Mainau Island Flower Gardens

Mainau Island sits in the Bodensee near Konstanz and has been developed since the 19th century, under the Baden grand ducal family and later the Bernadotte family of Sweden, into one of Europe's most celebrated flower gardens. The island's microclimate, moderated by the surrounding lake, allows Mediterranean plants including palm trees and citrus groves to grow alongside the seasonal tulip, rhododendron and rose displays that the gardens are best known for. A Baroque palace, still partly used by the Bernadotte family, overlooks the Italian-style rose garden near the harbour, while a large butterfly house and an arboretum extend the grounds further into the island's interior. Because the island is planted for continuous seasonal colour, a full visit covering the palace gardens, butterfly house and arboretum takes three to four hours. Late spring, when the tulip displays give way to rose and rhododendron blooms, draws the largest crowds but also the most spectacular colour.