Hallstatt, Austria: Is a Day Trip Worth Your Time?
![Hallstatt, Austria From Its Famous Postcard Angle](https://paulpassingthrough.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Hallstatt-Postcard-Angle-1.jpg)
The lakeside Austrian village of Hallstatt immediately conjures images of a tranquil alpine village by the water. It’s quaint, cozy, traditional and exceedingly pretty. However, it’s also out of the way (especially if you don’t have a car), bursting at the seams with tourists, and relatively devoid of places for all those tourists to go.
That begs the question, then. If you’re only in Austria for a brief period of time, is it worth coming here as a day trip or has it been overhyped by influencers?
I’m going to answer that for you with this guide to Hallstatt. In addition to giving my opinion on whether or not Hallstatt is worth it, I’ll also detail some of the things to do in this idyllic corner of Austria.
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Orientation to Hallstatt
Long before it was one of the most Instagrammable small towns in the world, Hallstatt was an important area dating back to the Bronze Age. The mountains here were mined for their extensive salt deposits. Remains from these people have been found throughout the region and even farther afield throughout Europe suggesting the area’s importance.
Eventually, Romans established a settlement here along the lake. Other than that, not much of importance happened in Hallstatt due to its remote location. In the 19th century, Hallstatt started to gain popularity among tourists of the day due to its fanciful setting embodying the romantic ideals of the era.
In 1997, Hallstatt was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site primarily due to the Hallstatt Culture that thrived here in the Bronze and Iron Ages. Then, after the Disney movie Frozen was released in 2013 and Hallstatt was said to be the inspiration for Arendelle, tourism took off. Today, it is one of many European places dealing with the consequences of overtourism.
For those of you who love visiting UNESCO sites, you’ll want to read my guide to visiting the ruins of Pompeii.
The Bone House
In an ironic twist, one of the most beautiful places in Europe also has its own macabre bit of history. The Bone House contains over 1,000 skulls from former Hallstatt citizens over the years.
The Bone House exists because of the limited space in the Catholic Church’s cemetery. After resting peacefully for 10-15 years, Hallstatt’s recently deceased would be exhumed to make room for the newly dead. The exhumed bodies would be cleaned and their skulls and long bones placed in the small chapel behind the church for remembrance. In the 1960s, the practice began to die out (get it?) when the Catholic Church began allowing cremation.
Skulls were painted with a variety of things, but generally, skulls with dark garlands are from the 18th century while skulls with brighter floral patterns are newer. The two skulls in the front with snakes are meant to symbolize death and sin.
A visit to this small, slightly creepy chapel is one of the must-do things in Hallstatt!
![Hallstatt's Bone House](https://paulpassingthrough.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Hallstatts-Bone-Chapel-1.jpg)
Hallstatt Museum
The Hallstatt Museum tells the history of the area with a focus on the Hallstatt Era from 800 to 400 B.C. Many of the artifacts were found in prehistoric gravesites near Hallstatt’s salt mine. In addition to the exhibits focusing on this time period, you can also see sections on the Celts and Romans who lived here, the region’s flora and fauna, and how the town changed during the Romantic Age.
Keep an eye on the closing time of the museum. With the exception of peak tourist season from May to September, the Hallstatt Museum closes relatively early for a museum. I would have liked to visit, but with it closing at 3:00 in January, it would have required too much running around.
![View Looking Up From Hallstatt Museum](https://paulpassingthrough.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Looking-Up-At-Hallstatts-Mountainside-1.jpg)
Salzwelten Cable Car and Rudolfsturm Viewpoint
On the southern side of town is a cable car that takes you to the top of the mountain overlooking Hallstatt. At the top of the mountain, you can walk 43 feet out onto a skywalk built in 2013 for views of Hallstatt’s rooftops and the surrounding landscape. From here, you can also have a bite to eat at the restaurant or do the salt mine tour.
Unfortunately, we didn’t get to see any of it. While we weren’t interested in the salt mine tour because of the time involved, we did try to get tickets to ride the funicular up for the view. Seemingly, every other tourist had the same plan as us. When we arrived at the shop to buy tickets and board the cable car, a long line greeted us.
We waited about 10 minutes before I decided to walk ahead to see how long the line was. It turns out we were only in line to buy tickets, and there was a whole other line to board the cable car. Not wanting to spend our entire afternoon in Hallstatt waiting in a line, we decided to skip the cable car altogether at this point.
You can buy tickets online ahead of time if you know for sure you’re planning on riding the cable car. We mistakenly thought we’d be able to be a little more relaxed – which is usually very unlike us! – in our planning since we’d be visiting in January just after Christmas.
Alternatively, you could also hike the 2.2 miles and 2,750 feet up the mountain for the viewpoint. I walked maybe about halfway up this path, and the views along the way were some of my favorites in Hallstatt.
Hallstatt’s Salt Mine
From the cable car station at the top of the mountain, you can walk about 15 minutes to the world’s oldest salt mine for a tour of the caves.
The tour is about two hours long and details the history of this UNESCO-recognized mine. A tour describes how salt came to be found in the mine, as well as how the people have mined it over the past 7,000 years.
