Constance Christmas Market
In December the Constance Christmas Market with around 150 stalls on the lakeshore is among the largest in the four-country Lake Constance region.
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Constance
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ℹ️Practical info — Constance
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Keep an eye on the Imperia statue at the harbor entrance; it continuously and slowly rotates on its pedestal.
- Arrive at the 'flower island' of Mainau right at opening time to enjoy the gardens before the afternoon crowds arrive.
- Because Constance borders Switzerland, many shops accept Swiss Francs, though paying in Euros usually features a better exchange rate.
- The historic Council Building (Konzilgebäude) is memorable from the outside, but check ahead to see if it's open to the public during your visit.
- Taking the 'White Fleet' ferries is not just a mode of transport, but a scenic experience to reach neighboring lakeside towns.
🍽 Food
🍽
Bodenseefelchen
Try this mild, locally caught whitefish from Lake Constance, often served grilled or pan-fried at lakeside seafood restaurants.
🍽
Dünnele
The regional take on Flammkuchen-a thin, crispy flatbread topped with sour cream, onions, and bacon-found in traditional taverns.
🍽
Swabian Maultaschen
Meat or spinach-filled pasta parcels, typically served in a clear broth or pan-fried at restaurants around the Münsterplatz.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
🛍
LAGO Shopping-Center
A large, modern mall near the train station that is highly popular with both locals and Swiss shoppers.
🛍
Rosgartenstraße
The main pedestrian zone, lined with beautiful historic facades, offering a wide array of boutiques, books, and souvenirs.
🛍
Farmers' Market
The local market at Sankt-Stephans-Platz (Tuesdays and Fridays) is excellent for picking up regional produce and artisan cheeses.
🧘
Seerhein Promenade
A peaceful path connecting the old town with the Petershausen area, handy for a relaxing stroll along the water.
🧘
Stadtgarten
The city garden next to the harbor is a lovely spot to sit under ancient trees and watch boats gliding across the lake.
🧘
Mainau's Arboretum
When visiting the flower island, head to the arboretum section where the massive, ancient trees provide a deeply tranquil environment.
Water temperature…
Highlights of 2026
6
Christmas Market by the Lake 2026
Konstanz's lakeside Christmas market opens in late November with around 170 huts, a Christmas ship, crafts, and food along the waterfront.
Constance Lake Night Festival
In August Constance celebrates the largest summer festival on Lake Constance with live music and a spectacular fireworks display over the lake.
Konstanz Seenachtfest 2026
The major lakeside summer festival combines market stalls, family activities, music, and the famous fireworks over Lake Constance.
Konstanz Wine Festival 2026
Four summer days on Sankt-Stephans-Platz with regional wines, live music, and Lake Constance food in the old town.
Swabian-Alemannic Carnival
In February masked parades and costumed fools fill the streets of Constance for the traditional carnival.
Constance (Konstanz) is the largest city on Lake Constance, situated directly on the border with Switzerland in the state of Baden-Württemberg. The city has over 2,000 years of history, with roots stretching back to Roman times. A world-historical event was the Council of Constance (1414-1418), during which the only papal election ever held on German soil took place. Its historic old town, which remained undamaged during World War II, features the impressive Constance Minster and magnificent patrician houses. Located at the point where the Rhine flows out of Lake Constance, the city is a major hub for transport and tourism. The University of Constance, one of Germany's universities of excellence, shapes the modern intellectual life of the city. The close proximity to the Swiss town of Kreuzlingen means the two cities practically merge into a single urban unit. Cultural highlights such as the Seenachtfest and the Imperia statue in the harbor make Constance a popular destination for visitors worldwide.
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A postcard from Constance
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Create a postcard- Location: Baden-Württemberg, Germany
- Highlights: Constance Minster · Imperia Statue · Council Building
- Nearby: Meersburg (7 km)
- Population: ~85.770
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | -1 | 0 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 14 | 10 | 4 | 0 |
| Rain mm | 94 | 74 | 92 | 91 | 141 | 139 | 144 | 146 | 103 | 100 | 87 | 102 |
Live webcam – Constance
See what it looks like near Constance right now.
Constance › South-east · 1 km · Open webcam on Windy · Webcams provided by Windy.com
Geography
Facts
- The Council of Constance took place from 1414 to 1418.
- The city has about 85,000 residents and is a university hub.
- Constance Minster was built over a period of 600 years.
- The Imperia statue in the harbor is 9 meters high and weighs 18 tons.
- Constance is located at the transition from Obersee to the Seerhein.
- The Rhine flows through the city as it leaves Lake Constance.
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A day in the city
Pick weather + travel mode, get a concrete day plan.
09:00→15:192.1 km walk6 places0/6
Day budget: ≈ 19–25 €Entries 22€ · Transport 0€
Your day starts at the busy harbor with the majestic Imperia. Stroll through the narrow alleys of the old town to the magnificent Minster and the historical town hall. After a cultural break at the Rosgartenmuseum, the path leads to the Rheintorturm, where the lake flows into the Rhine.
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🚶 4'0.05 km
🚶 20'0.86 km
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🚶 18'0.75 km
09:00→14:469.8 km ride5 places0/5
Day budget: ≈ 26–35 €Entries 18€ · Transport 12€
By bike, you first explore the city center before cycling along the Rhine to Mainau Island. Enjoy the floral splendor of the 'Flower Island' and return via the elegant Seestraße with views of the Alps.
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🚲 7'0.74 km
🚲 9'0.98 km
🚲 29'4.27 km
🚲 26'3.81 km
09:00→14:2210.7 km drive5 places0/5
Day budget: ≈ 17–23 €Entries 18€ · Transport 2€
Thanks to the car, you combine the historical core of Constance with the sprawling Mainau Island. After the old town walk, drive comfortably to the floral paradise and end the day at the prominent Rheintorturm.
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🚗 4'0.44 km
🚗 5'0.75 km
🚗 20'4.95 km
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Sights in the town Constance (17)
Schwaketenbad👨👩👧 family
A large leisure and indoor pool in the Wollmatingen district of Konstanz.
🌐 schwaketenbad.de🕒 Mo-Sa 09:00-21:00; Tu-Th 07:00-21:00; Su 09:00-20:00; PH 09:
Frequently asked questions
What does the Imperia statue represent?
The 9-meter high statue satirically commemorates the Council of Constance (1414-1418).
Can you walk to Switzerland?
Yes, Constance borders directly on Kreuzlingen (CH); the border runs right through the built-up area.
How do you get to Mainau flower island?
From the city center by bus (line 4), by boat, or with your own bicycle.
What is special about the Niederburg district?
It is the oldest part of town with narrow, winding alleys, wine bars, and small craft shops.
Are there ferries across Lake Constance?
Yes, the car ferry operates around the clock between Constance-Staand and Meersburg.
Constance: where is it located?
Constance is located in Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
Constance: what is there to see?
Highlights include Constance Minster, Imperia Statue, Council Building.
Constance: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Constance: why is it worth visiting?
Constance (Konstanz) is the largest city on Lake Constance, situated directly on the border with Switzerland in the state of Baden-Württemberg.
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