A charming resort town sitting at the edge of the deepest lake in Austria. The distinct Traunstein, the charming castle in the middle of the lake, and the onion dome church are just a few reasons we chose to live in “the ceramic city" on the Traunsee, and it is why you should want to visit too.

Day 1

9:00 AM - Grab a coffee and a slice of the “Original Gmundner Cake” at Café-Konditorei Grellinger, Gmunden's oldest pastry shop serving locals and tourists since 1878. With more than 900 parking spaces in and around the city, parking in Gmunden is quite easy. For your 48hr trip, I would recommend finding space in the 24hr parking garage just across from Café-Konditorei Grellinger and Hotel Esplanade.

Hours
Daily 9 AM - 6 PM
Closed on Wednesday

Address
Franz Josef Square 6
4810 Gmunden

10:00 AM - Watch the Glockenspiel in front of the Rathaus Gmunden. Many European cities are known for having a Glockenspiel show at the top of every hour. Two popular ones that come to mind are the Glockenspiels in Munich and Prague, and Gmunden is no exception. Starting at 10 AM, twenty-four green-glazed ceramic bells chime from the town hall facade.

Hours
March 21 - June 20
10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 19:00

June 21 - September 22
10:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00, 17:00, 19:00

September 23 - November 26
10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 19:00

Address
Rathauspl. 1
4810 Gmunden

10:15 AM - After the chimes are over, follow the cobblestones through town and do a little window shopping. Stopping at stores like Gössl for traditional Austrian clothing, Rinnhölzl for home goods, Sport Spirit for outdoor gear, and Hass Heute for a traditional Austrian hat in one of the oldest buildings in Gmunden and a secret courtyard decorated all year long! Don’t forget to admire the Pfarrkirche Gmunden.

11:30 AM - Take the cable car up the Grünberg. After a 6-minute ride on the cable car, you will arrive at the top of the Grünberg. Alternatively, you can hike to the top following these routes.

Cable Car Hours
Daily from April 1 - November 12, 2023, beginning at 9:00 AM
Click here for more information

Address
Karl-Josef-von-Frey-Gasse 4, 4810 Gmunden

Price
Adult cable car ascent + descent = €22.50
Dog ascent + descent = € 5.90 (Dogs are required to wear a muzzle and use dog leashes!)
Click here for more information on pricing

11:45 AM - Hike to Laudachsee, the most popular hike on the Grünberg. The hiking trail to Laudachsee is well-marked and an ideal option for seniors and families with children. From the top station of the Grünberg cable car, you can reach Laudachsee in 1 hour. Within 5 minutes of getting off the cable car, you will pass the Baumwipfelpfad, a popular tree-top walk.

12:45 PM - Snag a table for lunch at Ramsaualm, a mountain hut overlooking Laudachsee. In the summer this place is packed, so you might be waiting a while or have to join a few strangers at their table.

Hours
Daily from 9 AM - 3 PM

Address
Traunstein 53
4810 Gmunden

2:45 PM - Take the cable car down to the valley station and walk 5 minutes to Parkplatz Seebanhof (The Hiking Bus pick-up point)

Hiking Bus Hours
The bus only runs on weekends and public holidays
April and October starting at 5:30 AM
May to September starting at 4:30 AM
The last trip back to town is at 6:00 PM

Ticket Price
Shuttle ticket / one-way: €5
Children up to 16 years: free
Pay for the ticket when you get on the bus

Alternatively, If you parked at the cable car station, you can also drive and park at the lot where the hiking bus would drop you off. Just be aware this parking lot fills up fast.

Parking prices as of April 1, 2023
3-hour ticket - €10
24-hour ticket - €25

3:00 PM - Hike the Miesweg, a trail at the foot of the Traunstein leading you directly over the Traunsee. This path includes steel cables, wooden bridges, a few ladders, and breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding mountains. The first and easiest option to begin the trail is by walking through two unlit tunnels and over the Lainau Bridge. After crossing the bridge, the Miesweg begins on the right side leading you directly down to the lake. The second option and slightly more challenging is to begin the Miesweg before walking through the tunnels. The biggest decision to make is whether you want to climb up stairs or go down them.

5:00 PM - Check into Hotel Esplanade. A hotel that needs no introduction, because its name says it all–a hotel on the esplanade. A perfect location for your weekend getaway in Gmunden. This is the hotel we stayed at the first night after we arrived in Austria in 2020. It is also pet friendly!

6:30 PM - Enjoy your first Gmunden dinner at Weinstube Spies. This charming, dimly lit wine bar has stood in the center of town since 1885. A cozy atmosphere serving traditional country cuisine is a great way to end your first night in Gmunden.

