We spent part of our September road trip staying on the shores of Hintersee Lake, and it was truly one of the highlights of our time in Austria. My only regret? Not spending more time in the Salzburg lake region—it’s that beautiful. Hintersee is a hidden gem: peaceful, wild, and absolutely stunning. It also made for a perfect base to explore nearby villages, lakes, and mountains. I can’t recommend Hintersee, Austria enough for those looking to slow down and enjoy the natural beauty of the area. Keep scrolling for the Hintersee, Austria: Travel Guide—a practical look at what to see, do, and experience in this underrated corner of the Salzburg region.
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General Information on Hintersee
Hintersee is a peaceful hidden gem in the Salzburg region (Salzkammergut) of Austria, offering both a serene alpine lake and a charming little village that share the same name. The lake is small but incredibly scenic, surrounded by forested mountains and perfect for easy walks, quiet moments, and beautiful photos. Just steps away, the village of Hintersee is quiet and relaxed, with a few family-run inns and direct access to hiking trails. It’s the kind of place that lets you slow down, breathe in fresh mountain air, and enjoy Austria without the crowds.
Is it worth visiting Hintersee?
100% yes—Hintersee is absolutely worth visiting. It’s tucked at the edge of the Osterhorn mountains and borders the Wolfgangsee region, so you’re surrounded by lush forests, alpine views, lakes, and hiking trails for all levels. The lake itself is peaceful and scenic, offering a calm, uncrowded alternative to busier spots.
It’s only about 35 minutes from Salzburg, making it a perfect day trip or quiet base for exploring the Salzkammergut area. If you’re looking for nature, views, and a slower pace—Hintersee delivers.
How to get to and around Hintersee?
You can take a bus or train from Salzburg to Hintersee, but honestly, having a rental car makes everything so much easier. We found that driving gave us the flexibility to explore more and not worry about schedules or connections. If you’re planning to visit Hintersee and the surrounding lakes and villages, I’d highly recommend renting a car—it just makes the whole experience more relaxed and accessible.
Road Trip Stops
We were coming from the Zillertal Valley so we made three stops on our journey to Hintersee.
- Kitzbühel: This is known as one of the most expensive areas to live in Austria, and it definitely shows. The main pedestrian zone is nice to walk around, but with all the high-end boutiques, you can tell it’s a place where money lives.
- Maria Alm: I really enjoyed Maria Alm. The architecture is incredibly charming, and the surrounding scenery is beautiful. We ate at Herzogin, which was delicious and had a lovely outdoor patio—perfect for relaxing.
- Zell am See: Zell am See is home to the stunning Lake Zell, which was featured in Band of Brothers—one of my favorite shows—so I had to visit! The lake is just as gorgeous in person and well worth the stop.
⇒ Check out our blog post on the Zillertal Valley.
Where to stay in Hintersee?
In my humble opinion, the only place to stay near the lake is Landhaus Seereith. I knew it had great views based on the photos, but myyyy god, those pictures did not do it justice. The view from my balcony of Hintersee completely blew me away—it was just stunning.
The rooms are simple, clean, spacious, and super comfortable. I especially loved that there was a bug screen on the balcony door, so we could leave it open and enjoy the fresh air without any unwanted visitors. The breakfast was outstanding, with plenty of fresh options and eggs made to order. There’s also a beautiful outdoor patio where you can sit, eat, and take in the view of the lake. A short, easy path leads right down to the water. Plus they have cute sheep on the property.
I honestly can’t stress enough how much I loved this small, family-run hotel. It was peaceful, welcoming, and just perfect—I really wish I had spent more time here.
Great Places to Eat Hintersee
There aren’t many restaurants around —which I actually liked—but it does mean you’ll need a car. Everything I recommend here requires a drive, but trust me, it’s worth it. Please note that we visited in the off-season so some of the restaurants around the lake were closed.
- Gausthaus Wirt am Gries, St. Gilgen: This spot is just a quick 20-minute drive from Hintersee, and it’s absolutely worth it. The outdoor seating area is beautiful and spacious, and the food was fantastic. We had incredible Wiener schnitzel and nettle dumplings—I loved those dumplings. Great local wine, delicious dessert, and overall just a must-visit restaurant if you’re dining in the area. Reservations recommended.
- Liva Sankt Gilgen. St. Gilgen: This is an excellent spot for coffee—truly one of the best I had on my road trip through Austria. If you’re anywhere nearby, it’s definitely worth a stop.
- Gasthof Zur Post, St. Gilgen: This was a great lunch stop while biking around Wolfgangsee. They have a nice outdoor patio that overlooks a beautiful square, and there’s even a bike rack right out front, which made it super convenient. I had the Austrian gnocchi and wow—they were stupid good. I absolutely loved them. Simple, delicious, and a perfect break during the ride.
- Gelateria Stella, St. Wolfgang: This is solid, very good gelato. Highly recommend.
