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Bodensee Holiday on Lake Constance – 7 Day Itinerary

Bodensee Itinerary – I remember telling a few friends we were going to Germany during the Easter holidays and getting a few puzzled looks. Even more so when I told them we were staying on Lake Constance in the Bodensee region. Also known as Lake Constance or Lake Konstanz as the Swiss call it. The lake borders three countries Germany, Austria and Switzerland. With Liechtenstein being a short drive away. It is the largest lake in Germany and the second largest in Central Europe.

Having spent a week exploring the shores of the beautiful lake I can now understand why we got some funny looks. Although popular with Europeans it seems to have passed us Brits by. Which is somewhat surprising on the basis it is so easy to get to. And there is so much to do. I think we could have easily spent two weeks in the area. If you are looking for a quiet family holiday, which is not going to break the bank with lots of fun and culture thrown in then the Bodensee is for you.

The boys were aged ten and six when we visited so this Bodensee Itinerary is suitable for children.

Table of Contents

How to get to the Bodensee on holiday

Coming from the UK we drove down to UnterUhldingen which is where we stayed on the Lake Constance Bodensee. Taking the Eurotunnel over which is generally our starting point for a European holiday. We drove down to Strasbourg which is around five and half to six hours from Calais. We broke the trip up staying overnight and exploring the area. Before driving a further two and a half hours to our destination for the week.

We are lucky we have been taking the boys on trips like this for years. And so they are used to it. However, if you are a little nervous then you can fly into Friedrichshafen from London Gatwick with EasyJet. Which will bring you in on the German side of the lake. Alternatively, Innsbruck would be your closest airport in Austria and Zurich on the Swiss Alps side. Innsbruck to Bregenz is 2 hours and 40 minutes by car and Zurich to Konstanz is around 50 minutes.

Where to stay on the Bodensee while on holiday

We chose to stay in Germany as generally, it works out cheaper than its more expensive neighbours in the four-country region. However, we crossed over into each country frequently during our visit. There is no border crossing as such between them. We did spot the odd campsite while driving around. However, travelling in April and the husband not being a great fan of camping we opted for an apartment.

On the German side, there are many guest houses which offer rooms and holiday apartments. With self-catering facilities and balconies overlooking the lake. Our seven-night stay cost £580 for the four of us in a one-bedroom apartment. Which was right on the shores of Lake Constance and gave us a lake view.

I booked ours through booking.com* which tends to be my go-to. Of course, there are also luxury hotels in the more built-up towns around the Bodensee. But with the boys getting older we find hotels are much more expensive especially if they do not offer family rooms. Just make sure that you ensure wherever you stay has parking as you will need a car to explore Lake Constance fully.

Once you have decided on the type of accommodation that would best suit you. The next step is deciding where. We stayed in UnterUhldingen which has a UNESCO World Heritage site. I chose this because the accommodation fitted our budget and it felt like a good midpoint around the lake. Nothing is more scientific than that! It turned out perfectly for us, as it was a quiet chilled location with several restaurants and lots of the kids to do in the immediate vicinity. There were also a couple of supermarkets a short drive away.

I think the beauty of Lake Constance and the Bodensee is that no matter where you stay you will find plenty to keep you entertained.

Our 7 Days on the Bodensee Holiday Itinerary

Part of the problem with travelling in the off-season is that you can never guarantee the weather. For this reason, we changed some of our planned days around. As we had mixed weather during our visit. Most of the attractions around the Lake will open from the beginning of April. Which is when the boats start to operate again. Although if travelling in April like us then it is still considered the low season. We found some of the timetables lacked flexibility and opening hours were reduced. Yet it also meant that we could explore without the crowds.

Having fallen in love with Strasbourg we decided to stay a little longer than originally planned. This meant that we did not reach our destination until quite late. I do like the flexibility that driving down affords you. Had Strasbourg not lived up to expectations we would have arrived earlier. For that reason, we are starting our 7 days in Bodensee on our first full day.

