Ort Castle stands on a tiny island in Lake Traunsee and is one of the oldest buildings in the Salzkammergut. In Gmunden, the city’s history, ceramic culture and Grünberg each add a different dimension to your trip planning. The following places and activities offer ideas for how you might shape your stay.
City history and ceramics
The K-Hof offers a chronological overview of the history of the city of Gmunden and the Lake Traunsee region across 2,000 m² of exhibition space in 14 wheelchair-accessible galleries. The displays span the region’s geological beginnings through to the 21st century. At the museum, you can explore both the region’s long history and its more recent developments.
The K-Hof includes the permanent exhibition “Klo&So” on historical sanitary objects. Described as the world’s only museum dedicated to this subject, it contributes to the cultural history of everyday ceramics. The Kammerhof Museum also displays an extensive collection: ceramic artworks and handcrafted objects are housed in their own exhibition and storage area.
The Gmundner Keramik Manufaktur offers visitors the chance to try their hand at painting ceramics under guidance. Check participation details before your trip. The city describes the manufactory as Europe’s largest ceramics manufacturer. According to the city, it is the only business in the world still practising the flame-decoration technique. This gives you the chance to explore ceramics from different perspectives: as part of a collection, as functional objects and as your own creative activity.
Grünberg: views and trails
At 1,004 metres above Lake Traunsee, Grünberg is home to an idyllic nature reserve. The Salzkammergut treetop walk leads high above the forest floor, offering special perspectives and panoramic views of Gmunden and the Lake Traunsee region. At the end of the path stands a 39-metre-high observation tower. The Grünbergbande adventure trail offers a different experience: it leads from the mountain station around the summit to Lake Laudachsee.
The two experiences therefore have different stated destinations: the treetop walk leads to the observation tower, while the adventure trail goes as far as Lake Laudachsee. The operator lists the Grünberg cable car or the footpath as access routes to the treetop walk; it cannot be reached by car, which must be parked in the valley. Check the access information before your trip.
The Traunsee shipping service also offers nature and cultural experiences on the water. For travel by rail, the Traunsee tram runs between Vorchdorf-Eggenberg and Gmunden railway station. If you plan to use this connection, check the timetable details before departure.
Plan a stay to suit you
When looking for a hotel in Gmunden, you can start by deciding what matters most to you: would you like to explore the city’s history and ceramics, or include scenic views, the nature reserve and the trail to Lake Laudachsee? This distinction can help you choose your destination and the kind of stay you want. It’s best to assess specific accommodation features using the details of each listing.
Discover more destinations: Grünau im Almtal, Laakirchen, Ebensee, Ohlsdorf, Neukirchen, Sankt Konrad, Moosham, Obertraun.
For the main travel overview: Gmunden.
