Things To Do
in Lauterach

Lauterach is a small town in Vorarlberg, Austria, located near Lake Constance and the city of Bregenz. It blends quiet residential streets with easy access to alpine scenery and lakefront activities. The surrounding region is known for its modern infrastructure, clean streets, and close ties to Vorarlbergs craft and cuisine.

Visitors can enjoy nature, cultural events, and convenient connections to nearby attractions.

Day Trips

Spend a day exploring around

day 1
Arrival in Lauterach
morning
:

Arrive in Lauterach and settle into your accommodation. Enjoy a hearty breakfast at a local café while soaking in the charm of this small Austrian town. After breakfast, take a leisurely stroll to familiarize yourself with the surrounding area.

afternoon
:

Explore the picturesque streets and visit the charming local shops that showcase traditional Austrian crafts. Enjoy a light lunch at a nearby restaurant serving regional delicacies. Consider taking a guided walking tour to learn more about Lauterach's history and culture.

evening
:

Dine at a cozy local restaurant, trying out some authentic Austrian dishes. After dinner, take a peaceful walk along the shores of Lake Constance, enjoying the evening breeze and scenic views. Conclude your first day with a glass of local wine under the starlit sky.

day 2
Discovering Bregenz
morning
:

Travel to the nearby town of Bregenz, known for its stunning views of the Alps and Lake Constance. Start your day with a delightful breakfast at a café with lake views to energize you for the day ahead. Visit the Bregenz Festival Art Museum to appreciate local art and culture.

afternoon
:

Take a funicular ride up to the Pfänder mountain for panoramic views and beautiful hiking trails. Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy in nature, surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Spend the afternoon exploring the various trails that offer stunning vistas over the lake and mountains.

evening
:

Head back to Lauterach and enjoy a traditional Austrian dinner. If you’re feeling adventurous, visit a local pub for some live music and entertainment. Reflect on your day while walking near the lake, perhaps stopping for some gelato.

Cost Guide

Prices

ItemPrice
🍔Meal at inexpensive restaurant$12-18
🧃Bottle of water (1.5L)$1-2
🧺Groceries (basic weekly)$40-60
🚌Public transport monthly pass$40-60
🏥Doctor visit$60-120

Strengths and Weaknesses

  • Charming Alpine-lake setting
  • Compact town with easy access to Bregenz and Dornbirn
  • Rich Vorarlberg cuisine and crafts
  • Beautiful seasonal scenery around Lake Constance
  • Quiet nightlife with fewer big-city amenities
  • Smaller-town transport options; some attractions require day trips
  • Weather can be variable in spring and autumn
  • Limited English in very small venues may require a local phrase or help from staff
  • "Grüß Gott" - Hello (formal, good day)
  • "Danke" - Thank you
  • "Sprechen Sie Englisch?" - Do you speak English?
  • "Wie viel kostet das?" - How much does this cost?
  • "Können Sie mir helfen?" - Can you help me?

Places to Visit in Lauterach

Visit one of these nice places.

Pfänder Summit Viewpoint

Panoramic vistas over Lake Constance and the Alpine foothills, especially at sunrise.

Bregenz Seepromenade

Long lakeside promenade with the Alps as a backdrop and colorful harbor scenes.

Lauterach River and Canal Banks

Quiet reflections and rural layouts with seasonal flora; good for golden hour shots.

Dornbirn City Park and Market Squares

Green spaces and architectural contrasts in the nearby town, ideal for street photography.

Culinary Guide

Food in Lauterach

Lauterach sits in Vorarlberg, a region known for alpine-inspired cuisine, cheese specialties, pumpkin seed oil, and fresh lake fish. Expect hearty dishes, seasonal produce, and a strong café culture across nearby towns.

Lauterach Famous Food

Signature dishes, delicacies and famous food

Käsknöpfle

A Vorarlberg specialty of soft noodles with melted cheese, onions, and sometimes crispy onions; try it at a traditional inn.

Must-Try!

Riebel

A maize-based porridge served with toppings like cheese, apples, or sour cream.

Käsespätzle

Cheese noodles with crispy onions, a comfort classic in Vorarlberg eateries.

Food Markets

Explore local food markets

Dornbirn Markt

Weekly farmers market in Dornbirn offering regional produce, bread, cheeses, and prepared foods (close to Lauterach).

Bregenz Lakeside Market

Market stalls along the lakefront on market days, with local snacks, produce and street foods.

Climate Guide

Weather

The climate in the Lauterach region is temperate with Alpine influences. Summers are mild to warm, often around 20-25 C, with regular afternoon showers. Winters are cold and snowy in the surrounding mountains, while Lauterach itself stays cooler with occasional snow. Spring and autumn bring variable weather, comfortable temperatures, and crisp, clear days.

How to Behave

Tips on cultural norms and respectful behavior

Greetings

Greet with Grüß Gott or a friendly hello; eye contact and a handshake are common in introductions.

