Lake Constance. What to see in Lindau

Last Updated on 13/09/2024

The harbor of Lindau just asks for a camera. Especially when a pleasure boat gracefully enters it.

The island and the old town are small. In an hour you can slowly walk around all the streets. When choosing a hotel in Lindau without car, make sure that it is located on or near the island. So that you do not have to get to everything by local buses. The coastal part of the city is not small at all.

Public transport around Lake Constance
Tourist and guest cards of Lake Constance
Lake Constance family holidays
German side:
Lake Constance map of attractions
Meersburg attractions, Mainau Island of flowers
Lake Überlingen, Konstanz
Austrian side:
Vorarlberg attractions. From Bregenz to Ischgl
Swiss side:
Rhine Delta Bodensee, Appenzell attractions
Swiss side of Lake Constance
Sankt-Gallen, Stein am Rhein, Rhine Falls

How to get to Lindau

Getting to Lindau is not difficult at all. Firstly, trains run here – the station is located on the island, near the harbor itself.

Secondly, of course, boats. The old town is located on an island connected to the coast by a bridge.

A little history

In 810, the Frauenkloster was built on a small island – a nunnery was founded by one count, who was lucky enough not to drown. At the end of the 9th century, a monk from St. Gallen wrote “an island where linden trees grow.” This is how the name of the city appeared.

At the end of the 11th century, the market moved to the island due to constant disputes between princes and representatives of the church. Two centuries later, in 1275, the city received the status of a free imperial city (Reichsstadt) from King Rudolf I. So it remained until the appearance of Napoleon, who handed over the city to Bavaria. The locals did not like this at all.

What to see in Lindau

The most recognizable place, symbol of the city, is the harbor with a lighthouse and lions. It was built in the 19th century, when the city joined the steamship network on the lake.

You can climb the lighthouse.

You should also see the remains of the city wall and two towers. One tower is right in the harbor – Mangturm (12th century).

Bodensee Insel Lindau / Lake Constance Lindau Island

The town hall and city museum are also interesting. Alte Rathaus was built in 1422. Worth looking at both facades.

Bodensee Island Lindau attractions

The building Haus zum Cavazzen on Marktplatz was built in the 18th century in the Baroque style. The Kawatz family from Lombardy acquired the site in the 16th century. Now it houses the city’s museum.

Lindau Island / Lindau Insel

The Münster Unserer Lieben Frau (on the right) is the only one that has survived from the first monastery on the island, and this building was rebuilt in the 18th century in the Baroque style.


The older one is Peterskirche (12th century, one of the oldest churches on the lake). The valuable Lindauer Passion frescoes are attributed to Hans Holbein the Elder.

In Lindau you will of course find linden trees and several parks, especially the large dahlia garden (link). The city also has its own entertainment pool.

Pulverturm – a defensive tower of the 15th century fortifications and later a gunpowder store.

What to see in Lindau

Map of attractions, Meersburg, Mainau, Stein am Rhein, Rhine Falls.

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