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It has been declared the most beautiful village in the world; it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site; and it is said to have inspired the setting for Disney’s blockbuster Frozen. Welcome to Hallstatt!
Hallstatt is beautiful thanks to its lake, Alpine mountains, and colorful houses, but it is also fascinating in terms of history and interesting stories (which I can’t wait to tell you).
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It is located on the shores of Lake Hallstatt (Hallstatter See) in the Salzkammergut region of Upper Austria, which borders Germany and the Czech Republic. This beautiful European country is known for its work ethic and appreciation for rural life, and even children here are educated about environmental protection and sustainability.
Therefore, you may not be surprised that Austria’s capital, Vienna, is often declared the best city to live in, not just in Europe but in the entire world.
So, here’s a travel guide to help you discover must-see attractions during your road trip to Hallstatt.
But First, Something Very Important
Can you believe this Austrian village covers only 60 square kilometers and has a population of around 850 people? Therefore, some tourists easily forget that the locals live their real lives here.
This small village has approximately 10,000 visitors per day, and if you want to help the locals, avoid the summer peak season. Austrians pay close attention to manners, so please be very considerate of your hosts during your visit. Isn’t this, though, the least we can do?
How to get to Hallstatt from Salzburg?
I am not one of those who will tell you to forget about Vienna, Salzburg, or Innsbruck, but you should definitely include day trips to places like Hallstatt, one of Austria’s most beautiful places.
The best option if you’re coming from Salzburg is to drive; it will take approximately one hour.
If you don’t have a car and rentals aren’t an option, take the train. First from Salzburg to Attnang-Puchheim, and then to Hallstatt.
So, grab some snacks and coffee and enjoy the views from the window. That’s how about 2 hours from Salzburg’s train station will fly by in the blink of an eye.
Old Town: Wander Through Charm
Hallstatt Streets, Austria. Photo by sorincolac, Canva
Charm, charm, and more charm—that’s how we can sum up Hallstatt. Full of sweet details, Hallstatt reminds me of villages in Switzerland.
During your wander, pay attention to the Mühlbach waterfall, sample some local liqueurs, visit the Holy Trinity fountain, and take a photo on Marktplatz. Marktzplatz is the heart of this beautiful town and the former market square, which was destroyed by a massive fire in 1750.
The colorful houses, wooden balconies with lush flowers, and narrow streets will make you feel like you’ve stepped into a fairytale. But literally.
Namely, there are rumors that the kingdom of Arendelle in Disney’s hit Frozen was inspired by Hallstatt. We can’t say we don’t see it, can we?
Salzwelten Mines: Hallstatt Salt Mines
Imagine this: for over 7,000 years, people here have extracted salt from the mountain, and this is just the beginning. How is this even possible?
To get a full explanation, visit the Hallstatt salt mine. You will travel back millions of years to the disintegration of the protocontinent Pangea. The evaporation of the shallow seas left massive amounts of salt on the ground, which were eventually covered by the earth and deposited in the mountains as tectonic plates shifted and mountains rose.
Of course, the tours in German and English will tell it in much more interesting ways: you will enter the attraction wearing special clothes (white coats and pants like miners), and you will enjoy a wooden train ride, a sound and light show, and actual mining slides.
Long story short, one of the oldest salt mines in the world provided Hallstatt Village with real wealth.
You can get here on foot (about an hour) or by funicular (3 minutes), which will require another 15 minutes of walking uphill. Just keep in mind that you’ll be in mine for 90 minutes at eight degrees, so dress warmly. And if you are claustrophobic, feel free to skip this activity.
At the end, you will be given a sample of mine salt, and if you need a souvenir, visit the mine’s gift shop. I never imagined salt could make an interesting gift, but it appears that it can.
Visit the Charnel House
Normally, I am not someone who would recommend visiting a cemetery or bone house, but this story might pique your interest.
Because of the size of this small town, Hallstatt’s residents have historically lacked adequate burial sites. To solve this problem, they built an ossuary (Charnel House) in St. Michael’s Chapel. This bone house now houses over 1,200 painted skulls, making it one of today’s largest “collections.”
Cremation eventually eliminated the issue of a lack of burial sites, but Hallstatt residents can still choose whether or not to have their remains stored in a bone house. The last new skull was added in 1995, and it can be identified by its golden tooth.
However, it is not easy to “deserve” a burial site in Hallstatt; there must be proof that the deceased’s family has lived in this Austrian village for the past 600 years. In this case, the deceased will “deserve” a burial site for ten years. After that, their remains will be transferred to the Charnel House.
