Hallstatt is a small town in Austrian Salzburgerland on the shore of a lake beneath the mountains, on the UNESCO list as the Hallstatt-Dachstein/Salzkammergut cultural landscape. Its coloured wooden houses above the water are among the most photographed places in Europe. The town has eight hundred inhabitants and is visited by millions of tourists a year, so in summer it is full. Above Hallstatt is the oldest salt mine in the world, where salt has been mined for seven thousand years, and in the village is a Beinhaus with decorated skulls. The surroundings offer viewpoints, the mountain lake Gosau and a cable car to the Dachstein with an ice cave. Hallstatt is ideal for half a day or one night; it is best to arrive early in the morning or in the evening, when the coaches leave. From Salzburg it is an hour and a half by car or bus and from Prague four and a half hours. You pay in euros; prices are higher.
The places worth your time in Hallstatt, and what to expect at each
Hallstatt
A deep Alpine lake eight kilometres long beneath the mountains with clear water. A boat cruise on the lake shows the town from the water and its best photograph. Trails run around it.
Tip: A boat cruise costs about seven euros. The loveliest view of the town is from a boat or from the opposite shore. In the morning the lake is calm as a mirror.
centre
The small Marktplatz square with coloured merchant houses, a fountain and cafés. Narrow lanes lead to the lake and the church. It is the most photographed place in the town.
Tip: Come before eight in the morning or after six in the evening, when the groups have gone. Respect the privacy of local residents.
above the town
The oldest salt mine in the world, where salt has been mined for seven thousand years. A funicular leads up from the town and the tour includes a ride down wooden slides and an underground salt lake. It is one of the best experiences in the area.
Tip: A ticket with the funicular costs about thirty euros. Book in advance in summer. Bring a warm jacket, as in the mine it is eight degrees.
above the town
A viewing platform three hundred and thirty-five metres above the lake, reached by a funicular from the town. It offers the famous view of Hallstatt and the lake. Nearby is the start of the salt mine.
Tip: Entry costs about eight euros. It is loveliest in the morning or at sunset. In summer there is a queue.
centre
A small charnel house by the Catholic church of St Michael, where the skulls of the town's dead are kept. For lack of space in the cemetery the bones were dug up after ten years and the skulls decorated. It is a unique tradition.
Tip: Entry costs about two euros. Photography is forbidden. Allow half an hour.
Obertraun
The Krippenstein cable car takes visitors up to two thousand metres, from where there is a view of the Alps and the lake. Nearby are the ice cave and the Five Fingers viewpoint. In winter there is skiing.
Tip: The cable car costs about forty euros. Take warm clothes; it is cold at the top. From Hallstatt it is half an hour by car.
Gosau
A mountain lake ringed by the walls of the Dachstein massif, one of the loveliest in Austria. A trail runs round it and in summer you can swim. The view of the glacier in the mirror of the lake is unforgettable.
Tip: Go early in the morning; the lake is calm as a mirror. The trail round the lake takes an hour. The drive from Hallstatt takes half an hour.
Bad Ischl
A spa town, the summer residence of Emperor Franz Joseph, with the imperial villa, the Zauner café and a pedestrian zone. It is calmer than Hallstatt and popular with Austrians. It lies half an hour by car.
Tip: Taste Zaunerstollen at the Zauner café. The imperial villa costs about fifteen euros. It suits half a day.
lake
A trail leading from Hallstatt along the lake shore with views of the town and mountains. It takes an hour and suits families. It is a calm way to escape the crowds.
Tip: Set out early in the morning or in the evening. The way is easy, but bring water. You can return by boat.
Photos: Lake Hallstatt — Tigerente (CC BY-SA 4.0) · The Square and Old Town — Liberaler Humanist (CC BY-SA 3.0) · The Skywalk Viewpoint — MarinaBaranova (CC BY-SA 4.0) · The Beinhaus (Charnel House) — Noemi Alzayadi (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Dachstein Krippenstein — Ralph Deleja-Hotko = de:Benutzer:Aerotiker (CC BY-SA 3.0 de) · Lake Gosau — Karelj (Public domain) · Bad Ischl — David McGregor (CC BY-SA 2.0) · The Lakeside Trail — Herzi Pinki (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Areas and districts, matched to the kind of trip you are taking
Best for: lake and history
The area around the square and lake with small guesthouses. It is the loveliest place but also the priciest and most crowded. Suits one night.
Best for: calm and mountains
A village at the other end of the lake with the cable car to Krippenstein and caves. It is calmer and cheaper. A good choice for hikers.
Best for: nature and skiing
A mountain village in the valley with Lake Gosau and skiing. It is calm and natural. Suits a longer stay.
