Things to Do in Lindau, Germany: 9 Places to See in One Day

Lindau is one of the most beautiful destinations on the shores of Lake Constance. Its colourful old town and picturesque harbour make it a perfect place for a day trip. We have visited several times over the years, so in this guide we have put together what we consider to be the best things to do in Lindau in one day.

Lindau is located in southern Germany, close to the borders with Austria and Switzerland. Although the modern city extends onto the mainland, the part that attracts most visitors is its historic old town, located on a small island in Lake Constance known as Lindau Insel. Cross the bridge onto the island and you will find a beautiful medieval centre filled with colourful houses, decorated façades and narrow streets.

Its location also means you can enjoy wonderful views across Lake Constance towards Austria, Switzerland and the Alps in the distance.

Lindau is one of the places we would definitely include on a road trip around Lake Constance, together with other destinations such as Konstanz, with its beautiful old town and harbour, and the nearby Mainau Island, famous for its gardens and flowers.

At the end of this guide, you will also find some practical information about how to get to Lindau, where to park and what to eat while you are there.

Now, let’s take a look at our favourite things to do in Lindau in one day.

1. Walk along Maximilianstraße

Maximilianstraße is the main pedestrian street on Lindau Island and one of the best places to start exploring the old town. On both sides of the street you will find historic buildings with colourful and beautifully decorated façades.

The street is also lined with shops, restaurants and cafés. When the weather is good, the terraces fill with locals and visitors stopping for a coffee, a German beer or something sweet before continuing their walk through the island.

2. Lindau Harbour

In our opinion, Lindau has one of the prettiest harbours on Lake Constance. We recommend spending some time here rather than simply walking through, as the combination of the lake, mountains and historic harbour entrance makes this one of our favourite parts of the island.

If you have the opportunity, come back around sunset. On a clear evening, the light over the lake and the Alps can be spectacular.

3. Lindau Lighthouse and the Bavarian Lion

At the entrance to the harbour you will find two of Lindau’s most recognisable landmarks: the New Lighthouse and the Bavarian Lion.

The lighthouse was completed in the 19th century and stands around 36 metres high. When it is open to visitors, you can climb to the top for panoramic views over the harbour, Lake Constance and the Alps.

On the opposite side of the harbour entrance sits the imposing Bavarian Lion. The stone statue is around six metres tall and looks out across the lake as if guarding the entrance to the city.

Together, the lighthouse and lion create the classic view of Lindau and are undoubtedly among the best things to see in Lindau.

4. Mangturm, Lindau’s Fairy Tale Tower

The Mangturm is one of the most distinctive buildings in Lindau. The medieval tower was originally built in the 12th century as part of the city’s fortifications and served as a watchtower and signal tower for the harbour.

Its colourful tiled roof gives it an unmistakable fairy tale appearance. You may also see a long blonde braid hanging from one of the openings in the tower. This is a reference to Rapunzel and to the fairy tale events that are sometimes held inside the Mangturm.

You will find it right beside the harbour promenade, so it is almost impossible to miss while exploring Lindau Island.

5. Diebsturm, the Thieves’ Tower

This defensive tower dates back to around the 14th century. It became known as the Diebsturm, or Thieves’ Tower, because it was used as a prison for a period of its history.

It is located in a quieter corner of the island, away from the busiest part of the harbour. Rather than heading directly there, we recommend simply looking out for it while wandering through the old town. Finding these smaller historic corners is part of the charm of exploring Lindau.

6. Altes Rathaus, Lindau’s Old Town Hall

Lindau’s Old Town Hall is one of the most impressive buildings on the island. Originally built in 1422, the building has an incredibly elaborate painted façade that makes it difficult to walk past without stopping for a closer look.

The murals include historical and symbolic scenes, while on the southern side of the building you can also see a historic sundial. The large staircase and colourful exterior make this one of our favourite architectural sights in Lindau.

The rooms of the Old Town Hall itself are generally not open to visitors, although the Former Imperial City Library on the ground floor can be visited during its seasonal opening period.

The surrounding streets and squares are equally beautiful, so take some time to explore the area rather than simply stopping for a photograph.

7. Walk along the lake and through Luitpoldpark

After exploring Lindau’s historic centre, take some time to walk along the shore of Lake Constance. It is a much quieter side of the island and a great place to enjoy the scenery.

