# 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.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/b4-lake-constance-north/

**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. 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 |
| Route | Reichenau Island → Lindau |
| Countries | Germany |
| Updated | August 28, 2026 |

## 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

1. **Reichenau Island** (Reichenau, Germany): A 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.
2. **Konstanz** (Germany)
3. **Mainau Island** (Konstanz, Germany): A 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.
4. **Überlingen** (Germany)
5. **Birnau Basilica** (Uhldingen-Mühlhofen, Germany): A pink-and-white Rococo pilgrimage church above lakeside vineyards, known for its cherub licking honey. The terrace looks across the lake to the Alps.
6. **Unteruhldingen Pile Dwellings** (Uhldingen-Mühlhofen, Germany): Reconstructed 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.
7. **Meersburg** (Germany)
8. **Friedrichshafen** (Germany)
9. **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.