Lake Constance in 3 Days: A Scenic Long Weekend Itinerary

Picture this: calm, glassy waters shimmering in the sun, gentle green hills fading into the horizon, and pastel villages with flower-draped balconies. Dreamy, right?

That’s Lake Constance (or Bodensee as it’s also known), and it’s the ultimate long weekend escape for culture lovers on the go.

If you’re squeezing travel into a few precious days off work, this 3-day Lake Constance itinerary is your fast-track to a rich, relaxing adventure without the planning stress.

I spent 72 hours exploring this exact route across Switzerland, Austria and Germany. I hopped scenic passenger ships, sipped wine at a family-run vineyard, marvelled at a jaw-dropping Baroque library, and yes, indulged in plenty of local cheese straight from the source.

So switch on your ‘Out of Office’ and embark on this one effortless itinerary that perfectly mixes history, nature, and unforgettable eats. Just pack light layers (Alpine weather loves to surprise you!), and don’t forget the Bodensee Card PLUS. It’s your golden ticket to 160+ regional attractions and experiences. I used it for almost everything covered in this post and saved a bundle compared to buying tickets individually.

Ready to sample Lake Constance in 3 days? Let’s map out the perfect Lake Constance long weekend itinerary, packed with local gems, zero guesswork, and all the charm you can handle.

About Lake Constance/Bodensee

Lake Constance, or the Bodensee as it’s known in German, is Europe’s third largest lake and a natural beauty spot that’s popular with holidaymakers, cyclists and hikers.

The lake borders part of Switzerland, Austria and Germany, and Liechtenstein makes up the last of this four-country region that’s home to picturesque lakeside towns and resorts.

I was thrilled to be invited by the Internationale Bodensee Tourismus GmbH to visit the region and discover some of its highlights over a long weekend, and I was blown away by both the scenery and the variety of attractions and activities on offer. There really is so much to discover and enjoy, all year round, whatever the weather.

Here’s my exact itinerary, ready for you to follow in my footsteps.

Day 1: Discover St. Gallen, Switzerland

Founded in 612 by an Irish monk called Gallus (who clearly had an eye for scenic spots), St. Gallen grew from a tiny hermitage into a thriving city famed for its textile heritage.

The city still produces beautiful embroideries today and is full of public art, giving it an outdoor-gallery vibe. It’s creative, historical, and quietly cool – I loved it!

Getting to St Gallen from Zurich Airport

Zurich Airport is the closest international airport to St. Gallen, with frequent flights operated from the UK by airlines including Swiss and EasyJet.

From Zurich Airport (ZRH), hop on a direct train to St. Gallen’s main train station – it takes around an hour. Book via my go-to provider for European train travel Omio, which makes ticket comparison and activation super simple.

Morning: Abbey of St. Gallen & Textiles Museum

Start your day at the Abbey of St. Gallen and its incredible library – it’s a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site for obvious reasons and genuinely one of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. It. Is. Breathtaking.

You’ll get slippers to wear over your shoes inside (to protect the flooring, not for lounging!), and once you’ve picked your jaw up off the floor don’t miss the mummy tucked quietly at the back.

Downstairs, accessed via the lift, explore ancient manuscripts and the famous Monastery Plan, a rare medieval document. The abbey, library, vaulted cellar and exhibition space are all included with the Bodensee Card PLUS – a saving of 18 CHF.

After exploring the old town area, wander to the Textile Museum, which showcases everything from intricate lacework to modern smart fabrics. I loved exploring this beautiful building, turning the pages of the books full of lacework examples, viewing the fashion garments and picking up a handmade souvenir from the shop (check out the beautiful tiling!)

If you time it well, you may catch one of their live demonstrations on the 1890 hand embroidery machine – it’s mesmerising!

A visit to the Textile Museum is included with the Bodensee Card PLUS, saving 12 CHF on the admission fee.

Afternoon: Appenzeller Schaukaserei

Take the bus to Appenzeller Schaukaserei, a cheese factory in nearby Stein for a cheesy adventure (literally!).

The short, self-guided tour includes secret surprises and mini tastings. I loved that you get to unlock interactive displays and sections along the way with your own key, as well as sample the various flavours.

You can follow along using your mobile device by scanning a QR code (there’s free WiFi if you need it). I left with an even greater love of Swiss cheese… and a mild food coma!

The Bodensee Card PLUS includes your visit to Appenzeller Schaukaserei, which saves you a further 12 CHF on an adult ticket.

The bus ride is included in the Bodensee Ticket, which covers public transport within specific zones for a one-off fee. Otherwise, you can purchase a return ticket for 10 CHF via the SBB mobile app.

