Spa hotels on Lake Constance
Germany's largest lake in the tri-state corner of Germany, Austria and Switzerland: the Lake Constance thermal baths, the Kneipp spa of Überlingen, the islands of Mainau and Reichenau and a mild, almost Mediterranean climate.
Holidays & wellness on Lake Constance
At 536 square kilometres Lake Constance is Germany's largest lake — and the only one the country shares with two neighbours at once: Austria and Switzerland. A curiosity on the side: where exactly the border runs in the open Obersee the three countries have never bindingly fixed to this day. The lake somehow belongs to everyone. A mild, almost Mediterranean climate, palms on the lakeside promenade and an Alpine panorama on the horizon make the “Swabian Sea” one of the most popular holiday regions in Germany. On the German northern shore wellness addresses line up like pearls: the Lake Constance thermal baths of Überlingen, Meersburg and Konstanz, the Kneipp spa of Überlingen, plus cultural islands such as the flower island of Mainau and the UNESCO World Heritage monastery island of Reichenau. Whoever seeks water, warmth and wide views finds everything at once here — against the backdrop of the Alps.
What this region stands for
- Lake Constance thermal baths on the shore
- Kneipp spa of Überlingen
- Mild, almost Mediterranean climate
- Islands & UNESCO culture (Mainau, Reichenau)
- Cycling & sailing on the lake
Why wellness here?
The wellness profile of Lake Constance combines a mild climate, thermal wellness and a Kneipp tradition. Sheltered by the Alps and calmed by the huge body of water, a mild, almost Mediterranean climate prevails on the lake — figs, palms and vines thrive, and the season reaches far into spring and autumn. This gentle climate alone is recreation. The core is the Lake Constance thermal baths: in Überlingen, Meersburg and Konstanz thermal pools reach to the lakeshore, with views of the water and the Swiss Alps. Überlingen also carries the title of Kneipp spa — water treading, affusions and exercise in mild air. Add the lake itself with swimming, sailing, cycle and hiking paths along the shores. Whoever wants to combine classic thermal and Kneipp wellness with a mild stimulating climate and cultural pleasure is exactly right on Lake Constance.
When to travel here
Spring (March–May): thanks to the mild climate an early start to the season — the island of Mainau blooms, the orchards stand in full splendour. Summer (June–August): high season for bathing, sailing and boat trips, long balmy evenings on the promenades. Autumn (September–October): grape harvest, golden light and clear views of the Alps. The Lake Constance thermal baths and the Kneipp spa of Überlingen are open all year — in winter especially atmospheric with a view over the often fog-free lake.
Sights and anchors for the spa-free day
Lake Constance — the three-country sea
At 536 km² Germany's largest lake and at up to 251 metres one of its deepest. It borders Germany, Austria and Switzerland — and its border in the open Obersee has never been fixed under international law to this day. Scheduled boats connect the shores, cycle paths circle the whole lake.
Island of Mainau — the flower island
A garden and park island in the Überlinger See blooming all year, shaped by the gardening tradition of the House of Bernadotte. Spring blossom, a rose garden, a butterfly house and Mediterranean plants before a baroque palace make it one of the most visited excursions on the lake.
Monastery island of Reichenau — UNESCO World Heritage
The Reichenau in the Untersee has been UNESCO World Heritage since 2000 — one of the most important monastery islands of the early Middle Ages with three Romanesque churches and famous Ottonian wall paintings. Today at the same time a vegetable island with extensive cultivation under the mild Lake Constance sky.
Meersburg & the Lake Constance thermal baths
Meersburg with the Old Castle, one of the oldest inhabited castles in Germany, sits enthroned above the lake. Right on the shore lies the Meersburg Therme with a panoramic view of lake and Alps; further thermal baths in Überlingen and Konstanz.
UNESCO pile dwellings of Unteruhldingen
The pile-dwelling museum in Unteruhldingen shows reconstructed Stone and Bronze Age villages on stilts in the lake. The prehistoric pile dwellings around the Alps have been UNESCO World Heritage since 2011 — an impressive open-air museum about life by the water thousands of years ago.
Official tourism portals
Up-to-date information on getting there, events, opening hours and visitor's tax is available directly from the destinations.
Frequently asked questions about the region
Who owns Lake Constance?
All three — and strictly speaking no one entirely. Lake Constance borders Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Unlike almost every other border, the three countries have never bindingly fixed the course of the border in the open Obersee to this day. Each has its own legal view, and all live well with it.
Is Lake Constance the largest lake in Germany?
Yes — at 536 square kilometres Lake Constance is the largest lake in Germany and one of the largest in Central Europe. Since Germany, Austria and Switzerland share it, the German share is correspondingly smaller; the largest lake lying entirely in Germany is the Müritz.
Which wellness offers are there on Lake Constance?
Above all the Lake Constance thermal baths: in Überlingen, Meersburg and Konstanz thermal pools reach to the lakeshore, with views of the water and the Alps. Überlingen is also a recognised Kneipp spa. Add the mild, almost Mediterranean climate that makes the region a gentle-climate destination.
Which islands are worth it on Lake Constance?
The flower island of Mainau with its gardens blooming all year and the monastery island of Reichenau, UNESCO World Heritage since 2000 with Romanesque churches and medieval wall paintings. The old-town island of Lindau on the Bavarian shore is also worth a visit.
When is the best time to travel to Lake Constance?
Thanks to the mild climate the season is long: spring tempts with the Mainau blossom, summer with bathing and boat trips, autumn with the grape harvest and clear views of the Alps. The Lake Constance thermal baths and the Kneipp spa of Überlingen are open all year — winter is the quietest, often sunny and fog-free time.
Lake Constance — spa hotels & holidays
Germany's largest sea without a sea
Lake Constance is Germany's largest lake and a place of longing for three countries. A mild, almost Mediterranean climate, palms on the promenade, orchards and vineyards on the slopes and on the horizon the snow-capped Alps — hardly any German landscape looks so southern. That the border in the open lake was never drawn fits the character of the region: here what connects counts, not what divides.
Thermal baths, Kneipp and climate
Wellness on Lake Constance has several sources at once. There are the Lake Constance thermal baths in Überlingen, Meersburg and Konstanz, whose pools reach to the lakeshore. There is the Kneipp spa of Überlingen with its water tradition. And there is the mild, gentle climate itself, which stretches the season far into spring and autumn. Whoever wants to combine thermal and Kneipp wellness with island culture, wine and wide views is at home here.
Images:
Böhringer, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons