Lake Constance

Lake Constance – What you should know

At 25°C in July, Lake Constance is no heat destination, but a remarkably even-tempered one: the large body of water buffers temperatures, so winters are milder than the surrounding area at 4–5°C and autumn stays warm longer. That is why plants you would not expect at this latitude thrive on the northern shore and on Mainau island.

The weakness is light. At 6.1 hours of sunshine in July and only 1.4 in December, the region is among the duller parts of southern Germany — the lake itself generates moisture, and stubborn fog often sits over the water in autumn and winter. Spring is therefore more attractive than its reputation: April and May bring 15–19°C with six hours of sunshine.

Summer is the main season but also the wettest: 100 to 122 mm a month from May to August, across ten to eleven rain days. For cyclists on the lakeside cycle route that is manageable — the showers are usually brief. For swimming, June to September offers the conditions; in midsummer the shallow Untersee warms noticeably more than the deep Obersee.