It’s almost impossible to tear yourself away from Austria’s magnificent cities.
You can spend days roaming around Vienna and Salzburg’s architectural wonders, marveling at Schonbrunn and Mirabell, getting lost in mazes of manicured gardens and abundant artwork. There’s much to see and do in Austria’s majestic cities, and plenty of glorious history and culture to discover.
But to get to the heart of Austria’s rustic charm, you must venture to its small countryside villages. You’ll find that there’s more to Austria than operas and schnitzels and all-out opulence. There are also stunning natural landscapes, breathtaking vistas, picture-perfect storybook towns, and plenty of outdoor adventures to be had.
If you only make it to one town, make it Hallstatt. Nestled in Salzkammergut’s mountainous region, Hallstatt is a small town sandwiched between a mountain and a lake, lined with pastel houses decked with flower boxes. The swans and ducks gracefully plying the coastline complete the picture, making it the perfect storybook town to take a break from the cities. It’s a great stopover on a drive from Vienna to Salzburg, and an excellent base for exploring the rest of the gorgeous Salzkammergut.
If you’re thinking of venturing to Austria’s beautiful Lake District soon, here’s where to stay in Hallstatt.
Where to stay in Hallstatt – best hotels and holiday homes
Here are my quick recommendations to help you choose your perfect stay in Hallstatt.
- If you want to explore Hallstatt easily and take in all the town’s charms, stay in one of these gorgeous lakeside hotels. You’ll wake up to stunning panoramic views of the lake, enjoy a private beach area, be near all the best restaurants and cultural landmarks, and explore the town’s lovely historical center easily. This is the ideal base if you’re planning to stay mostly in Hallstatt and want to make the most of the charming ambiance.
- If you’re planning a road trip around the Lake District with your family or friends, stay in one of these cozy holiday homes and apartments. Hallstatt’s historical center is car-free, so if you plan to road trip around Salzkammergut, your best option is to stay in one of the lovely pensions and apartments just outside the center. You can take a short scenic walk to Hallstatt’s main attractions or go on hiking and biking trails around the town’s outskirts.
- If you want a relaxing stay away from the crowds, stay across the lake in Obertraun. While Hallstatt’s beauty is worth battling the tourist crowds for, if you want a more laidback holiday with all of Hallstatt’s charm but without the crowds (and costs), staying across Lake Hallstatt in the quiet town of Obertraun is your best option. You’ll easily be able to ferry, bike, hike, or drive to Hallstatt – then enjoy a peaceful afternoon back in Obertraun.
Plan your trip to Hallstatt with this PDF guide.
Map – essential landmarks and best hotels in Hallstatt
Use this Google map to plan your trip. I added all the best sights and best places to stay in Hallstatt.
If you want to explore Hallstatt easily and take in all the town’s charms, stay in one of these gorgeous lakeside hotels
Wake up to calm and bright mornings and treat yourself to stunning views of the lake as it sparkles under the sun. Have your cup of coffee while you watch the dancing reflections of pastel-colored houses and the swans and ducks gliding serenely across the lake. Take a stroll along the boardwalk and check out the boutique shops and cafés, or go for an easy hike to one of the many viewpoints.
Even as Hallstatt becomes increasingly popular as a tourist destination, the star attraction is still the beautiful lake and the charming historic center. Staying in one of Hallstatt’s lakeside hotels will give you front-row seats to the town’s best views and relaxing ambiance.
Wake up to calm and bright mornings and treat yourself to stunning views of Lake Hallstatt as it sparkles under the sun.Best lakeside hotels in Hallstatt
★Top Pick: Seehotel Grüner Baum is by far the best lakeside option in Hallstatt. It offers panoramic views of Lake Hallstatt, a historic ambiance, spacious rooms, and excellent staff. If you’re driving, don’t worry that it’s right in the middle of car-free Hallstatt – you can park at the P1 parking area outside town and ride the free shuttle to the hotel. If you’re coming in by ferry, this hotel is even more ideal – it’s the closest one to the ferry port, so you’ll be comfy and cozy in your beautiful room in no time. Double rooms start at EUR 220.
