The third largest lake in Central Europe, also known as the Swabian Sea, is a top-class international inland waterway with drinking water quality! Fed by the Alpine Rhine, it connects the neighbouring countries of Switzerland, Austria and Germany in the best European style. Water sports enthusiasts are therefore served up a colourful variety of boundless mooring points in addition to magnificent all-round panoramas. The palate is also in for a treat, as Lake Constance turns out to be a culinary melting pot with fresh ingredients from the region to suit all tastes. Dive in with us and let yourself be enchanted!
1. constancy
The largest city on Lake Constance forms the junction between the Upper and Lower Lakes and Lake Überlingen. The Seerhein divides the town, with the southern part being closely connected to the Swiss town of Kreuzlingen. At the harbour entrance, the provocative Imperia turns the eyes of visitors. Initially the subject of fierce controversy, the Mätressendenkmal has become a crowd-puller and the city's secret landmark. The harbour row is a great place to end the day with food and drink and a view of the Obersee. Other places of interest: Constance Minster, Powder Tower, Seestraße promenade
2nd BSB shipping harbour
Right next to the train station and the lively harbour promenade. A stone's throw from the old town and Switzerland. Sea Life and the Lake Constance Nature Museum are next door. Guest pitches only in the central harbour area. Service: Electricity, water, suction system, faeces chute, accessories shop, shower €1. Prices: up to 10 m € 13.50, up to 12 m € 15.50, over € 20.50 from the 3rd adult € 2/day additional harbour master: 07531-266 58
3 Mainau
The flower island in Lake Constance is home to around 1000 different plants and trees from all over the world. A colourful spectacle for the senses, for which it is worth planning a little time. The beautiful castle of the Teutonic Order, which is also home to the Bernadotte family, stands in the midst of the plant splendour. Swedish and Baden specialities come together in the Schwedenschenke restaurant, while the adventure playground makes children's hearts beat faster. It is not possible to travel here on your own keel, but you can take the ferry from all Lake Constance landing stages as well as bus, train and car. Further offers, prices and opening times can be found on the Internet. www.mainau.de
4. municipal harbour and yacht club Ludwigshafen
Hafenstraße 5 or Bahnhofstraße, 78351 Bodman-Ludwigshafen. The harbours are close to each other and offer the same service, with the YC also providing an extraction station. Guest berths are marked in green or are allocated by the harbour master, who looks after both harbours. Services: Sanitary facilities, sewage chute, parking spaces, electricity, water, suction station (YC) Esso road petrol station approx. 500 m away. Harbour master: 0151-23 58 27 69
5. marina Unteruhldingen / pile dwelling museum
Beach promenade, 88690 Uhldingen-Mühlhofen - Unteruhldingen. Beautifully situated and well-protected harbour with many guest berths in the immediate vicinity of the historic Lake Dwelling Museum, one of the top attractions on Lake Constance. www.pfahlbauten.de Prices: up to 8.50 m length 12 €, over 8.50 m length 14 €, 1.70 € visitor's tax per person/night Service: suction system, electricity, crane 10 t, sanitary facilities, waste chute, WLAN, Esso petrol station approx. 500 m away. Harbour master: 07556-66 68
6 Meersburg
The beautiful old town centre attracts many visitors who enjoy the old alleyways and wine taverns. From the old castle you can enjoy a magnificent view over the lake.
7th BSB harbour Meersburg
88709 Meersburg. The harbour is located right next to the historic old town, but is a little rough due to swell. The few berths are allocated by the harbour master, who can be found at the BSB ticket office. Service: electricity, water, public toilet. Prices: under 10 m € 12.50, under 12 m € 14.50, over 12 m or 3.5 m wide € 19.50, from the 3rd adult € 2/day extra, guest fees payable from 4.00 pm even without overnight stay. Harbour master: 07532-43 48 35
8 Friedrichshafen
If the weather turns bad, you should definitely visit Friedrichshafen, as time literally flies by in the Dornier Museum and the Zeppelin Museum, both of which are dedicated to the long history of aviation on Lake Constance. www.dorniermuseum.de , www.zeppelin-museum.de It is also worth mooring in good weather. A tip: The beach club is right by the harbour and serves great drinks and food. The only thing missing is the sand. The waterfront promenade attracts visitors with more cafés, restaurants and shops and the observation tower on the pier offers a wonderful view over the lake. In September, the Interboot boat show also invites visitors every year.
