
We’d simply rent a boat, head out onto the lake, and let our worries drift away. What could be better?
You can rent boats easily right at the Konstanz harbor — everything from pedal boats to motorboats and even sailboats. Motorboats up to 6 HP can be rented without a license.
Best Viewpoint
We actually have two favorite vantage points in Konstanz. First, the view from the Minster tower — you get a fantastic panorama over the historic center from up there. Second, the view from the Hörnle.
The Hörnle isn’t really a traditional overlook, but the vista of the lake from here is absolutely one of a kind. You feel like you’re standing in the middle of the lake, with nothing but water and mountains stretching out behind it. It gets pretty crowded in summer, but in fall or winter you can enjoy it all to yourself.
The view from the Bismarck Tower, just outside of Konstanz, is also well worth a visit.
Best Photo Spot
In Konstanz, it’s really worth looking up. Among all the picturesque little alleyways — which are already stunning just to walk through — an incredible amount is happening right at the rooftops. We especially love Rosgartenstraße.
At the Obermarkt, too, plenty of little surprises await you when you glance upward. And of course, there are the many beautiful rooftop terraces that give Konstanz its uniquely special flair.
A particularly great photo subject is the Franz Fritz wine shop and the surrounding Niederburggasse.
Craziest Activity
One of the most adventurous things to do in Konstanz is ziplining from the Stadtgarten all the way over to Dominican Island.
Stand-up paddleboarding around Dominican Island and the harbor is also really popular. There’s a SUP rental right in the Konstanz harbor.
Best Event of the Year
Konstanz is known for the Konstanzer MusikFestival, which delights visitors every year with an excellent mix of classical music and jazz. Music lovers and culture enthusiasts get top-class performances at evening concerts held in the historic great hall of the former island monastery.
Also worth attending is the Konstanzer Weinfest, which under normal circumstances takes place every summer on the last weekend of July at Sankt-Stephans-Platz.
The summer highlight that draws tens of thousands of visitors from far beyond the region is the Konstanzer Seenachtfest right on Lake Constance.
You can look forward to the largest fireworks display over an inland lake in all of Europe! Every year on a weekend in August, the Konstanz harbor area transforms into one giant festival stage.
Best Museum in Konstanz
Don’t miss the Rosgartenmuseum. Founded in 1870 by Konstanz pharmacist and city councilman Ludwig Leiner, it serves as the art and cultural history museum of the city and the Lake Constance region, with extensive collections covering the history of both.
Our tip: The best time to visit is on Wednesdays from 2 PM onward or on the first Sunday of every month, when admission is free. The museum is closed on Mondays.
Favorite Neighborhood
Our absolute favorite thing to do is wander through Niederburg, the oldest neighborhood in Konstanz, and soak up the historic buildings and narrow alleyways.
You’ll find small shops, cozy restaurants and wine bars, and historic front doors around every corner. The lanes of Niederburg have existed since the Middle Ages and give the area a truly special atmosphere.
Food and Drink in Konstanz
Culinary Specialty
You absolutely have to try the freshly caught Lake Constance fish. Special culinary highlights served year-round include whitefish, perch, and pike-perch.
And of course, it tastes best at a restaurant right on the harbor with a view of the lake. We recommend the Konstanzer Hafenhalle — it’s a restaurant, beer garden, and café all in one.
Or the Konstanzer Konzil restaurant for those who prefer a more classic, touristy atmosphere.
Our insider tip: The Anglerstuben restaurant serves excellent regional food with fantastic service in an absolutely welcoming setting. Only fresh, carefully selected products from the Lake Constance region and southern Baden are used — the upscale cuisine is outstanding. You absolutely have to try the fish soup.
Favorite Restaurants
One of our favorite spots in Konstanz is the Spanish tapas bar La Bodega in the Niederburg neighborhood, near the Pulverturm. Canarian dishes and tapas await you in this charming restaurant with wooden tables and fireplace-red walls adorned with fishing nets.
Voglhaus, with its enormous selection of coffees from all over the world and delicious vegan treats, is right in the Konstanz historic center and is our absolute favorite café. Seriously, try the quiche and the Mexican wrap, along with a homemade lemonade and the super delicious chocolate cookies!
Best Burger
In our opinion, that’s at the NamNam Club. The NamNam Club stands for quality and sustainability, winning you over with handmade food and freshly baked burger buns every day. There are three vegetarian options — you have to try the tasty veggie “like Chicken” Classic Burger with its vegan, cornflake-breaded patty.
Great meat quality, a wonderful location, and fantastic cocktails can be found at DOM Konstanz. In three steps you can build your burger completely from scratch — from the base to the toppings to the sides.
Best Ice Cream
We usually seek out smaller, off-the-beaten-path ice cream shops, but in Konstanz we were won over by Eiscafé Nicoletti right on the Marktstätte. Incredibly friendly service and fantastic homemade ice cream.
Best Breakfast
We have to say it again: Café Voglhaus. We love the coffee specialties there. The incredibly delicious raspberry slices are a must-try too.
Going Out at Night?
Konstanz has a seriously great atmosphere for a night out, and the options are nearly endless. We love spending evenings at one of the many cozy bars in the city.
Our favorite spot after dark is the historic old town and the Niederburg neighborhood. Numerous modern bars, cafés, pubs, and cozy wine bars make for great nights out here.
You absolutely have to check out the Dom Café and the Globetrotter Bar. In summer, don’t miss an evening visit to the Strandbar Konstanz — vacation vibes guaranteed! The Petershausen neighborhood also offers some great bar options in the evening.
Where to Stay in Konstanz
Our Hotel Pick
If you value exclusivity: the wonderful Steigenberger Inselhotel on Dominican Island offers a truly special stay. In 1235, a Dominican monastery was built on Dominican Island just off Konstanz. Today, only the Steigenberger Inselhotel, the Rothaus beer garden, and the chapter house of the former monastery remain on the island.
If you’re after an upscale hotel: the 4-star Hotel 47° is extremely luxurious, with a fantastic breakfast and a beautiful view of Konstanz.
If you’d rather stay at a campground or somewhere more unusual: the Campingplatz Klausenhorn is right on the water. You have the unique opportunity to spend the night in sleeping barrels, converted wagons, or cabins right on the lake — well-equipped and inspired by the accommodations used some 600 years ago during the Council of Konstanz.
