Lindau Harbor

Lindau harbor, with its stone lion and white lighthouse guarding the entrance, is one of the most photographed sights on Lake Constance. It sits on Lindau Island in Germany's far southwestern corner of Bavaria, where Germany, Austria and Switzerland meet on the lake. Behind the waterfront lies a compact medieval old town of merchant houses, towers and cobbled lanes. Come for the views, stay for the boats, the cafés and the Alpine panorama on a clear day.

Where it is and how to get there

Lindau is on the eastern shore of Lake Constance (Bodensee), just a few miles from Bregenz in Austria. Munich is the nearest major German city.

• By train: EuroCity trains on the Munich–Zurich line stop at Lindau-Reutin on the mainland, roughly two hours from Munich. From there, regional trains and buses take you onto the island. Lindau-Insel station sits right on the harbor, so you step out almost onto the promenade. Regional services are covered by the Deutschlandticket.
• By boat: Lake Constance passenger ships connect Lindau with Bregenz, Friedrichshafen, Meersburg and other towns; arriving by water is the classic way to see the harbor entrance.
• By car: Take the A96 from Munich. Parking on the island is limited, so use the signposted lots and walk in.

What makes it special

The harbor entrance was designed in the mid-19th century at the request of King Maximilian II of Bavaria as a grand gateway to his kingdom:

• The Bavarian Lion (1856), by Munich sculptor Johann von Halbig, is about 20 feet (6 m) tall and weighs roughly 50 tons.
• The New Lighthouse (built 1853–1856) rises 118 feet (36 m). It is Germany's southernmost lighthouse and the only one in Bavaria. You can climb it seasonally; in 2026 an adult ticket costs €5 (as of October 2026).

Across the basin stands the older Mangturm, a 12th-century signal tower that once served as the town's lighthouse. After the new lighthouse was finished, it gained an extra story and its colorful tiled roof.

Things to do around the harbor

Walk out along both breakwaters for the view back to the old town and across to the mountains. Then cross into the pedestrian Maximilianstraße, lined with gabled merchant houses, and see the Old Town Hall from 1422 with its painted facade. The island covers only about 170 acres (70 ha), so everything is walkable.

The harbor itself is free and open at all times. Allow an hour for the waterfront, or half a day with the old town, a lighthouse climb and coffee by the water. Early morning is best for photos, when the lion and lighthouse are reflected in still water.

Is it worth visiting?

Absolutely, especially as part of a Lake Constance trip or a day trip from Munich. Families enjoy the boats and the lion, while history fans will appreciate the medieval towers. The harbor promenade is mostly level, but the old town's cobblestones can be tough for wheelchairs and strollers, and the lighthouse is stairs-only.

Nearby

• Diebsturm and St. Peter's Church, with frescoes attributed to Hans Holbein the Elder.
• Haus zum Cavazzen, a Baroque mansion housing the city museum.
• Bregenz in Austria, famous for its lake-stage festival, a short boat ride away.
• The Bavarian Riviera, a stretch of lakeside villas and parks on the mainland.