St. Wolfgang im Salzkammergut
St. Wolfgang im Salzkammergut, 5360
The historic spa town of St. Wolfgang im Salzkammergut is considered one of the prettiest villages in Austria’s Salzkammergut (Lake District. It is perched on the northern shore of the Wolfgangsee lake and is backed by the alpine foothills of Mount Schafberg, making it a paradise for hikers in the summer and skiers in the winter.
The basics
St. Wolfgang im Salzkammergut was founded in the 10th century when Wolfgang—then the Bishop of Regensburg in Germany—built a church on the lakeside, which became a pilgrimage destination after his canonization in 1052. Today, the church and its distinctive white bell tower still draw visitors to this spectacular lakeside setting amid snow-topped alpine peaks. The architecture of the village is largely traditional, with painted chalets adorned with wrought-iron balconies peeping out from steeply pitched wooden roofs; a tangle of lanes creep uphill from the lakeside and are a joy to explore for their many restaurants and up-scale souvenir stores.
Things to know before you go
- With a vast network of trails and ski runs on the slopes above the village, St. Wolfgang im Salzkammergut is a must for lovers of outdoor sports.
- The picturesque setting of the village is one of the most enchanting in Austria, so be sure to bring your camera.
- Not all trails and ski runs are accessible to visitors with limited mobility, so confirm in advance. The town of St. Wolfgang im Salzkammergut is accessible to wheelchair users, though some of the streets are steep.
How to get there
St. Wolfgang im Salzkammergut is set on the shore of Wolfgangsee, and can be easily reached by car from Salzburg via highway 158 in about an hour; the nearest international airport is also located in Salzburg.
When to get there
St. Wolfgang im Salzkammergut is an appealing place to visit all year round. In the winter, St. Wolfgang morphs into a popular ski resort, with 18 pistes and a modern network of lifts; in summer, it is popular for water sports on the lake and as a jumping-off point for walking, cycling, and climbing in the Austrian Alps, as well as boat trips across the lake to St. Gilgen and Strobl. Photography buffs will want to visit in fall to capture the seasonal colors.
Austria’s Lake District
The Salzkammergut, or Lake District, is one of Austria’s most famous attractions, beloved for its dazzling scenery and delightful alpine villages. Highlights include the village of Fuschl and Fuschl Castle on Fuschlsee and the villages of St. Gilgen, St. Wolfgang, and Bad Ischl on Wolfgangsee
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