Salzkammergut (Hallstatt & the Lakes)

Hallstatt's Marktplatz is a small square on the western shore of the Hallstätter See, framed by gabled burgher houses and a Holy Trinity column. From here narrow lanes climb along the mountainside to the parish church, the Beinhaus and the lookout points over the roofs and the lake. The whole village takes about an hour to stroll, longer if you stop at the museum or cafes. It is extremely busy between roughly 10:00 and 16:00 in summer, so come early in the morning or in the evening when the day-trip buses have left. From Hallstatt railway station take the ferry across the lake (about 10 minutes) to the Markt landing, which is the easiest way to arrive; buses and cars stop at parking areas north of the village and you walk in.

Free (public square and lanes)

Because the graveyard above the village is tiny, bones have been exhumed here since about 1600 and the skulls were painted with names, flowers and crosses. The Beinhaus in the 12th-century Michaelskapelle shows more than 600 of them in a small, quiet room and is one of the most unusual sights in Austria. Right next to it stands the Catholic parish church with a late Gothic winged altar by Leonhard Astl. Reach it on foot from the Marktplatz via the covered stairs and Kirchenweg, about 10 minutes uphill with stone steps. Please keep quiet and be respectful inside.

Adults EUR 2.00, children EUR 0.50 (official site, 2026)

The Kaiservilla was the summer home of Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth, and the place where he signed the declaration of war in 1914. The villa can only be seen on a guided tour of about 45 minutes, with hunting trophies and original imperial rooms. The park and the Marmorschlössl, Elisabeth's small marble tea pavilion, are covered by separate ticket options, and there is a cafe on site. It is a walk of roughly 10 to 15 minutes from the centre of Bad Ischl; tours start every hour from 10:15 in October and run continuously from April to September, so arrive early on summer afternoons. Interior photography is not allowed.

Villa and park EUR 24.00 adults, EUR 10.30 children 7-17, under 7 free; all three sites (villa, park, Marmorschlössl) EUR 30.00; park only EUR 6.70; family ticket from EUR 49.50 (official site, 2026/27)

This pilgrimage church in the middle of St. Wolfgang has been a destination for pilgrims for centuries and holds the famous winged altar by Michael Pacher. A pre-Christian stone sanctuary was later enclosed in a chapel here in 1713. Visiting the church without a tour is free; a guided tour with the parish guide costs EUR 3 per person with a EUR 40 minimum for the group. It is a few steps from the Wolfgangsee ship pier in St. Wolfgang village, and the Schafbergbahn valley station is a short walk away. Dress modestly and keep quiet during masses on Saturday evening and Sunday morning.

Free entry; guided tour EUR 3 per person, EUR 40 minimum per group (parish, 2026)

Seeschloss Ort stands on a small island in the Traunsee and is reached only by a 123 m wooden covered bridge. It is Gmunden's best-known landmark and the setting of the TV series Schlosshotel Orth. Inside you can see the rooms used as a museum and event venue, and a tower tour is available for an extra EUR 3. The Orther Stub'n restaurant serves meals in the castle. The castle is open from 11 April to 26 October 2026, and the lakeside approach on foot is a pleasant half-hour walk from the town centre. Even outside opening hours the causeway and the lake views are free to enjoy.

EUR 5.00 adults, children under 14 free; tower tour EUR 3.00 extra (official site, 2026)

The town hall on the Rathausplatz carries a ceramic glockenspiel in a loggia on its front. Local Gmunden ceramics could not give the bells the right sound, so they were made at the Meissen porcelain works and then painted in the town's traditional green-flamed decoration. It can only be viewed from outside and costs nothing, so it fits a quick stop while strolling between the pier, the Esplanade and the shops. The Rathausplatz is a few minutes on foot from the lake pier and the tram stop.

