Located in Upper Austria, Gmunden attracts many visitors, especially during the summer months. This is largely due to its relatively easy accessibility from Vienna and its position in the northern part of the famous Lake District – Salzkammergut.
A Perfect Alpine Escape
This tranquil city is a wonderful destination for a relaxing getaway, spiced with beautiful mountain scenery and charming alpine nature. Around the town, you’ll find several delightful places to visit during your stay, including the clear and cool Lake Traun, the historic Schloss Ort (Ort Castle), and the local ceramics factory that produces unique pottery for the region. Approximately 16 kilometers north of the town are the beautiful Traun Falls.
In this article, we’ve gathered information on attractions in and around Gmunden, recommended accommodations, and how to get there from Vienna by car or public transport.
A Glimpse into Gmunden’s History
Settlement in the Gmunden area began as early as the 5th century CE, and by the 12th century, the town was surrounded by a fortified wall. The town bravely withstood attacks from invaders, especially during the Peasants’ Revolt in the 17th century. During World War I, it served as a resting and healing place for wounded soldiers, and in World War II, a maternity hospital was located in the town, intended to serve the “racial purity” concept believed by the Nazis.
Today, Gmunden is a rather sleepy town with about 15,000 residents, and it’s considered a spa and holiday destination.
Recommended Accommodations in Gmunden
Gmunden can be an excellent stopover for an overnight stay and refreshment on your way to the heart of the Salzburg region. Since it’s about two and a half hours from Vienna, the distance from Gmunden to the Salzburg region is about an hour and a half. If you choose to stop for a night in Gmunden, here are a few recommendations for good places to stay:
- Hotel Boutique Zum Goldenen Hirschen: A 4-star boutique hotel with lake views and a short distance from Gmunden city center. The hotel has a small spa area for guests.
- Seehotel im Weyer: This lakeside hotel is close to the city center and next to the lake. It offers quiet and comfortable rooms.
- Seegasthof Hois’n Wirt: A hotel with lake access and a pampering spa area for guests. It’s located 5 kilometers outside Gmunden.
- Hotel Sonett: A renovated and modern hotel with family rooms and rooms with kitchens.
- Das Traunsee – Das Hotel zum See: A dream hotel with beautiful design and stunning lake views. Here, you’ll enjoy the highest level of hospitality, peace, and charming scenery.
If the hotels on the list above are fully booked, you can check for more hotels in Gmunden and the surrounding area here. We’ve already applied the necessary filters, so you can quickly and easily find the perfect pampered accommodation around Gmunden and Lake Traun. Alternatively, you can read about recommended holiday apartments and guesthouses in the Lake District (including, of course, holiday apartments in Gmunden).
Top Attractions in the Gmunden Area
Near the city, there are several attractions and historical sites worth exploring. Even if you choose to stop in Gmunden on your way to the Salzburg region, you can spend several hours at the various attractions around the city. These are the most recommended attractions:
Ort Castle
On a small island near the town of Gmunden stands an ancient castle that was built as early as the 11th century CE. The castle passed between various noble families, including the House of Habsburg, which ruled the entire empire. This ancient castle served as a magnificent residence for many years, and only at the beginning of the 20th century was it designated for use by Gmunden’s schoolchildren. World War I interrupted this plan, and the castle remained desolate until 1973. In 1995, the castle was used as a filming location for the Austrian television series “Schlosshotel Orth,” which remains popular to this day.
Currently, the castle is used by the Federal Office for Forest Sciences.
- Address: Ort 1, 4810 Gmunden
- Map
Traun Falls
Between the villages of Roitham and Desselbrunn, you’ll find magnificent waterfalls. The falls drop from a height of 12 meters and are exceptionally long – 200 meters. The walking path to the falls is very easy and especially suitable for families. You reach the waterfall area by car, and right off the road, there’s a free dirt parking lot. From there, you walk 5-7 minutes along the marked path until you reach the viewpoint over the falls. Most of the path can be navigated with strollers almost all the way to the waterfall viewpoint. Only the last few meters cannot be done with a stroller because there are stairs.
From the viewpoint, you can gaze upon the beautiful waterfalls and the green area surrounding them. Near the falls, on the riverbanks, is an ancient prayer room from the 17th century (Nikolauskapelle).
- Opening Hours: Open all year round.
- Cost: Free.
- Address: Traunfall 4661
- Map
Grünberg Mountain – Alpine Coaster and Tree Crown Path
Grünberg Mountain is located near the town and rises to an altitude of 1,000 meters above sea level. You can ascend to the summit by cable car from Gmunden. At the top of the mountain, there are several enjoyable attractions for the whole family. You can experience an exciting alpine coaster or walk along the tree crown path.
How to Get to Gmunden from Vienna?
By Public Transport
You can reach Gmunden from Vienna in about two and a half hours by public transport. First, take the high-speed train towards Salzburg. You should get off at the Attnang-Puchheim Bahnhof station. At this station, you need to change to a train heading towards Stainach-Irdning Bahnhof. You should get off at Gmunden Bahnhof.
- For planning your journey, it’s recommended to check the Austrian railway website: https://www.oebb.at/en/
By Car
The drive is mostly on the highway, so the journey from Vienna takes about two hours.
A short drive from Gmunden, you can visit a beautiful lake, Lake Attersee. Read more about the lake and its surrounding attractions. Additionally, you can find comprehensive information about Austria’s Lake District and recommended accommodations near its popular lakes.
