Covering around 47 km², Lake Attersee is Austria’s largest inland lake. Sailing, stand-up paddleboarding and diving are possible on the lake; its unusually clear water allows visibility of up to 25 metres. Mondsee and Irrsee are also known for their particular scenic appeal and lovely swimming spots. Water, culture and outdoor activities are just part of what makes up the Vöcklabruck district.
In the south of the district, the lake region is part of the Salzkammergut. Further north, the hilly Hausruck landscape and the foothills of the Kobernaußerwald shape the scenery. In the east, fertile fields and farmland surround Schwanenstadt; in the west, the landscape gently gives way to Salzburg’s Flachgau region. The scenery also includes the rock faces of the Limestone Alps and the wooded peaks of the Flysch hills. The landscape changes noticeably, rather than being limited to a single view of a lake.
Culture, history and crafts
The Heimathaus Vöcklabruck is home to a local history museum in one of the city’s oldest buildings. It houses a valuable collection from the estate of file manufacturer Isidor Braun. Mondsee Abbey has much older historical roots: the Bavarian Duke Odilo founded it in 748.
Lake Attersee is also associated with art history. Gustav Klimt spent his summer holidays by the lake between 1900 and 1916, creating numerous masterpieces inspired by the region. The Gustav Klimt Centre on the north shore opened in 2012 and presents a new exhibition every year. In Steinbach am Attersee, Gustav Mahler’s composing cottage commemorates two distinct achievements: his Second Symphony was completed there, and his Third Symphony was composed there in its entirety.
The Stehrerhof open-air museum offers a glimpse of rural life in the 19th century. Its Hausruck farmhouse, furnished with original fittings, conveys a sense of that era. The craftsman’s house demonstrates around 70 crafts and occupations, most of them with working equipment. The threshing-machine museum traces their development from the hand-operated peg threshing machine through various wide threshers to the combine harvester. The herb garden features medicinal and culinary herbs, shrubs, and perennials and flowering plants typical of the region’s farm gardens.
Themed trails and special experiences
Two themed trails offer different lengths and focuses. The Glass Valley trail is about 2.5 kilometres long, covers six themed areas and ends at the Freudenthal demonstration village. Stops and interactive features provide information about glass and the history of the village. The 10-kilometre Würfelspiel hiking trail leads from the market square through the Hausruck hills to the open-air theatre; informative displays are located along the way. The Frankenburger Würfelspiel is performed every two years on Europe’s largest open-air stage. If you are planning to attend a performance, it is best to check the dates in advance.
Technology and regional culture are also part of what the district has to offer. The Ampflwang Railway and Mining Museum displays railway and mining history exhibits in a 21-stall roundhouse, including steam locomotives with up to 3,000 hp. Check the latest operating details before visiting. At a glassmaking demonstration at the glassworks in Schwanenstadt, visitors can watch molten glass being worked; check the dates in advance. The district also has numerous exhibitions, concerts and theatre performances, as well as cultural activities organised by local associations.
Since April 2021, Attersee-Traunsee Nature Park has been Austria’s first star park. Regional offerings also include schnapps production and cider taverns. Farm shops, markets and direct sales from farms are also becoming increasingly important. In Vöcklabruck, experiences of nature and culture come together with insights into crafts, agriculture and regional products.
Getting around the region
Several public transport connections are available for planning your trip: the Atterseebahn connects Vöcklamarkt, St. Georgen im Attergau and Attersee, with return services. Regional bus route 565 connects Vöcklabruck and St. Georgen im Attergau. Bus services to Lake Attersee and St. Georgen im Attergau are also available from Vöcklabruck and Attnang-Puchheim railway stations. If you plan to use one of these connections, check the timetable before travelling.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Pitzenberg, Innerschwand am Mondsee, Mondsee, Oberhofen am Irrsee, Oberwang, Straß im Attergau, Unterach am Attersee, Weissenkirchen im Attergau, Weyregg am Attersee, Sankt Georgen im Attergau, Nußdorf am Attersee, Neukirchen an der Vöckla, Steinbach am Attersee, Zell am Moos, Tiefgraben, Schörfling am Attersee, Sankt Lorenz, Vöcklabruck, Schmitzberg, Gries, Lenzing, Kammer, Rutzenmoos, Timelkam, Frankenmarkt, Seewalchen am Attersee, Ziegelhaid, Fornach, Abtsdorf, Attnang, Loibichl, Mühlbach, Frankenburg am Hausruck, Desselbrunn, Attersee am Attersee, Ampflwang im Hausruckwald, Manning, Berg im Attergau, Vöcklamarkt, Schwanenstadt, Atzbach, Aurach am Hongar, Oberndorf bei Schwanenstadt, Pfaffing, Ottnang am Hausruck, Niederthalheim, Gampern, Oberpilsbach, Pöndorf, Puchkirchen am Trattberg, Pühret, Rüstorf, Schlatt, Rutzenham, Steinbach am Attersee, Ungenach, Wolfsegg am Hausruck, Zell am Pettenfirst.
Return to the higher-level travel overview: Upper Austria.