Best for: authenticity and lower prices
A larger town by the lake with guesthouses and shops. Prices are lower. Hallstatt is ten minutes by car.
The nearest airport is Salzburg (SZG), about seventy-five kilometres from Hallstatt. Bus 150 from Salzburg runs to Bad Ischl, from which a local bus runs to Hallstatt. A train runs from Attnang-Puchheim to Hallstatt, the last stretch by boat. By car from Prague it is about four hundred and fifty kilometres; you need an Austrian motorway vignette.
Salzburg Mozart (SZG) · 75 km
In Hallstatt everything can be walked in an hour. Car parks are pricey and full in summer; use park and ride. Boats and buses run to the lake. For the surroundings a car is handy.
Useful apps: Google Maps, ÖBB, Postbus, Maps.me
Hallstatt has an Alpine climate with a cold winter and a pleasant, rainy summer. In July it is around twenty-four degrees, in January around two. There is a lot of rain. The best time is May to June and September to October.
Best time
May, June, September and October
What to avoid
July and August (crowds), November (rain)
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day | 2° | 4° | 9° | 14° | 19° | 22° | 24° | 24° | 20° | 14° | 7° | 3° |
| Night | -5° | -4° | -1° | 3° | 8° | 11° | 13° | 13° | 10° | 5° | 0° | -3° |
| Rainy days | 90 | 80 | 95 | 95 | 130 | 160 | 170 | 150 | 110 | 90 | 100 | 100 |
Salzkammergut cooking is Alpine: fish from the lakes, dumplings and sweet dishes. A main dish costs fifteen to thirty euros. People drink beer, wine and schnapps.
Lake trout and char
Fresh lake fish, grilled or fried, served with potatoes. Best by the water.
Kaiserschmarrn
A torn pancake with raisins and sugar, served with plum compote. A favourite dessert in the Alps.
Käsespätzle
Noodle dumplings with cheese and fried onion. A hearty mountain dish.
Wiener Schnitzel
A fried veal cutlet, served with potatoes. The best-known Austrian dish.
Zaunerstollen
A chocolate praline with hazelnuts from Bad Ischl, the emperor's favourite sweet. Found in the Zauner café.
Salt specialities
Hallstatt salt is sold as a souvenir. Taste it in dishes.
Apfelstrudel
An apple strudel with raisins and cinnamon, served with vanilla cream. A classic dessert.
Coffee
€3.5–4.5
Lunch in a restaurant
€15–30
Kaiserschmarrn
€10–14
A beer
€4–6
Salt mine
€30
Skywalk
€8
Guesthouse (night)
€100–250
Lake cruise
€7
Indicative prices that change over time — treat them as a guide, not a price list.
1 day
2 days
3 days
Salzburg
75 km · 1 hr 15 min by car
The birthplace of Mozart with a fortress and a baroque centre. It suits a full-day trip.
Bad Ischl
25 km · 30 min by car
A spa town, the summer residence of Emperor Franz Joseph. It suits half a day.
Lake Gosau
15 km · 30 min by car
A mountain lake beneath the Dachstein glacier, one of the loveliest in Austria. It suits half a day.
Half a day to one night suffices for the town, lake and salt mine. For the Dachstein and Gosau add a day. In summer it is best to stay overnight to see the town without crowds.
By car in an hour and a quarter, by bus via Bad Ischl in two hours or on a tour. Bus 150 runs every hour. Car parks are pricey.
May to June and September to October, when there are fewer people. In July and August the town is full of coaches. It is best in the morning or evening.
It is pricier: lunch costs fifteen to thirty euros, a guesthouse a hundred to two hundred and fifty euros a night. The salt mine costs thirty euros. Cheaper is accommodation in Obertraun.
In summer yes, especially at midday, when coaches arrive. Come before eight in the morning or after six in the evening. Locals ask for respect and quiet.
Yes, it is safe, with a boat, a salt mine and slides. Children enjoy the funicular. Watch for narrow lanes with a pushchair.
A charnel house by the church where decorated skulls are kept. It is a local tradition because of the lack of space in the cemetery. Entry costs about two euros.
Lake trout, Kaiserschmarrn and Käsespätzle. With them Zaunerstollen from Bad Ischl. The beer and wine are local.
Check the latest visa requirements for entering this country. Some nationalities may need to apply for a visa or e-visa before travel.
Check visa requirementsLanguage
German
Currency
EUR
Timezone
Europe/Vienna
Dial Code
+43
Population
9.1M
Area
83,879 km²
Voltage
230V / 50Hz
Driving Side
Right
