Sankt Gilgen is a small tourist town in the Alps on Lake Wolfgang. There are tens of kilometers of picturesque hiking trails in its vicinity. In winter, there is also a small ski area on the slopes of the Zwölferhorn.
The town is located at the end of the lake, and its center is built up with historic houses. Above them rises the baroque tower of the Church of St. Giles. In addition to the small square in Sankt Gilgen, you can visit the house where Mozart's mother was born and then his sister lived. Currently, there is a small museum dedicated to the composer. In turn, information about the city and the region can be found in the History Museum.
The greatest attraction of St. Gilgen is its mountain surroundings. Hiking, biking and skiing trails in winter encourage people to spend time actively. One of the most popular excursion destinations is Mount Schafberg, which offers a beautiful view of the surrounding countryside and the lakes hidden among the mountains. You can reach its top on foot or with the Schafbergspitze funicular. It is the steepest railway line in all of Austria. Another attractive destination for excursions from Sankt Gilgen is the Zwölferhorn peak, which can be reached by cable car. In winter, there is a small ski resort on its slopes.
When visiting Sankt Gilgen, especially with children, you shouldn't miss two family attractions. This is the Animal Village and the Abarena Allwetterfreizeit Park next to it. The first is an ecological farm where you can learn about the life of animals and take part in field work, while the second is an intimate amusement park with slides, an observation tower, and a climbing wall that allow for several hours of great fun.
Sankt Gilgen also has infrastructure for recreation by the water. The Waldbad Furberg beach and several other bathing areas are situated on Lake Wolfgang. There are also kayak and boat rentals, and cruise ships run on the lake, including one from the times of Emperor Franz Joseph II.