The salt mine and the ice caves listed below are both attractions that are difficult to see in a day trip to Hallstatt. We didn’t do either because they would have taken too much time away from enjoying the relaxing atmosphere of town.
Dachstein Ice Caves
A few miles north of Hallstatt is a cable car that takes you 4,500 feet into the air to the Dachstein Ice Caves. With a guided tour, you can walk through these caves to see their dramatic rock and ice formations.
If you don’t want to tour the cave, you can still take the cable car to one of three stops up the mountain for panoramic views of the region.
Boat Rides
During warmer months, you can rent a boat to take out on the lake. If you have the opportunity, this would be a great way to get on the water for some of the best views of town.
You can choose from a couple different rental companies depending on what kind of experience you’re looking for. Boating options include electric, paddleboat, standup paddleboarding and rowboat.
The only reason I regret visiting Hallstatt around Christmas was not getting the opportunity to do this activity. Some of my favorite views of town are from the water, and while the ferry gives you this chance, it’s constantly moving and can be crowded. By renting a boat, you can take as much time as you want to admire Hallstatt’s lovely coastline.
![The Catholic Church And Hallstatt From The Water](https://paulpassingthrough.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Hallstatt-From-Ferry-1.jpg)
Just a few hours’ drive across the border is the Bavarian village of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany’s own fairy tale town.
Walk Through Town
The best thing to do in Hallstatt is to simply wander its lakeside roads or get lost climbing its hills. You’ll have a hard time finding a single view that isn’t wonderfully picturesque. Fortunately, Hallstatt is so small, you can see most of it without any real effort or risk of getting lost.
As you walk around, there are a handful of spots you should make a point to check out.
Towards the north end of Hallstatt is the town’s most popular viewpoint (take another look at the photo at the top of the post). It can be found right around a bend a 5-minute walk north from where the ferry docks. Unless you’re visiting first thing in the morning, you can’t miss it because there will be many people standing around snapping photos. You can also look it up on Google Maps as Hallstatt Postcard Angle or on an iPhone as Classic Village Viewpoint.
The Catholic Church sits atop a small bluff that gives it a nice view of town. Besides the Bone House which I described above, you can also admire its lovingly tended cemetery and walk in the church for a quick visit. While small, the inside of the church makes for an interesting visit with its two different altars.
![The Inside Of Hallstatt's Catholic Church](https://paulpassingthrough.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Altar-In-Hallstatts-Catholic-Church-1.jpg)
The Protestant Church is an even quicker visit but still worthwhile. It’s much simpler than the Catholic Church with the pulpit and organ being the main focal points. Along the side and back walls are photos of past pastors and information on the church’s history.
![Hallstatt's Protestant Church](https://paulpassingthrough.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Hallstatt-View-From-Catholic-Church-1.jpg)
My second favorite walk in Hallstatt was along Dr-Morton-Weg. This road starts to climb above Hallstatt and away from the main drag where most visitors stay. I enjoyed the walk through here because it makes Hallstatt feel a little quieter and more intimate. From this road, you can also take a few different stairways that climb farther up away from town for views of Hallstatt.
![Dr-Morton-Weg Street](https://paulpassingthrough.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Dr-Morton-Weg-Street-1.jpg)
Which leads me to my favorite walk. Take some time to walk up and out of Hallstatt for spectacular views looking back down into town. You can walk all the way to Rudolfsturm Viewpoint or just walk up to where you get a close-up look at the waterfall that falls into town above one of the parking lots. I did the latter and was rewarded with a great look at town and the surrounding landscape.
![One Of The Stairways Climbing Up Out Of Hallstatt](https://paulpassingthrough.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Steps-Leading-Up-Out-Of-Hallstatt-1.jpg)
![Hallstatt From The Hike Out Of Town](https://paulpassingthrough.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Hallstatt-And-Its-Lake-1.jpg)
Market Square sits right in the center of Hallstatt and is impossible to miss. You’ll find yourself passing through here several times during your stay, but that doesn’t make it any less photogenic.
![Hallstatt's Market Square](https://paulpassingthrough.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Hallstatts-Market-Square-1.jpg)
Finally, make your way to the south part of Hallstatt for good views looking back north towards town. This part of Hallstatt was also where we got to see several swans and other waterfowl swimming around close to shore.
![Hallstatt From South Part Of Town](https://paulpassingthrough.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Hallstatt-View-From-Lahn-1.jpg)
Looking for more magic in Austria? Take a look at spending New Year’s Eve in Vienna!
Where to Eat in Hallstatt
We only had two meals during our time in Hallstatt, but both were good.
The first was at Seehotel Grüner Baum. This restaurant is located in the large yellow building at the bottom of Market Square. With its location right on the lake, it has lovely views you can enjoy while having your meal. It also has outdoor seating during warmer weather. I had pork roast with sauerkraut and a dumpling. The sauerkraut and dumpling were great. The pork was good, but some pieces of it were just slightly too dry.
