Visiting Hallstatt in Summer

Hallstatt, a charming lakeside village

Nestled in the Alps about 60 kilometers southeast of Salzburg, the small village of Hallstatt feels like an absolute must-see in Austria.

During my summer working as an au pair, my host family gifted me a weekend getaway to this village. It’s incredibly touristy, and therefore crowded, but undeniably beautiful. It sits right on the edge (and I mean right on the edge!) of a lake, the Hallstätter See:

First steps in the village

You reach Hallstatt by boat from a small, deserted train station (which has no restrooms, so plan accordingly!), but the arrival is truly charming:

The village is stunning, both in the heart of the center and once you wander a bit further away from the tourist hub. To explore more peacefully, it’s best to get up early or head out after 8 p.m., because during the day, there’s a constant stream of boats packed with tourists!

You’ll find plenty of restaurants and "cafés" where you can grab a delicious breakfast:

A little outside the town center, there’s a designated "beach" area where you can lounge on the grass or go for a swim in the lake (if you’re brave enough). I tried swimming in the summer, wearing a dive shirt, around 9 or 10 a.m., let me tell you, it’s invigorating!

Sightseeing around Hallstatt

Near Hallstatt, within walking distance, is a salt mine that offers guided tours. It’s fascinating, but be sure to bring a thick sweater because it gets very cold down in the mine! On the path leading up to it (which you can hike even if you don't visit the mine), there’s a beautiful panoramic view of the lake:

For those who like a little thrill, it’s pretty cool to stand out on that point overlooking the valley!

There are also hiking trails that start from the heights of Hallstatt, including one that runs along the lake. They are easy to follow and relatively flat. Here’s a glimpse from one of these trails:

To reach these trails, you pass by a sort of monastery that you can visit (I don't have a photo of the monastery itself, but here is a view from right next to it):

A few tips

To visit Hallstatt, I’d recommend spending a full weekend. It allows you to venture beyond the hyper-center and explore both the village and its surroundings at a more relaxed pace.

There are many "Gasthof" establishments, essentially inns or guesthouses, that offer rooms with breakfast and also serve as restaurants (with home-cooked meals). If you get the chance to have breakfast at one of the local cafés in Hallstatt, I highly recommend it; it’s delicious!

Finally, a little "fun fact": the village of Hallstatt became so popular with tourists from China that the Chinese government actually built a replica of it in China. This, unsurprisingly, really bothered the residents of Hallstatt, who were never consulted about the project.

I hope you enjoyed this "travel diary"!

Oh, and I’m not sure if it’s necessary to mention, but all the photos used in this article belong to me.