Most people will recognise the beautiful Alpine village of Hallstatt for its famous picturesque viewpoint, and that is indeed one of the main attractions of this small village in Austria. But there are a few other things to do in Hallstatt (though admittedly, not a lot), including exploring the oldest salt mine in the world and walking through the eerie bone chapel. So let’s explore what to see in Hallstatt, the respectful etiquette to follow, and neighbouring towns to visit.
Fun facts about Hallstatt
- Before Hallstatt became famous for its viewpoint, it was already popular (and important) in Austria for its salt mining since the 5th century BCE. The area had been inhabited since the Bronze Age.
- Hallstatt is especially popular among South Korean tourists because it was featured on a South Korean TV show back in 2006 and went viral. Today, it’s one of the most photographed villages in the world.
- The Hallstatt-Dachstein/Salzkammergut region was granted UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 1977.
- Only about 800 people live in Hallstatt, and most houses have been converted into tourist accommodation.
- Hallstatt and its neighbours host a few festivities annually, including the summer solstice bonfire on the mountains and by the lake, “Fasching” (Carnival) with costumes and parades, Corpus Christi processions, and many Christmas nativity-scene-related activities.
- Hallstatt is known for its many legends, like the story of the salt miner’s daughter who ran away with a prince, the dragon that guards the lake, or the salt king who haunts and protects the village.
Important insider tips for when you visit Hallstatt
How to get to Hallstatt
- Most people arrive by train from Vienna or Salzburg. Salzburg is the closest big city to Hallstatt.
- Most people reach Hallstatt by train: stop in Obertraun, across the lake from Hallstatt, and then take a 5-minute boat ride at Hallstatt Schiffstation into Hallstatt.
- Very important: The boat fee is cash only (you can’t pay online ahead of time or by card on the boat), and it’s best to have exact change. There’s even a note there that says, “We are not a bank”.
- The boat departs every 30 minutes, and if I remember correctly, there’s no possibility to book online, but you can send a message on the contact form.
- You can also get off the train in Bad Goisern and then take the bus 170 to Hallstatt and avoid the boat.
- If you’re renting a car and are planning to drive to Hallstatt, arrive early before 10 am, or after 4 pm, otherwise it will be really hard to find parking.
- If you really don’t want to deal with the planning and would rather just do a day trip, there are tours to Hallstatt with everything already organised for you.
Etiquette in Hallstatt
There are still residents in Hallstatt, and it’s really important to be mindful of our noise level and general behaviour, especially at the famous viewpoint. In fact, you will see multiple signs there asking people to keep their voices down.
Also, refrain from taking photos of people and private residences without permission.
Other things to know about Hallstatt
- Hallstatt is really tiny. You can walk the whole town in less than 30 minutes.
- Hallstatt gets crowded all year round, but particularly in the summer during peak holiday season, and in autumn due to the beautiful foliage. You will not be able to escape the crowds if you do a day trip, especially between 11 am to 4 pm.
- The only way to have some quiet moments in Hallstatt is to stay overnight in or near Hallstatt in one of those cute houses, and explore in the early morning or late in the evening. That’s what I did, and I had the whole town all to myself, with only a couple of people at the viewpoint when I went at sunset.
- Austria is quite strict about drones, and they’re unwelcome in Hallstatt, though I can’t remember if they are actually not allowed.
All the things to do in Hallstatt
Panoramic viewpoint
One of the places to visit in Hallstatt is the famous viewpoint. You will see it marked on Google Maps as “Aussichtspunkt Hallstatt” or “panoramic viewpoint”. This is THE spot for the iconic postcard view of Hallstatt, but bear in mind that if you go during the day, especially during warmer months, it will be very crowded.
Main city Square: Markplatz
The main city square is very small but cute, with lots of little shops, restaurants, accommodation, and cute houses.
Charnel House and Paris Church
For an eerie but somehow picturesque adventure, head to the ossuary Charnel House (the Bone Chapel or Beinhaus in German) to see human skulls beautifully decorated with flowers and inscriptions.
The tradition of painting the skulls started around the 1700s to honour and preserve the stories of the people from the community.
Salt mines
Visiting the Hallstatt Salt Mine (Salzwelten Hallstatt) is not only a cultural and historical activity (it’s the oldest salt mine in the world), but also super fun, as you can also glide down the tunnels. The entire visit, which includes a guided tour, 2 km walking underground, and panoramic views from the bridge, lasts about 3 hours.
Insider tip: The temperature inside the mines is around 8° Celsius year-round (46° F), so wear layers and warm clothes. Also, wear sturdy shoes as it can get slippery.
Skywalk
The Skywalk offers panoramic views of Hallstaff at 360 m above the village. You can reach it by hiking or taking the Salzbergbahn funicular. The Skywalk is free, but the funicular has a fee.
Personally, I skipped this because I didn’t find it worthwhile. You can get panoramic views of Hallstatt just by walking up the stairs towards restaurants and accommodations on the hill in the town area.
Important update: Both the funicular and salt mines will be closed from September 2025 to June 2026 for renovations.
Five Fingers and viewpoint
This viewpoint is located on Mount Krippenstein near Hallstatt, and offers spectacular views of the whole area, including Lake Hallstatt, the Dachstein Mountains, and the Salzkammergut region.
It’s called “Five Fingers” because the platform stretches out into 5 “fingers”.
Neighbouring towns to visit near Hallstatt
- Traunsee lake and area (this is Austria’s deepest lake. Visit the Ort Castle on the lake, and neighbouring villages like Gmunden and Ebensee)
- Bad Goisern (a historic town with scenic trails and full of local heritage and crafts)
- Bad Ischl (visit the imperial villa and relax in thermal baths)
- Gosau and the lake (great for outdoor adventures)
- St Wolfgang (lots of lakeside activities, views, and culture to explore)
FAQs
- Where is Hallstatt?
Hallstatt is a small lakeside village in the Salzkammergut region of Austria, about 70 km (43 miles) and 1.5 hrs from Salzburg by car, or 280 km (174 miles) and 3 hours from Vienna by car.
- Is Hallstatt, Austria, worth visiting?
Honestly, while the viewpoint and the village are most definitely beautiful and picturesque, if you’re just going on a day trip to see the viewpoint, and you’re coming from far away, it might not be worth the journey. There are plenty of picturesque villages all over the world.
But if you’re doing a bit of slow travel and want to explore the area and surrounding villages, do some nature-related activities, then you must absolutely visit Hallstatt.
- How to go to Hallstatt from Vienna?
If you’re not driving, you can take the train from Vienna and then either take the bus from Bad Goisern or a boat from Obertraun to Hallstatt.
- How to travel to Hallstatt from Salzburg?
Take the train from Salzburg and then the boat, or take the 150 bus from Salzburg to Bad Ischl and then another bus (Bus 542 or 543) to Hallstatt.
- Can you do a day trip from Vienna to Hallstatt?
It’s feasible as it’s about a 3-hour drive one way, but it will be a very long day, and not worth the trouble in my opinion. I recommend staying overnight in Hallstatt for a less crowded and overwhelming experience.
- What’s the best time to visit Hallstatt, Austria?
This depends on what you want to do and see. If you just want to see the town and some surrounding regions, the best time to go is in late autumn or early winter to avoid crowds. But if you want outdoor adventures like hiking, biking, or lake-related activities, then early summer, before the crowds arrive, is a good time to visit Hallstatt.
- How much time do you need in Hallstatt?
To just visit Hallstatt, you don’t need more than 1 hour. If you want to do activities like the Salt Mines tour, or visit the surrounding area, or do some hiking, you might want to stay for at least 1 night and spend a couple of days.
