My daughter and I are planning to visit Lake Constance/Bodensee in early May. We will have a car (no need to tell me all the reasons why we shouldn't) and I'd love to know what little towns around the lake are best and which ones to avoid. We'll only have 2 days - will definitely hit Mainau. Anyone have experience with renting bikes in the area?? All suggestions are welcome!! Oh, and when we leave the area, we'll be driving to Dachau, so any place along the way up there would be great, too!
Posted by
Bay Area
3551 posts
I have stayed in Lindau and really enjoyed it espec as my first stop upon arriving at Zurich airport.
Posted by
St Paul
153 posts
We were in the Bodensee May, 2017 and stayed in Konstanz three nights. We day tripped to Mainau and Meersburg from there. It was a chilly, rainy day when we were in Meersburg, which was a disappointment as we would have enjoyed it much more in better weather. We toured the Castle and ate lunch in the their restaurant. We also day tripped to Stein am Rhein and Schaffhausen , Switzerland. We were happy that we went to each of the towns. We then went to Lindau for three nights and loved it there. In Lindau, we rented bikes and did a very easy ride over to Bregenz, Austria. The bike rental was on a street quite close to the train station. Don't remember the cost other than it was very reasonable.
You'll have a great time!
Posted by
Finkle
195 posts
We stayed in Konstanz and took Ferry to Meersburg-highly recommend. Wine tasting at state run cooperative which also has a very good restaurant was fun,
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
7166 posts
We only stayed in Konstanz and enjoyed our limited time there. Glad you WILL have a car since you can see so many places you otherwise woulddn’t be able to. Have a nice trip.
Posted by
Southeast US
4046 posts
A friend and I stayed in Meersburg and really liked it. We spent a day at Mainau/Konstanz, a day in Meersburg, and a day at Lindau. Enjoyed all our stops.
Posted by
Wisconsin
570 posts
I biked around the Bodensee about 10 years ago, renting the bike and starting in Lindau, going clockwise. I think the bike rental place was just across from the train station. Very reasonable, as I recall. I biked to Stein am Rhein from Konstanz, and also overnighted in Immenstaad. The Zeppelin museum in Friedrichshafen was interesting.
Posted by
Wisconsin
570 posts
The town of Überlingen has an interesting/strange/weird fountain/statue designed by Peter Lenk..... :)
Posted by
Vancouver, Canada
74 posts
My mother and I visited this area together a few years ago and had a wonderful time. We stayed in Meersburg (at the excellent Gasthof zum Bären), which was a great base for us (we were travelling without a car). We took the ferry to Mainau, spent a rainy day in Konstanz, used a beautiful day to walk to and from Unteruhldingen (where, this being summer, there was a brass band playing in the park on Sunday afternoon - idyllic), and followed the pilgrim trail to the church in Baitenhausen. Most importantly, the highlight of the trip for us - and the main reason we chose Meersburg as our base - was enjoying the fantastic therme on the lakeshore. Life does not get better than relaxing in the infinity pool while looking across the lake at the alps.
We are still looking for excuses to go back, we loved it so much!
As for the bikes, the area seems built around cycling tourism so there are lots of options. The Meersburg tourist website has a listing (in the right-hand column) of places you can rent them:
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
7898 posts
In addition to Stein am Rhein, Aarau has a lovely old town with unusual gabled architecture. Of course Switzerland is more expensive than Germany. Make sure the rental agency knows which countries you are going to. (No cost for Switzerland, I'm sure. But how about a toll Vignette?) I was underwhelmed by the Rheinfall, but that's personal preference.