Our second meal in Hallstatt was at Bräugasthof for dinner. My meal of trout and roast potatoes was very tasty, but my favorite part of Bräugasthof was the restaurant itself. The building is around 400 years old, and everything inside gives off a delightful old-world feel. The furniture is all finely carved and there are many knickknacks around the restaurant that merit a look if you have time to walk around.
![Bräugasthof Table Setting](https://paulpassingthrough.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Restaurant-Brau-In-Hallstatt-1.jpg)
Where to Stay in Hallstatt
If you do decide to stay overnight in Hallstatt, take a look at Pension Cafe zum Mühlbach. This cozy bed and breakfast is located just behind the town’s main square. It’s this location that earns it my recommendation.
If you’re lucky enough to get a top floor room on the streetside of the hotel, you’re rewarded with a beautiful view. From the balconies of these rooms, you can look out over Hallstatt, the lake and the surrounding mountains. What’s more, because Pension Cafe zum Mühlbach is off the town’s square, you can admire the views without the clamor of other tourists below you.
Besides the view, the rooms are pleasantly quaint, quiet and comfortable. It also has an included breakfast in their downstairs dining room. Unfortunately, we had to leave before breakfast started, so we weren’t able to enjoy this amenity. However, when the owner learned we’d be leaving early, she left us a delicious piece of poppy seed cake in our room for when we returned from dinner.
The only downsides to this bed and breakfast are the bathrooms and the stairs. It only has shared bathrooms, with one on each floor. Still, the bathroom itself is nice and we had no issue with having to wait.
The stairs could be more of an issue with guests who have mobility issues. They are very steep and shallow. I found myself tripping on the stairs several times because my feet kept hitting the above steps.
![Hallstatt From Pension Cafe Zum Mühlbach's Balcony](https://paulpassingthrough.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/View-Of-Hallstatt-From-Pension-Cafe-Zum-Muhlbach-1.jpg)
![The Room At Pension Cafe Zum Mühlbach](https://paulpassingthrough.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Room-At-Pension-Cafe-Zum-Muhlbach-1.jpg)
Getting to Hallstatt
The easiest way to get to Hallstatt is by train from either Salzburg or Vienna. From Salzburg, the train takes a little over two hours, and from Vienna, you can expect a 3.5-hour ride. Whether you’re coming from Salzburg or Vienna, there is one change at the Attnang-Puchheim station. The trains at Attnang-Puchheim seem to be timed with each other, so don’t worry if you only have a brief time to change trains.
If you are coming by train, you’ll then take the ferry from the station to Hallstatt. Like the train at Attnant-Puchheim, the ferry is scheduled to arrive around the same time as the train. The ferry takes about 10 minutes to cross.
Unfortunately, the easiest way isn’t the quickest way to get to Hallstatt. You can rent a car to make the trip considerably faster. By car, the trip is only about an hour from Salzburg and three hours from Vienna. You can park at either the P1 or P2 lots. P1 is better if you’re staying overnight as it has a shuttle that runs between it and the old town. P2 is a little closer walk if you are only visiting for the day.
![People Lining Up For The Hallstatt Ferry](https://paulpassingthrough.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Line-For-The-Ferry-To-Hallstatt-1.jpg)
![It’s hard to believe it, but all these people fit on the ferry.](https://paulpassingthrough.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Hallstatt-Austria-1.jpg)
Is Hallstatt Worth a Day Trip?
I loved Hallstatt. I enjoyed it more than I expected, actually. It is undeniably cute and charming, and a photographer’s dream regardless of their level of expertise. Yet, I can’t give my recommendation for coming here as a day trip.
The allure of Hallstatt is in getting the opportunity to slow down and relax in this lovely lakeside village. That ideal runs into the problem of mass tourism, though.
We were there for an overnight visit in January, and I don’t think the charming side of Hallstatt really came out till later in the afternoon when many of the other visitors started to filter out. Before then, it felt like a social media influencer playground at times.
Further, even though Hallstatt doesn’t offer much in the way of attractions, some of the things it does have can take up a decent chunk of time. Take the salt mine tour, for instance. If you do that tour, that’s at least 2-3 hours of time taken away from experiencing the atmospheric town, which is likely the main reason for your visit. If you’re only in Hallstatt for a day trip, you’re probably going to wish you had more time.
You should also consider the time of year and your overall itinerary when deciding how long to give Hallstatt. We visited in January when days were short, and then, we left early on the first ferry the next morning on our way to Vienna to maximize our time in the capital. These two things meant that even though we stayed overnight, we still didn’t get much time to explore Hallstatt. I still enjoyed it, but I wish we could have spent at least a few more hours there without hundreds of other people.
Finally, a major reason Hallstatt has issues with overtourism is because of daytrippers. They come to town en masse, snap their photos, and then leave without spending much or any money. Hallstatt’s tiny size has a hard time absorbing all these people and it gets little benefit in return. Staying overnight means you also give back to the town and its people by supporting its economy.
Resources to Book Your Trip to Hallstatt
Whether you’re looking for tours, hotels or flights, here are some tools to help get you started planning your trip to Hallstatt!
Look for activities and tours offered through GetYourGuide or Viator!
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