Now is the best time to discover paradise on Lake Constance. When the days get longer and the light shimmers in soft colors over Lake Constance, a particularly inspiring season begins in Constance. The city is nestled between the lake and the Rhine, with a view of the Alpine panorama and in the middle of the four-country region of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. For centuries, Konstanz has been considered a place of longing – in 2026, the city will present itself under the theme year "Paradise Konstanz" with new highlights, special events, and a variety of opportunities to consciously experience nature and culture.

One of the most exciting new developments this spring is the opening of the unique Asisi Panorama, which immerses visitors in the historic city of Konstanz during the Council period. Equally impressive is the reopening of the Marienschlucht gorge on March 28: after years of closure, one of the region's most fascinating natural attractions is once again accessible, inviting visitors to marvel at the rocks, water, and forest.
The Paradise Year is marked by a wealth of events that bring Constance to life throughout all seasons: from the State Gymnastics Festival to the Campus Festival and the International Lake Constance Week to the Lake Night Festival in summer or the atmospheric Christmas market by the lake.

Constance, on the shores of Lake Constance © MTK/Leo Leister

Nature, water, and city – a paradise in all seasons
In Konstanz, nature doesn't begin outside the city, but right in the middle of it. Along the SeeGang premium hiking trail, on the Lake Constance Cycle Route, or on boat tours from the harbor, a landscape opens up that is both moving and relaxing. The flower island of Mainau, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Reichenau, green parks, and the lakeside promenade invite you to discover the region in an active and relaxed way. At the same time, the historic old town delights with its unique boutiques, cafés, and cultural offerings. Places such as the LAGO shopping center and the diverse gastronomy add modern accents.
Tip 1:
Walks along the banks of the Rhine at sunset, new city tours, and the Palm House show why the Paradies district bears its name—and why it will be particularly flourishing in 2026.
Tip 2:
From March 19 to May 3, VeggieWochen invites you to enjoy fresh plant-based delicacies—for example, at the Suppengrün Soup & Salad Bar.

Experience and enjoy paradise
Whether it's nature camping right on the lake shore, creative workshops such as watercolor painting classes with a view of the lake, or enjoyable bike tours to local breweries, Konstanz offers numerous experiences in 2026 that show the city and its surroundings from new perspectives.
Tip 3:
SEA LIFE Konstanz offers fascinating insights into the underwater paradise, while the Ferris wheel at the harbor provides spectacular views of the city and Lake Constance. With the warm season, Konstanz is entering a new phase of its theme year – and making people want to discover paradise for themselves. Whether for a day trip, a weekend, or a longer stay, Konstanz combines nature, culture, enjoyment, and exercise into an experience that inspires and slows down the pace of life – a paradise that is not far away.

Constance at the harbor, view of Imperia © MTK/Achim Mende

Winter magic
Those who want to savor the magic of winter a little longer can take advantage of the "Winter Special" package offered by hotels in Konstanz, which combines special cultural, culinary, and relaxation experiences until March 17, 2026. A stroll through the old town, city tours, visits to the theater or museum, a stay at the Lake Constance Thermal Spa or the Salt Oasis, illuminations in the Christmas Garden, and a trip to Mainau Island—all this makes Konstanz a paradise in winter. Sea Life ignites maritime fascination, while the Spitalkellerei presents exquisite wines in a historic atmosphere.

Feel-good package (until March 17, 2026)
with 2 nights, including breakfast and welcome gift.
The package includes one of the following optional services:

OPTIONAL SERVICES
1 x city tour "Presence of the past"
1 x admission to Mainau Island
1 x museum ticket: Archaeological State Museum (from December 8, 2025) & Rosgarten Museum
1 x visit to the theater (excluding guest performances and special events)
1 x Lake Constance Philharmonic Orchestra (subject to availability, excluding
guest concerts)

For special moments together, the "Shopping with your favorite person" package is available until March 31, 2026: hidden alleyways, owner-operated shops, regional treasures—a sensory journey through a city that values enjoyment and authenticity. And in the small, often hidden shops and owner-operated traditional stores, there are very special, often regional treasures to discover. Whether it's fine jewelry, the latest fashions, and fine delicacies in the shops, coffee in the old town and at the harbor, or the rich culinary offerings: until March 31, 2026, you can experience unforgettable moments together with this hotel package.

Highlights 2026: Konstanz – a city that inspires, seduces, and enchants all year round.
Konstanz will continue to be dominated by cultural highlights in 2026. The cheerful Fasnacht carnival, the Campus Festival, the large flea market, the Landesturnfest gymnastics festival, the spectacular Seenachtfest lake festival in summer, and the atmospheric Christmas market by the lake make up a packed annual program. New classic city tours such as "City – Lake – River," "The Paradies District," and "A Look Upward" open up fresh perspectives, while the staged tour "Murder in Paradise" takes visitors into the darker chapters of the old town district. The Konstanz Music Festival delights with exquisite classical music and jazz, and the Theater Konstanz opens the 2026 open-air season with Büchner's "Leonce and Lena" on Münsterplatz.
The museums also have a lot to offer: the Rosgartenmuseum presents "Die Mosbruggers," the Wessenberg Gallery shows winter scenes from the Düsseldorf school of painting, the Hus House sheds light on Thomas Müntzer's stay in Prague, and the Lake Constance Nature Museum takes visitors into the fascinating microcosm of the forest edge with "Winzlinge ganz groß" (Tiny but mighty).

The Rosgarten Museum presents the special exhibition about a family of artists on Lake Constance "The Mosbruggers" © Rosgartenmuseum

Event highlights in 2026:
Opening of the Asisi Panorama: in March
Opening of the legendary Marienschlucht gorge: March 28
17th Constance Business Breakfast: April 16
VeloPicnic: April 26
State Gymnastics Festival: May 13 to 17
Rosgarten Museum Konstanz:
Special exhibition "The Mosbruggers." A family of artists on Lake Constance
May 21, 2026 to January 10, 2027
Campus Festival: May 29 and 30
International Lake Constance Week + Sunday shopping: May 29 to 31
Cross-border 24-hour flea market: June 13 and 14
Summer theater open air at Münsterplatz: June, July
Konstanz Music Festival: July
GuteZeit Festival / ElektroLiebe (Lake Constance Stadium): July
Summer concerts (Little Venice): July
Konstanz Wine Festival: July 29 to August 1
Konstanz Summer Nights: August 5 to 7
Konstanz Lake Night Festival: August 8
Cross-border Children's Festival Konstanz/Kreuzlingen: September 12
1st Konstanz Poetry and Literature Festival: November
Christmas Garden Mainau Island: December 2026
Konstanz Christmas Market: December 2026
New Year's Eve on Lake Constance: December 31, 2026
www.konstanz-info.com/paradies-konstanz