The international Lake Constance region is one of the most diverse holiday destinations in Europe. For example, the island of Reichenau, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as the Lake Constance Festival or the Bregenz Festival, this region offers top-class cultural enjoyment. There are numerous sights such as the flower island of Mainau and exciting hikes in the unspoilt nature between the foothills of the Alps and the Seerhein. For those who would like to stay overnight individually, there are small hotels on Lake Constance where personal service is paramount. Many of them are still owner-managed today.

Small hotels at Lake Constance: The most important things at a glance

Small hotels on Lake Constance © Hotel VILLINO

Garden in the lake

Mainau Island is a world-famous flower paradise with a long tradition. The baroque castle ensemble in the midst of the splendour of flowers bears witness to this. In spring, this shows its most colourful side with 15,000 tulips and a sea of hyacinths and narcissi. The summer is dominated by the rose and in autumn the dahlia blossom is the highlight of the season. In winter the Palm House offers a collection of valuable tropical trees and numerous interactive plant shows for young and old. A special attraction for the little ones is the Mainau Kinderland with huge animals made entirely out of flowers. By the way, the Grand Masters of the Teutonic Order, who once had the castle built, were not the first settlers on the lake. Visitors can see this for themselves at the Lake Dwelling Museum Unteruhldingen.

Where the highest lures: holiday landscape Gehrenberg

The highest one may be small compared to the Alps, but nevertheless measures 838 metres and rightly bears its distinctive name as the highest elevation of the Lake Constance district. It is particularly popular with sports-oriented cyclists who want to try out Germany’s only permanent mountain trial route. Hikers also like the summit, as it rewards after the ascent with a fantastic view over Lake Constance to the snow-covered Alpine peaks. But Schuster Rappen also offers tours over the typical orchard meadows or through the protected reed beds. The idyllic Gehrenberg holiday landscape also offers fun theme trails, such as the Swabian-Alemannic dialect trail. Children are usually drawn to the Ravensburger Spieleland or in the evening through the medieval alleys of Markdorf, where the night watchman tells eerie stories from the old days. The small but fine hotels so typical for Lake Constance can also be found in the Gehrenberg area.

By ship across the lake

A Lake Constance holiday also includes a boat trip. The catamaran fleet, whose fast double-hulled ships connect the picturesque port cities of Constance and Friedrichshafen, is a very special highlight. The crossing takes 52 minutes as planned and is a real experience of nature, as the different faces of the lake are particularly easy to recognise from on board. Although Lake Constance makes its strongest impression in the glow of the sunlight, it also has a beauty all of its own under cloudy skies and even in rain. By the way, if you are looking for charming small hotels on Lake Constance, you will also find suitable accommodation in Constance and Friedrichshafen.