My introduction to Austria happened by chance — and turned into a true love. The Alpine landscapes, silence, and powerful energy of nature completely changed my plans. For more than ten years, I have explored Austria dozens of times: on foot, by bicycle, and even from the air — discovering routes for travelers of all ages and travel styles. Today I help people experience the real Austria and create personalized itineraries that make each journey deeper, more comfortable, and more inspiring. Let Austria become your next unforgettable destination!
St. Gilgen
St. Gilgen is a small, calm Alpine village on the northern shore of Lake Wolfgangsee, in the heart of the Salzkammergut region. From the moment you arrive, the pace shifts: less noise, fewer crowds, turquoise water instead of asphalt, and mountains framing the view in every direction. The atmosphere feels orderly, safe, and visually balanced.
This is not a destination that relies on scale or spectacle. It works because of its simplicity. For families looking for nature, space, and unhurried days between activities, St. Gilgen offers a rare sense of ease.
St. Gilgen - Key Information for Families
How to Get There
The most convenient way to reach St. Gilgen is by rental car. Yes – with a car it is clearly more comfortable than without one, especially for families. The drive from Salzburg takes about 45 minutes, passing green valleys and small villages that already set the tone for the region.
There is also a public bus option – Route 150 from Salzburg – with a similar travel time. However, when traveling with children, swim gear, and flexible daily plans, relying on buses adds unnecessary effort. A car offers freedom, easier logistics, and far less planning stress.
Click here to learn more about creating a personal itinerary
Parking
Parking is available throughout the village, including near the Zwölferhorn Cable Car and the lakeside promenade. Prices typically range from €3-5 per hour or €4-8 per day, depending on location.
Best Time to Visit
The main season runs from June to September, when swimming, boating, the cable car, and easy hikes are all available. Early autumn is particularly pleasant, with fewer visitors, clear visibility, and richer mountain colors.
In December, the village becomes quieter, offering a relaxed winter atmosphere. It is important to note that outside the main season, the cable car and mountain restaurants operate on shorter schedules.
Since 2015, our website has specialized in individual planning of unique routes, taking into account personal preferences and desires.
Each of you will receive a unique PDF file from us, which contains everything you need: travel routes, car rentals, hotels, the best tourist attractions, attractions for kids and everything you need for a perfect vacation.
During the trip, we are available for you by phone via WhatsApp.
Our personal service provides information from A to Z, taking into account many small details that can become a decisive factor on the way from a wasted trip to an unforgettable vacation.
Our service will make your trip comfortable, save a lot of time on planning and preparation, and most importantly – will allow you to become freer and fully enjoy the pleasure of the trip.
What Can Families Do in St. Gilgen with Children?
These are the core family-friendly experiences that make St. Gilgen easy and memorable without needing a packed schedule.
The Lakeside Promenade and Lake Wolfgangsee
The lakeside promenade is wide, flat, and stroller-friendly. Along the path, you’ll find small piers, benches, water access points, and frequent ice-cream stops. Families can easily spend hours here without needing a fixed plan. Lake Wolfgangsee is one of the warmer Alpine lakes, with exceptionally clear water. Children can enjoy swimming, jumping from piers, and moving freely in a safe environment.
Free swimming from public access points. Organized beach areas (Strandbad) - €4-7 entry. Pedal boat or electric boat rental - €15-25 per hour. SUP or kayak rental - €15-20 per hour.
Tip from the Itinerary Expert: Around midday, light winds often change the water’s color. This is the ideal time for photos from the promenade and piers.
Zwölferhorn Cable Car (Zwölferhorn-Seilbahn)
Yes. The Zwölferhorn Cable Car (Zwölferhorn-Seilbahn) is the main panoramic experience in the area, rising to about 1,500 meters. From the top, you can enjoy wide views over Lake Wolfgangsee, Lake Mondsee, and the surrounding Alps. The walking paths are gentle and suitable for children. This is not a demanding hike, but a relaxed scenic walk. At the top: easy walking paths, seating areas, a restaurant, and restrooms.
