It’s no wonder people from across Austria, neighbouring countries and sometimes even far-flung corners of the world are drawn to the Salzkammergut.

Its seemingly perfect harmony of majestic mountains, lakes shimmering from turquoise to deep blue, and wonderfully wild forests welcomes visitors with genuine warmth.

Open. Unassuming. Authentic.

Beyond the Salzkammergut lies another region where nature’s unspoilt beauty continues: SalzburgerLand. It radiates a sense of calm that’s impossible to resist.

In the Flachgau region, relaxation becomes a way of life. And one village seems to answer the longing for a little time out like nowhere else:

Faistenau.

Here, you step into a world where everyday life grows quieter and your worries fade into the background for a while.

Let go. Take a deep breath.

A village as varied as life itself

Faistenau lies nestled in the impressive mountain landscape of the Salzkammergut. But there’s even more to discover beyond its mountain scenery. A short drive is all it takes to find yourself in a completely different world.

Perhaps you’re drawn to the peaks. Maybe it’s the sweeping green alpine meadows, where your gaze can travel all the way to the horizon. Or perhaps you’re longing for a village centre where lively local life and idyllic tranquillity sit side by side.

Because everyone finds peace in their own way.

Every day can unfold differently.
Every outing can bring new discoveries.
And every moment can stand on its own.

Unique. Unforgettable.

In Faistenau, you’ll find the escape you’re dreaming of right now.

And if you’re already imagining how to make that feeling of freedom a reality, there’s a wonderful way to do it:

Your gateway to freedom: LIVA Living

Your home away from home awaits in St. Gilgen or the city of Salzburg – both make it easy to reach Faistenau.

Just as varied as the possibilities in this region are our apartments. Whether you’re looking for a cosy holiday apartment for two, with a terrace overlooking the greenery, a spacious maisonette for you and your friends or a lifestyle apartment with mountain and lake views, you’ll find a space that suits your idea of a getaway.

Planning a longer stay? Discover our boutique apartment overlooking Plomberg. Or are you drawn to the city? Our lifestyle apartment by Mirabell Gardens puts you right in the heart of Salzburg city life.

Whatever you’re in the mood for, take a moment to explore the possibilities. And decide when it feels right:

Yes, this is what I want.
This feels like me.

Your home away from home can be just as individual as your getaway – a starting point for all the special moments waiting for you in Faistenau and the surrounding area.

Faistenau – the village centre and beyond

There’s plenty to discover in the heart of Faistenau. Stroll through the lanes, past charmingly decorated houses, and you’ll feel it straight away: the unmistakable character of the Salzkammergut. Every detail here tells a story of life in the countryside.

In summer, balconies overflow with flowers, brightening the carved wooden verandas. When autumn arrives, seasonal decorations transform the village. Cheerful straw figures bring the joyful spirit of the harvest season to life.Bild wird hochgeladen …

And when snow wraps the village in white, warm strings of lights cast a cosy glow across windows, fences and lanes. Winter magic that feels like home.

Faistenau has plenty to offer food lovers, too. From regional specialities to hearty home cooking, local inns invite you to savour the region with all your senses.

The historic Parish Church of St James is also well worth a visit. Baroque altars, intricate figures and the late Gothic church tower tell a story that stretches back to 1324.

But the village’s most striking landmark stands right next door: the Thousand-Year-Old Lime Tree.

Stand beneath its mighty branches and you’ll feel the special atmosphere of this place. This tree has seen generations come and go, yet still offers a sense of shelter and belonging. A quiet place to recharge, where the soul can find peace.

It’s also the starting point for numerous walks that lead you into the wonderful mountain and natural landscapes around Faistenau.

A fairytale landscape of woods and meadows

To the west and south of Faistenau, a gentle landscape of rolling hills unfolds. The broad districts of Lidaun and Anger nestle into the lush greenery, dotted with small settlements.

Silence, with grasses swaying in the breeze. A quiet invitation into the shade of the forest.

A woodpecker taps. A stream burbles.

Nothing else.
Just you.

If you’re lucky, a deer might come close as you wander among fragrant conifers. You may even spot an enchanted little witch’s cottage.

And somewhere between the woods and meadows, you’ll feel it: all is well.

The lake’s reflection

Beyond the western forests of Faistenau, the peaceful atmosphere continues. A scenic hiking trail leads over Kugelberg, rewarding you with views across the Faistenau plateau and its rich variety of wildlife.

Beyond it lies the lovely village of Vordersee, a peaceful place with a special charm. Pause for a moment of quiet reflection at the little chapel.

The energy of this peaceful retreat soothes both body and mind. And gently lifts the spirits.

