Hallstatt Museum (Welterbemuseum Hallstatt)

The basics

The museum offers more than a typical small-town museum, being packed with unique artifacts and multimedia displays that cover some 7,000 years of history. Presented as an adventure through time, the exhibits are well explained with both English and German information so that visitors leave with an understanding of the village and the significance of its salt mines.

It’s rarely busy even in the peak summer months, so it works well for a spontaneous trip. Private tours can include a visit as part of a preplanned itinerary, and most organized excursions from Salzburg, Vienna, and Prague include free time in Hallstatt, which can be spent browsing the museum. Give yourself an hour to appreciate the collections.

Things to know before you go

• The museum appeals to anyone with an interest in archaeology, the general history of the area, and salt mines.
• If you are planning a trip to the Hallstatt salt mines, visit the Hallstatt Museum before you go to get a greater understanding of the mines’ place in history.
• Adult entrance fees are €10 with reduced rates available for groups, seniors, students, and children. Holders of the Salzkammergut cards can also get a reduced rate on entry.
• The museum is not considered wheelchair-accessible, being spread over several floors with no elevator.

How to get there

Hallstatt village is a popular day trip destination from Salzburg, just a 1.5-hour drive away. That time doubles by public transport, but the easy-on-the-eye scenery makes the longer route worthwhile. Take the #150 bus from Salzburg to Bad Ischgl Bahnhof, then train to Hallstatt Bahnhof, and lastly the boat to Hallstatt village. Once there, the Hallstatt Museum is found right in the village center.

When to get there

The Hallstatt Museum is open daily between April and October, from 10am through 4pm in the months of April and October, and from 10am through 6pm between May and September. In the off-peak months between November and March, the museum is open Wednesday through Sunday between 11am and 3pm.

The Hallstatt Salt Mines

If Hallstatt’s salt mining history has captured your attention, follow up your Hallstatt Museum visit with a trip to the nearby Hallstatt Salt Mines (Salzwelten Hallstatt). They’re only open during peak summer months, and only accessible via a funicular. The extra journey is worth the effort though, giving you a first-hand look at the underground mines that were dug by hand several millennia ago. Slides and a mini-train add fun touches to the experience.