Hallstatt is the most picturesque European town we’ve ever seen. We try to avoid absolutes, but we can’t think of a town that comes close to the beauty of Hallstatt. Sitting majestically on a lake, its perfect church towers and cute pastel buildings are supported by a cast of snow capped mountains. One day in Hallstatt will pass you quickly, but it will surely be a memorable one.
Hallstatt’s skyline has an oddly perfect symmetry. So much so that travellers like us flock from many thousands of kilometres away for the privilege of seeing it.
We found ourselves in Salzburg, which meant we were only a stone’s throw away from Hallstatt. We decided to spend 2 nights and one day in Hallstatt to really appreciate it. It was also an excellent place for us to fight off our jet lag given we had just flown into Europe from Sydney!
We’ve long admired pictures of Hallstatt through the seasons. Those jagged snowy peaks in the winter, radiant blue skies in the summer and on our visit in early spring, a moody fog.
Whilst visibility was a challenge at times, we enjoyed a quiet and tranquil landscape. Lake Hallstatt was as still as could be, disturbed only by the gentle paddling of swans and the ferry back and forth across the lake.
Are you thinking of visiting Hallstatt? Read on to find out the best things to do with one day in Hallstatt and how to make the most of your itinerary.
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How to get to Hallstatt from Salzburg
By car
Travelling by car to Hallstatt is the quickest and easiest option when coming from Salzburg. Indeed, this was the option we went with, as we visited Hallstatt on a 2 week road trip through Austria and Germany.
Taking just under 1 and a half hours from Salzburg, the drive is also incredibly beautiful. You’ll pass through small alpine towns and across mountain ranges.
Consider making a detour on your way and visit Schloss Hellbrunn too. This beautiful palace has a series of trick fountains which are over 400 years old.
When you arrive into Hallstatt you’ll need to park in the paid public carpark, unless you’ve arranged parking via your accommodation. The parking bays are marked on Google Maps. Head first to P1 (Parking Bay 1) as it’s the closest location to the centre of town. Hopefully you’ve arrived early enough to grab a spot!
By public transport
Travelling by public transport is possible, it just takes a little longer. We use Omio to work out our public transport options when travelling through Europe.
By train, the journey from Salzburg to Hallstatt can be done in around 2.5 hours. There is no direct route, so it requires a change of trains, usually at Attnang-Puchheim. The Hallstatt train station is on the opposite side of Lake Hallstatt to the town. So, you’ll also need to jump on a ferry when you arrive. The ferry timetable runs to complement the train arrivals and departures.
Travelling by bus is faster than train, taking around 2 hours. This option also requires at least one change. An additional benefit of the bus is that it drops you off near the centre of Hallstatt, close to the Hallstatt Skywalk cable car.
Top things to do with 1 day in Hallstatt
Witness the World Heritage view from the Hallstatt Skywalk
To kick off your one day in Hallstatt, I recommend making your way up to the World Heritage View Point. Located high above Hallstatt, you’ll be rewarded with an incredible view of the lake and mountains. The Skywalk itself is a triangular viewing platform, jutting out from the mountain to give you a bird’s eye view from above.
Whilst it is possible to walk up and down, it’s 360 metres high. This will no doubt take quite a lot of time out of your 1 day in Hallstatt. Instead, get a ticket for a return cable car ride to the top. It’s a little pricey at €18 return, but well worth it if you’re blessed with some great weather. If it’s a really overcast day with lots of cloud cover, you may want to skip this activity and save the €€€.
The cable car opens at 9am, and I recommend lining up prior to opening. This is one of the most visited attractions, and with just one day in Hallstatt, you won’t want to waste precious time in long lines.
You can check out updated prices here.
Consider a visit to the Hallstatt Salt Mine
Hallstatt has a long history in salt mining, and it’s possible to tour the former Hallstatt Salt Mine.
The salt mine is located up the top of the cable car, a short distance from the Skywalk. To access the salt mine, you need to be part of a guided tour which takes 70 minutes. If you’re interested in this, it’s best to purchase a Salt Mine and Cable Car combo ticket, for €34 each.
We decided to skip this attraction, because we’ve seen a number of other salt mines in other parts of Europe. If you’ve never seen one before though, I would recommend it. You’ll just need to factor in about 2 and a half hours into your one day itinerary for this activity.
Take a stroll down the streets of south Hallstatt
Once you’ve descended down the cable car, take a walk down the little streets of this part of Hallstatt. It’s the less touristy section and is filled with private homes and B&Bs. On the lakefront, take a walk out to the tiny island for a lovely view of the town.
Head into the old town
Start making your way into the centre of town. It’s an easy stroll down the main street that hugs the lake. The old town is limited to most cars, but it’s also the peak tourist area. If you’re visiting in high season, be prepared for crowds!
You can’t miss the Market Square. It’s a small square but is filled with the most cutest, quaint and colourful houses you might ever see. It almost feels like you’re in a film set being surrounded by such beauty. This was one of my favourite spots in town, but only when it’s not overrun with tourists. If you can, come back in the evening or early morning if you’re staying overnight.
