Set on the shores of Lake Constance, Lindau is one of Bavaria’s most attractive towns and a great base for exploring the surrounding sights. Its picturesque Old Town nestles on an island in the lake while orchards blanket the surrounding slopes. A Bavarian Lion statue (Löwe) dominates its harbor, together with the Alter Leuchtturm (Old Lighthouse), which offers beautiful views of Lake Constance. Admire the 13th-century Mangturm, an old watchtower that features a pointed, tiled roof, and relax in one of the waterfront cafes where you can watch the boats coming and going.
Spend an afternoon wandering the pedestrian-friendly streets of Lindau’s Old Town, which are packed with Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque homes. The main street of Maximilianstrasse is lined with restaurants, alfresco cafes and arcades, with the Gothic Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) among the town’s most impressive buildings. Stop in at the City Museum that is housed within the Baroque-era Haus zum Cavazzen to discover the cultural and artistic heritage of Lindau.
Lindau makes a good base for exploring the sights of Lake Constance, including the famous health resort at Lindenberg and the lively town of Konstanz near the Swiss border. The Lake Constance Trail encircles the entire lake and is a scenic setting for cycling, passing through Lindau, Konstanz and the Wollmatinger Ried nature reserve. You can also explore the lake by boat, with ferries connecting the larger towns, as well as the island of Reichenau that is dotted with historic churches, monasteries and the 14th-century Schloss Windegg.