Guide to Salzkammergut Austria - Things to do
Welcome to my guide to the Salzkammergut region in northern Austria.
Salzkammergut has never-ending mountain ranges and rolling alpine hills. And with over 60 lakes it's not surprising why it's referred to as the Austrian lake district.
This country isn't only made for winter skiing... Instead, head here in the summer for its range of outdoor activities. From hiking and cycling to golfing and water sports! The region is also scattered with thermal baths and spas - so why not take a few days out to relax and be pampered.
View my full Austria Travel Guide online here, which includes information about Austria at a glance, my top Austria travel destinations, when to visit, what to eat and drink, and how to travel around Austria! Use it alongside this guide to the Salzkammergut region.
Things to do in Salzkammergut
So you're planning on visiting the beautiful Austrian region of Salzkammergut. Now to decide what things to do and see...
Here are my top places to visit in Salzkammergut - either individually or collectively as a 1-week itinerary. Continue scrolling OR click on each for more information:
Top places to visit in Salzkammergut Austria
Mondsee
Mondsee is one of the largest and warmest lakes in the Salzkammergut region. It's a popular summer destination, due to the variety of water sports on offer. Including sailing, water-skiing, windsurfing, and more!
Mondsee town is located on the northern edge of Mondsee lake and is the perfect base for exploring the Salzkammergut region. I visited other nearby lakes and found Mondsee to offer the most in terms of the beach and activities. I loved my time here...
Things to do in Mondsee, Salzkammergut:
- Visit Basilika St. Michael - This Catholic church was the film set for the wedding in The Sound of Music! You'll find it in the main square of Mondsee town. Entrance to the church is free of charge, although donations are welcome.
- Eat some traditional Austrian food - Visit the range of restaurants and cafes in Mondsee town to try some traditional dishes and delicacies, including the famous Austrian Apfelstrudel. Click here for where to eat in Mondsee.
- Enjoy an evening performance - If visiting in the summer months, then sit outside of the restaurants in the main square and enjoy an evening performance from the local marching band.
- Spend an afternoon at the beach (Alpenseebad) - Mondee's alpine beach is just a 5-minute walk from the town centre. There's free parking on-site, although you do have to pay to enter the beach area. But with a diving tower, several slides, and an aqua fun park on the lake, it's definitely worth the money! There's also a small cafe, changing area, and nice clean toilets. A single adult ticket is 6 EUR for all-day (09:00 - 18:00) or you can visit for the afternoon (from 13:00) for 4 EUR. More information on opening times and prices available online.
- Walk along the Seepromenade - From Mondsee town centre, walk towards to lake and then along the Seepromenade, which runs beside the water. With several places to sit and relax, it's the perfect spot to bring a picnic or enjoy an ice-cream!
Mondsee Town
Views of Mondsee Lake
Basilika St. Michael
Schafberg Mountain
Nestled between Mondsee and Wolfgangsee is the Schafberg mountain. Sitting at 1,783 meters, it provides breath-taking views of the region. With the summit an ideal spot to capture those incredible 360 views of the glistening blue lakes below.
Visiting the Schafberg mountain:
- Ride the steepest steam cog railway in Austria: The SchafbergBahn - It takes 35 minutes to reach the top, providing a nice leisurely journey up the mountainside.
- Get the train from St Wolfgang - The train departs from just outside the town centre of St Wolfgang, on Wolfgangsee lake. There is onsite parking available at the SchafbergBahn station, but beware that it gets busy in the summer months.
- Take the train - It's not exactly cheap at 39.60 EUR (return adult ticket) to go on the steam train, but it is a fun day out!
- Train and walk - There's a mid-way station that you can ride to and then walk the remaining distance to the summit. But it's only about 8 EUR cheaper than the full return on the train.
- Hike the Schafberg Mountain - If you're feeling fit and adventurous then try hiking up. But be sure to leave early morning to reach the top before the midday summer heat.
