On the eve of summer, many people ask me about the most interesting and unusual places to visit in Europe.
I’ll tell you about one of these places - the town of Hallstatt on the shore of a large lake in the heart of the Alps!
It all started when I found a picture on the Internet. A beautiful picture with mountains, a lake, a town and a turret reflected in the water. It's like a fairytale! I thought: “Why not?”
I found this alpine village on the map. It turned out that this is Hallstatt, located somewhere in the center of the Austrian lands.. In one night I looked through all the routes and passages and it was decided to suddenly take the risk of going there!
Flight to Vienna. Inspection of the Austrian capital. The city is beautiful, big, but stupid. There are many palaces and squares, unconnected with each other, on the outskirts there are many Chinese shops with dirty windows, only pensioners go to cafes, only schoolchildren go to McDucks. Where everyone else is is difficult to understand.
From Vienna by two trains to Hallstatt. You can get there in a few hours from Vienna or Salzburg. You can view train schedules and buy tickets on the Austrian Railways website - oebb.at
Along the way - incredible views of the Alps and lakes from the train window!
And finally, the right place!
From the railway station (and this is just one booth) we took a boat to the opposite side of the lake. Hallstatt is located there. The ship sails quite often, about a couple of times an hour. And he always comes to pick up everyone who comes from the train.
In one day we managed to cover half of the town. This is a wonderful place! Swans swim on the lake, and around there are some incredible views with almost Japanese trees and fairy-tale houses located in several tiers on the mountainside. There are very beautiful small streets, colorful houses and alleys, cute shops with their own souvenirs, hundreds of varieties of soap, pleasant cafes and a small central square.
The boat offers a very beautiful view of the houses themselves and the main chapel - the cathedral with a spire tower.
There is a cemetery around it in Hallstatt. And inside are painted skulls of dead residents.
A very unusual and extraordinary place.
Houses in Hallstatt are located on several levels above the lake. If you go up to the second level and walk past, you can see incredibly cute and very well-kept facades with fences, local utensils and mailboxes, and cute signs with house numbers. From there you can see a very beautiful view of the lake and mountains, which, depending on the light of the sun, always change their color!
And behind the houses, approximately in the center of the village, there is a real waterfall, which further down the slopes turns into a small river.
There are only a few not very cheap hotels in Hallstatt. But, because We were limited in time, we decided that one day would be enough for us).
The place is very fabulous and takes you back to the last century. When there are practically no cars around, there is nothing modern, not even a single supermarket. Apparently, residents travel far beyond Hallstatt to buy groceries!
By the way, only 900 or so local residents live there. And crowds of Chinese and Japanese tourists walk the streets with selfie sticks, in colored jackets and Adidas shoes, which immediately knock you out of the measured rhythm and return you to modern reality...
Hallstatt is an absolutely amazing town in Austria, hidden between the mountains and Lake Hallstattersee. A unique symbol of Austria.
Hallstatt, possibly spelled Hallstatt, is an absolutely amazing town in Austria, hidden between the mountains and Lake Hallstattersee. The entire region represents a unique cultural heritage that is protected by UNESCO.
History paragraph
Another 5 thousand years BC. e., for the first time in human history, salt began to be mined here on an industrial scale. The wealth and prosperity of the local population, who traded with the Mediterranean and Baltic countries, was based on the extraction of salt. Since that time, the ancient salt mines have been preserved, which today are the main attraction for tourists visiting Hallstatt.
Salt mines
Here, visitors will be given special clothing and will be allowed, following the path of the salt miners, to descend twice into the depths of the mine. The descent itself is a kind of children's slide, with the only difference that its height is 40-60 meters. A tour of the mine labyrinths (in German or English) and viewing of information films will also be offered. At the end of the tour, visitors will be taken outside through a narrow tunnel that used to transport mined salt from the mine.
Sights of Hallstatt
An amazing place in the town of Hallstatt is the famous St. Michael's Chapel. There is a small cemetery next to the chapel (appropriate for the population of 950 people), so the graves there are temporary. After a certain period has expired, most often 10 years, the graves are opened, thereby freeing up space for new deceased. The remains are transferred to the chapel for storage, where any tourist can see them for one and a half euros. The unique museum houses a huge number of skulls, lovingly signed and decorated with images of doves and roses.
Archaeological excavations are being carried out in the city , accessible to tourists. Finds are exhibited in the local museum (Museum Hallstatt) or in major museums throughout the country.
