© Aerial view of Hallstatt in winter (photo: Sven Posch / www.viewnect.com)
© Hallstatt in winter (photo: Stefanie Wallner)
Winter view of Hallstatt at Lake Hallstatt (photo: Stefanie Wallner)

Hallstatt
at Lake Hallstatt

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Hallstatt is the archaeological heart of the World Heritage Region and is home to the world’s oldest salt mines. Visitors from around the world flock to the historic village centre and love to stroll along the path along the shore of Lake Hallstatt. Hallstatt has many unique characteristics including its houses that nestle like swallows’ nests between the lake and the mountain sides. Then there are the higher valley and the salt mines, the stunning views and cultural attractions that explain the thousands of years of history of the community.  The Echerntal Valley is another natural gem.

#meinhallstatt  

More about Hallstatt and reasons to visit.

Today

  • The small market community Hallstatt has 778 inhabitants, is located on the western shore of Lake Hallstatt and covers a total area of more than 855 square kilometres stretching from the Gosauzwang to the salt mines.
  •  Accessibility: Boat, bike (lake shore cycle path), bus, car (parking system in place)

To date:

  •  Archaeologists continue to make new discoveries. There is a Roman excavation right in the centre of the village (cellars of Janu’s Sport Shop.
  • The Fua (Fuhre) or  “Plätte”,  is a traditional wooden boat used for transportation and can still be seen on the lake, for example during the annual “Fronleichnam” Corpus Christi celebrations The boat is difficult to steer with just a wooden pole.

In the past

  •  Hallstatt/Dachstein Salzkammergut is one of just  20 UNESCO World Heritage Sites around the world that are renowned for their natural and cultural heritage at the same time
  • The history of salt mining in the World Heritage Community gave its name to the Hallstatt Age (800 to 450 BC). The term „Hal(l)“  („salt“) dates back to the Celts

Fact:

  • There is an unrivalled replica of the community of  Hallstatt in China (Guangdong Province) 
  • Charnel House, Hallstatt Museum, Burial Ground dating back to the Hallstatt Age and the Salt mines Exhibition are popular cultural attractions
     

Tip for Hallstatt visitors

Travel to Hallstatt by boat! The views across the lake are unforgettable, and the boat transports you directly to the historic market square.
 

Hallstatt map

Experience the Holiday Region Dachstein Salzkammergut

Frequently asked questions about Hallstatt

We would like to point out that the UNESCO World Heritage Site Hallstatt is not a museum. Hallstatt is a place like any other, inhabited and animated by inhabitants. Therefore Hallstatt has no opening hours and is always open for visitors. Please respect the privacy of the inhabitants during your visit.

 

The center of Hallstatt can be reached from "Hallstatt Lahn" (bus parking and parking 1-3) in about 10 to 15 minutes.

In the center there is the historical market place, the churches, the ossuary, the museum and the archaeological excavations of Dachstein Sport Janu. Here is an overview of the highlights of Hallstatt.

 

The famous photo point with the classic postcard view can be found in the "Roman" (district), at the other "end" of Hallstatt. We have summarized all the photo spots for you including a route description.

 

Here are the two options:

Option A: Take the cable car up to the Salzberg

Option B: On foot, over the hiking trail (walking time about one hour) Once at the top there are about 15 minutes walk to the entrance of the world oldest active salt mine. Cost is € 34.00 per person incl. uphill and downhill. We recommend sturdy shoes and warm clothing, as it only has about 6 ° C inside the mine. Children can visit the mine from the age of 4.

 

To reach the Skywalk you have two options:

Option A: From the tourist office in Hallstatt you cross the street, right past the supermarket and about 5 minutes straight. There you already see the funicular on the right side. Once at the top, follow the signs.

Option B (in summer): In fair weather, it is possible to reach the Skywalk on an approximately one-hour hike. Come to our tourist office in Hallstatt and we'll show you the way! You need to pay for the rountrip with the cable car, the Skywalk itself is free of charge.

The bone house can be found in the Michael's chapel right in the center of Hallstatt behind the Catholic Church (white church standing on the hill). The entrance is € 1.50 per person.

 

In and around the center in Hallstatt there are several restaurants, cafes and snack bars, which satisfy hunger. Also on the Salzberg you can indulge in culinary delights in the restaurant Rudolfsturm.

 

In winter, tours are only possible for pre-reserved groups. In summer you can choose between two different tours on Lake Hallstatt:

Option A: Southern tour towards Obertraun and back again

Option B: Northern tour towards Obersee, Untersee and Steeg and back again

You will find the timetable on the webiste of the Lake Hallstatt shipping and the NAVIA "Zillen"-shipping at Lake Hallstatt.

These attractions are on the mountain Dachstein Krippenstein in the adjacent village Obertraun, which is only 5 km away. The best way to reach the cable car up the mountain is to go by bus. The bus stop of the cable car is called "Obertraun Dachstein Seilbahn". You can buy the tickets on the bus and pick up a timetable from the tourist office next to the bus stop "Hallstatt Lahn".

 

You can leave your luggage during the opening times of the tourist office at the luggage depot in the center of Hallstatt or in the valley station of the Salzbergbahn in lockers. Luggage storage at the valley station is available during the opening hours of the cable car.

 

There are two public toilets in Hallstatt. One is located at the beginning of the village next to the barrier. Another toilet you will find in the center of Hallstatt.

 

In the center of Hallstatt the place is very limited. Therefore, only the inhabitants of Hallstatt are allowed to drive to the center by car. In the World Heritage you can move very well and safely on foot and reach all attractions.

 

If you arrive by car, you can park either at parking lot 1 or at parking lot 2. If these parking spaces are already full, there is also the possibility to park at the train station Steeg-Gosau in Bad Goisern (neighbouring village) and to travel from there by train and ship to Hallstatt. There are also parking spaces in Obertraun (neighbouring village) and the possibility of taking a boat to Hallstatt.

 

Hallstatt train station can only be reached by boat. The ship leaves from the center near the Evangelical Church. To the schedule of the Lake Hallstatt shipping.

 

The bus stop "Hallstatt Lahn" is located directly at the beginning of Hallstatt.

 

The Salzkammergut Adventure Card is the advantage card of the Salzkammergut region, which includes the Holiday Region Dachstein Salzkammergut. As our guest you receive the advantage card free of charge from 3 overnight stays or you can buy it for € 4.90 for your stay at our tourist office Gosau or also in all other tourist offices of the region.

With the Salzkammergut Erlebnis-Card you get up to 25% on many attractions, sights and leisure activities in the whole Salzkammergut. An overview of all partners of the Salzkammergut Adventure Card.