Was this page helpful?
Last update: Oct 21, 2026
* We earn a commission from some links on this page.
Mainau Island Summary
Germany – Quick facts
| Power Grid: |
230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type F
Type C:
  Read about power adapters |
|---|---|
| Currency: |
Euro (EUR) $1 ≈ €0.90 |
| Cashless info: |
Rating 4/5
Cards are widely accepted, especially in urban areas, but small establishments may prefer cash. Be prepared for occasional cash-only situations.
Save with a travel credit card |
| eSIM providers: |
Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison |
| Tipping: | Tipping is common in restaurants, typically 5-10%. For taxis, it is customary to round up to the nearest euro. Tipping in cash is more common than adding it to card payments. |
|---|---|
| Public drinking: | Public drinking is allowed in most parts of Germany, especially in beer gardens and public events, but some local regulations may restrict it in specific areas. |
| Public smoking: | Smoking is prohibited indoors in public places such as restaurants, trains, and buses. Designated smoking areas are available outside many buildings. |
| Oktoberfest (September) |
Huge crowds in Munich. Expect high hotel rates and crowded transportation. |
|---|---|
| Christmas (December) |
Christmas markets are popular, expect crowded cities and higher prices. |
| Labour Day (May) |
Many shops are closed, and there are celebrations throughout the country. |
| Emergency contact: | Police: 110, Emergency Number: 112 (Fire, Ambulance) |
|---|---|
| Taxi apps: | Uber, Free Now, myTaxi |
| Other: | Germany is well-equipped for tourists, with good public transport and high-quality facilities. However, be prepared for language barriers in some rural areas. |
Best times to travel
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colors of the months:
The color shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the color is shows the travel season: full color means high season, soft color means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The gray info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
for Mainau Island, Germany
Flower highlights: tulips mid April to mid May, roses late June to July, dahlias August to October
Don't miss
- 🌸 Stroll through Mainau's blooming flower gardens
- 🚤 Take a scenic boat tour across Lake Constance
- 🍷 Sample local Riesling wine beside the lake
You've been here?
Log in to manage your own bucket list! Mainau covers about 0.2 sq mi of Lake Constance shoreline and is gardened throughout. Something is in bloom from early spring to late fall. Spring starts with more than 150 varieties of flower bulbs, summer brings the roses of the Italian rose garden and late summer belongs to the dahlia garden. Around them grow palms and other trees from warmer regions, which do well here because of the mild lakeside climate.
The island has been shaped by several owners. The Teutonic Order owned it for centuries and built the baroque castle in the 18th century. In the 19th century the Grand Duke of Baden turned it into a summer residence and planted many of the exotic trees. The Bernadotte family has owned it since the 1930s. Today the castle holds an exhibition, a boutique and a cafe. A baroque church stands next to it.
Besides the beds and trees, you can visit the palm house and the butterfly house, which is open from late March to mid October. A farm area has a petting zoo where children can feed the goats with feed from a dispenser. Seasonal displays such as the dinosaur models and the maize maze for families change from year to year. The Garden for All has plants at hand height to touch and smell, with Braille boards.
Plan on three to five hours for a full visit. The island is open daily all year from 9:00 AM and closes between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM in the main season. You walk everywhere, since bikes aren't allowed and motor vehicles need permission. The park rules ask you to stay off flower beds and lawns and to keep out of the water, since bathing at the shore is banned.
Knowledge before you go
- Bikes aren't allowed on the island, so park them at the entrance.
- Picnics are only allowed at marked spots, while the lawns and flower beds are off limits.
- Dogs are allowed on a short leash but not in the castle or the Butterfly House.
- The island belongs to the Bernadotte family, relatives of the Swedish royal house, who have owned it since the 1930s.
How to travel to Mainau Island
From Konstanz, bus ring line 4/13 from Konstanz/Laube is the easiest way to reach Mainau. It stops near the island entrance. From Konstanz station it's about 1,000 ft to the ferry pier, where boats to the island run from the Lake Constance ports of Konstanz, Überlingen and Meersburg. Check the current timetables first. By car, Mainau is signposted near the B33 and the L219. Use the address Insel Mainau 1 in your navigation. The large lot is on the mainland and the first hour is free, then it costs €6 ($6.74) per day. The Konstanz to Meersburg car ferry is the fastest way to cross the lake if you come from the north shore. Zurich Airport (ZRH) is the nearest large international airport, with trains to Konstanz through Switzerland. Konstanz station connects to the German rail network. Bikes can be parked at the mainland entrance, since Mainau is on the Lake Constance cycle path.
