Short on time but want to see it all? These ten highlights are the DNA of the Salzkammergut — from the famous Dachstein reflection at the Vorderer Gosausee to the UNESCO World Heritage of Hallstatt and the summer toboggan run at the Grünberg. We have sorted them by travel time so you can squeeze the most out of a 2-day or week-long stay.
The official overview of the most important excursion destinations from the Salzkammergut tourism board.
The postcard view of the Salzkammergut: 1-hour loop, stroller-friendly, café at the parking lot.
28 min drive (24 km)
A simple, level loop around the lake – about an hour total. On still days the Dachstein massif reflects perfectly in the water. Free parking at the lake. Tip: come early – the reflection is clearest in the morning and the parking lot is still empty.
UNESCO World Heritage old town plus the world's oldest salt mine — most stress-free reached by train and boat.
8 min walk + train + ferry (≈ 45 min)
The old town is car-free and walkable in 1–2 hours. Highlight: the world-famous view of the market square and parish church. In the salt mine (reached by funicular) you experience 7,000 years of salt history with slides, brine lakes and the underground miners' train. About €38/adult, reduced with Salzkammergut Card.
Our travel tip: From Villa Salzweg it’s only an 8-minute walk to Bad Goisern train station, two stops on the train to “Hallstatt” (the station is on the eastern shore), then the ferry crosses to the old town. You skip the expensive tunnel parking and see Hallstatt from the water — the iconic postcard view.
Spectacular viewing platform above Hallstattersee plus Mammoth Cave and Dachstein Giant Ice Cave — all by cable car.
22 min drive to Obertraun
At 2,108 m, the Five Fingers platform juts over the cliff — free view of the Hallstättersee. A few steps away begin the cave worlds: Mammoth Cave and Dachstein Giant Ice Cave (May–October). Cable car up from Obertraun.
Plan 6–8 hours for the full Krippenstein experience and bring warm clothing – temperatures in the ice caves are below 0 °C year-round.
Summer residence of Emperor Franz Joseph and Sisi, followed by the legendary Café Zauner — Viennese coffee culture since 1832.
12 min drive to Bad Ischl
The Kaiservilla shows the original furnishings of the Habsburg summer residence — trophy hall, marble hall, imperial bedroom. Open May–October, about €22/adult.
After the villa: a walk along the Esplanade into the centre and a stop at Café Zauner (since 1832) — famous for the Zaunerstollen. A cake that already pleased Empress Sisi.
Shipping between Strobl, St. Wolfgang and St. Gilgen, ride with Austria's steepest rack railway, stroll through the pilgrim town.
40 min drive to St. Wolfgang
The shipping connects the three towns on the lake in a loop. In St. Wolfgang you find the pilgrimage church, the world-famous “Weißes Rössl” and a charming old town. The Schafbergbahn climbs from St. Wolfgang in 35 min to the summit (1,732 m) — panorama over 14 lakes, from the Hallstättersee to Salzburg.
Combo tickets from about €56/adult, reduced with Salzkammergut Card. Reservation recommended in summer.
On Austria’s first solar ship, silently across the Altausseer See to the Seewiese – with a walk and an inn included.
45 min drive to Altaussee
The Altausseer See is one of the quietest lakes in the region — crystal clear, almost entirely framed by mountains. Gliding silently across the water is Austria’s first solar ship (25 m long, 35 m² of solar panels, 50 seats in the salon plus 30 on the upper deck) — emission-free and completely quiet. It takes you to the Seewiese, from where a beautiful trail leads around the shore — or you simply ride back.
Film location: a scene of James Bond – Spectre was filmed at the Seewiese in 2015. In Altaussee village you find traditional dress, crafts and the Salzwelten Altaussee (mine tour with a different feel than Hallstatt — less touristy).
With the new Panoramabahn (opened 2024, Porsche-designed) in 12 minutes up to 1,600 m — 360° view to the Dachstein, the Totes Gebirge and the Altausseer See.
50 min drive to Altaussee
Since 2024 the new Loser Panoramabahn takes you from the valley directly to the upper station at 1,600 m – 3.5 km in 12 minutes, 10-person cabins designed by Porsche, barrier-free and stroller-friendly. The former toll road is closed to cars during the cable car’s operating hours.
Up top: the Augstsee (a small mountain lake on the plateau, a 15-min walk from the upper station) and the Loser hut with sun terrace and honest alpine fare. In winter a family-friendly ski area.
UNESCO World Heritage old town with the Getreidegasse, Mozart's birthplace and the largest fully preserved castle in Central Europe.
60 min by car · 2–2.5 h by bus
Salzburg's old town is car-free — stroll the Getreidegasse with its historic guild signs, Mozart's Birthplace, the cathedral and Residenzplatz. The Hohensalzburg Fortress sits high above the city, reached on foot or with the fortress funicular (5 min).
In winter: the Christmas markets at Domplatz and Residenzplatz are among the most beautiful in Europe. About 60 min by car from Bad Goisern. By bus it takes considerably longer (2–2.5 h, usually with a change in Bad Ischl) — car clearly recommended.
Schloss Ort on the Traunsee, stroll through the ceramic town — then by cable car to the treetop path and the 1,485 m summer toboggan run.
70 min drive to Gmunden
Gmunden is Austria's ceramic capital — known for the green-and-white striped Gmundner Manufaktur pieces. Schloss Ort, the “island castle” in the Traunsee, is one of the most photographed motifs in Austria.
By Grünberg cable car (10-min ride) to the treetop path and the 1,485 m summer toboggan run — adrenaline for families.
Boat loop across the largest lake entirely within Austria — Klimt spent 16 summers here.
55 min drive to Attersee
The Attersee covers 46 km² and is known for its exceptionally clear water — visibility up to 20 m makes it a top diving lake.
The shipping connects Seewalchen, Schörfling, Weyregg, Steinbach and Unterach in a loop. Klimt spent 16 summers here — you can visit his former studio in Litzlberg.
Focus on the Inner Salzkammergut, which you reach directly from Bad Goisern: Hallstatt (best by boat from the lido), the Vorderer Gosausee with the Dachstein reflection, and a mountain day at the Krippenstein with Five Fingers and the ice cave.
For an evening: Bad Ischl with the Kaiservilla, Café Zauner and a stroll through the imperial summer residence.
Add the outer Salzkammergut: St. Wolfgang with the Schafbergbahn and shipping, the Altausseer See with the historic Plätten boats to the Seewiese, and a ride up the Loser Bergbahn.
For variety: Salzburg (one hour by car) and Gmunden with Schloss Ort and the Grünberg treetop path. On hot days, the Attersee shipping is a classic.
As our guests you get the Salzkammergut Card for free. It gets you free or reduced entry to over 120 attractions — Salzwelten, Krippenstein cable car, Schafbergbahn, boat trips and museums.
Travel tip for Hallstatt: in summer, the Hallstättersee shipping from the Bad Goisern lido is the most scenic way to arrive — you see the village like on a postcard and avoid the expensive parking fees in the tunnel.
Villa Salzweg · Gschwandt 48 · 4822 Bad Goisern am Hallstättersee · Map: OpenStreetMap
Five apartments in the heart of Bad Goisern — your base for everything you plan in the Salzkammergut.