Mudpie Fridays >> Bodensee >> Insel Mainau The Flower Island – Need To Know Before You Go

Insel Mainau The Flower Island – Need To Know Before You Go

There was only one thing I wanted to do when we decided to visit the Bodensee over Easter. And that was to visit Mainau Island or Insel Mainau. I had heard such great things about the Flower Island. So we made it one of the first things we did during our 7 day Bodensee Itinerary. It did not disappoint. In fact, what I found was that there is so much to do on the small island we struggled to fit it all in. There was also loads to do for kids which of course makes any trip like this a lot easier to manage we had such a great time. Here is how we got on at the Flower Island Mainau:

Where is Insel Mainau – The Flower Island?

Insel Mainau, also known as the Flower Island, is a vibrant botanical oasis nestled in the northwest part of Lake Constance in Germany. Known in German as the Bodensee, the lake spans across three countries: Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The Flower Island of Mainau is located close to the city of Konstanz in Southern Germany. It is the third largest island on the lake, at 45-hectares of land. And is reachable from all over the lake. Regardless of the time of year you visit there is always something interesting to see in the gardens. We visited in the springtime when there was a riot of colour in the form of tulips and other Spring flowers all in full bloom. Almost as beautiful as the well-known gardens of Keukenhof in Holland.

How to get to The Flower Island on Lake Constance

Although we drove our car down to the Bodensee, however since we were staying in Unteruhldingen we decided to get one of the passenger boats since we were located literally opposite. Rather than driving around the lake which would have taken a long time. With a travel time of about twenty minutes and so was the best way for us to travel.

Ferry: If you are considering getting the Ferry then there are regular ferry services connecting Konstanz to Insel Mainau. With the added benefit of enjoying a boat trip on the lake. There are additional ferry routes are available offering convenient access from various points around the lake. However it is worth checking how long it takes to get over and the times that the depart as you need more than a couple of hours on Insel Mainau
Buses: When travelling around the Bodensee you are encouraged to use public transport as much as possible. Especially in the Summer months when it can get very busy. They have a good bus network. Although we found that there is not much detail online so its best just to have a look at your local bus stop. If you are staying around the area then your tourist card should give you free bus travel.
Train: Konstanz railway station serves as a hub for visitors arriving by train, with easy bus connections to the island.
Pedestrian Bridge: A pedestrian bridge links Insel Mainau directly to the mainland, making the island accessible by foot. There is also large car park close by.

What Will You See At Insel Mainau?

Mainau flower island is one of the main tourist attractions of Lake Constance. The beautiful gardens have a lot to see and do some of the main things are:

Flowers

Well yes. But depending on the time of year you visit will depend on what is flowering. The Flower Island is open year-round. We visited in late March but I would love to go back at other times of the year. Since the botanical garden boast an extensive range of flowers and trees. The ones of most interest are the Rhododendrons which tend to flower from May to June. The Tulips in the Spring, there were over 120 varieties when we visited. The colourful Dahlias Garden is also a big draw and depending on the weather they can flower into the Autumn and to the end of October.

Arboretum and Giant Sequoias

There is an arboretum which is very peaceful to walk through since it runs along the lakeside. There are numerous paths to explore and lots of different varieties of trees. But perhaps the most significant is the collection of giant sequoias that line the pathways. It is unusual to find them in Europe. Instead, they are native to the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California. They are the world’s largest trees by volume and can live for thousands of years. Some of the specimens on the Flower Island Mainau are over 30 metres tall.

Italian Rose Garden

I am a massive fan of visiting rose gardens. Unfortunately, when we visited Insel Mainau it was the wrong time to see them. But I hope to return one day to see the Italian Rose Garden. The flower beds are encased in well-groomed hedges. With the garden showcases a spectacular variety of roses that bloom in an impressive colour palette. Among them, the Floribunda, Grandiflora, and Hybrid Tea Roses stand out for their mesmerising hues and fragrances.

Mediterranean Terrace

There is also a Mediterranean Terrace that offers a sun-drenched retreat. Even when we visited in early April it caught the sun and it was really warm wondering amongst the flower beds. Listening to the fountains and sitting looking out across the water. The terrace is adorned with a vibrant selection of Mediterranean Perennials and Azaleas, arranged to simulate the warmth of the Mediterranean climate. To ensure that there is interest all year round they also plant seasonal blooms and specific flowers to ensure a year-round spectacle.

Butterfly House

There were large queues for the Butterfly House when we visited, so expect to queue on a busy day. Unless you head there first. But the queues were worth it. Numbers are limited on the way in via a traffic light system. Once in there are over 1,000 butterflies that fly around the carefully maintained habitat. It is one of the largest butterfly houses in Germany and such a great place ti explore. We had a lovely time exploring the stimulated tropical climate from South America. We spent quite some time wandering around the pathways. The boys were desperate for one to land on them. There were also information plaques explaining the life butterfly life cycle, although these were in German,

Palm House Features

One of my favourite areas was the Palm House which had a rich collection of plants and palm trees that thrive in the warm and humid environment. I particularly liked seeing the citrus plants that were thriving in the semitropical climate. When we visited they also had an orchid show and display where I saw many different varieties. Sometimes referred to as the green house, you wind your way around the Palm house which is on several levels. On the top, there is a water garden with giant lily pads and tropical plants.

