Bregenz

Day 1: Origins of Bregenz and the lake Soak up Bregenz’s medieval roots before climbing to its historic lookout for sweeping views over Lake Constance. Today balances easy city strolling with a short, satisfying hill walk and a relaxed lakeside evening.

• Morning: Wander the Oberstadt around the Martinsturm (Vorarlberg Military Museum; check hours, typically closed Mondays) and its viewing platform. Pass the town walls and the photogenic Deuringschloessle, then amble down to the waterfront for a coffee.
• Midday: Tackle the 20–30 minute climb to the Gebhardsberg via the quieter path starting near the Landeskrankenhaus (a local favourite). Wear sturdy shoes; the path can be slick after rain.
• Afternoon: Explore the Hohenbregenz castle ruins and St Gebhard’s chapel; scan the interpretation panels/QR codes to visualise the former fortress. Pause at the Burgrestaurant Gebhardsberg for lunch or cake with lake-and-Alps panoramas; in winter the interior is especially cosy and trails may be icy.
• Evening: Descend for sunset along the Seepromenade; in July–August, consider an evening at the lakeside festival stage (book well ahead). For a quieter night, stay atop the hill for blue-hour views (parking is limited; reservations recommended at the restaurant).

Day 2: Feldkirch’s mighty Schattenburg Make a short regional hop to the Montforts’ showpiece fortress for the region’s most complete medieval-castle experience. The compact old town below adds cafés, markets and a handsome riverside stroll.

• Morning: Take a regional train (about 25 minutes) to Feldkirch and walk 10–15 minutes through the old town up to Schattenburg. Tour the museum’s furnished rooms, battlements and weaponry; families should allow 1.5–2 hours.
• Midday: Lunch at the Schlosswirtschaft inside the castle—reserve if it’s a weekend; you can ask for a normal-sized schnitzel. Alternatively, grab a bite on Feldkirch’s Marktgasse before a leisurely loop of the arcaded lanes.
• Afternoon: Explore Feldkirch’s medieval streets and viewpoints (Katzenturm, Churer Tor), then return to Bregenz by train. On hot days, linger in shady cafés; on Mondays, confirm museum opening times before travelling.
• Evening: Back in Bregenz, dine along the harbour or in the Oberstadt. If skies are clear, ride the Pfänderbahn for twilight views (last lifts vary by season) or enjoy a lakeside swim in summer.

Day 3: Ruins and ridgelines Choose your adventure: a grand cliff-top ruin above Hohenems or a locals’ ridge walk to a hidden castle site in the hills above Bregenz. Both options weave nature, views and atmospheric stones into a satisfying finale.

• Morning: Option A (adventurous): Train to Hohenems and hike the Schlossberg to the expansive Alt-Ems ruins. Option B (scenic local route): Take the Pfänderbahn and follow the Pfänderstock ridge towards Eichenberg on well-marked trails.
• Midday: Picnic at the ruins (take water; there are no facilities) or detour to a rustic inn in Eichenberg. Summer brings the best views; in winter, expect snow/ice and bring traction and warm layers.
• Afternoon: If on the ridge, make the quiet detour to the Ruggburg ruin—often blissfully empty—before descending by bus/trail. If in Hohenems, visit the Jewish Museum in town after your descent for a broader take on regional history, then train back to Bregenz.
• Evening: Celebrate with a relaxed dinner back in Bregenz; book ahead on weekends and during festival season. If the weather turns, swap hiking for a slow cultural day (Martinsturm exhibits, gallery visits) and end with a snug inn and a lakeside nightcap.

By Air

• St. Gallen–Altenrhein (ACH), Switzerland (c. 20 km): 20–30 min by car/taxi. Limited scheduled flights; onward by bus to St. Margrethen then S‑Bahn to Bregenz (c. 45–60 min).
• Friedrichshafen (FDH), Germany (c. 40 km): 45–60 min by car; 1–1.5 h by train via Lindau‑Reutin to Bregenz. Regional and seasonal flights.
• Zürich (ZRH), Switzerland (c. 120 km): 1.5–1.75 h by car; 1 h 40–2 h 10 by train (usually 1 change at St. Margrethen or Zürich HB).
• Memmingen/Allgäu (FMM), Germany (c. 85 km): 1–1.5 h by car; 2–2.5 h by train via Kempten/Lindau‑Reutin.
• Munich (MUC), Germany (c. 230 km): 2.5–3 h by car; 3–3.5 h by train via München Hbf and Lindau‑Reutin.
• Innsbruck (INN), Austria (c. 185 km): 2–2.5 h by car (via S16/A14; Arlberg road tunnel is a special toll route); about 2.5–3 h by train (bus F to Innsbruck Hbf, then direct Railjet).

By Train

• Main station: Bregenz Hauptbahnhof (Hbf). Secondary stop: Bregenz Hafen (for lake boats). Nearby hub: Lindau‑Reutin (DE) 10–12 min away, key for DB long‑distance services.
• Direct/fast links:
  • Vienna via Salzburg/Innsbruck on ÖBB Railjet (typically every 2 hours): Innsbruck c. 2 h; Salzburg c. 3.5–4 h; Vienna c. 6 h.
  • Munich on DB EC/IC via Lindau‑Reutin (usually every 2 hours): c. 2 h 20–2 h 40.
  • Zürich (some direct services; otherwise 1 change at St. Margrethen/St. Gallen): c. 1 h 50–2 h 10. Zürich Airport reachable with 1 change.
  • Regional: frequent S‑Bahn/REX to Dornbirn, Hohenems, Feldkirch, Bludenz; to St. Margrethen (CH) for Swiss connections.
• Operators: ÖBB (Austria), SBB (Switzerland), DB (Germany). Tickets via national apps/sites; Vorarlberg regional network is VVV.

By Car

• From Germany: A96 to Lindau, then A14 (Pfändertunnel) to Bregenz. No German motorway toll; Austrian motorways require a vignette.
• From Switzerland: A1/A13 to St. Margrethen, then A14 to Bregenz. Swiss vignette required; Austrian vignette required.
• From Tyrol/Italy: S16 to A14 via the Arlberg route; Arlberg road tunnel is a separate toll (alternative Arlberg Pass when open).
• Parking: Limited in the centre; use signed garages/park‑and‑ride. Note peak‑season congestion along the lakefront.

By Boat (seasonal)

• Lake Constance services (April–October) to Bregenz Hafen from Lindau (c. 20–30 min), Friedrichshafen (c. 1–1.5 h), and Konstanz (c. 2–3 h), operated by Vorarlberg Lines/BSB/SBS. Useful for lake‑shore hops rather than primary long‑distance travel.