- Sleep at the summit - There's even a hotel at the top of the mountain where you can stay the night.
Tip: There is a cafe and restaurant at the summit but it's fairly pricey. Instead bring a picnic to enjoy whilst taking in the scenery.
Schafberg Mountain
View of Lake Attersee
View of Mondsee Lake
Wolfgangsee
Wolfgangsee is just south of Mondsee and Attersee, with the Schafberg being just one of the many mountains surrounding this lake. It is one of the most well-known lakes in the Salzkammergut region.
Things to do and see around Wolfgangsee:
- St. Gilgen - St. Gilgen is a pretty town is located on the northern edge of Wolfgangsee. Its small size makes it good for a quick pit-stop, where you can enjoy the lake-side views.
- Zwölferhorn cable car - On the outskirts of St. Gilgen, you will find the Zwölferhorn cable car. Ride up the mountainside to the summit for views across Wolfgangsee. Further information on opening times and prices can be found online here.
- Abersee - This small Austrian village is located on the western side of Wolfgangsee lake, directly opposite St. Wolfgang and the Schafberg mountain. Stop here to get some photos of the Schafberg mountain across the lake.
- Strobl - At the southern point of Wolfgangsee is the small town of Strobl. Another good place to stop for photos!
- Schafberg Mountain - Take the cog railway up to the summit of this mountain for incredible views of the Salzkammergut region. Click here for more information on visiting the Schafberg mountain.
- St. Wolfgang - The market town of St. Wolfgang sits at the foot of the Schafberg Mountain - perfect to spend an afternoon here after a morning up the Schafberg. Park at the SchafbergBahn train station and then walk along the promenade into the town. As well as pretty lake-side views, St Wolfgang is filled with cobbled streets, cafes and local shops. Note that the town can get busy during the day time, in high season.
- Take the ferry around the lake - A passenger ferry operates on Wolfgangsee lake, connecting the different lakeside villages. The ferry runs from late April through to late October. Check the Wolfgangsee Schifffahrt website for ferry routes and timetables.
Schafberg Mountain Train Station
St Wolfgang town
Houses of St Wolfgang
Driving tour of the lakes
If you decide to stay in Mondsee (like we did) and have a vehicle, then I recommend spending a day driving around the nearby lakes. Stop off on your way to explore some of the traditional Austrian towns and villages, have a coffee, get some amazing photos of the beautiful scenery...
From Mondsee Town:
- Drive north-west out of Mondsee town on the main road, towards Seewalchen am Attersee.
- Continue past the northern edge of Lake Attersee (Seewalchen am Attersee) to Gmunden.
- Stop off at Gmunden for a morning coffee whilst enjoying the views of Traunsee lake. If you have time then visit the nearby Schloss Ort castle.
- Head south along Traunsee lake to Traunkirchen. There are some viewpoints along the roadside, which are ideal to stop at for a picnic!
- Continue your journey through the mountains and across to the southern tip of Lake Attersee.
- Stop off at Unterach am Attersee for an afternoon ice cream - If the weather's warm then have a cooling dip in the water here.
- Continue east towards Mondsee lake - eventually looping back to the beginning.
Traunsee
As the deepest lake in Austria, Traunsee is just a 30-minute drive from Mondsee.
Things to do and see around Traunsee:
- Gmunden - Situated on the northern edge of Traunsee lake is the Austrian town of Gmunden. Spend a couple of hours here to wander around the centre, and enjoy the lake views from the marina.
- Schloss Ort - This medieval castle is situated on an island in Traunsee lake, just south from Gmunden. Now a popular wedding and events venue, it is sometimes open to the public - entry is 5 EUR per adult ticket. More information available online.
- Traunkirchen - Traunkirchen is a small, albeit pretty Austrian village with lake and mountain views. It's less touristy than nearby towns such as Gmunden and was one of my favourite places. Walk up to the hidden church of Johannesbergkapelle on the protruding hill, for beautiful views across the lake to the Grünberg mountain.
