Lake Constance, the only region in Europe without formal borders, attracts millions of tourists every year. It is a picturesque corner at the foot of the Alpine Mountains, on the banks of which there are several resorts.
General information about Lake Constance
A natural body of water washes the shores of three countries at once: Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In the first, it is called the Swabian Sea or simply Constance (there is a resort of the same name nearby).
History of the reservoir
The Swabian Sea was formed during the melting of the Rhine Glacier about 10,000 years ago. It can still be seen today: the glacier protrudes onto the surface of the alpine valley.
The area around was swampy and covered with dense forests for a long time, so there were no Paleolithic finds in the immediate vicinity of the water reservoir.
Settlement of the coast occurred presumably 3,000 years ago.
This is confirmed by the grave mounds found nearby (due to their location in the forests, they were protected from the effects of agricultural development).
The upper and lower reservoirs were named by ancient geographers and naturalists. The first was referred to on Roman maps as Lacus Acronius, and the second as Lacus Constantinus. During the early Middle Ages the lakes were combined under the name Bodensee. The modern Bodensee most likely comes from the name of the settlement Boden (“Boden”) and see (“sea”).
Animal and plant life
Coniferous and deciduous forests, lush alpine meadows, and whole fields of clover, poppies, daisies, and forget-me-nots spread along the banks. In April, tulips bloom near the lake; in summer, azaleas, dahlias, roses, and marigolds bloom. On the landscaped area specially grow different types of palm trees and exotic magnolias.
Different species of birds settle in the nature reserves Vollmatinger Reed – Untersee – Gnadensee and on the Mettnau peninsula on the banks of the reservoir.
The most common are blackbird, tit, finch, robin, and starling. Ducks and swans swim on the water surface, and herons live on the shores.
Typical representatives of the underwater world of the lake are pike, perch, pikeperch, grayling. Until the 1980s there were trout, but they disappeared because of water pollution with phosphate fertilizers. Now the population is gradually recovering. On the shores of the Swabian Sea you can fish, but for this you need to buy a license.
Location and geographic features
The reservoir is located on the border between Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The third largest lake in Europe is considered a neutral site and does not formally belong to any country, but territorially most of it is in Germany.
The Swabian Sea consists of three bodies of water: the Upper, Lower and the connecting river Rhine. From the northwestern part of the Upper, there is a separate channel that has its own name, Uberlingen.
The natural boundary between the Lower and Upper water reservoirs is the large Bodaryuk Peninsula. There are several natural zones with different moraine deposits (moraines are geological deposits consisting of debris transported by glaciers). Each has its own name.
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The depth of the lake
The maximum depth of Lake Constance reaches between 251 and 254 m, the average depth is 90 m. The Rhine, Dornbirner Ach and Bregenzer Ach, which flow into the reservoir, carry rocks and moraine deposits from the Alps, so the water reservoir is gradually becoming shallower.
What time of year is better to visit the lake
In the vicinity of the Swabian Sea there are options for recreation at any time of year. The lake rarely freezes in winter, so both winter and summer the water surface dissected by snow-white yachts and motor boats.
In the warm season in the pond you can swim, diving, windsurfing.
In the off-season, tourists explore the many attractions in coastal German, Austrian and Swiss cities, and in winter go to the ski resorts nearby.
Important information for tourists
Tourists with a Schengen visa can travel freely between Austria, Switzerland and Germany. Although Switzerland is not part of the European Union, it is a member of the Schengen Agreement.
Recreation at Lake Constance
Lake Constance and the area around it have high tourist potential. There are interesting attractions all along the coast.
Along the perimeter of the water reservoir are the German resorts of Konstanz, Lindau and Meersburg. And in picturesque Bergenz, Austria, one of the largest opera festivals in Europe is held.
Popular beaches, resorts and hotels
In summer, the water in the Swabian Sea warms up to +26 ° C. The natural beaches along the coastline are sandy. There are outdoor pools near the hotels.
The main spas at Lake Constance:
- Lindau (Germany).
- Konstanz (Germany).