9th WYC marina
Uferstraße, 88045 Friedrichshafen Guest berths alongside the floating dock by the crane. Spaces without red signs are free. Additional temporary berths for the night by mooring between the jetties with the bow facing the bank wall. Services: 4 tonne crane, public club restaurant with sanitary facilities, waste disposal point and suction system, water, electricity, Shell petrol station 1 km away. Prices: up to 3 m wide € 13, up to 3.60 m wide € 15, over € 23, harbour master: 07541-222 81. www.wyc-fn.de
10th BSB harbour
Seestraße 30, 88045 Friedrichshafen. Free guest berths are marked. Large boats can be moored alongside the quay wall and pontoon by arrangement with the harbour master. Services: electricity, water, faeces chute, extraction system, sanitary facilities. Esso petrol station 100 m away. Prices: up to 10 metres long € 13.50, up to 12 metres long € 15.50, over 12 metres or 3.5 metres wide € 20.50. From the 3rd adult €2/night extra. The full guest fees are due from 4 pm. Harbour master: 0170-129 47 97
11th Marina Ultramarine
In the water sports centre, 88079 Kressbronn-Gohren. Largest harbour on Lake Constance with comprehensive infrastructure. There is simply everything here. Services: electricity, water, waste chute, suction system, accessories shop, petrol station, workshop, trailer parking, washing machine, dryer, restaurant, sanitary facilities, WLAN. Prices: up to 3 metres wide €13, over 3 metres wide €15. Harbour master: 07543-96 60 30. www.ultramarin.com
12 Lindau
With its 18 kilometres, Bavaria has the smallest share of the coastline, but with the island of Lindau it has a very special pearl to offer. The harbour entrance is flanked by the Bavarian Lion and Germany's southernmost lighthouse. The picturesque old town is wonderfully winding and in the centre of the market square you will find inviting beach chairs in summer. The very special view across the harbour to the Austrian Alps can be enjoyed from the roof terrace of the "Nana" restaurant and coffee house. www.nana-lindau.de
13th Lindau seaport
Seepromenade, 88131 Lindau. The most beautiful town harbour on Lake Constance in a dreamlike setting. Service: electricity, water, waste chute, sanitary facilities. Prices: up to 10 m € 13.50, up to 12 m € 15.50, over 12 m or 3.5 m width € 20.50. From 16.00 hrs the full guest fees are due. Harbour master: 0171-836 16 29
14 Bregenz
A town spoilt by culture that attracts over 200,000 visitors every year as part of the Bregenz Festival. The spectacular stage set of the world's largest lake stage is completely rebuilt every two years and surpasses itself every time. www.bregenzerfestspiele.com Another highlight is the gondola ride to the Pfänder, where the whole of Lake Constance lies at your feet on a clear day. In the evening, treat yourself to a sundowner in the "Welle" directly at the harbour. www.diewelle.at
15th Marina Bregenz
6900 Bregenz, Austria. The modern marina is located close to the town centre. Guest berths partly moorings. Services: electricity, water, suction system, sanitary facilities, harbour restaurant. Prices: up to 2.99 m wide € 13, from 3 m wide € 16, from the 3rd adult an additional € 3/night. BP petrol station 500 m away. Harbour master: +43 (0)5574-410 11 71. www.hafen-bregenz.at
16th Arbon
A colourful, friendly little town in the canton of Thurgau, with half-timbered houses and a wide range of restaurants. In July and August there is an open-air cinema right on the lakeshore.
17. old harbour and castle harbour
Gerbergasse 17, 9320 Arbon, Switzerland. There are plenty of guest berths in both harbours. For wide berths, it is best to choose the Schlosshafen harbour with the eastern entrance. Services: electricity, water, suction system, waste chute, sanitary facilities, barbecue, petrol station, 8 t crane, kiosk, WLAN. Prices: up to 3.50 m wide CHF 18, over 3.50 m wide CHF 30, harbour master: +41 (0)71-446 48 80
18 Reichenau
The former monastery island of Reichenau is now on the UNESCO World Heritage List and is regarded as the vegetable garden of the Lake Constance region.
19. marina Herrenbruck
Berggässle 7, 78479 Reichenau. Service: Electricity, water, suction system, faeces chute, kiosk, washroom. Prices: 10 €. Harbour master: 0170-583 26 65
Nautical information
Papers: For Lake Constance, the Lake Constance boat licence or the corresponding holiday licence is required, which is valid for four weeks and costs €24 and can be applied for at various district offices. PDF download for the application at the Lindau District Office: www.landkreis-lindau.de
Guidelines: Motorboats must also fulfil the guidelines of BSO level 1 or BSO level 2 and be approved by the district or shipping authorities. There is a general labelling obligation, whereby the official licence plates of other authorities in the countries bordering Lake Constance are recognised.
Limits: No customs clearance is required when entering Austrian and Swiss harbours. However, the respective customs regulations must be observed and random checks are carried out.
Weather:The dreamlike area can turn into a witches' cauldron in a flash during storms. This is why there are 43 storm warning lights around Lake Constance, which warn of possible danger with an orange-coloured light signal (40 flashes per minute = strong wind, 90 flashes = storm). The formation of foehn clouds over the Alpine ridges in clear weather is a further indication of impending strong winds.
Speed: A maximum speed of 40 km/h applies on open lake areas. When travelling through the shore zone for mooring or casting off, 10 km/h is permitted. Shore zone: Boats with combustion engines must keep 300 metres away from the shore if they do not wish to moor or cast off.
Shoals: The mouth of the Rhine should be treated with caution due to the changing shallows. However, the most famous spot, the Teufelstisch, a rocky outcrop just below the surface of the water, is located on Lake Überlingen opposite Überlingen. It is marked with the lake symbol 22.
Charter: Smaller boats can be www.bootscharter-weber.de chartered in Unteruhldingen, more spacious steel displacement vessels at www.puur-yachtcharter.de
