Island City, alpine views and a touch of mediterranean flair. Between the harbour promenade and the old town's lanes, Lindau on Lake Constance combines Bavarian cosiness with southern charm. And there is plenty to discover.
Lindau on Lake Constance is Bavaria's southwesternmost town, whose old town rises out of the water as a small island. This popular destination is connected to the mainland by a bridge and a railway causeway.
Anyone visiting Lindau is best advised to start right by the water: Lindau Harbour is the heart of the island and offers everything one expects from a harbour: boats from all over the Lake Constance region moor here, while visitors can stroll along the promenade and stop off at cafés and restaurants overlooking the hustle and bustle. Especially in the evening, when the sun is reflected on the water before finally setting behind the Alpine peaks, the view is wonderful – and makes for the perfect photo opportunity.
The Bavarian Lion and the Lighthouse
Two landmarks mark the harbour entrance, one on each of the two moles: on the eastern mole stands the Bavarian Lion, a six-metre-high lion statue made of Kelheim sandstone, created by the Munich sculptor Johann von Halbig and weighing around 50 tonnes. Opposite it, on the western mole, stands Lindau Lighthouse – Bavaria's only lighthouse and Germany's southernmost, with a total height of 36 metres and a viewing platform at 33 metres. It was built between 1853 and 1856 and put into operation as the successor to the Mangturm. Anyone who climbs the 139 steps to the viewing platform is rewarded with an entirely new perspective on the island and the lake.
The Mangturm
On the other side of the harbour entrance stands the Mangturm, a square stone tower built in the 12th century as part of the town's medieval fortifications. From 1180 to 1856 it operated as a lighthouse, while also serving as a watch and signal tower. It was only when the new lighthouse was completed in 1856 that the Mangturm lost its function; it was subsequently raised by one storey and topped with the striking glazed tiles that make it a landmark of the island today. In 1914, the former tower keeper's flat on the upper floor was converted into a viewing room, whose painted ceiling tells the eventful history of Lindau. The tower is occasionally open for visits and for the popular Lindau Fairy Tale Hours: from May to September, stories by the Brothers Grimm, regional and local legends, and even Buddhist fairy tales, are told in a special atmosphere.
Maximilianstraße and the Old Town Hall
From here, it is well worth strolling along Maximilianstraße, the old town's promenade, past historic townhouses with Venetian-looking façades, small boutiques, cafés and ice-cream parlours. The street leads to the Old Town Hall, built in the Gothic style. The grand covered outdoor staircase leading to Bismarckplatz, along with the colourful gable, make the Old Town Hall one of the island's most beautiful spots.
The town also has plenty to offer when it comes to food: at Lindau's weekly market, you will find fresh fruit and vegetables from the Lake Constance region, as well as regional specialities from local producers – a great opportunity to get to know the varied cuisine of Lake Constance, which is characterised, among other things, by fresh fish from the lake, Dinnele (a thinly rolled bread dough topped with various ingredients and baked in a wood-fired oven), Käsespätzle with mountain cheese and, of course, delicious wine from the surrounding vineyards.
Familien kommen in Lindau ebenfalls voll auf ihre Kosten. Bei sommerlichen Temperaturen sorgt das Strandbad Lindau für Erholung – hier können Erwachsene sowie Familien mit Kindern auf dem Kiesstrand oder auf den Liegewiesen direkt am See entspannen, schwimmen, spielen und plantschen. Im Rahmen des jährlichen Kinderfests verwandelt sich die Altstadt in ein buntes Fest mit Musik, Umzügen und Programm für die Kleinsten.
By car: the route from Munich to Lindau runs via the A96, passing Landsberg am Lech and Memmingen. For the roughly 180 kilometres, the pure driving time is about two hours.
By train: the EuroCity Express trains (ECE) run several times a day direct, with no need to change, and the journey takes around two to two-and-a-half hours. The long-distance trains stop at Lindau-Reutin station on the mainland; from there, regional trains continue on to the island station, which is right by the harbour and just a few minutes' walk from the historic old town.
Good to know: Lindau lies in Bavaria, right on the border with Austria and Switzerland, making it an ideal starting point for excursions around the whole of Lake Constance.
