Things to Do in Bregenz, Austria + (Our 1 Day Itinerary!)

Last updated: 25 June 2023

Bregenz is the capital of the mountainous state of Vorarlberg in Austria. Situated on the western tip of Austria, Bregenz lies at the foot of Pfänder, the most famous lookout point of the region, and has a front row seat on the south-eastern shores of Lake Constance, Europe’s third-largest freshwater lake. 

The Romans conquered the Alpine region in 15 BC with the small town of Brigantium established along the river, though officially the founding of Bregenz dates back to around 1250.

There are tonnes of things to do in Bregenz so use this one day in Bregenz itinerary to get you started, though you may find that one day is simply not enough. 

MORNING  | ARRIVAL & CHECK IN

Vorarlberg has an efficient, and inexpensive public transit system. As big fans of road trips, one way to navigate this area would be by car, but for the purposes of this itinerary we’re opting for a more sustainable method, arriving by train into the main station of Bregenz and doing the rest on foot.  

Arriving by Train? 

Confusingly, there is also another station with a similar name, Bregenz Hafen (Bregenz Port/Harbour). If you’re staying closer to the lighthouse (Leuchtturm), or the marina, then this stop may be closer and save you some time. 

The first thing you want to do for your one day in Bregenz is get to your accommodation, drop your bags and make a beeline for the city centre to get your bearings. 

DAY TIME | BREGENZ CITY FAMILIARISATION

I’m a big fan of starting off any visit with a walking tour. You can self guide around Bregenz, below you will find some recommendations which may be of interest, alternatively, join a private or small group walking tour, or guided city tour, to make the most of your visit. 

During the Festive season, the city’s night watchman guides visitors around the medieval city centre.  Check with the local tourist information centre at Rathausstraße 35a, for more information. Check their opening hours prior to visiting as they’re often closed on public holidays. 

Find out more about Bregenz’s night watchmen and register to take a tour.

A self guided tour of Bregenz should include the medieval city centre:

Ehre-Guta Square

Named after a local legend, Guta, who saved the town from attack by the Appenzeller. If you’re visiting in winter, keep an ear out at 9pm when the night watchmen call out “Ehreguta” to honour her courage and keep the story alive.

Take a stroll up Meissnerstiege to see the Deuring Schlossle, a beautiful manor home which was formerly a luxury hotel. Now only visible from the outside, take a minute to awe at the Baroque tower that is said to have inspired paintings by Turner and Schiele.

The Old Town Hall

The Old Town Hall is the city’s largest half-timbered house. In a former life, it was the administrative home of the city until the 19th Century.

Today it’s used by private residents.

The Martinstrurm (St. Martin’s Tower)

This well-preserved Baroque tower with a chapel, 14th-century Gothic frescoes, and roof in the shape of an onion is the largest of its kind in Europe. 

It was constructed on the original site of a factory which stood at the time the city was founded c. 1250. 

If your visit to Bregenz falls between May-October, you’re in for a treat and able to explore the tower on the inside. 

Be sure to climb as high as you can for a picturesque panorama over Bregenz and the Oberstadt, the mountains, Pfänder, and Lake Constance from the window gallery.

Walk the Explorers Trail in Bregenz

The city has put together a one-hour walking trail along Stadtsteig which takes visitors up the incline to the Upper Town (Oberstadt) along quaint cobbled streets, past the medieval city walls, the monastery Thalbach, and the parish church of St Gallus. 

Take some time to explore the boutiques, cafes, and galleries stocked with unique pieces by local artists before making your way back to the town centre. 

Tip: At this intersection there’s a quaint local water fountain with potable water to refill your water bottle.

MID MORNING | LAKE CONSTANCE

If the weather is fine, do as I did, and jump at the opportunity to spend some time on the water.  

One way to explore is on two wheels.  With well developed bike lanes, there is the opportunity to get some exercise and fresh air along one of the most popular routes, from Bregenz to the cities of Lindau and Friedrichshafen in Germany. 

Note: the full route is 36km which was too far for this writer. A good alternative is to ride one way and make use of the boat service operated by Vorarlberg Lines to take you back across the Lake to your starting point.

It is possible to stand-up paddleboard on the lake, or for a more relaxed activity, I can recommend the peddle-boats around the bay area.  For larger groups, up to six, electric boats are also available. 

Keen to swim in Lake Constance? 

There are public swimming pools (Strandbad) with paddling pools for small children, with slides, and 400m of shoreline. 

LUNCH | MARKET 

Frequented by locals to source high quality produce for their kitchens, Bregenz is home to a lively weekly market with vendors selling fresh ingredients from across the region. 

Vendors are friendly and hospitable, many of whom speak English. 

For 2022, the Züg & Sacha series will be operating at the Kornmarktplatz in Bregenz where visitors can procure local artistry, regional delicacies and wine, and sustainable products directly from the producer.

– ALTERNATIVE – 

If a sit-down meal with a view to die for is more your thing, head to Pier69 on the waterfront of Lake Constance. 

