Things to do in Arbon

Mainau Island, nicknamed the “Island of Flowers,” is just over 110 acres (45 hectares) in size and yet it offers enough in its compact borders for hours of entertainment. The small, wooded island on Lake Constance is not only a beautiful location, but it also contains a castle, gardens and glasshouses where multitudes of tropical plants grow.

Whether it’s misty or clear, you may find no more beautiful place in Germany than the Lake Constance Promenade. Hugging the edge of the lake outside Friedrichshafen, one of the lake’s biggest towns and home to its only airport, the walkway provides panoramic views of the water augmented by the presence of an observation tower. Spend the day hopping between terraces and sipping a drink while watching the water sparkle.

Go sightseeing in Constance Harbor and you will be greeted with some of the city’s most engaging attractions, surrounded by views of the vast lake. Stroll along the piers and sidewalks looking for yachts bobbing in the water and dinghies sailing out for scenic trips around the shore. Bring your camera to take photographs, as some of Constance’s most iconic sights are found here.

The Abbey Library of St. Gall (Stiftsbibliothek St. Gallen) is one of the world’s prettiest and oldest public lending libraries. It holds about 170,000 literary and liturgical works, many written by monks throughout the medieval period. Visit the Abbey Library of St. Gall to peruse its enormous collection, marvel at its luxuriant baroque rococo interior and admire ceiling frescoes.

The Abbey of St. Gall is the emblematic landmark of the historic city of St. Gallen. Marvel at the beauty of its baroque cathedral, see displays of antique documents in the library and wander as monks did in the Middle Ages. The earliest mention of the Abbey of St. Gall is from the 8th century. It flourished as a monastery until secularizing in 1805. In 1983 the entire complex was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List of protected monuments.