Bodensee or Lake Constance is located at the foot of the Alps, being the largest lake in Germany. It is bordered by three countries (Austria, Germany and Switzerland) and boasts extraordinary landscapes, picturesque medieval villages, numerous beaches and colorful gardens.
We spent 2 days at Bodensee, where we visited the city of Konstanz, the island of Mainau and Meersburg, but there are so many interesting sights and wonderful landscapes, cities full of history and culture that it would probably have taken us a week to visit everything. If you end up in this area, consult the official website to find out important information, such as the main attractions around the lake, where to stay, restaurants or the calendar of events taking place in the area.
Konstanz is on the Swiss border and is the largest lakeside town. The harbor has dominated the city since the 11th century, and the old center is a wonderful place to stroll due to its stunning architecture.
At the end of the day you can admire the sunset from the Rhine promenade or from the bridge that connects the old town with the new.
10 minutes by car is Mainau Island – also called Flower Island – one of the most popular tourist attractions in the lake area.
Mainau stretches over 45 hectares and starting in March offers a real show of colors and smells. The first flowers to appear in the ocean of colors are tulips. 100,000 tulip bulbs of 400 different varieties are planted annually. Then peonies and rhododendrons of all colors bloom. June is the month of roses, meeting around 1000 varieties that line the southern shore of the island.
More than 12,000 dahlias herald the beginning of autumn with an explosion of color and together with the copper leaves of the trees form a unique picture. So, no matter what month you want to visit the island, you will be greeted by enchanting views.
Apart from the park, you can also visit the orchid greenhouse, the butterfly house or the palace built in baroque style.
The Palm House is considered one of the most significant greenhouses in Europe, with around 1200 varieties of orchids.
I recommend you to buy the tickets online, so you don’t have to waste a few good minutes at the ticket offices. The price of a ticket is 22€/person.
Meersburg is a picturesque little town crossed by several small and narrow alleys, with colorful houses that give it a special charm. Two old castles dating from the 10th and 18th centuries attract visitors from all over the world throughout the year.
The lakeside promenade is lined with souvenir shops, cafes and restaurants where you can sample the region’s selection of wines. Mainau Island can be reached directly from Meersburg by ferry. The price of a ticket is around €35/person (return ferry ride and entry to the island).
On the way home, we also stopped a little at Schluchsee – the largest lake in the Black Forest located in the climatic resort of the same name. The lake is at a height of 930 meters above sea level, the water remains cool even in summer. However, Schluchsee is quite crowded in the summer months, being especially popular with swimmers.
If you have the chance to get to Lake Constance, don’t miss the small town of Salem where Salem Affenberg is located – 20 hectares of forest turned into a zoo, where the main attraction is the nearly 200 monkeys that roam free and can be fed by visitors. It is also home to the largest stork colony (50 pairs) in southern Germany and a herd of deer. The price of a ticket to visit the zoo is €9/person.
(Bodensee – May 2020)
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