Hallstatt Old Town

The basics

The Old Town’s main photo point is at the Hallstatt Evangelical Church by the lake. Day trips from Salzburg, Vienna, or even Prague are a hassle-free way to explore this tiny Old Town. Most excursions include free time to take photos, eat, shop, or visit attractions such as Hallstatt Salt Mine or Hallstatt Museum. If you’re staying in Hallstatt for more than a few hours, private tours help you find the panoramic viewpoints and hiking trails away from the crowds.

Things to know before you go

• Consider staying overnight in a Hallstatt hotel or guesthouse, and aim to eat and shop local in a way that benefits residents.

• Bring cash to use on the local buses and boats if traveling independently.

• If garbage bins are full, take your rubbish away with you.

• Wheelchair users should find the flat lakeside promenade manageable, and there is a disabled restroom in the center of town. Ferries, buses, and entranceways to the funicular stations may not be accessible.

How to get there

Driving to Hallstatt isn’t recommended as parking options are limited. If you do drive, leave your car in one of three paid parking lots at the south end of the village. Otherwise, from Salzburg or Vienna, take the train to Attang-Pucheim or Bad Ischl, then a local train to Hallstatt. The station is across the lake and is connected via a 10-minute ferry ride to Hallstatt. Once in the Old Town, the main sights are walkable.

When to get there

Skip the peak season (July–August) and visit Hallstatt Old Town when it’s quieter. While less colorful in the winter, the chances of white mountains and snow-dusted houses are high, and the streets are more tranquil without the summer sightseers. There’s also the Hallstatt Christmas Market in the Marktplatz at the start of December. No matter what season you go, an overnight hotel stay lets you see the Old Town free of day-trippers.

What to see in Hallstatt Old Town

Hallstatt’s other church, the Catholic Parish Church of the Assumption of Mary (Pfarrkirche Mariä Himmelfahrt) is next to the Hallstatt Charnel House (aka the beinhaus or ossuary) in St. Michael’s Chapel. You can see hundreds of artistically painted skulls for a small entry fee, some of which date back to the 18th century. Another cultural option is the Hallstatt Museum, which charts Hallstatt’s history and salt mining heritage.