Take a Lake Hallstatt Boat Ride
Skywalk Viewpoint, Hallstatt, Austria. Photo by LiptonCNX, Canva
If walking becomes too tiring, I recommend taking a lakeside boat ride tour rather than stopping at some cafe. That way, you can take in one of the most beautiful views in Hallstatt and learn interesting facts from the stories the captain tells in both German and English.
Although there are numerous boat rental options, I recommend spending an hour on an electric boat with a cup of coffee, just admiring the beautiful scenery, houses, and swans while someone else handles the navigation. It’s a pro tip, I know.
Schloss Grub: Hallstatt’s Castle of the Turbulent Past
While boating along the Hallstatter See, Schloss Grub (16th century) appears beautiful, but it is far more interesting if you know a few stories about it. According to legend, the castle’s haunting was caused by two young men arguing over a girl on a frozen lake. When the ice broke, they drowned, and the castle became haunted.
Another interesting story about Schloss Grub involves one of its owners, Christoph Eyssl, who gave the castle to the Church. But not without strange compensation: he requested that after his death, his corpse and coffin be transported through Hallstatt and across the lake every 50 years. So, if you were hoping to visit Hallstatt during this unusual ceremony, I’m sorry to disappoint you; this tradition was discontinued around World War II.
Visit the Ice Cave in Hallstatt
Have you ever been in an ice cave? If you haven’t already, take advantage of your visit to the salt mine to discover the nearby Dachstein Giant Ice Cave.
Lighting effects, ice structures, music, and sounds will round out your visit to one of the world’s largest and most beautiful ice caves.
However, if you visit Hallstatt in the winter, you can skip this because this ice cave is closed in the winter (specifically, from late October to May). Who would have expected that?
Skywalk and Other Viewpoints
Five Fingers Viewpoint. Photo by Aundrey Khrobostov, Canva
Are you brave enough to walk through the sky 300 meters above sea level? If this made your heart race in a positive way, go to the Skywalk, the most popular viewpoint.
If you think that’s not high enough, go to the nearby Five Fingers Viewpoint. It was named after its metal structure, which resembles five fingers of a hand, and the “fingers” will support you at a height of 500 meters while providing a panoramic view of the Salzkammergut region.
If that’s not enough, the level-pro option is to take the cable car to Dachstein Krippenstein, 2100 meters above sea level. From there, you can enjoy stunning views of the Austrian Alps, Lake Hallstatt, and the Salzkammergut. And that should be enough for you, as I don’t have a higher alternative.
Sacher Cake and Much More: What to Eat?
Sacher Cake. Photo by kavcicm, Canva
Did you know that Hallstatt Lake trout are so good they’re shipped all over Austria? Therefore, it would be a mistake not to try Forelle Müllerin (grilled trout).
If you don’t like trout, there are plenty of other dishes to try, including Wiener Schnitzel (veal schnitzel served with potato salad), Schweinebraten (pork roast with garlic), Kasnudeln (pasta stuffed with plums or cheese), Tiroler Gröstl (potatoes with fried ham), and more.
Of course, treat yourself to some dessert too. Did you know that the famous Sacher cake (chocolate and apricot jam cake) originated in Austria? And if you’re not a chocolate fan, try Apfelstrudel (apple pie) or Vnillekipferl (hazelnut and vanilla rolls).
Visit Hallstatt’s Festivals
If you visit Hallstatt during the winter, make sure to check out the Krampus Run and the famous Christmas Market. And if you didn’t listen to me and came during the summer, perhaps you’ll be there for the Corpus Christi Boat Procession, the largest Hallstatt festival held on Lake Hallstatt since 1623.
Hallstatt: Is it in Austria or China?
You may be confused by this question, but believe it or not, you can find a Hallstatt replica in China. When this Austrian village was named the most beautiful village in the world, the Chinese decided to “relocate” this Austrian fairytale to China.
They copied Hallstatt’s houses, square, and lake, spending £700 million.
Although they probably expected the citizens of Hallstatt to be flattered, their enthusiasm was largely absent because the Chinese copied Hallstatt in complete secrecy. Although it’s a little “ouch,” we can’t blame them for wanting a Hallstatt fairy tale in their country, can we?
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Katarina Marjanović is a travel writer at Go World Travel Magazine. She studied Croatian language and literature at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Science in Zagreb. She is a freelance columnist, writer, influencer, and content creator. Additionally, she is the author of three books and the owner of a publishing and service company.
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