Ruqayyah Snyder
Nestled in the Austrian Alps, St Gilgen (or Sankt Gilgen) is a charming town on the northwestern shore of Lake Wolfgang. With its picturesque setting, abundance of walking trails, and proximity to other lakeside towns, St Gilgen offers a plethora of attractions for visitors. From hiking up Schafberg mountain to exploring the village of Fürberg, there's something for everyone in this quaint destination. The town boasts a variety of accommodation options, from luxurious four-star hotels to cosy guesthouses, and its main square, Mozartplatz, is a hub for traditional Austrian cuisine and mouth-watering desserts. Whether you're an outdoor enthusiast or a cultural explorer, St Gilgen has something to offer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Transport | The easiest way to reach St Gilgen is by bus. The 150 bus from Salzburg to St Gilgen is frequent and takes 40 minutes. |
| Accommodation | St Gilgen has a nice selection of hotels and guesthouses. Gasthof Zur Post is a four-star hotel and one of the fancier places to stay. Hotel Schernthaner is a pleasant and central three-star hotel. |
| Food | Wirt am Gries is recommended for authentic Austrian food. Cafe Dallmann is famous for exquisite cakes and desserts. |
| Attractions | St Gilgen is home to the Zwolferhorn Cable Car, Mozartplatz, Art Tours, Movie Tours, and the Musik Instrumenten Museum Der Volker. There are also beautiful lakeside views and walking trails, including the challenging Pilgrim's Way. |
| Nearby Towns | St Gilgen is connected to St. Wolfgang im Salzkammergut and Strobl by ferry. Hallstatt is also nearby. |
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What You'll Learn
Take the cable car to the top of the mountain
One of the best things to do in St Gilgen is to take the cable car to the top of the mountain. The Zwölferhorn cable car takes you up to St Gilgen's local mountain, which rises 1522 metres above Lake Wolfgangsee. The cable car ride offers incredible views of the lake and the surrounding mountains. Once you're at the top, you can go hiking, paragliding, or mountain biking. There are also cosy restaurants serving gluhwein and offering stunning views.
The cable car ride is smooth, and the gondolas are nice and small, with a maximum of eight people, so you won't feel packed in. The new cable car is also wheelchair accessible and offers plenty of space and fantastic views. It takes just 11 minutes to reach the top, and there are cosy refreshment stops along the way.
If you're feeling adventurous, you can hike up to the top of the mountain instead of taking the cable car. The hiking route from St Gilgen has a total ascent of around 900 metres and a length of about 3 kilometres, so it's a challenging but rewarding experience.
The cable car is located just a few minutes' walk from Mozartplatz, the main square of Saint Gilgen, so it's easily accessible. It's also possible to take a bus from Salzburg to St Gilgen and then walk to the cable car.
The cable car ride might seem pricey to some, but the views and the experience are definitely worth the money. The new cable car can carry up to 1800 people per hour, so it's likely that the site will be quite popular with tourists. However, one visitor reported that there weren't too many tourists when they visited, and the restaurant at the top had reasonable prices.
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Visit the village of Fürberg
St Gilgen in Austria is a beautiful town with lots to offer. One of the must-do activities is to visit the village of Fürberg, which is a quick ferry ride from St Gilgen. Here is a detailed itinerary for your visit:
Getting to Fürberg
You can walk from St Gilgen to Fürberg alongside the lake in about 45 minutes. Alternatively, you can take a bus to Fuschl and walk from there through the Austrian countryside to St Gilgen, and then on to Fürberg.
Accommodation
The Hotel & Gasthof Fürberg is located right on the shore of Lake Wolfgang. The hotel offers a private beach, free bicycle and boat rentals, and spacious rooms with traditional wooden furniture, cable TV, and modern bathrooms. The on-site restaurants, Seestube and Jagdstüberl, serve Austrian cuisine and a varied breakfast buffet. The hotel also has a sauna and steam bath for guests to relax in.
Dining
The Hotel & Gasthof Fürberg's restaurants offer a relaxed yet high-quality dining experience. The Seestube and Jagdstüberl restaurants are renowned for their excellent food and service. The hotel also has a beer garden on the lakeshore promenade, offering panoramic views of the Wolfgangsee.
Activities
Fürberg offers plenty of hiking and swimming spots, as well as easy access to nearby towns and attractions by boat and bicycle. Borrow a bicycle from the hotel and explore the surrounding area, or take a boat ride to St Wolfgang and Strobl. If you're feeling adventurous, try the challenging Pilgrim's Way walk, which offers well-maintained but steep paths and stunning views. Don't forget to relax in the private beach area of the hotel and take a dip in the lake.
Practical Information
The Hotel & Gasthof Fürberg is located at Fürbergstraße 30, St. Gilgen, Salzburg, A-5340. It is approximately a 45-minute walk from the centre of St. Gilgen. The hotel accepts pets, but there may be additional charges and restrictions for certain areas. Breakfast, WiFi, and parking are free for guests.
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Explore the walking trails
St. Gilgen in Austria is a great place for walking trails, with 21 scenic routes to choose from. The area is perfect for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts of all skill levels. The best time to visit St Gilgen is in the summer, when you can take a boat to St Wolfgang and a steam train to the top of the mountain.
