One of Austria’s postcards. Hallstatt is a great destination for those who want to get to know fairy-tale little towns. Want to know what to do in Hallstatt? Read on.
Hallstatt is a village of fewer than 1000 inhabitants, but it is certainly one of the best-known places in Austria. This is because the town nestled between beautiful mountains and a lake has become one of the country’s postcard sites.
Furthermore, the town is in one of the most beautiful regions of Austria. Don’t miss it if you want to see jaw-dropping views. The best thing is that despite being a small town, there is plenty to do in Hallstatt.
Situated between the Hallstatt See lake and the mountains, it is home to many traditions and historical buildings, such as the world’s oldest salt mine, the Central Square Markplatz, the Museum Hallstatt – Cultural Heritage Museum – and the Evangelische Kirche Hallstatt – Lutheran Church – which has beautiful medieval architecture.
The trip is full of activities for the whole family. Especially if you like outdoor tourism. After all, there are many hiking trails, scenic spots, boat rides, funicular rides, cable cars, and much more.
Small curiosity: the Chinese have built a replica town of Hallstatt in their country.
How many days to stay in Hallstatt, Austria?
Unless you want to visit the regions and their surroundings, you can get to know Hallstatt on a weekend. The town is tiny and you can do everything on foot.
You can do the trails, also see the wonders of Dachstein, and visit the main attractions of the entire region.
Below we will detail what to do in Hallstatt. Come along with us!
What to do in Hallstatt, in Austria
Explore the Hallstätter See
Hallstätter See is the famous lake in Hallstatt. Throughout the year you can take a boat trip that offers unique and beautiful views of the village.
Especially in summer, it is possible to swim in the lake, even though it is very cold. An important note is that the warmest lakes in the area are probably the Wolfgangsee and Mondsee.
In the Hallstätter See, the best areas to take a dip are the Badeinsel and the Strandbad Obertraun. The lake is huge and the best way to get to the different points is by car, even.
But if you are on foot, no problem. You can take a beautiful walk along the waterfront on the side and get incredible views of the village.
Visit the Salzwelten Hallein
Salzwelten is Hallstatt’s salt mine, the oldest in the world. And getting there is almost as cool as the visit itself, as you can either take a trail or go up by funicular.
It is possible to reach the depths of the mine using the slides.
Also, using the same cable car you can visit the observation point Skywalk Hallstatt, where you can see the entire village and the lake.
Read more: The best hotels in Hallstatt
Get to know the Beinhaus
Certainly one of the most peculiar attractions in Hallstatt: the Beinhaus is an ossuary located near the Catholic church.
It is a small room, but with rows and rows of human skulls with the most diverse paintings. There you can learn about the history of the village and the different funerary traditions.
Marvel at Krippenstein and 5Fingers
Krippenstein is a 2109-meter-high mountain also in the village of Obertraun. From town, you take a cable car that goes up to the top, where there is the observation point known as 5Fingers, because of the similar shape to a hand with its fingers stretched out.
Without a doubt one of the best vantage points in the area. The walkway continues towards the cliff, with sections made entirely of glass.
Go to the Dachstein Caves
In the village of Obertraun, very close to Hallstatt, you will find the best access to the Dachstein Caves.
There are two of them. The Dachstein Eishöhle, has ice structures lit up in different colors and needs a guide to visit. And the Mammuthöle, which has no ice, but is one of the deepest and longest in the world.
Take a ride on the Schafbergbahn
Near Hallstatt, the little town of St. Wolfgang is also quite famous in the region, especially for pilgrims during the centuries. Today, tourists flock to the town to visit its charming ruins, stroll along the shores of Lake Wolfgangsse, and visit the 14th-century church.
But probably the main attraction is the train ride. The famous Schafbergbahn, which was part of the movie “The Rebel Novice” and is the steepest train ride in Austria, is an attraction in itself. The train ride is super cute, and it also has beautiful views of the Alps.
Important information: the train does not run during the winter months.
Enjoy the local food
When visiting Hallstatt, be sure to try a plate of dumplings. You should go to places such as Braugasthof am Hallstattersee or Gasthof Simony Restaurant am See.
Gasthof Zauner es specializes in cooking fish. Guests can eat fish fresh from the lake, and the restaurant uses only regional products such as vegetables, salads, and organic meat.
In Hallstatt, a good option for dinner is the Restaurant Zum Salzbaron, with gourmet European food, perfect for those who like fresh seasonal dishes.
In Obertraun, the town where the Dachstein caves are located and where much of the tourism we recommend here is done, the tip is to dine at Pizzeria Kegelbahn. Open until midnight, it is a cheaper option in the region, but no less delicious. It also has a charming outdoor area and, curiously, two bowling alleys.
The Brot & Wein in Gmunden is an option for those who, as the name says, like wine. The wine bar is located in a basement decorated with different posters and, despite being a bar, it closes around 10 pm.
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I hope that, like me, you are excited to visit this jewel in the middle of Europe. Tell us in the comments: which place do you most want to visit in Hallstatt?