Germany with Kids: The best things to do in Lindau

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If you’re visiting Germany with the kids, and need a little help with your family holiday itinerary, these are the best things to see and do in Lindau in Southern Bavaria. For a budget-friendly family holiday packed with fun, adventure and a touch of history, Lindau is the perfect destination – from boat trips, to mountains, zoos and lakeside swims, there’s so much for the kids to do in this gorgeous part of Germany.

Where is Lindau located?

Nestled on the shores of Lake Constance (Bodensee), the charming Bavarian town of Linda offers plenty for families without breaking the bank. The location of Lindau, in Southern Bavaria, means that you can visit Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein easily too – how amazing is that – so if you fancy hopping between countries this is the perfect place to start! If you’re travelling to Lindau from Munich it’s around a 2 hour drive, from Zurich (in Switzerland) it’s around 2 hours as well, and from Bregenz (in Austria) it’s just 30 minutes. Here are the best things to do in Lindau, Germany, with the kids:

1. Visit Lindau harbour on Lake Constance (Bodensee)

The beautiful old island town of Lindau has a gorgeous harbour overlooking Lake Constance (Bodensee). This is absolutely the hub of the town, if you fancy a meal with a view it’s likely the best place to eat, or grab an ice-cream from one of the ice-cream shops for a more budget-friendly (but totally delicious!) pit stop. If you want to explore the lighthouse, it’s only a few euros to go inside – there are 139 steps to climb (so it’s perhaps not for the younger kiddies with little legs!) but you’ll be rewarded with beautiful panoramic views across the lake, the island town of Lindau and the Swiss Alps in the distance.

2. Spend a day at Ravensburger Spieleland

Ravensburger Spieleland is a large theme park with loads rides and activities to keep the kids busy: roller coasters, gentle toboggan rides, alpine rafting and even a water park with speedy slides. It’s less than a 30 minute drive from Lindau, so if you’ve got younger kids then it’s definitely worth taking a look if you fancy adding a fun theme park visit to your holiday itinerary!

3. Swim at Freibad Aquamarin Wasserburg

Freibad Aquamarin Wasserburg swimming pool is directly on the lake and it’s such a gorgeous spot for a dip – it has to be one of the best things to do with the kids in Lindau if you’re visiting over the warmer summer months. A family swim cost us about £8 – so it’s a really budget friendly way to spend a sunny afternoon. There’s a waterslide for the kids, and you’ve got the option of the family pool or the length pool. You can also swim in the lake, and enjoy water sports from there too. There’s plenty of grass for sunbathing or a picnic, a playground to the side and takeaway food. We spent a brilliant afternoon there, I would highly recommend a visit – check out my full review for more information.

4. Take a trip to Walter Zoo

If you’re hopping over the border, Walter Zoo, the largest private zoo in Switzerland, has over 500 species if the kids fancy a day visiting the animals. They offer interactive experiences such as petting areas, talks and feeding opportunities, and an adventure playground – so there’s a lot to keep the kids occupied. So, pack up a picnic and enjoy a day with the animals. Or, for an alternative animal-based adventure, check out Affenberg Monkey Park instead. Around an hour’s drive from Lindau, it’s home to more than 200 Barbary macaques which live and roam freely.

5. Take a boat trip on Lake Constance

If you fancy an adventure, you can also get boat rides across Lake Constance (Bodensee). There are a few different boat trip routes which run from Lindau Harbour across the lake, so you can choose one which is time and budget friendly. A short trip will be best if you’re only visiting for the day. But, if you have a bit longer, you might even want to have a day trip to another country too. Lake Constance is bordered by Germany, Austria and Switzerland – it’s the third largest lake in Europe. If you want to travel quickly from Germany to Switzerland, you can use the ferry between Friedrichshafen and Romanshorn which runs every hour throughout the year – you can get from one country to another in just 45 minutes!

6. Enjoy the beauty of Scheidegger Waterfalls

Just 20 minutes from the Lindau, you’ll find the gorgeous Scheidegger waterfalls with a petting zoo and a water playground for the little ones too. It’s very budget friendly as well – entry is just a couple of euros. So, if you fancy a day with the kids immersed in nature, then what better place to walk, play and enjoy a picnic with a view?! It’s a great way to balance out pricier days of your trip too, if you are planning to visit places like Ravensburger Spieleland, or take a boat trip across Lake Constance.

7. Ride Pfänder Mountain Cable Car

One of our favourite days during our stay in Bavaria was the day we went to Pfänder Mountain – which is actually in Austria though it’s only a 15 minute drive from Lindau. Hop on a cable car to get to the top and you’re rewarded with the most beautiful views over Austria, Germany and Switzerland. (Though you can walk it too if you fancy it!) With the mountains and countryside on one side, and Lake Constance (Bodensee) on the other, it’s such a beautiful spot – we could have happily sat there all day, it was so relaxing. There are animals and play areas for the kids too and, at €34 for a family ticket, we thought it was great value for money. Read my full review of Pfänder Mountain Cable Car for more info.

Extra tips for a frugal family holiday in the Lindau and Lake Constance area:

Travel smart: Lindau is well-connected by public transport, so save on car hire and parking fees by using buses and trains to get around. Many attractions are within walking distance too. (You may also be given an ECHT card by your accommodation provider too which will give you free use of public transport.)
Pack a picnic: Bringing your own food and drinks for lunch is a great way to save money, especially when visiting scenic spots where a simple sandwich feels like a luxury.

Free Activities: Make the most of Lindau’s free attractions like the harbour, island strolls, parks and lakeside areas. They offer so much for families without any extra cost.
Plan around discounts: Check online for discounts on family tickets for attractions like the chairlift and boat trips. Many places offer deals that can make a big difference to your budget. And, again, if you have an ECHT card you can get some discounts on local attractions too.

Is Lindau worth visiting?

Even if you’ve only got a day to spare, Lindau is definitely worth visiting – not only is it a beautiful old town but visiting Lake Constance (Bodensee) is not something you want to miss out on and there are some lovely things to do nearby as well. You can see plenty in just a day, but if you’ve got a few days or more you can really make the most of the area – there are plenty of things to do nearby and Bavaria is an excellent part of Germany to explore. (TIP: Where to park in Lindau: If you’re driving to Lindau Island, and need somewhere to park, Parkhous Inselhalle is a multi-story car park alongside Lake Constance. You can wander along the lake to the town centre / harbour from there and it’s only €2 per hour to park.)

Where’s the best place to stay near Lindau with kids?

If you’re wondering where to stay near Lindau with the kids, we stayed with Eurocamp at Gitzenweiler Hof which is only a ten minute drive away from Lindau and Lake Constance – it was a fantastic Southern Bavaria (Germany) holiday base, as everything we wanted to see and do was close by. Opting for a holiday park can be a great way to keep things budget-friendly, whilst offering lots to keep the kids occupied too – our stay cost £284 for 4 nights. For more information check out my review: Eurocamp Holiday Review: Campingpark Gitzenweiler Hof, Lindau, Bavaria, Germany.

I hope that this itinerary has been useful – Lindau is brilliant place for a trip with the kids if you’re looking for a holiday in Germany that offers plenty to see and do, with a mix of adventure, stunning scenery and relaxation. With plenty of affordable activities and free attractions, it’s easy to enjoy a holiday filled with unforgettable memories in a budget-friendly way. Whether you’re exploring the charming old town, taking a boat trip on Lake Constance or heading up Pfänder Mountain, Lindau offers plenty of family-friendly fun at a fraction of the cost of more tourist-heavy destinations. Happy travels! 😊