Last Updated on January 29, 2024 by Deanne
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Salzburg, Austria draws visitors from around the world because of its beauty, castles, the site of Mozart’s birthplace, and iconic locations from The Sound of Music. Just outside of Salzburg is Austria’s Salzkammergut region – a charming resort area nestled among lakes, mountains, and valleys. The areas are right next to each other, both offering natural beauty and a variety of things to do. When visiting this part of Austria, travelers often wonder where to stay – Salzburg or Salzkammergut?
In this article we have important things for you to consider, including what each area offers and where to spend more of your time.
Spoiler alert:
Many people opt to stay in Salzburg and visit the Salzkammergut for a day. We highly recommend doing the opposite!
**Base yourself out of the Salzkammergut region and spend one day sightseeing in Salzburg**
Here are 5 important reasons why…
1. You don’t need a lot of time in Salzburg.
Much of Salzburg can be experienced in a day. Get an early start and you can easily hit the key spots of this compact city in one efficient day of sightseeing. Here’s how:
One day in Salzburg
Mirabell Gardens
If you’re a fan of The Sound of Music, you’ll want to check out Mirabell Gardens. Several scenes were filmed here, including Maria and the children singing “Do-Re-Mi” around the fountain. Even if you’re not a fan of the musical, visit the colorful gardens for their natural beauty, sculptures, and views of Hohensalzburg Fortress in the distance. The gardens are free to visit and can be explored in less than an hour.
Mozart’s Birthplace
Make your way to Mozart’s birthplace and tour the house where this famous composer was born. View the violin he played as a child and learn all about his childhood, family, and music. Unless you’re really into classical music, an hour here will be enough for most people. Once you’ve had your fill of Mozart you can meander over to Salzburg Cathedral and spend 30 min-1 hour taking in its beauty and history.
Altstadt, or Old Town
Salzburg’s Altstadt, or old town, lies on the banks of the Salzach River and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wander the streets, explore the open squares, and grab lunch in this charming area. It doesn’t take long to see but it’s definitely something you shouldn’t miss.
Hohensalzburg Fortress
After lunch venture to possibly the most popular attraction in Salzburg – the castle high on a hill, Hohensalzburg Fortress. Take the funicular up to explore this 11th century castle with spectacular views of the city below. There are also several museums within the fortress that you can explore at your own pace. In total we spent about two hours at Hohensalzburg which was perfect for us. If you’re a museum buff, you may want to plan on 3-4 hours. If you’re only interested in the views, you can do that in an hour or less.
Dinner in Salzburg
End your day in Salzburg with a nice dinner out before heading back to your base in the exquisite Salzkammergut region. You’ll have no regrets about making Salzburg a simple day trip rather than an overnight destination. If you do decide you need more time in Salzburg, it’s an easy half-hour drive from various Salzkammergut towns.
2. Salzkammergut’s natural beauty is staggering.
The name Salzkammergut means “salt domain” and refers to the area’s prominence in the salt mining industry. Once thought of as “white gold,” salt production put this region on the map. Now, tourism takes the top spot of the area’s economy thanks to the insane and unbelievable beauty.
Salzkammergut is quite possibly the most dramatic region in Austria. You’d regret not slowing down and spending time in this stunningly surreal lake district.
3. The Salzkammergut cannot be seen and appreciated in a day.
Spread out over 3 different provinces, the Salzkammergut boasts turquoise glacial lakes nestled between rugged mountains, rolling hills, and alpine valleys. Luxurious and romantic towns dot the idyllic landscape. With 76 lakes in the region, water activities abound for those looking for adventure, while low-key beaches and grassy areas provide a relaxing spot for those who want to unwind and recharge. The Salzkammergut can’t be seen and appreciated in a day, so your best option is staying in one of the charming towns or villages as you explore this area.
4. The Salzkammergut is next door to Salzburg.
The Salzkammergut’s close proximity to Salzburg makes it a great base for exploring the city and entire region. You can experience the best of both worlds by venturing into Salzburg for a day touring attractions and then head back to your stay amidst all the natural beauty.
5. The Salzkammergut includes a variety of charming towns and villages.
Most of the towns in the Salzkammergut are lakeside paradises – set among crystal clear, shimmering water with a backdrop of rolling hills and magical mountain peaks. While most offer a variety of water activities, hiking trails, and charm, each town has its own unique features. If you’re wondering which town makes the most sense for you to overnight in, here are some options.
