Bregenz is a culturally and scenically rich city located in the heart of the Austrian alpine region. This city, located on the shore of Lake Constance, is one of the most beautiful in Austria. It is not too touristy, so you can visit the main attractions in Bregenz without moving through crowds of tourists. Ready to embark on your trip? Then have a look at this post where we will discover the best things to do in Bregenz, how to get there, where to eat well and much more.
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What are the must-see places in Bregenz?
Bregenz is the capital of the region of Vorarlberg, and although it is mainly known for Lake Constance, the truth is that it has got a lot more to offer. Many festivals and cultural activities are held in the city. Best known are the annual music festival that takes place every summer on the shores of the lake. Here are some of the best places to see in Bregenz.
1. Lake Constance, a must-see in Bregenz
Lake Constance is the most beautiful thing to see in Bregenz and it offers a whole world of possibilities. You can stroll around it or rent a bike in the city center. You can also take a ferry that goes to Lindau, a German town 13km away. Its historic center is located on a small island in the middle of the lake. The ferry does not leave very often, so it is best to check schedules in advance. Whether by bike or boat, it’s definitely worth spending time on the lake and visiting the neighboring town.
2. The Upper Town of Bregenz
The upper town of Bregenz is located where initially there was a Celtic settlement that later became the walled city of Brigantium. It is nice to have a walk in the area and discover little by little all the hidden buildings, such as the old town hall, built in wood in the seventeenth century, the Capuchin monastery, or the Parish Church of St. Gallus with its Baroque style.
3. Pfänderbahn cableway
Bregenz lies at the foot of the mountain Pfänder, from where you can find the best views of the city and Lake Constance at a height of 1,064 meters. Many choose to climb its trails since several hikes lead to the top and take about two hours. However, most opt for the cable car option, which costs 13 € for a round trip and departs every 30 minutes until 7:00 pm. Once at the top, you will find a short 30-minute hike and a restaurant. Definitely the views from the peak are a must-see in Bregenz.
4. Visit the best museums in Bregenz
There are a couple of museums in Bregenz that you shouldn’t miss. The Vorarlberg Museum, built from plastic bottles, has a collection of more than 150,000 pieces of art tracing the history of western Austria. It includes pieces of folklore and archeology, and the museum also has panoramic views of the lake from its upper floor. Admission costs €9.
The other museum to see in Bregenz is the Art Museum, an impressive minimalist building that houses a large collection of contemporary art. It is open daily from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm except Mondays. The entrance fee is 11€.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
What to see around Bregenz
Bregenz is surrounded by nature, and that’s why you’ve got quite a lot of trips to take with spectacular views around the city. In addition, there are many charming villages in the area that you can visit when you have nothing more to see in Bregenz.
1. Rappenlochschlucht
In the town of Dornbirn, located a few kilometers from Bregenz and known for its textile industry, lies the Rappenlochschlucht gorge, a perfect day trip. The path runs parallel to the river Ache and ends at the 120 meters high Alplochschlucht waterfall. It is a very nice and scenic trail, a perfect hike to do with the family.
2. Feldkirch and Schattenburg Castle
Thirty-five kilometers from Bregenz, located on the banks of the river Ill, lies the town of Feldkirch. This original Bronze Age town still has its historic center and a 12th-century castle. There you can find the best view of the city. Today the fortress serves as a museum of local history and can be visited between May and October from 9 am till noon and from 1:30 pm to 6 pm, and between January and April, only from 1 pm to 4 pm. It takes about 30 minutes to get there by car from Bregenz.
3. Vandans
The town of Vandans, a former Roman settlement 60km from Bregenz, besides being one of the best places for skiing in winter, offers many beautiful hiking trails. The most common hike is to the Lüner See lake. We can recommend it as a pleasant trail between mountain ranges. You can also use the ski lift in summer to reach the trails at higher altitudes. It takes 40 minutes by car and 1 hour 15 minutes by direct bus.
Things to do in Bregenz in 1 day
The city of Bregenz is easily visited in one day, however, if you also want to see the surroundings and do some sightseeing, you need more time. This is a good itinerary of what you can do in one day to remember the city and cover the main points of interest in Bregenz.