Grab some lunch at the Kebab Cart
Keep walking up the main street and you’ll come across Karmez Kabap Cart. It might not look like much but it serves up tasty, fresh and affordable food. The menu isn’t extensive but has a great range including kebabs, chicken, bratwurst and fries.
Watch your mouth drop at the postcard picture spot
You’ve seen the picture here and no doubt countless times on the gram. Now it’s time to witness the beauty of Hallstatt from the postcard view spot.
From the Kebab stand, continue on the main road hugging the lake. You can’t miss the spot. There’ll no doubt be plenty of other people there to grab the same photo! If you are struggling to find it though, just look for the spot marked as “Aussichtspunkt Hallstatt” on Google Maps.
The good news about this scenic spot is that it’s a fairly long area on the side of a road. So there is no need to jostle with other tourists to get the perfect photo. Stay here as long or as little as you like.
Before you head back into town, keep walking up the road in the direction you were headed previously. Not many people venture up here, but we found it to be one of the most beautiful sections of Hallstatt. As we were visiting in spring, we came across some gorgeous cherry blossom trees. Set against the still lake and wooden houses, it was a dreamy experience.
Visit the Catholic Church on the hill
The church you see up the top of Hallstatt is the local Catholic Church. Beside the church is a cemetery with beautiful views out across the lake. It’s a tranquil spot, sitting high above the lake.
Now, every culture has their own way of honoring their dead, and here in Hallstatt you can bear witness to one very unique tradition. Given the cemetery in Hallstatt is very small, remains here are exhumed. The skulls are painted with their names, so it’s possible to identify the dead. They are then housed in the ossurary at the back of the cemetery. It’s possible to visit the ossuary, for a small contribution which is used for restoration of the church.
When you leave the church, you can continue along the top path of Hallstatt to experience more of this cute little town from a different perspective.
Enjoy an afternoon tea treat
Next up on our one day Hallstatt itinerary is a delight for those of you with a sweet tooth.
Head to Taglich Frisch Gebacken for an afternoon treat. You can’t miss the shop with its wooden exterior and hanging cooking ornaments that is the epitome of Austrian charm. The treat to try here are their famous foam rolls. These pastries are wrapped with a fine wafer, packed with a sugary, fluffy cream.
Besides the picture postcard view, the foam rolls here were one of our highlights of visiting Hallstatt, so don’t miss out!
Get out onto the lake
With some time in the afternoon, I highly recommend getting out onto the lake for a fresh perspective of the tiny hamlet of Hallstatt. There are a few options for you.
In the warmer months, it’s possible to rent a swan paddler to take out onto the water. This is a great option for those who want to burn off some of your foam rolls from earlier too. Unfortunately the swans weren’t in operation when we visited in April.
Another option is a boat trip. There is a regular ferry to the train station across the lake, which mainly serves those arriving by train. However, it is well worth the short trip and the few euros to experience this view if you’re also road tripping like us. There were only a few other passengers on the ferry when we visited in April, but I am sure that in the peak summer months it could get very crowded. Obviously, use your judgement as to whether this is likely to be a pleasant experience! To find the ferry terminal, look for the spot marked “ATO Hallstatt Markt (Schiffstation)” on Google Maps.
Eat dinner in a traditional Austrian restaurant
For a small town you’ll be spoilt for choice for dinner options. I’d recommend trying out the Brauhaus. Grabbing a pork schnitzel and Hallstatt beer here is a satisfying way to end your one day in Hallstatt. We would know – we ate dinner here twice during our stay in Hallstatt!
The origins of the restaurant is a really interesting story too. Originally the site of some salt manufacturing houses, it eventually became the towns beer brewery. After WW1 it was taken over by the current owners’ Grandfather, and turned into the cosy place it is today.
Finish your one day in Hallstatt itinerary with a night time stroll
After dinner, enjoy a stroll through the town. This was our favourite part of the day in Hallstatt, as by now most of the day trippers have left too.
Like picture perfect villages? You might also enjoy Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Where to stay in Hallstatt
There are a range of accommodation options in Hallstatt, from hotels with lake view rooms to cute B&Bs. We chose to stay at Haus Holla Herta, and were really happy with this choice.
This B&B is located in the southern part of the town, a 1 minute walk to the cable car station. Our room was super cosy and clean, and a wonderful retreat from the busyness of Hallstatt. Haus Holla Herta also came with free and easy parking – literally at your doorstep. This is a massive perk if you’re on a road trip like us, as the parking situation in this town can be problematic at the height of the tourist season.
And if we had to call out another highlight, the breakfast served in our room was just perfect. There’s not much space left on your table, and there won’t be much left in your stomach afterwards either!
We hope you have a wonderful day in Hallstatt. Have you been to Hallstatt? Are you planning a trip? We’d love to hear from you in the comments.
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