Round-trip adult ticket: €22-25. Discounts available for children and family tickets. Ride duration: 10-15 minutes.
Tip from the Itinerary Expert: Choosing a short downhill walk instead of returning entirely by cable car adds quality time and a stronger sense of the place.
Distance/Time: Ride duration: 10-15 minutes
Boat Trips on Lake Wolfgangsee
Boats connect St. Gilgen with St. Wolfgang and Strobl. These trips are not noisy tourist cruises but peaceful, practical ways to move between villages while enjoying the scenery.
One-way trip: €8-12. Short circular ride: €15-20. Full-day hop-on/hop-off family use: €45-50.
Tip from the Itinerary Expert: Use the boat primarily as transportation rather than an attraction. Stop for ice cream in another village and return at your own pace without pressure.
Mozart Square (Mozartplatz) and the Parish Church
Mozart Square (Mozartplatz) is a small, pleasant central area that provides context and a clear village center. While it is not essential, it adds a touch of local history. The parish church of St. Gilgen (Pfarrkirche St. Gilgen) is linked to Mozart’s family history. For families not focused on museums or history, a brief visit is sufficient.
Tip from the Itinerary Expert: Limit your stop here to about 20 minutes. It complements the visit but is not a main activity.
Distance/Time: Suggested stop: about 20 minutes
Nature Around St. Gilgen Beyond the Promenade
Beyond the central lakeside area, St. Gilgen offers accessible nature in every direction. There are easy walking paths around the village, quiet swimming spots away from the center, and short forest walks suitable for children. Small viewpoints and resting spots exist outside official tourist maps and reward those willing to walk a little further.
Tip from the Itinerary Expert: A 10-minute walk from the center often leads to completely quiet spots, especially in the morning, making it ideal for families seeking tranquility.
Distance/Time: Often just a 10-minute walk from the center
Limitations and Honest Downsides of St. Gilgen
St. Gilgen is a small village. Travelers seeking large shopping areas or vibrant nightlife may be disappointed. Evenings are very quiet, and some restaurants close on specific days. During peak summer afternoons, the promenade and cable car area can feel slightly crowded.
Click here to learn more about creating a personal itinerary
Tip from the Itinerary Expert: This village is not for constant activity. Its calm rhythm is precisely what makes it ideal for families.
3-Day Family Itinerary - St. Gilgen
Trip Duration: 3 days
Day 1 - Arrival, Lake Life & Easy Rhythm
Morning (10:00-12:00)
Arrive in St. Gilgen by rental car (about 45 minutes from Salzburg). Park near the lakeside promenade (€4-8/day) and take a leisurely walk along Lake Wolfgangsee. Enjoy the public piers and take a dip in the water.
Walking from the parking to the promenade: 5-10 minutes
Lunch (12:15-13:30)
Stop at a casual bistro on the promenade for pizza, pasta, or salads. Prices are around €12-18 per person.
Afternoon (14:00-16:00)
Take a scenic boat ride on Wolfgangsee to St. Wolfgang and back. One-way tickets cost €8-12. The ride is calm and offers beautiful views of the lake and mountains.
Boat time: ~40 minutes each way
Evening (16:30-18:00)
Enjoy ice cream or coffee (€5-7) on the promenade while watching the sunset.
Overnight Location: St. Gilgen
Day 2 - Zwölferhorn Views & Alpine Space
Morning (10:00-10:30)
Walk or drive from the village center to the Zwölferhorn Cable Car (Zwölferhorn-Seilbahn). Parking is available near the station (€4-8/day), making arrival with children easy and stress-free.
Late Morning-Early Afternoon (10:30-13:30)
Take the cable car to about 1,500 meters. Round-trip tickets cost €22-25 per adult, with discounts for children and families. At the top, enjoy easy panoramic walks, open viewpoints, and seating areas suitable for families.
Total time: about 3 hours
Lunch (13:30-14:30)
Eat at the mountain restaurant at the summit, offering simple Alpine dishes with wide-open views over the lakes and surrounding mountains.