Punctuality

Be punctual for appointments and trains; Austrians value punctuality.

Quiet hours

Evenings are relatively quiet; respect residential peace, especially after 10 pm in smaller streets.

Safety Guide

Safety

As a small town, Lauterach is generally safe with low crime rates. Standard travel precautions apply: lock cars, secure bikes, and be aware of weather changes in the mountains. When on the lake, follow local safety guidance for swimming and boating. Emergency numbers: 112 for police/ambulance/fire.

Tipping in Lauterach

Ensure a smooth experience

Tipping Etiquette

Tipping is customary but not obligatory; rounding up the bill or leaving 5-10% for good service is common.

Payment Methods

Cash is widely accepted; cards (credit/debit) and contactless payments are common in shops, restaurants, and hotels.

Best Time to Visit

And what to expect in different seasons...

Summer

Warm days with occasional rain; ideal for lake swimming, cycling along the Lake Constance path, and outdoor events around Bregenz.

Autumn

Mild days with changing foliage; good for hiking and photography with golden light near the lake.

Winter

Cold, with occasional snow in the surrounding mountains; crisp air and festive markets in nearby towns.

Spring

Blooming landscapes and longer daylight; great for hiking and garden visits in the Vorarlberg region.

Nightlife Guide

Lauterach at Night

Lauterach itself is quiet at night, with most nightlife concentrated in nearby Bregenz and Dornbirn. In summer, lakeside bars, open-air concerts, and riverside strolls along Lake Constance create a relaxed atmosphere. For more traditional nightlife, head to gemütliche pubs and wine bars in the surrounding towns, or catch a cultural event at the nearby Vorarlberg regional venues. Expect a peaceful, community-focused scene rather than boisterous nightlife typical of bigger cities.

Hiking in Lauterach

Immerse in an unforgettable hike.

Pfänder Summit Trail

Popular approach to the Pfänder vantage point with lake views; combined with a cable car ride.

Rappenlochschlucht Gorge

Scenic gorge near Dornbirn with footpaths and waterfalls; a classic Vorarlberg hike.

Damuels and Bregenzerwald Trails

Valley trails and forest paths in nearby Bregenz Forest region offering mixed difficulty.

Airports

How to reach Lauterach by plane.

Friedrichshafen Airport (FDH)

A small airport in Germany offering regional connections; about a short drive from Lauterach.

St. Gallen-Altenrhein Airport (ACH)

A small, convenient airport near Lake Constance serving regional flights; close to Lauterach.

Zurich Airport (ZRH)

Major international hub in Switzerland; used for international connections and longer trips; about a couple hours by road/train.

Getting Around

Walkability

Lauterach is a compact town with a walkable center and good connections to nearby towns. Within the town, most essentials are reachable on foot, and scenic lakeside and river paths are only a short ride away. For sightseeing farther afield, cycling or short bus/train trips make it easy to reach Bregenz, Dornbirn, and the Pfänder area without a car.

Demographics

Explore demographics in this area.

Locals of Vorarlberg

Residents with strong regional culture, speaker of Vorarlbergerisch distinctive dialects.

German and Swiss visitors

Tourists from neighboring countries drawn to the lake and mountains.

Families and retirees

A mix of families in suburban settlements and older residents enjoying the region.

Popular Sports

Explore popular sports in region.

Skiing and Snowboarding

Popular in the nearby Alps during winter; villages and resorts within an easy drive.

Cycling

Extensive paths around Lake Constance and Vorarlberg’s countryside attract cyclists of all levels.

Sailing and Water Sports

Lake Constance provides ideal conditions for sailing, windsurfing, and stand-up paddleboarding.

Transportation

Traffic

Lauterach benefits from good regional rail and road connections, with trains to Dornbirn, Bregenz, and beyond. The Bodensee region is well-served by ferries and the Lake Constance cycle path; in peak seasons expect occasional tourist traffic near the lake towns. Parking can be limited in central areas during markets and events, but public transport is reliable and frequent.

Accomodations

Find the best place to stay when visiting Lauterach.

Dietary Restrictions

Tips for restricted diets.

Vegetarian

Vegetarians can enjoy Käsknöpfle with cheese, mushroom dishes, fresh salads, and vegetable sides; ask for cheese varieties and avoid meat gravies; many places offer vegetarian options.

Health & Medical

Healthcare

Public healthcare is available in Vorarlberg with doctors and clinics in Lauterach, Dornbirn, and Bregenz. For emergencies, head to hospitals or call emergency services (112). Insurance through Austrian public or private schemes covers visits to doctors, with most clinics accepting international travelers who present valid health coverage. Pharmacies are widely available in the towns surrounding Lauterach.

Discover Austria

Read more in our Austria 2025 Travel Guide.

Austria Travel Guide