Free (regional tourism listing, 2026)

Salzwelten Hallstatt is a guided visit into the salt mine above the village, with a journey through about 7,000 years of mining history, including miners' slides that visitors can ride. The funicular takes you from the valley station at the north end of Hallstatt up to the Salzberg, where the Skywalk platform sits about 360 metres above the village for a wide view over the Hallstätter See. Tours start at the mine and run in several languages with a free audio-guide app. There is no visitor parking at the valley station, so use the ferry or bus and walk from the village (about 10-15 minutes from the Marktplatz). Book online ahead for summer and autumn weekends, when tours sell out.

Combo salt mine + funicular: adults EUR 49, children (4-15) EUR 23; funicular only EUR 29 / EUR 14; mine without funicular (hikers) EUR 33 / EUR 16; under 4 free (official site, 2026/27)

The Welterbemuseum on Seestraße presents the history of the Hallstatt region from the Bronze and Iron Age salt miners to the present, with finds from the famous prehistoric cemetery. The displays are modern and use plenty of multimedia, which suits a rainy-day visit. The museum is in the village a couple of minutes from the Marktplatz, so it is easy to combine with the walk and the Beinhaus. It is open every day all year with shorter hours in winter. There is a museum shop and a cafe nearby.

Adults EUR 12, children (6-14) EUR 8, teens/students EUR 9, family EUR 25 (official site, 2026)

Salzwelten Altaussee is an active salt mine about 3 km above the village. The guided tour leads through medieval mining tunnels and tells the story of the Nazi-looted artworks that were recovered from the mine at the end of the war. The standard ticket includes the Graphic Novel Exhibition. In September and October 2026 tours start at 09:00, 11:00, 13:00 and 15:00, the mine is closed 3-30 November 2026, and from December hourly tours run 09:00-15:00 (closed 24 and 31 December). The mine can be reached by car, taxi or on foot from Altaussee, and parking at the entrance is free.

Adults EUR 27, children (4-15) EUR 13; Graphic Novel Exhibition only EUR 6 (official site, 2026/27)

The Kammerhofmuseum is at Chlumeckyplatz 1 in the centre of Bad Aussee and presents the cultural heritage of the Ausseerland, including traditional costumes. In 2026 it is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 15:00 and closed on Mondays, from 28 April to 31 October, plus 29 March to 5 April. Entry is free with the Steiermark-Card and the Ausseerland Sommerclou Card. The museum is a short walk from the town centre and can be combined with the Kurpark.

Adults EUR 8, children/youth under 18 EUR 3, students and seniors EUR 7; Steirischer Familienpass EUR 12 (official site, 2026)

The Kammerhof Museums tell the story of Gmunden and the Traunsee region from its geological beginnings to today, with ceramics as a recurring thread. Permanent displays include a museum of historic sanitary objects and a storage-style presentation of 20th-century ceramics, plus changing special exhibitions on history, ceramics and nativity scenes. All 14 rooms are step-free. It is open Wednesday to Sunday 10:00-15:00 with last admission at 14:30, so it suits a rainy-day stop. It is a short walk from the Rathausplatz in the old town; pay by cash or bank card.

EUR 7.00 adults, EUR 4.50 reduced, EUR 2.50 children; family EUR 15 (regional tourism listing, 2026)

Franz Lehár bought this villa on the Traun in 1912 and spent his summers here for 46 years, then left it to the town on condition that it stay unchanged and open to the public. Rooms, art and furnishings are preserved as in his lifetime; the original 1840s Biedermeier house gained a neoclassical facade later. It was renovated in 2023/24 and reopened in May 2024. Entry is only by guided tour on the hour, groups of up to 15, last tour at 16:00, so arrive early or reserve. It is a short walk along the river from the Kurpark and Esplanade; a combined ticket with the town museum costs EUR 20.

EUR 13 adults incl. tour; children up to 14 free; combined ticket with Museum der Stadt EUR 20 (official site, 2026)

The town museum occupies the former Hotel Austria on the Esplanade and covers Bad Ischl's history over more than 7,000 years, with the focus on the 19th to 21st centuries: the rise of summer retreats and spa tourism, the imperial court and the region's social history, including its darker periods. It reopened in July 2024 after two years of renovation. You can explore alone or join the one-hour 'Sommerfrische' tour daily at 14:00 (EUR 3 extra). It is open Monday and Wednesday to Sunday 10:00-17:00, closed Tuesday, and sits a few minutes from the Kurpark and the Trinkhalle. The rear entrance is step-free.

