If you find yourself in Austria near Salzburg, one of the places you should definitely not miss is Hallstatt…
This small town, surrounded by the Alps, lies on the shore of Lake Hallstatt.
Some say that the hype surrounding this town is exaggerated, while others claim they have never seen a more beautiful place in their lives. I came to form my own opinion for two reasons: I was nearby—specifically in Salzburg—and I had a car, which made the journey there much easier.
Whenever I find myself in a new destination, I choose in advance what is most important for me to do, visit, or experience in a city, since not everything that comes to mind is accessible for wheelchair users. In Hallstatt, I immediately knew that I would take the cable car up to the viewpoint.
You can reach the viewpoint in two ways: on foot—which, in my case, is not an option—or by cable car, which is confirmed to be accessible for wheelchair users. The path to the cable car is steep, but it can be managed.
The cable car runs every 15 minutes. It takes only 2 minutes to reach the top, so no matter how big the crowd is, you don’t need to buy tickets in advance, as it can handle a large number of tourists during the season.
The last climb is at 6 p.m.
You take the cable car up to one level, and then take the elevator to the bridge, which takes you to the viewpoint.
The viewing platform is located 360 m above the level of the lake on which Hallstatt lies.
This is one of the top things to do in Hallstatt, especially if the weather is nice, so the view stretches into the distance.
It’s also wonderful to see one of the most photographed towns from a bird’s-eye perspective.
I did my homework and planned to stand in line to take my Instagram photo, but…
I was separated from the platform by a steep downhill path covered in gravel. It didn’t look promising at all.
Austrian organization let me down, and I was surprised by the lack of consideration when it came to this final obstacle. They made it possible for me to get up to a certain point, and then: “Marko, you’re on your own.”
With three strong guys, it might have been possible to somehow get down to the viewpoint—but you also have to come back up afterward. What frustrated me the most was the fact that this could all have been easily solved.
In any case, I enjoyed the view from the second level, from the restaurant where I waited for tea for what felt like an eternity—and it never arrived.
Traveling is not for the faint of heart. I took the defeat like a man, but I still took one more memory with me.
The Town
After doing the most important thing for me in Hallstatt, all that was left was to take a walk through the town and discover why even the Chinese built its replica some 10,000 kilometers away.
Hallstatt has about 950 inhabitants and a lot of tourists, who flock to this town every day.
The path leads along the lake, which is as beautiful as all the lakes in Austria. Its surface area is 8.5 km², and its depth can reach up to 125 meters.
The lake looks cold, and swans glided peacefully across it, swans that were once introduced here in the 19th century by Austria’s beloved Empress Sisi.
The swans reminded her of her native Bavaria and Emperor Franz Joseph was happy to grant her wish.
Walking by the water is one of my favorite activities.
Along the promenade there are colorful houses and narrow streets.
Along the lake, there are various restaurants. Due to the ambiance, expect higher prices. Here, in addition to traditional Wiener schnitzel, you can also enjoy lake trout.
How Much Time You Need for Hallstatt
Hallstatt can be explored in 2 to 3 hours. Wheelchair users won’t be able to access all of its corners because some areas are inaccessible.
For those who can walk, there is also the church, which dominates the town. Inside, there are painted skulls that were exhumed due to a lack of space in the local cemetery. The church was built way back in 1505. There is also the central square, surrounded by beautifully painted houses.
Everything you need to see is located on a single street. If you’re up for hiking or a boat ride, a visit to Hallstatt can easily turn into a full-day experience.
The most important tip for Hallstatt is to arrive as early as possible if you want to avoid the crowds.
What Else You Can Do in Hallstatt
Since you’re already going up to the viewpoint, you can also visit the salt mine. There are various attractions there, such as slides and a train. The mine is not accessible for wheelchair users, so I can’t give you a firsthand report.
Hallstatt is famous for its salt mines, which is also how it got its name. The word “Hall” comes from a Celtic term meaning salt. The entire region developed thanks to this highly sought-after resource, which is even called “white gold” here.
It’s therefore understandable that the most important souvenir you can take from Hallstatt is related to salt.
There are souvenirs like these as well.
As everywhere in Austria, the weather here is changeable. Don’t make the same mistake I did when I visited the Eagle’s Nest. You can read more about my visit to that site here.
All of Hallstatt is extremely photogenic, but you don’t want your photos to look like everyone else’s. So, take a walk off the beaten path and create your own memories.
Advantages
Hallstatt is easy to reach, especially from Salzburg. It’s only 1.5 hours away. You don’t need a special plan for Hallstatt, nor do you need to buy tickets in advance or stick to a strict schedule. It’s all about a leisurely walk, breathing in the fresh air, and enjoying the natural beauty.
The downsides are the large crowds, especially in the morning. Everything is more expensive, so if you’re on a budget like me, bring your own snacks. Changeable weather can also spoil your visit.
Salzburg vs. Hallstatt
In my opinion, there’s no dilemma. Why not both? They are close enough and completely different, so everyone can find something for themselves. What to see in Salzburg, I wrote about here.
Is Hallstatt Worth Visiting?
Since it’s so easy to get to Hallstatt, stop by if you’re in the area. There are better viewpoints, more beautiful lakes, and nicer walking paths, but Hallstatt has somehow become famous. So, if you consider yourself a worldly traveler, you should visit. However, to truly experience its beauty, you need to stay for several days and sync your pace with the place.
Mass tourism doesn’t allow for that.
Have you visited Hallstatt?
Did I miss anything?
Traveled and enjoyed,
Marko Veličković
