A picturesque Austrian village nestling by Lake Hallstatt, Hallstatt is arguably one of the most beautiful places in the world. In the shadow of great snow-crowned mountains, the village is the longest still-inhabited village in the world and the surrounding area is UNESCO-protected. A favourite of poets and mountain climbers alike, visitors can enjoy exploring the ancient salt mine, ice caves of Dachstein and taking romantic ferry rides across the lake. Our list of the best places to stay in Hallstatt has something for everyone from chic boutique to lovely rural stays.

Referred to as "the pearl of Austria", Hallstatt is famous for both the beauty of its architecture and the enchanting scenery that surrounds it. The traditional salt mining village dates back 800 years before Christ, and the salt mines that made its fame and fortune are the world's oldest. The village features houses that are built into the mountain rock, and it sits by a lake whose waters mirror the sky. Indeed, Hallstatt is such an internationally-renowned place of outstanding beauty that the Chinese have created a carbon-copy of the village for themselves!

There is much to do in the way of sightseeing. Much activity centres around Lake Hallstatt, so be sure to book a ferry ride across it to best drink-in the gorgeous scenery of mountains scraping against the sky. Across the lake lies the Ice Caves of Dachstein, a fascinating (and rather cold) place to explore, featuring ice waterfalls, ponds and underground lakes - so be sure to bring a thick winter coat! Visiting the Hallstatt salt mines is also a must: you can explore the underground lake, see a mummified prehistoric miner preserved in salt and enjoy the local museum - whose exhibits boast artefacts over 700 years old!

What not to miss

• Book a boat trip across the lake and drink in the gorgeous scenery.
• Visit the Ice Caves of Dachstein.
• Explore the Hallstatt salt mines - the oldest salt mines in the world.
• Walk around the museum, admiring artefacts that are over 700 years old.
• Hike through the beautiful UNESCO-protected landscape.

Picturesque and quaint, Hallstatt is the perfect place to go to get away from it all. Browse through our list of the best places to stay in Hallstatt to start planning your trip.

The best places to stay in Hallstatt

Alpine escape

• Landhaus Koller: a beautiful country house set amidst rolling hills, offering rooms with exposed wooden beams, pine furniture and roaring fireplaces. Enjoy the gourmet restaurant and the heated outdoor pool. A perfect rural hideaway.
• Hallstatt Hideaway: a small luxurious mountain retreat, set in idyllic surroundings. The beautiful designer streets boast the best of modern craftsmanship, adorned with furniture made from salvaged wood. The hotel boasts hot tubs and a sauna. Perfect place for hikers and bikers!

B&B

• Haus Salzkammergut: surrounded by gorgeous terrain, this charming B&B offers simple and homely rooms adorned with pinewood furniture and boasting enchanting views of the lake and mountains; expect generous breakfasts, and plenty of activities.

Chic boutique

• Seewirt Zauner: a charming townhouse offering rooms with sublime views, adorned in a bright and contemporary style that blends with traditional Alpine aesthetics. Enjoy the restaurant and the breathtaking views from private balconies! Perfect for couples.
• Seehotel Gruner Baum: facing the lovely market square, this beautiful hotel offers rooms that seamlessly blend unfussy Alpine styles with chic decor. Enjoy the fabulous gourmet restaurant, drinks terrace and panoramic views!

For an apartment or chalet

• Our partner Booking.com has a wide range of chalets and apartments in the nearby area.

Travel information

• The best time to go is during the summer, to best enjoy the spellbinding scenery. The temperature, then, tends to flit between 12 and 25 degrees.
• Fly to either Salzburg or Vienna; from either of these cities, take an Austrian National OBB train to Attnang-Puchheim, from where you can transfer to the local REX train toward Hallstatt. The Attnang-Puchheim train station is 50 minutes from Salzburg and 135 minutes from Vienna.
• If you want to rent a car, contact our partner Rentalcars.

Still not sure?

• Expand your search to include the best places to stay in Upper Austria
• or Austria
• or contact one of our Gurus for advice.

Weather

Monthly Weather in Hallstatt