EUR 10 adults; children up to 14 free; guided tour +EUR 3; combined ticket with Lehárvilla EUR 20 (official site, 2026)

The treetop path is an elevated walkway on the Grünberg above the Traunsee, reached by the Grünberg cable car. It is open from 28 March to 15 November 2026, with last entry typically one hour before closing. A combined ticket with the cable car costs EUR 37.20 for adults and EUR 24.10 for children. Allow time for the playground and trails nearby.

Combined ticket with cable car EUR 37.20 adults, EUR 24.10 children (official site, 2026)

The Cumberland Wildpark in Grünau im Almtal covers about 60 hectares with native animals such as brown bears, wolves, lynx, bison and red deer. The paths are level and suitable for strollers and wheelchairs. It is open year-round: April to October 09:00-17:00 (exit until 19:00) and November to March 10:00-16:00 (exit until 17:00), closing earlier on 24 and 31 December. Evening admission is cheaper. Grünau is the longest day trip from Bad Ischl, reached via Gmunden or Wels, so combine it with the Almsee.

EUR 15.00 adults, EUR 8.00 children 6-14, family (2 adults + children) EUR 40.00; evening admission EUR 9.00 / EUR 6.00 (official site, 2026)

The Traunseetram combines the old Gmunden tram and the Traunsee railway and runs through the town to the Esplanade, the lake pier and the Grünberg cable car. In Gmunden it is mostly a convenient and nostalgic way to get between the station and the lake, with a single ticket valid across the town in one fare zone. The stop is next to the Esplanade. The tram runs year-round and it is step-free, but between 18 September and 30 October 2026 replacement buses run on the outer section from Kirchham to Vorchdorf, so check the line you need. Pay on board by cash or bank card; the current timetable is on the operator's site.

Single ticket EUR 3.00, day ticket EUR 6.00 (1 zone, adult); child 6-15 EUR 1.50 / 3.00; under 6 free (Stern & Hafferl, 2026)

The Echerntal theme trail starts at the southern end of Hallstatt and follows a gravel forest road into a quiet side valley, ending at the Waldbachstrub waterfall. Allow about 1.5 hours one way from the village centre for the full walk to the falls, or shorter if you turn back earlier; the first part is gravel and suits sturdy strollers. Walking is possible from March to November depending on the weather. Take rain gear and water and wear proper shoes, because the last stretch is on natural paths. The walk starts about 10 minutes south of the Marktplatz, so it can be done on foot from the ferry landing.

Free

Hallstatt Schifffahrt runs the only year-round shipping line on the lake: the shuttle ferry to the railway station on the opposite shore, and in the season a southern round trip between Hallstatt and Obertraun. The cruise shows the village from the water, which is the classic postcard view, and links well with the Dachstein cable car in Obertraun. Board at the Markt landing in the village. Ticket booking is on the day only, and payment on board is cash only. Check the timetable on the operator's site for current departure times, as they change by season.

Round trip south (Hallstatt-Obertraun): adults EUR 18, children (4-14) EUR 12; station ferry EUR 4 single / EUR 8 return (official site, 2025 prices; cash only)

The Dachstein Krippenstein cable car climbs from Obertraun in three sections: the middle station Schönbergalm is the starting point for the Giant Ice Cave and the Mammoth Cave, and the top section reaches the Krippenstein plateau with the 5 Fingers viewing platform. The first ascent is at 08:40 and it is wise to go up early on a clear day, since views and weather turn in the afternoon. Summer operation runs daily from 1 May to 1 November 2026, but the third section only from 4 June, and winter operation resumes from 19 December 2026 to 29 March 2027. Tickets are sold in a combined structure with the caves, so decide at the cashdesk which combination you want. Reach Obertraun by boat from Hallstatt or by the local bus.

