Best things to do in Hallstatt

HALLSTATT- A PARADISE IN THE AUSTRIAN LAKE’S REGION 

If you are looking for an unmissable destination, one of the most photographed places in the world, and, most importantly, a place that will delight all kinds of travelers, go to Hallstatt. Undoubtedly one of our must-see destinations in Austria. 

Hallstatt is a historic town, located at Salzkammergut region and declared UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s easy to get to Hallstatt, both from Munich, only 125 miles (200 km), which will take about 2:30 hours by car, or from Vienna, distant 190 miles (300 km), around 3:15 hours also by car. Despite of its small population, less than a thousand inhabitants, Hallstatt is an iconic touristic city, visited by many people from all over the world.

Hallstatt is also known by its millennial salt production, introduced during the prehistorical age. The town, gave its name to one of early Iron Age Celtic culture, between 1.100 to 450 b.C.. In Hallstatt were found more than 2 thousand graves, remains and tools from that time!

 HALLSTATT TOWN

Best things to do in Hallstatt

Hallstatt is a tiny village where driving is very limited or impossible. You can do everything by foot there.  The town has a terrific atmosphere. It is perched over the lake Hallstatt and in front of the wonderful mountains of that region. The highest mountain is called Hoher Dachstein, above 9000ft (3.000 meters)!

In Hallstatt, beyond the magnificent nature, you will find lots of history (including some Roman ruins), small and charming  stores and good restaurants. During the European summer, the sunset happens after 8 pm, which means you will have long and pleasant days to enjoy the wonders of this place…

BEST THINGS TO DO IN HALLSTATT

1) FIVE FINGERS AT HALLSTATT LAKE – BEST THINGS TO DO IN HALLSTATT

Five Fingers in Obertraun at Hallstatt Lake – Best things to do in Hallstatt

For us, The Five Fingers were one of the coolest attractions in that region. Actually, it’s not located in Hallstatt, but in a very close city called Obertraun, at the Krippenstein Mountain, in the massive of Daschstein. The Five Fingers consist in a set of metal platforms, built in the top of the mountain, hanging in the air!!

Five Fingers in Obertraun, at Hallstatt Lake – Best things to do in Hallstatt

Since we had a week in that region, we waited for the weather to clear before going up! The idea was to have the better possible visibility from the top. We went early and got the second ascending of the cable car, at around 08:45 am. When we arrived at the top, we walked quickly to the platforms (around 20 min), hoping to be the first ones to get there. The plan worked well for us and we could enjoy and photograph it alone for a while, before the other tourists!!

TIP OF THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN HALLSTATT: IF YOU HAVE TIME, WAIT UNTIL THE SKY IS CLEAR TO GO TO THE FIVE FINGERS!

Five Fingers in Obertraun, at Hallstatt Lake – Best things to do in Hallstatt

THE BEST THING TO DO IN HALLSTATT!!!!

We had the 5 platforms just for us for about 15 minutes and we took some nice pics from the place. Each platform has a different appeal: the first is a frame, where the landscape is the painting, the second has a glass floor, the third is a trampoline to the sky, in the fourth there is a hole in the floor and in the fifth you find a telescope.

Amazing and breathtaking!!! But we didn’t get scary. It was more a feeling of peace and tranquility. We stayed around 1 hour seating at the top, admiring the wonderful view of the lake and the cities around.

Going to the Five Fingers, is not just one of the best things to do in Hallstatt. It’s the number one thing you can do!

Five Fingers in Obertraun, at Hallstatt Lake – Best things to do in Hallstatt

ANYTHING ELSE UP THERE?

We were still in the top of the mountain and decided to stop by the Welterbespirale, a spiral stainless steel structure, with a 360º view. For us and for the people we chatted about it, doesn’t fit with the environment. And the view is not worth.

We tried to do paragliding but the reservations lodge was closed…

We decided to skip the Hellbrunn trail, based on what we saw from the top. The views didn’t seem so beautiful to the ones we had just appreciated minutes before.