St. Gilgen
St. Gilgen is located on the Wolfgangsee – one of the most well-known lakes in Austria. The color of the lake is almost unreal with a vivid turquoise hue. The town has roughly 4,000 residents and a compact city center with a variety of hotels, restaurants, and shops to enjoy.
St. Gilgen is our top recommended town to make as your base. It’s only a half-hour drive to Salzburg making it very convenient for a day trip there. It’s also central to exploring some of the most dramatic scenery in the Salzkammergut. Train, bus, and ferry transportation are all easily accessed in St. Gilgen making it easy to get to and from other towns. (Although, I recommend renting a car to explore this region. See below.)
From St. Gilgen you can take a cable car up the Zwölferhorn mountain for picturesque panoramas. For stunning views from the water, ride the ferry across the Wolfgangsee to another gorgeous lakeside town – St. Wolfgang.
To view St. Gilgen lodging options, click here: St. Gilgen accommodations
St. Wolfgang
Natural beauty abounds in St. Wolfgang, as does a variety of watersports and outdoor activities. Also set on the dramatic Wolfgangsee, St. Wolfgang is slightly bigger and more touristy than St. Gilgen.
The Pilgrimage Church in St. Wolfgang contains one of the most popular attractions in town – Michael Pacher’s Altarpiece from the 15th century. This giant alter shrine depicts scenes of the Coronation of the Virgin and life of St. Wolfgang.
In St. Wolfgang you can ride a classic cog railway up the Schafberg mountain for 360-degree views of pristine lakes, alps and stunning landscapes. The SchafbergBahn mountain train is the steepest steam train in Austria – traveling to a height of almost 6,000 feet above sea level.
St. Wolfgang is accessible by bus, car, and the ferry from St. Gilgen, but it is not on a train route (excluding the cog railway).
To view St. Wolfgang lodging options, click here: St. Wolfgang accommodations
Bad Ischl
Bad Ischl makes a good base for exploring the area because it’s very central and a transportation hub. With a population of roughly 17,000, it’s much larger and livelier than other towns in the Salzkammergut. The drawback, however, is it’s not located on a lake. If that’s important to you, stick with St. Gilgen or St. Wolfgang.
Bad Ischl is known for being a spa resort town and a cultural center. It was the summer residence of Emperor Franz Josef in the early 1900’s. In fact, it was here that the Emperor declared war on Serbia beginning World War 1.
Bad Ischl has a variety of accommodations, restaurants, shops, historic buildings, and hiking trails. It also has a cable car taking you up Mount Katrin for incredible views of the surrounding mountains and lakes.
To view Bad Ischl lodging options, click here: Bad Ischl accommodations
Hallstatt
Hallstatt is a fairytale village on the shores of stunning Hallstättersee. Tourists flock to this small alpine village – considered a jewel among Salzkammergut towns – for its world-renowned beauty, alpine charm, and dramatic mountain backdrop.
Located in southern Salzkammergut, Hallstatt is more remote in comparison to other central towns and therefore not recommended as being a base for your entire stay. But we highly encourage you to make Hallstatt a destination within your Salzkammergut itinerary.
Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997, you’ll want to spend at least a night in this spectacularly scenic village. In fact, we dedicated a whole article to Hallstatt (see link).
To view Hallstatt lodging options, click here: Hallstatt accommodations
Salzkammergut transportation tip
You may be wondering how to reach the Salzkammergut and the best way to get around while there. Some towns are quite accessible by train or bus, but often with a stop or transfer. Relying on public transportation means you’ll be limited by the transportation schedules and may end up spending a lot of time waiting for the next bus or train to arrive.
This is one area where we highly recommend renting a car. A rental car means you’ll have the freedom and flexibility to go at your own pace with direct routes to the specific places you want to visit. It’s also very easy to drive in this part of Austria.
Final considerations on where to stay – Salzburg vs Salzkammergut
When considering where to stay – Salzburg or Salskammergut – realize both are worthy of your time. However, the Salzkammergut offers more charm and beauty with a variety of places to explore. Base yourself in the Salzkammergut with one day sightseeing in Salzburg and enjoy some of the most exquisite landscapes in all of Europe.
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