Konstanz

Rosegarten Museum
Rosgartenstraße 3-5
3€; free first Sunday of the month
Tue-Fri: 10.00-18.00; Sat-Sun: 10.00-17.00; Mondays closed
In the old town

History and culture of Konstanz and the surrounding area. The museum is all in German.

The Münster
In the old town, at Münsterplatz

Construction completed on the North Tower in about 1100 AD. Built between 1100 and 1854, the church is a magnificent example of architectural styles of the centuries. Climb up the tower for a fantastic view of Konstanz and the Bodensee.

The harbour

From the harbour on a clear day, you can see the Swiss and Austrian alps across the lake. The harbour is a great place to see sailboats, catch a boat across the lake, sit in a beer garden, rent a paddle boat or mini motor boat, or relax in the park.

Imperia statue
at the harbour entrance

By artist Peter Lenk. The statue is of a woman holding two naked men--Pope Martin V and Emperor Sigismund--in her hands. The men wear only the crown and papal tiara, respectively. The statue refers to a short story by Balzac, "La belle Impéria".

Konzil
at the harbour

This building was built in 1388 and originally used as a warehouse. From 1414-1417 the council of Konstanz was held here to elect a new pope. It currently contains a restaurant and concert hall, and is undergoing restoration work.

Hus Haus
Hussenstraße 64
Free
Apr 1 - Sep 30: Tue-Sun: 11:00-17:00; Oct 1 - Mar 31: Tue-Sun: 11:00-16:00. Closed Mondays and holidays
In the old town

Museum dedicated to Czech religious reformer Jan Hus. The museum is all in German and Czech.

Sea Life Centre
Hafenstr. 9
Adults (15 years+) €14,95; Children (3-14 years) €9,95
On the lake side of the Lago Centre (mall)
Niederburg district
north-west corner of old town

This charming district is the oldest part of Konstanz. It is made up of narrow streets and old buidings, sometimes more then 700 years old. On the first Friday of each month from May to October, the shops of Niederburg stay open late and there is music, flea market tables, and art in the streets. It's a very cosy atmosphere and worth a walk through.

Wessenburg Gallery
Wessenbergstraße 43
€3
Tue-Fri: 10.00-18.00; Sat-Sun: 10.00-17.00; Mondays closed
In the old town, across from the Munster cathedral

Art gallery with rotating exhibitions

Archaeology Museum of Baden-Württemberg
Benediktinerplatz 5
Adults (14+ years): €4; kids (6-13 years) € 0.50, first Saturday of the month free
Tue-Sun: 10 - 18.00; Mondays and holidays closed
City district Petershausen, near bus stop Sternenplatz on most bus lines

Particular emphasis on the Bodensee Lake Constance region and the middle ages.

Sculptures along the German-Swiss border
Along the border, next to the lake

Where there used to be a border fence, there is now a series of 22 sculptures representing the trumps of the tarot, the "Great Arkana".

Mainau flower island
Mar 19 - Oct 24: €15.90 adult, € 8.50 students, children under 13 free. Off-season is about half-price
Every day from sunrise until sunset
by car: follow Mainaustraße; by bus: bus line 4

Flower gardens and parks, butterfly house, greenhouse.

Art nouveau houses beside the lake
Seestrasse
on the north shore where the lake meets the Rhine, just east of the train bridge
Bismarck Tower
on 'Bismarksteig' street in the Petershausen district

There are towers commemorating the first German chancellor Otto von Bismarck all over Germany. Konstanz's Bismarck tower is located at the top of a grapevine-covered hill. There are benches and firepits at the base of the tower. It's a nice place to watch the sunset. There's a good view from the base of the tower and an even better one from the top.