Access summary
- From Friedrichshafen Airport (FDH): Bus to Konstanz (45 min), then ferry to Mainau (15 min).
- From Zurich Airport (ZRH): Train to Konstanz (1h 30m), ferry to Mainau (15 min); from Munich Airport (MUC): Train to Lindau (3h), ferry to Mainau (20 min).
- Ferry alone: 15–20 minutes across Lake Constance; popular cycling route around the island, 5 km loop.
Check your route from anywhere
Where to stay near Mainau Island
Konstanz is the most practical base for Mainau, with hotels, guesthouses and apartments around the harbor and old town and a short bus ride to the island. The villages along the shore, such as Litzelstetten and Dingelsdorf, are quieter and the same bus line goes through them. Guests who stay more than one night and pay the visitor's tax get the Lake Constance Guest Pass, which includes free bus travel in Konstanz. Motorhomes can stay overnight in the island lot for a fee. Rooms in Konstanz get scarce on summer weekends and during the flower peaks, so book early for those dates.
Hotel recommendations
*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.
Food around Mainau Island
Food on the island is mostly regional and international dishes, with self-service counters and a few places with table service. You can get a salad buffet, sausages, sandwiches, bread, burgers and cake. Several outlets list gluten-free, lactose-free, vegetarian and vegan options. Table reservations aren't possible, so lunch around 12:00 PM can mean a wait in high season.
You can find places to eat at the castle, the harbor and the Butterfly House, plus a farm store with seasonal products. Picnics on the lawns aren't allowed, but you can picnic in marked areas near the fountain arena. The nearest other food is in Konstanz.
Packing recommendations for Mainau Island
Log in to add this place to a travel list and get a summary of all recommended items for your whole trip.
📷
Camera
👟
Comfortable walking shoes
🌞
Sunscreen
🚰
Reusable water bottle
👕
Light, breathable clothing
🍫
Energy snacks
nuts, granola bars
🧥
Rain jacket
🕶️
Sunglasses
☂️
Folding umbrella
🎒
Small backpack
🪰
Insect repellent
🩱
Swimwear
🩴
Flip-flops
🗺️
Map or GPS device
📕
Guidebook with offline map
🔋
Power bank
🩹
Basic first aid kit
👒
Sun hat
📃
Travel insurance
🛁
Quick-dry travel towel
📱
Travel eSIM
🔌
Universal power adapter
Type F
💳
Credit card with no foreign transaction fees
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home
We calculate the average costs when traveling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.
To customize this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.
Daily expenses in the region are around 7% higher than the average across United States. That means you'll spend more on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend
The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.
Your exchange rate (USD to EUR) is 1% worse than in recent years. That means traveling now costs around the same compared to the past.
Safety information overview
General safety
Mainau is very safe, with a well-kept park and few risks. Paths get crowded on summer weekends and at flower peaks, so keep an eye on children near the water. Swimming off the shore isn't allowed and thunderstorms can come in quickly over the lake.
Accessibility
Most paths suit wheelchairs and people with walking difficulties, with step-free routes marked in white on the island map. Wheelchairs can be borrowed free at the mainland and harbor entrances and scooters can be rented. A few sections have steps.
Related articles & guides for Mainau Island
Nearby recommended places
Looking for inspiration?
Discover
Most beautiful beaches and coastal escapes
For a lot of people, a beach is the whole point of a holiday, but what makes a beach day perfect really depends on personal taste. Some travellers want isolation and the feeling…
Read more
Discover
Stunning national parks and wilderness areas
National parks exist because someone decided that certain landscapes were too important to lose. The best of them protect ecosystems, wildlife and natural processes that would…
Read more
Discover
Intimate escapes and romantic getaways
The most memorable trips for couples tend to have less to do with luxury and more to do with the quality of shared experience. A place that slows you down, removes the usual…
Read more
