Hallstatt Village

Overview

Hallstatt sits on the shore of Lake Hallstatt, surrounded by steep mountains, with whitewashed and brightly painted wooden houses ranged along the water and mirrored in its surface. The town has 7,000 years of history connected to salt mining, and is among Austria's most popular destinations and the heart of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

History

The Hallstatt salt mine is the oldest in the world, worked since at least the 8th century BC, and the prehistoric culture named after the village, the Hallstatt culture, gave its name to the early Iron Age across Europe. The village was inscribed as part of the Hallstatt-Dachstein cultural landscape World Heritage Site in 1997. So popular has it become that visitor numbers are now managed to protect the village.

Highlights

• •Reflections on the lake
• •The salt mine
• •Boat trips on Lake Hallstatt

Practical tips

• •Arrive early, as the village is small and very busy
• •The view from the north ferry landing is the classic shot

Practical information

Best time

May to September

Tickets

Free to visit

Opening hours

Open all day

Local food

Lake fish, cheese noodles and apple strudel

Getting around

Take the train from Salzburg and transfer to a lake bus; self-drive is more flexible but mountain roads need care

Visa

Austria is in the Schengen area and requires a short-stay Schengen visa (type C). Book an appointment one to two months ahead and prepare an itinerary, proof of accommodation and travel insurance.

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