- Ebensee - In the south of Traunsee lake is the village of Ebensee. From here you can ride the cable car to the summit of Feuerkogel mountain. At 1,600 metres high, you'll find incredible views of Traunsee lake below. More information on the Feuerkogel cable car available online.
Attersee
Attersee is not only the largest lake in the Salzkammergut region but the third-largest in Austria! Other than visiting the pretty lakeside villages, here are some things to do in Attersee.
Things to do and see around Attersee:
- Water activities - Due to the vast size of Attersee, it is the perfect place for water sport activities (wakeboarding, water skiing), and sailing! One of Austria’s oldest yacht club was founded here on lake Attersee, and now there are plenty of sailing schools to choose from!
- Swimming - All along the water's edge are spots for swimming in the lake. Almost every town and village on Attersee has a swimming area, with some even having lidos and slides!
- Take a cruise - Board one of Attersee Schifffahrt boats to cruise around Lake Attersee. They offer two main boat tours; one of the north of the lake (approx. 1 hour 10 minutes), and one of the south (approx. 2 hours 20 minutes). There's also the option to combine these and venture on the 'Great Tour of the Lake' - this is valid as a day ticket, with which you can explore the whole Attersee hop on - hop off. All boat tours depart from Attersee am Attersee. More information available online.
- Bierschmiede Brewery - In the village of Steinbach am Attersee, on the eastern side of the lake, is the craft beer brewery of Bierschmiede. Take a guided brewery tour, before finishing in their Brewery Inn for a tasting session. More information available online.
- Hiking and Biking Trails - As well as the offer of activities on the lake, the surrounding mountains offer excellent hiking and biking trails. There's the Nature Park between Attersee and Traunsee. This natural reserve is a protected area and is accessible at any time for hikers, cyclists and horseback riders on the designated paths and trails. There's also the Schafberg mountain which overlooks lake Attersee from the south-west.
Near Attersee:
- Attergau observation tower - North of Lake Attersee and Mondsee, sits the Attergau observation tower. This lookout tower is situated at the summit of the Lichtenberg mountain, providing excellent panoramic views of the surrounding lakes and mountains. On a clear day, you can even see as far as the Dachstein mountain! To visit the Attergau observation tower, you can drive up the mountain and park at the nearby Berggasthof Danter. From here it is then just a 10-minute walk to the tower. If you're feeling adventurous then there are hiking and biking trails up the mountain!
Traunkirchen
Traunsee Lake
View of Traunsee Lake from Traunkirchen
Hallstatt
The UNESCO World Heritage site of Hallstatt is probably one of the most well-known towns in Austria. Its picture-postcard alpine houses and a lakeside location, also means it's very popular with the tourists!
From wandering around the old town to visiting the Salt Mines and Skywalk, Hallstatt is great for a day out.
Read my full guide to visiting Hallstatt online here:
Hallstätter See
Hallstatt Town
Traditional Austrian chalet houses
Dachstein Glacier
At 2,700 m, the Dachstein is the highest mountain of the Styria region, providing panoramic views across the Austrian mountain ranges. On a clear day, you can see towards the Czech Republic and Slovenia!
At the summit there is plenty to do and see, including the suspension bridge, ice palace, and stairway to nothingness. The Dachstein glacier was my favourite trip during my time in the Salzkammergut region!
Check out my full guide to visiting the Dachstein Glacier online here:
Cable car up the Dachstein Mountain
The Stairway to Nothingness
Dachstein Mountain
Salzburg
This pretty city of Salzburg is not far from the German-Austrian border. As well as being the birthplace of Mozart, this enchanting place is full of sight-seeing attractions and mountain views.
Salzburg is split by the Salzach River, with the "new" town situated on the right side of the river and the old town on the left. The old town (Altstadt) is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and sits in the shadow of the medieval fortress of Hohensalzburg.