Afternoon (15:00-18:00)
Descend by cable car or take a partial downhill walk if weather and energy levels allow. Return to St. Gilgen at a relaxed pace without rushing.
Overnight Location: St. Gilgen
Day 3 - Lake as Transport & Quiet Corners
Morning (10:00-11:30)
Rent an electric or pedal boat on Wolfgangsee, right by the promenade. Rates are €15-25 per hour for a relaxed morning on the water.
Duration: 1-1.5 hours
Lunch Stop (12:00-14:00)
Drive about 15 minutes to Strobl. Take a short walk in the village, enjoy a light lunch, and have dessert or ice cream.
Afternoon (14:30-16:30)
Return to St. Gilgen by boat. This combines gentle transport with scenic lake views, making the journey part of the experience.
Evening (17:00-18:00)
Shop for small souvenirs and take a final stroll along the lakeside promenade.
Overnight Location: St. Gilgen
Traveler Experiences about St. Gilgen
Daniel Harris
July 2019
“We stayed in St. Gilgen for two nights and quickly wished it was longer. The lake is calm and clean, and our kids spent hours swimming and jumping from the piers. Renting a small electric boat was a highlight. Evenings are very quiet, which was perfect after long outdoor days.”
Laura Bennett
August 2021
“Traveling with two children aged 8 and 12, St. Gilgen felt easy from the first moment. Everything is walkable, the promenade is flat, and there’s no pressure to rush. The Zwölferhorn cable car was the highlight – wide views, space to sit, and gentle walks. It does get busier around midday.”
Michael Turner
September 2018
“We originally planned a short stop from Salzburg but stayed an extra night. The atmosphere is slow and restorative. Using the lake boats to travel between villages was practical and relaxing. This is not a place for shopping or nightlife, but perfect for nature and calm.”
Emily Rogers
June 2022
“What I loved most was the rhythm. Morning walks by the lake, swimming around noon, and coffee by the water later in the day. Our kids didn’t need organized attractions to stay engaged. Some restaurants are closed on certain days, so planning ahead helps.”
Thomas Miller
August 2023
“We rented an apartment with a kitchen, which made traveling with kids much easier. Prices aren’t low, but the quality is high and everything feels well maintained. Paying for parking close to the promenade saved energy. The lake water was impressively clear.”
Sophie Collins
May 2024
“We arrived early in the season and the village felt almost empty. The cable car was running, but some services at the top closed earlier than expected. On the positive side, the views were unobstructed and perfect for photos. Evenings were very quiet.”
Rachel Thompson
September 2025
“We spent five nights in St. Gilgen with children aged 9 and 14. The beauty builds gradually rather than overwhelming you on day one. Boat rides became part of our daily routine, and the kids loved the freedom. Having a car made everything much easier.”
Tips from the Itinerary Expert
- Arrive at the lakeside promenade early, between 8:30 and 10:00. The lake is calm, the water looks deeper in color, and swimming with children feels unhurried before day visitors arrive.
- Take the Zwölferhorn Cable Car before noon. Queues are shorter, temperatures are cooler, and there is more space at the viewpoints. This also allows time for an easy walk at the top without rushing.
- Use the lake boats primarily as transport, not as a separate attraction. Traveling between St. Gilgen and St. Wolfgang by boat saves energy, keeps children relaxed, and adds scenery without filling the day with extra activities.
- Pay for parking close to your planned activities. Spending €4-8 per day near the promenade or cable car is worth it when traveling with children, especially after swimming or a long day outdoors.
- Carry some cash. Several small cafés and lakeside spots in St. Gilgen do not accept cards, and cash prevents awkward moments when children are hungry.
- For swimming, walk a little beyond the center. A 5-10 minute walk from the main promenade often leads to quieter piers with the same clear water and far fewer people.
- When staying in an apartment, consider cooking one meal a day. It saves money, provides flexibility with tired kids, and still leaves room for relaxed lunches or desserts by the lake.
