Excursions

The centuries-old Martinsturm tower in Bregenz is the main landmark of Vorarlberg’s capital. One of the must-see historical sights on Lake Constance, its baroque onion-shaped dome towers over the roofs of the city. 

Cobbled streets and romantic arcades lead visitors through the Feldkirch’s old town. The Schattenburg castle towers mightily above it, regaling with stories of times gone by. 

Only 20 minutes from the centre of Dornbirn lies a unique playground in the midst of a magnificent mountain paradise. The Ebnit sports club has a variety of activities on offer, overseen by outdoor specialists. 

What does it mean to be a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve? Who is Burmenta? And how is mountain cheese actually made? The guided tour of the biosphärenpark.haus does not only provide the answers to these questions, it also offers rare insights into the history of the Grosses Walsertal (Great Walser Valley).

Austria is famous for its schnapps production, and there’s none finer than here in Vorarlberg. The local Prinz distillery in Hörbranz offers a unique behind-the-scenes look of how their spirit is produced. Visitors are able to watch master distillers at work and gain fascinating insights into the fine art of distillation. 

There’s truly something to do on this picturesque lake all year round. From the start of April to October there are daily trips to the most beautiful destinations on Lake Constance. During the high season there are evening trips with music and dancing, as well as round trips to and from Bregenz. 

Largely underground and barely noticeable from the outside, Skyspace Lech is nestled snugly amidst the high alpine landscape of the Lechquelle Mountains. In 2018, the contemporary American artist James Turrell created a work of installation art at 1,780 metres above sea level, part of a series of over 60 fascinating light space creations worldwide. 

The only Women’s Museum in Austria plays host to varying exhibitions on women past and present, from a regional or supra-regional perspective. Frauenmuseum Hittisau aims to make clear the cultural contributions of women throughout history and in present day, and as such has hosted over 30 exhibitions to date on various topics. 

Bregenz's local mountain towers over the city at 1,064 metres, offering panoramas of three countries across the lake in one direction and the Bregenzerwald in the other. 

Hohenems is a small city with grand stories. Testament to this are sites such as the stately Palace of the Counts of Ems who founded an Israelite community. 

Situated right in the city centre, Feldkirch’s Montforthaus hosts various congresses and events all year round. Stunningly renovated in 2015, the building’s ultra-modern façade nestles smoothly between the city’s medieval structures. A new range of tours offer a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes, giving visitors insights into the hosting of exhibitions, congresses, concerts and trade fairs.

The quaint market town of Rankweil is dominated by this fairytale-esque basilica perched on a hill at its centre. This formidable building on the Liebfrauenberg is a landmark in the truest sense, visible from all over the valley. 

Mainau, the botanical “Flower Island”, nestles like a multi-coloured jewel within the blues and greens of Lake Constance. The majestic castle complex, an outstanding example of southern Germany’s baroque style of architecture, harmonises effortlessly with one of Europe’s most beautiful botanical parks.

The cheese cellar in Lingenau is the place to not only buy and taste cheese but also to see it mature. Cheese and wine tastins with a sommelier is available to groups on inquiry.

This charming steam train began life as a genuine service railway, but today is used solely for visitor trips. The track runs along the Rhine embankment from the Rhein-Schauen Museum in Lustenau and through the nature reserve to the mouth of the Rhine at Lake Constance.