City: Lindau

… The lively centre is the square-shaped market square. In addition to the famous Neptune Fountain, it is also home to St Stephen’s Church and the Abbey Church, the Hotel Stift and the Haus zum Cavazzen. A somewhat newer attraction are the 15 knowledge pylons dotted around the town, which explain interesting facts about scientific phenomena. The most famous is certainly the Lindau harbour and the harbour entrance with the new Lindau lighthouse and the imposing Bavarian lion. The new lighthouse dates back to 1856 and is the town’s landmark. If you climb the 139 steps to the viewing platform, you can enjoy the unique panoramic view over Lake Constance and the Swiss Alps opposite. But there is another reason why the climb is worthwhile: On the way up, you can learn interesting facts and funny stories about the tower on the inside walls of the tower. Another highlight at the harbour is the Lindau Man Tower, which dates back to 1200, and of course you can board a boat from here to Bregenz, Rorschach or Friedrichshafen. If you prefer things a little quieter, you can relax in Lindau’s idyllic town garden near the old town. Where today there is a magnificent English landscape garden, there used to be only water and the Landtor – a fortified entrance to the town. By filling in the banks and demolishing the gate, a real green oasis was created. You can admire the artistically planted beds here all year round. Unusual plants such as gingko trees, palm trees, bananas and magnolias create an exotic flair.