Bregenz

Bregenz has about 28,000 inhabitants and has roots back to Roman times. The city was founded by the Romans in 15 BC, when it was known as Brigantium.
Bregenz sits at the northern edge of the Alps, between Lake Constance (the Bodensee) and the Pfänder (1064 m). To the west lies the Rhine delta, a huge valley dividing Switzerland and Austria. To the south lie the mountains of Switzerland and southern Vorarlberg. To the north, overlooking Lake Constance, are the hills of the Allgäu of Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria in Germany.
Bregenz is the capital of Austria's most modern province. The shore of Lake Constance, one of the biggest lakes in Europe, meets with Downtown! It is highly advisable to go down to the lake in the evening and check out the beautiful sunset. Inhabitants of Vorarlberg are said to be much more friendly and open than the rest of Austria.

• Bregenz Tourismus & Stadtmarketing

  phone: +43 5574 4959 0
  address: Rathausstraße 35a
  Offers help with accommodation and has free maps, along with information on transportation and sightseeing.

By plane

Zürich-Kloten (ZRH) is quite a big airport, about 1 hour with train/car (100 km).
Friedrichshafen (FDH) is smaller but closer, about 40 km from Bregenz. Approached by some companies like Condor and Ryanair (from Stansted London).
Munich (MUC) is the biggest airport around. About 2½ hr to Bregenz.
Altenrhein (ACH): Switzerland, about 20 km to Bregenz but few connections to Vienna.

By train

• Central Station

  address: Fritz-Mayer-Platz 1
  There are several daily connections from Vienna with stops in Linz, Salzburg and Innsbruck, the train takes around 8 hours from Vienna. In general the Eurocity trains are faster than the Intercity trains. There is also a high speed train called ICE; the price from Vienna to Bregenz the average price is around €60. A few tickets for €29 Sparschiene are available every day; use ÖBB's SCOTTY to look up train information online. Storage lockers available.
  From Switzerland, France and northwestern Italy, the best option is to go to via Zürich and take a Railjet train to Bregenz. One can also catch a Railjet from Vienna to Bregenz, the train comes via St. Pölten, Linz, Salzburg and Innsbruck and is operated every 2 hours. Average travel time is 7 hours from Vienna and quality of travel in a Railjet is superior.

By car

From direction Vienna: on the A1 via Salzburg via Germany. In Rosenheim (Germany), you have to decide if you drive via Munich (heavy traffic) or via Innsbruck (Arlberg Tunnel €13).
From Chur/Zürich: about 10 km to the Swiss motorway.
Austria requires autobahn drivers to pay a fee and purchase a Vignette (Austrian: Pickerl), a sticker which must be affixed to the windshield. Vignettes are available for €8.30 (10 days), €24.20 (2 months), and €80.60 (1 year); prices for motocycles are approximately 55% less. The fine for not having a vignette is €120, payable on the spot. The well-known tactic of affixing vignettes with Vaseline (so that they can be easily removed and re-used) earns a fine of €240. The vignette must be pasted on the windshield; they are considered invalid if kept in the glovebox, which also earns a fine. The vignettes are available for sale at ADAC, ÖAMTC and TCS motor club offices (in Germany, Austria and Switzerland respectively; membership is not required), as well as at almost all petrol stations before the Austrian border. The more affordable so-called Korridorvignette for the 23 km-long stretch of the A14 between the German border and Hohenems is no longer available.
Drivers from Germany should take Exit 2 (Lindau) before reaching the border, as the A14 then enters a tunnel and only emerges south of Bregenz. Likewise when driving toward Germany drivers should head north on 190 and cross the border before driving onto the autobahn.

By bus

Check out Eurolines from Vienna and Berlin. There are also connections with Flixbus from Milan and Munich.

By boat

• Vorarlberg Lines

  phone: +43 5574 42868 230 (reservations)
  address: Hafen Bregenz, Seestraße 4
  It is also possible to approach Bregenz by ferry, with direct connections to Lindau, Friedrichshafen, Meersburg, and Konstanz.

