Hallstatt, Austria has been occupied since the Iron Age; 7000 years ago, people found the salt mines, which gave them the opportunity to settle in an area that they would turn into a commercial center soon after. This rich cultural history is the basis for Hallstatt’s listing as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Travelers interested in lakeside archeology will have much to discover. Hallstatt has several museums, the main archaeological museum in the center of Hallstatt, and you can take archaeological tours of the salt mine.
The immense beauty of the region also attracts hikers and hikers. Well-marked trails take you to interesting places in mountainous Austria.
Shoppers may want to take home some gourmet salt, bath salts, or even lights made from huge salt crystals.
Where is Hallstatt and how do you get there?
Hallstatt is located in the Salzkammergut region of Austria, southeast of Salzburg and directly on the banks of Hallstätter.
There are no direct trains from Salzburg to Hallstatt, so if you are trying to visit Hallstatt as a day trip from Salzburg, stop at a travel agency and learn about a direct bus journey. You can take a bus from Bad Ischl to the north and then a train to Salzburg.
If you drive a train route to Hallstatt, you will reach the city on a small ferry; The train station is across the lake from Hallstatt. It’s a good way to see the lakefront city for the first time.
If you are traveling by train, you can check out the variety of Austrian rail passes. You can also buy a single pass for Germany and Austria if you plan to visit both countries by train.
By car, exit the A10 at Golling and follow the B-126 to Gosau, then the B166 to Hallstatt. You won’t see signs for Hallstatt until after Gosau, so don’t worry (we already worry about you).
There is a taxi company that can take you anywhere in the area, even the hiking trails. Taxi Godl even has English speaking drivers.
Hallstatt Population
Hallstatt has less than 1000 people. Despite the low population, parking can be a problem in Hallstatt during the summer season. There are several public parking lots available, and signs along the main highway tell you the status of each.
What to do in Hallstatt
You’ll want to take the funicular uphill to the salt mines and the area that was once an Iron Age graveyard that has been excavated. Archaeologists have erected some experimental facilities based on their excavations. In one, preserving pigs by salting has been tried, 150 at a time, to see if Iron Age people could carry out such a large undertaking.
The salt mines, ‘Salzwelten’ or ‘Salt Worlds’, are the main attraction in Hallstatt. You will discover how salt is extracted, you will see ancient tools and the “Man in Salt” (not only pigs are preserved by being soaked after death).
Another attraction, at least for lovers of bones, is the “Beinhaus” or “Bone House”. You see, with Hallstatt trapped between mountains and a lake, there is little room to bury people. So the corpses spent some time on the ground in the cometary and then were dug up to make room for new guests. The exhumed bones were made presentable (painted) and stored in the bone house near the church.
The two museums in Hallstatt are worth a visit in the summer. The Prehistoric Museum shows you artifacts from Bronze Age and Iron Age tombs and the Folk Museum (Heimatmusem) shows more recent finds.
Near Overtraun, 4km walk from Hallstatt, easy and flat, there are ice caves to visit. In summer, music concerts are held indoors.
But the best of all is the environment. Nature lovers will be delighted by the views around them, and naturists can take it all off at the well-marked FKK nude beach near the campsite on the road halfway between Hallstatt and Obertraun.
Search for
If you are not tired of the salt mines after your visit in Hallstatt, you can drive or take the bus to the Altaussee salt mines, the ‘mountain of treasures’, where the famous Monuments Men recovered more than 6,500 objects of art looted by the Nazis during the war.
Where to stay
Accommodation in Hallstatt can be a bit tight for the summer season. Since the area around the lake is flat and easy to walk, a place in the country could be just the ticket; see Salzkammergut Vacation Rentals.
Photos of Hallstatt, Austria
See this beautiful area with our Hallstatt image gallery.
Other beautiful lakes in Europe
If you’re interested in Hallstatt for its lakeside location, you may also be interested in our picks of the best European lakes to visit.
Bus tour from Salzburg
Viator offers a Hallstatt tour from Salzburg which might be a good option if you want to get over the option of planning the details of a day trip. Here is a brief description of the half day excursion:
You can take a mountain train to the oldest salt mine in the world for incredible views, stroll around Lake Hallstatt, admire the Mühlbach waterfall, and discover the remarkable Beinhaus (House of Bones).
