What you should know about the Salzkammergut region

fill the Salzkammergut region, all brimming with drinkable water. Sometimes, the count even reaches 77 or 78. The Wolfgangsee, Attersee, Mondsee and Traunsee lakes are the four largest and most famous. But have you ever heard of the Rötelsee or Wiesensee lakes?

marks the tradition of Liachtbratln in Bad Ischl. Liachtbratlmontag, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, is a folk custom celebrating the day when lights were first turned on in the workshops after summer. With the money saved over summer, the master would treat his apprentices to a roast meal or “Bratl”.

is the height of Dachstein, the highest mountain in the Salzkammergut region. Two world-famous natural wonders are located above Obertraun on the Dachstein — the Giant Ice Cave, one of the largest of its kind, with ice thickness reaching up to 20 metres, and the Mammoth Cave, which stretches 37 kilometres and plunges 1,200 metres deep into the mountain.

The world-renowned Art Nouveau painter Gustav Klimt spent nearly every summer from 1900 to 1916 at the Attersee lake, where he created most of his landscape paintings. He was a frequent guest at Villa Paulick, which during Klimt’s time was a meeting place for artists and intellectuals.

form the stage for the European Capital of Culture, Bad Ischl Salzkammergut 2024. For the first time in history, this prestigious title has been awarded to a rural, inner-alpine region.

are gifted on Liebstattsonntag in Gmunden. This unique folk festival has been celebrated since 1641 on the fourth Sunday of Lent in the town on the Traunsee lake and is recognised as an “Intangible Cultural Heritage”.

is the approximate weight of the brightly lit lantern caps worn by the Glöckler, who parade through the streets of the Salzkammergut region on Twelfth Night. The Glöcklerlauf procession is intended to appease the good spirits and bring health and blessings for the new year.

deep, the Traunsee lake is Austria’s deepest lake and home to the unique Riedling. This small cousin of the char is found only in the depths of the Traunsee and is considered a delicacy among gourmets.

In 1733, a revolt erupted in Ebensee because salt workers weren’t given a day off on Shrove Tuesday. Fasching (carnival) remains a treasured tradition in the region, even recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Austria.

In 2024, the Wolfgangsee lake celebrates the 1,100th anniversary of its lake patron. The highlight of the “1,100 Years of Saint Wolfgang” event will be the enchanting musical “WOLF — The Mystical”, presented on the new Salzkammergut Lake Stage.

alcohol content is what you’ll find in Krambamperl, a spirit native to the Salzkammergut region and served at many local inns. The “Krambamperlbrennen” tradition goes back many generations. The spirit is served in a thick-walled glass and ignited at the table. Forks with sugar cubes are held in the flame, dripping sugar into the schnapps, giving it a brownish hue. Once the sugar dissolves, the glass is passed around and enjoyed hot.

above sea level is where the Simonyhütte is perched. This refuge is named after Friedrich Simony, a Bohemian-born geographer and alpine researcher known for his exploration of the Dachstein plateau.

were spent by Thomas Bernhard on his farm in Ohlsdorf near Gmunden. The Austrian writer is among the most significant German-speaking authors of international renown. The Thomas Bernhard Path in Ohlsdorf and a guided tour of his estate, known as “Bauer z’Nathal”, offer insights into his life and work.

Discover the beauty of the Salzkammergut region as part of a day trip. Here are the top 16 attractions.

and more await you on an unforgettable holiday in the Salzkammergut region. Get inspired and book your Salzkammergut holiday. Find hotels, inns, guesthouses and all accommodations in the Salzkammergut region here.