The road winds in gentle bends through the dreamy landscape.
Then, suddenly, a lake comes into view: Hintersee.Bild wird hochgeladen …

Hidden from view until now, it lies before you. The crystal-clear water mirrors its surroundings, making the lake seem suddenly vast and majestic. Picturesque shores frame the water. The lightness of summer meets the freshness of crisp mountain air.

The light bathes the mountains of the Osterhorn Group in extraordinary colours. Their full beauty is reflected on the still surface of the water.

Feel close to the water.
And take time to recharge.
Ready for the idyllic walk back over Kugelberg to the village centre.
Pure pleasure.

A little escape into nature

There are even more natural wonders to discover as you explore Faistenau.

On the edge of the Osterhorn Group, Tiefbrunnau reveals its unspoilt side. At the foot of Faistenauer Schafberg, a broad valley opens onto a landscape full of contrasts:

Rugged mountain scenery meets gentle hills that beckon you up to lush alpine pastures. Wonderful hiking trails, such as the fairytale trail to Faistenauer Schafberg, offer one breathtaking view after another.

The climb deserves a reward. Your discovery tour wouldn’t be complete without stopping at a traditional alpine hut. The Hatznalm, for example.Bild wird hochgeladen …

Treat yourself to a hearty platter of local specialities, a warming soup or a generous slice of bread topped with bacon.

Then simply stay awhile and let the wild beauty wash over you.

In the mood for coffee and cake?

… then it’s just a short trip to Café LIVA, right in nearby St. Gilgen.

We serve coffee just the way you like it. But we also share a feeling – one that tells our story. The perfect way to wind down after an active day outdoors, in the cosy atmosphere of our welcoming café.

Enjoy a slice of homemade cake or a creamy torte, baked with passion and finished with love.

You can feel it in every corner, in every detail.

A moment to look back on your day in Faistenau and let the memories linger.

A getaway that stays with you

A place like Faistenau, with so many sides – each more captivating than the last – draws you into a postcard-perfect world. Suddenly, the meadows and woods, the lake and gentle hills all come together as one.

And you feel it: today, you were right in the middle of it all. In the real world. In life.

Want to hold on to that feeling? Continue your escape in a home away from home that brings comfort and a true sense of belonging together: LIVA Living.

Choose a holiday apartment that suits your taste and gives you room to make yourself at home. Stay a little longer. Enjoy the moment. And let a new day begin naturally.

No stress. No pressure.

Just the captivating nature of the Salzkammergut. The special atmosphere of SalzburgerLand. And the many sides of Faistenau, always ready to reveal something new.

And you? Simply here, with a happy smile. Savouring the moment. And staying a little while.

Fancy a few days at Lake Wolfgang or in Salzburg? With LIVA Living you stay in fully furnished apartments – for a weekend, a month or longer. All you need is your suitcase.

See all apartments – or drop us a line if you have questions.

The summer season has passed, and the light softly envelops the landscape. The mountains shimmer in gentle gold, and over the Wolfgangsee lies this special idyll that heralds the quieter months.

As the days become busier and everyday life resumes, a quiet longing grows within many of us.

For water instead of traffic.

For openness instead of appointments.

For a morning where the first gaze falls not on a screen but on a lake of liquid turquoise.

Perhaps you know the feeling: You want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, out of the familiar surroundings. To the water.

Into the mountains.

To a place where the days feel longer, even if they are no longer.

But life by the lake often remains a beautiful idea—one we save for vacation.

Or perhaps not…

When Vacation Becomes Home

With LIVA Living in Sankt Gilgen, you can temporarily move your everyday life to where others spend their holidays.

Not in an anonymous apartment, but in a temporary home with personal boutique charm. A place to arrive. Breathe. Let go. Experience a feeling that is more than just short-term living—it’s life.

And let your love for the lake run free. For there is the Wolfgangsee.

Crystal clear, surrounded by mountains, and different every day. In the morning still, like a mirror without glass. Buzzing at noon. Bathed in that warm light in the evening that makes even an ordinary stroll feel like an escape from reality.

So that you don’t just look at this place but truly experience it, there is the Wolfgangsee Card.

With accommodations like LIVA Living, it is available for free and connects attractive discounts and numerous excursion destinations in an active program that takes the meticulous planning of your leisure time off your hands.

Your only decision: Where will my next adventure take me?

In reality, it’s much more than just a benefit card.

It’s an invitation to set out.

Hop On and Let Go

Perhaps your day begins quite unspectacularly.

You walk from LIVA down to the lake, breathe the crisp morning air, and board a ship.

The Wolfgangsee Shipping connects Sankt Gilgen, Sankt Wolfgang, and Strobl—each stop being a new world. Since 1873, it has been as much a part of the Wolfgangsee as the mountains are to its horizon.

With the Wolfgangsee Card, you can set sail at a discounted price.

The ship glides over the water. The shore passes by you. And with each sparkling wave, everyday thoughts drift away as well. Perhaps a coffee, perhaps a glass of Prosecco. Above all: no next appointment.