However, the main feature of Hallstatt is not its thousand-year history, but the feeling of detachment and isolation from the rest of the world that appears there. In the historical part of the city there are only 2 streets, but only one can drive cars.
The new part of Hallstadt is also very small, and its entire territory can be walked in half an hour. The buildings were built in incredible proximity to each other. The houses of the second line are at the height of the roofs of the first. Thus, the city has 5 levels of houses, with some buildings built directly on the water.
Entertainment
Guests of the city have the opportunity to ride on gondola-like boats, go fishing and scuba dive. By the way, licenses are required for the last two entertainments. There is a hotel for scuba divers in Hallstatt. Surprisingly, many of them still dream of finding gold, according to legend, drowned by the Nazis in one of the lakes.
In the new part of the city there is an artificially poured island where you can sunbathe and play with children. But only very seasoned people will dare to swim in the lake. The water is incredibly cold, as it is fed by mountain glacial rivers.
How to get there
From Vienna
The train is direct, the ride takes a little over 3 hours, ticket price starts from €19.
From Salzburg
The drive is closer, about 2 hours, but there is no direct connection. Options: train + train, train + bus, bus + bus; ticket price from €9.
Living in big cities brings a lot of stress, and therefore more and more people, when planning their trips, prefer small, cozy towns instead of noisy, densely populated capitals. One of these places is the Austrian Hallstatt. Surrounded by the Alps and located on the shores of the lake of the same name, it is the perfect place to spend a couple of days there, enjoying the clean air and the stunning landscapes that open up to your eyes. Sometimes it seems that time has stopped here.
They say about Hallstatt: “Millionfold photographed – once copied – never reached,” which can roughly be translated as “Millions of times photographed – once copied – can never be reached.” And there is no way to be more precise about this magical place.
How to get there
There are two ways to get to Hallstatt: by public transport or by car. Let's take a closer look at each of them. Do not forget that to visit Austria, Russian citizens need a visa, which must be taken care of at least a couple of weeks before the trip. You can read more about where you can get it by following the link. 
By plane
Fortunately or unfortunately, there is no airport in Hallstatt. This is probably a positive thing, because otherwise the city would lose its “magic”. The airports closest to it are Salzburg, Vienna, Bratislava, Munich and Memmingen. 
- To the capital of Austria The fastest and easiest way to get there is by plane. From Moscow On a regular basis, airlines such as Aeroflot, UTair, S7, and Austrian Airlines fly non-stop to Vienna. The flight lasts about 3 hours. You can also choose a flight with a transfer, which will allow you to save a little and give you the opportunity to walk around another city for several hours (see prices). The most profitable options are usually AirSerbia, LOT Polish Airlines, Brussels Airlines, AirBaltic. Average direct flight ticket Aeroflot costs about 210 EUR, for a flight with a transfer – 145 EUR. As a rule, on New Year's and May dates prices rise by several thousand due to the large number of people wishing to fly from the capital. From St. Petersburg direct flights are made Aeroflot And Austrian Airlines, and it will take the same 3 hours. If you prefer flights with transfers, for example, AirBaltic, KLM, Swiss, Lufthansa And AirFrance. The cost usually fluctuates around 160 EUR for a flight with one transfer, and about 275 EUR for a direct flight. From Vienna airport to city center you can get there in several ways. The first, most convenient and most expensive is a taxi. The price is fixed - 36 EUR, and you also need to book a car in advance to receive a special airport rate. The second way is City Airport Train CAT. This is an electric train that will take you from Schwechat airport to the center of Vienna to Wien Mitte station (Landstraße metro station, intersection of lines U3 and U4) in just 16 minutes. Trains run every half hour from 6.09 am to 11.39 pm. A one-way ticket costs 11 EUR, a round-trip ticket costs 17 EUR. Children under 14 years old can travel for free. The third way is bus service. There are three companies: Vienna Airport Lines, Eurolines, Blaguss, Flixbus - which connect the airport with the city center. The first takes passengers to the Donauzentrum shopping center at the Kagran metro station, the second, third and fourth to the Erdberg bus station. The fare is from 5 to 8 EUR. The fourth way is S7 trains of the S-Bahn intracity railway. In order to get to the aforementioned Wien Mitte station, you need to buy a ticket for two zones, which will cost you 4.45 EUR.
