7 Attractions to See and Experience When Visiting St. Gilgen

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It’s tough to resist the idea of a day trip from Salzburg, especially with all the charming, amazing, and breathtaking destinations just around the corner from the city.

You can try Hellbrunn Palace, Hohenwerfen Fortress, Berchtesgaden, or Saint Gilgen. They are all amazing places. But out of these four, Saint Gilgen is the best for a beautiful wandering experience.

From the colorful murals adorning the houses to the breathtaking alpine views of the lake and mountains, St. Gilgen has left me in no doubt that it’s one of Austria’s most charming villages.

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You’re sure to get this “stepped-into-a-fairy-tale” sensation once you set foot there. But what’s more, St. Gilgen offers more than just sightseeing. All in all, I discovered seven attractions and experiences that you can enjoy.

Good to know

Most people only spend a short time in St. Gilgen. They usually visit the village center, take some photos of the landmarks, and then go to other places in the Salzkammergut region, like Hallstatt. While a few hours might be enough for those in a hurry, it’s worth spending a full day or more to really enjoy St. Gilgen.

If you’re planning to stay in Salzburg for two days or even three days, you should definitely think about visiting St. Gilgen.

If you look at a map of Austria, you can easily find St. Gilgen. Just look for the Salzkammergut region, which has many lakes in the middle of the country, north of the Alps.

Salzkammergut is easy to find because of its five big lakes: Fuschlsee, Irrsee, Mondsee, Wolfgangsee, and Attersee. St. Gilgen is on the northwest shore of Wolfgangsee, the southernmost lake in Salzkammergut.

It’s also in the Austrian state of Salzburg. Only 36 kilometers from the city, it is a popular easy day trip for travelers.

From the pictures, you’ll see that St. Gilgen is like a scene straight out of a movie… and it actually is!

The St. Gilgen bird’s eye view panorama is featured in the opening scenes of the beloved classic, The Sound of Music.

From the iconic onion-domed church spire of the village to the turquoise blue waters of Wolfgangsee and the beautiful mountains surrounding the lake. And every year, thousands of fans flock to St. Gilgen to experience the beautiful scenery for themselves.

View of St. Gilgen similar to the opening scene of The Sound of Music, Wolfgangsee, Salzburg, Austria — View of St. Gilgen similar to the opening scene of The Sound of Music

If you’re one of the fans of The Sound of Music and you’re visiting Salzburg, you must join the Original Sound of Music Tour.

The picture-perfect Mirabell Palace, located in Old Town Salzburg, is a featured stop on the tour.

In addition to everything I’ve mentioned so far, St. Gilgen also is a village with a rich cultural heritage, particularly in relation to Salzburg’s musical history.

In fact, the Wolfgangsee Tourist Board promoted St. Gilgen as the “Mozart Village” in 2005.

Although Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart never had the chance to visit St. Gilgen as he had intended, his family has deep roots in the town.

His grandfather worked there, his mother was born there, and his sister Nannerl moved to St. Gilgen after her marriage. You can even visit their house while you’re there – it’s one of the top attractions in St. Gilgen!

I highly recommend visiting Mozart’s birthplace in Salzburg if you are interested in Mozart and want to see pictures of his family members.

A Glimpse to St. Gilgen

Mozartplatz, Mozart’s Fountain, and Rathaus, St. Gilgen, Salzburg, Austria — Mozartplatz, Mozart’s Fountain, and Rathaus

St. Gilgen Panorama with Wolfgangsee, Salzburg, Austria — St. Gilgen Panorama with Wolfgangsee

Top view of Wolfgangsee (Lake Wolfgang) in Salzkammergut, Salzburg, Austria

1. Wander in One of Salzburg’s Most Picturesque Villages

St. Gilgen is special because of its pretty streets and houses with murals. Walking through the town feels like reading a colorful book!

The murals are not just for decoration, they also show the village’s culture. They show scenes from daily life in St. Gilgen, as well as historical events and religious stories.

Murals on the upper part of a corner tower in Mozartplatz in St. Gilgen, Salzburg, Austria — Murals on the upper part of a corner tower in Mozartplatz

More murals of the corner tower (lower part) in Mozartplatz in St. Gilgen, Salzburg, Austria — More murals of the corner tower (lower part) in Mozartplatz

Charming details like murals and wrought iron landmarks in St. Gilgen, Salzburg, Austria — Charming details like murals and wrought iron landmarks in St. Gilgen

The statue of Mozart in front of St. Gilgen Town Hall’s facade, Salzburg, Austria — The statue of Mozart in front of St. Gilgen Town Hall’s facade

If you have visited Bavaria (Mittenwald or Garmisch-Partenkirchen) or Tirol (Innsbruck), you may have seen murals like these. However, each place is unique, and so are its murals.

