In a nutshell
- Local expert Anja answers questions about the Lake Constance region in our Heimatliebe series and shares her very personal insider tips on sights, restaurants, and hotels at Lake Constance.
- Together with Lake Müritz in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Lake Constance is the largest lake in Germany.
- Countless water activities, a stunning mountain backdrop, and charming towns — Lake Constance is a deservedly popular vacation destination.
- There’s no shortage of things to do at Lake Constance: sailing, cycling, hiking, or indulging in great restaurants.
Tips and Info for a Vacation at Lake Constance
Before we dive into our Lake Constance tips, here are a few general pointers to help you plan your trip.
Location
Lake Constance is located in the far south of Germany. Most of it lies in Baden-Württemberg, with a small section belonging to Bavaria. Parts of the lake also extend into Switzerland and Austria.
Larger towns on the lake include Konstanz and Friedrichshafen on the German side, and Bregenz on the Austrian side.
From Stuttgart and Munich, it’s about two and a half hours by car to Lake Constance. From Freiburg, it’s just under two hours. Ulm is only a little over an hour away.
Hotel Tips
These are our hotel recommendations for Lake Constance at every price point:
Interview with a Local: The Best Insider Tips for Lake Constance
Our Expert
I’m Anja Fischer, editor of the online travel magazine Glücksmomente-Charmingplaces. I live in Ravensburg — which is very close to Lake Constance.
Traveling and discovering beautiful places is both my profession and my passion. I was the owner of a boutique travel agency for more than two decades. Today, I share insider travel tips with my readers through the platform Glücksmomente-Charmingplaces.
I especially appreciate living near beautiful Lake Constance. We have the gorgeous Allgäu, the mountains, and the lake right on our doorstep.
When I get a craving for Italy, I can be at the northern Italian lakes or in Milan within just a few hours. What more could you ask for?
Lake Constance in Three Words
Mountains, water, vineyards
Why Go There?
536 square kilometers of lake surface means water as far as the eye can see! Lake Constance sits in the Alpine foothills and, in Anja’s view, is one of the most beautiful nature destinations in Germany.
At 63 kilometers long, it’s the third-largest lake in Central Europe. Lake Constance is home to many charming resort towns, and in summer the conditions are perfect for all kinds of water sports. Sailing and windsurfing are especially popular.
The region is attractive year-round, with plenty of activities for visitors of all ages. There’s the Lake Constance Cycle Path, which goes all the way around the lake, and the gorgeous flower island of Mainau.
There are also beautiful cities like Lindau and Konstanz. Konstanz is even one of the most beautiful small towns in Germany in our view. And of course, you can’t forget the nearby Alps — a paradise for mountain sports enthusiasts in both summer and winter.
What Makes Lake Constance Unique
A sailing tour with your own skipper! To sail on Lake Constance, you need a special Lake Constance sailing license — even if you’re an experienced sailor or ocean-going captain. The lake’s location, weather conditions, and shallow areas make it challenging even for the pros.
That’s why Anja recommends sailing with an experienced skipper. Her top pick at Lake Constance is the company Bodensee Skipper from Konstanz.
Owner Joyce and her team don’t just take you out for a few pleasant hours on the water — they share their passion for sailing with you in a wonderfully authentic way.
Things to Do at Lake Constance
Must-Sees
The list is seriously endless! The lake is large, and the highlights are just as diverse. Here’s a quick rundown of Anja’s top 11 things to see at Lake Constance.
- Konstanz: A beautiful historic center with lovely shops and restaurants. We’d highly recommend a guided tour of Konstanz — you’ll learn so much about the city’s fascinating history.
- Flower Island Mainau: A riot of color and variety — seriously stunning.
- Pfahlbaumuseum Unteruhldingen: One of the largest open-air museums in Europe, showcasing reconstructed pile-dwelling settlements from the Stone and Bronze Ages.
- Affenberg Salem: More than 200 free-roaming Barbary macaques live in a 20-hectare woodland area. A perfect outing for families.
- Weingut Aufricht: Wine is a big deal at Lake Constance. One of the best-known wineries is Weingut Aufricht.
- Old Town of Lindau: A tiny island of just under 0.7 square kilometers in Lake Constance, with an absolutely charming, romantic old quarter.
- Monastery Island Reichenau: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, connected to the mainland by a causeway with both a walking path and a bike path.
- Rhine Falls in Schaffhausen: A spectacular natural wonder — it ranks among the most water-rich waterfalls in Europe.
- Bregenz Festival: A lakeside festival held every year in July and August in Bregenz, the capital of the Austrian state of Vorarlberg.
- Sailing with a skipper on Lake Constance!
- Marienschlucht: Starting in March 2026, the Marienschlucht will be open again. Expect panoramic walkways, stream paths, and cool viewing platforms — also perfect for families.
When It Rains
A visit to one of the thermal baths at Lake Constance is a great call on a rainy day. The thermal spa in Lindau is very modern. The wellness area with sauna and spa, plus a sports and family pool, leaves nothing to be desired — and that goes for the food, too!
The spa also has access to a lake beach. That’s great in summer anyway, and in winter it’s also worth a visit for cold-water swimming enthusiasts.