Bodensee Itinerary Day One – The Flower Island

I totally underestimated the time we would need for this. Allow a whole day. Especially if you reach it by boat as we did, crossing the Lake of Constance is part of the fun. If you are lucky then you may also catch an airship over the shores of the lake as we did. They come out of the Zeppelin Museum which is a little further along the lake. You can book to go up in them but they book out very far in advance and are very expensive. Too much for this trip although we intend to return one day and give it a go.

Although boats go from all over the lake to Mainau Island. Ours was a short fifteen-minute journey which meant we spent almost six hours exploring. When we visited the Spring flowers were just coming into bloom. There were lots of daffodils in the beautiful gardens that surround Mainau Castle. However, they also have a rose garden and dahlias for other times of the year. There was also lots for the kids to enjoy including a large butterfly house, animals and a great play area. I was pleased to see lots of food options too if you do not bring a picnic. Boat tickets cost 30€ for all four of us and entrance was free for the boys but 24€ per adult. It is possible to buy a combined boat and garden ticket.

Bodensee Itinerary Day Two Morning – Rhine Falls

The largest waterfall in Europe is a must-see if you are visiting the Bodensee on holiday we had the best time. We drove when we visited although depending on where you are staying on Lake Constance you may be able to get a boat trip up the Rhine. However, because of where we were staying and the fact we were travelling out of season it would have taken most of the day to get there by boat. Instead, we got the opportunity to explore a medieval town on the way home.

The thing to do at the falls is to take a boat trip to get really close (and you really do). If you are feeling brave then you can also climb one of the islands in the middle. Harry is accident-prone at the best of times so we decided on a simple get as close as you can without getting off the boat sort of trip. We brought our tickets when we arrived but you can book in advance. It was an unforgettable experience. There are plenty of places to grab some food, a small play area and various viewing platforms. Take a raincoat as you will get wet.

Please note if driving you will pass into Switzerland where the falls are located. If driving on the motorways you will require a vignette which can be brought at the border. Both Euros and Swiss Francs are taken at the entrance and in the souvenir shops and eateries.

READ MORE – Rhine Falls in Switzerland – Good To Know Before You Go

Bodensee Itinerary Day Two Afternoon – Stein am Rhein

After a lot of excitement in the morning, we headed to the small medieval town of Stein am Rhein which is also located in Switzerland and right on the Rhine. An alternative which is closer to the Rhine Falls if you do not have a car is Schaffhausen. Which also has an old town in the centre. However, we chose Rhein am Stein on the basis it was more compact and would only take a couple of hours at best.

The small walled town dates back to around 1007 and has a number of historical Swiss buildings. The historic city centre has several painted facades and half-timber houses. It is worth a wander and is truly beautiful. There are several cafes and restaurants in the main square opposite the town hall. As well as a riverside area where you can sit and enjoy a drink and some ice cream. Make sure you pick up some information in the tourist office.

Bodensee Itinerary Day Three – Day trip to Vaduz in Liechtenstein

Faced with a day of rain we decided to jump in the car and head to the principality of Liechtenstein. Being so close by we were keen to tick another country off our list. From where we were staying it was an hour and a half drive. Located off the bottom right side of Lake Constance Bodensee, it would be even closer if you were staying in Austria or Switzerland. We crossed over all four countries when driving. As well as the Swiss vignette Austria also has one which costs 9.90€ for ten days.

We stayed for around three and a half hours in Vaduz, there is not a huge amount to do in the city centre. But the kids enjoyed getting a stamp on their passport, visiting the treasure chamber and a ride on the small train. You may need slightly longer if you intend to visit the vineyards, and all four museums or visit during peak times and need to park on the outskirts of town. We did pick up some fine wine on our visit from one of the wine shops.

Bodensee Itinerary Day Four – Day trip to Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau Castles

Technically this is not on Lake Constance or the Bodensee so you may decide it’s too far to travel. You definitely need a car to reach Neuschwanstein Castle and Hohenschwangau

Castle. Which is around a two-hour drive away. However, it has been on my bucket list for a long time. The weather was not looking great so we took the opportunity to escape the Lake and head East.

