Mainau is a 45-hectare 'Flower Island' floating in Lake Constance (Bodensee) near Konstanz in southern Germany, cultivated for generations by the Bernadotte family around a Baroque palace and Mediterranean gardens. Spring tulips and daffodils, a summer Italian rose garden and an autumn dahlia festival give the island a completely different face each season, drawing more than a million visitors a year. As of 2026 it remains open daily year-round, and its butterfly house and greenhouses keep it worthwhile even in winter. It pairs naturally with a Konstanz trip as a relaxed half-day to full-day of gentle walking.
Italian Rose Garden — a geometric garden laid out in 1871 with more than 1,200 rose varieties amid pergolas, fountains and sculptures (peak June–July)
Autumn Dahlia Show (Dahlienschau) — thousands of plants across roughly 250 varieties massed at the island's southern tip, the signature September–October display
Butterfly House — Germany's largest, with over 1,000 tropical butterflies in a warm indoor garden (great for rainy days and winter)
The Baroque palace and St. Marien court church — designed by J. C. Bagnato, 1739–1746, the island's architectural centrepiece
Palm house, Mediterranean terraces and seasonal floral stagings such as the spring flower avenue and orchid show
Good to know
SeasonWhat you see changes dramatically by season: tulips and spring flowers peak in April–May, roses in June–July, and dahlias in September–October, while winter shifts the focus to the butterfly house and greenhouses. Choose your timing to match what you most want to see.
RulesIn peak season (summer and dahlia time) it's easiest to buy tickets online in advance at mainau.de. Last admission is 15 minutes before closing, and opening hours and prices shift by season, so confirm the latest details before you go.
SafetyThe island is large with slopes and gravel paths, so expect a lot of walking. Comfortable shoes are essential; in summer some stretches have little shade, so bring a hat, sunscreen and water. Lakeside weather can change quickly, so a light layer is handy.
MannersThe whole island is a managed garden. Stay on marked paths and don't pick plants or step into the flower beds. Dogs are welcome on a leash, but some areas such as the butterfly house and greenhouses are off-limits to them.
CautionBuy tickets from the official site or licensed boat operators. Some third-party resellers add fees or attach different conditions. Watch your belongings against pickpockets in crowded spots such as Konstanz harbour and buses.
MannersAdmission and transport are not bundled into one pass. If you use public transport, the Konstanz buses (lines 4 and 13) and the lake ferries are priced separately, so check local transit perks such as the KONUS guest card that some accommodations provide.
Practical info
Reach the island from Konstanz on bus lines 4 or 13 toward Litzelstetten and across the pedestrian footbridge, or in the spring–autumn season by Lake Constance ferry from Konstanz, Meersburg or Überlingen (drivers park by the bridge and walk over). It opens daily year-round with hours that vary by season and last admission 15 minutes before closing; tickets come as day, flex, evening and annual passes, so confirm current prices and hours on the official website.
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