St. Gilgen Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

St. Gilgen showing a small town or village, mountains and a lake or waterhole
St. Gilgen which includes landscape views, mountains and a lake or waterhole
St. Gilgen
St. Gilgen featuring mountains, a lake or waterhole and a small town or village
St. Gilgen

Discover stunning natural beauty, scenic hikes, a slice of Mozart’s history and traditional Alpine heritage at this charming lakeside village in the Salzkammergut.

St. Gilgen is a scenic village on the northwestern shores of Lake Wolfgangsee in the Salzkammergut. This charming town is the perfect destination for a daytrip to the countryside and offers a beautiful natural landscape, with Schafberg Mountain to the east and Döllerer forest to the west. Sail on the lake, hike in the forests and take in the quaint, traditional atmosphere of the village.

Start your visit at the historic town centre and see traditional Alpine architecture. Many of the traditional buildings feature brightly colored flower gardens and hanging flowerpots on the windowsills. Visit the Town Hall to see a picturesque example of customary Austrian village-style architecture.

Stop by the late-Baroque parish church dedicated to St. Giles, the city’s namesake. Visit the House of Mozart, where Mozart’s mother was born. Hear the village brass band playing concerts in the lakeside gardens in July and August.

Stroll down to the lakeside to find a charming boat dock ringed with flowerpots and gardens. Book a boat tour and sail around Wolfgangsee to St. Wolfgang. This trip offers some of the Salzkammergut’s most magnificent views of snow-peaked mountains and lush forest. From St. Wolfgang, take the scenic railway to the jagged peak of Schafberg Mountain, which you might recognise from the filmThe Sound of Music.

St. Gilgen is a fantastic destination for hikers, offering a range of short- and middle-distance trails around the region. Many trails feature small cafés along the way, so you can refresh yourself with a hot cup of coffee or a cool elderflower drink.

St. Gilgen is located in the picturesque Salzkammergut region of Salzburg, 18 miles (29 kilometres) east of Salzburg city. St. Gilgen is easily accessible by car and coach. Catch a train to Salzburg and then catch a coach to St. Gilgen. Visit St. Gilgen in the warmer months for scenic outdoor activities or in December to experience the Weihnachten (Christmas) markets.

IMLAUER Hotel Pitter Salzburg
IMLAUER Hotel Pitter Salzburg
4.5 out of 5
Rainerstrasse 6-8, Salzburg, Salzburg
The price is £206 per night from 29 Jun to 30 Jun
£206
29 Jun - 30 Jun
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Salzburg. Enjoy 2 restaurants, a rooftop terrace and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,006 reviews)
"I don't normally submit reviews but this hotel and staff were excellent and worthy of being recognized. The staff was extremely helpful and accommodating and the room met all of the expectations. The staff and service would specifically be a reason that I would come back to visit Salzburg again."

Reviewed on 20 Jun 2025

IMLAUER Hotel Pitter Salzburg
arte Hotel Salzburg
arte Hotel Salzburg
4 out of 5
Rainerstr. 28, Salzburg
The price is £107 per night from 29 Jun to 30 Jun
£107
29 Jun - 30 Jun
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Salzburg. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a nightclub and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (677 reviews)
"Hotel około 6-7 letni, co jak na Salzburg jest dobrym prognostykiem, bo w mieście dominują raczej stare, wysłużone już hotele. Niewątpliwym plusem jest podziemny parking o dużej liczbie miejsc, co też nie jest standardem w tym mieście. Warto dopłacić parę groszy i wziąć pokój na wyższym piętrze, ..."

Reviewed on 22 Jun 2025

arte Hotel Salzburg
Cocoon Salzburg
Cocoon Salzburg
4 out of 5
Rainerstraße 29, Salzburg, Salzburg
The price is £77 per night from 6 Jul to 7 Jul
£77
6 Jul - 7 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Salzburg. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,031 reviews)
"Great location! Also the front desk people went and beyond to let me stay in the same room combining my 2 separate reservations. Thank you"

Reviewed on 18 Jun 2025

Cocoon Salzburg
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Wolf & Schaf Apartments
Wolf & Schaf Apartments
3 out of 5
Ried 149, St. Gilgen, Salzburg
Stay at this 3-star apartment in St. Gilgen. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a garden. Popular attractions Wolfgangsee and Schafberg Railway are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (7 reviews)
"very nice and tide place"

Reviewed on 22 Feb 2025

Wolf & Schaf Apartments
Numa Salzburg Vogelweider
Numa Salzburg Vogelweider
3 out of 5
Vogelweiderstrasse 33, Salzburg, Salzburg
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Salzburg. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Mirabell Palace and Mozart's ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (97 reviews)
"Clear communication and nice, modern room great for single travelers at an affordable price. Not in the city centre or near many food spots, but an easy 15-minute walk from the main train station. Highly recommend the one nearby restaurant Fuxn for an outdoor lunch or dinner. Lockers were free, big, ..."

Reviewed on 21 Jun 2025

Numa Salzburg Vogelweider
master Mirabell
master Mirabell
3.5 out of 5
Rainerstraße 7, Salzburg
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in Salzburg. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, laundry facilities and cable TV channels. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (358 reviews)
"This accommodation was lovely and had everything we needed. Thank you very much"

Reviewed on 13 Jun 2025

master Mirabell
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Reviews of St. Gilgen

4.5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
1
5 - Excellent 50%
4 - Good
1
4 - Good 50%
3 - Okay
0
3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
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1 - Terrible
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4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

The hotel is just outside St Gilgen but you can get a ferry or walk (if feeling energetic). The cable car and nearby cog railway are worth a go, plus one of the salt mines.

5/5 - Excellent

Clare

We hiked up Plombergstein and hiked to St Wolfgang then caught the ferry back, both great walks.

Cities near St. Gilgen