25 interesting and quirky facts about Lake Constance

Lake Constance, also known as Bodensee or Lac de Constance, is a fascinating lake in Central Europe that connects Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Here you will find 25 interesting and quirky facts about this stunning lake that make a stay in a holiday apartment on Lake Constance even more exciting. Lake Constance offers geographical highlights, a remarkable wildlife, cultural attractions, plenty of sports options and a few curious stories.

Geographical features

• Lake Constance is the third-largest lake in Central Europe and stretches across Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
• Because of its size, Lake Constance has different names in the surrounding countries: Bodensee, Lake Constance and Lac de Constance.
• Lake Constance has a total of 63 islands, including the well-known Mainau and Reichenau.
• The largest island in Lake Constance, Reichenau Island, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and famous for its orchards and vegetable growing.
• Lake Constance lies at an impressive altitude of 395 metres above sea level.

Wildlife and ecosystem

Lake Constance is home to numerous species of fish, including pike, trout and whitefish, which are popular with anglers.

• There are also rare fish species in Lake Constance, such as the Lake Constance kilch, which occurs only here.
• The lake is an important resting place for migratory birds on their journeys between Europe and Africa.
• In the deep waters of Lake Constance, European eels have occasionally been spotted, on their long journey to the Sargasso Sea.
• There have even been occasional sightings of white-tailed eagles and otters along the shores of Lake Constance.

Video: Almost like the Maldives – a holiday at the beautiful Lake Constance in Germany

Cultural highlights

In Friedrichshafen on Lake Constance you will find the Zeppelin Museum, which presents the history of airship travel and the Zeppelin.

• The city of Constance on Lake Constance is known for its well-preserved medieval old town and Constance Minster.
• In summer, the famous Bregenz Festival takes place in Bregenz, Austria, featuring opera performances on a huge floating stage.
• More than 30,000 varieties of roses bloom on Mainau Island, which is why it is also known as the “flower island”.
• Lindau, a picturesque island town on Lake Constance, impresses with its harbour and lion fountain.

Sports and leisure

Lake Constance is a paradise for water sports enthusiasts, including sailors, windsurfers and kitesurfers.

• The Lake Constance Marathon takes place every year, where swimmers cross the lake over 13.8 km from Friedrichshafen to Romanshorn.
• In winter the region around Lake Constance offers skiing and snowboarding in the nearby Alps.
• The Lake Constance region has an extensive network of cycle paths and is very popular for bike tours, for example with e-bikes.
• Lake Constance features some of the most beautiful waterfront promenades in Europe, perfect for relaxed walks and bike rides.

Curiosities and stories

In 1999 a mysterious wreck was discovered in Lake Constance, which turned out to be the oldest known wooden ship in the world, around 4,000 years old.

• It is said that an underground river called “Seerhein” flows through Lake Constance, connecting the Rhine with the lake.
• Lake Constance inspired the German poet Joseph Victor von Scheffel to write his poem “Wohlauf, noch getrunken!”.
• In 1548 there was a so-called “fish war” on Lake Constance between Constance and Meersburg over fishing rights.
• Lake Constance served as a backdrop for the well-known children’s book classic “Heidi” by Johanna Spyri.

Lake Constance is a fascinating and varied lake that not only offers natural beauty, but also a rich history and a wide range of leisure activities.