- Also not far from Hallstatt is the so-called heart of Bavaria -. Before him from Moscow fly direct flights Aeroflot, Lufthansa, S7, UTair, with transfers - KLM, Swiss, AirFrance, LOT. A ticket costs about 190 EUR for a direct flight, and about 160 EUR for a connecting flight. From the northern capital you can fly to Bavaria using Aeroflot or Lufthansa, as well as KLM, Finnair, AirBaltic, LOT Polish Airlines- but with stops. From St. Petersburg, prices start from 190 EUR for a connecting flight and from 260 EUR for a direct flight. From the airport to the city center you can take a taxi, which will cost about 60 EUR; on the S-Bahn city train on one of the lines: S1 and S8, a ticket for which costs 10.80 EUR; by Lufthansa bus for 11 EUR straight to Hauptbahnhof.
- In addition, it is possible to fly to Salzburg, since it is only 100 kilometers from Hallstatt. A significant disadvantage of this method is the lack of direct regular air service between Moscow or St. Petersburg and Salzburg. It is necessary to make a transfer, which equalizes the travel time in comparison with the above options. Prices from Moscow for such a ticket, as a rule, start around 230 EUR, from the northern capital - from 260 EUR. However, for example, the largest European low-cost airline flies RyanAir, therefore, if your route lies from any point in Europe, it is worth considering this option as well. You can find out what other airlines fly to Salzburg Airport on this website. To Salzburg main station from the airport You can get there by bus, which runs every 15 minutes. The ticket costs 2.10 EUR.
- I also included in my list Memmingen And Bratislava, since Russian low-cost airlines fly to their airports Victory. If you try really hard, you can “catch” tickets for 999 RUB (don’t believe people who say they don’t exist, since my budget trips are direct evidence of the opposite), but on average their price fluctuates around 2000-4000 RUB per with the exception of New Year and May holidays. From Memmingen and Bratislava airports You can get to Munich and Vienna by bus, which run several times a day, for 5 EUR and 12 EUR respectively.
By train
- From Vienna or Munich Hallstatt can be reached by train, which in both cases will take around 4-4.5 hours. To do this, you need to get to the city of Attnang-Puchheim. There you need to change to another train, which goes all the way to Hallstatt. In general, such a route will cost about 50 EUR from Vienna and about 65 EUR from Munich.
By bus
Also from Salzburg You can take a bus to Bad Ischl, from where there are trains to Hallstatt. This option will help you save a little, while not being inferior in time to traveling exclusively by train.
By car
I decided to leave the most optimal method from my point of view for last. The most convenient way to get to Hallstatt is by car, which can be rented immediately upon arrival at any rental company in Vienna, Munich or Bratislava. It is best to look at prices on the website. The road from the Austrian capital to Hallstatt will take about 3 hours, from the Bavarian capital - about 2.5 hours, from the Slovak capital - a little less than 4 hours. In my opinion, renting a car is the best option, since the path runs along lakes and mountains, and you will definitely want to stop and take a couple of shots or just admire the opening landscapes of one of the most beautiful countries in Europe. 
From Moscow
Many car enthusiasts dream of traveling to Europe in their own car. This is a very good option if you have enough experience, since the journey is long. To be precise, the route from Moscow to Hallstatt is 2200 km and about 24 hours on the road, excluding time at the border and overnight stays, and passes through Belarus, Poland and the Czech Republic. Of course, driving from Russia solely to visit Hallstatt is not the best idea, but if you combine this with trips around the country or a ski holiday, it should be a great trip! 
From Saint-Petersburg
The journey from the northern capital is a little more than 2100 km and takes 25 hours of continuous driving. It passes through the territory of Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and the Czech Republic.
By ferry
If you come to Hallstatt by train, do not forget that the train station is located on the opposite side of the lake from the city. 
Ferries operate between the piers year-round, their schedules coincide with the train schedules. You can watch it. A ticket for such a vehicle costs 2.5 EUR.
When is the season? When is the best time to go
In my opinion, in Hallstatt there is no such thing as a season - it’s always good here! In summer, you can escape from the stuffy city and, hiding from the scorching sun in the shadow of the mountains, enjoy the coolness of the lake; in winter, a magical atmosphere of a fairy tale reigns there and it seems that you are in a frame from some movie. 
Hallstatt in summer
In my opinion, summer is a great time to visit Hallstatt! The weather is excellent; as a rule, there is no heat here at this time of year. It is highly recommended to arrive in the morning or late afternoon, so as not to stumble upon large tourist groups. It should be taken into account that it gets dark quite early here due to the fact that the sun hides behind the mountains.