If you're a fan of the film 'The Sound of Music' then you'll love it here! As well as it being filmed in and around the city, the real Trapp family actually once lived in Salzburg. Spend an afternoon discovering the original shooting locations, or embark on a Sound of Music Tour.
Read my full guide to Salzburg here, for my top travel tips and one-day itinerary on how best explore this city:
Eat your heart out
What to eat in Austria?
Austrian cuisine is generally influenced by central Europe and consists of hearty meals. Think meat stews, rich soups, dumplings, and cheese spreads!
My favourite Austrian dishes I would recommend include Tiroler Gröstl (pan-fried potato, beef/pork with a fried egg), Saftgulasch (Austrian Beef Goulash), and of course the famous Apple Strudel for dessert.
Read my full list of top things to eat in Austria here:
Where to eat in Salzkammergut?
Food is always first on my mind wherever I travel - I always keep a food journal to jot down my favourite eateries. Here are some of my top places and things to try whilst in and around Mondsee...
Flagship Food Club - From matcha breakfast bowls to stacked burgers, this trendy and modern eatery is situated on the lake edge, near the alpine beach and sailing club. Come here for brunch before spending the day at the beach, or have an early dinner to watch dusk fall.
Cafe Ubleis - This cafe in Mondsee town centre, just off from the main square, offers an array of mouth-watering ice creams and homemade cakes. It also has a lovely little roof terrace where you can sit and enjoy some sugary treats in the sunshine.
Sleep Tight
Where to stay in Salzkammergut?
I would definitely recommend staying in Mondsee. It's a great town with plenty of restaurants, cafes, plus a great alpine beach and water sport activities! We also found it to be a good base for exploring the Salzkammergut region - not too far to visit Salzburg, Hallstatt, and the Dachstein mountain. And the other nearby lakes are within close reach by car.
However, there are plenty of other pretty lakeside towns where you could look at staying.
Accommodation options...
Stay in a traditional alpine chalet to complete your time in Austria.
We stayed at Ferienhaus Lederberg; a set of farm-house apartments on the hilltop just outside of Mondsee. Meaning you get amazing views across the lake to the mountains in the distance. This comfortable accommodation included all the amenities we needed and were able to enjoy meals on the shared terrace area.
Travelling the Salzkammergut Region
How best to get around and explore Salzkammergut?
I would definitely recommend having a vehicle to truly explore the Salzkammergut region. We drove from England, crossing through France, Belgium, Germany, and Luxembourg! And because of the fast and well-maintained motorways, the drive from the UK to the Austrian border is surprisingly quick at a total of around 10 - 11 hours. However, we spread this over 2 days (each way) and stopped off at some places en route to break up the journey. If you're looking at flying to Austria, then I would advise getting a hire car.
Just remember that you must display a Motorway Vignette (toll sticker) on the inside of your windscreen upon entering Austria. More information available here.
Read my full guide to travel around Austria here:
Conclusion
Spend at least 1 week in the Salzkammergut region, to fully explore the beautiful places it has to offer!
- Visit Austria either in Spring ( May/June) or Autumn (September/October), to avoid the high season of summer and the crowds of holiday-makers.
- Always carry a light-weight raincoat in summer - be prepared for a sudden downpour!
- If you're driving in Austria, then don't forget your Vignette toll sticker to go on the inside of your windscreen.
- Check out my top places to visit in Salzkammergut; Mondsee, Schafberg mountain, Wolfgangsee, Traunsee, Attersee, Hallstatt, Dachstein Glacier, and Salzburg.
- Remember to try some of Austria's traditional cuisine - I would recommend include Tiroler Gröstl (pan-fried potato, beef/pork with a fried egg), Saftgulasch (Austrian Beef Goulash), and the famous Apple Strudel for dessert!
Comment below if you have any questions, and I'll be in touch soon! Or get in touch online here.
Helen x
Coconuts and Camels
The Suspension Bridge, Dachstein Mountain
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