If you are traveling to Austria in search of the perfect fairytale destination, don’t miss the charming and quaint village of Hallstatt. A picturesque town located in the Salzkammergut region of Austria, nestled between the towering Dachstein Alps and the serene Hallstätter See (Lake Hallstatt), Hallstatt is known for its charming pastel-colored houses, cobblestone streets, and rich history. It is often regarded as one of the most beautiful towns in the world.
The village has a deep connection to salt mining, with evidence of human settlement dating back over 7,000 years. In fact, Hallstatt is home to one of the oldest salt mines in the world, earning it recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
A day trip from Salzburg to Hallstatt makes for a fulfilling and memorable Austrian adventure, filled with breathtaking scenery, stunning lakes, alpine landscapes, and charming architecture. The key attractions you’ll want to see include the Hallstatt Salt Mine, the historic Market Square, and the Bone House (Beinhaus), where you’ll find a collection of intricately decorated skulls. Boat rides on the lake and hiking in the surrounding mountains are also popular activities.
When is the best time to visit Hallstatt?
The best time to visit Hallstatt depends on the type of experiences you’re seeking. Whether you choose the spring, the summer, the fall, or the winter, you are bound to have an epic time in the town. With that in mind, below are descriptions of what each season in Hallstatt is like:
Spring (April to June):
Weather: Mild temperatures (highs from 50-70°F / 10-20°C) and blooming flowers.
Highlights: As it marks the end of winter, there are fewer tourists than in summer, making it a more peaceful time to explore. You can wander the streets and the surrounding Alpine countryside, clicking Instagram-worthy pictures without worrying about being photobombed. It is also a good season to go hiking if the weather cooperates. You’ll be able to snap stunning shots of the melting snow in the surrounding Alps, flower-covered fields, and trees bursting with life in beautiful hues of green.
Summer (July to September):
Weather: Warm, pleasant temperatures (highs from 70-85°F / 20-30°C), ideal for outdoor activities.
Highlights: This is peak tourist season as the weather is reliably warm and the days are long, allowing energetic visitors time to hike, boat, and explore the salt mines in one visit. If you love outdoor adventure and experiencing all a destination offers, this is the best season for you. The village is at its liveliest with events, open-air cafés, festivals, etc.
Fall (October to November):
Weather: Cooler, crisp air with highs ranging from 40-60°F / 5-15°C.
Highlights: In autumn the nature around Hallstatt changes colors, and the brightly painted buildings of the village blend in seamlessly with the leafy display. If you are a nature lover or a photographer, this is the ideal time to visit Hallstatt. With fewer crowds to block your views, the fall foliage provides the perfect backdrop for your pictures of the village. On the other hand, the weather can often be rainy and cloudy, and some attractions close or reduce visiting hours. But even in bad weather you won’t regret breathing in the fresh, autumn air of the mountains.
Winter (December to March):
Weather: Cold, with highs often remaining below freezing, and snow-covered landscapes.
Highlights: Hallstatt is a wonderland in winter, perfect for those who enjoy skiing, and snowboarding, and a quieter, more serene atmosphere. While no ski slopes are located in the village, the epic Dachstein Krippenstein ski resort lies just across the lake. If you are looking for an extended stay in the village, skiing or snowboarding will make perfect additions to your itinerary.
The Christmas markets and snow-covered rooftops are also a magical experience. Although you need to be mindful of the shorter daylight hours, the charms of winter and the holiday season make it a place of merriment and deliver a special warmth despite the wintry weather.
Can Hallstatt be visited in a day?
Hallstatt is worth a visit even if you have a tight schedule and can only fit it in as a day trip. Indeed, even if your itinerary is packed with famous European cities, you won’t regret devoting a day to Hallstatt.
Many visit Hallstatt on a day trip from Salzburg or Vienna. It is a more manageable day trip from Salzburg, as you can see quite a few attractions if you depart Salzburg early and arrive in Hallstatt by mid-morning.
Getting to Hallstatt in the morning also means you’ll have some time to explore without the crowds – you’ll even be able to enjoy a tranquil walk by the lakefront. You might also have enough time to enjoy a lazy breakfast on the charming Market Square, taking in the atmosphere of pastel-colored houses, quaint shops, and cafes. If you visit Hallstatt in the summer, you can enjoy your relaxing morning break at one of its many outdoor cafes.