By foot

Many sights in the centre toward the lakefront are easily accessible by foot.

By bicycle

In summer, bicycles are perhaps the best way to get around, as Bregenz is quite small.

By bus

• Stadtbus Bregenz

  phone: +43 5574 410-1833
  address: Rathausstraße 4
  5 routes provide good coverage for most of the city. Schedules for all route can be downloaded here (in German); a route map is available here.

By car

• Carsharing Zipcars are available in Bregenz.

By taxi

• Taxi Schneeweis

  phone: +43 5574 53030

• City-Taxi

  phone: +43 5574 65400

• Kreditkartentaxi

  phone: +43 5574 76222

• The city wall from the 13th to 16th centuries surrounding the upper part of town (Oberstadt) has been largely preserved.

• Old City HallBuilt in 1662.

• Lower City HallBuilt in 1686 and remodeled in 1898.

• Kunsthaus Bregenz (KUB)

  phone: +43 5574 485 94-0
  address: Karl Tizian Platz
  Frequently changing contemporary art exhibitions. The building was designed by Peter Zumthor.

• Martinsturm

  phone: +43 5574 410 1560
  address: Martinsgasse 3b
  Bregenz's most famous landmark, the tower features the largest onion cupola in Europe. The foundations of the building date to the late Roman period. St. Martin's Chapel (on the ground floor) can be visited for free and has medieval frescoes.

• Vorarlberg museum

  phone: +43 5574 46050
  address: Kornmarktplatz 1
  Modernerised and enlarged, the museum opened in June 2013, with exhibits documenting the history of Vorarlberg as well as other current themes.

• Wettingen-Mehrerau Abbey

  phone: +43 5574 71 461
  address: Mehrerauerstr 66
  A bit outside of the city, but can easily be reached by walking or cycling along the lake. The monastery has a museum with exhibits illustrating monastic life.

• Vorarlberg Regional Library

  phone: +43 5574 511 44005
  address: Fluher Straße 4
  Free guided tours are available upon request, but may not be in English).

• Künstlerhaus Bregenz

  phone: +43 55 74-427 51
  address: Gallusstraße 10
  A collective Vorarlberg artists stages exhibits of members' works.

• Magazin 4

  phone: +43 5574 410 1511
  address: Bergmannstraße 6
  Workrooms of department Culture of the City government, exhibition rooms.

• Galerie Lisi Hämmerle

  phone: +43 664 52 88 239
  address: Anton Schneider-Straße 4a
  Exhibits the work of local artists.

• Boat cruises

  phone: +43 5574 42868
  From April to October, Vorarlberg Lines offers a numer of cruises on Lake Constance, including a scenic 'three-country' cruise (daily 14:30); cruises to Friedrichshafen, home of the Zepplinmuseum (daily, various times); the "Flower Island" of Mainau (daily, various times); the city of Konstanz, home of the Sea Life Center/Aquarium (daily, various times); and a number of sunset and dinner cruises. You can also consider a short trip to the German port Lindau, which on a sunny day offers splendid views of the Swiss landscape. The town is beautiful and one can also consider shopping in the main market, a 5 minute walk from the port/train station. Cruise available quite frequently, €5 adult. The return trip can be made via cruise (another €5) or by catching a regional train (S-Bahn) from Lindau station to Bregenz station for as low as €2.4, if purchased at an ÖBB automat.

• Casino Bregenz

  phone: +43 5574 45127
  address: Platz der Wiener Symphoniker 3
  Men must wear a shirt and jacket, though the casino will provide jackets for the unprepared.

Festivals and cultural events

• Bregenz Festival

  phone: +43 5574 4076
  address: Platz der Wiener Symphoniker 1
  A famous festival attracting 200,000 visitors each year. The centerpiece of the festival is its main stage built on Lake Constance, the largest floating stage in the world. The open-air production changes every two years, with Mozart's The Magic Flute in 2013 and 2014. The setting – 7,000 seats looking out over the lake, the larger-than-life stage, night falling during the performance, and the cool breeze coming off the lake – is truly spectacular. In addition to the production on the floating stage, there is a yearly changing program including an opera in the Festival House (Festhaus), a series of orchestral concerts and other cultural events such as Kunst aus der Zeit (KAZ) and cross culture.

