Austria is home to many picturesque towns and villages that rival the beauty of Hallstatt, offering stunning views of mountains and lakes. Here are a few notable ones that are easily reachable by public transport (close to Salzburg), please see ineractive map with listed towns marked at the bottom of this post.
1. Zell am See
- Location: Salzburg region
- Highlights: Zell am See is nestled between the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier and the crystal-clear Lake Zell. It offers breathtaking views, water sports, and hiking trails.
- Public Transport: Accessible by train from Salzburg, with a scenic train ride through the mountains.
- Travelling from Vienna
2. St. Wolfgang
- Location: Upper Austria, near Salzburg
- Highlights: Located on Lake Wolfgang, this charming town is famous for its pilgrimage church and stunning lake views. The Schafberg Railway offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.
- Public Transport: Reachable by bus from Salzburg, or by boat across Lake Wolfgang from other nearby towns.
3. Gmunden
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- Location: Upper Austria, near Lake Traunsee
- Highlights: Gmunden is known for its location on the northern shore of Lake Traunsee, surrounded by mountains. It has a beautiful lakeside promenade and a charming old town.
- Public Transport: Accessible by train from Salzburg or Vienna, with a train station directly in town.
4. Bad Ischl
- Location: Salzkammergut region
- Highlights: This historic spa town is located near several lakes, including Lake Wolfgang and Lake Hallstatt. It was a favorite summer retreat for Austrian royalty and offers beautiful parks, thermal baths, and mountain views.
- Public Transport: Accessible by train from Salzburg, with connections to other towns in the Salzkammergut region.
5. Mondsee
- Location: Upper Austria, near Lake Mondsee
- Highlights: Mondsee is famous for its beautiful lake and the stunning Mondsee Abbey, where scenes from "The Sound of Music" were filmed. The surrounding mountains add to its charm.
- Public Transport: Reachable by bus from Salzburg, with scenic routes through the countryside.
6. Werfen
- Location: Salzburg region
- Highlights: Werfen is known for the impressive Hohenwerfen Castle and the Eisriesenwelt Ice Cave, the largest ice cave in the world. The town is set against the backdrop of the Hochkönig mountain range.
- Public Transport: Accessible by train from Salzburg, with connections to nearby attractions.
7. Achensee (Pertisau or Maurach)
- Location: Tyrol region
- Highlights: The Achensee area, with its emerald-green lake surrounded by the Karwendel and Rofan mountain ranges, offers stunning landscapes and outdoor activities. Pertisau and Maurach are the main towns around the lake.
- Public Transport: Reachable by train to Jenbach, followed by a bus to Pertisau or Maurach.
These destinations offer the perfect mix of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and accessibility by public transport, making them ideal alternatives to Hallstatt.