Love Letter To Hallstatt

The picturesque Austrian village of Hallstatt, nestled between the peaks of the Alps, is truly what dreams are made of. Swans floating on the blue lake, towering mountains that reach the clouds and colorful houses adorned with flower baskets only begin to describe the beauty of this charming European village. While visiting Vienna during my semester studying abroad, I ventured to the mountains for a day in Hallstatt to get my nature fix. The scenic views from the train ride alone made the trip worth it, but wandering around the idyllic town and experiencing the most beautiful hike of my life made it the perfect day. Whether you are studying abroad in Vienna, taking a weekend trip to Salzburg or traveling to Austria on your summer break, I highly recommend that you visit this mountain town that is straight out of a fairytale.

How To Get To Hallstatt

While the trek from Vienna is a bit intimidating, it is well worth it for the breathtaking views and a break from city travel. Without a car, getting to Hallstatt from Vienna is half the adventure. On the weekend, you can take a three-and-a-half-hour direct train ride, but on weekdays, you will likely have to take two trains and a bus, altogether totaling about four hours of travel time. This sounds like a lengthy time to travel for a day trip, but the gorgeous mountain views and glimpses into the Austrian countryside villages will make the time go by fast. Bring your headphones to listen to music while you watch the world go by. If you are in Salzburg for the weekend, it is much easier and faster to travel to Hallsatt. You can rent a car for the quick hour-long drive or take a direct train for two hours to reach the lakeside town.

What To Do In Hallstatt

One of my favorite activities in Hallstatt was taking the funicular, a cable car, up to the top of the mountain. Up here, you can walk above the clouds on the Hallstatt Skywalk and tour the historic Salzwelten Salt Mine. The slow ascent to the top provides you with panoramic views of the Alps and the lake. When you reach the top, you can take in the sweeping views and snap seriously cool pictures on the skywalk. As the world’s oldest salt mine, Salzwelten is filled with history and is a very popular excursion in Hallstatt, but I unfortunately did not have enough time to visit it on my trip. Instead of taking the funicular back down the mountain into town, you have the option to take the hiking trail that zigzags down the mountain and takes you straight into the village. The hike down is roughly 45 minutes long, offering stunning views at each bend and informational signs about the town’s history throughout the hike. When you reach the center of town, you can explore the village of 16th century alpine houses and wander in and out of local shops to find souvenirs. I recommend that you grab a delicious pastry at Cafe Bäckerei Konditorei Maislinger while you sit near the water, watching the small boats and swans go by.

Where To Stay In Hallstatt

The one regret I have from my trip to Hallstatt was not staying for longer! One day is a perfect amount of time to see the sights, but the hiking in the surrounding area and unbelievable views left me wanting more time to soak it all in. If you are interested in a weekend of relaxation and wandering around the trails, I recommend that you stay for the weekend — or at least for the night. The town offers beautiful lakeside hotels and plenty of cozy Airbnbs to choose from.

Named one of the most beautiful towns in Austria and a UNESCO World Heritage site, Hallstatt is surely worth a visit for the day or weekend if you ever find yourself in Austria. We hope that you make a trip to this storybook mountain town one day!

Tag us @theedgemag with pictures of your travels!