If you have spent at least some time on Instagram/ Pinterest looking for travel inspiration for a European trip, chances are you’ve come across Hallstatt – a postcard perfect town in Austria.
Hallstatt is one of Austria’s oldest and most gorgeous villages. Hallstatt – which means “place of salt” – is home to the world’s first salt mine. In recent decades, though, Hallstatt has become famous due to its natural beauty.
This historical village dates back more than 7,000 years and was listed a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997. A little fun fact – the Chinese have even modeled an entire town replicating this Austrian town! Don’t believe me? Google it 😉
This town is said to be the inspiration for the town of Arendalle in Disney’s Frozen and it looks just as beautiful in real life as it does in photos. Hallstatt is tiny, only 700 people live here. The number of tourists far exceed locals, especially in peak season! In fact, it is said to welcome over a half a million visitors to the village every year.
Whether you are looking to spend a day trip or an overnight stay, this guide covers everything you need to plan the perfect trip to Hallstatt.
We have visited this beautiful town twice now. For a general overview of our trip and a detailed guide on Austrian towns, please click here.
Best Way to Reach
Hallstatt is located in Austria’s mountainous Salzkammergut region. The quickest and easiest way to reach Hallstatt is via car. Here is the driving distance from the some of the main Austrian towns:
- From Salzburg – 90 minutes
- From Linz – 2 hours
- From Vienna – 3.5 hours
Hallstatt’s main village center is pedestrian only so you will need to park the car right outside the old town. There are a few parking lots around this town, the closest one is P1. If you arrive early in the day, then finding a parking spot should not be an issue. But since it is a popular day trip, parking lots can get full as the day progresses.
Here are the parking charges:
- First 15 minutes – free
- 1 hour: €5
- 2 hours: €9
- 3 hours – 4 hours: €10
- 5 hours – 6 hours: €12
- 7 hours – 12 hours: €15
- 13 hours to 24 hours: €20
We have visited Hallstatt twice and both times we have driven from Salzburg. The drive is beautiful.
If you don’t have a car, then you can take the train. The train ride involves transfers and takes about 2.5-3 hours. You can search and book your train tickets here.
Because Hallstatt is nestled within the mountains, the train will drop you off on the opposite side of the lake. From here, you will need to take a ferry to Hallstatt. The ferry departs every 30 minutes, and the timing usually coincides with the train timings. Hallstatt Boat Station is just a few steps from the Hallstatt Train Station. You can purchase the ferry ticket on the spot (keep cash handy).
Travelling by bus is faster than train and takes around 2 hours. But this option also requires at least one change. An additional benefit of the bus is that it drops you off near the center of Hallstatt.
A day trip via train from Vienna to Hallstatt might be exhausting given the long journey. If you are coming from Vienna, then consider staying overnight in Hallstatt.
If this sounds too overwhelming to you, then simply join a group tour. There are plenty tours which depart from both Salzburg and Vienna. All you gotta do is show up at the designated time 🙂
How Many days required
This town is quite small and you can easily see it all in 3-4 hours or even less.
If you are coming by car, then it may make sense to combine your day trip to Hallstatt with a short visit to the nearby towns of Gmunden/ Wolfgangsee. We visited the towns of Wolfgangsee, St Gilgen and Strobl on our way back from Hallstatt to Salzburg. A detailed guide will be up on the blog shortly.
While you can see much of Hallstatt in just a day, spending the night in Hallstatt will also allow you to peacefully explore early in the morning and late evening. Specially consider this if you are visiting in peak summer months.
If you are spending just a day, then try to get here as early as possible since most day trippers start arriving by 10 am and the town can get very crowded.
Best Time to Visit
Hallstatt has probably become one of the most visited towns in Austria. There is no off season for Hallstatt. But having said that, I would still say try to visit in spring, fall or winter months. Your experience will be much more peaceful, I guarantee.
But no matter the time of year, Hallstatt is spectacular in all seasons. I visited in June the first time and then came back in November almost a decade later. Has anything changed? Nope – oh wait, may be more tourists 😉
I have added photos from both my trips to help you decide which season this town looks better in 🙂
If you are planning to visit Austria during holiday season, then note that unlike most European towns, Christmas market is held for just one day in Hallstatt. For the year 2026, Christmas market is expected to be held on December 8, 2026 at the Market Square/ Marktplatz. Click here for more information.
