This beautiful lake town has been on my list since the very beginning and is a wonderful day trip from Salzburg, Austria. As a small town girl raised on the coast I love being by the water, and have missed it while studying abroad in Prague. When looking up top destinations in Europe, Hallstatt caught my eye with its stunning views and I just knew I had to find a way to visit. This town was the perfect place to get away for the day, and enjoy some time by the lakeside.
(Last Updated on March 23, 2023)
Travel Summary
Duration: Day Trip October 23, 2021
Accommodation(s): N/A
Location Overview
Welcome to Hallstatt, Austria. This charming village is located on Lake Hallstatt’s western shore. Not only does the town feature stunning lake views, but is also nestled at the foot of the Dachstein mountain range, giving the town an even more spectacular backdrop. I did Hallstatt in one day, as the town can easily be walked from one tip to the other in 15 to 20 minutes.
Currency
Hallstatt is on the euro, and is definitely a pricer destination as it’s very tourist focused. I would definitely recommend carrying some cash, as some shops I visited only took cash. Worse case, there is an ATM near the center of town, but I have a feeling you’ll be paying some steep rates.
Transportation
I did Hallstatt as a day trip from Salzburg, and think Salzburg is the perfect town to jump off from. It’s also quite accessible by car, but you’ll need to get to the lots earlier than later, as they have been known to fill up by mid morning.
To/From Salzburg
From Salzburg, busses & trains run frequently to Hallstatt. Following the recommendations of bigboytravel, I took the bus route, which consisted of 3 buses and 2 transfers. While this may seem daunting the transfers were super easy, and the trip was a little over 2 hours one way.
I used OBB’s site to plan my arrival/departure and find the exact bus times (also includes train options), and paid $34.54 USD round trip. The site has a “search connection” feature, which I used to plug in Salzburg Hbf as my starting point and Hallstatt Lahn (the bus terminal) as my end point. I recommend getting the day pass for this route, as this allows you to hop on and off any point, and gives you flexibility for arrival/departure times.
The bus also drops you off on the on the south side of town and is a great starting point to head into town. The bus route is also nice and scenic, as it drives through some other lake towns. I actually ended up hopping off at St. Gilgen on the way back, which makes for a great side trip before heading back into town.
Train Notes
If you’d prefer to take the train, note the train station drops you off across the lake from Hallstatt so you’ll need to take the ferry over, which is nice for sightseeing but requires an extra step.
Step by Step Route Breakdown
Exact breakdown of my route following Saturday bus schedules, weekday times vary slightly but follow same route.
Salzburg Hbf 6:15 AM depart on bus 150 ➯ 7:29 AM arrive at Bad Ischl Bahnhof
8:16 AM depart Bad Ischl Bahnholf on bus 542 ➯ 8:48 AM arrive Hallstatt Gosaumuhle
8:55 AM depart Hallstatt Gosaumuhle on bus 543 ➯ 9:03 AM arrive Hallstatt Lahn
I stayed in town from 9 AM until 1:30 PM, taking the 1:37 PM train back towards town. It is the same exact route in reverse on the way back. I hopped off at St. Gilgen for a detour and just caught another bus back afterwards, as they run every hour.
Things to Do
As previously mentioned, the town is fairly small and very touristy. Most of the town’s charm lies in it’s picturesque views and fairytale-like village. Below is a list of some other things to do and sights to see in town as well as in the surrounding area.
Browse through the shops
Walk along the lakeside
Take in the views with a walk along the lakeside. You’ll spot lots of swans here, as they like to swim around the shoreline and can even be found walking along the edges.
The Postcard Angle for the infamous Hallstatt photo opportunity
Exact location in Google Maps: Gosaumühlstraße 67, 4830 Hallstatt, Austria
The cant miss photo spot, located on the north side of town.
Marktplatz (Main Square)
Home to the Holy Trinity Statue and surrounded by cafes, restaurants and shops. The colorful houses add to the town’s charm, and were especially stunning with the fall foliage backdrop.
Boat Rental (summertime activity)
During summer months you can rent a boat and soak in the views from the water.
Check out rental options here.
Salzwelten Salt Mine and hallstatt Skywalk
The Salzwelten Salt Mine is the oldest in the world and is accessible by a funicular in town. Suggested visit time for the salt mine is 3 hours, which includes the round trip on the funicular and walk across Hallstatt high valley to the mine entrance and back again. The Hallstatt skywalk is also located at the top of the funicular, offering stunning views. The skywalk is a free-floating structure 360 meters above the ground, allowing visitors to feel as if they’re walking into the sky itself.
I debated doing the salt mine and skywalk, but was trying to stay on budget and knew I’d need to allocate a good chunk of time for the experience. I would highly recommend if you’re in the area longer or looking for a more packed day.
Dachstein Ice Cave
The Dachstein Ice Cave is one of the biggest ice caves in the world located in the Dachstein mountains. A 24 minute drive from Hallstatt or accessible by bus or train. To note- the cave is closed during winter months from late-October until May.
5 Fingers Lookout Point
The 5 fingers lookout is located approximately a 15 minute drive from Hallstatt in the small town of Obertraun. Consists of 5 walkable platforms each offering incredible 360 panoramic views of the Dachstein Mountains. Not recommended for those afraid of heights.
Where to Eat ($-$$):
In the summertime, Hallstatt has lots of seating by the waterfront, unfortunately a lot of these restaurants close for the winter. Just something to keep in mind when visiting during the offseason. This being said, there were still a handful of outdoor dining options when I went, some of which I’ve listed below.
Schirmbar ($$)
It was quite cold and cloudy when I arrived at 9AM The outside seating across from the lake, complementary blankets, and hot chocolate drew me into this spot. It is definitely on the pricer side, and the food looked mediocre, but I would recommend the spot for the views alone. Stick to a nice warm beverage, and enjoy the morning here before the crowds roll in, as Hallstatt becomes very crowded by mid-morning.
Simple 169 ($$)
Coffee shop and Bistro. This spot had a limited menu, but I happened to get lucky with the daily special: bolognese pasta. I sat at the outdoor railing and enjoyed a filling lunch here. I knew food was going to be pricer so I tried to limit my meals. The dish was 9 euros, but cheaper than some of the other spots, and a hearty portion. The staff was really nice, and even checked on me a few times. Note they only take cash! There is also an ATM right around the corner.
Seecafe Frundsberg ($)
Located on the southern side of town, right next to the bus stop! It looked closed at first, but you walk around and enter through the side. The waiter was super friendly and the outside seating views were amazing. Inside seating was also available. Great little place to grab a drink before boarding the bus back.
Trip Budget
Transportation: $34.54 USD
Food Breakdown:
– Schirmbar Hot Chocolate: $5.65
– Simple 169 Bolognese Lunch: $11.37
– Seecafe Frundsberg Tea: $4
Total Food: $21.02
Extra expenses (souvenirs): $20.65
Total for the day $76.21 USD
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