Places to Explore

• Altaussee

  Taking a fairly steep road from Bad Aussee, you'll find Altaussee tucked away at the end of a lake cradled by gentle mountains. This is one of the most magical spots of the Salzkammergut. As Austrian poet... (more)

• Bad Aussee

  Following the bumpy old road westward (often closed in winter) from Hallstatt, you'll find yourself in company with the railroad and the Traun River (watch out for the precipitous 23% gradient at one point)... (more)

• Bad Ischl

  Many travelers used to think of Bad Ischl primarily as the town where Zauner's pastry shop is located, to which connoisseurs drove miles for the sake of a cup of coffee and a slice of Guglhupf, a lemon... (more)

• Dachstein Ice Caves

• Fuschl

  Fuschl is so close to Salzburg that many attendees of the Salzburger Festspiele choose to stay in a hotel here, enjoying urban comforts while getting to savor rural pleasures at the same time. On Route... (more)

• Gmunden

  Gmunden, at the top of the Traunsee, is an attractive town to stroll about in. The tree-lined promenade along the lake is reminiscent of past days of the idle aristocracy and artistic greats—the... (more)

• Gosau am Dachstein

  Instead of driving around the area, it's worthwhile to take a serious walk (about 2½ hours, depending on your speed), departing from the tourist information office not far from the crossroads known... (more)

• Grundlsee

  From Bad Aussee, journey into deepest, darkest Salzkammergut with a trip to the Styrian end of the region. Head to the Grundlsee, a small, scenic lake, and take, from its eastern end, a walk of 15 minutes... (more)

• Hallstatt

  As if rising from Swan Lake itself, the town of Hallstatt is the subject of thousands of travel posters. "The world's prettiest lakeside village" perches precariously on what seems the smallest of toeholds... (more)

• Mondsee

  Mondsee is the gateway to the Salzkammergut for many tourists and Salzburgers alike. Mondsee means "Moon Lake," a name whose origins are the subject of some debate. Some say this body of water (11 km [7... (more)

• Seewalchen

  Heading northwest from Gmunden it's easy to reach the Attersee, whose length of 21 km (13 mi) makes it the largest lake in the Salzkammergut and the second largest in Austria. Here in Seewalchen and other... (more)

• St. Gilgen

  Though its modest charms tend to be overshadowed by neighboring St. Wolfgang, St. Gilgen has a pretty main square and a nice beach (the northernmost strand on the Wolfgangsee). A combination ticket sold... (more)

• St. Wolfgang

  The town has everything: swimming and hiking in summer, cross-country skiing in winter, and natural feasts for the eye at every turn. Here you will find yourself in the Austria of operetta. Indeed, St... (more)