After several days exploring Vienna, we set out to explore more of Austria’s beautiful destinations.

Our next stop was Hallstatt, a dreamy lakeside town in the heart of the Salzkammergut district. But even the drive from Vienna to Hallstatt was an adventure itself, filled with one amazing scene after another.

After brief stops at several points in Lower Austria and Wachau Valley, we entered Salzkammergut and began our mountain drive. It was like entering a dreamland – we passed through serene villages with cows grazing contentedly on emerald pastures, which turned into narrow mountain roads overlooking a glistening lake. Less than half an hour in, we caught the first glimpse of our day’s final destination. As we rounded a curve, the trees parted on one side of the road, and there it was, hundreds of meters below us – Hallstatt lying snugly between the imposing mountains and the serene lake.

As the sun set, we finally rolled into our pension. In the next few days, we explored Hallstatt and Salzkammergut, which became one of our most relaxing holidays in Austria.

Little Holidays Travel Guide to Hallstatt, Austria

1. How to plan your trip to Hallstatt and Austria’s Lake District
2. Map – top landmarks in Hallstatt
3. Best things to see and do in Hallstatt
4. Day trips around Hallstatt
5. Where to eat and drink
6. Planning your trip
7. Beyond Hallstatt – where to go next
8. Download the PDF travel guide

How to plan your trip to Hallstatt and the Lake District

Here’s an overview of the top things to see and do in Hallstatt and the surrounding Lake District.

I’d recommend spending at least two days in Hallstatt – one full day to explore the historic old town, and at least another day to see various sites in the Lake District. Of course, if you have more days to spare, you could easily spend a week exploring the Salzkammergut region, including the nearby city of Salzburg.

Here are sample itineraries.

If you have 2 days in Hallstatt:

Day 1 – Walk around Hallstatt’s beautiful lakeside town. While it won’t take you more than an hour to walk briskly from one end to the other, you’d want to take your time taking in the photogenic houses, checking out the souvenir shops, and strolling along the lively boardwalk. Make sure to go up the Salzberg mountain and visit the 7,000-year-old salt mine.

Day 2 – Head to Dachstein and visit the Ice Cave and the 5 Fingers Lookout. After lunch, go for a hike around the area – you can choose easy to moderate trails that are 3 to 18 km long.

If you have 5 days in the Lake District:

Spend days 1-2 in Hallstatt as above, then make your way to Salzburg, but not without first enjoying the beautiful towns along the way.

Day 3 – Time for a road trip! See more of the gorgeous Lake District and drive to Mondsee, St. Wolfgang, St. Gilgen, and Fuschl. Spend an hour or two walking around these charming towns or if you’re visiting in the summer, go for a swim. If you’re continuing your travels to Salzburg, you can use this day to drive from Hallstatt to Salzburg.

Days 4-5 – Explore the beautiful and historic city of Salzburg. Visit Mirabell Palace, follow the life and works of Mozart, and walk along the River Salzach. Spend an afternoon in Hohensalzburg Fortress, Central Europe’s biggest fully-preserved castle, and watch the sunset at Mönchsberg for amazing views of the city.

Map – essential sights and landmarks in Hallstatt

Use this Google map to plan your trip to Hallstatt. I added all the best sights as well as restaurants and hotels to check out.

Top things to do in Hallstatt – a walking itinerary

Put on your comfy shoes – we’re going to explore Hallstatt! Even if you’re not a morning person, you’ll want to get up early for this town. Besides, you can head to bed early as there’s nothing much happening at night. The mornings, though, are absolutely perfect for photo-ops.

(Speaking of photo-ops, if you want the most fantastic holiday photos, book a 2-hour walking tour with a local photographer.)

Start at either end of the town. If your hotel is near the market square, the north end is nearer. If you’re staying outside town along Malerweg, you can start at the south end. I like starting at the north end because I love taking photos of the town early morning. By 9 AM, the town gets pretty crowded, and you’re better off exploring the other attractions.

This walking guide of Hallstatt starts at the north end – check out the Google map to help you find your way! (Although it’s incredibly difficult to get lost in this town, and not a bad experience at all!)

1. Take a postcard-perfect photo of Hallstatt

Walk to the north, past the ferry station. When the road bends, look back and you’ll see this breathtaking view of Hallstatt.

But Hallstatt is more than just a pretty town. It’s considered the oldest still-inhabited village in Europe, dating back to the Iron Age. In fact, the early Iron Age culture from 800 to 400 BC is known as the Hallstatt culture, an era marked by farming and metal-working, long-range trade with Mediterranean cultures, and the rise of elite classes and social distinction.

Hallstatt – which means “place of salt” – is home to the world’s first salt mine. Thanks to the salt industry, the town quickly progressed and became wealthy. Salt has always been a valuable commodity, especially in prehistoric times when it was primarily used to preserve meat.

