Map of Lindau (Bodensee)

General Information/Map

Lindau is a typical town in Bavaria, and thanks to its superb location it is one of the most visited of all Germany. It is indeed located on the right bank of Lake Constance (Bodensee), it is close to the border with Austria and Switzerland and is surrounded by mountains (Pfänder).

Its medieval old town is situated on an island on the Lake Constance and it is connected to the mainland by a rail and road bridge.

In the past it was one of the most important ports of Bavaria and the statue of the lion – that is symbol of strength – and the Bavarian Mangturm – that is an ancient lighthouse -  testify to its rich history.

Lindau became famous thanks to the numerous conferences that are held in the city including those held every year by the winners of the Nobel Prize.

Getting there

To reach Lindau you can use a plane or train or car.

The nearest airport is Friedrichshafen (only 22 km from Lindau) or you can arrive to the Altenrhein Regional Airport in Switzerland (approx. 30 km), or Memmingen (approximately 70 km), or Monaco (approximately 180 km), or Stuttgart (200 km) or Zurich (130 km).

By train there are direct connections from Dortmund, Karlsruhe, Ulm, Monaco, Basel and Zurich.

If you prefer use the car to get to Lindau you can see GoogleMaps.

To get around the city we suggest you to rent bicycles or to use the buses that every half an hour linking all parts of the city.

When to go there

There is no better time to be recommended to visit Lindau; to choose when to go there, you should consider what the city offers during the different periods of the year.

If you are looking for sunshine and pleasant temperatures, spring and summer are to be preferred, but if you want to find peace, relaxation and calm we recommend the autumn. For those who want to enjoy the charm of Lindau wrapped in a biting cold and surrounded by snow-capped mountains, winter is obviously the best time.

Must see

The main street of the historic center is the Maximilianstrasse, along which there are many shops and homes of the XVI century with colorful colors. Heart of the city is the Marktplatz, where there is the fountain of Neptune (Neptunbrunnen) built in 1840.

One of the symbol of Lindau is its port: it was completed in 1856 and it was known for the presence of a lighthouse and a monument that is representing a lion facing the lake. The statue of the lion is 6 meters high and was carved by the sculptor Johann von Halbing while the lighthouse stands 33 meters tall and its lights create a very special and fascinating atmosphere.

Among the many monuments of Lindau we reccomend you to see:

• Pulverturm: it was built in 1508 in the western tip of the island and in the past it was an arms depot. But when even the back of the island with vineyards and fields has been strengthened, the tower was integrated in the city’s defensive walls.

• Römerschanze (Roman fort): it was a small and fortified island useful to defend the port and then it was connected to the island city in the nineteenth century. It was so named after the discovery of some Roman coins.

• Museum of Lindau: it is located in the center’s main square – the Marktplatz – in the “Haus zum Cavazzen”. This house built in baroque style, was rebuilt by Grubermann after a fire occurred about in 1729 and it was defined by the famous art historian Dehio “the finest residence in the Lake of Constance”. It houses the Museum of Lindau from 1929 and comprises furniture, paintings, sculptures, silver, glass and pottery from different historical periods. There are also old toys and the famous collection of ancient musical instruments.

• Diebsturm: it is also called Malefizturm or Stadtknechtsturm. It was built around 1370, it was the highest west point of the city walls and it also had the role of a prison.

• Peterskirche: dates from 1000 and it is the oldest church in the city. At its inside there is the cycle of paintings devoted to the “Passion of Christ “created by Hans Holbein the Elder in the late of the fifteenth century.

• Mangturm: old lighthouse that was built in the thirteenth century and measures 37 meters.

• Fountain of Lindavia (Die Lindavista-Brunnen): it was created in 1884 by the sculptor Wilhelm Rümann of Monaco. The bronze figures positioned between the four marble tanks symbolize the activities practiced in Lindau that were viticulture, gardening, fishing, agriculture and navigation. On the pedestal stands Lindavia – the female incarnation of the city – with a crown on the head and the helm of the city in hand.

• Alte Rathaus: the old town hall which was erected between 1422 and 1436 in Gothic style. It was modified in the sixteenth century and it assumed the typical characteristics of the Renaissance. It lies along Maximilianstraße next to the new city hall (Neues Rathhaus) in baroque style, built between 1706 and 1717.

• Old cemetery of Lindau: it represents an important cultural monument of the history of Lindau. It is located in Aeschach district and it was transformed into a park in 1940.

Among the other monuments of Lindau we remind you the Unserer Lieben Frau Catholic Church dedicated to Our Lady and the St. Stephen’s Evangelical Church that are located in the Marktplatz.

Among the many excursions that can be carried out starting from Lindau we indicate:

• the climbing with cableway on the mountains (Pfänder) that surround the city. From the top you can enjoy a wonderful view over Lake Constance, on Austria and Switzerland;

• boat trip to discover the beautiful views that offer this land (for example the excursion to the beautiful island of Mainau);

• visit to the Affenberg park where you can see several examples of monkeys;

• excursion to the Reno falls.

Along Lake Constance there are also nice trails in the nature to do with the bike. In winter you can ski on the mountains that surround the city while in summer you can practice water sports.

Where to stay

Lindau and its surroundings offer many types of accommodation to suit all budgets.

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Restaurants/Typical cuisine

In the cuisine of Lindau the main dish is definitely the pig that is accompanied by potatoes, sauerkraut and mustard. You should taste the Haxen which is a leg of pork that is accompanied by Knödeln that are potato gnocchi. Typical of Bavaria is the Weißwurst – a white sausage of veal – and Bretzel – baked goods and savory form of staple, which are often eaten spread with butter. Among typical dishes there are also soups cooked in many different ways and among sweets you can taste the famous Apfelstrudel or apple strudel. Lindau, like the rest of Bavaria, is also famous for its excellent beers.

Shopping

At Lindau is possible to buy beer mugs, the renowned Bavaria porcelain, traditional Bavarian clothes and crafts in wood. During the Christmas period in Lindau are also organized markets and you can find many trinkets and decorations for sale.

Links

For further information on Lindau, you can see the web site of the city.