Hallstatt is one of the most picturesque towns in Austria. It is charming, has a great panoramic view, and – as of this year – lacks tourists. The ideal destination!
Who hasn’t heard of Hallstatt? This small town in the province Upper Austria is probably known to anyone visiting Austria. After the capital Vienna, this is the town I hear mentioned most often when people recommend destinations in Austria (not counting everyone’s favorite ski resort). On a more personal note: I first heard about Hallstatt and the Hallstatt culture in a university course about the history of the Celts. World-famous indeed!
Overrun by tourists
In February 2020, I read a newspaper article asking tourists not to visit Hallstatt anymore, as this small town can’t handle the many buses filled with tourists swarming the city daily. What’s more: when taking ‘the one and only’ panoramic picture at the viewing point, tourists have to wait in line for a long time to snap a picture.
Then the coronavirus hit the world. Let’s flash forward a few months: the same newspaper is now saying Hallstatt’s tourist industry is about to go under because the tourists stay away. And with this, the livelihood of many residents evaporates. It would have been ironic if the cause wasn’t so serious. The once overrun town is now back to being the charming small town it used to be. But for how long?
Things to see in Hallstatt
Hallstatt Panorama
At the northern end of the town, you can take a picture of the town and lake against the backdrop of the Dachstein mountains. This sight is beautiful in every season. I am quite happy with the picture I took in the fall of 2020. The second picture is taken at the southern end of town.
Photo tip: try to be there before 11 AM to avoid taking a picture in the direction of the sun. Around noon, more tourists find their way to Hallstatt – before that it is blissfully quiet – so if you want to take your time snapping the perfect picture, it is better to get there early.
Shops and restaurants
While there are some interesting shops, most of them shout ‘tourist trap’. Still, if you like salt, soap, and alcoholic beverages, you might enjoy buying a ‘real’ Hallstatt souvenir. I bought a wooden ball that gives a woody and refreshing taste to a carafe of water.
The central square has some cafes (the only free spots are where the sun is not shining at that moment – 8 degrees Celsius fall observation), but a lake-side restaurant at the southern side of town makes for a more relaxing experience. If you parked your car at the southern side of town (P1 and P2), you’ll pass them on your way to and from your car.
The town itself is perfect eye-candy material: beautiful wooden houses – some older than others – built against the mountain, colorful houses near the market square, and a church with an interesting stone wall. Hallstatt deserves its fame.
Hallstatt Salt Mine
At Hallstatt, you can visit Salzwelten, one of the most well-known salt mines in Austria. You can explore the tunnels, learn about salt, and view Hallstatt from above from the viewing platform nearby.
Visit Hallstatt: yes or no?
Go! Definitely go. Even though Hallstatt is a famous tourist destination, I find its fame well-deserved. The town and the panoramic view are a sight to behold.
That being said: if the weather is bad (and the sky not so interesting) I wouldn’t go. I visited Hallstatt for the view, and if the sky had been gray or misty, I wouldn’t have appreciated the view as much.
When the crowds return to Hallstatt, I would also opt-out on a visit, but that’s because I personally don’t like to visit a place that is overrun by tourists.
But until then, Hallstatt is yours to explore. Go while it lasts!
How to get to Hallstatt
Hallstatt lies at an hour and fifteen minutes’ drive from Salzburg. You can combine a visit to Hallstatt with a visit to Krippenstein (Dachstein mountain), which I will post about next week.
Location Parking P1: Salinenpl. 4, 4830 Hallstatt, Austria
Location Panoramic View: Gosaumühlstraße 67, 4830 Hallstatt, Austria
Location Salt Mine (closed in winter): Salzbergstraße 21, 4830 Hallstatt, Austria
