Ostrach lies between the Danube and Lake Constance, about halfway between Sigmaringen and Ravensburg.

Abandoned quarries to the north and south of the village of Jettkofen have created small lakes.

In the 13th century, the area passed gradually from the Holy Roman Empire into the hands of the monastery of Salem.

On 21 March 1799 the Austrian and French troops fought a battle at Ostrach.

On 1 January 1975 the surrounding villages of Burgweiler (with Dichtenhausen, Hahnennest, Ochsenbach, Waldbeuren, Ulzhausen, Egelreute), Einhart, Habsthal (with Bernweiler), Jettkofen, Kalkreute, Laubbach, Levertsweiler, Magenbuch (with Lausheim), Spöck, Tafertsweiler (with Bachhaupten, Eschendorf, and Gunzenhausen), Wangen, and Wirnsweiler were incorporated into Ostrach.