Bregenz and Lake Constance: A Guide to the Beautiful Austrian Town

This post is in collaboration with Visit Vorarlberg and Captivate (Propel Conference)

If you’re looking for a picturesque Austrian town to spend your holidays in, look no further than Bregenz. Situated on the shores of Lake Constance, this charming town is known for its beautiful architecture and stunning scenery.

Last Autumn, I was lucky enough to visit Bregenz and Lake Constance and I was blown away by just how much I enjoyed it. A place I had never heard of before my trip has quickly become a place I know I’ll return to time and time again.

In this guide, I’ll tell you all about Bregenz and its surroundings, including how to get there, where to stay, and what to do when you’re there!

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Bregenz: A Brief History

The town of Bregenz was first mentioned in historical documents in 777 AD, making it one of the oldest towns in Austria. It has since grown to become a popular tourist destination, thanks to its stunning location on Lake Constance and vibrant culture.

What’s more, Bregenz is home to one of the most famous festivals in the world – the Bregenz Festival. This annual event sees a different opera production staged on a massive floating stage on Lake Constance, attracting visitors from all over the world.

Lake Constance: A Gem of Nature

Lake Constance is Austria’s largest lake, stretching for almost 70 kilometres from north to south. The lake is shared by Austria, Germany and Switzerland, with the Austrian town of Bregenz located on its western shores.

Lake Constance is a beautiful place to relax and take in the stunning scenery. Whether you’re enjoying a walk along the lakeside promenade or hiring a boat to explore more of the lake, there’s plenty to see and do.

How to Get There

Bregenz is easily accessible by car, bus or train. The nearest airports are in Friedrichshafen (Germany) and Zürich (Switzerland), both of which are around an hour’s drive away from Bregenz.

If you’re travelling by bus or train, the main stations in Bregenz are Hauptbahnhof (central station) and Bahnhof Bezau.

If you’re travelling by car, the A14 motorway (E55) is the best route to take. There are several tolls on this road, so make sure you have enough cash with you.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Bregenz?

The best time to visit Bregenz is during the summer months when the weather is warm and the Bregenz Festival is taking place. However, the town is charming all year round and well worth a visit at any time! I visited in early autumn and it was beautiful to stroll along the Lake as the leaves were starting to change colours.

About The Bregenz Festival

The Bregenz Festival is a world-famous opera festival that takes place every year on a massive floating stage on Lake Constance. The festival attracts visitors from all over the world and features performances by some of the biggest names in opera.

The first-ever Bregenz Festival was held in 1949 and has been growing in size and popularity ever since. The festival runs for two weeks in July and usually features around six operas, as well as concerts, ballets and other performances.

If you’re interested in opera, then the Bregenz Festival is definitely a must-visit!

Where to Stay in Bregenz

There are so many great hotels and pensions to choose from in Bregenz, it can be difficult to know where to begin! If you’re looking to be close to the action, a hotel near the promenade is your best bet.

Hotel Katharinenhof, Dornbirn Austria

If you’re looking for a place to stay in Bregenz, I can highly recommend the Hotel Katharinenhof. This hotel is located right next to the train station, making it easy to travel to both Bregenz and Feldkirch for the day. Dornbirn is also a great town to explore and the hotel is within walking distance of the main town square.

The rooms at Hotel Katharinenhof are spacious and comfortable, and the staff are incredibly friendly and helpful. I definitely recommend this hotel if you’re looking for a place to stay near Bregenz!

Things To Do In Bregenz

There’s plenty to do in Bregenz, whether you’re a culture vulture or nature lover. Here are some of the top attractions:

– The Pfänder Mountain: This beautiful mountain is just a short walk from the town centre and offers stunning views over Lake Constance. There’s also a cable car that takes you to the summit, where you can enjoy a meal or drink at the restaurant.

– The Karren Cable Car: In the nearby town of Dornbirn, you can find the Karren Cable Car, which takes you up to a viewpoint overlooking the entire valley. The views are absolutely stunning and from the top, you can see the stunning views across Lake Constance. We went up at sunset and it was 100% worth the visit.

– Wander The Lower Town: The lower town is the oldest part of Bregenz and is home to a number of lovely shops, cafes and restaurants. It’s a great place to wander around and take in the atmosphere. It’s filled with beautiful architecture and stunning half-timber houses, making it easy to wander around for hours!

– The Bregenz Festival: As mentioned above, if you’re in town during the summer, be sure to check out the Bregenz Festival. This world-famous opera festival is held every year on a massive floating stage on Lake Constance and attracts visitors from all over the world.

🧡 Fun Fact: The stage during the Bregenz Festival is so large that it can be seen from as far away as Switzerland! One stage was also featured in a Bond film!

– Lake Constance: As I mentioned before, Lake Constance is a beautiful place to relax and take in the stunning scenery. Whether you’re enjoying a walk along the lakeside promenade or hiring a boat to explore more of the lake, there’s plenty to see and do. We hired boats for 30 minutes and it was so much fun being out on the water!

– Bregenz Old Town: The old town of Bregenz is a charming area with narrow streets, historic buildings and a lively atmosphere. There’s plenty to see and do here, so be sure to explore!

🧡 Fun Fact: There are no shops in the old town as residents wanted to ensure it was a tranquil and safe space.

– Milchpilz: This unusual landmark is located on the outskirts of Bregenz and is well worth a visit. It’s a concrete mushroom-like structure that was built in the 1970s that sells ice cream and milkshakes during the summer!

– The Vorarlberg State Museum: This museum is dedicated to the history and culture of Vorarlberg, one of the Austrian states that share Lake Constance. It’s a great place to learn more about the area and its history. The outside of the building is incredibly unique and still worth a visit if you’re not planning on going inside!

– The Kunsthaus Bregenz: This art museum houses a collection of modern and contemporary art, as well as rotating exhibitions. I spent some time walking around the museum during my visit and it was certainly fascinating!

– The Sunset Steps: If you’re looking for a romantic spot to watch the sunset, look no further than the Sunset Steps. These steps lead up to a viewpoint overlooking the lake and are the perfect place to relax with your loved one.

– Visit Nearby Dornbirn For A Day Trip: If you’re looking for some more things to do, why not visit the nearby town of Dornbirn? This charming town is located just a short drive away from Bregenz and has plenty to offer visitors. Highlights include the lively Marktplatz (market square), the Kunsthaus Dornbirn art museum and the stunning mountain views.

– The Bregenzerwald: If you’re feeling adventurous, why not explore more of Vorarlberg by taking a day trip to the Bregenzerwald. This picturesque area is known for its rolling hills, forests and lakes, and is a great place to explore on foot or by bike. We spent some time in Mellau and it was absolutely stunning!

Food in Bregenz

Bregenz has some great restaurants serving up local Austrian cuisine as well as international dishes. Be sure to try some of the traditional Vorarlberg dishes, such as Käsespätzle (a cheesy pasta dish), Kaiserschmarrn (a shredded pancake dish) and Flädlesuppe (pancake soup). There are also plenty of restaurants serving up delicious pizza, pasta and Indian food.

Pier69 Bregenz

One of my favourite restaurants in Bregenz was Pier69. This restaurant is located right on the lakefront and offers stunning views over Lake Constance. The menu features a mix of international dishes as well as traditional Austrian cuisine, and the food is delicious. I highly recommend the Kaiserschmarrn and the Sommer Hugo Spritz!

So, I know my words will never do Bregenz justice, but I really hope you’ll get the chance to visit this picturesque Austrian town one day. It’s a true hidden gem and I guarantee you won’t be disappointed!