Gmunden

Gmunden is a town of 13,000 in Upper Austria, located on the northern shore of Traunsee lake. The town is home to the medieval Schloss Ort castle, a lakeside promenade, and is surrounded by Alpine peaks. Gmunden has a centuries-old ceramic industry, known for producing the distinctive green-and-white Gmundner Keramik patterns.

Location and Setting

Gmunden is located at the northern end of Traunsee, Austria's deepest lake at 191 meters. The Salzkammergut Mountains surround the town, including the prominent Traunstein, which rises 1,691 meters above the lake. With 13,000 residents, Gmunden offers the conveniences of a small city while maintaining a calm, lakeside atmosphere.

Schloss Ort

Schloss Ort, a medieval castle on a small island in Traunsee, is one of Gmunden's most recognizable landmarks. A 123-meter wooden bridge connects the mainland to the castle. Built in the 11th century, Schloss Ort now houses a museum and serves as an event venue. For the best experience, walk across the bridge at sunset to see the castle silhouetted against the lake and mountains.

Exploring the Town Center

In Gmunden's old town, you'll find colorful buildings lining narrow streets. The Rathaus (town hall) stands out with its green and white striped facade and ceramic bell tower. Listen for the glockenspiel to chime on the hour. Nearby, you can find stores selling local ceramics or stop at a cafe to try the town's signature Gmundner Torte cake.

Lake Activities

Traunsee offers many water activities in summer. You can rent a paddleboat, kayak or electric boat to explore the lake independently. For a more relaxed option, take a cruise on the historic Gisela paddlewheel steamship, which has been operating on the lake since 1871. Several beaches around the lake's edge allow for swimming when temperatures warm up.

Hiking and Cable Car

For panoramic views over Gmunden and Traunsee, take the Grünberg cable car up to an elevation of 984 meters. At the top, you'll find hiking trails, a summer toboggan run, and restaurants with scenic terraces. One popular hike leads to Laudachsee, a small mountain lake about an hour's walk from the cable car station.

Gmundner Keramik

Since the 17th century, Gmunden has been a center of ceramic production. Visit the Gmundner Keramik visitor center and factory store to see artisans at work and try painting your own piece. The distinctive green and white flame pattern is recognized throughout Austria as a symbol of Gmunden.

Getting There and Where to Stay

You can reach Gmunden by train from Salzburg (1.5 hours) or Vienna (3 hours). By car, it's about a 3-hour drive from Vienna or 45 minutes from Salzburg. Several hotels line the lakefront promenade, offering rooms with water views. For a unique experience, book a stay at Schloss Ort itself, which has guest rooms in the castle.