9 best things to do in Konstanz, Germany

Located on the third largest lake in Europe, Konstanz is the largest city on Lake Constance (known as Bodensee in German). It is one of the lucky cities to survive WWII intact and features charming architecture and attractions, all within sight of the water. There is a Mediterranean feel to this German city and you could be forgiven for spending your time like you’re on the beach.

01
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Get to the heart of Konstanz

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+49 7531 90620

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Konstanz’s history is over 1,000 years old and many of the buildings in its old town, known from Niederburg, have their construction dates elegantly marked on their façade. Konstanz is one of the best preserved medieval cities in Germany because during WWII the Allies avoided bombing it because it was too close to neutral Kreuzlingen in Switzerland.

Walk through quiet cobbled alleys that stretch north from the Münster (cathedral) to the river Rhine. At the heart of this district is the Marktstätte (market). Here you will find the Kaiserbrunnen (imperial fountain) with four ancient emperors, a three-headed peacock with each head regally crowned, as well as a bronze horse.

While the street is lined with restaurants and cafes, every first Friday of each month, from May to October, the party goes outside. Gassen-Freitag offers live music, street food, drinks, and even a traditional flea market.

Behind the square is the Konzilgebäude (council room) which was erected in 1388 as a warehouse. Now a concert hall, statues of the locals Jan Hus and Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin stand next to it.

Also in the area are the beautifully frescoed 15th-century Hohenzollernhaus, the 16th-century Rathaus (town hall), and the Haus zum Rosgarten , once a medieval butchers’ guild and now a museum for the region.

02
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Tour every inch of Konstanz Harbor

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Like all Bodensee towns, Konstanz is centered around the port. The walk starts at the Rhine Bridge and follows the harbor. Stroll along the palm-fringed promenade with countless sidewalk cafes, historic houses, and buildings like the Kaufhaus (trading house) from 1388.

Continue around the entire lake this way taking the Bodensee-Rundwanderweg (Lake Constance Trail). This trail runs through numerous nature reserves such as the Wollmatinger Ried Untersee-Gnadensee . This reserve includes 600 different types of flora and almost 300 species of birds.

The impressive statue of Imperia welcomes you to the port. Erected in 1993, it was controversial but has become a Konstanz landmark. The satirical representation is of a thirty-foot-tall courtesan with a pathetic Pope Martin V and the Emperor Sigismund. It rotates on its pedestal and refers to a tale by Balzac, La Belle Impéria .

Once you’ve found your sea legs, head out into the water. Boat trips depart regularly from mid-April to mid-October from Konstanz to Überlingen to Kreuzlingen to Lindau.

03
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Climb to the top of Konstanz Cathedral

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The majestic Konstanz münster (cathedral) was the church of the Diocese of Konstanz until 1821. First mentioned in 615 CE and consecrated in 1089 CE, it features a Romanesque and Gothic design, as it has been updated to reflect the current style several times. . Its spire rises to the sky and can be seen throughout the city.

Stop before entering the cathedral to admire the glass pyramid that protects the Römersiedlung . These are the remains of a Roman fort, Constantia. This original establishment gave the city its name. While you can take a look from this elevation, full tours are available from the tourist office for a small fee.

Inside, the Romanesque painted wood ceiling from 1637, the 15th century schnegg (spiral staircase) and central door, and a thousand-year-old crypt are of particular importance. Or if you want to look from the sky, climb the tower and see the city and Lake Constance.

04
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Walk the planks of prehistoric man

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+49 7556 928900

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Konstanz is home to prehistoric dwellings (also known as stilt houses). These ancient settlements found around the Alps are designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dating from around 5,000 to 500 BC, there are 111 of these sites in total, with 18 in Germany. Excavations led to finds from the Neolithic and Bronze Age.

Although these primitive houses are now located on the water, they were initially on stilts in simply swampy areas. But over time, the land lost its way to the water, and they are now picturesquely set over the lake.

