🇩🇪 Konstanz, Germany
Riva
📍 25, Seestraße, Konstanz, 78464
Your stay — Riva
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Konstanz.
The Property — Riva
The Riva is Konstanz's most polished lakefront address: a converted waterworks on the shore of Lake Constance, all clean lines, matte stone and floor-to-ceiling glass. The lobby feels more like a contemporary art gallery than a hotel reception, with the Swiss Alps framing the view across the water. It suits travellers who want design, stillness and a room that opens straight onto the lakeside path — couples and soloists mostly, less so families with young children.
Chronicles of Konstanz
Konstanz was founded by the Romans as a frontier fort around 50 CE, later grew into an important medieval trading town and the site of the Council of Konstanz (1414–1418), which ended the Papal Schism. Its medieval Altstadt survived the Second World War largely intact because the Allies chose not to bomb a city so close to the Swiss border, leaving a dense core of half-timbered houses, Gothic churches and narrow lanes. Today the city is a university town, a border hub (Switzerland is a ten-minute walk from the Old Town) and the main German gateway to Lake Constance tourism. Culturally, it balances a quiet, moneyed air with a lively student scene and a steady summer bustle of ferry excursions and ice cream queues.
Best Time to Visit
Full Konstanz guide →Best months
May, June and September: warm enough for lake swimming (around 20°C water), long daylight, and the big summer holiday crowds haven't arrived or have just left. July is fine weather but full-on.
Peak / festival surge
July is the absolute peak: school holidays across Germany, Austria and Switzerland converge on the lake. The Seenachtfest (a big lakeside fireworks and music festival) lands in mid-August and turns hotel pricing aggressive — expect 50-80% above shoulder rates.
Budget shoulder season
Late April and October offer genuine discounts (30-40% off peak), still walkable to about 15°C and no crowding. The lake is cold but the views work. September also counts — still warm, half the people.
Weather & packing
Konstanz sits in a corner where Lake Constance creates its own microclimate: summer afternoons often bring short, sharp thunderstorms even when the morning is clear. Pack a medium-weight waterproof jacket or a compact umbrella as a non-negotiable item.
Live City Briefing — Konstanz
- The Konstanz–Kreuzlingen border crossing on the main street (Friedrichstrasse) has had new e-gates installed; Swiss border guards sometimes do spot checks on pedestrians and cyclists, so carry your passport even if you're just walking over for a coffee.
- The main Stadtgarten promenade along the lake is partly fenced off near the Imperia statue due to a revetment repair project — expect a narrow diversion until late 2026.
- Fährhaus, the popular lakeside restaurant on the Swiss side in Kreuzlingen, has opened a new terrace bar that extends its season into early autumn; ferry ticket holders get priority seating on warm evenings.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Riva, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on a higher floor (above the 4th floor), ideally on the 5th or 6th floor, for a quieter stay. These floors are likely to be farthest from the street noise, which can be moderate due to the hotel's location on Seestraße. Additionally, request a room on the south or west side to enjoy natural light and views of the nearby Lake Constance.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the lower floors (1st to 3rd), especially those facing the street, as they may be noisier due to traffic and pedestrian activity.
Best views
Rooms on the south or west side of the 5th or 6th floor will offer views of Lake Constance and the surrounding cityscape.
Quietest floors
The 5th and 6th floors are likely the quietest due to their distance from the street and potential service entrance noise.
🔊 Noise notes
Be aware that Seestraße can be moderately busy, especially during peak tourist season, and noise from the street may carry upwards. However, the hotel's design and higher floors should help mitigate this.
