St Gilgen holidays

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Picturesque scenery and traditional architecture make holidays to St Gilgen ideal for exploring Lake Wolfgang and the surrounding peaks.

The sound of Austria

The village itself is packed with history. Get a glimpse of its past life at the hermitage of the original St Gilgen, hidden behind a chapel on the Falkenstein cliffs. It’s also known as the Mozart village – the composer’s mother was born here, his grandfather worked here and his sister lived here for 17 years. And the musical credentials don’t end there – St Gilgen was the backdrop for many of the outdoor scenes from the film The Sound of Music.

A head for heights

A trip up the Zwölferhorn cable car is an absolute must. Not only do many of the area’s best walks start from the top of the mountain, but the views are amazing, as is the alpine flora and fauna. You can also rent bikes and e-bikes to reach the nearby lakeside villages – or simply take a leisurely ferry ride.

Out and about

Here are some ideas of things to do when staying in St Gilgen:

• Lake bathing
• Bike hire
• Sailing
• Mountain lifts
• Indoor pool
• Tennis courts
• Minigolf
• Fishing

Popular hotels in St Gilgen

Top things to see and do in St Gilgen

Beaches

Wolfgangsee

Wolfgangsee bathing lake borders the town of St Gilgen. It's divided into two by a peninsula, and the western section, at St Gilgen, is known as Abersee. Enjoy a relaxing stint on a beachy patch of shore or one of the sunbathing jetties, jutting out over the water. You can sit, relax and watch the paddleboarders and windsurfers out on the lake.

Shopping

Bargain buys

St Gilgen holds a weekly farmers' market at Brunettiplatz in the morning. Browse mouth-watering fresh produce from the local farms.

Mid-range buys

There are a few sports shops selling sportswear and accessories, and there's also an antiques shop selling knick-knacks and other curios that make it an interesting place to browse.

Nightlife

Laid-back evenings

Café Nannerl is open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, so pop in for a late-night drink or ice-cream.

Lively evenings

St Gilgen is a fairly quiet town. A local brass band meets and plays at the bandstand next to the park every week.

Food & drink

Lakeside restaurants

With a selection of eateries around the lakeside and a few further inland, you can enjoy a pizza with incredible views across the water, or some dumplings in an authentic Austrian hut. As the resort is quite small, most restaurants and cafés aren't too far from each other, but you can still admire lovely scenery as you wander in search of a new place to try.

Getting about

Buses

Buses run regularly to Bad Ischl, St Wolfgang, Fuschl, Mondsee and Salzburg.

Passenger ferries

Ferries run to both St Wolfgang and Strobl and, depending on the service, could be a steamer or hydrofoil. You get a discounted rate on day tickets if you've purchased a Salzkammergut Card.

Summer lifts

You get a discount on summer lifts with a Salzkammergut Card. The Zwolferhorn gondola gives you access to the best mountain walks and also has the most incredible views at the top.

Trains

The nearest station to St Gilgen is in Bad Ischl. The station can be reached by bus 150.

On foot

Famous for its idyllic location and truly stunning scenery, St Gilgen is perfect for exploring on foot. Stroll along the lakeside promenade or wander through the village, admiring the traditional architecture.

Walking

A view of 12 lakes

Wander along the lakeside, walk through the village of Winkl, or ascend the Schafberg mountain for fantastic views of twelve different lakes. After a drink, take the cog railway down into St Wolfgang and jump on the ferry back to St Gilgen.

Stretch your legs at Fuberg

This easy route winds through town, passing various hotspots like the public bathing area and yacht club. Past the Hotel Billroth, the route heads around the north shore of the lake, beneath overhanging cliffs and shady trees - and the views across the water are beautiful. At the Fuberg hotel, stop for a drink on the terrace and watch the world go by.

South shore Seeweg stroll

Following the lakeshore, you'll pass through the Esplanade and Leug areas before heading into the Abersee delta. Look for signs for Seeweg Strobl 12 and follow this path to the Wolfgangblick camping ground. Turn inland and the route will lead you to Gschwendt, a wooded area with a bar and pizzeria. Catch the ferry from here back to St Gilgen.

Top Hotels in St Gilgen

Hotel Hollweger

Facts about St Gilgen

Currency

Euro

(EUR)

Language

German

Time zone

GMT +2

Flight duration

From 1 hour 50 minutes to 2 hours 15 minutes from Gatwick

All hotels - St Gilgen

Hotel Hollweger