By Gemma Tedaldi | Published: 4th December 2023 | Updated: 4th December 2023
If the old wooden boathouse lined Lake Hallstatt doesn’t entice you in, then the flower box-filled village streets will! Hallstatt is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, full of historic buildings situated within Upper Austria.
Surrounded by beautiful mountainous landscapes and with a quaint atmosphere, Hallstatt is somewhere you just have to visit on a trip through Austria. It’s clear to see why this village frozen in time is on many people’s bucket lists. Even with all the rain and clouds, it is still just as beautiful.
Planning Your Trip? Use our favourite travel resources below:
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Tours: We recommend Get Your Guide
Is Hallstatt Austria worth visiting?
It can get busy at times but yes, Hallstatt Austria is most definitely worth visiting. From the incredible scenery set along the lake to the delicious food on offer and all the quaint colourful houses in between, a visit to Hallstatt should be on your list if you are planning a trip to Austria.
Is Hallstatt Worth Visiting In Summer?
Hallstatt in summer is the perfect time of year to get out hiking or to take a dip in the lake, or one of the outdoor pools in the area. Boating is also another great thing to do in the summer with the option to rent paddle and row boats, as well as electric motor boats and stand-up paddleboards.
Hallstatt may not be the warmest place to visit in Austria, on average hitting 22 degrees Celsius maximum, but that makes it great for hiking. Check out the Hallstatt Glacier Garden or up to the Skywalk, with panoramic views of Hallstatt village, Halstatter See, and the surrounding mountains. At the top, you’ll find a viewing platform where you can enjoy the breathtaking scenery
Is Hallstatt Worth Visiting In Winter?
Hallstatt in winter is magical. Not only does it make one of the most picturesque villages even more beautiful, but there are still lots of things to see and do in and around the region. Plus, if you plan to visit during the Advent season, Hallstatt also has a rather lovely Christmas Market and a life-sized wooden nativity in the main market square to enjoy.
The salt mines and funicular to the Skywalk are closed during the winter months due to the snowfall, so instead head to Hallstatt Museum to learn about the history and culture of the region. The museum showcases archaeological artifacts and exhibits on salt mining (so you can still have your salt mine fix).
A 15-minute drive to the west from Hallstatt is the village of Gosau where throughout the winter horse-drawn sleigh rides take place and only a short drive south from Hallstatt you can also visit the pistes and the Dachstein-West ski area, so Hallstatt is a great place to base yourself if you want to ski or snowshoe as well.
Planning your own trip to Hallstatt Austria? Make sure you check out our Travelling Tedaldi Amazon Store Travel Guides for all your guidebooks and maps. (We’ve done the hard work for you and linked all the things we used to plan our trip!)
One Day Hallstatt Itinerary
If you have 24 hours to spend in Hallstatt Austria, then here is our suggested itinerary to make the most of your time in this picturesque village. It may seem like a lot for one day, but Hallstatt is really quite small so you can do quite a lot in a short amount of time.
One Day Hallstatt Itinerary – Morning
There are a couple of parking locations just to the south of the village, Parkplatz P1 at Salinenplatz 4830, or Parkplatz P2 at Kohlstattweg 4830, so as long as you arrive early you will be able to find parking. If not, then you will have to park roadside to the north of the village or come back on a different day.
Once parked up walk into the village and start your day by exploring the charming streets filled with traditional Alpine architecture, colourful houses, and flower-filled balconies. Be sure to head to the Marktplatz, the central hub of the village, and browse the local shops, and maybe even soak in the atmosphere in one of the local cafes or restaurants.
Whilst wandering through the village make sure to stop by the Beinhaus, also known as the Hallstatt Charnel House and the Maria Himmelfahrt Church. The Beinhaus is a chapel is known for its collection of over 600 painted skulls, a tradition dating to the 12th century, where when an existing grave was reused for a new burial, the skull and bones from the grave were transferred to the chapel and identity preserved by painting on them.
You can also get some pretty wonderful views over the village from the church too.
One Day Hallstatt Itinerary – Afternoon
Enjoy a scenic boat ride on Lake Hallstatt to explore the lake’s crystal-clear waters, stunning mountain views, and the iconic Hallstatt skyline. Boat tours are available throughout the day, and you can choose from different routes depending on your preferences. You can also hire your own boat and take it at your own pace should you want to.
Once back on dry land be sure to check out the Ofendrische Schaumrollen stand at the edge of the village for the Hallstatt schaumrolle. These wonderful (and very calorific) sweet treats are a mix of crispy pastry deliciousness filled with marshmallowy goodness! To find them make your way along the lake edge between the wooden huts until you find one with the biggest queue.
If you would rather hike than take to the water then head up to the Skywalk above Hallstatt via the Salzbergbahn for views back down over the entire village. Once back down from the dizzying heights, you can also stop by the Salzwelten Hallstatt to discover all about the history of salt mining in the area.
One Day Hallstatt Itinerary – Evening
Find a cozy lakeside restaurant and enjoy a delicious dinner while taking in the beautiful views. Hallstatt offers a range of dining options, from traditional Austrian cuisine to international dishes, just be sure to book ahead if you are visiting in a peak season or even on a weekend. Some places may also not be open on Sundays, so always check before you get there.
After your meal take a leisurely stroll along the lakefront promenade back towards the parking and enjoy the tranquility of the village in the evening. Admire the reflections of the lights and surrounding mountains on the water and the charming ambiance of Hallstatt.
Where to stay in Hallstatt
The best place to stay in Hallstatt is most definitely in the heart of the old village. You can stay in a boutique hotel overlooking the lakeside, or in a historical family-run wooden house in the centre of the colourful village. You can also stay a little further out of the village and take the short walk or ferry ride in, which may save you a bit of money as it can be pricey in Hallstatt depending on the time of year you are visiting.