There are also excellent thermal baths in Meersburg and Überlingen.
With Kids
Head to one of the countless outdoor pools at Lake Constance! That only makes sense if the weather cooperates, of course. When it’s raining or in winter, the thermal spas are a great option for the whole family.
The Affenberg in Salem and the sailing adventure with your own skipper are also fantastic choices for a vacation with kids.
In Winter
Absolutely! Lake Constance is a wonderful destination year-round. Summer is a given, but even in winter the towns around the lake offer plenty of cultural activities.
What really draws visitors in winter, though, are the Alpine ski slopes. Anja recommends the Austrian region of Vorarlberg in particular — it borders Lake Constance directly and has excellent skiing.
For Relaxation
The Charmingplace Apartments Schloß Kirchberg is a wonderful place to stay at Lake Constance — you’ll feel a little like lord or lady of the manor.
A truly magical moment: Walking the short path through the vineyards down to the lake before breakfast for a dip in the cool water. Bliss!
Best Viewpoint
You’ll get a stunning panorama from Mount Pfänder. You can take the cable car to the summit, but hiking up Bregenz’s local mountain is even better.
The ascent takes about 1.5 hours from Bregenz and is suitable for families — though your kids should be reasonably fit, otherwise they’ll probably start complaining pretty quickly.
Best Photo Spot
You’ll find great photo spots in the beautiful park of the Hotel Bad Schachen in Lindau. The backdrop of Lake Constance makes for stunning shots.
The waterfront promenade in Friedrichshafen also offers plenty of wonderful photo opportunities.
Craziest Activity
A ride on a Zeppelin. The Zeppelin was actually invented right here in Friedrichshafen.
Several providers offer flights lasting around 45 minutes. You can book scenic rides, for example, on the Zeppelinflug website.
Best Event of the Year
In Anja’s view, the absolute standout is the Bregenz Festival, which takes place every year in the height of summer. The floating stage in Bregenz is, by the way, the largest in the world.
The festival features spectacular operas and concerts, among other things. Against the natural backdrop of Lake Constance, it’s an unforgettable experience.
A vacation in July or August at Lake Constance is absolutely worth it just for this alone!
Food and Drink at Lake Constance
Culinary Specialty
Since Lake Constance borders the Alpine region, you’ll find many classic Alpine dishes — especially toward Lindau and Bregenz.
In this area, Anja’s top recommendation is the legendary Käsespätzle — a classic cheese noodle dish that you really shouldn’t leave without trying.
Lake Constance also has some special fish dishes to offer. There are a few varieties native to the lake, such as Bodenseefelchen (Lake Constance whitefish) and Eglifisch (perch). Both are served in various preparations all around the lake.
Favorite Restaurants
Anja loves Pinot, which is part of Weingut Schmidt. It’s located above the village of Wasserburg and has a fantastic view. The menu is small and refined — she can truly recommend everything. Be sure to order a glass of wine from the estate’s own vineyard.
Schuppen 13 in Langenargen is also one of her top picks for a restaurant at Lake Constance. It offers a lovely atmosphere right on the water and delicious Italian food — the pasta dishes are fantastic.
If you’re staying in a vacation rental at Lake Constance with a kitchen, consider having Helmut Feuerlein cook for you. It’s a really cool experience — he comes to your place and whips up outstanding dishes.
Best Ice Cream
Anja loves Kibele Eis in Hagnau.
They have delicious ice cream creations to go. There’s no seating, but with an ice cream in hand, you can stroll beautifully along the lakeside promenade. The staff are also super friendly.
Day Trips and Outdoor Activities at Lake Constance
Swimming at Lake Constance
Anja especially recommends the Seebad Fischbach with outdoor pool. It’s a really well-thought-out facility that has won awards for its family-friendliness.
You can look forward to a natural beach and plenty of shady trees. Thanks to the heated indoor area, a visit is just as fun in the rain. The value for money is great, too.
Most Beautiful Hike
A great hike at Lake Constance is the one up the Pfänder, Bregenz’s local mountain. You’ll enjoy stunning views of the lake throughout the entire route.
If you don’t feel like walking back down, you can take the gondola into the valley. But don’t miss a cold shandy at the Pfänderdohle first.
Most Beautiful Cycling Route
The Lake Constance Cycle Path goes all the way around the lake and is 260 kilometers long. It’s typically ridden clockwise — that is, going right.
The entire route is divided into eight stages, but you can also circle the lake with fewer stops.
Best Stroll?
Anja’s pick for the best stroll at Lake Constance is Konstanz. Charming little shops and cozy restaurants around every corner.
But her hometown of Ravensburg is also beautiful. It’s only about 30 minutes from Lake Constance and is one of the best towns for shopping in the entire region.
Where to Stay at Lake Constance
A Special Hotel
In Anja’s view, Hotel RIVA in Konstanz is one of the best addresses at Lake Constance.
The Charmingplace Apartments Schloß Kirchberg is also particularly lovely — beautiful vacation apartments with a wonderful attention to detail!
Best Base
There’s actually no single specific recommendation, since there are so many beautiful spots around the lake that make a great base for exploring.
That said, Anja leans toward towns on the German or Austrian side — the panorama is a little more beautiful than from the Swiss side.
