Google the most beautiful villages in the world. You will definitely find Hallstatt on the list. Sitting in the lap of the Alps, Hallstatt is a swoon-worthy village in Upper Austria.

I got a chance to visit this pretty village in the summer of 2023, and I left a piece of my heart there. The spectacular views of mountains, the shimmering surface of the water in bright sun, and pretty little gingerbread homes lining one side of the street—this idyllic setting makes Hallstatt an epitome of beauty.

But it isn’t just the spellbounding beauty that attracts visitors, the history and culture of this traditional village make it worth visiting. Due to its historical and cultural significance, Hallstatt is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the Inner Salzkammergut and the Dachstein.

Hallstatt: geography and history

Hallstatt is a village located on the western shore of Lake Hallstatt (Hallstätter See) in Austria’s Salzkammergut region. Home to one of the oldest salt mines, its history dates back centuries.

Hallstatt is older than Rome, with an era between 800-400 BC named, the Hallstatt Era. The first settlement in Hallstatt dates back to 5,000 BC.

Things to do in Hallstatt

Although Hallstatt is a tiny place, it has a lot to offer tourists. Unfortunately, I reached Hallstatt a little later than planned, and, hence, could not visit all the places worth visiting. Despite that, my trip to Hallstatt was an unforgettable one.

Here is what I did and what you should do on a one-day trip to Hallstatt.

Soak in the scenic views before even reaching Hallstatt

We visited Hallstatt from Salzburg. Our first confab with the town was a public bathing area between Hallstatt and Bad Goisern. We disembarked at the Gosaumühle bus stop and admired panoramic views of the mountain and Lake Hallstatt.

This large sunbathing area also has a cute little snack bar, the Roadhouse, where tourists can enjoy grilled snacks, fish, and coffee, and rent kayaks, canoes, SUP boards, quads, and scooters.

Explore the village on feet

As I just mentioned, Hallstatt is a tiny village. You can walk from one end to the other in less than half an hour (it extends 9.1 km from east to west and 13 km from north to south), but this small walk will make you ecstatically happy a hundred times.

The streets run parallel to the shore of Lake Hallstatt. Traverse the streets and relish the views of the serene lake as swan boats, ferries, kayaks, and swans navigate the lake. Centuries-old pretty little houses in different colors with wooden roofs and flower-laden balconies line the mountain slope on the other side of the street.

The little market square has several cute hotels, restaurants, cafes, bars, and souvenir shops.

Visit the Bone House or Hallstatt Ossuary

Have you ever seen hundreds and thousands of skulls, decorated with beautifully hand-painted floral designs, names, and dates, stacked along the walls in a small tunnel-like room? If not, visit the famous Hallstatt Ossuary or the Bone House.

The Hallstatt Ossuary, also called the Bone House or Charnel House, is an extraordinary place in St. Michael’s Chapel in Hallstatt. The skulls belong to the people of Hallstatt, buried over years in the small cemetery.

As the burial ground filled, the bodies were disinterred, cleaned, painted, decorated, and placed in the small room to make space for the newly dead. However, in the 1960s, the Catholic Church allowed cremation, and this practice stopped.

5 Finger Lookout Point

5 Fingers Lookout Point is the best vantage point to admire the gorgeous views of the snow-capped Alps.

The platform projects out from the Dachstein Mountain like a hand with 5 fingers, one with a glass floor. Getting the unobstructed view of the Alps from a height of 396 meters is enough to give an adrenaline rush.

The “Skywalk” World Heritage View

Another viewpoint that lets you enjoy the beauty of the village and Lake Hallstatt is the “Skywalk”. 360 meters above the roof of the town, this free-floating structure lets you lose yourself in the breathtaking views of the mountains, lake, and Hallstatt.

Hallstatt Salt Mine

Hallstatt Salt Mine, which is 7,000 years old, is considered the oldest salt mine in the world. The excavation of the mine has unearthed some of the rarest things, such as preserved salt man, tools from the Iron Age, pick made up of stag horn, etc.

A one-hour tour of the salt mine will introduce you to the rich history of the place, Europe’s oldest wooden staircase, and an underground lake.

Hallstatt Museum

Hallstatt Museum takes you back to the Iron and Bronze Ages. One part of the exhibit teleports you to 800-400 B.C. and another gives you a glimpse into the lives of Romans and Celts who inhabited the region.

The best time to visit Hallstatt

Plan your visit in the summer (between May and September) to experience Hallstatt in its full glory. However, the charm of the town covered in white snow cannot be denied.

Hallstatt is a victim of overtourism. Visit the town early in the morning to have the narrow streets and the lakeshore to yourself (not completely to yourself). The middle of the day is usually very crowded.

Although Hallstatt can be explored in one day, planning a night stay will give you an opportunity to admire the place in solitude during the evening hours, which is an enthralling experience.

Finding accommodation in Hallstatt is not a problem.

Takeaways

The beauty of Hallstatt is difficult to put into words. What should I call this village- a fairytale village, the most gorgeous village in Europe, the most picturesque village, or the most Instagrammable village?

Let me put it this way:

Hallstatt is a cocktail of awe-inspiring beauty, history, and culture that will intoxicate your senses and keep you in a merry daze throughout your time in the town.