Interestingly, the murals are a means for locals to share their culture with visitors and to keep their history alive.

And yes, exploring St. Gilgen village is a one-of-a-kind experience, especially if you reside in a concrete jungle or an archipelagic country like me.

So, which part of St. Gilgen’s village you must see?

St. Gilgen, like most European towns, is prettiest in its center. Be sure to stroll through its three charming squares: Mozartplatz, Pichlerplatz, and Kirchenplatz.

Mozartplatz

The village’s most famous and beautiful landmark, the Rathaus (Town Hall), is in Mozartplatz.

With its lovely oriel and beautiful line art decorating the top of each window on the building’s facade, St. Gilgen’s Town Hall is the perfect place to take a photo souvenir, isn’t it?

Mozartplatz — the most beautiful square in St. Gilgen, Salzburg, Austria — Mozartplatz — the most beautiful square in St. Gilgen

Gasthof zur Post murals in Mozartplatz, St. Gilgen, Salzburg, Austria — Gasthof zur Post murals in Mozartplatz

Facade of Raiffeisenbank in Mozartplatz, St. Gilgen, Salzburg, Austria — Facade of Raiffeisenbank in Mozartplatz

In front of the Town Hall is the Mozart fountain, surrounded by detailed railings and colorful flowers. You can take a few minutes here to enjoy the beautiful view and the calming sound of the fountain.

Across from St. Gilgen Town Hall, you can find Gasthof Zur Post. It has a mural on its front that I believe shows the princes’ favorite pastime: hunting.

To the left of Gasthof Zur Post is Raiffeisenbank, which has fascinating relief murals on its front. I believe they show how the local way of life in St. Gilgen.

Pichlerplatz and Kirchenplatz

After exploring Mozartplatz, I recommend going to Pichlerplatz and Kirchenplatz, located just behind the Town Hall.

You will find more of St. Gilgen’s lovely murals there, such as those at Hotel Kupferkrug, Gutjahr Clothing store, and Gasthof Kendler.

A lovely house beside the road to Pichlerplatz in St. Gilgen, Salzburg, Austria — A lovely house beside the road to Pichlerplatz

Cafe Nannerl in Kirchenplatz, St. Gilgen, Salzburg, Austria — Cafe Nannerl in Kirchenplatz

Another beautiful mural in St. Gilgen, Salzburg, Austria — Another beautiful mural in St. Gilgen

Mozarts-Mutter-Brunnen in St. Gilgen, Salzburg, Austria — Mozarts-Mutter-Brunnen in St. Gilgen

This part of St. Gilgen has a coffee shop named after Nannerl, Mozart’s sister. It has been serving coffee since 1966.

The shop was once a house and now has furniture and pictures of Nannerl. Come inside to enjoy the cozy atmosphere — it’s a nice place to relax with a coffee for about half an hour.

After visiting St. Gilgen’s village center, take a walk to the lakeside promenade to relax and see the sights. From the village center, go down Ischlerstrasse, which is next to the church.

Keep going straight until you reach Lienbachweg. On the way, you’ll see two small treasures of the village.

The first is a monument that honors the victims of World War II. It is on the right side of the road, next to the village cemetery.

A few steps away from the WWII monument, you will find the Mozarts-Mutter-Brunnen — the fountain is dedicated to Mozart’s mother’s childhood. It is on the left side of the road, heading towards the lakeside promenade.

You might find these interesting!

2. Imagine the Life of Anna and Nannerl in Mozarthaus

If you walk along Lienbachweg towards Wolfgangsee, you’ll pass by the Mozarts-Mutter-Brunnen.

And just beyond that, you’ll find the house where the Mozart family lived, “Mozarthaus”.

Today, Mozarthaus is home to a permanent exhibition dedicated to “Nannerl” Mozart, who lived in St. Gilgen for 17 years.

Step inside and explore the history of the former court and its famous residents. There’s also a children’s corner to keep the little ones entertained.

Facade of the Mozarthaus in St. Gilgen, Salzburg, Austria — Facade of the Mozarthaus in St. Gilgen

Information board about Mozarts in St. Gilgen, Salzburg, Austria — Information board about the Mozarts

To give you some background (just in case you didn’t know yet), Nannerl was actually Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s sister and was a talented musician herself.

She married Johann Baptist von Berchtold zu Sonnenburg, who was the caretaker in St. Gilgen. In this beautiful village they started to build a family.

They had three kids together, but, sadly, only their son Leopold made it to adulthood.

After her husband passed away in 1801, Nannerl moved back to Salzburg and lived there until she passed away on October 29, 1829.

Overall, the Mozarthaus St. Gilgen museum gives a really interesting look into the Mozart family’s life, especially Wolfgang’s mother and sister. It’s a great place to visit on a rainy day, and it only costs a few euros.