Insider tips
When checking in, ask about the hotel's parking options, as they may have a limited number of spots available. It's worth inquiring about their parking policy and any associated fees. Consider requesting a room with a balcony, especially if you're staying on a higher floor, for a more pleasant experience and better views of the surrounding area.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Riva
complimentary in all areas (300 Mbps speed), no login constraints
yes, serves all floors and wings, no stairs-only historic sections
complimentary digital newsstand (PressReader) and German national newspapers in the lobby
14:00 - 22:00, early bag-drop available from 10:00, late check-out until 12:00 (€50 fee)
available in the lobby (€5 per bag, per day)
step-free access, wheelchair-accessible entries, accessible rooms available upon request
on-site parking available (€25 per night), nearest public car park (Kölnerallee) €18 per night, EV charging available (€15 per charge)
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €2.50 per person per night
Deposit & card hold: €100 advance deposit + €50 incidental card hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Evangelische Petrus- und Paulusgemeinde (401 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: St. Gebhardskirche (684 m · ~9 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: Buddhistisches Zentrum Konstanz (774 m · ~10 min walk)
- Church: Die Christengemeinschaft (1.1 km · ~13 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Lago — 2.1 km · ~26 min walk
Rheinstrandbad — 1.3 km · ~16 min walk
Archäologisches Landesmuseum — 980 m · ~12 min walk
Theater Konstanz — 1.3 km · ~17 min walk
Georg-Elser-Platz — 1.1 km · ~13 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 861 m · ~11 min walk
Petershauser Apotheke — 752 m · ~9 min walk
Reformhaus Wirth — 834 m · ~10 min walk
Konstanz-Petershausen — 1.6 km · ~21 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use ATMs at local banks or post offices for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaus at Konstanz train station or tourist offices as they charge high fees.
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in supermarkets, restaurants, and hotels; contactless and mobile pay (Apple Pay, Google Pay) are common. Many smaller cafes and bakeries prefer cash, so carry some.
Round up to the nearest euro in cafes and restaurants (about 5-10% for good service). Taxis: round up to the next euro. Hotel housekeeping: €1-2 per night left in the room.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee or espresso at a bakery or cafe kiosk, about €2.50.
A slice of Flammkuchen or a Brötchen from a bakery with a drink, around €5-7.
Pasta or pizza in a basic Italian restaurant, main dish around €10-12.
Look for food stalls at the weekly market on the Marktstätte square (Wed/Sat) or along the lake promenade for sausages and currywurst.
Aldi, Lidl, and Netto are the main budget supermarket chains in this residential area.
Affordable chains like H&M and C&A are in the Lago shopping centre near the main train station.
A single bus ticket within Konstanz is €2.60; a day pass (Tageskarte) for the city zone costs about €4.80. From the airport (Zurich or Friedrichshafen), the cheapest way is the regional train (€10-15) but requires a change.
Good to know — Konstanz
Type C/F · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.88 · EUR
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Konstanz, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Riva
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 861 m · ~11 min walk — pharmacy · Petershauser Apotheke — 752 m · ~9 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Zurich Airport (ZRH) → Konstanz Fernbusbahnhof
💡 Bus stop is outside Arrivals 1, exit door 4. Buy tickets on the app for 5 EUR less; seat 4A has extra legroom.
Konstanz Hauptbahnhof (central station) → Waldhaus Jakob stop
💡 Buy a 24-hour ticket (6 EUR) if you plan multiple trips. Bus 11 runs along the lake promenade—quick and scenic. The stop is literally outside the hotel. For late returns, night bus N1 runs hourly until 03:00.
Konstanz Hauptbahnhof → UnternehmensServices
💡 Get off at 'Fischmarkt' stop, then walk 3 min south past the cobbler shop. Buy a single ticket from the machine—coins only, or use the 'VVO' app.
Zurich Airport (ZRH) → Waldhaus Jakob, Konstanz
💡 Pre-book with a local Konstanz firm like Taxi Müller; they often charge a flat rate of 210-250 EUR instead of meter. Avoid Zurich taxis at the rank—they double the price.
Zurich Airport (ZRH) → UnternehmensServices, Konstanz
💡 Book via Taxi Zentrum Konstanz (+49 7531 92000) a day ahead to avoid surge pricing. Pay in euros at the border if you ask nicely.
Zurich Airport (ZRH) → Konstanz Hauptbahnhof
💡 Take IC 66 to Constance; change at Winterthur if delayed. Sit on the left side from Zurich for lake views. Validate your ticket at the platform—fine is 90 EUR.
Zurich Airport (ZRH) or Zurich HB → Konstanz Hauptbahnhof
💡 Get a direct IC from Zurich Airport to Konstanz; no change needed. Buy a Sparbillett in advance online from SBB for half price. From the station, city bus 9 or 11 stops 200m from Waldhaus Jakob—get off at 'Waldhaus Jakob' stop.
Zurich Airport (bus stop outside terminal) → Konstanz Döbeleplatz
💡 FlixBus routes vary; check if it stops at 'Konstanz Döbeleplatz' or 'Konstanz Busbahnhof'. From Döbeleplatz it's a 25-min walk uphill to Waldhaus Jakob or take bus 11 to 'Waldhaus Jakob'.
