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Konstanz packs a Gothic cathedral, a flower island, a lake aquarium and one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval old towns into a walkable centre. Most sights cluster within 15 minutes on foot of the Marktstätte, and the lake itself is the biggest draw. Here are the things to do in Konstanz worth your time, with hours and prices, followed by the best neighborhoods in Konstanz to base yourself in, and check the Konstanz weather by month guide to time your visit.
Things to Do in Konstanz: Landmarks and Churches
Konstanz Minster (Münster Unserer Lieben Frau)
The Gothic minster in the heart of the Altstadt was begun around 1050 and rebuilt over five centuries. Entry to the nave is free, and the 78-metre tower costs €2 to climb for a view over the rooftops to the lake and the Swiss shore. The church is open daily from roughly 10:00 to 18:00 (shorter in winter), and the Romanesque crypt and medieval stained glass are the highlights.
Imperia Statue
Peter Lenk’s 9-metre rotating statue stands on the harbour mole and depicts a courtesan holding two small figures, the Emperor and the Pope, in her hands, a nod to the 1414-1418 Council of Constance. It turns once every four minutes and is free to view from the harbour promenade, best photographed at sunset with the lake behind it.
Konzilgebäude (Council Building)
This 14th-century warehouse on the harbour was the site of the 1417 papal conclave that elected Pope Martin V and ended the Western Schism, the only papal election ever held north of the Alps. Today it hosts concerts and conferences; the ground-floor restaurant’s lakeside terrace is the reason to stop by. Exterior viewing is free.
Things to Do in Konstanz: Museums and Culture
Rosgartenmuseum
Konstanz’s city museum sits in a former guild house on the Rosgartenstrasse and covers the region’s history from Stone Age lake dwellings through the Council of Constance to the 20th century. Entry costs €4 (€2 reduced), and it’s open Tuesday to Sunday 10:00-18:00, Thursday until 19:00, closed Mondays.
SEA LIFE Konstanz
The lake aquarium near the harbour houses around 3,500 creatures from Lake Constance and the Rhine, from native pike and perch to tropical reefs and a walk-through glass tunnel. Online tickets start at about €20.95 for adults, and it opens daily from 10:00, closing between 17:00 and 19:00 by season. It’s the best rainy-day option with kids.
Things to Do in Konstanz: The Lake and Outdoors
Insel Mainau (Mainau Island)
The 45-hectare flower island lies 6 km north of the centre and is reached by ferry from the harbour (about 30 minutes) or bus line 4. Its baroque palace, palm house and rotating seasonal displays, tulips in spring and dahlias in autumn, draw over a million visitors a year. Summer admission is about €25.90 for adults, roughly half that in winter, and the gardens open from sunrise to sunset.
Ferry to Meersburg and Lake Cruises
The car ferry shuttles across the lake to the medieval town of Meersburg every 15-30 minutes in about 15 minutes; a foot-passenger single costs about €2.80. From Meersburg you can tour the castle and wine terraces, or loop back on the Bodensee passenger boats that link Konstanz, Friedrichshafen and the Swiss shore. Timetables run roughly April to October, with reduced winter service. Check the Konstanz events and festivals calendar before you go to line up a festival.
Niederburg and the Medieval Lanes
The Niederburg quarter, the oldest part of town, climbs narrow lanes between half-timbered houses toward the Hoher Hafen gate. It’s free to wander, and the Stephanskirche and the 15th-century Schnetztor tower anchor the walk. Go in the early morning before the tour groups, and pair it with the where to stay in Konstanz guide if you want a room in this quarter.
Hörnle and Strandbad Swimming Areas
For swimming, head to the Hörnle peninsula on the north shore or the Strandbad lido with its 1-km sand-and-grass beach, both free or low-cost and reached by bus. Lake water hits 20-22°C (68-72°F) in July and August. Bring water shoes for the pebbly sections and arrive before 11:00 on hot weekends, and see the best time to visit Konstanz guide for the warmest weeks.
Things to Do in Konstanz: Day Trips Nearby
Kreuzlingen and the Swiss Border
The Swiss town of Kreuzlingen is a 5-minute walk from the old town across an unmarked border, and many visitors pop over for the SEA LIFE-adjacent Seeburg park or a Swiss meal. Remember to carry a passport and note that prices jump to Swiss francs across the line. See the Konstanz travel tips page for border and money details, and start with the Konstanz travel guide for the city overview.
