On the shores of Wolfgangsee, sits a small but popular town called St. Gilgen. It has a few claims to fame, but what most people might recognize it from is The Sound of Music. The opening aerial shots show the blue lake waters of Wolfgangsee and the “Hills are Alive” panoramic scene were shot not too far away. While we’re on the subject of The Sound of Music, the church Marie was married in is in the nearby town of Mondsee. So, get in a car, and tour the sites if that is your thing.
St. Gilgen is also known for being the birthplace of Mozart’s mother. Note that Mozart did not live in the town, but you’ll find plenty of Mozart references.
This town though is charming. It has a peaceful lakefront setting that you could just sit there gazing out at the lake for hours. Take a swim, take a hike, go for a boat ride, the outdoor activities abound. The town itself isn’t that large and can be seen pretty quickly.
We went a warm afternoon, boarding a ferry from Saint Wolfgang. The ride took about 40 minutes. It’s about 10-15 euros one way, but a slight discount for a roundtrip ticket. We sat outside on the boat and the scenery was absolutely gorgeous. I saw a lakeside hotel I’d be interested in staying at in the future. The only downside was we ordered beer. It took forever to get and the waitress was very surely. I know they were busy, but having five minutes to drink a beer isn’t ideal, that’s OK though, again that scenery was well-worth it.
Once arriving in St. Gilgen, those interested in going up the mountain can take a cable car ride up Zwölferhorn Mountain to take in great views.
What we most enjoyed was visiting a little café in town called Café Nannerl. They have cute indoor seating, but we sat outside on the patio. I had a cake (it was OK. Called a nut cake I believe) and a cold, refreshing beer. My husband had a massive ice cream complete with those Mozart ball candies. He said it was the best ice cream. He still talks about it.
In St. Gilgen, it’s really not about checking activities off your list of things to do, it’s more about just taking in the scenery and enjoying the atmosphere. We intentionally didn’t’ plan any specific activity when we went to this little town. I loved having a slow-paced afternoon at a café and sitting by the lake getting my feet wet. The relaxation and the way I felt is what made it memorable for me.