Hours
Sunday & Monday - closed
Tuesday - Saturday - 5:30 PM - 2:00 AM

Address
Kirchengasse 3
4810 Gmunden

8:00 PM - Take a romantic walk down the esplanade. After 20 minutes of panoramic views of the Grünberg, Traunstein, Höllengebirge, and Dead Mountains, the path takes you left down a treelined street towards the Schloss Ort.

8:30 PM - Sunset at Schloss Ort, a medieval castle built on a tiny island over the Traunsee. This castle is one of the oldest buildings in the region. Today it serves as a museum, restaurant, and most popularly–a wedding venue, with more than 300 weddings a year. The walk over the 123-meter-long, lantern-lined, wooden bridge, is a perfect place to catch the sunset on your first night in Gmunden.

Day 2

5:00 AM - Sunrise on the Gmundnerberg, a mountain with the best views of the Traunsee, Traunstein, and the town of Gmunden in the distance. If you can stop hitting snooze and hit the road, the sunrise from the Gmundnerberg is a must while in Gmunden. If you’re really not a morning person, sunset from this point of view is nice too.

Sunrise Hours
The sunrise time will vary depending on what time of year you visit.

7:00 AM - Breakfast at Cloud Five, the restaurant attached to Hotel Esplanade. Offering panoramic views of the Traunsee, this breakfast café offers the best from the region.

Cloud Five Hours
Monday - Friday  7 AM  - 10 AM
Saturday & Sunday 7:30 AM - 11 AM

9:00 AM - Rent a boat from Bootsvermietung Dominik Huber directly on the esplanade. Step aboard brightly colorful boats and become a part of the cityscape. Boats range from the classic pedal boat to the chic electric boat with protective sun canopy. Renting a boat is a great way to explore the lake and nature in your own way while relaxing on the deep blue-green waters of the Traunsee. On a hot summer day, feel free to jump in and take a quick swim too.

Rental Boat Hours
April: Monday - Friday 11 AM to 6 PM // Weekends 9 AM to 7 PM
May to September: Daily from 9 AM to 7 PM

Noon - Lunch at Seehotel Schwan. A restaurant inside of a hotel serving fresh fish from the lake, fresh veggies from local farms, and delicious traditional desserts every day.

Seehotel Schwan Hours
Daily from 11 AM to 9 PM

2:00 PM - Hop aboard the historical paddle steamer "Gisela", one of the oldest steamers in the world, built in 1871. Gisela is named after the daughter of Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph and is the last of a total of five steamboats that have traveled the picturesque Traunsee. Fun fact - The “first floating post office” in Austria is aboard the Gisela, so it is possible to send letters and postcards from the boat to anywhere in the world!

Gisela Steamboat Hours
July to August only on Sundays

Address
Sparkassengasse 3
4810 Gmunden

6:00 PM - Enjoy your last Gmunden dinner at Hackl Pizza. The pizzas are as authentic as they come with ingredients being delivered fresh from Italy every week. In the summer months, the outdoor terrace serves as the perfect spot to people-watch and enjoy a slice.

Hours
Thursday-Sunday 11:30 AM - 2 PM // 6 PM - 10 PM

Address
Am Graben 10
4810 Gmunden

I hope you enjoy your 48 hours in Gmunden! If you have questions email me or reach out on Instagram

*Note: This itinerary was made for a Saturday-Sunday during late summer. The time of year and days you choose to visit Gmunden may require a few activities to be rearranged to accommodate closing times.

Alt ideas to consider if something is closed or the weather is not cooperating–

• Paint your own ceramics at Gmundner Ceramics. While you won’t be able to take home your masterpiece the same day, they can ship it to your house and when it arrives 2 weeks later it will be a nice reminder of your time in Gmunden.
  
  

  • Gmundner Ceramics Hours
    Monday – Friday 9 AM – 5:30 PM
    Saturday 9 AM – 4:30 PM

  • Prices
    Starting at €19
    Note, children under 14 years must be accompanied by an adult supervisor.

  • Address
    Gmundner Keramik Manufaktur
    Keramikstraße 24
    4810 Gmunden
    
    

• Tuesday farmer’s market. All year long, locals set up their stands to sell the freshest fruits, fish, flowers, bread and spreads. With the iconic Traunstein towering over the market, it is one of the best farmer’s markets in Upper Austria.
  
  

  • Farmer’s Market Hours
    Every Tuesday  7:30 AM  - 10 AM
    ** If a holiday falls on Tuesday, the market moves up to Monday.

  • Address
    Rathausplatz 1
    4810 Gmunden