Hallstatt Hideaway and Heritage Hotel are fabulous alternatives. Both are by the lake Hallstatt and in the historical center, with spacious and stylish rooms, luxurious amenities, and breathtaking views.
If you’re planning a road trip around the Lake District with your family or friends, stay in one of these cozy holiday homes and apartments
Even when you’re on holiday in a lovely destination, there’s nothing quite like the comforts of home. These beautiful holiday homes and apartments are great options for you if you’re traveling with your family or a big group – you’ll get to enjoy spacious rooms, extensive amenities, private parking spaces, and the comforts of home with convenient amenities.
These are also great options for couples, especially if you’re planning a trip filled with hikes and drives around the Lake District. These apartments are a short scenic walk from Hallstatt’s car-free center, so they’re both convenient for exploring the town’s landmarks and driving out to the countryside.
Hallstatt has a car-free historical center, so if you plan to road trip around Salzkammergut, your best option is to stay in one of the lovely pensions and apartments just outside the center.Best holiday homes and apartments in Hallstatt
★Top Pick: W&S Executive Apartments is the perfect mix of a cozy home-away-from-home and a stylish holiday stay. These beautiful apartments are just outside the busy tourist center and treat you to spacious suites, a fully equipped kitchen, and a furnished balcony with a fantastic view. They also have free parking spaces, perfect for your road trip holiday. This is a perfect base for families and big groups, as well as couples who want a local experience. Apartments start at EUR 290. For bigger groups up to 6, they also have a chalet.
Appartements Wallner and Appartement Emilia are great alternatives with cozy spaces, convenient locations, and free parking spaces. The C.T.N. Loghouse is a beautiful 3-bedroom vacation home perfect for bigger groups.
If you want a relaxing stay away from the crowds, stay across the lake in Obertraun
If the thought of battling the tourist crowds is keeping you from enjoying a holiday in Hallstatt, I’ve got the perfect recommendation for you – stay across the Lake Hallstatt in Obertraun instead. You’ll have a more laidback holiday with all of Hallstatt’s natural beauty, minus the crowds and costs.
You’ll easily be able to ferry, bike, hike, or drive to Hallstatt – then enjoy a peaceful afternoon back in Obertraun. Or, make your way to Dachstein and enjoy plenty of hiking trails, stunning viewpoints, and amazing landscapes.
Tourist crowds keeping you away from Hallstatt? Stay in one of the many beautiful and more laidback towns in Salzkammergut instead and visit Hallstatt on a day trip.Best hotels in Obertraun
★Top Pick: Seehotel am Hallstätter See is the best lakeside hotel on the Obertraun side of Lake Hallstatt. You’ll be treated to the same gorgeous panoramic mountain and lake views at an excellent price, plus you’ll get to enjoy a garden and a beachfront. They have clean and comfy rooms, and most of what you’ll need for a short and sweet stay. Double rooms start at EUR 90.
Haus Salzkammergut is a lovely B&B in the middle of the town, perfect for road tripping in the Lake District. For families and bigger groups, Dormio Resort and Seeblick Krippenstein have spacious apartments and family rooms that have all the coziness and convenience of home.
Tell us: What are you most excited about your trip to Austria?
* * *
Ready to plan your trip? Here’s my Hallstatt travel guide and road trip itinerary from Vienna to Salzburg. It’s the perfect guide for exploring Austria’s beautiful Lake District with stops in charming villages, historic cities, and gorgeous natural landscapes.
Stay at least two nights to have enough time to explore the historical center, the salt mine, and enjoy the countryside.
While you can easily explore Hallstatt on foot, if you want to venture out to the surrounding Lake District, driving is the best way to go. You can read more about driving in Austria. If you’re not planning to drive, though, you can go on a day tour of Salzkammergut’s lakeside towns from Salzburg.
If you have any questions about your trip or need custom recommendations, send me a message, and I’ll be happy to help you out. Thanks for reading and happy travels to Austria!
First published – 21 May 2018
Last updated – 17 June 2020 – fixed format, updated recommendations, updated information on hotels and holiday homes
Leave a Reply