Island Mainau
The flower island in Lake Constance
When you hear Mainau, you think of blossoms – that’s what the third largest island in Lake Constance is known and loved for. Covering an area of around 45 hectares, visitors are whisked away to a Mediterranean oasis where enjoyment and relaxation are just as welcome as amazement and discovery. The island, which is about one kilometer long, is owned by the noble Bernadotte family from Sweden, who still reside in the castle complex today. And although some areas of this baroque building from the mid-18th century are open to the public, most guests come for a different reason: they want to marvel at the magnificent specimens that nature produces.
Flower island in Lake Constance
For example, there is the park-like arboretum with its approximately 500 deciduous and coniferous trees, some of which are over 150 years old: In addition to precious Atlas and Lebanon cedars or impressive tulip trees, one of the oldest sequoia trees in Germany can also be found northwest of the castle. If you are looking for Mediterranean flora and tropical flair, the Palm House is the right place to go. In addition to citrus plants, more than 20 palm species grow there – including a 15-meter-high Canary Island date palm that was planted on Mainau in 1888. Things are similarly exotic in the butterfly house, where it can happen that a colorful butterfly from Africa, Asia, Central or South America lands directly on your nose.
Mainau open all year round
A great advantage of the flower island: it fascinates its visitors all year round. In spring, the orchid show in the Palm House with over 3,000 specimens is an unforgettable sight, as is the tulip “sea” of almost 400 different varieties. In summer, the flowers in the Italian Rose Garden are in full splendor, and from the end of August, around 12,000 dahlias create a fireworks display of colors and shapes.
The island, which belongs to the city of Constance, is accessible 365 days a year – from sunrise to sunset. You can reach Mainau by public transport (bus, boat) as well as by bicycle or car (parking on the mainland). Dogs, kept on a leash, are allowed on Mainau Island, but not in the Butterfly House and in the exhibition rooms of the castle.
The Best of Mainau Island
- 10 – 25 persons per group
- 120 € plus entrance fee of 21,00 € per person
- 1,5 hours
- German, English, French, Italian, Spanish, Swedish, Chinese, Japanese
Multi-faceted tour of the island with background information on history, botany, interesting facts about the island of Mainau and the work of the Bernadotte family.
Palace Jewel and Garden Frenzy
- 10 – 25 persons per group
- 160 € plus entrance fee of 21,00 € per person
- 1,5 hours
- German, English, French (other languages on request)
- Guided tour on the theme of the year 2023 around the castle and castle church on Mainau Island, bookable from May onwards
Nature meets art
- 10 – 25 persons per group
- 150 € plus entrance fee of 21,00 € per person
- 1,5 hours
- German, English, French (other languages on request)
- Discovery tour of the art treasures of the Mainau – approx. 30 sculptures made of bronze, marble and steel
Green princes on Lake Constance – the Mainau through the ages
- 10 – 25 persons per group
- 150 € plus entrance fee of 21,00 € per person
- 1,5 hours
- German, English, French (other languages on request)
- A journey through time in the footsteps of Prince Nikolaus Esterházy and Prince Louis Napoléon
Plant treasures of the Mainau
- 10 – 25 persons per group
- 150 € plus entrance fee of 21,00 € per person
- 1,5 hours
- German, English, French (other languages on request)
- Botanical treasures in the change of the seasons, blossom round dance, old trees in the park, beauty of the gardens and their secrets and stories
From bench to bench
- 10 – 20 persons per group
- 150 € plus entrance fee of 21,00 € per person
- 1,5 hours
- German, English, French (other languages on request)
- Guided tour for people with walking difficulties and those who like to sit, listening to exciting stories just like in childhood days
Learn from the professionals
- 10 – 25 persons per group
- 180 € plus entrance fee of 21,00 € per person
- 1,5 hours
- German, English, French (other languages on request)
- Gardening guided tours in the park on various seasonal gardening topics, for garden lovers, professionals and people interested in plants and gardening topics
A look behind the scenes
- 10 – 25 persons per group
- 170 € plus entrance fee of 21,00 € per person
- 1 hour
- German, English, French (other languages on request)
- Specialist horticultural tour of the greenhouses on Mainau Island with valuable tips on topics such as plant protection in the home and garden, propagation and fertilisation of plants, etc.
Mainau Discovery Tour
- Entertaining rally for adults
- 10 to 60 people
- 21,00 € per person/group min. 210,00 € plus 21,00 € entrance fee
- 1.5 hours
- Varied island tour in small groups, two teams compete against each other and go on a voyage of discovery with guides to various stations in the park, a surprise awaits the fastest group at the end.
Guided tour of the wine trail and exclusive tasting of Mainau wine
- 10 – 20 persons per group
- 20,00 € per person plus 21,00 € entrance fee
- 1,25 hours
- German, English, French (other languages on request)
- Tour of the Mainau vineyard along the educational wine trail with old vines and current new varieties, interesting facts about viticulture on Lake Constance, its history on the Mainau, different cultivation systems and sustainable cultivation methods, exclusive tasting of the limited Mainau wine
Entrance to the vineyard
- from 10 persons per group
- 27,00 € per person plus 21,00 € entrance fee
- 1.5 hours
- German, English, French (other languages on request)
- Tour by ladder wagon of the Mainau vineyards, tasting of limited Mainau wines
Combination of wine tour and tasting
- from 10 persons per group
- 27,00 € per person plus 21,00 € entrance fee
- 2 hours
- German, English, French (other languages on request)
- Guided tour on cultivation systems and sustainable cultivation on Mainau Island, varied wine tasting in the vaulted cellar, culinary extension possible on request
The Mainau Schnapps Distillery
- 15 – 30 persons per group
- 14,00 € per person without snack, 22,00 € per person with snack, plus 21,00 € entrance fee
- 0.75 hours
- German, English, French (other languages on request)
- Tasting of brandies and liqueurs, optionally with snack
Sparkling wine tasting
- from 10 persons per group
- from € 29.00 per person, plus € 21.00 entrance fee
- 1.25 hours
- German, English, French (other languages on request)
- Tasting in the archway cellar, fruity secco or classic vintner’s sparkling wine