Dachstein Panorama ticket (cable car, all 3 sections, return): adults EUR 46.70, children EUR 25.70 (official site, summer 2026)

The 5 Fingers platform sits at the top of the Krippenstein cable car and its five arms reach out over the abyss, each pointing in a different direction with a different view of the lake and the Dachstein massif. It is reached on foot from the top station of the cable car along a short, signposted path. Only the third cable car section reaches the top, and that section opens from 4 June to 1 November 2026, so the platform is not accessible earlier in the season. Wear warm clothes and sturdy shoes, as it is much colder up here than in Hallstatt. The Panorama ticket covers the cable car; the platform itself is free.

Platform free; cable car Panorama ticket adults EUR 46.70, children EUR 25.70 (official site, summer 2026)

The Giant Ice Cave is a guided tour of about 50 minutes through ice halls lit in blue. It is reached from the Schönbergalm middle station of the Krippenstein cable car on a 15-20 minute walk with benches along the way. Tours run continuously: register at the cave ticket office to be given a tour time and group number. The cave is a constant minus 2 degrees, so wear warm clothes and sturdy shoes. Tours are in German and English with a free audio-guide app. It is open daily from 1 May to 1 November 2026, and the operator says it suits children of all ages.

Cave ticket for Ice Cave and Mammoth Cave: adults EUR 50.20, children EUR 27.60; All in One day ticket (cable car + caves): adults EUR 66.20, children EUR 36.40 (official site, summer 2026)

The Mammoth Cave is part of a system with more than 70 kilometres of explored passages, of which only about one kilometre is open to visitors. The 50-minute guided tour includes light and laser installations such as the Höhlenvenus. Like the Ice Cave, it starts from the Schönbergalm middle station of the Krippenstein cable car, about 15-20 minutes on foot. Register at the cave ticket office to receive a tour time and group number. The temperature stays at about plus 3 degrees, so wear warm clothes and sturdy shoes. In 2026 the Mammoth Cave opens on 9 May and runs to 1 November.

Cave ticket for Ice Cave and Mammoth Cave: adults EUR 50.20, children EUR 27.60 (official site, summer 2026)

The path around Lake Altaussee is about 8 km and takes roughly 2 hours, with only about 80 metres of height change, and is marked as barrier-free so strollers can use it. It starts at the Altaussee car park (paid), and you pass rest stops including the Seewiese and Jagdhaus Seewiese, which appeared as a location in the James Bond film Spectre. Views reach the Trisselwand, the Loser and the Dachstein. Swimming is possible but the water is cold. Autumn colours make it especially beautiful. You can also walk only a part of the circuit and come back.

Free (parking in Altaussee is paid)

Loser rises above Altaussee, and the panoramic road is nine kilometres long up to a parking area at 1,600 metres. When the Panorama lift is not running in summer, you drive up the toll road, paying at a 24-hour machine before you ascend. In 2026 the lift runs on selected autumn dates: 10-11 and 17-18 October on weekends, and daily 24 October-1 November, 09:00-16:00. The road is closed to cars in winter. Check the operator's page for current dates before you go, as hours depend on the weather. The valley station is at Lichtersberg 84 in Altaussee.

Panorama lift return: adults EUR 30, youth EUR 26, children EUR 15; one way EUR 22 / 19 / 11 (official site, 2026); toll road paid at the machine

The Schifffahrt Grundlsee Toplitzsee operates boats on Grundlsee every day from 1 May to 26 October 2026, with the 3-Lakes Tour linking Grundlsee, Toplitzsee and Kammersee. Toplitzsee is reached by traditional wooden boats called Plätten as part of the tour. Buy tickets online or at the landing dock; tickets for Toplitzsee are sold shortly before departure. The Steirischer Familienpass and several regional cards give discounts. Check the timetable on the operator's site for departure times.

