Hallstatt travel guide

Hallstatt is more than just a pretty place. Renowned for its views and natural beauty, Hallstatt is also a world-heritage location, thanks to a connection with salt mining that probably goes back 7,000 years.

Hallstatt’s prehistoric Celtic culture gave way to a medieval mining operation that provided important revenue to the Austrian state and underwrote the wealth of the power centre that became the Holy Roman empire.

The Romans also settled in Hallstatt and built a villa with a bath house that can be visited free today.

This travel guide has all you need to know about visiting Hallstatt.

Visit the mines, where the highlights include the oldest wooden stairs in Europe. Discover the amazing network of tunnels and caves that were worked for many centuries.

Walk the narrow streets and stairways, float on its lake or dive deep into Hallstatt's unique culture in the town's museum.

Hallstatt also has some of the most amazing views in Austria.

There are fascinating churches, but they are not the one you usually see in the pictures. Visitors can also see a special place where the excavated bones of townspeople were decorated and placed on display. You can discover the code behind their painted symbols.

On the other side of the stunning lake Hallstätter See, visitors can use cable cars to explore the extraordinary Dachstein ice cave networks, the Dachstein Rieseneishöhle and Dachstein Mammuthöhle.

Archaeology, geology, ancient culture, architecture, religious piety and beautiful views – Hallstatt has it all. The town is also the jumping-off point for hikers and winter sports that provide an unforgettable experience.

Use this free guide to find out more about affordable accommodation and food offers and get all the tips about transport to, from and around Hallstatt and its neighbour Obertraun.

Hallstatt is also the jumping-off point for hikers and winter sports and visits to extraordinary ice caves that provide an unforgettable experience. Download this free guide now to find out more.