- Plan quiet evenings deliberately. St. Gilgen slows down early, which works well for families. A short walk, ice cream by the water, and an early night make the next day smoother.
Insights from the Itinerary Expert
Visiting St. Gilgen with a family immediately shows how naturally the village slows down your pace. Standing by Lake Wolfgangsee in the morning, with calm water and mountains framing the village, creates a reassuring and balanced atmosphere-especially when traveling with children.
The village works particularly well due to its combination of simple, high-quality experiences. The Zwölferhorn Cable Car offers wide views without demanding hikes, while the lakeside promenade allows children to move freely without constant supervision. Using the lake boats as transport rather than an “activity” keeps the day lighter and less structured, which works surprisingly well for families.
There are limitations to consider. Evenings are quiet, shopping is minimal, and prices are not low, especially in summer. A rental car is clearly more convenient than relying solely on buses, particularly with swim gear and flexible plans.
Ultimately, St. Gilgen is a destination for families who want to experience a place fully rather than rush through it-rich in nature, calm in rhythm, and visually memorable.
Price Table - St. Gilgen
| Name | Amount | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget hotels (double room) | €80-120 per night EUR | Guesthouses / Pension |
| Mid-range hotels (double room) | €120-170 per night EUR | 3★ hotels |
| Luxury hotels (double room) | €180-280 per night EUR | 4★ hotels & lakefront hotels |
| Apartment for a family (5 people) | €90-160 per night EUR | Apartments / Airbnb |
| Car rental (per day) | €50-80 EUR | Mid-size car, fuel not included |
| Public transport | €3-5 per ride EUR | Local buses |
| Restaurant (per person) | €18-25 EUR | Main course |
| Parking | €4-8 per day EUR | Town center / near the cable car |
| Basic grocery shopping (2 people) | €30-60 EUR | Food for one day |
Common Questions about St. Gilgen
What we propose
Emma Heidi
Customer Experience Manager
Take all the stress out of planning your trip!
With our experts, you can create the perfect itinerary for you – complete, comfortable, and tailored to all your dreams, wishes, and needs.
We take care of every little detail, so you can simply focus on enjoying your journey.
We’ve been designing personalized itineraries since 2015, and over the years we’ve created thousands of custom itineraries for happy clients.
Save time, avoid confusion – we do the work for you. Our service saves you weeks of searching, reading, comparing, and complicated planning. Instead of wasting endless hours – you receive a ready-to-use, accurate and clear itinerary.
A tailor-made itinerary – built just for you. Your itinerary is personally designed based on our experts’ real field experience and genuine feedback from hundreds of travelers – including hidden discoveries and insider tips that don’t appear in any travel guide.
Smart accommodation selection – often saves you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. We help you choose verified and recommended places to stay, checking availability for your exact travel dates. Sometimes we suggest hotels not “in the center,” but in safe, convenient, and highly strategic locations – which can significantly reduce travel costs and save you even thousands of dollars.
We’re by your side even during the trip. We stay with you throughout your vacation – providing professional help whenever needed. If the weather changes, there’s a strike, a local event, heavy crowds, or any unexpected situation – we are here to update, guide, and adjust your itinerary in real time.
Easy-to-use itinerary – with direct navigation links. Your itinerary includes direct Waze / Google Maps links – no need to search for parking addresses, no stress, no mistakes. Just tap – and go.
Service cost: from only $420. (Special price for short itineraries up to 5 days). Clients tell us the itinerary saves them costly mistakes, fines, wrong choices – plus exclusive discounts on car rentals, better-priced accommodations, and money-saving local tips.
Want to know if it’s really worth it?
Take a look at the experiences of travelers who built their personal itinerary with us.
Click here and let’s start building the itinerary that will save you time, money, and stress – and turn your vacation into perfection.
Of course, your first inquiry is completely free – with no commitment whatsoever.
How it works
- You are welcome to contact us
- We discuss your trip
- You fill out a special form
- We create your itinerary
- You get it with all useful tips
- We are in touch with you all the time