One option for a relaxed walk is to get off bus 150 in Fuschl and walk from there to St Gilgen in about two hours. This route takes you through the Austrian countryside.
For a panoramic hike, try the route through the Salzburger Land. This walk takes in idyllic landscapes, beautiful vantage points such as the Aberseeblick, and picturesque chapels. If you fancy a swim, you can jump into Lake Wolfgang in the Waldbad Fürberg.
The Falkensteinweg trail leads to the Falkenstein and the church on the Falkenstein, where legend has it that a wishing bell grants wishes to those who ring it. A detour from this route takes you steeply uphill to the "Scheffelblick" and "Aberseeblick" viewpoints.
The trail around the Illingeralm starts near the mountain station of the Zwölferhorn cable car and passes through small wooded areas and wide flower meadows. A short section leads through the Ochsenwald forest. From there, a great loop follows from the Illingerberg-Alm, via the Spitzeck, the Äpfelkoch and Illingerberg back to the Zwölferhorn. This trail has a gradual incline and varying paths from rocky to wide gravel road.
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Try Austrian food at Wirt am Gries
St Gilgen in Austria is a beautiful town with lots of exciting activities and sights to offer. One of the best places to try Austrian food in St Gilgen is Wirt am Gries, a cosy inn that has stood for warmth, tradition, and good local cuisine for over 50 years. Located in the heart of St Gilgen, just a minute's walk from Mozartplatz, the main square, Wirt am Gries offers a delightful combination of delicious food and a charming atmosphere.
The menu features a variety of traditional Austrian dishes, including Wiener Schnitzel, Kasnockn, and Kaiserschmarrn. The food is prepared with locally sourced produce, ensuring fresh and authentic flavours. The inn is adorned with wooden decor and a warm tiled stove, creating a cosy atmosphere during the colder months. In warmer weather, the guest garden, with its roofed parlour and shady chestnut trees, provides the perfect setting for a relaxing meal.
Wirt am Gries is also conveniently located near several attractions, such as the Heimatkundliches Museum, the Mozarthaus, the Zwölferhorn Cable Car, and the Wolfgangsee-Schifffahrt. This makes it an ideal spot to take a break and indulge in some traditional Austrian cuisine while exploring all that St Gilgen has to offer.
The restaurant has received excellent reviews, with patrons praising the food, drinks, and ambience. It is recommended to make a reservation, especially during peak seasons, as it can get quite busy. Whether you're looking for a romantic dinner or a family outing, Wirt am Gries is sure to provide an enjoyable dining experience.
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Take a boat out on Wolfgangsee
One of the best things to do in St Gilgen is to take a boat out on the Wolfgangsee. Lake Wolfgangsee is one of the most beautiful lakes in the heart of Europe, and a boat trip here is a must-do. The lake has drawn romantics and lovers to the world-famous Salzkammergut Region for centuries.
The Wolfgangsee ferries bring passengers closer to the magical surroundings of the lake. You can take a ferry from St Gilgen to St Wolfgang and enjoy the scenic views along the way. The boats are very clean and modern, with a staffed bar. It takes around one hour to get to the other side of the lake, as the ferries zigzag across the lake to different places. You can buy day tickets to get on and off at the different landings, including St Gilgen, Fürberg, Ried-Falkenstein, St. Wolfgang, SchafbergBahn, St. Wolfgang Markt, Gschwendt Parkplatz, and Strobl. The journey time from St Gilgen to Strobl is around one hour and 15 minutes.
The elegant Art Nouveau villas, turquoise-blue water, the famous pilgrimage church, and the views of the Zwölferhorn and Schafberg mountains promise a pure Salzkammergut feeling. You can also take your sports equipment (stand-up paddle, bicycles, scooters, etc.) and dogs on board if there is enough space. Baby carriages are allowed on board free of charge if there is enough room, and the ship's crew will assist those with wheelchairs.
The first steamboat on the lake was the paddle steamer "Kaiser Franz Josef I", which completed its maiden voyage in 1873. The boat company has changed hands several times over the years, and today, there are six motor-powered boats in operation.
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Frequently asked questions
St Gilgen is a gorgeous lakeside town in Austria with plenty of attractions and activities. Here are some recommendations:
- Take the Zwolferhorn Cable Car for stunning views of the town, Lake Wolfgang, and the Lake District.
- Explore the well-maintained hiking trails, such as the challenging Pilgrim's Way, or the breathtaking climb up Schafberg mountain.
- Visit Mozartplatz, the main square, for delicious Austrian sweets and Apfelstrudel.
- Enjoy a boat ride on Wolfgangsee, a lake popular with Austrian holidaymakers for its small boats and clear waters.
- Experience the Christmas markets in December, which are among the best around Salzburg.
There are several dining options in St Gilgen to suit different preferences:
- Wirt am Gries: Located near Mozartplatz, this restaurant offers authentic Austrian cuisine with outstanding food and service.
- Cafe Dallmann: Renowned for exquisite cakes and desserts, but be prepared for potentially rude service.
- Brunnwind: This restaurant can be busy, but it serves good food and has open-air showers available.
St Gilgen offers a range of accommodation options, from guesthouses to luxury hotels:
- Hotel Schernthaner: A pleasant and central three-star hotel recommended by a traveller.
- Gasthof Zur Post: A four-star hotel, one of the fancier places to stay in St Gilgen.
