Whether it’s misty or clear, you may find no more beautiful place in Germany than the Lake Constance Promenade. Hugging the edge of the lake outside Friedrichshafen, one of the lake’s biggest towns and home to its only airport, the walkway provides panoramic views of the water augmented by the presence of an observation tower. Spend the day hopping between terraces and sipping a drink while watching the water sparkle.
Arrive at the promenade through the town of Friedrichshafen, perhaps best known as the hometown of the Zeppelin. Let the sight take your breath away as you leave the buildings behind and the lake comes into view. Hulking distant mountains only emphasize the cool flatness of the water. On misty days, those mountains and the shore can disappear, giving the water stretching out ahead the impression of being an inland sea.
Stroll slowly along the waterfront down to the pier and the observation tower. Climb up to the top for panoramic views of the whole region and some of the best photo opportunities. Return to ground level and head toward the shops lining the path. Eat one of the region’s distinctive open-faced sandwiches or sip a local beer and watch as new arrivals gape at the sight before them. There are other attractions on Lake Constance, but perhaps none so pleasant.
The Lake Constance Promenade follows the lakeside outside of downtown Friedrichshafen. The promenade itself is about 2 miles (3 kilometers) long, but the majority of the cafés and restaurants are located close to the town center.
To reach the promenade walk from the town’s main train station in 10 minutes or drive in 3 minutes. Take the bus or drive from the airport in 10 minutes. Park in the nearby lot, which can get very crowded during peak tourist season. During the summer, all of Lake Constance is best accessed by public transportation, which is less impacted by heavy traffic. Hours vary for the attractions along the route, but the path and the tower are free of charge and open 24 hours a day.