Hallstatt in autumn
I went to Hallstatt in the fall, and it seems to me that this is the best time to visit the town. There were very few tourists, it was pleasantly cool, we were able to feel the whole atmosphere of this place, sit calmly on the shore of the lake and think about something pleasant, and all around was the same autumn from the pictures, very cozy and beautiful, completely different from what we had seen before. what was happening in Moscow at the same time.
Hallstatt in spring
Unfortunately, I have not yet visited Hallstatt in the spring, so I can only rely on information from the Internet and the experience of friends. At this time of year, the city attracts with its flowers, freshness, and wonderful weather. What can I say: spring is beautiful everywhere, and in Austria, in Hallstatt, even more so!
Hallstatt in winter
In winter, Hallstatt hosts Christmas markets and a charming atmosphere. The weather here, it must be said, is not always pampering: sometimes the sun is shining and there is no precipitation, and sometimes there is a thick fog over the lake, so much so that the opposite shore is not visible, it is raining, and in general it is chilly and cold in the city. It's impossible to predict the weather, but it's worth the risk. I would combine a visit to winter Hallstatt with skiing or snowboarding.
Very important point: many attractions in Hallstatt are closed from November to the end of March.
Hallstatt - weather by month
Clue:
Hallstatt - weather by month
Districts. Where is the best place to live?
As for accommodation in Hallstatt, it should be immediately noted that in order to see the city itself and the surrounding area, two or three days will be enough, so it would be quite reasonable to book only one or two nights, depending on your program. In fact, the entire city is just a few streets, so it would seem that it should not have a wide selection of hotels and other accommodation options. However, due to the fact that its popularity has grown incredibly in recent years, many residents want to make money from tourists and rent out their houses for overnight stays. Rental prices can be found here. I highly recommend taking care of the issue of accommodation in advance, since during the high season hundreds, if not thousands of tourists come to the city, and there is a high probability of stumbling upon the lack of rooms in a particular hotel or guest house.
What are the prices for holidays?
It must be admitted that prices for vacations vary depending on the specific program, as, indeed, everywhere.
For example, you can fly to Vienna in business class, rent an executive car, stay for a couple of days in the most expensive hotel and eat three times a day in a luxurious restaurant; it will be one amount, the extreme limits of which I cannot even voice, since they simply do not exist - it depends on how wide your soul and your wallet are.
Or you can, as I wrote above, fly to Bratislava (from 999 RUB (15 EUR) for one airline ticket Victory without luggage and other surcharges, there take the Slovak Lines bus to Vienna Hauptbahnhof (it costs about 5 EUR, and if you are lucky, you can get to the event and pay only 1 EUR), get to Hallstatt by public transport (train ticket – about 50 EUR) or in an inexpensive rental car (from 20 EUR per day), spend the night in Obertraun (a double room in a gasthof next to the lake costs from 5000 RUB (80 EUR), and for dinner choose not the most luxurious, but that doesn’t no less cozy and pleasant establishments with traditional cuisine (about 15-20 EUR for a schnitzel or trout with a side dish and a glass of wine); and in this case your trip will be quite budget-friendly.
Main attractions. What to see
Hallstatt is essentially a small village with a population of just under a thousand people, consisting of a main square, one street along the lake, and another parallel street just above - with car traffic only allowed on one of them. You can walk around it all in an hour or two maximum, stopping at every second step, looking at all the souvenir shops along the way and taking photographs of the city from all angles. 
The main attractions include the Catholic Church, built back in the 12th century and restored in 2002, Hallstätter Marktplatz - the central square of the city, where all the main public events take place, such as fairs and concerts, the Evangelical Church, which you probably already know - it can be seen in all photographs of the city. 
Hallstatt itself is quite similar to any other town in the region, but there are several unique factors that attract travelers from all over the world. Firstly, its location - I've mentioned this several times already, but I am forever in love with small towns located on the shores of lakes and at the foot of mountains! They are the ones who create that peaceful atmosphere of isolation from the whole world for which tourists come here. Secondly, Hallstatt has been recognized as a unique cultural heritage and is protected by UNESCO. Thirdly, Hallstatt is the oldest inhabited European village. The first mention of human activity in this region dates back to the 5th millennium BC, when the local population began to extract salt, to which the region owes its wealth. Fourth, there is a replica of the Austrian city, built in Luoyang City in Guangdong Province of China in 2012. It is because of this that a huge number of tourists from the Middle Kingdom come to Hallstatt, who want to look at the original and compare it with the copy. Locals say that initially they were not happy with the construction of the Chinese “remake,” but then, when thanks to it the number of tourists increased tenfold, they managed to turn the situation in their favor. Therefore, today the vast majority of local residents work in the tourism sector. Fifthly, when planning a trip to Hallstatt, you can and should capture several natural attractions that are certainly worth attention and their inclusion in the must see list. To view them, it is very convenient from a geographical point of view to be based in Hallstatt or Obertraun.