- Meersburg, Germany.
- Bergenz (Austria).
Top 5 best hotels and sports and recreation complexes on the shores of the reservoir:
- Hotel Heinzler am See (Immenstadt am Bodensee, Germany). The hotel overlooks the landscaped beach. Guests can enjoy spa treatments, relax in the sauna, and go hiking and biking.
- Seehotel BelRiva (Hagnau, Germany). Family hotel with a private area with sun loungers and umbrellas. The territory is equipped with a barbecue area for guests.
- Meersburg-Therme (Meersburg, Germany). Spa complex with beach and thermal pool, Finnish sauna, hammam, pile bath houses. The territory has a Jacuzzi, solarium. The youngest guests can swim in the shallow pool with mini slides.
- Grand Hotel Bregenz – MGallery (Bergenz, Austria). The luxurious Grand Hotel overlooks the Festspiel Park and is located 100 meters from the well-appointed public beach.
- Seevital Hotel (Langenargen, Germany). The hotel is located on the shore of Lake Constance. There is a spa on site, where you can visit the organic sauna, order Ayurvedic treatments and take a bath eVitarium for revitalization. In the evenings, guests enjoy the sunset on the outdoor terrace overlooking the Alps or in the bar with panoramic windows.
Water fun
For lovers of water sports are offered scuba diving, yachting, surfing, and much more. others. Most of the dive sites are located in the northern part of the water reservoir. Only experienced divers are allowed to dive.
The lake is suitable for day and long canoeing and paddling trips. The route along the Rhine is especially beautiful. You can rent a boat all around the reservoir.
You can visit dolphinariums and water parks, such as Europe’s largest Rulantica, which is located in a hotel and entertainment complex Europa Park.
The water park has both family and extreme water rides – a total of more than 100 slides of different heights and pools. The territory of the entertainment complex is so large that there is a sightseeing train on “Rulantica”.
Come early and allocate a whole day to visit the water park. There are always a lot of people, so all the beds are busy in the morning, and on the slides long lines.
Interesting excursion routes
Top of the most memorable excursion routes in and around Lake Constance:
- Cruise on the paddle steamer SD Hohentwiel (departing from Hard, Austria). The 1913 ship was carefully restored and launched again in 1990. The Hohentwiel follows a circular route through the coastal waters of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Live jazz music is played on board and gourmet food is served.
- Bicycle tour around the Swabian Sea. The circular route Bodensee- Rundwanderweg is 260 km long. The same road can be used for hiking with multiple overnight camping.
- Tasting of local wines. The Weingut Aufricht vineyard (Meersburg) and the Spitalkellerei cellar (Konstanz), the Gierer winery (Nonnenhorn, Germany), the Rutishauser shop (Scherzingen, Switzerland), the Möth vineyard (Bregenz) are not far from the bicycle routes.
- Museum “House on Piles” in Uldingen. In the archaeological museum you can see restored dwellings from the Neolithic and Stone Age (4,000-850 years BC), standing directly on the lake.
- Excursion “Home of the Zeppelins”. In Friedrichshafen, Germany, there is the Earl von Zeppelin Airship Museum. This unusual place should be visited not only by history buffs.
Active recreation near the reservoir
For those who want to explore the body of water at a brisk pace, biking, motorboat riding, surfing and snorkeling are suitable.
You can stay on the shore in tents, go on a balloon tour, go to the mountains, waterfalls, or hike through the ancient medieval cities on the coast.
How else to spend your free time at the lake
The resort towns have equipped golf and tennis courses, windsurfing and diving schools. You can visit Säntispark, take a walk in the Eriskirche Ried nature reserve, take a balloon ride, enjoy the bright colors of the island of Mainau and climb to the Friedrichshafen observation deck. Entertainment at Lake Constance is plentiful.
Main attractions near Lake Constance
There are quiet villages and popular resort towns around the reservoir. Developed tourism infrastructure provides a large number of options for recreation and treatment.
