© 2023 Take My Heart Everywhere - CREDITS
Here you can find our Lake Constance Itinerary, 4 days surrounded by nature and spectacular locations!
There aren’t many places in the world where you can visit four countries in one trip without traveling farther than a few dozen miles. One of those places is Lake Constance (aka Bodensee in German), a gorgeous lake in central Europe that borders Germany, Austria, Switzerland – and just 40-minutes away – the small Principality of Liechtenstein.
After spending 4 days around the lake, we can firmly say that we have not encountered any unattractive spots on the lake. Therefore, no matter whether you plan to spend your trip on the German, Austrian or Swiss side (or combine them all in one trip), Lake Constance is always a good choice!
We’ve put together a really exciting itinerary that you can follow, in order to see and do many of the top places and activities in Lake Constance.
Nestled away in between Austria and Switzerland, Liechtenstein is one of the smallest countries in the world and is definitely worth a visit if you have the chance! Full of amazing mountain scenery, its picturesque valleys are home to some incredible views and hiking trails, while there are also some magical fairy-tale castles for you to discover.
We started our visit with a lovely walk in the old town of Vaduz, where we visited the art museum, the national museum, and the treasure chamber. Then we checked the famous “Red House” and we stopped for a hot-chocolate with a view Park Hotel Sonnenhof.
No visit to Liechtenstein can ever be complete without stopping by the awe-inspiring Vaduz Castle. Perched on a hillside and surrounded by mountains, the picturesque castle is set in an incredible location and really does look as if it was designed from a book of fairy tales!
Yet another unique and quirky thing to do in Liechtenstein is to go wine tasting in the Prince’s cellars. The country produces some fantastic wines, and you can sample a number of reds and whites at the Prince of Liechtenstein Winery. It’s not every day that you can drink delicious wine in a Prince’s cellars!
Lindau is a small, charming Bavarian town, located on an island in the lake and full of medieval half-timbered buildings. Even though we visited it on a rainy day, we could still appreciate its beauty. Take some time to stroll around the picturesque town and harbor and explore the many shops and cafes.
One of the highlights of our visit to Lindau was definitively the accommodation. We had the chance to stay in the newly open Motoryatch by Hotel Helvetia and it’s been incredible. A 14 metre luxury boat with a unique lake view, right in the middle of the historic harbor of Lindau. A once in a lifetime experience you all need to try!
Our third day started at new Tettnang Castle, one of the most famous sights in Upper Swabia and a must-see place during your trip to Lake Constance. Here, Renaissance and Baroque are stylistically combined with picturesque red roofs and blue window frames. Inside you can see pompous stucco, ornate decorations and impressive wall and ceiling paintings.
After that, we headed to the countryside to visit a local brewery. Germany has thousands of breweries, so choosing a brewery tour can be daunting. But if you are looking for something unique, the Hopfengut No20 is definitely the best option in this area! Here you are able to experience a lot, from beer tastings to a museum where you can learn everything about the process and production. In a rustic brewery atmosphere, there are delicious German home cooking options at the restaurant.
To end our day we visited the town Salem, that should certainly be included on your Lake Constance itinerary. Here, you’ll be rewarded with a chance to explore the lovely Salem Monastery and Palace (Kloster und Schloss Salem), a former Cistercian monastery in one of the most beautiful settings in the area.
If time allows, or you have one more day to explore the area, be sure to also visit the famous Affenberg Salem, one of Europe’s largest monkey forests that is home to some 200 or so Barbary macaques. And there is more: a beautiful herd of fallow deer, a picturesque pond with numerous waterfowls and giant carps, as well as the largest free-flying stork colony in southern Germany.
Located on the shores of Lake Constance, Meersburg is surrounded by vineyards (with spectacular views of Switzerland and Austria). Whether you enjoy medieval castles, excellent dining, wine tasting or shopping, this little lakeside village might just be your new favorite german holiday destination.
You cannot miss the iconic pink castle located in the heart of old town Meersburg, locally called the New Castle (Neues Schloss). This attractive 18th-century edifice with its Baroque flourishes was completed in 1712 as a palace of the Prince Bishops. Now open to the public, the castle houses the Town Gallery (Städtische Galerie) and the Dornier Museum, both worth visiting for their impressive displays and exhibits related to local history and culture.
After exploring these two lovely castles, be sure to spend time visiting some of the historic castle-inspired attractions in the old town of Meersburg itself. Highlights include the town square, or Schlossplatz, notable for its large old clock with an attractive face portraying Chronos, the God of Time, and the pleasant Castle Chapel. Also worth seeing are the two old town gates that have survived since medieval times, along with a number of well-preserved half-timbered houses. For those with an interest in wine, the Vineum Museum is worth popping into for its sensory experience and interactive exhibitions about the world of wine.
As you can see, the Lake Constance region is full of incredible thing to do and see. It’s the perfect place for a glimpse into four European countries at once. If you’ve been to this area, or are planning a trip, we’d love to hear from you. What did you like most? What would you recommend?
© 2023 Take My Heart Everywhere - CREDITS