Blake Walsh

15 Best Things to Do in Friedrichshafen

  • Published 2020/09/17

Friedrichshafen is a city of global character and affable simplicity. This trade fair downtown boasts of an opportune location- it is situated directly on the shores of Lake Constance. Founded in 1811, this city has now over 60,000 residents. This metropolis delineates remarkable innovations and cutting-edge technologies that make it one of the most prominent biz hubs on Lake Constance.

The striking landscapes and a pulsating breath of life mingle impeccably with a Swabian homeliness. With gorgeous waterfronts over the Alpine panorama and impressive cultural landscapes, there is a lot to see and do in this city. This guide will help you find the 15 best things to do in Friedrichshafen.

Dornier Museum

Dornier Museum

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If any part of aviation fascinates you, this museum will be your favourite spot. With a core message that “everyone can be a pioneer, you enter this world of science and there will remain no bound to your curiosity. Situated directly at the airport, this museum brings to you the centurial history of the fascinating aerospace history. The planning and construction of the museum take from an aircraft hangar. Extending over a total area of 6,000 square meters, you will find nearly 400 exhibits. The two full-scale replicas of the Dornier Merkur and Dornier Wal aircraft are a much talked about attraction here. In addition to that, there are seven 1: 1 displays from space travel and 12 original aircraft. These are all records of great technological advancements and they are worth having a look.

Haldenberg Kapelle

Haldenberg Kapelle

Vibin K

This Catholic Church has been and continues to be one of the most stunning viewpoints in the city. With a breathtaking view of the town, the lake and the Alps, it is not at all surprising that this destination is a frequently visited attraction in the country. With an exquisite structural construction and interior, the chapel is a great option to spend your day rewardingly. Its history speaks of what went before Germany took its present state. One can know about the ‘Reconciliation’ and the ‘Rebuilding’ if they dig deep into the legends of this church. The major attractions include

Zeppelin Museum

Zeppelin Museum

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Situated in the Bauhaus building of the past harbour railway station, the Zeppelin museum holds a sizeable art collection. The Museum focuses on airship history as an active multi-media sequence with the help of over 1500 unique items and historical audio, film and photographic resources. One striking highlight is the partial restoration of LZ 129 Hindenburg. The reconstructed passenger rooms demonstrate a real-life experience of these flying luxury liners. You will see here a particular spotlight on artists of Classical Modernism, for instance, Otto Dix, Max Ackermann or Willi Baumeister. Their inventive and unique provisional exhibitions, in particular, set up a connection to present-day topics.

Uferpromenade

Uferpromenade

Thomas Klee

As the word goes, it is literally is a ‘promenade’ in the right sense. If you want to watch the Lake Constance closely, do not mind hopping up here as this will be your longest walk over it. The place offers fantastic views of the Alps and the lake and also there are many boat rides! This place is where you can relax and have a stroll admiring a very beautiful scenario. There are a few small cafés in many corners for you to enjoy something which is traditionally German. Besides, these ferry boats also provide you with a trip to the Zeppelin Museum which is a much sought-after attraction among many tourists.

Schlosskirche & Schloss

This castle church, entirely made of sandstone, is the first Protestant church built in Württember. It is to be found in the east wing of the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms University building. Although tourists are not allowed inside, if you get a chance to view the church upfront, make sure to check out its interiors. The wooden vaults are exceptionally impressive. Even after the renovation following the world war, it has been able to retain much of its old charm. The many paintings and sculptures inside the church are definitely a must see.

Flower Island of Mainau

Flower Island of Mainau

Martin Erdniss

You must visit Mainau Island for its splendid year-round beauty. Spanning over 45 hectares, the colours that spread across the island because of the bourgeoning blossoms is quite a sight.

The visitors will be in awe of the wide-ranging parks and gardens with a magnificent variety of coniferous trees. The beautiful greenery of the island is simply breathtaking and witnessing them is an experience in itself. One can savour the sultry feeling of the surroundings as they walk through the exotic landscape with distinctive vegetation. The Butterfly House gives you a chance to observe and admire over 120 species of free flying butterflies. On top of that, there are several themed gardens for you to enjoy.