But you probably should not take too long of a break, because there’s a lot to see among Hallstatt’s attractions. One good example is the Charnel House or Beinhaus, known as the Bone House in English. There you’ll find rows of human skulls on display, which have been exhumed from the surrounding graveyard, cleaned, dried, and beautifully decorated. Another memorable experience is to take a scenic boat tour on the Hallstätter See and view the village and surrounding mountains from a different perspective. It’s also fun just to wander through Hallstatt’s charming narrow streets, taking in the traditional architecture, shops, and souvenir stalls.
Of course, you’ll build up a healthy appetite exploring, so be sure to enjoy a hearty lunch in one of Hallstatt’s cozy restaurants. Then if you have time, head up the mountain to visit the Hallstatt Salt Mine, one of the oldest in the world.
If you’d like more detail to plan your day, read on below for directions on how to get to Hallstatt, and check out the longer version of this plan in the section entitled “Your Hallstatt itinerary from Salzburg”.
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How to get to Hallstatt from Salzburg?
Now that you know where to find your Austrian fairytale, here are a few details on how to get there.
Reaching Hallstatt from Salzburg is certainly doable because it is only 50 miles (80 km) away. However, public transport can be tricky if you are visiting for the first time, and takes a bit longer than you might expect. However, the scenery you’ll experience as you sit back and enjoy the ride will make it one of the best parts of your trip to Hallstatt.
Getting from Salzburg to Hallstatt by public transport
Traveling from Salzburg to Hallstatt by public transport is easy enough with the right information. There are several possible routes you can take, involving a combination of bus, train, and boat travel. To make things a bit more simple, we’ll limit our discussion to what we consider the two best routes; suggesting one route for the trip to Hallstatt, and the other for the return trip.
Bus, Train, and Ferry to Hallstatt
This option passes through gorgeous landscapes as you travel along the beautiful Alpine lake known as the Wolfgangsee. It is a direct and popular route with frequent departures.
1. Bus from Salzburg to Bad Ischl: Take Bus 150 from Salzburg’s Mirabellplatz to Bad Ischl. Mirabellplatz is a central square located near the iconic Mirabell Palace and Gardens. The bus stop is easy to spot, as it is located just opposite the entrance to an underground parking garage. The bus ride takes about 1 hour 45 minutes. The prices start from 11 Euros and buses depart fairly frequent. You can buy the tickets from the bus driver upon boarding the bus. Alternatively, you can also download the “Salzburg Verkehr” app, on both Android and iOS, or buy tickets from the red ticket machines located in the train station.
2. Train from Bad Ischl to Hallstatt: From Bad Ischl, take a regional train to Hallstatt Bahnhof. The journey takes around 30 minutes and will take you alongside a river and through scenic Alpine countryside. You can buy the tickets on the Austrian Railways website or from the red ticket machines in the Bad Ischl station. You can also purchase your return tickets to Salzburg at the same time (see below for the route details).
3. Ferry to Hallstatt Village: Upon arriving at Hallstatt Bahnhof (train station), you’ll be on the opposite side of the lake from the village. Simply walk to the ferry dock (a short 2-minute walk from the station) and take the ferry across Hallstätter See to reach the village. The ferry is timed to align with the train schedule and only takes about 10 (very scenic) minutes.
Getting back to Salzburg from Hallstatt by public transport
Ferry and Train back to Salzburg
This is another popular route connecting Salzburg and Hallstatt. Of course, you can also reverse the order of travel if you prefer, and take this route to Hallstatt, and then take the route noted above back to Salzburg.
1. Ferry from Hallstatt Village to the Rail Station: From the same ferry dock where you arrived in the city, you can take a ferry back across the lake to the Hallstatt rail station.
2. Train from Hallstatt to Attnang-Puchheim: Once you reach the station, take a regional train heading towards Attnang-Puchheim. The journey from Hallstatt to Attnang-Puchheim takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. You can buy the tickets from the conductor if you have not bought them already on your journey to Hallstatt. The cost for the entire journey back to Salzburg should be about 30 EUR.
3. Train from Attnang-Puchheim to Salzburg: Catch a train in Attnang-Puchheim returning to Salzburg Hauptbahnhof (main station). Trains run frequently (roughly every hour), and the journey takes around 45-55 minutes.
Salzburg to Hallstatt by Car or Guide Bus Tour
If you want to explore other places along the way, or if you are in a rush and don’t mind the stress of driving in unfamiliar conditions, another option is to rent a car. However, keep in mind that part of the reason the village is so charming is that it is car-free. This means you will need to park your car in a large paid parking lot located nearly a mile from the village.
You can also choose guided tours from Salzburg to Hallstatt which are fairly easy to book and can be completed within a little more than half a day. In such cases, you will be provided with transportation in a car, van, or bus. If it’s within your budget, we suggest a private tour so you don’t have to follow a rushed schedule and enjoy the freedom to explore.