3-Lakes Tour adults EUR 35, children (6-15) EUR 21; Grundlsee round trip EUR 20.50 / 12.30; Toplitzsee EUR 14.50 / 8.70 (official site, 2026)

Toplitzsee lies east of Grundlsee in the district of Gößl and is freely accessible all day. From the car park in Gößl two walking paths of about 1.6 km lead to the lake, either through the village along the Gößler Wand or by a forest path. The paths are closed to public traffic but open to pedestrians and cyclists. You can also arrive on the traditional wooden Plätten boats as part of the 3-Lakes Tour from Grundlsee. Wear sturdy shoes and bring a jacket.

Free to walk; boat from Grundlsee EUR 14.50 adults, EUR 8.70 children (official site, 2026)

The Kurpark in Bad Aussee is a free spa park with an alpine garden of hardy mountain flowers and a Dragonfly Trail for a leisurely walk. In the town you can also see the Romanesque-Gothic Stadtpfarrkirche St. Paul, the small Spitalkirche on Meranplatz and the 27 m Mercedes star bridge near the old spa house. The Tressensteinwarte lookout tower gives views of the Dachstein and the lakes Grundlsee and Altaussee. Allow an hour or two for the centre and park, and combine it with the Kammerhof Museum.

Free

The Kurpark is Bad Ischl's green heart, with tree-lined paths, flower beds and benches beside the Traun river. The Trinkhalle, the historic spa pavilion, stands at its edge and is the setting for the Christkindlmarkt in Advent. Entry to the park is free and there is no ticket or booking. It is a few minutes on foot from the Esplanade and the town centre, so it fits well between the Kaiservilla and a coffee in town. The paths are flat and suit strollers.

Free entry (park, public access)

The Schafbergbahn has run since 1893 and takes about 35 minutes from the valley station in St. Wolfgang to the summit at 1,783 m, with views over eleven lakes. The middle station Schafbergalm at 1,364 m lets you walk the last stretch or descend on foot, and one-way tickets are sold for both directions. Tickets can be bought online or at the station; strollers cannot be taken on board but there is a parking place for them. Combine it with the Wolfgangsee ship, which stops at the station pier, for a classic day out; choose a clear morning for the views.

Return EUR 61.00 adults, EUR 18.40 children 4-14; one way EUR 43.00 / EUR 12.90; under 4 free without a seat (official site, 2026)

The WolfgangseeSchifffahrt runs a fleet of five vessels, among them the paddle steamer from 1873, between seven piers including St. Wolfgang, Strobl, St. Gilgen and Gschwendt. A hop-on hop-off day ticket starts at EUR 25.60 for adults, so you can combine villages, the Schafbergbahn and the Zwölferhorn in one day. Late-season service runs daily from 7 September to 26 October 2026 with a reduced schedule from 27 October to 1 November. Tickets are sold online, at the St. Wolfgang and St. Gilgen stations and on board; booking is only required for groups of 20 or more. Low water can make boarding awkward at some piers, so check the day's status.

Hop-on hop-off day ticket from EUR 25.60 adults; children 4-14 reduced (official operator, 2026)

The Zwölferhorn gondola takes 11 minutes from the valley station in St. Gilgen to the summit at 1,522 m, with views of Wolfgangsee and the Salzburg lakes. Since 2024 the lift has been powered by solar energy. At the top you find mountain restaurants, hiking trails, a puzzle rally and a small von Trapp family mini museum. The cabins are fully accessible and take strollers. St. Gilgen is on Postbus 150 between Bad Ischl and Salzburg and is also a pier on the Wolfgangsee ships. Parking is free for the first 4 hours for ticket holders.

Return EUR 36.00 adults, EUR 21.00 children; family (2 adults + 1 child) EUR 84.00 (official site, 2026)

The Grünberg cable car rises from Gmunden to the Grünberg viewpoint above the Traunsee, with about 20 km of hiking trails, a mountain adventure playground and the Laudachsee. It runs daily until 15 November 2026, 09:00-17:00 from 5 October. The valley station is at Karl-Josef-von-Frey-Gasse 4 and can be reached with the Traunseetram from Gmunden, for which a combined ticket exists. Children born in 2020 or later travel free with a parent. The Grünberg-Flitzer summer toboggan only runs in dry weather.

