Friedrichshafen: Aviation, lakeside paths and culture
Accommodation in Friedrichshafen
Friedrichshafen brings together several distinct visitor themes: the history of aviation and spaceflight, the history of schooling, lakeside paths and a recurring city festival. If you are looking for a hotel in Friedrichshafen, these highlights can help you plan your stay around your interests. The following sections range from museum visits to seasonal boat tours.
Museums: aviation and the history of schooling
The Dornier Museum Friedrichshafen brings 100 years of aviation and spaceflight history to life. A guided tour explores the development of aviation and the pioneering achievements of engineer Claude Dornier. The museum houses nearly 400 exhibits across 6,000 square metres, including 14 original aircraft and a helicopter.
The Friedrichshafen School Museum presents the history of schooling in Germany across three floors, beginning in the Middle Ages. This puts two distinct subjects side by side: the development of aviation and the history of schooling. When comparing cultural attractions, you can use their respective historical themes as a guide.
Lakeside paths with different highlights
Along its Friedrichshafen section, the Lake Constance Trail follows the lakeside promenade from the mouth of the Rotach to the Palace Church. Twenty information panels explain weather phenomena, local history and bird migration, as well as exotic plants in the city garden and the feathered companions found around town. The topics range from nature observation to local history.
The 14-kilometre Zeppelin Trail runs through Friedrichshafen from the former Grenzhof brickworks via Manzell and the city centre—with its lakeside promenade, Zeppelin shipyard site and Zeppelin Village—to the airport. The two routes can be distinguished by the information provided: for the Lake Constance Trail section, the endpoints and panel topics are specified; for the Zeppelin Trail, the overall length and sequence of stops are given.
Festival, boat and architectural history
The Seehasenfest is a recurring festival for children and the local community. Its programme has changed little since it was founded in 1949 and includes sporting competitions, a parade and an amusement park, among other events. If you would like to plan your trip around the festival, check the specific dates.
The Seeschwalbe is a nostalgic mahogany boat. In good weather, sightseeing cruises are offered from April to September along the lakeside promenade and past the Palace Pier and the Palace Church. If you are planning a cruise, check current availability before travelling.
You can also learn about the history of the Palace Church on a guided tour, which explains that the church was built from 1695 to 1702 from the former Hofen Monastery. The tour is described as a bookable group activity; check the relevant booking details when making specific plans.
The Lake Constance district as a regional setting
The wider destination of the Lake Constance district extends along almost the entire northern shore of Lake Constance in Baden-Württemberg. It reaches into the Upper Swabian hill country and, to the east, into the West Allgäu hill country. The district includes 57.7 kilometres of Lake Constance shoreline. Its landscape is shaped by the lake and the adjoining hills, with fruit orchards, vineyards, meadows and forests.
Discover more destinations: Ailingen, Immenstaad am Bodensee, Langenargen, Uhldingen-Mühlhofen, Überlingen, Heiligenberg, Markdorf, Meersburg.
Go to the overview of the wider destination: Lake Constance.