Culture and Conference Centre

Culture and Conference Centre

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Situated in the Lake Constance area, Graf-Zeppelin-Haus is a congress centre with four versatile halls and over nine conference rooms that have room for over 1500 people. With a remarkable architecture, spacious, light-filled hallways, with views of the lake make it an authentic huib of entertainment cultures of the region. Theatres, concerts, operas, and ballet performances are a few of many events that take place. While you are here, you may easily spot a celebrity of two. One of its main events that take place here is the ‘Bodensee Festival’. This centre is called the ‘in German and is definitely a place worth visiting.

Buchhornbrunnen

Buchhornbrunnen

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Located in the centre of the city, it is one of the most visited places in Friedrichshafen. Many hotels surround this area to make your stay and travel very comfortable. The very design of this structure attracts many tourists from around the world. The way it amalgamates technology, art, mythology, and history is simply stunning. The fancy tree which marks the centre of this monument is of remarkable construction. With the horns on this monument, one can configure the original name of the town i.e. Buchhorn.

Café Hopker

This café is an excellent place for you to spend your evening. The desserts they offer are more than fantastic and the atmosphere cheers you up after a day of travel. Like the very typical Austrian coffee, the coffee here is wonderful. Plan to sip your coffee outside where there is a small winter garden covered with warm shades of trees and a pond filled with lilies too. The café also has an in-house pastry shop where you can look out for some of the best-tasting cakes that the country has to offer.

Fire Brigade Museum (Feuerwehrmuseum)

This is not one of the most visited places but if the history of this town is something that interests you; do examine the pieces that are kept here. Established in 1850, this fire brigade is the oldest and the largest professional brigade in the country. The museum is housed in the Tegel Fire Station and the visitors get to know the story of Berlin’s fire-fighters. Exhibited here, are a selection of various specimens of fire engines and alarms of previous centuries. These clearly exemplify how the functional tactics and technical pieces of equipment that were used have developed over time. You can also book a tour organized by the professionals in order to understand the exhibition in a profound way.

Zum Klosterwit – Restaurant

Known for its deluxe and soothing ambience, Zum Klosterwit is famous for serving the most authentic German meal. The restaurant includes a tavern and a lounge area where you can enjoy your meal and relax. This probably becomes the best spot to have dinner after a long tiring day. The menu also includes chocolate mousse as a part of the dessert. The bar has many local drinks like the ‘cherry apple cider’ which is worth trying. Try the local Swabian ravioli with the very authentic Greman beer too! If a nice and warm evening is what you are looking for, this restaurant is your best option.

School Museum

If you are intending to plan this trip with children onboard, this museum is a must-visit. And as for the adults, it takes you back to your school days. Established in 1980, this is one of Germany’s largest school museums. A visit to this museum will help you discover and trace the development of schools and help identify what classrooms looked like in the 1850s, 1900s and 1930s. You will find here historic teaching materials and special displays such as slate pencil boxes and satchels that are sure to flood your memory with your long-ago schooldays. In short, this museum not just depicts the history of the system but also is a comment on the development of education from Germany’s past to its present.

Weber & Weiss – Café/Restaurant

This restaurant in Friedrichshafen is a shout out to all the chocolate lovers. The visitors can choose their personal favourites from their extensive praline and chocolate creations. They are fresh and finely handcrafted from the best raw materials. The cafe is also famous for its cakes. If you are craving for seasonal creations or classics, they have it all. The heavenly taste variations await you within their range of cakes and tarts.

Hotel Sonne

Your plan to travel and enjoy this entire town would be of no use if you do not choose for a comfortable stay. This hotel promises you this very thing with everything luxurious in its way. The climate is always warm and pleasant as this hotel is situated close to Lake Constance. The hotel also provides the leisure of a Mediterranean pool area, spas, and fitness centres too. The rooms too are very luxuriously equipped and are designed with soothing interiors. Apart from all this, your stay here will be assuredly wonderful as this becomes the best spot for you to enjoy the views and beauty of Lake Constance.

Burg Meersburg

Burg Meersburg

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This castle is not exactly in Friedrichshafen but is very near to it. There are many travel options and the journey is less than 30 minutes from the town. As the name goes, this place looks like a grand and beautiful castle situated on the sea. It is a fortress that was constructed in the 7th century and has the most amazing interiors which included a torture room and dungeon too. With this, a few minutes away, there is also a New Castle which was once a palace for Prince Bishops. Your tour will help you to explore the reminiscence of old German princely traditions. This is where the Dornier museum and the town gallery are situated and these are notably the most visited.

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