In recent decades, though, Hallstatt’s fame derives mostly from its natural beauty. Sandwiched between a lake and mountains (you could even say that it cuddles the lake), this perfect little town easily became a favorite tourist destination as well as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

2. Walk around the cemetery grounds

Most city tours worldwide include a visit to the cemetery – something I’ve never really appreciated as I’m not a big fan of graves. But the cemetery in Hallstatt is different! It’s actually uplifting (in a weird way) to walk through the cemetery grounds as each grave has its own small flower garden and a view of the lake – a fitting tribute to loved ones.

3. Walk around the market square and visit the little shops along the lake

By now, you’ll see that you don’t actually have to do anything in Hallstatt. Just walking along the boardwalk, looking up at the pastel houses with their charming flowerboxes, and peeking into the souvenir shops is a great way to spend the day. It’s even better if you do this while the rest of the town is still asleep – so aim to be up and about by 7 AM, at least.

Make your way to the market square and weave in and out of the streets. Remember that Hallstatt is really small (just under 1 KM from end to end), so there’s no need to rush through. Take your time and enjoy!

4. Take photos of the lake’s ducks and swans

As if the calm blue lake and mountain ranges reflecting on it are not enough, Lake Hallstatt has to be inhabited by these gorgeous, photogenic creatures. I think they’re all vying for Instagram fame, as they’ll pretty much pose for you.

5. Stop for an early lunch at one of the lakeside restaurants

Along Hallstatt’s boardwalk, you’ll find several restaurants serving delicious meals that come with an amazing view. During peak season, though, it may be challenging to get a nice table (or any table), so try to nab a seat before the lunchtime rush hour or make a reservation.

Some restaurants to try: Im Kainz, Seewirt Zauner, and Couisine.

6. Continue your stroll along Lake Hallstatt

Almost every flower-decked house along the lake is photogenic. Just remember that these are residences and private properties, so don’t go climbing up someone’s balcony! Always be respectful and keep your voices down, especially if you’re traveling with a lively group.

You can visit the Tourist Information Center further down the road to learn about upcoming events or get brochures of the different establishments around town.

7. Take another postcard-perfect photo from the south end

Just a few steps past the Tourist Information Center, another bend on the road leads to another gorgeous view of the town. You’ll once again see the beautiful pastel houses you just passed by, and if you’re lucky, a swan or two will join your shot.

8. Ride the funicular for amazing views of the lake and surrounding countryside

From the south viewpoint, walk down a road to the left to get to the funicular. You can take a ride up and down the funicular to get to the top of the 1,030-meter tall Salzberg (Salt Mountain). Even if you don’t plan to visit the salt mine, the views from the funicular are well worth the trip.

9. See the view from the Skywalk

Once you’re up on Salzberg, check out the “World heritage” views from the Skywalk. It extends over a sheer drop with the Hallstatt old town directly below. If you fancy a cup of tea with a view, stop by the Rudolfsturm restaurant.

10. Learn about Hallstatt’s “salty” past

Now we come to Hallstatt’s star attraction, which I saved for the last. This 7,000-year-old salt mine tells the story of Hallstatt, with fascinating audio-visual presentations that will take you through the prehistoric era to the present. You’ll also get to wear overalls and slide down wooden slides like a legit miner, so it’s a pretty exciting experience. Find out more about the salt mine and nearby attractions here.

11. Go for a hike

If you still have energy and a couple of hours of daytime to spare, continue walking towards Malerweg and into the forest to the Waldbachstrub waterfalls. It’s an easy-to-moderate hike along well-marked trails and should take about 1-2 hours.

End the day at one of the lakeside restaurants. If you have one more day in Hallstatt, explore the surrounding areas.

Day trips around Hallstatt

Dachstein

Hallstatt shares its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site with Dachstein. Together, the Hallstatt-Dachstein landscape is deemed “exceptional as a complex of great scientific interest and immense natural power that has played a vital role in human history reflected in the impact of farmer-miners over millennia, in the way mining has transformed the interior of the mountain and through the artists and writers that conveyed its harmony and beauty.” Obviously, the UNESCO reviewers fell in love with these alpine towns as well.

You’ll find more breathtaking views in Dachstein, including the glass-bottom 5 Fingers viewing deck and the Dachstein Ice Cave. It’s also ideal for skiing in the winter and hiking in summer as the mountains are famous for their large glaciers. You’ll also find a network of caverns and frozen waterfalls – a natural theme park of all amazing landscapes. Read more about Dachstein here.

Mondsee

If you love nature and exploring the outdoors, spend a day away from Hallstatt’s crowds and drive to Mondsee.

Mondsee is a year-round destination, with a beautiful town center and plenty of surrounding hiking and biking trails. During the warm months (July and August), Lake Mondsee is ideal for swimming. You can also do various water sports, like water skiing, sailing, or renting a pedal boat to go around the lake.

Go up to the Schafberg lookout by riding the cogwheel steam train and enjoy breathtaking views of the five lakes that surround the area.

Where to eat and drink – best restaurants in and around Hallstatt

Eating in Hallstatt is so much more special as the meals come with a view. Eat outside when the weather is good.

Don’t forget to eat fish, as this is the town’s specialty. For the best fish dishes, eat at Seewirt Zauner – try their grilled whitefish, which they catch fresh from Lake Hallstatt.

