Cidade Turismo
Germany

Before you go

Your trip to Constança.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Constança – Baden-Württemberg Destination Lago de Constança

How to get there

  • Flughafen Zürich (ZRH) Zurique (Suíça) · 70 km
  • Konstanz Bahnhof 1 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Confirm before buying. The most used airport is Zurique, in Suíça, about 70 km away; from there trains with one change run to Konstanz station in just over an hour. From Germany there are trains from Stuttgart and other cities, almost always with a change in Singen or Radolfzell. In season boats arrive from Lindau, Meersburg and other towns on the lake.

How many days

One day is enough for the old town, the harbor and the Münster. With two days you have time for the island of Mainau or the island of Reichenau. As a base for the lake, three or four nights also allow visits to Meersburg and Lindau.

When to go

From May to September the lakeside fills up, boats run more frequently and Mainau is in bloom. April and October bring fewer people and mild days. In winter, from December to February, it is cold and foggy; the Christmas market by the harbor usually runs from late November until near Christmas.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

No. The old town is compact and the station is next to the harbor. Urban buses go to Mainau and the Staad ferry, and regional trains go to Reichenau. Traffic in the town gets heavy on weekends, with many people coming from Suíça to shop.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Constança
  1. Morning
    Münster and Niederburg

    Start at the Konstanzer Münster, with the crypt and the rotunda of Saint Maurice; if the tower is open, climb up to see the lake. Then descend through the alleys of the Niederburg to the shore of the Reno and the Rheintorturm tower.

  2. Afternoon
    Old town and museum

    Walk to the Marktstätte and the shopping streets of the center. Visit the Rosgartenmuseum, a former guild house, to understand the city's history and the Council.

  3. Late afternoon
    Port, Imperia and Konzil

    Go to the harbor to see the Imperia turning at the end of the pier and the Konzilgebäude, where a pope was elected in 1417. Walk along the Stadtgarten promenade with views of the lake.

  4. Evening
    Dinner in the Niederburg

    Return to the Niederburg for dinner in one of the wine taverns set in old houses. Lake fish and regional wine feature on many menus.

2 days in Constança

Day 1

  1. Morning
    Münster and Niederburg

    Visit the Konstanzer Münster and the rotunda of Saint Maurice and climb the tower if it's open. Then wander the alleys of the Niederburg down to the Rheintorturm.

  2. Afternoon
    Center and Rosgartenmuseum

    Have lunch in the old town and visit the Rosgartenmuseum. If you like, walk to the border with Kreuzlingen, in Suíça, a few minutes from the station.

  3. Late afternoon
    Imperia and Konzilgebäude

    Stroll along the harbor, see the Imperia and the Konzilgebäude, and continue along the Stadtgarten promenade.

  4. Evening
    Evening in the old town

    Dinner in the old town or in the Niederburg, followed by a final walk along the lit lakeside promenade.

Day 2

  1. Morning
    Island of Mainau

    Take a bus or, in season, a boat to the island of Mainau and arrive early to see the gardens, the arboretum and the butterfly house before the tours.

  2. Afternoon
    Palace and gardens of Mainau

    Have lunch on the island and visit the baroque palace and the church, ending at the Italian rose garden. In September and October the dahlias are usually in bloom.

  3. Late afternoon
    Return along the promenade

    Return to Constança and walk along the Seestraße, the lakeside avenue lined with grand houses, to the Reno bridge.

  4. Evening
    Dinner by the lake

    Choose a restaurant on the promenade or in the harbor for the last night, with a view of Meersburg's lights on the opposite shore.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

How to get from the airport of Zurique to Constança?

There are trains from the airport of Zurique to Konstanz station, usually with a change in Suíça, in just over an hour. By car it's about 70 km. Since the route crosses the border, keep your passport handy. Check schedules before you go.

Can you walk to Suíça?

Yes. Constança is adjacent to Kreuzlingen, and the border is a few minutes' walk from the station. Carry your passport. In Suíça the currency is the Swiss franc, but many places accept cards.

How to reach the island of Mainau?

By urban bus from the station, in about 20 to 30 minutes, or by boat in season, which usually runs from April to October. The island is open year-round. Admission is charged. Check schedules before you go.

How to cross to Meersburg?

The ferry departs from Konstanz-Staad, a few kilometers from the center, with an urban bus to the pier. It operates day and night all year and the crossing takes about 20 minutes. In season there are also scheduled boats departing from the central harbor.

Is Constança a good base for the lake?

It's the most practical: it has a train station in the center, boats to various towns on the lake and the ferry to Meersburg. From there you can do Mainau, Reichenau and Meersburg as day trips, and Lindau by boat in season or by train.

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