Mozarthaus’ visiting information is linked at the resources section of this post.

3. Unwind Along the Wolfgangsee Lakeside Promenade

St. Gilgen’s lakeside promenade is the second place you should visit in the village.

With its clear water and majestic mountains in the background, this part of St. Gilgen offers a very relaxing view that you should not miss, especially on a sunny day.

St. Gilgen lakeside promenade, Salzburg, Austria — St. Gilgen lakeside promenade

The shore of Wolfgangsee in St. Gilgen, Salzburg, Austria — The shore of Wolfgangsee in St. Gilgen

Wolfgangsee water spout in St. Gilgen, Salzburg, Austria — Wolfgangsee water spout in St. Gilgen

During your time here, relax on the shady seating while enjoying the stunning views of the lake.

Take a walk along the beautifully laid out promenade and enjoy the sound of the fountain’s water feature.

Stop by one of the many restaurants and cafes for a bite to eat. Treat yourself to a delicious ice cream from one of the local ice cream parlors. (There are plenty of ice cream shops!!!)

For families, visit the nearby park which offers a large playground for children to play and explore.

If you travel alone, enjoy the company of other tourists while taking in the sights and sounds of this charming spot in St. Gilgen. Alternatively, you can watch the departing ships or be fascinated by other people engaging in water sports.

4. Take a Boat Ride

Imagine gliding across the calm waters of Wolfgangsee, surrounded by the beautiful scenery of Salzkammergut.

You can make this dream come true with a boat ride from St. Gilgen. The Wolfgangsee Schifffahrt company, which owns the traditional Lake Wolfgangsee boats, offers this special experience.

Riding a boat in Wolfgangsee from St. Gilgen, Salzburg, Austria — Riding a boat in Wolfgangsee from St. Gilgen

The company owns a paddle steamer named “Kaiser Franz Josef I,” which first sailed in 1873 and was considered a great technical achievement back then. Interestingly, this 33-meter-long historic boat has appeared in many movies.

During peak season, you don’t need to worry about missing a special boat ride on “Kaiser Franz Josef I.” The “Österreich” (Austria) — another nice boat — can hold 365 passengers, and there are several other boats run by Wolfgangsee Schifffahrt and private companies.

From St. Gilgen, you can visit other parts of Wolfgangsee and nearby villages, such as Fürberg, St. Wolfgang, and Strobl. The farthest is Strobl, which takes an hour and 15 minutes to reach by boat.

You can learn more about Wolfgangsee boat services on the lake’s official website, which is linked in the resources section of this post.

5. Ride the Cable Car to Zwölferhorn for an Epic View

For an amazing view of St. Gilgen, Wolfgangsee, and the Alps, like in the opening scenes of the Sound of Music, go to the top of Zwölferhorn.

This 1,522-meter-tall mountain has the best views in St. Gilgen, and you can get there easily from the village center by cable car.

Cable cars to Zwölferhorn from St. Gilgen, Salzburg, Austria — Cable cars to Zwölferhorn from St. Gilgen

Hiking trails in Zwölferhorn in St. Gilgen, Salzburg, Austria — Hiking trails in Zwölferhorn in St. Gilgen

The breathtaking view of Wolfgangsee and St. Gilgen from Zwölferhorn, Salzburg, Austria — The breathtaking view of Wolfgangsee and St. Gilgen from Zwölferhorn

Zwölferhorn cable car valley station is easy to reach.

It’s just a 3-minute walk from Mozartplatz and a 5-minute walk from Mozarthaus and the lakeside promenade.

Once you get into the cable car, you’ll go up the mountain and reach Zwölferhorn in just 11 minutes.

If the weather is clear, you’ll see amazing views right away. You can even see Mondsee, another lake in Salzkammergut, before you reach Zwölferhorn.

At the top, the Voit’l Hütte am Zwölferhorn mountain hut is waiting for you, where you can enjoy great views while having snacks.

If you have time, Zwölferhorn has hiking trails you can explore. The most popular one is the Pillstein trail, loved by hikers of all ages.

The views from the trail are amazing, with lakes and many layers of blue mountains. Sometimes, you can see a sea of clouds, which is simply stunning.

6. Explore the Musical Instruments Museum

The Musical Instruments Museum in St. Gilgen is a wonderful place.

Impressively, it has musical instruments from all over the world, including Europe, Asia, Africa, America, and Australia.

Exhibits inside the Musical Instruments Museum in St. Gilgen, Salzburg, Austria — Exhibits inside the Musical Instruments Museum

Unimaginable musical instruments from all over the world in the Musical Instruments Museum in St. Gilgen, Salzburg, Austria — Unimaginable musical instruments from all over the world in the Musical Instruments Museum

A true passion to witness inside the Musical Instruments Museum in St. Gilgen, Salzburg, Austria — A true passion to witness inside the Musical Instruments Museum

You’ll be amazed by the variety of musical instruments from around the world in this museum.