Rhine Falls
The largest waterfall in Europe by volume is near the town of Neuhausen, Switzerland. The best view of the Rhine Falls is from the observation deck on the south bank of the Rhine (see Laufen Castle).
You can take a motorized boat to the center of the waterfall to feel the power of the falling streams of water, or climb to the top of the cliff on a hiking trail and enjoy the view of the natural landmark from above.
German city of Konstanz
There are dozens of museums, churches, and parks in German Constance.
The most interesting places:
- Nideburg. A historic area with amazingly beautiful medieval buildings.
- The Cathedral of the Virgin Mary. The majestic cathedral, built about a thousand years ago and repeatedly subjected to reconstruction, is located on the highest point of the city.
- Constanta Harbor. In the port there is a symbol of the city – the statue of “Empire”.
The Austrian city of Bregenz
The main attractions of the capital of Austria’s smallest federal state of Vorarlberg are the Bergenz Forest and the Seebühne stage on the water surface of Lake Constance.
The best view of the scenery, formed by a combination of gentle and steep slopes of alpine meadows, opens from the observation deck on Pfander Peak, which can be climbed on foot or by cable car.
The beautiful island of Mainau
On the small island of Mainau, with an area of only 0.66 square kilometers, is one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in the world.
On Mainau you can look around:
- citrus collection (the oldest tree was planted more than 150 years ago);
- House of Butterflies (don’t forget to take a picture with a tropical beauty on your shoulder);
- Italian staircase, the appearance of which changes from season to season (plants bloom almost all year round);
- The palm greenhouse, which displays 1,200 species of orchids.
Reichenau Island
According to ancient legend, until the holy preacher set foot in the Reichenau, the land was covered with an impenetrable forest teeming with snakes. With the arrival of the servant of God, the holy spring opened and the snakes left the island.
On the Reichenau there are still Romanesque churches that belonged to the influential Benedictine monastery. They will be interesting to visit not only for believers, because. The cathedrals are striking in architecture and interior decoration.
City-island Lindau
Bavarian Lindau, with its pedestrian streets winding between ancient buildings, is charming. The best time to plan a trip is from early spring to mid-autumn.
During this time you can visit the festival Komm & See and taste the best wines of the region, enjoy a beach holiday, play golf, scuba diving and windsurfing.
In the off-season and winter, there are few tourists (although the snow-covered Christmas Lindau is just as good). Adrenaline-seekers at this time of year prefer the quiet Lindau to the neighboring Bregenz.
City of Friedrichshafen
Tourists go to the industrial city on the shores of Lake Constance to visit the Airship Museum. But Friedrichshafen is no less interesting than its famous neighbors.
While walking along the promenade, you can stop by the openwork Lake Bridge “to nowhere.”
Not far from it it is worth seeing the summer residence of the Wurttemberg dynasty (this is private territory, so you can’t go inside) and admire the decorations of the Castle Church.
City of Merseburg
In the town, surrounded by neat rows of vineyards, you can see nice half-timbered houses and look in the wine taverns. Be sure to try the local wine and take pictures on the terrace of the ancient castle.
Bodman Community
In the suburbs of Ludwigshafen are the ruins of the fortress, which served as the Kaiser’s residence. This is the main attraction of Bodman. The city has a well-developed tourist infrastructure: there are green areas, landscaped beaches, water sports schools.
Siepplingen Village
A small, quiet and comfortable settlement on Lake Constance is the perfect place for a relaxing holiday. Clean coastline, cozy cafes, surrounded by old houses and beautiful alpine meadows, as well as possible dispose to a relaxed pastime.
How to get to Lake Constance
You can get to the Swabian Sea by plane from anywhere in the world. The nearest airport is located in Friedrichshafen. Many tourists note that it is more convenient to fly to Munich, Zurich or Stuttgart, and from there come to Lake Constance by train or bus.
Those who have an international driver’s license can rent a car. All airports have carshare service desks.
Transportation between the banks
Between the coasts of Germany, Switzerland and Austria ply the ships and light catamarans. Regular voyages depart from the same piers as the Lake Constance cruises.
