The city of Bregenz in the west of Austria offers locals and visitors an interplay of opposites. On the one hand, the city of 28,000 inhabitants is located on the fantastically beautiful Lake Constance, on the other hand, it is surrounded by mountains. On the one hand, there is a relaxed rhythm, as you find it in a small town. On the other hand, the Vorarlberg capital is characterised by international cultural offerings. All this gives Bregenz a very special flair.
The Bregenz Upper Town
The historic alleys, which resemble a labyrinth, are called the upper town – and that’s no coincidence. The upper town is located on a slight hill. It is recommended to take a long walk through this beautiful district of Bregenz. In the upper town, the hustle and bustle of tourists on the lakeshore is far enough away, so there is a relaxed atmosphere. There are only a few restaurants here, but there are many pretty, cobblestone streets and historic half-timbered houses.
St. Martin’s Tower
The upper town is basically a sight in itself, but there are also a few places and buildings that are very special. The view from the Martinsturm offers a great view here. It is Bregenz’s landmark and also houses a museum. It is best known for the fact that you can enjoy a wonderful view over Bregenz and Lake Constance from the top floor.
The harbour and the lakeshore
As a tourist in Bregenz, of course, you can’t avoid the famous waterfront promenade. The impressive lake stage is a real visitor magnet and should not be missing from any photo collection from Bregenz. Another popular photo motif is the so-called Fischersteg. In sunny and warm weather, you can enjoy something refreshing in the bar in the white pavilion while watching the wonderful sunset. A popular photo motif is also the so-called Fischersteg. The white pavilion actually houses a bar. So when the weather is nice, you can enjoy a glass of Prosecco here while watching the sunset.
Festspielhaus Bregenz
Every year, the Festspielhaus counts around 400,000 enthusiastic visitors. So it has made a name for itself far beyond the region as an attractive host. In addition to social and cultural events as well as events by certain companies, the Festspielhaus has been able to visibly demonstrate its competence as an organiser of international congresses and conferences, especially in recent years. It was even named one of the three best convention centers in the world by the International Association of Convention Centers in 2004 and 2010. In 2011, it was also voted number 1 of the best event centres in its category at European level by the European Association. In the summer months, in addition to the play on the lake stage, performances of the Bregenz Festival are also shown in the rooms of the congress centre.
The Kunsthaus Bregenz
No stay in the beautiful city should end without a visit to the Kunsthaus. When visiting Bregenz, no matter how short it may be, the imposing Kunsthaus is simply not to be missed. International and contemporary art is exhibited here. Of course, the exhibitions change regularly, so it’s not so much about the respective content. The atmosphere itself is overwhelming enough, so you can only be surprised by the exhibition.
The Pfänder
Bregenz’s local mountain (Pfänder) rises above the city on the eastern shore of Lake Constance. Once at the top, you have a fascinating view of Bregenz and Lake Constance. You can climb the Pfänder on foot or enjoy the ride up with the Pfänderbahn. It takes just six minutes from the old town to the mountain station, which is located at about 1000 meters above sea level. From there you can still decide on a hike or just fortify yourself a bit and enjoy the view.
The Vorarlberg Museum
Even if you don’t necessarily count yourself as a museum lover, a visit to the Vorarlberg Museum is still worth a visit. The great architecture alone makes this special museum a real eye-catcher. In 2013, a new building of the museum was opened, which was really impressively designed. In the Vorarlberg Museum, the history (up to the present) of the state of Vorarlberg is presented very comprehensively and extensively. A visit to the museum is therefore perfect if it rains or you are looking to cool off on a hot summer’s day. A little tip on the side – on the 4th floor you can take a great photo of Lake Constance through a panoramic window or just enjoy the view.
