Serving as the capital of Vorarlberg, Bregenz overlooks the sparkling waters of Lake Constance at Austria’s westernmost tip. Its rich history dates back to the Bronze Age when a Celtic fortress was established here and is renowned for its summer festival that sees operatic and musical performances take place on a floating stage. Bregenz is divided into the Upper and Lower Towns, with fine museums and architectural landmarks to discover.
Things to do in Bregenz
Spend an afternoon wandering through the Upper Town, which was established on the Roman walled town of Brigantium. Don’t miss the half-timbered Old Town Hall or the 17th-century Capuchin Monastery and Church. The Parish Church of St. Gallus is also worth a visit for its Baroque and Rococo interior decorations.
For sweeping views across Bregenz, climb to the top of St. Martin’s Tower, a Baroque structure topped by a large wooden dome. On each of its floors are exhibitions detailing the city’s cultural history and the chapel at the base is beautifully adorned with 14th-century frescoes. Nearby is the red-brick Pfarrkirche Herz Jesu Bregenz, which is dominated by two 62-metre-high Neo-Gothic towers.
Another museum not to miss is the Vorarlberg Museum, which houses archaeological finds dating back to the Stone Age and a rich collection of musical instruments, weaponry and tapestries from the Renaissance period. It’s a short stroll from the Kunsthaus Bregenz where rotating exhibitions of international contemporary art are showcased.
Getting around Bregenz
Bodensee Airport Friedrichshafen is around 30 minutes’ drive from Bregenz and has flights to destinations across Europe while the larger Zurich Airport is 1.5 hours away. Daily trains from Vienna connect to the Bregenz railway station and buses travel throughout the city. Bicycles and walking are both popular ways to explore the centre of Bregenz.