Discover the Region
Welcome to Lake Constance! Located at the border of Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, the region offers a unique mix of rich history, scenic nature, and world-class cultural sights. Whether you have an hour to unwind after a day of talks or plan to stay a few days before or after the conference, here are a few recommended local highlights and day trips to explore during your stay.
Short Trips in Konstanz
Historic center featuring medieval alleys, the 15th-century Council building, and the iconic rotating Imperia statue. Perfect for an evening stroll near the lake.
Renowned "Flower Island" showcasing Mediterranean flora, a Baroque palace, and a butterfly house. Ideal for a relaxing 2–3 hour walk in nature.
Modern thermal baths and sauna complex located directly on the shoreline, offering panoramic views across the lake to the Alps.
Museums in Konstanz and Kreuzlingen, Switzerland
A medieval guild house showcasing the rich art, culture, and history of Konstanz and the Lake Constance region from prehistoric times to the present day.
Housed in a former convent, this comprehensive museum explores Southwestern Germany's archaeological heritage, featuring Stone Age stilt-house artifacts, Roman relics, and historical shipwreck models.
Lake Constance Natural History Museum
Located directly at the harbor, this modern exhibition provides interactive insights into the geological formation of Lake Constance, its ecosystems, and local wildlife.
An interactive aquarium located on the waterfront, guiding visitors along the journey of water from the Alpine source of the Rhine down to the Atlantic Ocean.
A memorial site in the historic home where the Czech reformer Jan
Hus stayed before being tried and executed during the Council of
Constance in 1415.
One of Germany's oldest art associations, hosting temporary exhibitions of contemporary regional and international visual art inside the scenic Wessenberg garden.
Lake Museum (Seemuseum) in Kreuzlingen, Switzerland
The only museum dedicated entirely to the maritime history, commercial fishing, and ecological research of Lake Constance. Located inside Seeburg Park on the Swiss shoreline.
Museum Rosenegg in Kreuzlingen, Switzerland
A regional history museum set in an elegant historic mansion, covering local lifestyle, craftsmanship, and cultural cross-border connections.
Day & Half-Day Excursions
Reichenau Island (UNESCO World Heritage)
Island famous for its early medieval monastic churches and vegetable farming. Great for a scenic bike trip along the shoreline (approx. 10 km from Konstanz).
Picturesque medieval town across the lake. A ride on the Tour Boat or the Car & Passenger Ferry offers sweeping views of the Alpine panorama.
Lake Dwelling Museum, Unteruhldingen
One of Europe's largest open-air archaeological museums, showcasing reconstructed Stone and Bronze Age stilt houses built over the lake.
(UNESCO World Heritage).
Hegau Volcanic Landscape & Fortress Ruins
A striking landscape of extinct volcanic cones just northwest of Lake Constance, topped by dramatic medieval castle ruins such as Hohentwiel. Excellent for day hikes with panoramic vistas.
Friedrichshafen & Aviation History
A 50-minute high-speed catamaran ride across the lake brings you to Friedrichshafen, home to the Zeppelin Museum and the nearby Dornier Air & Space Museum.
Swiss Excursions (Easy Travel from Konstanz)
St. Gallen Abbey District (UNESCO World Heritage)
Famous for its Baroque Cathedral and the world-renowned Abbey Library (Stiftsbibliothek), housing priceless medieval manuscripts and the 9th-century Plan of St. Gallen. Travel: approx. 35 minutes by direct train.
Appenzell & the Alpstein Region
A picturesque alpine village known for its colorful frescoed houses, rich local traditions, and famous cheese. It serves as a scenic gateway for hikes in the surrounding Alpstein mountains.
Travel: approx. 1 hour by train.
The Rhine Falls (Schaffhausen)
Europe's largest waterfall, where massive volumes of water plunge 23 meters over a 150-meter width. Boat tours take visitors directly into the basin and up to the central rock platforms for an up-close experience.
Travel: approx. 50 minutes by direct train.
Austria Excursions
Austria's cultural city on the lake, renowned for its floating opera stage (Seebühne). A panoramic cable car ascends Mount Pfänder (1,064 m) in just six minutes, offering breathtaking views across the entire lake and 240 Alpine peaks.
Travel: approx. 1 hour 15 minutes by scenic boat or direct train.
Dornbirn & the Rappenloch Gorge
Vorarlberg’s largest city combines modern timber architecture with stunning natural sites. Ride the Karren cable car for panoramic valley views, or hike through the dramatic Rappenloch Gorge with its wooden walkways, waterfalls, and steep rock walls.
Travel: approx. 50 minutes by direct train.