Visitors can admire the houses and learn more about the history at the Pfahlbaumuseum Unteruhldingen (German Stilthouse Museum). Opened in 1922, this open-air museum features reconstructions of the houses and buildings and a guided tour that explains what life was like for the farmers, fishermen and families who called the area home. There are also activities for younger visitors to the museum, such as ax-making and lighting fires.

05
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Go island hopping

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Just off the coast of Constance there are three islands that are well worth a visit.

Mainau’s 110-acre garden island is famous for its flower carpets and greenhouses. It has almost 10,000 rose bushes, thousands of butterflies and a baroque palace from the 13th century. It is undoubtedly beautiful and one of the most visited sites in the area with more than two million visitors each year. Visitors can reach the island by boat or by foot bridge. The island is open daily from sunrise to sunset, but an entrance fee is required.

To the west of the city is Reichenau Island . On the island the remains of a Benedictine monastery from 724 AD are preserved. The churches of Santa Maria y Marco, San Pedro and San Pablo and San Jorge illustrate medieval monastic architecture with impressive wall paintings.

On the other side of the lake is Lindau . It also has a magnificent harbor guarded by a Bavarian lion and a lighthouse. On the island, the city is full of half-timbered medieval buildings.

06
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Drink local wine

If you visit Konztanz during the autumn wine harvest, there is sure to be a party. The annual weinfest (wine festival) in Meersburg and Komm und See summer wine festival is a great way to mingle with the locals and share your love for the vine. Taste the best wine in the region, such as the Müller-Thurgau, Dornfelder, and Pinot noir ( blauburgunder ) grape varieties that thrive here.

Also don’t miss out on regional specialties like dünnele , a thin pizza traditionally topped with speck (bacon), frischkäse, and onion. Or take advantage of the lake with an order of white fish.

If you miss the festivals, you can still enjoy a drink or two by the lake at any time of the year.

07
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Find the three remaining towers of the city

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Only three of the city towers remain from Konstanz’s medieval fortifications. Finding all three is a lovely walk from the River Rhine to the northern end of the old town.

Pulverturm was built in 1321 by the Jewish citizens of Constance. Crouched and robust, its walls are two meters thick.

Rheintorturm is on the river Rhine and was a bridge gate. It is now the site of the Constance Carnival Museum. Always a great celebration, the museum allows visitors to party all year long with 40 life-size carnival figures. Look for the distinctive red pyramid-shaped roof of this tower.

Schnetztor is on the south side of the old town on Hussenstraße and is shown here.

08
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Relax like a local in a thermal spa

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+49 7531 8032700

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Germans take relaxation very seriously, and spa culture is serious business. Despite the fact that life on the lake seems quite idyllic, the good people of Konstanz still take a long time to relax.

Bodensee-Therme Konstanz is the thermal spa on Lake Constance and is right on the water. There is a 50-meter outdoor swimming pool with slides for children and adults (open in summer) and access to Lake Constance.

In winter, leave the ice outside for the warm thermal baths (open all year). There are three saunas, a steam bath, a sanatorium, a plunge pool, and a relaxation room with refreshments.

09
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See a glimpse of aviation history at the Zeppelin Museum

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+49 7541 38010

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Count Ferdinand von Zepplin’s hometown, Friedrichshafen, is right across the water. It is worth a visit, especially since it is the site of the Zeppelin Museum. Built in 1932, the museum covers the entire zepplin and features a recreated section of the Hindenburg, the largest aircraft ever built and the subject of the 1937 tragedy. The museum also has an impressive art collection on the top floor.

If exploring the history of the zepplin has whetted your appetite for flying, book a spot aboard an airboat. Zeppelins reach a cruising altitude of 1,000 feet and offer the best views of Lake Constance and its surroundings. Passengers can walk around the ship and enjoy the views from all directions. The low flight altitude allows passengers to clearly identify the beautiful landscape of castles, mountains and the lake below.

Several routes are available from 20 minutes to 120 minutes.