For yummy Austrian desserts like apple strudels and other pastries, visit Cafe Bäckerei Konditorei Maislinger. For ice cream fixes, visit Gelateria Giovanni.

If you don’t mind going for a short 10-minute drive out of Hallstatt, Gasthaus Koppenrast is an amazing restaurant away from the tourist crowds.

Planning your trip to Hallstatt

Getting there

Driving to Hallstatt

I highly recommend driving to Hallstatt. You can get a rental car from Vienna and drive 3 hours to Hallstatt, or get your car from Salzburg, and it’s just a one-hour drive from there. Here’s a road trip itinerary from Vienna to Salzburg through Hallstatt.

How to get from Vienna to Hallstatt

From Vienna, you can catch a train that goes to Hallstatt via Attnang-Puchheim. Get your train tickets from the main train station (Wien-Hauptbahnhof) or the west train station (Wien-Westbahnhof). The fastest train would take about 3.5 hours.

Once at Hallstatt station (which is actually in Obertraun, across the lake from Hallstatt), you have to ride a ferry (Stefanie) into Hallstatt’s old town. You can get your tickets from the ferry station that’s just beside the train station.

How to get from Salzburg to Hallstatt

From Salzburg, there are two ways to get to Hallstatt.

By bus: Go to the bus terminal outside Salzburg’s main train station (Salzburg-Hauptbahnhof) and look for Bus #150 to Bad Ischl. Once in Bad Ischl, ride a train to Hallstatt, then the ferry to the old town.

By train: From the Salzburg-Hauptbahnhof, ride a train to Attnang-Puchheim, then switch to a train to Hallstatt. Once in Hallstatt station, ride the ferry to the old town.

Join a day tour – If you’re short on time, join a day tour from Vienna or Salzburg. You’ll still get to enjoy the town on a day trip.

Best areas to stay in Hallstatt

Hallstatt is a wildly popular tourist destination, so if you plan to stay at least a night, make sure to reserve your hotels in advance. If you’re booking closer to your stay and find that most Hallstatt hotels are already fully booked, you can also look at accommodations in Obertraun, which is directly opposite Hallstatt across the lake. It’s a much more relaxed destination with the same amazing views and ambiance of the mountains and the lake.

Hallstatt hotels and holidays rentals

★Top Pick: For the best experience in Hallstatt, stay at a hotel right by the lake. The best hotel among the lakeside options is Seehotel Grüner Baum. 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.

Other highly-rated hotels in Hallstatt include: Heritage Hotel Hallstatt, Gasthof Pension Hirlatz, and Gasthof Bergfried.

For small groups (3-4 adults), check out W & S Executive Apartments. Note that this and the Gasthof Pension Hirlatz are a few minutes’ scenic walk outside the old town.

You can also look for real-time hotel deals in Hallstatt here.

Obertraun hotels and holidays rentals

★Travelers’ 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 mountain and lake views at an excellent price.

W & S Executive Apartments also has suites in Obertraun, so for big groups who are really into skiing or hiking, check this out.

Beyond Hallstatt – where to go next

If you love fairytale towns and beautiful natural landscapes, here are more destinations to add to your European itinerary.

• Lake Bled, Slovenia

Lake towns are indeed the perfect setting for beautiful holidays, and Lake Bled is Slovenia’s most gorgeous one. With plenty of amazing natural landscapes to explore, a slew of restaurants serving delicious Slovenian and international cuisine, and a long list of outdoor adventures and experiences to check out, a holiday in Lake Bled is sure to be sweet and satisfying.

• Salzburg, Austria

Salzburg is by no means a small town, but despite being one of Europe’s most popular destinations, the city has managed to remain charming and rustic. Make sure to spend at least two days exploring Salzburg and the rest of the Lake District.

• Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic

Lying between Prague and Salzburg, Cesky Krumlov is a magnificently restored medieval castle town built on the meanders of the Vltava River. If you want to drive from Vienna to Prague (or vice versa), follow this loop: Vienna – Hallstatt – Salzburg – Cesky Krumlov – Prague. Make sure to stop by the little towns along the way!

• Jungfrau, Switzerland

This beautiful region filled with majestic mountain ranges and snow-capped peaks is exactly the stuff of dreamy Swiss holidays. Head to Jungfraujoch and Grindelwald for breathtaking views. Or, if you want to enjoy that traditional Swiss countryside ambiance, head to Lauterbrunnen and Mürren for easy hiking trails, stunning alpine views, and warm and welcoming chalets.

• Giethoorn, Netherlands

If you’re heading to Amsterdam, take a fun side trip to Giethoorn, a beautiful village with lots of picturesque canals, flower-decked houses, and scenes that look straight out of a painting.

* * *

I hope this helps you plan your trip to Hallstatt. If you’re heading there soon, I cannot be any more envious! Hallstatt is seriously one of my most favorite places in Europe.

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 – 7 June 2017

Last updated – 24 February 2022 – added more holiday-planning information to Hallstatt and the rest of Salzkammergut, fixed format, updated information