Lake Constance
Baden-Württemberg, Germany
The third-largest lake in Central Europe, Lake Constance (Bodensee) enjoys a unique setting that borders three countries: Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The strikingly beautiful landscapes surrounding the lake take in some of the best of each, including Alpine foothills, meadows, and orchards.
The Basics
Many travelers visit Lake Constance independently, basing themselves in Lindau or Friedrichshafen and traveling around the lake at their leisure or visiting on a day trip from Zurich. With ample opportunities for sailing and windsurfing, the lake has long attracted water-sports enthusiasts, while other popular activities include hiking, mountain biking, boating, and swimming at the lake’s beaches.
The Lake Constance area is also rich in culture and history and boasts a vast array of architectural treasures, from baroque churches including the Birnau Abbey Church to medieval castles such as Meersburg Castle, the oldest inhabited fortress-castle in Germany. Oenophiles can explore the vineyards along the lake, especially around the German towns of Meersburg and Hagnau.
Things to Know Before You Go
Lake Constance is a must-visit for outdoor enthusiasts.
German is spoken all around the lake, including the Swiss part.
There are many well-maintained cycling paths all around the lake.
How to Get There
The closest airport is Friedrichshafen, Germany, although the airports in Stuttgart, Germany, and Basel and Zurich in Switzerland are all within a 2-hour drive. Konstanz railway station is served by regional and long-distance services operated by Deutsche Bahn and Swiss Federal Railways; other major railway stations around the lake include Friedrichshafen, Radolfzell, and Lindau, all in Germany.
When to Get There
Most visitors come to Lake Constance in the summer in order to make the most of the opportunities to enjoy water sports, swimming, and the beaches. Don’t discount the winter, though; it’s a great time to visit the Christmas markets, particularly those in Lindau and Konstanz, which offer live music, ice skating, and seasonal food.
See 6 Countries
On the Swiss side of the lake, the Säntis Cableway whisks visitors up the 8,209-foot-high (2,502-meter-high) Säntis Mountain. On a clear day you can see six countries from the observation deck at the peak: Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Italy, France, and Lichtenstein.
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