If you’re heading to Austria and looking to get out of the capital for a day or two, please make sure you find a way to include Hallstatt in your itinerary.
Hallstatt had been sitting on my travel wish list for years before I finally made it there. My Pinterest travel inspo was full of pictures (I’m sure you’ve already seen some). The pastel houses. The church spire. The glassy lake with the mountains rising straight behind it.
And to be honest, I was a bit worried that it was going to turn out to be one of those overhyped places. Or that it would just be that one view and nothing else.
But there was no need to worry. I found that there were plenty of things to do in Hallstatt, whether you’ve got just a few hours, or a couple of days.
Hallstatt is a small lakeside village in Austria’s Salzkammergut region and it’s officially recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its history goes back thousands of years thanks to its salt mining past, which is actually what put it on the map long before Instagram ever did.
This fairytale village is compact, walkable, and very easy to explore in a day, which is exactly what most people do.
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In this guide, I’ll walk you through the main things to see and do in Hallstatt so you can make the most of your time, whether you’re visiting on a day trip or staying a little longer.
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23 Things to do in Hallstatt Austria
1. Take in the views from the Hallstatt Skywalk (World Heritage View)
The Skywalk sits high above the village, looking straight down over the church spire, the lake and the mountains wrapped around it. You reach it via the funicular from the village centre, which takes just a few minutes. A return ticket is roughly €22 for adults and that includes the funicular and Skywalk access.
You can also hike up to the Skywalk if you’ve got a bit of time (and energy). I wanted to give both a try to so I took the funicular up and hiked back down (yes, it was the easy option, I know!).
Tour buses start to arrive in Hallstatt mid-morning so I recommend heading up there first thing. The viewing platform isn’t huge, so it can get a bit crowded. The views are completely worth it though.
2. Tour the Salzwelten Hallstatt Salt Mine
Notice: Hallstatt Salt Mines and Skywalk are currently closed for construction work and are due to reopen in June 2026
Hallstatt’s salt mine is basically the reason the village exists in the first place. Salt mining here dates back over 7,000 years, which gives you an idea of the scale of its history.
You reach the mine via the same funicular as the Skywalk, then walk about 15 minutes uphill to the entrance. Guided tours take you through tunnels, underground chambers and even wooden miner slides.
Tickets are roughly €40 for adults and tours run throughout the day, though time slots do sell out in peak season. It’s surprisingly fun and far more interactive than most people expect.
3. Explore Hallstatt Market Square
Hallstatt Market Square is the centre of the village and it’s so very sweet. It’s lined with pastel-coloured buildings, small cafés, souvenir shops and a few restaurants, all framed by the mountains rising behind it. It’s compact but photogenic from every angle, especially when the flower boxes are in full bloom.
This is also where you’ll find the Christmas market in winter.
I passed through the market square a bunch of times during the day, usually for a treat stop or wandering between sights.
4. Stroll along the lakeside promenade
This is one of the simplest things to do in Hallstatt. The lakeside promenade is roughly 1km to 1.5km, starting from the ferry terminal, passing by the Market Square waterfront, and continuing on towards the more residential area of the village, near the boathouses.
Without stopping, the walk will take you just 20-30 minutes. But who am I kidding? You’ll be stopping along the way to photos of the swans and viewpoints, or to grab an ice-cream.
It’s a very easy walk, so if you’re not up for any of the hill walking or hiking in Hallstatt, this will be perfect for you.
Why I Book With Get Your Guide
I use GetYourGuide for almost all my activities when I’m travelling, mainly for these reasons:
‣ Free cancellation on most bookings: Plans change. It’s good to know you can cancel and get a refund if needed.
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5. Book a professional photoshoot in the village
If you want those postcard-perfect Hallstatt photos without relying on strangers (or a tripod balanced on a bin), a professional photoshoot is actually great fun.
There are local photographers offering short sessions around the village, usually hitting the main viewpoints like the Lutheran Church, lakeside promenade and Market Square. Your photoshoot will last around an hour and you’ll get edited images sent within 48 hours.
