Germany, Austria and Switzerland border Lake Constance, which consists of three bodies of water: Lake Überlingen, Lower Lake and the Upper Lake are the cause of its distinctive shape. Anyone who has visited Lake Constance once will want to come back again and again. The figures for the third largest lake alone are impressive:
With a water surface of 536 km² and a circumference of 273 km, it is the third largest lake in Central Europe. At 63 km long and 14 km wide, the opposite shore often disappears behind the horizon. The deepest point measures over 251 m. An impressive figure if you are just sailing over the waves of the lake on one of the white excursion boats.
Lake Constance holds another phenomenon in store: The Alpine Rhine flows into the lake in Austria to leave it again as the Rhine near Constance. Three large islands lie in Lake Constance: the vegetable and monastery island of Reichenau, the island city of Lindau and the flower island of Mainau are among the very special sights on Lake Constance.
Lake Constance
The Upper Lake
The Upper Lake is the belly and therefore the largest part of Lake Constance. Germany, Austria, and Switzerland share the shore, with Germany having the longest stretch and Austria the shortest. The Upper Lake is like a postcard in many places: You can stroll through charming old towns with winding half-timbered houses in Meersburg or Lindau. From the long lakeside promenade in Friedrichshafen, you can enjoy a unique view of the water and the snow-capped peaks of the Alps. A zeppelin, whose history is closely linked to Lake Constance and the city of Friedrichshafen, circles almost silently above your head.
The Lower Lake
For many cyclists, however, the Lower Lake is considered the most beautiful part of Lake Constance. The Swiss Seerücken and the Höri peninsula, which once inspired Hermann Hesse, combine to form a varied landscape that is criss-crossed by well-maintained cycle paths. Constance and Stein am Rhein are two unique towns to the west and east of Untersee. Both towns were not affected by the war and still present themselves today with colorfully painted half-timbered houses and narrow alleyways.
Lake Überlingen
Lake Überlingen, the upper arm of Lake Constance between Meersburg, Bodman-Ludwigshafen and Constance, has a different character: the shores of Lake Constance are steeper and more hilly, while the gentle volcanic cones of the Hegau can be seen to the west. The flower island of Mainau lies in Lake Überlingen and the pile dwellings stand in the water off Unteruhldingen. And if you're already there, don't miss a visit to the funny monkeys in Salem.
The Lake Constance Cycle Path
The 273 km along the shore are great to discover, especially on a bike! The Lake Constance Cycle Path is one of the most popular routes in Europe. And rightly so, after all, almost every cyclist's wish can be fulfilled. Whether short stages on the flat paths directly on the shore, sporty ambitious once around in one or a few days or with the mountain bike in the hilly surrounding area - Lake Constance is known as a paradise for cyclists not least because of its versatility! On the way there is a lot to discover: Be it the butterflies on the flower island Mainau, the droll monkeys in Salem or the Zeppelin Museum in Friedrichshafen, the breaks could hardly be more different. One thing, however, always remains the same: Around Lake Constance, the glittering water is never far away and always tempts you to take a dip in the cool water!