Watch as the boats which travel across the Lake dock, keen cyclists and joggers exercise along the promenade while you dine amidst the nautical theme and casual fine dining atmosphere. 

Staff are friendly and seemingly bilingual. Everything on the menu was mighty tasty but you can’t go past the regional delicacy of Kässpätzle, served with crispy roasted onions.

AFTERNOON | CULTURE – YOUR CHOICE! 

Kunsthaus Bregenz

Culture vultures and lovers of modern art should head to Kunsthaus Bregenz, one of Europe’s leading galleries for contemporary art. 

With its translucent glass facade, juxtaposed against the older nearby buildings, the KUB as it’s known, is one of Bregenz’s newer funkier landmarks. 

Designed by internationally renowned Swiss architect Peter Zumthor, who won the Mies van der Rohe Award and the Pritzker Prize, the KUB opened in 1997. It has fast become one of the town’s most important cultural attractions with the rotating exhibitions featuring outstanding contemporary art attracting visitors from all over the world.

Exhibitions rotate regularly so do check the website before visiting if there’s something specific you wish to see.

Tips: 

• Closed on Mondays
• Free entry every first friday of the month

– ALTERNATIVE – 

Bregenz Festival

Visiting Bregenz in summer? 

Be sure to grab tickets and discover the Bregenz Festival.

A cultural highlight of the summer since 1946, the Bregenzer Festspiele, as it’s known locally, is an operatic performance of epic proportions running on a bi-annual cycle, which sees Bregenz transform into a mini Hollywood on water. 

Floating elegantly on the third-largest freshwater lake in Central and Western Europe, is the world’s largest floating stage, Seebühne. At the third International Opera Awards ceremony in London in April of 2015, Bregenz Festival won in the category Festival of the Year honouring it as the best music theatre festival.

This internally renowned festival, sees some 200,000 visitors annually travelling from across Europe and the world to see the theatrical masterpieces performed here. Previous shows have included Rigoletto, Carmen, and West Side Story.

If you’re reading this and thinking ‘wow this all looks so familiar’, it may be because you recognise this set from the 2008 James Bond hit Quantum of Solace in which 007 chases villains across the floating stage.

At the time of visiting, crews were breaking down the stage, making way for the next production. If you’re curious to see the current state of the stage, you can check the webcam feed online.

For summer 2022, the show is one of Puccini’s most popular and best-loved operas Madam Butterfly (Madama Butterfly). 

More information & tickets 

SUNDOWN | SUNSET STEPS

End your day in Bregenz as you watch the sun sink into Lake Constance. Pack a picnic, rest your tired feet in the water as it laps at the steps and unwind with this jaw-dropping view.

DINNER | WEISS

This hip restaurant, and bar should be your destination for dinner. 

Serving up locally-sourced ingredients of the best quality, many of the staff are Bregenzerwald-locals such as the owner Milena Broger, who is one of the youngest top chefs in all German-speaking countries.

The address has a long-standing tradition as a restaurant, and the name Weiss is a throwback to its heritage.

In short, the appetisers are spectacular, as are the creative seasonal cocktails. Time-permitting, the 10 course tasting menu is well worth the money.

Tips:

• Order the Vodka Beets cocktail
• Book a table in advance via their website

MORE THINGS TO DO IN BREGENZ (IF YOU HAVE TIME)

Karren cable car

Ok, so it’s technically not Bregenz, (it’s within the bounds of Dornbirn, Vorarlberg’s biggest city), but despite that, I think it’s worthy of inclusion in this list.

On a clear day, mountain peaks, the Rhine Valley, and the grandeur of Lake Constance is visible from the top, making it a popular lookout point. A gateway for many beautiful hiking trails which have their starting point here, or the non-hikers can do as I did and enjoy the panorama from the selfie spot and watch the sun set. There’s also a restaurant in the sky at 976 metre above sea level, which offers spectacular views from its terrace.

Lange nacht der museen (Long Night of Museums)

A cultural event in which museums and cultural institutions open late into the evening for one night only. Visitors purchase a pass which grants access to numerous museums in Vorarlberg and the surrounding area with one ticket. 

Bregenz last participated on 2 October 2021. It’s expected to return in 2022. If you’re interested, it’s best to keep an eye on this website as more information becomes available.

WHERE TO STAY IN BREGENZ

There are plenty of places to stay in Bregenz, many of which are located along the waterfront, promenade and in the Lower Town (Unterstadt) around Kornmarktplatz.

With such a well organised transit system, it is possible to stay out of Bregenz in places such as Dornbirn and travel into Bregenz by train for the day. 

If that suits you, we recommend Hotel Katharinenhof in Dornbirn as a good option. 

If you’re headed to Bregenz, or perhaps you have just been, do let us know your highlight of the city by leaving a comment, or use the hashtag #ComeRoamWithUs to stay connected on social media. 

Thank you to Bodensee-Vorarlberg Tourist Board for their support during this trip inconjunction with Captivate.