6. Go kayaking on Lake Hallstatt
Want to see the lake and village from a different perspective? Kayaking is one of my all time favourite activities, so it’s no surprise I always try to fit it in while travelling. You can either rent a kayak for an hour or two and head out on your own, or you can join this 2-hour Hallstatt kayaking tour.
The lake is generally calm, but mornings are your best bet for glassy water and fewer tour boats. It’s peaceful, scenic and well worth the arm workout.
7. Photograph the Lutheran Church viewpoint
You’ll recognise this viewpoint straight away because it’s the Hallstatt photo angle. In fact, it’s one of the most pictured spots in all of Austria.
You’ll see the church spire in the foreground, colourful houses behind it and the mountains closing in around the lake. It sits along the promenade and is signposted, so it’s easy to find.
Of course, it’s always pretty busy there. So, if you want the shot without ten other cameras in it, go early. I passed through a couple of times during the day and it was always busy, but it only takes a minute once you get your spot.
8. Visit the Parish of the Assumption Church
The Parish of the Assumption Church sits up on the hillside above the village, so you’ll need to walk up a short incline to reach it, but it’s not tough. It dates back to the 12th century and is still an active church today.
Inside is fairly understated, quiet, peaceful, nothing over the top. Most people come up this way to visit the ossuary next door, so it makes sense to do both at the same time rather than climbing up twice.
9. See the Hallstatt Ossuary (Bone House)
Speaking of the ossuary… this sits right beside the Parish of the Assumption Church and is one of the more unusual things to see in Hallstatt. Inside the bone house are over 600 painted skulls, many decorated with names, dates and floral designs. It dates back centuries and came about due to the village running out of burial space.
Just note it closes relatively early in the winter months, usually around 3.30pm or 4pm. I literally missed it by minutes, so if it’s on your list, make sure you get there on time.
10. Explore the Dachstein Ice Caves
If you’ve got extra time and want to venture beyond the village itself, the Dachstein Ice Caves are worth a visit. Located up on the Dachstein mountain range, you reach them via cable car followed by a guided tour inside the caves to see the ice formations, frozen waterfalls and dramatic lighting throughout.
It’s colder inside than you might think (well it is an ice cave), so bring layers even in summer. Opening months are seasonal (typically May to October), and tickets combine cable car + cave entry. It’s more of a half-day activity, but a very different experience from the lakeside sights below.
BOOK A DACHSTEIN ICE CAVES TOUR HERE
11. Hike to Waldbachstrub Waterfall
If you want a break from the crowds down in the village, the walk to Waldbachstrub Waterfall is a good shout. The trail starts from the Hallstatt side and takes you up through forest paths and wooden walkways to the falls.
It’s not difficult (hence why I was able to do it), but there is a steady incline, so runners or decent shoes help. It takes around 1.5 to 2 hours return depending on pace.
I liked this one because it felt completely removed from the busy lakefront and I was able to get some really great shots of the village and lake below.
12. Go swimming in Lake Hallstatt
You’ll see people swimming in the lake during summer and yes, you can join them, but remember you’re in an alpine village. Even on hot days, the water is cold.
There are small designated swimming spots and platforms dotted along the lakeside where people sunbathe and jump in.
It’s clean and clear, but most people go in for a quick dip rather than a full swim. If you’re visiting in peak summer, it’s actually a nice way to cool off after walking all day. Just don’t expect warm Mediterranean waters.
Why I Use Airalo eSIM When Travelling
I’ve started using Airalo on most of my trips now, mainly because it removes the hassle of sorting out data when I arrive in a new city.
It’s a digital SIM card, meaning I don’t need to insert anything into my phone (unlike local SIMs). I just need to install the eSIM before I travel and as soon as I land, I’ve got data.
Here’s what I generally use it for:
• Google Maps
• Checking train and bus times
• Booking activities or looking up opening times
It’s not at all complicated to set up. You buy a data plan in the app, follow a few steps to install it, and then switch it on when you arrive.
13. Rent a pedal boat or electric boat
If my earlier suggestion of kayaking feels like too much effort, renting a pedal boat or small electric boat is the easier way to get out on the water. You’ll find rentals along the lakeside near the main promenade area during the warmer months.
