Mainau – Island of Flowers with Gardens, Palace and Butterfly House

Mainau combines a diverse plant world with remarkable buildings and experiences for different interests. On the 20-hectare Island of Flowers, walks lead through parks and gardens, while Mainau Palace, St. Mary's Palace Church and the Butterfly House each offer their own highlights. Those looking for a holiday apartment for their visit can therefore consider whether their stay should focus primarily on nature, culture or shared discoveries.

Gardens, Palms and an Arboretum

The island's gardens offer views of Lake Constance and the Alps. More than 20 different palm species grow in the Palm House. One of the notable specimens is a Canary Island date palm (Phoenix canariensis) more than 15 metres tall. The Italian Rose Garden is laid out in a strictly geometric design and contains around 1,000 rose varieties. Depending on their interests, visitors can therefore shape their visit around expansive garden landscapes, individual plant collections and distinctive trees and palm specimens.

The historic arboretum comprises around 250 different tree species, including many rare and impressive specimens. Guided botanical tours are also offered. Visitors can experience the giant trees at close range and learn their stories. For planning the day, this provides another way to discover the plant world not only while walking, but also as part of a guided tour.

Palace, Church and Monument Ensemble

Mainau Island was placed under monument protection as an overall ensemble in 2003; part of the island is entered in the monument register as a “cultural monument of particular importance”. Mainau Palace was built between 1739 and 1746 based on the designs of master builder Johann Caspar Bagnato. The historic Heraldic Hall is located in the lower part of the palace, where exhibitions are regularly held.

The Palace Church of St. Mary is also part of the island's architectural history. Johann Caspar Bagnato built it between 1732 and 1739. Its main furnishings are by Baroque sculptor Joseph Anton Feuchtmeyer (1696–1770) and include, among other things, the high altar, side altars, pulpit and sculptures. Those interested in Baroque architecture and religious art will find here a different way of experiencing Mainau than through its gardens and landscape.

Butterflies, Children's Land and Goat Farm

Up to 120 different butterfly species and subspecies from the tropical regions of South and Central America, Africa and Asia live in the Butterfly House. Visitors can observe free-flying tropical day-flying butterflies and follow their development from egg through caterpillar and pupa to fully grown butterfly.

The 1,100-square-metre Mainau Children's Land includes an adventure playground, an excavator playground and a marble run. There are also opportunities for climbing, swinging and balancing. At the Mainau Farm, part of the goat enclosure is also open to everyone; visitors can pet the goats there. These attractions complement the botanical and cultural aspects with practical activities that can be incorporated into a varied day on the island.

Accommodation Search and Travel Planning

When looking for a holiday apartment, it is worth deciding early on what you would like to focus on during your visit to Mainau: gardens and plants, historic interiors and art, or experiences such as the Butterfly House and Children's Land. The island can be reached by boat from Constance, Meersburg, Überlingen, Uhldingen and other larger harbours on Lake Constance. When choosing accommodation, you can therefore also take your preferred boat connection into account in your travel planning without limiting your visit to just one type of experience.

In addition to searching for Mainau, you can also look at Staad and Dingelsdorf.

For the overarching travel overview: Constance.