One of our favourite areas is Luitpoldpark on the western side of the island. There are large grassy spaces where you can sit down, relax or have a picnic, as well as several places nearby where you can stop for a drink.

If the weather is good, this is also a lovely place to slow down for a while and enjoy the views across the water.

8. Minster of Our Lady

The Minster of Our Lady, or Münster Unserer Lieben Frau, is another building worth stepping inside while exploring Lindau.

The current church was built in the 18th century and its interior is richly decorated in Baroque style, with colourful frescoes, ornate columns and a striking organ.

The church is normally open during the day, although visits are not possible during services. If the doors are open when you pass, it is definitely worth taking a few minutes to see the interior.

9. Wander through Lindau’s Old Town

One of the best things to do in Lindau is also the simplest: wander around without following a specific route.

The historic centre is filled with narrow streets, colourful medieval houses, hidden courtyards, flowers and small squares. Lindau is compact enough to explore on foot, so give yourself some time to leave the main streets and see what you find.

For us, this is one of those places where the atmosphere of the town is just as important as its individual landmarks.

Useful information for visiting Lindau

How to get to Lindau

🚂 By train: Lindau Insel has its own railway station directly on the island, only a few minutes from the harbour and old town. Lindau is well connected with other cities around Lake Constance and with larger cities in southern Germany. Depending on where you are travelling from, the journey may require a change, so we recommend checking the timetable before your visit.

🚢 By boat: One of the most scenic ways to arrive is by boat. During the sailing season, passenger services connect Lindau with several destinations around Lake Constance, including places such as Friedrichshafen, Bregenz and Meersburg.

🚗 By car: If you are travelling around Lake Constance by car, there are several car parks both on the island and on the mainland. The links will take you directly to the locations we have used.

Alternative parking: At weekends and during good weather, the most convenient car parks can fill up quickly. If they are full, you can also try this alternative car park, although the walk to the old town is a little longer.

🚻 Public toilets: There are public toilets near the parking areas on Lindau Island. A small fee may apply, so it is useful to have some change with you.

What to eat in Lindau

One dish we recommend trying is Flammkuchen, especially if you have never had it before. We also mentioned it in our guide to Konstanz. Originally associated with Alsace and the surrounding regions, it consists of a very thin base traditionally topped with crème fraîche, onions and bacon, although you will find plenty of different versions.

If you are looking for something traditionally German, you will also find plenty of restaurants serving dishes such as sausages, pretzels and Käsespätzle.

For something sweet, look out for classics such as Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte, better known as Black Forest cake, or Apfelstrudel.

We had Flammkuchen at BIERO by Schmid & Hops. For dessert, or simply if you fancy something refreshing after walking around the island, we also really liked Jean & Jacques, an artisan ice cream shop close to the harbour.

Lindau at Christmas: the Harbour Christmas Market

If you visit Lindau during Advent, the Harbour Christmas Market is another great reason to spend a day here. The stalls are set up directly beside Lake Constance, with the harbour, water and mountains creating a beautiful backdrop.

One of the classics to try is Glühwein, the hot spiced wine that you will find at Christmas markets throughout Germany, Austria and Switzerland. It is usually made with red wine, sugar and spices such as cinnamon, cloves and orange, then served piping hot.

If you have never tried it before, it may sound a little unusual, but after spending a cold winter evening outside it quickly starts to make sense. Drinks are often served in special Christmas market mugs. You normally pay a deposit for the mug and can either return it afterwards or keep it as a souvenir.

You will also find plenty of seasonal food and sweets, including Lebkuchen, roasted nuts and roasted chestnuts.

The atmosphere around Lindau Harbour at Christmas is lovely, although it can become very busy, particularly at weekends.

📅 2026 dates: Lindau Harbour Christmas is scheduled to take place from 26 November to 20 December 2026, from Thursday to Sunday. Christmas market dates change every year, so if you are reading this guide later, we recommend checking the official Lindau tourism website before your trip.

Is Lindau worth visiting?

For us, definitely. Lindau is compact enough to explore in one day, but there is plenty to see between the historic old town, the harbour and the lakefront.

We have visited several times and still enjoy coming back. If you are travelling around Lake Constance, or staying nearby in southern Germany, Austria or Switzerland, Lindau is an easy destination to add to your itinerary.

And that brings us to the end of our guide to the best things to do in Lindau in one day.
If you decide to visit, perhaps we will cross paths there one day. It is certainly somewhere we never get tired of returning to.

See you on the road!