Gmunden on Lake Traunsee: Culture, Ceramics and Mountain Panorama

Gmunden lies at the upper end of Lake Traunsee; Grünberg rises above the town. Lake Traunsee and Grünberg give the landscape theme in Gmunden two clearly distinct aspects.

Lake Traunsee and Grünberg as two clear reference points

On the lake, the mountain panorama can be experienced on a ride aboard a historic paddle steamer dating from 1871. The trip on Lake Traunsee combines the paddle steamer’s specific historical reference with views of the mountain landscape. Grünberg has 20 kilometres of well-developed hiking trails as well as signposted cycle paths. The 20-kilometre trail length serves as a planning framework for a hike on Grünberg without defining the length of every individual tour. The signposted cycle paths can be considered separately when planning the day. Hiking and cycling can therefore each be planned in advance as separate activities. The boat trip on the lake thus stands alongside hiking and cycling on Grünberg as a separate connection to the landscape.

Town History and Historic Places

Seeschloss Ort is one of the oldest buildings in the Salzkammergut. The K-Hof, Kammerhof Museum Gmunden, presents a chronological overview of the history of the town and the Lake Traunsee region in five sections, from its geological beginnings to the 21st century. For those interested in culture, the historical perspective therefore ranges from a single building to a museum exhibition covering a broad span of time.

The Capuchin Church contains works of art from the 17th century, including the statue “Christ in Prison”. Within the historical themes, the church represents a distinct ecclesiastical focus.

Ceramics in Gmunden: Manufactory, Ceramic Trail and Pottery Market

In the Middle Ages, a ceramics scene became established in Gmunden through the salt trade. Gmundner Keramik was founded in 1492. The ceramic flame decoration technique is part of Austria’s intangible cultural heritage. The Gmundner Keramik Manufactory continues to practise this decorative technique.

The Ceramic Trail leads through Gmunden and draws attention to large and small ceramic treasures in public spaces.

The Austrian Pottery Market takes place every year on the last weekend in August and presents contemporary ceramic work in a variety of forms from different workshops. The market combines the fixed August date with works from several workshops.

Festivals, Customs and Contemporary Art

The Salzkammergut Festwochen Gmunden is an interdisciplinary cultural programme. It includes music projects, innovative formats and theatre or drama. The different disciplines are brought together within a shared Gmunden programme framework.

Liebstatt Sunday is celebrated in Gmunden on the fourth Sunday of Lent; the custom has existed in Gmunden since 1641. Since summer 2025, the permanent installation “La Communication” has stood in the centre of Rathausplatz. The custom is therefore tied to a recurring date, while the installation is tied to a fixed location in the urban space.

Rindbach, Kogl, Sankt Konrad, Moosham, Pinsdorf, Gschwandt, Scharnstein, Sankt Wolfgang Im Salzkammergut, Grünau Im Almtal, Gosau, Bad Goisern Am Hallstättersee, Hallstatt, Traunkirchen, Obertraun, Neukirchen, Gmunden, Ebensee, Bad Ischl, Altmünster am Traunsee

For the overarching travel overview: Upper Austria.