Austria

1. The photogenic Traunsee

We think the Traunsee is the most impressive and photogenic lake in Salzkammergut. The lake is surrounded by charming villages, mountains and churches. With a depth of 191 meters, the Traunsee is the deepest lake in Austria!

If you visit the Traunsee, we definitely recommend to make a stop at Traunkirchen. The Johannesburg Kapelle is the eye-catcher of the village. The Kapelle is located on top of a rock and in the background you can see the rugged mountain landscape. In Traunkirchen we rented a boat to explore the area from the water. You sail past harbors and boathouses.

2. The diverse Wolfgangsee

The Wolfgangsee is a large lake that extends over two federal states, Upper Austria and Salzburgerland. There’s a lot to do. For example, plan an active day on the water; you can (kite) surf, sail, water ski, kayak, snorkel, wakeboard or paddle. Enjoy the sun on a beautiful summer day on one of the sunbathing areas or natural beaches or discover the area via one of the many walking routes.

We stopped at two points along the lake. North of the lake you will find a higher panoramic viewpoint where you can admire a large part of the Wolfgangsee. Then we stopped at the village of Strolb; a colorful authentic village with lots of flowers and kiosks where you can eat with a view of the Wolfgangsee.

3. The mysterious Hallstättersee

The Hallstättersee is a picturesque green-blue lake which is beautifully located at the – in our opinion – most beautiful mountain village in Austria: Hallstatt. We visited the Hallstättersee on a foggy early morning. The clouds hung just above the water, creating a mysterious atmosphere.

Sidenote: Hallstatt is very popular. The small village is visited by almost 1 million tourists every year. Do you want to know how to avoid this tourist crowd? Read our tips for a visit to Hallstatt.

4. The crystal clear Attersee

The Attersee is the perfect destination for a wonderful day at the water in Salzkammergut. The Attersee is one of the largest lakes in Austria. Take a cooling dip in the crystal clear water, which is even drinking quality. On a sunny day the Rosenwind blows across the lake from the north-east. This makes the Attersee a very suitable place for water sports enthusiasts.

5. The iconic Mondsee

Next to the Attersee is the Mondsee. We drove a jawdropping route along this lake. Enjoy the beautiful mountainous environment, the clear water and be sure to visit the town of Mondsee. It is known for beautiful architecture such as the colored houses, the former monastery that now has been transformed into a four-star hotel and the Basilika St. Michael Mondsee which was used as the film setting of The Sound of Music. In the evening we had a delicious dinner on one of the terraces and we were entertained by a performance by locals with Schuhplattler. This is an energetic traditional folk dance, where men in lederhosen stamp and clap their hands, thighs and soles to the beat of the music.

6. The idyllic Fuschlsee

The Fuschlsee is an idyllic lake in Salzkammergut where you can stroll along the water. Relax on one of the jetties and dip your feet in the water. You can enjoy a beautiful view over the water from here. It is the perfect place to completely unwind.

Here’s what you need to know before visiting Eisriesenwelt

Tours & Tickets

You can visit the Eisriesenwelt from May to October. In the high season it is extra busy. Make sure you get to the cave in time to make sure you can join one of the many tours. You can book your tickets online so you don’t have to queue. Booking in advance is also cheaper. There are English and German spoken tours.

What do you need to wear?

It is important that you dress warmly during your visit to the ice cave. The temperature in the ice cave is freezing cold, even in the summer months. If it’s a warm day outside, bring extra clothes that you can put on before entering the cave. Also wear good shoes and thick socks. We were wearing sneakers and at one point our toes were almost frozen!

When is the best time to visit the cave?

We recommend visiting the ice cave in good weather conditions. Many think this is the perfect activity to do on a rainy day. But you will walk in the open air for about 40 minutes before reaching the ice cave. If you get soaked, it gets even colder when you enter the cave. Then you cannot fully enjoy this natural phenomenon. And that is too bad!

The road to Eisriesenwelt

We bought a combination ticket including a return ride with the cable car + a tour through the ice cave. From the information center it is a 20 minute walk to the funicular that takes you from 1000 meters to 1500 meters in just 3 minutes. From the cabin you have a beautiful view, but you should not be afraid of heights, like Abel ;-). Once at the top, you can enjoy the panoramic view over the valley and the mountain peaks. From here it is a 20 minute walk before you arrive at the entrance of the ice cave. The walk to the cave is already spectacular. You walk through the rugged mountain landscape via winding roads and along the steep abyss. Along the way you will spot many alpine crows. Be surprised by the changeable weather high in the mountains. One moment we had sun and blue skies, and a few minutes later the mountains had completely disappeared because of the fog.

After 20 minutes you will arrive at the huge opening of the cave. From here you have a beautiful view. Only a few people are allowed in the cave at a time. So wait for the moment when the guide will take you on an unforgettable tour through the Eisriesenwelt. There is no lighting in the cave so a number of people is responsible for shining an oil lamp which will be handed out at the start of the tour. As soon as the door to the cave opens, the flow of hot and cold air creates a strong gust of wind. So be prepared for this.

The trip through the ice cave

In about 1 hour you will discover the first kilometer of the cave. You will admire meters high ice formations, frozen lakes and impressive ice tunnels. Via 1400 steps and steep, narrow stairs you climb through the underground tunnel system of the cave. During the tour, the guide will tell you all about the history of the ice cave and explain how the ice was formed. At special sights the guide will shine extra light by using magnesium rods.

The ice formations still change every year. This is due to the temperature differences and the wind that enters through the entrance and draft holes. In the summer some ice sculptures melt away and the ice sheet becomes thinner and in the winter this meltwater freezes again, then the ice sheet grows back.

Unfortunately we were not allowed to take pictures in the cave. To give you an idea of ​​what to expect inside, we were allowed to use the photos from Eisriesenwelt. During the tour it is darker in the cave which makes it a bit mysterious.