Bregenz is the capital city of Vorarlberg, which is the westernmost state in Austria. It is situated on the east and southeast shores of Lake Constance, a major freshwater lake shared by Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. The city sits at an elevation of 400 meters, with the Pfänder mountain rising to 1,064 meters directly behind it.
The city features a historic Upper Town dating back to the 13th century and was built upon a site that served as a Roman settlement known as Brigantium. Notable landmarks include the Seebühne, which is recognized as the world's largest lake stage and serves as the venue for the Bregenzer Festspiele opera festival. The city also features a 3-kilometer pedestrian waterfront promenade and provides ferry connections to neighboring regions in Germany.