• Guided tours

  phone: +43 5574 4076
  During the festival season, there are tours of the floating stage (Seebühne) and the Festival House (Festhaus). The open-air seating area can usually be accessed for free for getting a glance at the floating stage if there is no performance. The James Bond movie Quantum of Solace features some scenes from the floating stage production Tosca in 2008 and the Festival House. Tickets can be purchased or at the ticket counter.

Bregenzer Frühling

phone: +43 5574 4080

address: Platz der Wiener Symphoniker 1

A modern dance festival attracting choreographers and dancers from around the world. All performances are staged in the Bregenz Festival House (Festspielhaus Bregenz). Tickets are available at the tourist information office and online.

Vorarlberger Landestheater

phone: +43 5574 42 870-600 (tickets)

address: Seestraße 2

Tickets for theatre performances can be ordered online here .

Symphony Orchestra Vorarlberg

phone: +43 5574 43447

address: Römerstraße 15

Orchestra concerts are performed on a regular basis.

Young Art Generation

phone: +43-5574-4101663

address: Belruptstraße 1

Competition for young creatives, age 16 to 23 presenting their art and shows.

Sport and outdoor activities

The Lake Promenade (Strandweg) is a very popular place for residents to stroll and spend the evening. There are shaded paths and outdoor restaurants. The sunsets in Bregenz are beautiful from any place at the lake.
In summer, Bregenz offers many possibilities. Bregenz is splendid for swimming in the lake (the lake's temperature reaches 26°C in the summer), hiking, cycling, and several other sports. The tourist office offers a map of hiking paths in Bregenz and the immediate vicinity, as well as a map of trails in the nearby Bregenz Woods (Bregenzwald).

• PfänderDon't miss the 360° view from the top: you can either walk (ca. 2-3 hr) or take the cable car (6 min). Hiking suggestions are listed here . You can also bike the Pfänder. A guide with suggested routes is available from the bottom cable car station; the cable car transports bikes for €3.10.

• Cable car

  phone: +43 5574 421600
  address: Steinbruchgasse 4
  Signage throughout town will direct you to the cable car station.

• Berghaus Pfänder

  phone: +43 5574 42184
  Restaurant at the top of Pfänder, serves Austrian and international dishes, as well as snacks.

• Alpine Wildlife Park

  phone: +43 5574 42184-0
  address: Pfänder 4

GebhardsbergGebhardsberg is 598 m above sea level and it offers a splendid view on the Rhine Valley (Rheintal) and Lake Constance (Bodensee). It is popular among the local population for walks. On it you can find the ruins of Burg Hohenbregenz, which was built at the end of 11th century, in 1097, by the Dukes of Bregenz. It later changed ownership several times and in the 17th century it was extended into a stronghold. In 1647 it was captured by the Swedes without any resistance and they blew up the fortress in the same year. From 1670 the ruins gained importance as a place of pilgrimage of St. Gebhard and they were adapted for religious and gastronomical purposes several times. In 1723 the church, which was built within the ruins, was consecrated. In this time the "mountain" got its present name. There is a restaurant there now.

Public Pool

phone: +43 5574 442420

address: Strandweg 1

The bathing complex by the lake has a large outdoor pool and an indoor pool.

Kaiserstraße is the main pedestrian shopping street, and was renovated in 2006. The inner city in particular has many smaller shops which invite one to browse. In general, stores are open Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 12:00 and from 14:00-19:00, Saturdays from 09:00-16:00.

• Wolford

  phone: +43 5574 690-1458
  address: Wolfordstraße 1-2
  The maker of stylish hosiery and lingerie is headquartered in Bregenz. This location includes a boutique, factory outlet and restaurant.

• Sennerei Jungholz-Hinteregg

  phone: +43 5574 - 45472
  address: Hinteregg 49, Eichenberg
  Local cheese shop producing cheese close to Pfänder.

