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.