Lake Constance’s German shore
Monastery and garden islands, a Rococo basilica, prehistoric stilt houses and the island town of Lindau along the northern shore.
- Distance
- 87 km (54 mi)
- Driving
- 1 h 12 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 9
- Countries
- Germany
- Updated
- August 1, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 87 km (54 mi) with 9 stops, from Reichenau Island to Lindau. About 1 h 12 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Germany
Route description
Begin on Reichenau, the monastery island in the Untersee, reached by a causeway: its three Romanesque churches and vegetable fields make a peaceful morning. Konstanz, on the border with Switzerland, has a well-preserved old town because it was spared bombing in the war.
Mainau, the flower island, is just north of Konstanz; plan at least half a day. From here you can either drive around the Überlinger See via the B31 or take the car ferry from Konstanz-Staad to Meersburg, which saves time and runs around the clock.
On the road route, Überlingen has a lakeside promenade and a Gothic minster. Along the shore, the pilgrimage church at Birnau stands above the vineyards and the reconstructed stilt houses at Unteruhldingen are a hit with children.
Meersburg’s old castle and steep lanes look out over the water, and Friedrichshafen has the Zeppelin Museum. End in Lindau, whose old town sits on an island joined to the mainland by a bridge and a causeway. The B31 is busy in summer; campsites on the shore should be booked ahead.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Reichenau Island
HistoryReichenau, GermanyA UNESCO-listed monastery island with three Romanesque churches among market gardens, joined to the mainland by a tree-lined causeway. Farm stalls sell vegetables straight from the fields.
- 212 km
Konstanz
Germany - 36 km
Mainau Island
NatureKonstanz, GermanyA garden island with palm trees, a butterfly house and a Baroque palace, reached by footbridge. Spring tulips and summer dahlias are the highlights; parking is on the mainland.
- 49 km
Überlingen
Germany - 56 km
Birnau Basilica
HistoryUhldingen-Mühlhofen, GermanyA pink-and-white Rococo pilgrimage church above lakeside vineyards, known for its cherub licking honey. The terrace looks across the lake to the Alps.
- 63 km
Unteruhldingen Pile Dwellings
HistoryUhldingen-Mühlhofen, GermanyReconstructed Stone Age and Bronze Age houses on stilts in the lake, linked to a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Guided tours explain prehistoric life on the shore.
- 76 km
Meersburg
Germany - 820 km
Friedrichshafen
Germany - 924 km
Lindau
Germany
FAQs
How long is Lake Constance’s German shore?
3-day road trip of about 87 km (54 mi) with 9 stops, from Reichenau Island to Lindau. About 1 h 12 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Lake Constance’s German shore?
We suggest 3 days: about 1 h 12 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Lake Constance’s German shore start and end?
It starts in Reichenau Island and ends in Lindau.
Which countries does Lake Constance’s German shore pass through?
Germany.
