There are many countries in Europe that are known for their stunning lakes. Switzerland, Austria and Germany are among some of them. But many people might be unaware that those three countries also share a stunning lake that’s known for its crystal clear waters and beautiful scenery.
Lake Constance, known as Bodensee in German, stretches for 39 miles and sits on the northern edge of the Alps. It’s the third-largest freshwater lake in Central and Western Europe and is fed by the Alpine Rhine River. According to Britannica, the lake spans roughly 209 square miles (541 km²), with its deepest point reaching 827 feet (252 metres). Its shoreline extends for about 125 miles and touches all three countries, though its exact borders are still the subject of legal debate.
There are two main parts to the lake: the larger Obersee (Upper Lake) and the smaller Untersee (Lower Lake).
They are connected by a short stretch of the Rhine River known as the Seerhein.
The Upper Lake is home to the popular towns of Konstanz, Bregenz, Lindau, and Friedrichshafen, while the Lower Lake surrounds the island of Reichenau, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The lake’s shores lie in the German states of Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria, the Swiss cantons of St. Gallen, Thurgau and Schaffhausen, and Austria’s state of Vorarlberg.
According to Bodensee Wasserversorgung, the lake’s water is so clean it supplies drinking water to parts of southern Germany.
You can also swim, paddle, sail or relax on the shores while enjoying mountain views in the distance.
What’s more, there are many spa resorts and lakeside cafés, as well as hiking trails and boat cruises.
However, there are some disputes when it comes to the lake’s borders.
Germany, Austria and Switzerland have differing views on how ownership of the water is divided.
Switzerland claims the border runs through the middle of the lake, Austria sees the entire lake as a shared space, and Germany has no official position.
Nonetheless, there is plenty of cooperation between the countries and the lake remains a top tourist destination.