Where to Eat in St. Gallen

St. Gallen is known for its bratwurst and local beer from the oldest independent brewery in Switzerland. For a casual lunch, try a local café. I had lemon cake and tea at a cosy spot in the old town, but the St. Gallen biber (a decorated gingerbread) is the true star.

Lunch or dinner at the Appenzeller Schaukaserei restaurant before or after your factory visit is an absolute must! I simply had to order their cheese fondue and it was absolute heaven!

Where to Stay in St. Gallen

I stayed at the stylish Hotel Walhalla – it’s right by the train station, super comfortable, and has an excellent breakfast buffet.

Bonus: if you’re staying overnight in a hotel, you get a Mobility Ticket that lets you ride all local public local transport in St. Gallen, and as far as Rorschach, for free.

Day 2: Explore Bregenz, Austria

Nestled between lake and mountain, Bregenz oozes creativity. Founded in 1250, it’s packed with art, culture and lakeside charm.

It’s also home to the Bregenzer Festspiele, a famous floating opera festival that transforms the lake stage every two years.

Getting to Bregenz

From St. Gallen, take the train over the Swiss-Austrian border to Bregenz’s main train station – it takes around 30 minutes direct and is an easy and scenic journey.

For this you’ll need to either book a train ticket, which costs around £14 in advance, or you can use the Bodensee Ticket as mentioned earlier.

Morning: Bregenz Old Town & Festspielbühne

I joined a guided tour with the lovely Karin, who knew everything about the city’s fascinating past. Together we explored the Old Town, admired 14th Century frescoes in St. Martin’s Chapel, and climbed the Martinsturm tower for sweeping views. You can’t miss it’s onion-shaped dome.

I loved hearing Karin’s stories from the past, including about Guta. Legend has it that this brave woman heard about an imminent attack on Bregenz and saved its people by warning them, despite threats against her. And so she became a local heroine.

We ended our time at the Festspielbühne (the floating stage) which was previously used by Daniel Craig while filming James Bond film Quantum of Solace. During my visit, the stage was being dismantled ready for another impressive creation the following summer. And judging by the previous examples, it will be absolutely magnificent!

From there, wander along the lakeside promenade, known as the Pipeline. I found this a gorgeous walk to my next location, and spots such as the Fischersteg (fishing pier) are perfect for photos. It’s also a great place to watch the sunset.

Afternoon: Pfänder Cable Car, Kunsthaus Bregenz & Vorarlberg Museum

Ride the Pfänder Cable Car up 600 metres for jaw-dropping views of Lake Constance. You get skip-the-line access included with your Bodensee Card PLUS, saving you around 18 Euros.

The journey takes six minutes each way. Stand at the front of the car, if you can, and thank me later!

At the top, there’s a café, a few shops, and several viewpoints and walking trails if you fancy stretching your legs.

Back in town, visit the Kunsthaus Bregenz for a flavour of contemporary art, then head to the Vorarlberg Museum to dive into local history. The panoramic window upstairs offers one of the best lake views in the city.

A visit to both museums using the Bodensee Card PLUS gives a saving of 22 Euros on the standard ticket prices.

Where to Eat in Bregenz

For lunch, I highly recommend Goldener Hirschen – their beef goulash was incredible. Check out the wonderful original features of this historic building too.

Dinner at Pier69 by the harbour was another winner for me. I had duck for my main course and pumpkin mousse for dessert, and it was honestly one of the best meals of my trip.

Where to Stay in Bregenz

I stayed at Hotel Weisses Kreuz, and had a cosy suite with lake views. I loved having the separate spaces for sleeping and relaxing and working.

The service was brilliant, and the delicious breakfast buffet set me up perfectly for the day.

Day 3: Enjoy Lindau, Germany

With its cobbled lanes and waterfront views, Lindau feels like stepping into a storybook.

Located on the Bavarian side of Lake Constance, it’s actually an island connected to the mainland by bridge and causeway. It’s charming, compact and so full of character. I just loved wandering its quaint streets and admiring each unique building!

Getting to Lindau

Take the passenger ship from Bregenz to Lindau – the 25-minute journey is included with the Bodensee Card PLUS. The short trip across the lake and into Germany offers some really beautiful views.

Plus the boat has a cafe and bar, so you can relax with a drink in hand as you make the sailing. If the weather is clear, head straight to the top deck and grab a seat where you can look out and admire the view.

Morning: Cavazzen Museum, Lindau Lighthouse & Kunstforum Hundertwasser

Start at the Cavazzen Museum, which has recently reopened after an extensive renovation with stunning exhibitions and top-floor views. The painted façade alone is worth a visit, and I also loved viewing the hanging sculptures in the entrance way and attic.

Afterwards, make your way through the nearby narrow alley and stop for a coffee at Hensler Roastery – I grabbed a latte and it was spot-on.

Next, head back to the lakeside to climb Lindau’s 36-metre lighthouse for incredible harbour views of the Bavarian Lion and Mangturm tower.

There are some really interesting drawings and paintings to see as you climb the wooden staircase, and make sure you look down the centre for a really cool view. My top tip though? Hold on to your headwear, I found out it can get pretty windy up there when I nearly lost my scarf!

Finally, wander to the Kunstforum Hundertwasser to see works of art by the quirky Austrian artist behind Vienna’s Hundertwasser Village.

This is a quick but worthwhile stop to see some colourful, creative pieces. I really loved the full wall-size displays, the whole place was so bright and cheerful!

Afternoon: Haug Winery & Old Town Hall

Next up is a visit to the Haug Winery a short bus ride away on the mainland. It’s a small family-run gem where you can tour the cellars, see the vineyards, taste local wines and learn more about the region’s wine-making traditions.

I loved the wine tasting, particularly the Pet Nat (must be because of the name!), which we sampled straight from a 3,000 litre capacity fermentation tank. It’s a huge shame I couldn’t bring a bottle home in my hand luggage!

If you have time, pop into the Old Town Hall, Thieves Tower, or St. Peter’s Church. Each offers a unique slice of Lindau history.

Evening: Lindau Marionette Opera

Trust me! You have to see a performance at the Lindau Marionette Opera. Yes it’s puppets, but it’s not what you think!

This art form is UNESCO-recognised, and watching the tiny puppets perform Swan Lake was magical. The range of movements is incredible, and with each character having up to 16 strings it’s easy to see why it takes years to train as a skilled puppeteer.

I even got a behind-the-scenes tour with Patrick, one of the talented puppeteers, and got to see the hundreds of puppets, props and backdrops that live there. The craftsmanship and attention to detail just blew me away. Every piece is just beautiful.

Bodensee Card PLUS holders get a 10% discount on tickets, and honestly, it’s absolutely worth it! This was definitely one of the highlights of my trip.

Where to Eat in Lindau

A meal at Restaurant Engel rounded off my day in Lindau perfectly. The food was great, the service was friendly, and as I didn’t fancy their speciality beer straight from the barrel they made me an Aperol Spritz that really hit the spot.

This place was so popular, and once you’ve dined there it’s easy to see why! So book ahead if you can to reserve a table. I arrived a little too early and ended up sharing a table with a group of colleagues who were visiting Lindau on business from Austria. As is typical of the region, they were super friendly and made me feel welcome, chatting away about their time in the UK and watching English football teams. It was a lovely experience.

Where to Stay in Lindau

To extend my time in Lindau I stayed at Hotel Ratsstuben, where I had a lovely calming, spacious room, with a large comfortable bed and sofa. Plus it offered a pretty view over the town’s rooftops and the same restaurant I’d made new friends in!

It also served a great breakfast, and it’s centrally located and convenient for all local attractions and transport while still providing a peaceful stay.

An overnight stay in Lindau also gets you an Echt Bodensee local guest pass, which includes free travel on local buses and trains within the permitted zone.

Getting from Lindau to Memmingen Airport

When it’s time to depart Lindau to return home, Memmingen (FMM) is the closest international airport for flights back to the UK. Ryanair operate low-cost flights to Manchester and London Stansted year-round.

For the airport, take the train from Lindau’s main station (just set back from the dock) to Memmingen, then connect using bus 810A to the airport.

If you book via the operator DB’s website, the ticket covers both legs, although the Echt Bodensee card will take you as far as Aichstetten, so you just need to buy a ticket from Aichstetten to Memmingen airport. Allow around 90 minutes for the full journey.

The Bodensee Card PLUS: Why It’s Worth It

If you plan to explore multiple Lake Constance towns like I did (and you absolutely should!), the Bodensee Card Plus is a game-changer. Choose between a 3-day or 7-day pass to get:

• One time free admission to over 160 attractions across the four-country region
• Free travel on two (of three) or four (of seven) days with the VSU passenger ships
• Exclusive experiences and express check-in at many services
• Discounts on many other activities and attractions
• Flexible use across the calendar year (you don’t have to use all of your days consecutively)

You can buy the Bodensee Card PLUS online, or at local tourist offices and participating hotels and attractions. For me, it paid for itself by day two!

Lake Constance FAQ

Some frequently asked questions about Lake Constance, and the answers too!

With 3 days at Lake Constance you’ll find the perfect mix of rich culture, beautiful scenery and delicious food (with a hefty dose of cheese and wine – my favourites!).

Whether you’re travelling solo, as a couple or with friends, the Lake Constance region has something for everyone.

And with the Bodensee Card PLUS in your pocket, exploring couldn’t be easier. Honestly? I can’t wait to head back there to discover more of this wonderful region. I’d go back in a heartbeat!