To start the day it is best to get up early and take the cable car up to Pfänder. There you can enjoy a short walk and views of the lake. Then it is best to go to the center and stroll through the upper town visiting the main buildings of interest such as the town hall or the Capuchin church. Right there you can have lunch in a typical Austrian restaurant.
In the afternoon you can choose to visit one of the museums, and/or go to Lake Constance, which is by far the most beautiful thing to see in Bregenz. As we mentioned before, there you can stroll, rent a bike or take a ferry.
How to get to Bregenz
There are a few ways to get to Bregenz, although it is certainly not one of the best-connected cities in Austria. Here are some options you have.
The nearest airport is St. Gallen–Altenrhein, 44km away from the city. From the airport, you have to take a bus or train to St. Margrethen which costs 14€, and then change to the train to Bregenz for 15€. The total journey takes between 40 minutes and 1.5 hours.
Another option is to fly to one of the major European cities such as Munich or Zurich, and from there take a direct train. The best way to get to the city is undoubtedly the train.
Best restaurants in Bregenz
Austrian cuisine has a strong German influence, which is why you will find hearty stews, meats, and delicious cakes on the menu. The most outstanding dishes are the Schnitzel, breaded steak, and Goulash. Have you not tried it yet? Well, take note of some recommendations we are giving you for restaurants in Bregenz.
- Zum Kornmesser: is the perfect restaurant to enjoy typical Austrian and German cuisine. It is not one of the cheapest restaurants in the city but the quality of its dishes is worth it.
- Wirtshaus am See: is one of the favorite restaurants of young people in Bregenz as it is very economical and you can eat very well there. In its menu we mainly find meat and fish dishes.
- Inn Pfanderdohle: the highlight of the restaurant is its location at the top of the mountain. It can be reached by cable car and its fish-based dishes are among the best in town.
- Kornmesser: It is one of the oldest restaurants in Bregenz as its building dates back to the 18th century and has a very characteristic wooden decor. They serve traditional signature food and it is not one of the most affordable restaurants.
Where to stay in Bregenz
Looking for a hotel in Bregenz? This Austrian city has quite a few options in terms of accommodation, although the truth is that the prices are not the most affordable. But we have prepared a selection with price ranges for you to choose from.
- Bregenz Youth Hostel: is one of the most affordable options in the city. The shared rooms are clean and there’s a kitchen. It is also well located.
- Hotel Messmer: Right in the center of Bregenz, this 4-star hotel offers facilities like a sauna and breakfast buffet. It also has its own restaurant serving traditional Austrian cuisine. Room prices range from €140 per night.
- Hotel Ibis Bregenz: is a very modern hotel 5 minutes from the center and 500 meters from the casino. It is located in a very lively area. The night costs about 90€.
Travel tips to Bregenz
- The official currency of Austria is the euro, so you won’t have to worry about exchanging currency.
- As European citizens, we also don’t need a visa to enter the country; an ID card or passport is enough.
- If you are traveling from a country with another currency, we recommend that you make the currency exchange in advance.
- The best time to travel to Bregenz is in spring and autumn, when there are fewer tourists and temperatures are mild.
- Buy museum tickets in advance to avoid queues.
- There is no roaming in Austria (for European citizens), so you can use the Internet on your cell phone without any problems.
- The city is safe, but as in any tourist place, you’d better be careful with your belongings.
- Hedge yourself against possible medical emergencies: travel insured.
Organize your trip to Bregenz
Register or download the Passporter App and discover all of its possibilities.
- Get inspired by the experiences of other travelers.
- Create your own itinerary and add suggestions from the app to it.
- Add the stops you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
- Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can take inspiration from the routes we present in the post)
- Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make the modifications you need and you’re all set for your trip.
- Share your experience. Upload photos of places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend other travelers what to see in Bregenz Austria
If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.
Frequently asked questions when traveling to Bregenz
The best time is in spring or autumn, when the weather is mild and there are fewer tourists than in summer. It is also true that the high season is in summer and more places are open and you get to feel the atmosphere of the city.
Bregenz is located in an alpine area, and although there are quite a few towns in the surroundings, the truth is that the public transport network is not very efficient. So, if you are going to move around the area it is best to take your own vehicle.
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