Wonderful nature surrounds the city, with high mountains covered in vast green meadows. The mountain next to Bregenz, called Pfänder, offers views over the entire region’s stunning landscape.
The Story of the City of Bregenz
In the area of Bregenz, there was an ancient Celtic city, one of the most fortified in the entire region. During the Roman Empire, the city was conquered and became a Roman camp until it was destroyed by Germanic tribes who came to settle in the area.
After its destruction, it took hundreds of years for it to be restored. For a long time, the city was a small settlement until the time of Count Hugo of Tübingen, who turned it into a proper city in the 13th century. During his time, the city grew and prospered.
In the 15th century, it passed into the hands of the House of Habsburg and has remained under Austrian rule to this day. The city’s importance stemmed mainly from the port that was established there, which aided in trade with neighboring cities on the other side of the large lake.
As early as the 18th century, the city served as the seat of the Austrian administration of Vorarlberg, and to this day, it is considered the capital of the state of Vorarlberg.
What to See in Bregenz?
The old city is divided into two parts: the Upper Town (Oberstadt) and the Lower Town (Unterstadt).
In the Upper Town area, you can see remains of the old city walls, the old town hall from the 17th century, and two ancient churches.
St. Martin’s Tower (Martinsturm) is also located in the Upper Town. This is a 14th-century structure topped with the largest Baroque-style decorated dome in Central Europe. Today, this building is used for exhibitions of the region’s military history museum.
In the Lower Town, you can see other ancient buildings such as the city’s other town hall, the Gothic chapel by the lake, several ancient churches, the Kunsthaus (Art House), and the city’s theater.
If you arrive in the city in July-August, you can enjoy the wonderful festival that takes place in the city – the Bregenzer Festspiele. This is an especially large and elaborate festival where a variety of ensembles from all over the world perform on a floating stage on the lake. The festival focuses on opera and classical music performances. Every year, about a quarter of a million visitors come to the city to participate in this festival. More information about the festival.
This is what Bregenz looks like
Lake Constance
West of Bregenz, Lake Constance (Bodensee) splits into three parts: the Upper Lake (Obersee), the Lower Lake (Untersee), and the Lake Rhine (Seerhein). The lake is located in the territory of three countries – Austria, Switzerland, and Germany, and there are many villages and towns around it.
The lake area is a popular tourist destination and has many great attractions, whether in Germany, Switzerland, or Austria. In the summer months, the lake comes alive with renewed life. The water temperature reaches about 23 degrees Celsius and allows for a variety of fun activities.
The lake shore is right next to the center of Bregenz, so you can get to it easily and quickly. Along the shore, there are pools and designated areas for entering the water. You can swim, dive, and even surf on the lake.
Another attraction on the lake is renting pedal boats from the harbor area. With the small boats, you can go on a fun and even romantic cruise towards the sunset and enjoy the view of the city from the water. The rental cost is about €18 per hour for a regular pedal boat. You can also rent electric boats if you don’t want to exert yourself too much. The boat rental station is located near the harbor, on the large promenade along the lake shore.
You can find all the details about the boats here
Cable Car to the Summit of Mount Pfänder
Mount Pfänder, adjacent to Bregenz, is a wonderful place for lovers of nature hikes, animals, and spectacular views. To reach the summit of the mountain, you have to take a cable car that starts right next to the city’s harbor. The enclosed cable car ascends to the mountain peak in 6 minutes, and from there, a world of wonderful nature will unfold before you. At the summit, there are many well-marked and organized hiking trails. The trails are suitable for the whole family.
In addition, there is a wildlife park with animals such as wild goats, wild boars, mountain sheep, and red deer. Admission to the park is free and it is open every day of the year, all day. The walk within the park takes about half an hour.
After hiking in the area and enjoying the views of the city and the large lake, you can sit and rest in one of the restaurants at the top of the mountain and eat a hot meal or drink a cold beer.
The cable car operates throughout the year, so you can hike on the mountain even on winter days when the area is snowy.
This is what the top of Mount Pfänder looks like
Additional Essential Information for Your Visit
Opening Hours:
Every day from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Every half hour. The journey takes 6 minutes. The cable car does not operate in November.
Cost (ascent and descent):
- Adult – €18
- Senior – €17
- Youth (16-19) – €15
- Child (6-15) – €9
- Family – €36
Please note: In winter, the company reduces ticket prices by about 15%.
Official Website
Address of the cable car station at the foot of the mountain: Steinbruchgasse 4, 6900 Bregenz
Parking: There is a paid parking lot next to the cable car station (the first 3 hours are free if you take the cable car).
Map:
In Vorarlberg, there is a Jewish museum that describes the life of the local community and its fate during the Second World War. It is worth visiting the museum and supporting its activities. Read more information about the Jewish Museum of Vorarlberg.
