Springtime is blossom time, especially in the Lake Constance area. Hundreds of plum, cherry, pear and apple trees blossom between April and May, turning the landscape into a vibrant sea of colourful flowers. It is the perfect time for romantic strolls by foot, relaxing cycling tours or laid-back boat rides on the lake. We have put together a few blooming gardens, charming little towns and other excursion destinations for you.

Magnificent gardens by Lake Constance

From enchanting abbey gardens to delicate castle parks and the blooming island of Mainau: Lake Constance is Europe's ultimate botanical paradise. Discover these stunning gardens around Lake Constance, perfect for taking photos and unwinding.

 

Napoleon Museum Arenenberg
The magnificent Arenenberg Castle and its surrounding park are located in the Swiss municipality of Salenstein on the shores of Lake Constance. It was Napoleon the First's stepdaughter who, along with her son Louis, designed the surrounding gardens. Hence the Napoleon Museum is now located on the grounds. A guided tour takes you through various gardens dating from different eras, including the mediaeval patrician garden and the English style garden.

Mainau Island
The Flower Island of Mainau is undoubtedly one of the most enchanting places on Lake Constance. The park, with its baroque castle, butterfly hothouse and collection of trees, attracts visitors all year round in its colourful, fragrant and enchanting splendour. More than 3,000 orchid specimens open the season in Mainau. Set off on a journey into the colourful world of orchids from 15 March to 12 May 2024. The Flower Island also features a special guided tour every day from 6 April. Learn more about the history of Mainau, the work of the Bernadotte family and plant conservation on the island in just 60 fun-filled minutes.
The journey to the island by ferry is available until October 2024 on the BSB's White Fleet. It departs from the harbours of Constance or Meersburg. The flower island can also be reached from all major harbours on the lake. When travelling by boat, we recommend the combined ticket (return trip by boat, including admission to Mainau Island).

More than an accomodation: Ittingen Charterhouse
Fairytale-like: more than 1000 rose beds surround visitors at Ittingen Charterhouse, in the Swiss canton of Thurgau. This former Carthusian monastery is now home to two museums, a seminar hotel, a garden restaurant - and of course gorgeous gardens. A number of vegetable and decorative gardens have been laid out and lovingly tended since the time of the monastery. This pays off today, as the vegetable, rose and herb gardens at Ittingen Charterhouse are among the most impressive in Switzerland. By the way: If you want to stay at Ittingen Charterhouse for longer than just a walk, you can also book a hotel room with the HotelCard!

Oldtown charm at Lake Constance

Lindau
The Lindau old town is located on a lovely island in Lake Constance. The small island and its old town are just too pretty. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a piece of cake with a view of the lighthouse, the lake and the Alps on the horizon. The new Reutin railway station, located on the mainland, serves as a long-distance stop in Lindau. There are six direct train connections a day from Zurich via Winterthur, St. Gallen, Bregenz and Lindau, on their way to Munich. This is a great and comfortable way to enjoy the panoramic views of Lake Constance while making a valuable contribution to preserving the natural environment around Lake Constance.

Stein am Rhein
The small town of Stein am Rhein is located right where Lake Constance merges back with the Rhine. This charming mediaeval town enchants all its visitors. It boasts world-famous façade paintings and is home to the Hohenklingen Castle, which towers high above the old town and from which breathtaking views across Lake Constance can be enjoyed.

Stein am Rhein is the place to be on 13 & 14th of April: street artists, a little train, restaurants and boats on the Rhine await you to celebrate spring awakening.

Constance
Constance is so much more than a shopping paradise for Swiss shoppers. A good example would be Zollernstrasse in the Old Town, which still remains rather unknown to the public. The best way of exploring Constance is to start your walk in front of the Council building and stroll over to Peter Lenk's Imperia statue, overlooking the harbour since 1993. This is where you can see the silhouette of the town with its spires and towers, as well as the suburb of Kreuzlingen to the south. Next, you will cross the Stadtgarten, built in the mid-19th century using stones from the city walls, before arriving at the Inselhotel. Its terrace overlooking the lake makes it perhaps the most beautiful place in Constance for a coffee under the early morning sun.

Some more excursion ideas around Lake Constance

Arbon Castle Museum
Thurgau's largest museum dedicated to regional history awaits you in the medieval castle of Arbon. The permanent exhibition takes you on an exciting journey through 5500 years of fascinating settlement history on Lake Constance. Numerous original finds, documents and full-scale models reveal how life was for the lake dwellers and the Romans.

Salem Castle
The former monastery and present-day Salem Castle is surrounded by spacious parks and gardens. The magnificent Cistercian monastery complex from the 12th century is located behind Überlingen in Salem. It came into the possession of the Margraves of Baden in 1802 and has belonged to the State Palaces and Gardens of Baden-Württemberg since 2009.

Cycling routes
All these sights are almost impossible to cover on foot in one day. But the Lake Constance region is not known for its great cycle tours for nothing. Komoot has put together the 10 most beautiful cycle tours for you.

Some of our most beautiful hotels on Lake Constance

Hotel Maier ****

This family-run hotel is the perfect place to relax in Friedrichshafen. Just a short walk from the Hotel Maier, the shores of Lake Constance open up magnificent views of the water and the neighbouring Alps. In terms of cuisine, you will be spoiled with an excellent selection of Slow Food made from regional and seasonal products.

Kartause Ittingen ***(s)

Ittingen Charterhouse is a former Carthusian monastery set amidst the idyllic landscape of the Thur, surrounded by magnificent gardens. It is one of the most distinctive cultural monuments in the Lake Constance region where monastic traditions such as culture, hospitality and self-sufficiency are blended harmoniously.

Parkt-Hotel Inseli ****
Right on the shores of the Seepark and within easy reach of Lake Constance's largest harbour, the Park-Hotel Inseli is set in one of Romanshorn's most beautiful locations. Enjoy the panoramic views from the hotel restaurant, which serves freshly caught fish from Lake Constance, vegetarian and vegan dishes and daily specials.

See & Parkhotel Feldbach ***
Set on a peninsula by the Lower Lake, surrounded by the park and the marina, the Hotel Feldbach in Steckborn awaits you in the warmest of welcomes. Treat yourself to a relaxing stay on the panoramic terrace or in the wellness area. The restaurant is housed in a 13th-century monastery and is located right next to Lake Constance.

Hotel de Charme Römerhof ***
Set in Arbon's historic old town, this charming little boutique hotel boasts a gourmet restaurant which has been awarded the prestigious Gault Millau distinction. The Römerhof is the ideal starting point for cycling tours, cultural excursions and cruises on Lake Constance.

Hotel Restaurant Rheinfels ***
The Rheinfels is an impressive building standing at the northern bridgehead of Stein am Rhein. The magnificent premises bear witness to the four centuries of history of this former customs house, warehouse and guild house. The restaurant serves regional delicacies and the best of French cuisine.

We hope our newsletter has provided you with an insight as to the diversity and beauty of Lake Constance. Make the most of your next visit and experience our first-class partner hotels' hospitality on Lake Constance.