Mainau Castle

As well as the gardens there is also Mainau Castle which is often referred to as Schloss Mainau. The history of Mainau Castle dates back to the 9th century when the island was home to a monastery. Over the centuries, the ownership of the island changed hands multiple times:

Monastery Period: The first known settlement on the island was St. Peter’s Abbey, a Benedictine monastery established around 800 AD. The monks are credited with beginning the island’s tradition of horticulture.
Knights of the Teutonic Order: In the mid-13th century, the island came under the control of the Teutonic Knights. They built a castle on the island, which was later modified in the baroque style in the 18th century.
Swedish Royal Family: In the first half of the 19th century, following the secularisation and dissolution of the Teutonic Order. Insel Mainau came into the possession of Grand Duke Friedrich I of Baden. Later, in 1932, the island was acquired by Prince Wilhelm, Duke of Södermanland and a member of the Swedish royal family through his marriage to Grand Duke Frederick I’s granddaughter, Maria Pavlovna of Russia.
Lennart Bernadotte: The most significant changes to Mainau Castle and its gardens came under the ownership of Count Lennart Bernadotte and his wife Countess Bettina Bernadotte. Lennart was a descendant of the Swedish royal lineage and inherited the island from his father, Prince Wilhelm. Swedish Prince Lennart Bernadotte II transformed the island into the horticultural and tourist attraction it is today. He created the extensive gardens, which include a butterfly house, an arboretum, and various themed gardens. It remains a privately-operated park to this day.

Today, Mainau Castle serves as the centrepiece of the island’s attractions, and while the interior of the castle is not generally open to the public. Since it is still a private Summer residence, it can be rented for events and conferences. The castle’s architecture which resembles a Baroque Palace, the surrounding gardens, and the natural beauty of the island make it a popular destination for tourists.

Baroque Church

The Baroque Church, situated just a short walk from Mainau Castle, serves as another focal point of Baroque architecture on Insel Mainau. Consecrated in 1739, this church was dedicated to St. Marien and is renowned for its lavish, Baroque interior. Highlights include a high altar that is splendid in detail and altarpieces that recount religious narratives with dramatic flair. Intricate gold-leaf embellishments and elaborate ceiling paintings further epitomise the Baroque style’s emphasis on emotion and grandeur. Making the Castle Church St. Marien an essential stop.

Mainau Kinderland

One of the things that was not expecting was the children’s area of Insel Mainau. There is a large area made up of several adventure playgrounds. With a selection of different play equipment for different ages. The boys particularly liked the water play area. There is also a petting zoo which offers pony rides and the chance to meet friendly animals up close. The kids play area is close to the butterfly house and a great way to spend the afternoon. There is also a cafe close by and a number of picnic benches and it did resemble a bit of a beer garden when we discovered it!

Tips To Make The Most Of Your Visit To Insel Mainau

Tickets and Maps

The promotional leaflets are in German. But if you ask in the information centre at the entrance then there are map available in English and French.
If travelling by boat then you can get reduced entrance. We paid 51€ online for our tickets for the garden and then 30€ for a return family ticket on the boat. Although had we brought the boat and entrance together it would have been 74€. Family tickets are available.
It is a popular day trip from all areas of Lake Constance so keep this in mind. Tickets are numbered and limited so in the busy months, they could sell out. If you look online were you buy tickets you can see how many tickets have already been sold for the date you are considering visiting. This may give you an indication
For this reason I would plan which elements you want to see and head there first. There were large queues in particular for the butterfly house and the children’s play area is also particularly (unsurprisingly) busy.
When travelling out of season check the boat times of arriving by boat. We found them quite limited and in hindsight should have got the first boat of the day out to ensure we had a full day as it was hard work seeing the entire Island.
The gift shop is located by the entrance and and exit so easy to avoid if needed.

Food Options at Insel Mainau

There are plenty of places to eat around the Island. Catering for different budgets including sit-down restaurants Schwedenschenke. Where you can have game dishes and a well-known Lake Constance fish dish.
As we were on a bit of timeframe we opted for the Grill House. Which offers a selection of different sausages and grill options. They have a family platter which costs 39.90€ and includes 6 chicken nuggets, 2 sausages, 2 schnitzel and a kilo of chips! More than enough for the four of us. Expect to pay between 3-5€ for a drink.
The setting was lovely with wooden tables full of flowers. Like many of the things you can see on the Island, the queues were long. But worth it with much of the food ready at the counter.
You can also bring your own food onto the island. There are plenty of places to sit normally overlooking the water. Although I did not see that many picnic tables.

Accessibility For All At The Flower Island Mainau

All major pathways and facilities are wheelchair-friendly, allowing visitors with disabilities to navigate our island with ease. Designated parking spaces are available close to the entrance, ensuring a hassle-free visit. Moreover, they provide accessible toilet facilities and offer wheelchairs on request.
Dogs are welcome on the island, although they need to be kept on a lead. There are dog waste bags at various points, making it convenient for guests to clear up after their pets.

The Best Time To Visit Insel Mainau

I am glad we visited in the springtime. Although there are things to see all year round the Spring flowers were beautiful. I can imagine that it gets even busier during the Summer months and so the shoulder seasons are best. Plan to arrive early if you can and head to the Butterfly House first to avoid queuing later in the day.

How Long Do You Need At Insel Mainau

I think you need the whole day to explore. Perhaps if you were visiting by car and parked in the mainland parking lot and walked over the short causeway bridge then you could do it in less time. However, you are restricted by the boats which seem to take a lot longer than they should.
If you are visiting without kids then you could miss out all the children’s play areas which would also reduce your time.
However I feel the Flower Island needs to be enjoyed and not rushed so would still allow a full day for a visit.

We really enjoyed our trip to Insel Mainau or the flower island and hope to return in the future. I am not surprised it is considered the most popular tourist attraction on the Bodensee. I really can not wait to see the Dahlia Garden