Konstanz
Discover Konstanz
Konstanz is a city in southern Germany. It lies on the border with Switzerland and on Lake Constance (Bodensee) between Obersee and Untersee, exactly where the river Rhine exits the lake. The city is split in two by the Rhine. Although the Rhine is the usual border between Switzerland and Germany, the historic part of Konstanz lies on the south ("Swiss") side of the Rhine and is more or less an exclave. Konstanz has traces of civilization dating from the stone age and was settled by the Romans in about 50 CE. Konstanz was an important trade centre and a spiritual centre. At the council of Konstanz in 1414-1418, a papal election was held, ending the papal schism. Three popes went into the council (one from Avignon one from Rome one from Pisa) an entirely different person left as the single pope. The council was also the place where Jan Hus was burned despite an assurance of safe passage. Konstanz attempted to join the Swiss Confederacy in about 1460, but was voted down. Due to its proximity to Switzerland, Konstanz was not bombed during World War II and its historic old town remains intact. It is a historic city with a charming old town, and could be called the jewel of the region.
What to Experience in Konstanz
Taste of Konstanz...
Konstanz has a rich variety of all kinds of restaurants, cafes, bistros and bars. Due to the proximity of the Swiss border, prices are higher than in other cities (mentally add €2 to every main dish you are eating in other German cities). In summertime most restaurants offer outside sitting and eating, in the evening hours it is hard to find a place, occasionally. A yearly published magazine "Die Seezunge" covers many of the Konstanz eateries and is available in tabac shops and kiosks. A good start to discover the Konstanz restaurant scene is to start at the central marketplace Marktstätte. Just north of the "Marktstätte" is the old fish market site Fischmarkt. There are lots of very good "Dönerbuden" (kebap houses) in the city center selling this Turkish dish. If you're looking for a hostel, there are also a couple in the Swiss town of Kreuzlingen, which is practically a suburb of Konstanz.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsKonstanz has no commercial airport. The closest airports are: 47.6587649.1771671 Konstanz Hauptbahnhof (in the old town). This is the main train station. It's the last German stop before the Swiss border, and is therefore served by both German and Swiss trains. Hourly direct trains from Zurich Main Station (1hr 20 min) go via Zurich Airport. Zurich Main Station has excellent connections to the rest of Switzerland as well as Italy, Austria and France. The other train stations in Konstanz are in the city districts of Petershausen, Fürstenberg and Wollmatingen. Most places around Lake Constance can be reached by train: Romanshorn, St. Gallen, Stein am Rhein and Schaffhausen can all be reached with a change in Kreuzlingen (which is the "Swiss suburb" of Konstanz, just across the border), whereas Friedrichshafen, Lindau and other German places around the lake require a change in Radolfzell and take a long time - the boat can often be quicker....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Konstanz's centre (old town) is largely pedestrian and very walkable. The bus system is fast and efficient. The bus costs €2.10 (adult) or €1.05 (child). A day ticket is €4.00. Taxis are nearly always available in front of the main train station. There are bicycle paths all over the city. Bicycles can be rented from near the train station (about 100 m north of the main station building) for €12 per day or less. Konstanz has a rich variety of all kinds of restaurants, cafes, bistros and bars. Due to the proximity of the Swiss border, prices are higher than in other cities (mentally add €2 to every main dish you are eating in other German cities). In summertime most restaurants offer outside sitting and eating, in the evening hours it is hard to find a place, occasionally. A yearly published magazine "Die Seezunge" covers many of the Konstanz eateries and is available in tabac shops and kiosks.
Where to Stay
If you're looking for a hostel, there are also a couple in the Swiss town of Kreuzlingen, which is practically a suburb of Konstanz.
Money & Budget
Konstanz has a rich variety of all kinds of restaurants, cafes, bistros and bars. Due to the proximity of the Swiss border, prices are higher than in other cities (mentally add €2 to every main dish you are eating in other German cities). In summertime most restaurants offer outside sitting and eating, in the evening hours it is hard to find a place, occasionally. A yearly published magazine "Die Seezunge" covers many of the Konstanz eateries and is available in tabac shops and kiosks. A good start to discover the Konstanz restaurant scene is to start at the central marketplace Marktstätte. Just north of the "Marktstätte" is the old fish market site Fischmarkt. There are lots of very good "Dönerbuden" (kebap houses) in the city center selling this Turkish dish.
Safety Information
Glimpses of Konstanz
A beautiful sight of buildings in Konstanz, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
a clock tower sitting in the middle of a body of water
Looking up at a cathedral from between two buildings
people standing outside a store
a sailboat with two people on it in the water
iPhone 12 Mini
a duck is swimming in the water
person holding clear glass bottle
Aach flows into Lake Constance
a bird sitting on top of a pile of twigs
A beautiful sight of buildings in Konstanz, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
a clock tower sitting in the middle of a body of water
Looking up at a cathedral from between two buildings