• Café Restaurant Schillerpark

  phone: +43 5574 45566
  address: Belruptstraße 30

• Casino Restaurant Falstaff

  phone: +43 5574 45127 12500
  address: Platz der Wiener Symphoniker 3
  Serves international cuisine. Reservations can be made online or by telephone.

• Gasthaus Kornmesser

  phone: +43 5574 54854
  address: Kornmarktstraße 5

• Gasthaus Maurachbund

  phone: +43 5574 45029
  address: Maurachgasse 11
  A traditional Vorarlberg establishment.

• Ilge

  phone: +43 5574 43576
  address: Maurachgasse 6
  Traditional Austrian cuisine in a rustic setting.

• Restaurant Guth

  phone: +43 5574 72470
  address: Wälderstraße 10

• Restaurant Mangold

  phone: +43 5574 42431
  address: Pfänderstraße 3

• Steinenbach Kulinarium

  phone: +43 5574 42766 0
  address: Am Steinenbach 9
  Specialises in regional cuisine with a modern contemporary twist.

• Wirtshaus am See

  phone: +43 5574-4 22 10
  address: Seepromenade 2
  Highly regarded, with outdoor seating in nice weather. Also has a BeachBar.

• Heurigen Möth

  phone: +43 5574 47711
  address: Langenerstraße 5
  An especially popular place serving Austrian wines, with pleasant outdoor seating.

From the genteel Dueringschlössle to budget-friendly guesthouses, Bregenz offers a range of accommodation for all budgets. The city becomes very busy during the Festival season that runs from mid-July to mid-August; during this time it's advisable to book accommodations ahead of time. Prices posted below are for the high-season summer months.

Budget

• Jufa Bregenz on Lake Constance

  phone: +43 5708 3540
  address: Mehrerauerstraße 3-5
  Close to the lake and train station. Laundry facilities, meals available, Wi-Fi.

• Gasthof-Hotel Lamm

  phone: +43 5574 71701
  address: Mehrerauerstraße 51
  In a historic structure built in 1734. Has an onsite restaurant, half- and full-board also available.

• Hotel Ibis Bregenz

  phone: +43 5574 524 500
  address: Sankt Anna Straße 11
  24-hour bar, internet, pets accepted.

Mid-range

• Best Western Hotel Weisses Kreuz

  phone: +43 5574 49880
  address: Römerstraße 5
  Onsite restaurant and bar.

• Hotel Messmer

  phone: +43 5574 42356
  address: Kornmarktstraße 16
  Also has holiday apartments, and a well-regarded restaurant.

• Mercure Bregenz City

  phone: +43 5574 461000
  address: Platz Der Wiener Symphoniker 2
  Two restaurants, pets accepted.

Splurge

• Hotel Schwärzler

  phone: +43 5574 4990
  address: Landstraße 9
  Also has two well-regarded restaurants serving Austrian, French, and international cuisine.

• Hotel Post Bezau

  phone: +43 5514 - 22 07-0
  address: Brugg 35, Bezau im Bregenzerwald

Camping

• Camping Mexico am Bodensee

  phone: +43 5574 73260
  address: Hechtweg 4
  Open May – September. Has spots for campervans and tents, and has an onsite bistro. Kayaks and canoes available to rent.

• Camping Weiß

  phone: +43 664 1325548
  address: Brachsenweg 4
  Has places for campervans and tents. Also has an onsite restaurant.

It is possible to travel along the lakeshore by railway to both Switzerland and Germany.

• Bregenzerwald — a mountainous area south-east of Bregenz; take a bus from the railway station, or take the train to Dornbirn and transfer there.
• Dornbirn — 20-minute drive south of Bregenz; features a Rolls-Royce Museum
• Lindau — a nearby island in Germany with a picturesque harbor and lots of little shopping streets.
• Liechtenstein — the fourth smallest country in Europe. Bus and train service is available daily from Bregenz to the capital city of Vaduz. The trip is about 1.5 hours.
• Mainau Island — in Germany, "The Flower Island" is known for its warm climate and beautiful botanical gardens