For more information about the Five Fingers and Eishole: http://www.dachstein-salzkammergut.com/en/dachstein/dachstein/

2) ICE CAVE – EISHOLE – ONE OF THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN HALLSTATT

Ice Cave – Eishole – Best things to do in Hallstatt

Another very cool attraction, in the same mountain where the Five Fingers are located, is the Ice Cave. We stopped at the intermediate station of the cable car and registered to the Eishole (Ice Cave) tour. It was discovered in 1910 and they started the tours in 1912! A small detail: obviously there weren’t cable cars at that time. It means that the visit was 100% by foot, from the bottom of the mountain! Unthinkable…

TIP OF THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN HALLSTATT: FOR THE ICE CAVE VISIT, CARRY SOME WARM CLOTHES WITH YOU !

Ice Cave – Eishole – Best things to do in Hallstatt

VISITING THE ICE CAVE

Nowadays, to get to the Cave, you will climb a steep mountain for about 15 minutes in a fast pace from the cable car. The temperature inside the cave is 28 Fahrenheit (-2 º C).

When the snow melts down, the water falls inside the cave from its clefts and ices very fast, building amazing ice sculptures. Hot summers are not an issue for the Cave, but rainy summers are, because in this case, hot water penetrates the Cave and melts down the ice sculptures inside it. The good news is that, despite of global warming, the depth of the ice is increasing 0.8 in per year (2 cm). Currently the ice depth goes up to 82 ft (25 m)!!!

The tour took 1 hour and included more than 500 steps. Steps, steps, steps…As a reward, we drunk a weissbier dunkel and the local Hallstatt beer, which was a very tasteful surprise.

TIP OF THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN HALLSTAT: BE PREPARED TO CLIMB THE 500 STEPS!

We don’t recommend for small children and elder people.

TICKET PRICES:

– The cable car ticket to the top of Krippenstein (Five Fingers, Welterbespirale) + intermediate station + Ice Cave is $39,00 euros.

3) ELECTRIC BOAT TOUR – BEST THINGS TO DO IN HALLSTATT

Electric boat tour – Best things to do in Hallstatt

Very cool. For $13/hour, you rent an electric boat to explore the Hallstatt Lake…

Electric boat tour – Best things to do in Hallstatt

We rented an electric boat on a sunny day, but even so, we didn’t swim, because the lake’s water is really cold. In 15 min we were close to Obertraun, near Krippenstein Mountain (where the Five Fingers are) and after that, we navigated freely. Hallstatt is really beautiful seen from the lake. We spent 01:30h with the boat and enjoied a lot.

For more information: http://www.hallstatt.net/about-hallstatt/active-summer-holiday/captain-for-the-day/

4) STROLLING AT THE VILLAGE – BEST THINGS TO DO IN HALLSTATT

Strolling at Hallstatt Village – Best things to do in Hallstatt

We also loved. Beautiful, charming and the bonus of small, typical and interesting stores. We spent some time at one that sells hundreds of different olive oil and balsamic vinegar flavors.

One of the places we enjoyed a lot was kind of a surprise…pay attention because underneath the Janu sports store, there are incredible Roman and Celtic ruins, with several tools discovered in the pre historical age (7000 AC) displayed there . It’s a free small tour. Make sure you go there!

The main square is the meeting point for the tourists in the end of the day. There are lots of good restaurants and bars. Don’t miss the only (main) street beyond the square. You will find really great spots to photograph the Hallstatt Village. This is a must-see.

5) HIKING – BEST THINGS TO DO IN HALLSTATT

Hallstatt is also considered a great destination for hiking. There are hundreds of trails, for beginners/families up to 2 week hiking trips!! You will find a lot of people walking, hiking and biking in the region. We decided to try an “easy/beginners” one: The Hallstatt Panorama Trail.

Panorama Trail – Best things to do in Hallstatt

PANORAMA TRAIL HALLSTATT

The trail consists of a climb to the top of Salzberg Mountain, starting behind the church of Hallstatt in the Village and ending at the observation platform called Skywalk.

This platform stands at 383 yd (350 m) above Hallstatt roof. For us, the trail was not an easy one: 1235 steps plus steep ascends in the way…Took us 65 minutes to get to the top…and a lot of sweat.

The trail is beautiful and we were fortunate to take great pictures. We saw the pipe system that transports the brine (a solution with 30% salt concentration extracted from the mountain) from Hallstatt to Ebensee. Close to the top, there is a awesome fall, along a great vegetation…At the top, finally, the Hallstatt Skywalk, projected in the air. Spectacular views.