Return EUR 25.00 adults, EUR 13.80 children; family (2 adults + 1 child) EUR 57.80; cable car plus treetop path EUR 37.20 / EUR 24.10 (official site, 2026)

Traunseeschifffahrt runs scheduled and sightseeing boats from Gmunden across the Traunsee, with the Große Seerundfahrt, a Panoramafahrt and a shorter Schlösserfahrt past the lakeside castles. The historic paddle steamer Gisela sails on selected cruises. The scheduled summer timetable runs from May to October 2026, and departure times change by day, so check the current timetable or the 'Fahrplan heute' page. Children under 6 ride free and payment on board is cash only. The pier is at the lake end of the town centre, a few minutes' walk from the Rathausplatz and next to the Traunseetram stop.

Schlösserfahrt EUR 18, Panoramafahrt EUR 27, Große Seerundfahrt EUR 33 (EUR 31 with Gisela); children 6-15 reduced, under 6 free (regional tourism listing, 2026)

The Esplanade is Gmunden's lakeside promenade, running from Café Kandur to the Gmunden Yacht Club under two rows of chestnut trees planted when it was built in 1851-1862. Villas, historic buildings and cafés line the route, and the lake and mountains are in view the whole way. It is free and open at all times, with toilets and food nearby. The Traunseetram stops right next to it, and from the Rathausplatz it is a short walk. It combines easily with the pier, Schloss Ort and an ice cream or coffee stop.

Free (regional tourism listing, 2026)

The Katrin cable car has run since 1959 and takes around 15 minutes to reach the Katrin mountain above 1,400 m, giving a wide view over the Salzkammergut. From the top you can walk the 7-Seenblick route to several lake viewpoints or try the Katrin via ferrata, and the Katrin Almhütte and Berggasthof serve food at the summit. It runs daily in summer from 09:00, with the last ascent at 16:30 and last descent at 17:00; winter hours are shorter. Annual revision closures take place in late autumn and spring, so check the dates before you plan. The valley station is at Kaltenbachstraße 62, south of the town centre, a short taxi or bus ride from the Kurpark.

Summer 2026 return: EUR 28 adults, EUR 20 children 6-15, EUR 22 youths, EUR 27 seniors; winter 2025/26 return EUR 21 adults (regional tourism listing)

The Falkenstein pilgrimage path follows an old route from Fürberg above St. Gilgen over the Falkenstein to Ried near St. Wolfgang and back. It is 4 km in about 2 hours, with 363 m of ascent, a mix of asphalt and hiking trail, and 24 signposted points from prehistoric cult sites to St. Wolfgang's missionary work and the early days of tourism. Follow trail sign no. 28 from the Fürberg car park, which has 30 spaces. The route is medium difficulty and suits children of about 6 to 10 and families who like walking; wear proper shoes. It is a half-day option rather than an easy stop.

Free (regional tourism listing, 2026)

The Narzissenfest runs 27-30 May 2027 across the Ausseerland, with free entry and free shuttle buses linking stations, car parks and venues. The programme starts with the crowning of the Narcissus Queen on Thursday evening, a children's dance on Friday, flower-arranging demonstrations and a vintage car show on Saturday, and the finale on Sunday 30 May. In 2027 the parade becomes a boat procession on Grundlsee at 15:00. Visitors can join narcissus picking and guided flower walks. Plan the day around the shuttle buses.

Free entry (official site, 2027)

The tour shows turning, glazing, hand painting and firing at the manufactory behind the green-flamed Gmundner ceramics, with a short film, valuable exhibits and a touch and photo station. Tours last about 60 minutes and start Monday to Saturday at 10:30 and 13:00, and on Sundays in June to August only. Registration by phone is required in advance (+43 7612 786-72). The entrance fee is refunded against a purchase of EUR 50 or more in the shop. Tours are in German with English written folders on request; dogs are not allowed and there are many steps. It is a 10-minute walk from Gmunden railway station or a short tram ride; parking is free.

EUR 9.50 adults, EUR 5.00 students, children up to 15 free; refunded with EUR 50 shop purchase (official site, 2026)