Day 1 in St Wolfgang am See
Welcome to the beautiful town of St
Wolfgang! Upon arrival, head
to your hotel, check in and do not give in to jet lag! There is so much for you to see and do.
Start your day strolling through the picturesque town center
where you will find several cafes, restaurants and a very charming Christmas
Market in the winter, right by the lake. Colorful houses, cobbled stone
streets, horse carriages, and a laidback vibe - this is what you can expect
from this lovely little town. Take a break from walking to retreat in one of
the lovely cafes and enjoy the unique atmosphere. While strolling around you
will see plenty of traditional shops with unique local products, stop in a few
to take home some souvenirs.
Make sure to check out the Pfarrkirche St. Wolfgang
located in the center of town. Since the 12th century, long before
it was a vacation resort, St. Wolfgang was a renowned pilgrimage center. This
church is said to stand on the same rocky spur of land above the lake where St.
Wolfgang built a hermitage. The church contains a beautiful Michael Pacher
altarpiece, pictured in many Gothic art books. Pacher`s altarpiece is adorned
with panel paintings and magnificent carved figures. A museum is located within
the tower of the church.
Take a ride on the Schafberg Railway, a cog railway that takes you up to the Schafberg. This is one of the best things to do while you are
around the Wolfgangsee area! The views are absolutely stunning on the way up
the mountain. Once you reach the top, the views are even more breathtaking! On a
clear day, you can see as far as the Berchtesgaden Alps.
The cog railway takes you up to 5,688 feet, so make sure you
bring warm clothes with you. If you are up for some hiking we recommend
using the paths leading to the summit cross and the Himmelspforte. Also you
have the possibility to walk back down from the
Schafbergspitze to the Schafbergalm (about 1 hour) and continue by train down to the lake.
Spend your evening at the most popular hotel in town, the `Im
Weissen Rossl` (White Horse Inn) which is well known from the comedic
operetta of the same name. The hotel is located on the shore of the lake
Wolfgang and boasts absolutely beautiful views of the lake and mountains. Dine
on local specialties from the Salzkammergut region at one of the stylish
restaurants at the White Horse Inn that offers a romantic setting with award
winning cuisine and breathtaking views.
This hotel has an absolutely fantastic
heated swimming pool which is floating in the lake. Whether it is winter or summer
the heated 86° pool invites for a pleasant swim. Another thing that draws
people in to this hotel is the wonderful breakfast with views of the lake. The hotel
is a mix of traditional and modern, full of character with over 500 years of
history.
Day 2 in St Wolfgang am See
Wake up early and continue your exploration of the area by taking
a Wolfgangsee boat ride.
A boat ride of the lake is not just a gorgeous experience, it is also a perfect
way to get around between the main villages St Wolfgang, Strobl and St Gilgen.
Just sit back, relax and enjoy the breathtaking views. The first steam-powered
ship on Wolfgangsee was a paddle steamer Kaiser Franz Josef I and it was used for the first time
in 1873. For a time travel experience you should take a boat cruise with this
ancient steamer.
We recommend you get off the boat at the St Gilgen stop. The charming
small town of St Gilgen
is situated at the northwestern part of the Lake Wolfgangsee and is also known
as `The Mozart town on the Wolfgangsee`. Wolfgang Amadeus, Mozart`s mother was
born here, and Mozart`s sister Nannerl moved here after her marriage. Café Nannerl
in the village, is the house where Mozart`s mother was born and his sister
lived after her marriage.
Stroll through the town and enjoy the ambiance of the
village. In summer you can bring your bathing suit to take in the laid back
atmosphere on Lake Lido. St. Gilgen is also well-know for the picturesque Ochsenkreuz nearby and also
the 12- Hour Cable Car
that departs from the village center. And for all fans of the popular movie `The
Sound of Music`: St. Gilgen at the Wolfgangsee was in the opening
scenes of the Sound
of Music.
Next, make your
way to the iconic Ochsenkreuz `ox cross`. This is a small island in Lake Wolfgangsee, in
the municipality of St Gilgen, and probably one of the most
breathtaking spots at the lake. The shrine on the picturesque island tells the
legend of the butcher and his ox. There is a hiking path that
provides a wonderful view down to the cross.
If
you are here in summer, spend the rest of your day enjoying a swim at Wolfgangsee. The lake
offers the same quality as drinking water and in the summer months is a popular
bathing spot for visitors and locals alike. Around the lake you are gong to
find a great number of welcoming bathing spots. Some places are free; you just
have to pay to park. A swim in the lake is a perfect way to enjoy the afternoon
weather.
Another
option is to take a hike at Postalm,
Europe`s second largest high plateau. With its beautiful alpine huts and native
charm, the Postalm is a favorite hiking spot for many. Several trails wind
through this area and hiking near the cows and the horses is fun for both young
and old. All the trails offer beautiful mountainous scenery with numerous
picturesque alpine chalets for a quick stop.
Finish
your day in the tranquil village of Strobl located on the southern side of the lake. Take in
the ambiance here while strolling the lesser-known and more low-key Strobl.
You`ll find a low-key ambience and access to great hiking and cycling trials as
well. There are a number of options for dining in the town center as well.
Additional Days in St Wolfgang am See
Enjoy
a ride on the 12-Horn, a cable car that
takes you from St. Gilgen up to the 12-Horn, the most beautiful vantage point
in the Salzkammergut with views into the distance and a sun terrace. This
mountain excursion offers plenty of walks on the summit and the Illing Alm
circular walk is particularly attractive with its interesting, themed
rout. Various huts encourage you to pop
in and they offer special local delicacies. Just make sure you have good weather,
if it`s too windy the cable car will be closed.
In
winter, there is skiing in the hills, usually December to mid-March, and you`ll
also find facilities where for skating, curling, and horse-drawn sleigh rides.
Your Last Day in St Wolfgang am See
Depart your hotel for the airport or train station where you will head home or make your way to more European adventures. Savor the memories of a very special time in the St Wolfgang and the beautiful Salzkammergut region of Austria.