From the unique and unusual instruments of Europe to the enchanting and audibly striking instruments of Asia, there’s plenty to discover!

The museum also features instruments from Africa that go beyond wood, metal, and horn, giving you a sense of their special significance.

You’ll find archaic-looking flutes from America made of clay, bone, and other materials, offering insights into their beliefs in fertility and earth gods.

Finally, the museum also showcases musical instruments from the Aborigines of Australia, including their most famous instrument, the didgeridoo.

What truly sets this museum apart is its owner and curator, described by visitors as a humble and talented man who collects and plays instruments from all over the world.

His passion for music shines through during your visit, making it an unforgettable experience for everyone!

Amazingly, he plays many of his 5000+ instruments, which can be mind-blowing. Visitors have praised him for being incredibly friendly, exceptionally talented, and clearly loving what he does.

Overall, your experience at the Museum of Musical Instruments in St. Gilgen will be nothing short of inspiring, heartfelt, educational, cultural, and deeply human.

It is an amazing journey into a person’s lifetime worth of passion for music, and you are sure to be enchanted by every moment of it.

If you are interested in visiting the Musical Instruments Museum in St. Gilgen, it’s located along Aberseestrasse, a minute walk from Cafe Nannerl in Kirchenplatz.

Please check its official website linked at the resources section for the visiting information. The museum owner’s YouTube Channel is included.

7. Go Off-the-Beaten-Path: European Monastery of Gut Aich

Are you seeking authentic and unique experiences?

During your visit to St. Gilgen, make sure to explore the off-the-beaten-path destination: the European Monastery of Gut Aich.

This newly established Benedictine monastery, located on an old pilgrim’s route between Mondsee and St. Wolfgang, offers visitors a chance to experience the beauty and serenity of monastic life.

It’s a place to find peace, tranquility, and spiritual rejuvenation.

European Monastery of Gut Aich, St. Gilgen, Salzburg, Austria — European Monastery of Gut Aich

The cloister of the European Monastery of Gut Aich in St. Gilgen, Salzburg, Austria — The cloister of the European Monastery of Gut Aich

The herb gardens of the European Monastery of Gut Aich in St. Gilgen, Salzburg, Austria — The herb gardens of the European Monastery of Gut Aich

Inside the chapel of the European Monastery of Gut Aich in St. Gilgen, Salzburg, Austria — Inside the chapel of the European Monastery of Gut Aich in St. Gilgen

With its church and peaceful atmosphere, the European Monastery of Gut Aich may seem like any other European monastery. But not so fast!

It boasts an impressive three-part herb garden that sets it apart: the herb garden (since 1993), the Hildegard herb garden (since 1996), and the liqueur herb garden (since 2004).

At Gut Aich Monastery, using herbs for healing is a crucial part of their medical care. Since its founding in 1993, the monks have been dedicated to growing and using medicinal herbs.

Herbal medicine is a key part of their specialty—an approach to treating both the body and soul holistically.

At the monastery, you can explore their herb gardens and join a guided tour to learn more about their herbs.

If you’re Catholic, you can join the holy mass. Afterward, take a tour of the monastery’s cellar, taste some liquor, and shop in the monastery’s stores.

The shop offers a wide range of products, including herbal preparations, tinctures, ointments, and other locally crafted items.

You can also participate in midday meditation and evening prayer, with opportunities for pastoral help and relaxation.

Lastly, every Thursday at 2:30 pm from June until October, you can join a guided tour of the gold and silver blacksmith’s shop, which lasts about 90 minutes.

To get to the European Monastery of Gut Aich, take bus #156 from St.Gilgen Busbahnhof to the hamlet of Aich still in St. Gilgen.

You can learn more about the European Monastery of Gut Aich by visiting their official website, which is linked in the resources section of this post.

How to Visit

If you are now prepared to visit St. Gilgen, I am pleased to inform you that traveling to St. Gilgen from Salzburg is very simple: Take bus #150 from Salzburg Hauptbahnhof (main station) to St. Gilgen Busbahnhof.

The journey takes about 40 to 50 minutes, and buses depart every 20 minutes. To return to Salzburg, simply take the same bus.

To get to St. Gilgen from other cities, you must first travel to Salzburg by train or bus.

Salzburg has the most frequent bus departures and the most convenient route. Alternatively, you can join a tour that includes a visit to St. Gilgen for a stress-free experience.

You can browse the various tours by clicking on this link. Recommended tour for groups — Salzburg: Full-Day Private City & Lake District Tour

Resources

So, that concludes my list of the best things to do in St. Gilgen. For further planning, the links below will provide you with the information you need to visit different attractions in St. Gilgen.

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