We booked our tickets in advance to ensure we had an English tour. It is easy to do online and they make suggestions on how long you should leave between each Castle to give you enough time to move between the two. It is very strict on the timed entry, this is one tourist attraction that you can not afford to be late for. So if you do visit bear this in mind. There are plenty of places to eat and you can even catch a horse and carriage up to both castles to save little legs.

Bodensee Itinerary Day Five – Medieval Meersburg

After a couple of very busy days, a quiet day was in order. We headed to the next village along from where we were staying, testing out the public transport. Meersburg is a beautiful village right on Lake Constance. With both a lakeside promenade and winding cobbled streets with half-timber buildings.

Known for its pretzels and fine wine there is plenty to enjoy about this little village. Sugared fruit is also sold in abundance and there are lots of little shops you can browse in. I would recommend stopping at Winzerverein Meersburg for a glass of the local tipple. Where if you feel so inclined you can also keep the glass to take home with you. There is even a wine museum if you would like to learn all about the production and history of wine in the region.

For children, there is the Meersburg Castle dating back to Medieval times. A self-guided tour takes you around the Medieval castle highlighting points of interest. Allow at least an hour for this. If you would like to try some traditional German cuisine then there are several restaurants to choose from. As well as fast food outlets, pizza and pasta restaurants and even a burger restaurant. We spent around five hours exploring and eating!

Bodensee Itinerary Day Six Morning – Cable Car

One of the top things to do on Lake Constance is the Pfänderbahn Cable Car located at the Austrian end of the Bodensee. This takes you up the Pfander Mountain and gives stunning views across Lake Constance and the rest of the Bodensee. That is of course assuming the weather plays ball. We arrived early and there was a lot of cloud hanging low. Not realising that this was because of the snow the mountain had, had the night before. Whoops we were not appropriately dressed. But the boys loved it.

As well as the lookout point there is also a play park, walking trails and also an alpine animal park. We spent around two hours and by the time we left the cloud had cleared completely. Being out of season the panoramic terrace and restaurant were shut. But there is a snack kiosk and gift shop which was open. The views are really are stunning. There is a small car park right at the base of the cable car. It is located in the town of Brengz which you could easily spend the afternoon exploring. Although we had plans to visit an alternative town.

Bodensee Itinerary Day Six Afternoon – Island of Lindau

You can see the medieval town of Lindau from the top of the Pfander Mountain. Floating in a sea of blue. We ate lunch and had a wander around the cobbled streets. There is a self-directed walking tour that you can pick up from the tourist information centre. This is located opposite the train station. Walking the circular route will bring you close to the lake if you want to dip your toes in. There are also several lakeside bars on the outer wall that looked very inviting. With plenty of shops, a pretty harbour and an elaborate town hall it is no wonder it is a popular destination for tourists when visiting Lake Constance on the Bodensee.

Bodensee Itinerary Day Seven – Reptiles & Monkeys

As we were staying in UnterUhldingen once we had checked out of our apartment we headed to the small Reptile Centre. This is only a four-mile drive from our second stop so could be combined. But as lovely as it is I would not drive specifically for this. As it is quite small. We spent around forty minutes looking at the selection of snakes and lizards. The boys were particularly excited by the Python that did not live inside a tank. Which meant that could touch and stroke him.

After we headed to Affenberg Salem. Another top attraction on the Bodensee while on holiday the monkey forest allows you to walk among the Barbary macaques monkeys. Not something we had never experienced in the UK before. Think Lemar walkthrough but of epic proportions. Our plan was to drive from here to our overnight stop in France. It was nice to see a restaurant and kids’ play area. Although both of these are outside the attraction. We also saw lots of storks which the area is well known for building nests.

As well as the monkeys you can also see various birdlife on the lake. As well as some deer. We paid extra to go on the Treetop Walkway which took us through the trees. And gave us more opportunity to see the monkeys from above. There are several feeding sessions throughout the day. Although the talks are given in German it is fun watching the monkeys eat and play. You could easily spend most of the day at Affenberg Salem.

We had a wonderful holiday on the Bodensee and good weather for the time of year. Have you visited the Bodensee or Lake Constance region on holiday? Please let me know about your experiences in the comments below.