Pedal boats are slower but relaxed, while electric boats let you cover a bit more ground without the leg workout. But the pedal boats are shaped like swans, so that might be the selling point!
14. Visit the Hallstatt World Heritage Museum
If you want a bit more context behind the village beyond the views, the Hallstatt Museum is worth a quick stop. It covers the area’s history from prehistoric times right through its salt mining era, which is what originally made the village so significant.
It’s not huge, so you can just pop in and out, but the exhibits give helpful background to what you’re actually looking at outside. I found it useful for understanding how far back Hallstatt’s story goes, which is far beyond the pretty lakeside image.
15. Ride the funicular railway
The funicular is what takes you up the mountainside above Hallstatt, mainly for access to the Skywalk and salt mine. The ride itself only takes a few minutes, but the views open up quickly as you climb. It leaves from near the village centre and runs regularly throughout the day.
Even if you’re not planning to hike, it’s the easiest way to reach the higher viewpoints. I took it up and walked back down, which gave a nice mix without being too strenuous.
16. Wander the old town alleys
Some of my favourite parts of Hallstatt weren’t the big viewpoints, it was the quieter little lanes tucked between the houses.
The old town alleys are narrow and cobbled, weaving between houses with wooden balconies and flower boxes hanging over them. You’ll get the odd peek of the lake between buildings and the occasional quiet corner away from the waterfront crowds.
17. Grab an Austrian beer by the lake
At some point, you’ll want to sit down and take a breather, and doing it by the water just makes sense. I’d recommend heading to Seecafé Hallstatt, which sits right along the lakeside promenade. It’s a little pricey, but that’s standard for Hallstatt. You can grab a beer and sit out facing the lake with a clear view back toward the mountains.
18. Take the ferry for the classic village viewpoint
If you want the full Hallstatt postcard view (the one where the entire village sits along the waterline) you won’t get it from inside the village itself. For that, you need to take the short ferry crossing from Hallstatt to the train station side of the lake.
If you’ve taken the train to Hallstatt, you’ll probably already have taken the ferry from the train station over to the village. If not, you can still take the ferry back and forth. Once you step off the ferry, turn back toward the village and there it will be. A stunning view of the fairytale village.
19. Cycle around Lake Hallstatt
If you’ve got more time than just a quick village visit, cycling around Lake Hallstatt is a good way to see more of the area beyond the main waterfront.
The full lake loop is roughly 22 km, so it’s doable in half a day at a relaxed pace. You’ll pass smaller villages, quieter lake edges and viewpoints you won’t be able to see from Hallstatt itself.
20. Browse the Christmas market
Is there anything more festive than visiting an Austrian Christmas market? If you’re visiting in December, you’ve got to visit Hallstatt’s small Christmas market in the Market Square.
It’s not a huge production like Vienna or Salzburg, but you’ll find the usual wooden stalls, local crafts, mulled wine and lights strung across the square with the mountains sitting behind it.
The only thing is that the Hallstatt Christmas market only runs for one day in December, so make sure you check the date before planning your trip.
21. Visit nearby Obertraun
Obertraun sits on the opposite side of the lake and most people pass through it without stopping, but it’s worth a look if you’ve got extra time.
It’s one of the access points for the Dachstein cable cars and hiking trails and you can reach it by car, ferry + train, or by cycling the lake if you’re doing the full loop.
22. Take a Zille ride on the lake
If you want to get out on the water without paddling or pedalling, a Zille ride is a really cool traditional option. Zilles are flat wooden boats that have been used on Lake Hallstatt for centuries, originally linked to the salt trade. Today, they’re run as small guided boat rides, usually with a local skipper rowing or motoring you across the lake.
23. Try traditional Austrian food in a lakeside restaurant
You’ll find a handful of restaurants dotted along the waterfront where you can sit down for a proper meal with a lake view. I’d recommend Gasthof Zauner, right on the promenade. It’s known for traditional Austrian dishes like schnitzel and strudel, and the outdoor seating looks straight across the water.
If you’re not looking for a full on meal, Hallstatt has some amazing bakeries selling croissants, schaumrolle and habsburger to name a few.
The best way to wind down your day in Hallstatt if you ask me!
