On Lake Constance, Bregenz offers several perspectives: access to the shore, boat trips, contemporary art, architectural history and sweeping views. When choosing a hotel in Bregenz, it is worth first deciding what you want to focus on during your trip. Would you like to connect your stay mainly with the lake, focus on culture or include viewpoints in your plans? The different themes provide concrete guidance for your choice.
Lakeside and boat trips
At the Bregenz lakeside promenade, the Pipeline provides several kilometres of unobstructed access to Lake Constance. The Bregenz Pipeline has an accessible footpath and cycle path with separate routes. This means there are two main ways to get around along the shore: on foot or by bike. The Bregenz harbour area, by contrast, is the starting point for boat trips across the entire lake. The difference can help with your planning: on the Pipeline, you stay by the shore along the promenade, while a trip from the harbour takes you across the lake. If you are planning a boat trip, check the departure times; the route along the Pipeline may change, so also check its current route before your visit.
Art and architectural history
Kunsthaus Bregenz is an internationally active institution dedicated to presenting outstanding contemporary art. It was designed by Peter Zumthor and opened in 1997. Contemporary art and architecture are therefore equally part of Bregenz’s cultural offerings: you can focus on the exhibitions or also explore the building’s history.
The Martinsturm tells an older architectural story. After its expansion between 1599 and 1601, it became the first distinctive Baroque building in the Lake Constance region. Its window gallery offers panoramic views of Bregenz and the Upper Town, the Pfänder, the Swiss mountains and Lake Constance. At the Martinsturm, architectural history and sweeping views of the city, lake and mountains come together.
The listed park of Palais Thurn & Taxis is a historic garden featuring notable native and exotic trees and shrubs. The specialist term draws attention to woody plants; here, the plant life is part of the garden’s character. This adds a horticultural perspective on Bregenz to the museums and buildings.
If you prefer to explore the city through stories, you can join the general city tour. It provides background information, anecdotes and interesting stories about Bregenz. During the summer months, the Bregenz Festival offers a varied cultural programme. A large part of the performances take place at the Festspielhaus Bregenz. The programme also includes the renowned “Play on the Lake” and a series of other outstanding artistic performances. If the festival is a key reason for your trip, check the specific event dates.
Panoramic views by the lake and in the mountains
The Pfänder near Bregenz in Vorarlberg offers panoramic views of the entire Lake Constance and 240 Alpine peaks in Austria, Germany and Switzerland. The Martinsturm’s window gallery offers a different viewpoint: from there, the panorama extends across Bregenz and the Upper Town, the Pfänder, the Swiss mountains and Lake Constance. The two views therefore differ in perspective: from the Pfänder, the panorama encompasses the lake and peaks in three countries; the window gallery also takes in the city and the Upper Town.
The Pfänderbahn’s journey time also gives you a concrete point of reference for planning: from the valley station, it covers an elevation difference of 600 metres in six minutes. This describes the journey and its elevation difference without assuming a specific location for the valley station. Compare the cable car journey time with the views from the Martinsturm when considering which perspective would best complement your stay.
Tailor your stay to your interests
Those interested in culture can explore contemporary art, a historic garden, the architecture of the Martinsturm, a city tour and the summer festival programme. You can also include the lake in your trip by taking the lakeside path or going on a boat trip. These options can help you choose a destination that suits your interests, rather than suggesting a set order for visiting the individual sites.
Discover more destinations: Höchst, Riefensberg, Sibratsgfäll, Schnepfau, Großdorf, Lauterach, Schwarzenberg, Hard
Return to the main travel overview: Bregenz.