Hallstatt Skywalk – Best things to do in Hallstatt

Grave from Hallstatt Age

We took our time at the top, drinking our typical Gaucho green tea,watching the dance of the clouds and enjoying the landscape.

After that, we continued ascending a bit more to see one of the historical graves, well preserved belongings, from the Hallstatt Age, between 1100 e 400 b.C.

For more information about the Skywalk: http://www.hallstatt.net/about-hallstatt/sehenswertes-en-US/skywalk-of-hallstatt/

SALZBERGWERK SALT MINE IN HALLSTATT:

At the top,it’s also located the historical Salzbergwerk Salt Mine. It was the first salt mine in the world and it is probably a great tour to do. We skipped the tour because we preferred to visit the Berchtesgaden salt mine, in Germany. Soon we will have an specific post about this and you will understand why we opted for Berchtesgaden. I can anticipate that one of the reasons was the boat trip inside the mountain, simply outstanding!

TIP OF THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN HALLSTATT: WE RECOMMEND CHILDREN AND ELDER PEOPLE TO USE THE CABLE CAR!

Do you know what is funny? We could have used the cable car to get to the top. We decided to hike and despite of the efforts, was a very good decision in our opinion. You need to be i physically fit in order to climb it. It is a stretch for kids and elder people. To go back, we opted to use the cable car. We were exhausted and made a happy descend.

TICKETS:
– Salt Mine Ticket – Salzbergwerk salt mine + cable car: $26 euros for adults and $13 for children up to 15 years old;

– Cable car only: $7 euros for adults and $3,50 euros for children.

WHERE TO STAY IN HALLSTATT

We planned to be based in Hallstatt, to enjoy not only this great Village but all the Salzkammergut (Austrian lake’s region). We had chosen the Sarstein Pension from our booking.com link. We absolutely loved it and recommend! Why? It has 4 floors perched to the Hallstatt lake. Priceless. The views are awesome and there is a lawn with chaise longs accessing the lake. Don’t be fooled. The water is very cold for Brazilian standards. There were some brave people swimming. We just got our feet wet. 

Hallstatt Lake from our balcony at Sarstein Pension

We must emphasize the kindness and politeness from the owner, Mr. Klaus and his lovely wife. They are very helpful and speak German, English and French.

Sarstein Pension in Hallstatt

The breakfast is included and it’s great. We had a rental car and usually you need to leave your car in a public parking outside the village (still in a walking distance). Only the inhabitants have the permits to drive inside the village, in very narrow streets. There is a van that transports guests to the hotels. According to the availability, Mr. Klaus will let you use his private parking. 

TIP OF THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN HALLSTATT: THERE IS A SHARED REFRIGERATOR IN THE PENSION. WE USED TO STORE SOME FOOD, WINE AND BEER!

The beds are noisy and the towels not very soft, but this doesn’t affect our opinion at all. Highly recommended!!!

 GREAT PLACES TO VISIT NEAR HALLSTATT

There are many amazing places to visit close to Hallstatt. We recommend you to follow what we did…stay in Hallstatt as your base and travel around. One of the great places we visited was the charming Bad Ischl. All the region is great and it is called Salzkammergut. From Hallstatt it is possible (and it’s close) to visit Salzburg, the sensational Königsee and Berchtesgaden, where is located the Eagle’s Nest (one of the Hitler’s residences) and the Berchtesgaden salt mine, with its underground lake.

You can start your trip to this region from Munich, spend some days in the south of Germany and visit the  Neuschwanstein Castle, the Zugspitze (highest mountain in Germany) and the lovely Garmisch- Partenkirchen and after that spend a week in the  Salzkammergut.

We did this and went to Vienna to close this dream trip. Vienna is magical, beautiful and luxurious. Perfect for art and history lovers. It is also the land of Wiener Schnietzel. 

You will find specific posts about these places, in English, soon.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF EVERYTHING OUR SITE OFFERS!

Find amazing destinations! Read the tips from people that are expert travelers and really visited all these places!

Make your hotel/apartment reservation with our link of Booking.com . Rent your car with the same company that we do, RentalCars.

It’s easy! Everything in one place! Just click at the links and make your reservation!

Using our  links of Booking.com and RentalCars doesn’t cost you anything else and help us maintain our site.

Sign our Newsletter to receive our next posts by email. Follow us on Instagram!

See you later!!

MEUS DESTINOS IMPERDÍVEIS