For the best accommodation options check out the below map for all availability on your dates.
Is Hallstatt Worth Visiting FAQs
Where is Hallstatt Austria?
Hallstatt is located in Upper Austria in the Salzkammergut region in Austria, within easy reach from Salzburg.
How to get to Hallstatt
The nearest airport to Hallstatt is Salzburg W A Mozart roughly 34 miles away, making it a great location to fly into for a visit to Hallstatt as well as Salzburg. If you are already in Austria, or a neighbouring European country, and would rather take the train to visit Hallstatt, then the nearest station is Hallstatt Bahnhof on the eastern side of Hallstatter See. From there you can then catch a ferry across the lake to the village of Hallstatt.
How To Get From Vienna to Hallstatt
To get from Vienna to Hallstatt takes on average 3.5 hours drive but can take anything from 3 hours to nearly 10 hours via public transport. All trains from Vienna to Hallstatt will require you to change at least once, but there are over 20 trains per day, so you have plenty of choices.
How To Get From Salzburg to Hallstatt
To get from Salzburg to Hallstatt takes just over an hour’s driving time or 2 hours by train, making it much more doable for a day trip from Salzburg. You can also take bus number 150 from Salzburg main station, but the train will have much more scenic views.
If you are looking to drive through Austria and stop off in Hallstatt, as we did on our Austrian Road Trip, then be sure to use Rentalcars.com to find your ideal vehicle. We have used them on several trips throughout Europe and you can always find a good deal with them.
How to get around Hallstatt
By far the easiest way, and only way, to get around Hallstatt is on foot. The village itself is really quite small, with a few steps up and down to viewing platforms and the famous church, so there isn’t any need for any other form of transport. You can also boat or pedalo on the lake if you wish to see the village from a different perspective.
Why is Hallstatt so famous?
Historically Hallstatt was famous for its salt production, there is even one of the oldest salt mines in the world in the Hallstatt Valley that you can visit, (this is a great tour if you wish to visit TOUR LINK). Nowadays, it is known because of its UNESCO World Heritage Site picturesque lakeside alpine village and is also rumoured to be the inspiration behind Disney’s Frozen films.
Is Hallstatt worth a day trip?
Hallstatt is worth a day trip BUT we would highly recommend that you spend longer in the village. Spending more than a day will also help with the over-tourism problem that is happening to Hallstatt as well.
How many days do you need in Hallstatt?
To see the village you only need a day, but if you want to visit some of the nearby attractions such as the Salt Mine, or take a boat trip on Hallstättersee then you want at least 2 days in Hallstatt.
Are 2 days enough for Hallstatt?
To visit just the village of Hallstatt and take a boat trip on the lake, then yes 2 days is enough for Hallstatt. If you want to visit most of the Salzkammergut area of Austria, then you will without doubt need more than 2 days.
Is Hallstatt better than Salzburg?
There is no comparison between Hallstatt and Salzburg. One is a tiny village in the Austrian Alps on a lake and the other is a main city on the Danube famous for Mozart. Both are well worth a visit.
Is Hallstatt expensive?
Hallstatt is no more expensive to visit than elsewhere in Austria, however, you may have to pay a little more to park than elsewhere in the country.
What is the nearest airport to Hallstatt?
The nearest airport to Hallstatt is Salzburg W.A. Mozart (SZG) airport, which is about 54km drive away.
Is Hallstatt closer to Vienna or Salzburg?
Hallstatt is closer to Salzburg than Vienna. It is roughly 73km drive from Salzburg but 281km from Vienna.
What is the best time to visit Hallstatt?
Hallstatt is wonderful to visit throughout the year, just be prepared for the weather and you can’t go wrong. We visited Hallstatt in June, (before the summer tourist crowds), and although throughout the rest of Austria we had the most beautiful weather, it rained nonstop in Hallstatt! Hallstatt can get much busier in the summer and winter however with the holidays drawing the crowds as well as Christmas Markets.
Can I visit Hallstatt by car?
You can drive to Hallstatt, yes, however, you can not physically drive into Hallstatt. Instead, you will have to park on the outskirts of the village and walk in.
How far is parking to Hallstatt?
The parking in Hallstatt is a short walk from the main village at Parkplatz P1 at Salinenplatz 4830, a 15 minute walk into the village centre or at Parkplatz P2 at Kohlstattweg 4830 which is a 10 minute walk to the centre of the village.
How touristy is Hallstatt?
We won’t lie, Hallstatt is definitely touristy, but it is oh-so-worth visiting. The peak time of the year for tourists is during the summer months, June to September, and during the day any time from 11 am to 4 pm. If you have the option to avoid these times and visit in a shoulder season or even early in the morning, then we would highly recommend doing just that as it may get a bit unbearable with tour buses and very little parking.
Tours to Hallstatt
There are numerous tours to and from Hallstatt from both Vienna, Salzburg, and other destinations in Austria. Check out the best tours on offer through Get Your Guide here:
Conclusion: Is Hallstatt Worth Visiting?
Hallstatt is 100% worth visiting, even if it can get a little busy. Remember, Hallstatt can get crowded with tourists during the day, so try to explore early in the morning or in the evening to enjoy a more serene atmosphere.
Gemma Tedaldi
Gemma is the owner and author of The Travelling Tedaldi, a travel blog helping travellers to discover the best road trips and travel itineraries throughout the UK and Europe. When she isn’t writing about her favourite travel destinations, she can often be found out exploring local hikes or planning future trips.