Just this lake.

Even the short crossing with the Greinz Shipping can turn into an experience—especially when you prefer to leave the car behind and cross the Wolfgangsee from the water instead.

That’s what a change of scene feels like when you can take your time.

When the Lake Suddenly Lies Beneath You

Then there are those days when you want to reach new heights.

From Sankt Gilgen, you can take the Zwölferhorn Cable Car quickly up into the majestic mountain world—Welcome to the Zwölferhorn.

Up there, a different perspective on life opens up—over Fuschlsee and Mondsee. Deep below you, the landscape suddenly spreads wide, and your mind feels liberated.

The Wolfgangsee Card also grants you a discounted price for this experience.

Or you can switch sides of the lake and hop on the legendary Schafberg Bahn.

Since 1893, the historic cogwheel train has wound its way up the Schafberg. At the top, on a clear day, a spectacular panorama of the Salzkammergut’s lake landscape awaits—a stage of nature that cannot be captured in photos.

For the Schafberg Bahn, the Wolfgangsee Card also offers a discount.

Perhaps this is the moment you realize what temporary living can truly mean.

You are no longer just visiting.

You are in the midst of it all.

The Luxury of Not Needing a Plan

The beauty of living by the Wolfgangsee is that not every day needs to be a grand venture.

Sometimes, a bicycle is all you need.

Wind in your hair, amidst a wide, rolling hilly landscape. Picturesque mountain villages nestle into the lush green—and the lake repeatedly emerges between woods, meadows, and houses.

You can rent e-trekking or e-mountain bikes at a favorable price with the Wolfgangsee Card.

And if you prefer mountains over asphalt, the road leads up to the Postalm. Austria’s largest contiguous alpine region invites you to hike, stop by, and stay awhile. Perhaps for a hut tour with hearty alpine snacks.

To be free.

The card also offers discounted tolls for the Postalm Road.

And sometimes, freedom means warmth.

When the breath creates little clouds in the morning and the mountains already seem a bit cooler, the Wellness-Alm at Leopoldhof awaits.

The scent of wood, wonderfully warm water—and peace. Outside, the landscape of the Salzkammergut.

The combination of rustic alpine charm and modern wellness oasis is also available at a discount with the Wolfgangsee Card.

You don’t need to have anything special planned or create the perfect day.

But simply realize what you feel like doing today.

And that’s why you can experience so much.

A Journey Around the World in the Heart of Sankt Gilgen—or Bad Ischl

Sometimes you don’t need to travel far to feel far away.

Because your LIVA temporary apartment is centrally located in the Mozart village of Sankt Gilgen.

There, encounters are created that connect the diversity of people and make for a colorful and cozy togetherness. Joy of life from all over the world is palpable in our Café LIVA.

In the town itself, there’s also the Musical Instrument Museum of the Peoples. Thousands of instruments from all over the world tell of cultures, people, and sounds from the most diverse parts of the globe. With the Wolfgangsee Card, there’s discounted admission.

A few steps—and suddenly the journey from Sankt Gilgen takes you around the entire world.

Or simply directly to the nearby Bad Ischl.

The imperial town tells its very own story. Of dusted-off K&K flair, historic streets tracing Sissi, and this special blend of upscale and traditional.

Stroll. Walk. Discover.

Here too, the Wolfgangsee Card extends beyond the lake: it offers discounts for the Katrin Cable Car – the most beautiful cable car in the Salzkammergut.

On selected dates, there are also free city tours through Bad Ischl.

This way, the radius of your home expands.

And in the evening, back.

To LIVA.

Perhaps Your Story Begins Right Here

Most people come to the Wolfgangsee to go on vacation.

But maybe it’s time to escape the yearly gray and turn it into something colorful.

A few weeks. A month. A little break.

A temporary home, where the lake is no longer just the destination of an outing, but a part of your everyday life.

Where you know in the morning how the light looks on the water.

Where you can spontaneously hop on a ship.

Where a mountain is not just a backdrop but your next destination.

Where, after a long day, you sit in Café LIVA with something delicious in front of you and suddenly realize:

I don’t have to be anywhere else right now.

The Wolfgangsee Card doesn’t just give you cheap entry fees.

It opens doors.

To mountains. To water. To culture. To little adventures.

To moments that don’t fit into a vacation plan—and because of that, will stay.

And perhaps the best part is:

You don’t have to dream of living by the Wolfgangsee for a while.

You can just do it.

LIVA Living in Sankt Gilgen.

A temporary home.

A lake at your doorstep.

And a story that may just be beginning.

Fancy a few days at Lake Wolfgang or in Salzburg? With LIVA Living you stay in fully furnished apartments – for a weekend, a month or longer. All you need is your suitcase.

See all apartments – or drop us a line if you have questions.