Best Things to Do in Hintersee, Austria
Spend Time at Hintersee Lake
The best thing to do in Hintersee is to simply spend time at the lake—it’s absolutely beautiful. With its clean, clear water and mountain backdrop, it’s hard not to fall in love with the area. What makes it even more special is how quiet and natural it feels—there are just a few small guesthouses around the lake, keeping it peaceful and unspoiled.
If you’re visiting for the day, there’s ample parking and a snack hut by the lake that also rents kayaks and paddleboards. There is a small beach for swimming as well. There’s also a short, easy trail that loops around the entire lake, and I highly recommend doing it—it’s incredibly calm and relaxing. One evening, we grabbed a couple of beers and took a lazy stroll around the lake, and it was one of my favorite memories. Hintersee’s lake is truly a must-do if you’re in the area.
Stroll through St. Gilgen
There’s a reason we kept going back to St. Gilgen to eat—it’s an incredibly charming village. Honestly, I think it’s better than Hallstatt and definitely comes with fewer crowds. The town is picturesque, with colorful buildings, beautiful flower boxes, and detailed artwork and designs painted right on the facades. Just strolling through St. Gilgen is a lovely way to spend an afternoon, and it’s only a short drive from Hintersee, making it an easy and worthwhile stop.
Explore St. Wolfgang
St. Wolfgang is a bit larger than St. Gilgen, but it still packs in all the charm. I loved wandering its narrow streets lined with pastel, Alpine-style buildings, many with wooden roofs and flower-filled balconies. The town is full of cute shops and cozy cafés, and the views from the town down to Lake Wolfgang are absolutely stunning. Strolling through St. Wolfgang is such a joy—it’s relaxed, scenic, and definitely another must-do while exploring the area.
Visit See-Destillerie in St. Wolfgang
See-Destillerie has a small shop right in the heart of St. Wolfgang, and it’s an absolute must-visit. They offer a range of excellent local liquors, but the real standouts for me were the hazelnut and gingerbread liqueurs—my goodness, they make an espresso martini taste like a dream. I’ve been trying to figure out how to get them shipped to the States ever since. If you’re in town, do yourself a favor and stop in for a tasting.
Bike Around Wolfgangsee
This was by far my favorite thing I did in the lake region. We rented electric bikes in St. Wolfgang from Pro Travel Radverleih (located here), and then biked almost all the way around Wolfgangsee.
There’s a nature park section where biking isn’t allowed, so you can either turn around or take the ferry across—we just turned around and retraced our route. And honestly? It didn’t matter. The lake is absolutely breathtaking, and every bend in the road revealed even more stunning views.
We passed through several small, charming towns where you can stop for a coffee or snack. The e-bikes made the ride easy and fun, so it’s perfect for all fitness levels. I truly loved this experience—it’s one of my favorite memories from the trip and something I’d recommend to anyone visiting the area.
Take a Day Trip to Salzburg
Salzburg is one of my favorite cities in Europe—it’s an absolute joy to wander. The streets are just so pretty, charming, and full of character, and I genuinely loved everything about it. Since it’s only about 30 minutes from the lake region, it makes for the perfect day trip. And if you’re a Sound of Music fan, this is a must-visit. Below you’ll find my favorite stops in Salzburg—a mix of classic sights and personal favorites.
- Fortress Hohensalzburg: Amazing views from the top. Plus, it makes photos of the city look amazing.
- Mozart’s Birthplace: This is a must visit. It is a fantastic museum.
- Getreidegasse: Charming and beautiful pedestrian only street. Must visit.
- Salzburg Cathedral
- Sound of Music Locations: Mirabellgarten, Schloss Hellbrunn, and St. Peter’s Monastery
- Stiegl-Keller: Hilltop beer garden overlooking the city
- Cafe-Konditorei Furst: Try the original Salzburger Mozartkugel (Mozart chocolate balls)
Pro Tip: Salzburg is not a hidden gem—it definitely gets busy, especially during the high season. If you’re visiting in the summer, make sure to plan accordingly. That means going early in the day, later in the afternoon, or ideally, visiting during the shoulder seasons for a more relaxed experience.
Hallstatt
Hallstatt is absolutely postcard pretty, and you’ve probably seen it all over social media. It’s famous for that iconic view of the church set against the glassy lake, and yes—it’s stunning.
That said, it’s also so incredibly busy. I didn’t visit on this trip because I just didn’t want to deal with the crowds. Ever since social media caught wind that Arendelle from Frozen was inspired by Hallstatt, it’s turned into a bit of an influencer zoo. It’s beautiful, no doubt—but for me, it’s just too crowded to enjoy, so I skipped it this time around. No recent tips from me—just a heads-up if you’re considering going.
Travel Resources
- Zillertal Valley Information
- Landhaus Seereith
- More travel information on this region from a great blog
Your Thoughts
This is the Hintersee, Austria travel guide. What are your thoughts on this area? Will you be visiting soon? Leave a comment below!
