Hallstatt: A small picturesque town
Austria is mostly known for its mountains, but between all these mountains you can find beautiful lakes and the most picturesque towns. The small town of Hallstatt is one of those towns between the mountainous situation on the Hallstätter See. The town has not changed in the last 100 years and kept that old charm that caused the town to be titled “the most Instagrammable town in the world” on social media. So while planning our road trip through Austria I could not miss visiting such a small town with a big reputation.
Getting around
Arriving by car
If you are driving through Austria as we did arriving in Hallstatt is simple. You just need to realize that the town is really popular to visit so avoid the weekends and try to visit during the weekdays. The town has four parking lots that are clearly indicated on the traffic signs. P1 and P2 are the closest to the town centre. P3 and P4 are a lot further away, so you need to walk 15 or 20 minutes before you are in the town centre of Hallstatt. The furthest car park also provides a shuttle on request.
Public transport
Arriving in Hallstatt by public transport can be quite complicated. It will take a few stops and different types of transportation however, it is still doable!
If you are travelling from Salzburg or Vienna you’ll take an Austrian National OBB train to Attnang-Puchheim where you then transfer to the local REX train toward Hallstatt. The nearest train station is Hallstatt Bahnhof, the train will drop you off across the lake from the Hallstatt which requires a short ferry ride back to arrive in the town centre. The beauty of arriving in Hallstatt by ferry is that you get to see the town in all her lakeside glory. Even if you don’t arrive at Hallstatt this way, consider taking the ferry to have the full experience and see the town from the lake.
1) Salzburg or Vienna > Attnang-Puchheim 2) Attnang-Puchheim > Hallstatt Bahnhof 3) Hallstatt Bahnhof > Hallstatt Markt (Stefanie Ferry)
Where to stay?
Due to all the attention that Hallstatt has received in recent years, the number of tourists visiting the city has increased dramatically. This is also reflected in the prices of the hotels and guest houses. Most of the accommodations in the town are above the 200 euros for a night in peak season. If you want to book one or two nights’ book in advance, the town only has a few accommodations so they are booked fast. Another option is to stay in Obertraun just on the other side of the lake. You will have some more choice in accommodations that are also more affordable if you are on a budget.
To do
Explore the town
Just walk around the town and soak up the charm and beauty of the quaint streets, the Austrian style homes, and bask in that UNESCO World Heritage view.
Rent a boat
There are some shops that rent out boats by the hour. I recommend renting a rowing boat or an electric boat and explore the beautiful and serene Lake Hallstätter. You’ll see some of the best views from the lake itself.
Hallstatt skywalk
The Skywalk above Hallstatt offers stunning views over the lake and town. You can visit the Skywalk by going up in a funicular cable car right up the side of the mountain that overlooks Hallstatt.
Stop for a drink and bite to eat
The town has plenty of restaurants to sit down, enjoy the view and drink and eat something at the same time. I personally loved Cafe Bäckerei Konditorei Maislinger since they also sell some local delicacies. The better views during a bite to eat can be found at Restaurant am See or Heritage Cafe & Bar Hallstatt.
Saltmines
A place we decided to skip, but perhaps you should consider visiting, since Hallstatt, meaning “place of salt”, is also home to the world’s first (known) salt mine.
Day trip to Gosausee
The area of Gosausee is located 40 minutes from Hallstatt and offers many different activities. From hiking to swimming, diving or Klettersteigen. For more details read the blog post: “The Area of Gosausee“.
When to go?
We visited Hallstatt in September just after the peak season but with some of that sunny weather. The town was not so busy during this time and the weather is perfect for walking around. I can also imagine that Hallstatt would look awesome in the winter with a coat of snow, so this would definitely be a personal preference. If you are nearby, no matter the weather or season, just stop by.
How many days?
Hallstatt is small so you can easily see it in a day, but if you want to avoid the big crowds an overnight stay is recommended. You can make pictures and visit the biggest tourist attractions in the morning before the buses and ferries arrive and enjoy the rest of the day in the town or travel to another destination.