Things to keep in mind:
- It is recommended to check train and bus schedules in advance, as connections may vary. But just to be safe, double-check schedules on Google Maps on your phone on the day of travel.
- Train tickets can be purchased at the Salzburg Main Station, Bad Ischl train station, or online via the ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways) website. Train stations typically also have red ticket machines where tickets can be purchased with a credit card.
- The bus tickets can be purchased through the bus drivers or an app called “Salzburg Verkehr”. You can also buy them at the red ticket machines at the rail stations or on the ÖBB website.
Things not to miss when in Hallstatt
Although Hallstatt is a quaint village where everything you want to see can be covered on foot, there are certain things you should try not to miss.
Salt Mine: The Hallstatt Salt Mine is perhaps the town’s most famous attraction. As one of the oldest salt mines in the world, it boasts a history that stretches back over 7,000 years. The funicular ride up to the mine offers breathtaking views of Hallstatt and the lake and surrounding mountains. From the funicular’s top station, you’ll only need to take a short but steep hike to the mine entrance, where you can join a guided tour that takes you inside the mine. You’ll not only learn about the ancient salt trade, but you’ll also slide down some of the mine shoots and ride a miniature train through narrow tunnels.
Skywalk: The Skywalk Viewing Platform is another attraction that should be among your must-do’s. It provides a panoramic view of the village, lake, and surrounding mountains while suspending you above a sheer drop to the valley floor, making the experience as exhilarating as it is scenic. The same funicular that goes to the Salt Mine drops you off within only a few steps of the platform, so if you plan on seeing the mines, you should also plan on the Skywalk.
The Hallstatt Old Town and Churches: Hallstatt’s old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with charming, pastel-colored houses, narrow cobblestone streets, and centuries-old architecture. Two prominent churches, the Evangelical Church and the Catholic Church of Christ the King, are architectural gems that provide insight into the town’s religious history.
Bonehouse: In the graveyard of the Catholic Church you will also find one of Hallstatt’s most unique attractions; the Bone House, or Beinhaus. In the 17th century, when the graveyard became overcrowded, the villagers dug up their loved ones’ bones to clean, sun-bleach, and paint in order to decorate the Hallstatt Charnel House or Bone House. This ossuary houses over 1200 human skulls, the last one to have been added in 1995.
No tour through Hallstatt is complete if these are not on your bucket list. Do not forget to carry your camera as you are bound to be awestruck by the beauty of the town, and will want to capture these memories!
Your Hallstatt itinerary from Salzburg
If you start from Salzburg early in the morning and reach Hallstatt by mid-morning, you will have enough time to cherish a full day in the delightful village and get a feel for its architecture, culture, history, and food.
Start your day with a walk through the Old Town and Market Square where you can hop into one of the cute cafes for breakfast. Re-energize yourself with a cup of coffee, as you have a lot of exploring to do.
Now would be a good time to wander the village before fleets of tour buses arrive and disgorge their passengers. You can visit the Bone House and the Catholic and Evangelical Churches, admiring the culture and architecture of Hallstatt. If the morning light is still cooperating, this is also a good time to walk a little bit past the Catholic Church to an overlook where you can snap an iconic photo of the town. If there is time remaining in the morning, we suggest visiting the Hallstatt Museum to learn about the town’s fascinating history.
You’ll be ready for a break by this time, so enjoy lunch at a traditional restaurant where you can get a taste of hearty Austrian cuisine, or choose one of the lakeside cafes to enjoy a meal with a view. Don’t miss trying a fresh fish dish from Hallstätter See, such as trout or char.
Once you have refueled and refreshed, it’s time to head to the funicular and tackle the salt mines. Once up the funicular, be sure to check out the nearby Skywalk Viewing Platform and take some panoramic photos of the lake and village surrounded by the craggy Alpine peaks.
If you aren’t in the mood for the salt mines, or if you have some more time, you might want to rent a boat and take a cruise on the Hallstätter See, or enjoy a hike in the nearby Echerntal Valley. The hike is perfect for more adventurous souls who want to truly experience the Austrian countryside and its nature. You’ll hike through the charming Alpine landscape, free of the crowds, and your effort will be rewarded when you reach the beautiful Waldbachstrub Waterfalls tumbling down the mountainside.
You can leave the village by late afternoon or early evening, arriving in Salzburg in the evening after a fulfilling but very full day. You’ll have truly experienced Hallstatt, the quintessential European village, complete with colored houses and architectural marvels, as well as a rich and unique blend of history. So if you are in Austria, do not forget to dedicate a day to this quaint town.
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