Must-see places around Lake Constance
During our various weekends in Switzerland, we had the opportunity to discover some absolutely beautiful places around Lake Constance.
Lake Constance, known as “Bodensee” in German, is one of Central Europe’s most emblematic natural treasures. Nestled on the border between Germany, Switzerland and Austria, this freshwater lake offers an exceptional blend of natural beauty, rich history and cultural charm.
So, in this article, find out where to go around Lake Constance on both the Swiss and German sides. And to keep things fresh, at the end of the article you’ll find Kiki’s opinion… which may surprise you.
Introduction to Lake Constance
Lake Constance is the third largest lake in Central Europe, covering an impressive 536 square kilometers. It is located in a geographically diverse region, with the majestic Alps to the east and rolling hills to the west. In addition, the lake’s clear waters are fed by several rivers, including the Rhine.
Lake Constance offers a multitude of outdoor activities, including boating, sailing, swimming, hiking and cycling. The marked trails around the lake offer panoramic views of its sparkling waters and the mountains in the background. A tour around Lake Constance is ideal for a successful vacation!
Lake Constance on the Swiss side
On the Swiss side of Lake Constance, there are many charming towns and villages to discover.
Stein am Rhein
The town of Stein am Rhein is a medieval gem with beautifully preserved half-timbered houses. It lies on the north-western shore of Lake Constance, close to the German border.
You can also visit the impressive Rhine Falls, the largest in Europe. In fact, I fell in love with it. It remains one of my fondest memories of my various stays in Switzerland.
Steckborn
You can also visit Steckborn, a 30-minute drive from Schaffhausen. Take the opportunity to discover this beautiful town.
We made a quick stop here, but really enjoyed the charm of this small town. By the way, we had eaten a delicious rosti on the shores of Lake Constance.
Arenenberg Castle
Arenenberg Castle is perched on a hill with panoramic views of Lake Constance and the surrounding area. It is located near the village of Arenenberg, part of the municipality of Salenstein. Today, it houses the Napoleon Museum, which traces the history of the French imperial family and its connection with the region.
We didn’t visit the museum, but we loved the incredible view over Lake Constance.
Arbon
Arbon is a small town with a beautiful promenade along Lake Constance.
It’s not my favorite place around Lake Constance, but it’s still nice for a short visit.
Rorschach
Here, at last, is my favorite place on Lake Constance in Switzerland: Rorschach. Indeed, this small town offers panoramic views of the lake and surrounding mountains. I’ve been there countless times, and I still love it, because I find it so beautiful and soothing.
In fact, Rorschach is less than 20 minutes from the beautiful town of St. Gallen. Take the opportunity to discover its famous abbey, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Romanshorn
If you’re in Romanshorn, you can take a stroll along Lake Constance. It’s great fun! What’s more, you can rest on the grass with a magnificent view of the lake.
Romanshorn also has a pier with ferry links to other destinations around Lake Constance, such as Friedrichshafen in Germany. It’s an excellent starting point for exploring the region.
The German side of Lake Constance
With this perfect transition, here are some places to discover around Lake Constance on the German side.
Friedrichshafen
Friedrichshafen is famous for its Zeppelin Museum. In addition, you can enjoy wonderful walks along the shores of Lake Constance. There are also numerous bars and restaurants where you can enjoy the view while sampling German specialties and drinking beer.
Friedrichshafen is the place to be around Lake Constance.
Lindau
Lindau is a beautiful town on the shores of Lake Constance. It’s particularly famous for its historic island, Lindau insel, linked to the mainland by a bridge and quay. Surprisingly, there are actually trains running on the island!
We really enjoyed exploring Lindau’s historic center, with its narrow, winding streets lined with colorful half-timbered houses, quaint stores, cafés and traditional restaurants.
Lindau is also famous for its bustling harbor, where you can take ferries to Rorschach in Switzerland, Bregenz in Austria and Friedrichshafen in Germany.
Constance
I’ve been talking about Lake Constance since the beginning of this article, but here’s the town of Constance! Stroll through Constance’s historic old town with its picturesque cobbled streets, stores, restaurants and cultural attractions. In fact, we went there during the Christmas market – a great souvenir!
By the way, if you’re in Constance with children, you can discover the SEA LIFE Constance aquarium.
Meersburg
The town of Meersburg is perched on a hill overlooking Lake Constance. It offers spectacular views. It is famous for its well-preserved medieval castle. You can also stroll along its cobbled streets or simply relax in one of its many cafés.
An enchanted getaway in Germany!
How to get to Lake Constance
The nearest airports to Lake Constance are Friedrichshafen and Zurich. Take the opportunity to discover this magnificent city.
Then, to discover the must-see places around Lake Constance, I recommend taking the train, the ideal way to get around Switzerland. Trains are always on time, and above all, they’re clean. However, taking the train in Switzerland comes at a price. You can opt for the Swiss travel pass, which gives you unlimited rail travel for several days.
For more information, visit the official Lake Constance website.
Where to stay near Lake Constance?
If you’re vacationing near Lake Constance, we recommend you find accommodation on the Austrian or German side for the best prices.
By the way, if you have the time and the budget, we can recommend the Mental Spa Hotel Fritsch am Berg in Lochau, Austria. We spent 2 days there and loved the comfort of the room and the SPA.
But also the restaurant with a splendid view of Lake Constance and the surrounding mountains.
There’s even a bookshop where you can spend hours!
All with an exceptional view of Lake Constance.
Kiki’s opinion
Switzerland is a country of countless picturesque lakes! Lake Constance? Well, it doesn’t fall into the “breathtaking” category. Despite numerous visits, Kiki doesn’t really like it. It’s obvious that there are a few hilly highlights missing here, like those on Lake Lucerne or Lake Maggiore. You know, it doesn’t matter if Kiki disagrees with Sophie. And loyal readers are probably already aware of Kiki’s rather peculiar point of view.
But back to Lake Constance. What’s the most beautiful place from Kiki’s point of view? Certainly not Rorschach. It’s so crowded, it’s no place to relax. If Kiki had his choice, he’d say Stein am Rhein is his favorite place. But Stein am Rhein isn’t directly on Lake Constance. That’s why Kiki’s real favorite is Meersburg!
What to see in German-speaking Switzerland
If you’re on vacation in German-speaking Switzerland, you can discover beautiful places like :
- Saint Gall
- Appenzell and the Kronberg
- Solothurn
- The Rhine Falls
- Lucerne
- Saint Moritz
- The Emmental region
- The Jungfraujoch, the roof of Europe
- The Schilthorn
You also can take the train Glacier Express to visit Switzerland.
And if you’d like to know more about Switzerland, read this article with 101 things to know about Switzerland.
And if you want to discover Germany, here are a few ideas for a successful stay:
Finally, if you’re in Austria, here are some suggestions:
