If you drive east from Meersburg, you will experience a completely different Lake Constance: the Obersee. In this article we will see Obersee Bodensee things to do. Lake Constance’s shoreline touches three different countries: Germany to the north, Switzerland to the south and Austria at its eastern end.
The water body itself contains no borders since there is no legally binding agreement between the three countries. The lake outside the 25-meter isobath is not considered a common area but an area that doesn’t belong to any country.
This makes it the only area in Europe that doesn’t have borders. Here the lake fascinates with its vastness and size – it is twelve kilometers from Friedrichshafen to Romanshorn (car ferry), fourteen to Arbon.
Here it deserves the name “Swabian Sea”, which has remained from the time when it was in the heart of the Duchy of Swabia. Baden-Württemberg has occupied a large part of the shore since the south-western state was formed in 1952.
Only insiders will notice the differences between the Baden and Württemberg parts. The Bodensee wine is predominantly Baden wine, but the fish dishes that are shaped by the landscape are largely the same around the lake. The gastronomy adjusts itself to what the tourists expect. Below are listed Obersee Bodensee things to do.
1.Meersburg New Palace – Bodensee
The New Palace in Meersburg towers majestically above picturesque vineyards and the impressive blue waters of Lake Constance. This original baroque residence is still as beautiful now as when it was built in 1710.
Its stately architecture and furnishings are impressive, with arched gables and rich ornaments outside and fantastic stucco and glorious frescoes inside.
A special highlight The exhibition on the principal floor shows how the prince-bishops of Constance lived in their Meersburg residence with its magnificent state apartment and private rooms.
As well as diverse topics such as hunting, music at court and the natural history collections for which the prince-bishops were famous at the time, the museum deals with the town’s later development to the present day.
2.Salem Monastery – Kloster und Schloss Salem
Only six kilometres from the shores of Lake Constance, Salem Monastery is one of the most beautiful cultural monuments around Lake Constance. The monastery once belonged to the Cistercian Order and was one of the wealthiest and most important abbeys in the region of Lake Constance.
The arty abbots of the 18th century turned Salem into the center of the Rococo, which is stil visible today. In the 19th century, the margraves of Baden then appointed the huge monastery complex their palace.
3.Ravensburger Spieleland
Ravensburger Spieleland delights the whole family! The amusement park on Lake Constance celebrated its 20th birthday in 2018 with many exciting novelties. Dive into the new theme area “BRIO World” and experience the play worlds water police, metro and construction site up close.
Join the new BRIO surfers on a speedy ride through the harbour, make your favourite chocolate in Ritter Sport’s chocolate workshop or discover the world of agriculture in the new CLAAS vehicle course – you will spend unforgettable moments together in Germany’s most family-friendly theme park.
4.Meersburg Castle – The oldest inhabited castle in Germany
Opened to the public at the end of the 19th century, it is one of the main attractions on Lake Constance, and a visit to the museum is an unforgettable experience.
More than 30 furnished rooms bring the Middle Ages to life. You can see an old castle kitchen, the Dürnitz, the hall, the armory, knight’s hall, castle dungeon, stable, torture chamber and much more.
Information about the tour is available here. You can get the tickets for the castle museum at the gate guard next to the castle. There you can also purchase relevant literature such as castle guides and the like. Location
5.Obersee Bodensee, The region for nature lovers
Obersee Bodensee is prominently located in the foothills of the Alps, where the three countries Germany, Switzerland and Austria meet. One of the largest rivers in Germany, the Rhine, flows through the lake.
At Constance, the river changes into the four-kilometre-long “Seerhein”, which connects the so-called Obersee and Untersee. Lake Constance is actually two waters that are separated by a peninsula.
Popular hiking destinations such as the Marienschlucht gorge (currently unfortunately closed), jewels such as the island of Mainau and the Rhine Falls near Schaffhausen have made the region famous.
Numerous nature reserves attract nature lovers, birdwatching opportunities and rare plants await visitors.
6.Mainau, the Flower Island
Flower Island Mainau offers year-round beauty with 45 hectare of impressive gardens, dining and shopping. We host the second largest butterfly house in Germany that invites you to explore a tropical world with colourful butterflies and blossoms.
Our themed gardens include a Rhododendron Slope, Italian Rose Garden, Dahlia Garden and Hydrangea Path, Herbaceous Garden. Mainau Island is home to a baroque palace, rare plant collections, a popular butterfly house and restaurants.
Find them all, and more, on this map of attractions. Thousands upon thousands tulips, hundreds of rhododendrons, scented roses, perennials and colourful dahlias bloom in the park and gardens. Palms and citrus plants lend the island a Mediterranean flair in summer. Read more: Top 10 Things to do in Mainau Flower Island – Germany
7.Beautiful landscape of Allgäu
Whoever thinks of the Allgäu Alps conjures up the image of lush green meadows, crystal clear water and breathtaking mountain scenery.
The impressive cultural landscape serves as a symbol of this popular region for locals and visitors alike. But a lot of work goes into preserving this idyll: For more than a thousand years, the farmers have been working the green fields and woods of the Allgäu Alps by raising crops and animals.
In this way they have preserved their homeland and their identity – as is the case with Armin Kling.
8.Zeppelin flight
he engines purr quietly as the Zeppelin NT majestically lifts off and reaches its cruising altitude of about 300 metres. Unfasten your seat belts, stroll around, take a look over the pilot’s shoulder or enjoy the amazing view from the huge panorama windows.
It’s up to you – the world is at your feet. The low flying altitude means that passengers can recognise details on the ground.
Clear the stage for a rich and varied landscape ranging from the green Allgäu though the castles and palaces on the shores of Lake Constance and the typical architecture of the Vorarlberg countryside to the colourful islands and unique views along the foothills of the Alps.
Twelve routes around Lake Constance and selected city trips within Germany offer you a whole new outlook.
9.Visit Principality of Liechtenstein
Small and fine – the Principality of Liechtenstein, which extends over just 160 square kilometers, offers enough space for prosperity, modernity and tradition to coexist.
As a highly developed industrial location, the country is at the forefront of the world and as a financial center, Liechtenstein has earned international trust with high quality standards.
In addition to prosperity for its 35,000 inhabitants, Liechtenstein also ensures attractive tourism. Liechtenstein’s landmark is Vaduz Castle high above the capital of the same name.
Liechtenstein and each of its eleven municipalities have their absolute highlights and sights: scenic, cultural, culinary, sporty and relaxing. One would like to recommend: just go ahead and discover!
10.Skywalk Allgäu
Let your gaze wander over the treetops into the Allgäu mountains, learn exciting things about the local nature and breathe fresh air all day – the skywalk allgäu nature adventure park near Scheidegg is an ideal destination for a relaxing day in the middle of nature.
With a height of up to 40 meters, the treetop path in the skywalk allgäu nature adventure park is one of the highest in Germany.
The footbridges, 540 meters long, lead over 34 species of trees. On the top viewing platform, visitors can enjoy a unique view over the picturesque Allgäu to the Alps and Lake Constance.
11.See six countries together from the Säntis Mountain
The weather on the Säntis is always spectacular. In the fascinating new experiential world on the mountain summit the impressive natural phenomena and its elementary effects become definitely comprehensible.
The panoramic weather observation on clear sky days at 2502 m. a. s. offers a majestic outlook over six different nations.
The interactive panoramic round walk supported by quiz games and self-made experiments is a full immersion in the Säntis weather elements. Read more about Säntis Mountain
12.SEA LIFE Constance
Dive deep into the underwater world and experience the breath-taking world of the oceans! SEA LIFE Constance takes you on a fascinating journey in the underwater world!
Walk through the glass tunnel in the depths of the ocean as Amadeus and Clementine – impressive green sea turtles – and majestic sharks swim by, right next to you. SEA LIFE Constance is Obersee Bodensee one of best things to do.
Embark on an expedition to Antarctica and meet the 10 droll Gentoo penguins. Learn amazing things from talks by SEA LIFE guides and get your hands wet in the touch tank to find out how ray and shark eggs feel.
13.Rhine Falls – Europe’s largest waterfall
The mighty Switzerland Rhine Falls is the most powerful waterfall in all of Europe and one of the most popular places to visit in Switzerland.
This popular tourist attraction has over one million visitors each year, who all come to see not only the Rhine Falls in Switzerland but the stunning landscape and villages that surround the Rhine River.
The Rhine River Falls is found on a stretch of the Rhine River known as the High Rhine. This is where the waters cascade down to a lower level, creating the picturesque Rhine Water Falls.
The falls are just a single drop waterfall, however with a width of 150 metres and a height of 23 metres, its size is impressive.
Obersee Bodensee things to do
- Meersburg New Palace – Bodensee
- Salem Monastery
- Ravensburger Spieleland
- Meersburg Castle – The oldest inhabited castle in Germany
- Obersee Bodensee, The region for nature lovers
- Mainau, the Flower Island
- Beautiful landscape of Allgäu
- Zeppelin flight
- Visit Principality of Liechtenstein
- Skywalk allgäu
- See six countries together from the Säntis Mountain
- SEA LIFE Constance
- Rhine Falls – Europe’s largest waterfall