Zürich Airport (ZRH) → Ferienwohnung Katein, Konstanz
💡 Pre-book with Taxi Konstanz for a flat rate around €140. Cheaper than Uber if you have 3–4 people. Tip: 5-10%.
Zurich Airport (ZRH) → Hotel Scheffelhof
💡 Book via Konstanz Taxi (+49 7531 22555) for a flat €140 daytime rate. Uber works but can surge across the border.
Konstanz Hauptbahnhof → Hotel Scheffelhof (stop: Schänzle)
💡 Day ticket (€4.50) covers all zones. Use the Konstanz+ app to buy and scan. Hotel is a 200m flat walk from the stop.
Konstanz Hauptbahnhof → Ferienwohnung Katein (Haltestelle Sternenplatz)
💡 Buy a single ticket from the driver with cash or use the Konstanz App. The stop is a 3-minute walk from the flat.
About Konstanz
Wikipedia ↗
Konstanz ( KON-stənts, US also KAWN-stahnts, German: [ˈkɔnʃtants] or [ˈkɔnstants] , Alemannic German: [ˈkoʃd̥əts, ˈxoʃd̥əts]), traditionally known as Constance in English, is a university city with approximately 83,000 inhabitants located at the western end of Upper Lake Constance in the Baden-Wür...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Riva?
Request a room on a higher floor (above the 4th floor), ideally on the 5th or 6th floor, for a quieter stay. These floors are likely to be farthest from the street noise, which can be moderate due to the hotel's location on Seestraße. Additionally, request a room on the south or west side to enjoy natural light and views of the nearby Lake Constance.
Which rooms should I avoid at Riva?
Avoid rooms on the lower floors (1st to 3rd), especially those facing the street, as they may be noisier due to traffic and pedestrian activity.
Is Riva noisy?
Be aware that Seestraße can be moderately busy, especially during peak tourist season, and noise from the street may carry upwards. However, the hotel's design and higher floors should help mitigate this.
Which rooms have the best views at Riva?
Rooms on the south or west side of the 5th or 6th floor will offer views of Lake Constance and the surrounding cityscape.
What are insider tips for staying at Riva?
When checking in, ask about the hotel's parking options, as they may have a limited number of spots available. It's worth inquiring about their parking policy and any associated fees. Consider requesting a room with a balcony, especially if you're staying on a higher floor, for a more pleasant experience and better views of the surrounding area.
What time is check-in at Riva?
Check-in at Riva is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Riva have Wi-Fi?
complimentary in all areas (300 Mbps speed), no login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at Riva?
€2.50 per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Riva?
A slice of Flammkuchen or a Brötchen from a bakery with a drink, around €5-7.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Riva?
A single bus ticket within Konstanz is €2.60; a day pass (Tageskarte) for the city zone costs about €4.80. From the airport (Zurich or Friedrichshafen), the cheapest way is the regional train (€10-15) but requires a change.
When is the best time to visit Konstanz?
May, June and September: warm enough for lake swimming (around 20°C water), long daylight, and the big summer holiday crowds haven't arrived or have just left. July is fine weather but full-on.
Top Attractions in Konstanz
💡 Aim for the 'Haus zur Kunkel' at Niederburgerstrasse 19—a well-preserved 14th-century house with a free exhibition on its history. Quietest on weekday mornings.
💡 Go just before sunset for the best light on the lake and mountains. There are a few benches and you can see the Imperia statue clearly from above.
💡 Take the small alley ‘Kreuzlinger Gasse’ – it cuts through to the waterfront and has a quiet courtyard cafe halfway.
💡 Climb the tower late afternoon for fewer crowds and golden light on the lake—costs about €2, well worth it.
💡 Take the path along the old city wall (Stadtmauer) from Schnetztor to Rheintorturm – it's quiet and gives you a genuine sense of medieval Konstanz.
💡 Go on a weekday morning to avoid tour groups. The choir stalls have intricate medieval carvings worth a close look.
💡 The spire climb costs a few euros, but the main church interior and crypt are free. Go early to avoid queues.
💡 Go at sunset for good light and fewer crowds. The view back toward the old town from the harbour wall is better than the statue itself.