Things to Do/ Places to See
Stroll around the Town
With colorful buildings, blue lake, mountain views and flowers everywhere, a wander through this town is a visual treat. There isn’t any set itinerary to follow– just walk along the boardwalk, look up at the pastel houses with their charming flowerboxes, and peek into the souvenir shops and you are bound to have a great time.
Make your way to the market square and weave in and out of the streets. With a beautiful fountain in the center, cafes and restaurants and colorful houses with pretty flower boxes, it looks straight out of a postcard! I absolutely loved this main town square and couldn’t resist snapping away!
There are also a couple of restaurants and cafés at the lake. Whether you’re craving a hearty meal or just a good cup of coffee – I can assure you you’ll get both 😉
Capture the Postcard View
I am sure you have all seen the iconic postcard Hallstatt photo all over the internet! This viewpoint is easily accessible and free. Type in Classic Village Viewpoint / Aussichtspunkt Hallstatt on Googlemaps to get to this exact location.
Also, as you are walking from the Parking lot to the town center, there is lovely spot from where you can get another postcard perfect view.
And here is how it looks in summer months – which one do you prefer?
Visit the Skywalk Lift for Aerial Views
Want a lovely birds’ eye view of this town and Salzkammergut region? Then make your way to the Skywalk, a viewing platform 360 meters above the village. It offers panoramic views of the lake, mountains and the fairytale town nestled below. On a clear day, you can see for miles into the alps and across the lake.
You can hike or ride up the funicular to get to the top. While it is possible to walk up and down, it will take quite a lot of time out of your 1 day in Hallstatt. Instead, buy tickets for the cable car. But I would suggest skipping this if its cloudy and gloomy on the day of your visit.
I did this on my first trip and loved the views from the top.
Visit the Salt Mine
For thousands of years, salt has been mined from the mountains around Hallstatt and Salzburg. And in Hallstatt you can tour one of these salt mines.
The salt mine is located a short distance from the Skywalk. The only way to access the salt mine is via a guided tour. It typically lasts 70 minutes. If interested, advisable to purchase Salt Mine and Cable Car combo ticket. Click here for more information and ticket details.
Be sure to dress appropriately – wear sneakers and layer up since the cave can get cold.
For the entire experience, including the tour and the roundtrip ride on the funicular, budget 3 hours of time. Factor in the time if you are keen on doing this on your day trip.
However, note that the Skywalk and salt mine are closed until June 30, 2026, due to construction work. For all those who do not want to miss out on a visit to the salt mine, the Salt Mine has set up a daily bus shuttle to the neighboring Altaussee Salt Mine. You can find more information here.
Wander around the Fairytale Streets and Waterfront
You will feel like you are in a storybook when walking around Hallstatt. Pop into any street that catches your fancy.
Walk up some of the public stairways for unique vantage points over the village. Müllerstiege stairs provide an amazing view and definitely worth the climb!
Grab a snack and meander along the waterfront. You will see swans swimming around the lake, adding fairytale vibes to this town.
Don’t forget to try the famous foam rolls, a light puff pastry filled with whipped cream.
Enjoy Lake Activities
If you want to see Hallstatt from a different perspective, go and take a boat ride. You can choose between standard rowing boats, modern electric boats, or even rent a swan pedal boat.
For more information and where to find rental companies click here.
Visit the Churches and Ossuary
Hallstatt has some unique places worth checking out.
The Hallstatt Charnel House, or “Bone House” (Beinhaus), is a unique ossuary in St. Michael’s Chapel in Hallstatt, Austria, housing over 1,200 skulls, about 600 of which are hand-painted with names, dates, and symbolic designs like roses or ivy. A tradition that started in the 1700s and continues till date for those who request it in their wills.
A few steps away is the Catholic Church, which dates back to the 12th century. Right next to the church you will find a cemetery which offers beautiful views.
Insel Island
As you are making your way back to the car/ train station, take a little detour to Insel island. Located a short walk from the town center, this is a small artificial island connected by bridge to the shore, offering stunning panoramic views of the town and mountains.
*Prices as of November 2025