Altaussee and the Ausseerland-Salzkammergut
Embrace the alpine lifestyle in Styria

Is it the lake or the fresh air, the tranquility or the mountains? It's probably the combination of all of the above that makes Altaussee so special.

It’s right in the heart of the Ausseerland-Salzkammergut region – and a favourite among writers, both established and aspiring: Hardly any other place in Austria has inspired as many people to write as the picturesque town of Altaussee: Hugo von Hofmannsthal came here as early as 1892 for a summer retreat, as did Egon Friedell, Friedrich Torberg, Arthur Schnitzler, and others. Barbara Frischmuth grew up at Lake Altaussee.

Alfred Komarek, an Austrian writer also from the Ausseerland region, was convinced that it probably had something to do with the landscape. And indeed, walking around Lake Altaussee is like a meditation. The glacial rocks at Seewiese, the forest, the Loser, and the Trisselwand mountain are reflected in the dreamy blue lake – a landscape of legendary beauty, in which many a story is born. One simply needs ears to hear them, as Alfred Komarek says, and the talent to write them down. His memorable conclusion: "In the end, it is always nature that turns people into artists."

Quick info about Altaussee
Location:Ausseerland-Salzkammergut in Styria
Local mountain:Loser (1,838 m)
Award:Climatic health resort
Altitude: 720 m
Villages in Ausseerland:Altaussee, Bad Mitterndorf, Bad Aussee, Grundlsee

Guest Cards in Ausseerland

Enjoy discounts and all-inclusive offers from attractions to boat tours during your stay with Ausseerland's and Salzkammergut's guest cards.

Meet Altausseerland-Salzkammergut

Top highlights

Wellness & spas: Unwind at the end of a long day

Daffodil Festival: Austria's largest flower festival

Loser: Local mountain with a panoramic road

Traditional costumes in Ausseerland like back in the day

Snow paradise Tauplitz: Skiing with a view

Salzwelten Altaussee: Austria's largest active salt mine

The most beautiful nature spots in Ausseerland-Salzkammergut

Boat tours in Altaussee: Nostalgic and relaxing trips

Activities and excursions in Ausseerland-Salzkammergut

Art and culture in Styria: Castles, abbeys and contemporary art treasures

Sightseeing in Styria
The writer Alfred Komarek in Altaussee, Salzkammergut

Altaussee is a landscape that embraces you, but never restricts you. Creative people find this appealing; it inspires them to come up with new ideas.

Alfred Komarek (1945-2024), Austrian author

Food and drinks in Styria: A foodie hotspot between lakes, vineyards and pumpkin fields

Food & drinks in Styria

Unique places to stay

Waldruhe B&B in Bad Aussee

Strandcafé Hideaways Lake Altaussee

Alpenpark Haganlodge Altaussee

Seehotel Grundlsee

Narzissen Vital Resort Bad Aussee

Mayrlife Altaussee

Sustainability in Ausseerland

Eat, drink and shop regionally

In Styria, and especially the Ausseerland region, it is easy to shop and dine locally in a sustainable way. Farm shops and delis, bakeries, fisheries, and farmers' markets offer a variety of regional specialties—the so-called "gourmet map" points out the must-know spots.

When enjoying locally, you'll support...

  • … regional businesses and jobs

  • … climate protection through shorter transport routes and reduced CO₂ emissions

  • … the conservation of resources thanks to less packaging, less cooling, less waste

  • … seasonal and conscious eating in line with the natural circle

  • … trust in origin and production

FAQ

Altaussee is a town in Styria, and part of the Ausseerland-Salzkammergut region – a particularly picturesque region with numerous lakes, mountains, and cultural attractions. The heart of the town are Lake Altaussee and its surroundings, a nature reserve that preserves the region's flora and fauna in their pristine state. Altaussee sits in the Totes Gebirge, a mountain range in the Northern Limestone Alps. The local mountain is the Loser (1,838 m), offering impressive views of the surrounding landscapes, including Lake Altaussee, Lake Grundlsee, and the Dachstein massif.

There is no train station in Altaussee itself. However, public buses and taxis run between Altaussee and the nearest train station in the neighbouring town of Bad Aussee.

Altaussee and the surrounding Ausseerland-Salzkammergut stun with their natural beauty, think numerous mountains, cliffs, lakes and forests – the ideal setting for countless activities:

  • Hiking: The Ausseerland-Salzkammergut offers numerous hiking routes, ranging from lakeside walks to challenging mountain hikes and climbing tours.

  • Boat trips: Lake Altaussee reveals its tranquil beauty and alpine panorama particularly well from a boat perspective: rowing boats, electric boats, Austria's first solar-powered ship, or raft trips are available.

  • Cycling and mountain biking: Along lakes and with stunning mountain views, the Ausseerland-Salzkammergut offers plenty of biking tours.

  • Skiing and winter sports: The Loser and Tauplitz offer perfectly groomed slopes for recreational skiers.

Altaussee was named a "Climatic Health Resort" in 1989. Some of the criteria for the award are the following:

  • Air quality: The air in the region is of high quality, with low pollen counts and low levels of harmful pollutants or air pollution.

  • Natural surroundings: Forests, mountains and lakes all contribute to relaxation.

  • Therapeutic infrastructure: Altaussee has a graduation and Kneipp facility that uses brine from the Altaussee salt mine.

  • Tourist infrastructure: Easy access to accommodation, activities and nature is ensured.

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