Hallstatt, Austria: travel guide
Lakeside Salzkammergut village below steep peaks, famed for its salt mine
Postcard lakeside village in the Salzkammergut, a UNESCO World Heritage site famed for its salt mine and mirror-still lake.
About Hallstatt
Hallstatt is a small village squeezed between the steep Dachstein mountains and the still waters of Hallstätter See, in Austria's Salzkammergut. Its houses cling to the shore, and the reflections on a calm morning explain why it is photographed so often.
The village has been linked with salt for thousands of years, and the Salzwelten salt mine can be reached by funicular. Visitors also stroll the Marktplatz, walk the lakefront and head up to a viewpoint over the rooftops. Further up, the Krippenstein cable car climbs to the Five Fingers platform in the Dachstein massif.
Hallstatt suits photographers, hikers and day-trippers, and it forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage landscape. Early mornings and the shoulder seasons are quieter.
- Country
- Austria
- Currency
- EUR
- Time zone
- Europe/Vienna
Last updated
Top places to visit in Hallstatt
Salt Mine & Skywalk (Salzwelten)
salt mine · about 3 h · entry €42 (≈ ₹4,480)
The world's oldest salt mine, reached by funicular, with wooden slides underground and the Skywalk viewing platform.
Evangelical Church (Lakeside Spire)
church · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate
Neo-Gothic Lutheran church whose slender spire is the most photographed silhouette on the lake.
Charnel House (Beinhaus)
ossuary · about 0.5 h · entry €2 (≈ ₹210)
Chapel beside the Catholic parish church holding over 600 painted skulls, a poignant local tradition.
Classic Hallstatt Viewpoint
viewpoint · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate
The Gosaumühlstrasse vantage point delivering the iconic lake-and-village panorama.
Dachstein Krippenstein & Five Fingers
mountain · about 4 h · entry €41 (≈ ₹4,370)
Cable-car ride above Obertraun to the Five Fingers platform and the Giant Ice Cave.
Waldbachstrub Waterfall
waterfall · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Twin-cascade waterfall in the Echern valley, reached on an easy glacier-garden trail.
Market Square (Marktplatz)
square · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Compact triangular square ringed by pastel merchant houses at the village core.
Hallstättersee Lakefront
lake · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Emerald alpine lake for rowing boats, swimming spots and lakeside strolls.
Hallstatt Museum
history museum · about 1.3 h · entry €11 (≈ ₹1,170)
World Heritage museum on 7,000 years of salt-mining Hallstatt culture.
Things to do
- Hallstatt Salt Mine Tour Tour · 3 h · from EUR 42 per person
- Hallstatt Lake Electric Boat Rental Adventure · 1 h · from EUR 28 per person
- Dachstein Krippenstein & Ice Cave Tour · 5 h · from EUR 55 per person
- Hallstatt Village Heritage Walk Tour · 1.5 h · from EUR 15 per person
- Five-Lakes Salzkammergut Day Trip Tour · 8 h · from EUR 95 per person
Day trips and tours
- Hallstatt & Dachstein Full Day 8 h · from EUR 119
Where to stay in Hallstatt
- Marktplatz about EUR 210 per night
The lakefront village heart; wake up to the classic Hallstatt view.
Hotels
- Seehotel Grüner Baum 4-star · EUR 180 to EUR 340 per night
- Gasthof Zauner Seewirt 3-star · EUR 110 to EUR 190 per night
- Heritage Hotel Hallstatt 4-star · EUR 160 to EUR 320 per night
- Pension Sarstein 2-star · EUR 70 to EUR 120 per night
- Hallstatt Hostel 1-star · EUR 30 to EUR 70 per night
Where to eat
- Restaurant zum Salzbaron Austrian, Seafood · about EUR 45 per person
- Gasthof Simony Austrian · about EUR 28 per person
- Braugasthof Lobisser Austrian · about EUR 24 per person
- Cafe Derbl Cafe, Bakery · about EUR 10 per person
Getting to Hallstatt
Airport: Hallstatt (Salzburg Airport) (SZG)
How visitors arrive in Hallstatt
- Train via Attnang-Puchheim, then ferry By train from Salzburg / Vienna · common
Train trips usually need a change, typically at Attnang-Puchheim; the station is across the lake so a short ferry completes the trip. Source: european-traveler.com
- Bus via Bad Ischl By road from Salzburg · common
Buses from Salzburg are often combined with a train from Bad Ischl. Source: european-traveler.com
- Drive By road from Salzburg / Vienna · common
The page calls driving the easiest way to reach the village. Source: european-traveler.com
From the airport to the centre
- Fly to Salzburg and continue unconfirmed
Salzburg is the nearest airport, followed by Vienna. Onward travel is by train and ferry, bus, or car. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- The village centre is closed to vehicles. Park at the lots on the edge of town; those nearest the village are limited. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the railway station to the centre
- Train and ferry across the lake
Change at Attnang-Puchheim for the Salzkammergut line to Hallstatt station, which sits across the lake. A short walk leads to the pier, where a ferry crosses to the village; check the ferry timetable for your arrival. Source: hallstatt.net
- The village centre is closed to vehicles. Park at the lots on the edge of town; those nearest the village are limited. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the bus terminal to the centre
- Local bus 542 or 543
Local lines 542 and 543 link Bad Ischl and Obertraun train stations with Hallstatt. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- The village centre is closed to vehicles. Park at the lots on the edge of town; those nearest the village are limited. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
Getting around
- Boat
Boats cross the lake between Hallstatt village and the train station on the opposite shore.
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Drone & private-property photos
Village viewpoints
Visitors trespass into private courtyards or fly drones (banned) for the classic shot.
How to avoid it: Use the public Gosaumühlstrasse viewpoint; drones require a permit.
Best time to visit Hallstatt
- Jan 2°C
- Feb 4°C
- Mar 9°C
- Apr 14°C
- May 19°C
- Jun 22°C
- Jul 24°C
- Aug 23°C
- Sep 20°C
- Oct 14°C
- Nov 7°C
- Dec 2°C
More in Austria
Frequently asked questions about Hallstatt
- What are the main places to visit in Hallstatt?
- Places covered in our Hallstatt guide include Salt Mine & Skywalk (Salzwelten), Evangelical Church (Lakeside Spire), Charnel House (Beinhaus), Classic Hallstatt Viewpoint, Dachstein Krippenstein & Five Fingers.
- Where should I stay in Hallstatt?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Hallstatt: Marktplatz.
- How do I get around Hallstatt?
- Ways to get around Hallstatt covered in our guide: Boat, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Hallstatt?
- Scams reported to us for Hallstatt include Drone & private-property photos. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- What is the weather like in Hallstatt?
- Average daytime highs in Hallstatt run from 2°C in Jan to 24°C in Jul.