SIGHTSEEING
Lake Constance, the so-called Swabian Sea, offers a plethora of sightseeing opportunities around its shores, which are shared by three neighbouring countries (Austria, Switzerland and Germany) fascinating historical towns, countless attractions, exciting museums and breathtaking scenic wonders.
The Island of Mainau, Lake Constance - Germany
The nicest way of reaching the “Flowering Isle” of Mainau is definitely by boat. Quite apart from the unrivalled flower gardens, there is a lot more to discover here. This little island paradise is owned by the Bernadottes, who are descended from the Swedish royal family.
Intoxicating colours and scents
A mass of luxuriant blooms the whole year round; a park with a stand of trees more than 150 years old; the Baroque splendour of palaces and churches; plus a heady Mediterranean feel to everything. This is Mainau, the floral island in Lake Constance.
Botanical walking tour
There is an awful lot to marvel at on the Isle of Mainau, especially when it comes to botanical gems. The renowned collection of roses with over 1,200 different types and species is spread over two locations on the island. The best place to enjoy this Queen of Flowers’ heady scents and intoxicating beauty is doubtless the Italian rose garden.
The Rhine Falls Schaffhausen - Switzerland
The Rhine Falls, the largest waterfall in Europe, is a mind-blowing sight for visitors.
You can approach either from the Schaffhausen side, where the car park is directly next to the waterfall, or down a flight of steps from Laufen Castle.
With a width of over 150 metres, the Falls hurl immense quantities of water, thundering and seething, 23 metres down over the precipice. The most impressive view of the water’s dramatic power is from the Rhine Falls basin, on the Schaffhausen side of the river. From here it is possible to take a boat ride out to the central rocks. An experience not to be missed!
Friedrichshafen – Zeppelin and Dornier Museums - Germany
Friedrichshafen is famous for zeppelins and aircraft building. Today it is a wealthy industrial city with more than 50,000 inhabitants, and the longest promenade on Lake Constance. Its two museums – Zeppelin and Dornier – are both well worth the detour.
This town is not just another tourist Mecca, it is famous as the city of zeppelins. Among its attractions are, for example, the zeppelin monument, the school museum and the palace church, as well as various other fascinating museums.
Take a stroll along the lakeside promenade past the Zeppelin museum, the harbour and the many hotels and shops. It’s a great walk with fabulous views out across the waters of the “Swabian Sea”. A car ferry links Friedrichshafen with Romanshorn on the Swiss side of the lake.
The White Fleet
Choose from a selection of attractive round trips and excursions - explore Lake Constance by boat! It's the simplest and most comfortable way of visiting the loveliest places on the lake.
Switch off and enjoy the views of the Alps over a cup of coffee and a piece of cake. Or why not try a glass of local whitre wine? Popular round trips starting from Bad Schachen take you via the Wasserburg Peninsula to Bregenz Bay. You can also combine a Lake Constance boat trip with a walking or cycling tour.
The Museum of the Village on Stilts – Unteruhldingen - Germany
Discover the World Heritage listed “village on stilts”, stroll across a walkway over Lake Constance and be amazed at ancient Stone Age technology – the stilt village brings the distant past and a long forgotten world back to life. Here in Unteruhldingen, in a spectacular site above Lake Constance, 23 houses on stilts have been reconstructed to form an extensive museum complex. Here in what is the oldest open-air archeological museum in Germany, visitors can marvel at an amazing collection of everyday household items from the Stone and the Bronze Ages.