Mainau: Island Gardens, Butterflies and Baroque

Covering 20 hectares, the flower island of Mainau combines a variety of parks and gardens with tropical butterflies and Baroque architecture. Walks offer views of Lake Constance and the Alps. Wildlife watching, play facilities and historic buildings add further highlights, allowing you to tailor your stay to different interests.

Gardens and Botanical Collections

The arboretum is home to around 250 different tree species, including many rare and impressive specimens. The Palm House houses more than 20 species of palm, including a Canary Island date palm (Phoenix canariensis) that is over 15 metres tall. For a different botanical perspective, visit the strictly geometrically designed Italian Rose Garden, with around 1,000 varieties of roses. Guided botanical tours are offered in the historic arboretum, where you can get up close to giant trees and discover their stories. Check dates and booking details before your trip.

Butterflies, Play and Animal Encounters

The Butterfly House is home to up to 120 different butterfly species and subspecies from the tropical regions of South and Central America, Africa and Asia. There, you can observe tropical butterflies flying freely and watch their development from egg to caterpillar and chrysalis to adult butterfly.

Mainau’s Children’s Land covers 1,100 square metres and includes an adventure playground, a digger playground and a marble run. There are also opportunities to climb, swing and balance. At the Mainau farm, part of the goat enclosure is open to everyone, where you can pet the goats. The goat-petting area is closed in winter.

The experiences each offer something different: at the Butterfly House, the focus is on observing butterflies and their stages of development; at Children’s Land, it is on movement and play; and at the farm, on direct encounters with goats.

The Palace, Church and Art History

Mainau Island was placed under monument protection as an entire ensemble in 2003; part of it is listed in the monument register as a “cultural monument of special importance.” Mainau Palace was built between 1739 and 1746 based on designs by master builder Johann Caspar Bagnato. He also built the Palace Church of St. Mary between 1732 and 1739.

The main furnishings of the Palace Church were created by Baroque sculptor Joseph Anton Feuchtmeyer (1696–1770). They include the high altar, side altars, pulpit and sculptures. The historic Heraldic Hall is located on the lower level of the palace and regularly hosts exhibitions; the programme may change. Mainau thus brings together architectural history, sacred art and changing exhibition themes.

Getting There and Finding Accommodation

Boats to Mainau Island depart from Konstanz, Meersburg, Überlingen, Uhldingen and other major ports on Lake Constance. Check timetables and seasonal services before your trip. If you are looking for accommodation for your Mainau trip, it helps to choose a clear focus: botanical discoveries, activities for children or Baroque architecture. This lets you organise your interests before choosing specific accommodation.

Konstanz: Natural History Museum and Old Town

In Konstanz, the Lake Constance Natural History Museum illustrates the formation of Lake Constance and its diverse habitats with animal exhibits and informative models. Petting animals, touch holes and animal calls played at the push of a button invite visitors to take part and explore. The historic Old Town of Konstanz offers its own urban cultural highlights: its picturesque little lanes are ideal for a shopping stroll, and a walk around the city takes in sights ranging from the Imperia statue to the Council Building.

Discover more destinations: Staad, Dingelsdorf

Return to the main travel overview: Konstanz.