Best things to do in Salzkammergut

Salzkammergut's Unmissable Gems

Salzkammergut spans Upper Austria, Salzburg, and Styria, defined by its 76 lakes and the Dachstein mountain range. This UNESCO World Heritage region features the world’s oldest salt mines in Hallstatt and the imperial summer residence of Emperor Franz Joseph I in Bad Ischl. Highlights include the Dachstein Ice Caves, the 19th-century Schafbergbahn cog railway, and high-altitude viewing platforms like '5 Fingers.' The area is also characterized by Gmunden’s traditional ceramics and the clear waters of Lake Wolfgang and Almsee.

Salzkammergut's Unmissable Gems — Map

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Skywalk Hallstatt

A triangular viewing platform positioned 350 meters above Hallstatt on the Salzberg mountain. It offers panoramic views of the UNESCO World Heritage town and Lake Hallstatt. Accessible via the Salzbergbahn funicular or a steep hiking trail.

Tigerente / CC BY-SA 3.0

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Gosauseen

Gosauseen are three lakes in the south-western, Alpine part of Upper Austria.

Andrew Bossi / CC-BY-SA-3.0

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Salzwelten Hallstatt

The world's oldest salt mine, with over 7,000 years of history. The tour includes an underground salt lake, long wooden miner's slides, and a prehistoric salt laboratory. Located on the mountain above Hallstatt, reachable via funicular.

Lukáš Nevosád / CC-BY-SA

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Stairway to Nothingness

The bridge features a construction which is also called "stairway to nothingness". Breathtaking views are guaranteed.

Tobias b köhler / CC BY-SA 3.0

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Schafbergbahn Cog Railway

The Schafberg Railway is a metre gauge cog railway in Upper Austria and Salzburg leading from Sankt Wolfgang im Salzkammergut up to the…

Lucie Krásová / CC-BY-SA

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5 Fingers

5 Fingers is a free viewing platform in the Dachstein Mountains of Upper Austria, on Mount Krippenstein.

Matthias Steinbrecher / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Almsee

Almsee, English sometimes Lake Alm, is a lake in Upper Austria's part of the Salzkammergut in the Almtal valley, 11 kilometers south of the…

Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller / Public domain

H

Lake Wolfgang

Lake Wolfgang is a lake in Austria that lies mostly within the state of Salzburg and is one of the best known lakes in the Salzkammergut…

Lukáš Nevosád / CC-BY-SA

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Dachstein Ice Cave

This ice cave is rebuilt every year and showcases nicely lit ice sculptures as well as thick layers of the glacier itself.

Tigerente / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Dachstein Ice Cave

A must see of the region. Visiting this fairy-tale like ice cave is a real adventure.

Johann Jaritz / CC-BY-SA-3.0

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Bad Ischl

Picturesque ancient spa town and the very first tourist resort in the area. A good starting point for exploring Salzkammergut.

Public Domain

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Imperial Villa

Summer residence of Habsburgs. A dream-like place: awe-inspiring natural setting and lavishly decorated palace.

Marion & Christoph Aistleitner / CC0

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Town of Gmunden

Probably the most picturesque town in the area best known for its three palaces. Here you can still buy traditional pottery.

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