Churches and temples. Which ones are worth visiting?
Today there are two churches in Hallstatt: Catholic and Evangelical.
What to see in 1 day
As a rule, most tourists come to Hallstatt for the day, so I think this part will be especially interesting to many. Carefully! I offer you a fairly intense maximum program, get ready to walk a lot and take photographs.
- So, let’s skip the moments that are related to movement and imagine that at 10 am you are already standing on the western shore of the lake and wondering what you can see in a day. Alternatively, to start, I recommend taking the Austrian Postbus to Obertraun and going to Dachstein Salzkammergut, which I will talk about in more detail below. I recommend going to the ice cave and admiring Hallstatt and the surrounding area from a height of 2100m on the 5 fingers observation deck. This will take about 3.5 hours, so at 2 pm you will be back in Hallstatt. If you're hungry, you can go to a supermarket like Nah & Frisch and grab something to go. At 3 o'clock you can board the boat and go on a sightseeing tour of the lake. You will return to the city at about half past four in the evening, and before going to dinner, take a walk through the narrow cozy streets of the city, go to the church, go to the main observation deck, from where all the views of Hallstatt were taken. Around six in the evening, go to any restaurant by the lake, sit at a table in the fresh air and be sure to order a trout dish. During your meal, you can admire how the sun hides behind the mountains.
- The second version of the program begins at the same 10 o'clock in the morning. Buy a funicular ticket and head up to Salzberg Mountain, where you can visit the salt mines, view Hallstatt from the World Heritage Skywalk and have lunch at a restaurant with a beautiful view. Yes, in both options I included a visit to the viewing platforms, because I believe that there is no better way to see the city than to look at it from a bird's eye view. After this (it will be around three o'clock in the afternoon) take the funicular down and go to the Hallstatt History Museum. After the excursion, which will last about an hour, you can walk around the city and, for example, go to a store to buy some bread and go to the lake shore to feed the swans and ducks, again, admiring the sunset.
Food. What to try
Gourmets and simply lovers of delicious cuisine will appreciate the variety of national and regional cuisine in Hallstatt and the surrounding area. First of all, it is, of course, fish. There is a dish for every taste - fish soup, smoked fillet or in its entirety. Since rivers flow around the city, the water of which is still suitable for drinking, fish - trout, carp, pike perch, pike, eel, whitefish - caught in them and the lake are especially highly valued. Some people even call lake trout dishes a local landmark. Of course, you can also try traditional dishes like schnitzel here, but don’t forget that Austrian cuisine is very, very diverse. Desserts deserve special attention - apple and plum pies, strudels, pancakes with traditional apricot jam. They say that no one will leave here losing weight, but it seems to me that if you alternate restaurant tastings with conquering mountain peaks, then it is quite possible to challenge this statement. 
In most establishments, the signature dish is trout in any form. Many restaurants are located on the embankment, and their panoramic windows offer stunning views of the mountains and Hallstattersee with swans swimming on it. In the warm season, the owners open the veranda and place tables right next to the lake.
Hallstatt has a large selection of different establishments, from expensive restaurants to pizzerias and Chinese eateries, so even the most picky and hungry tourist can find something to their taste.
- At the restaurant Zum Salzbaron, which is located in the hotel Seehotel Grüner Baum The signature dish is trout in any form. It is better to book a table in advance; sometimes there are no empty seats in the evening. The panoramic windows offer stunning views of the mountains and Hallstattersee with swans swimming on it. In the warm season, the owners open the veranda and place tables right next to the lake.
- Gasthof Zauner- an establishment with more affordable prices and an emphasis on fish and meat dishes and vegetable salads. Many locals go there and say it is the best restaurant in the city.
- Like many other restaurants in small Austrian towns, Gasthof Simony is located in a large guest house where you can spend the night. The restaurant specializes in traditional regional cuisine. There is a small private beach on the lake and several canoes for guests to swim in.
- Bacht's Polreich– a cozy establishment with a beautiful view of the lake. A great option if you are tired of Austrian cuisine - you can also try traditional Italian dishes here.
- For a large selection of desserts you need to go to Maislinger, where you will be fed fresh pastries, delicious cakes and homemade ice cream.
- About the restaurant Rudolfsturm I’ve already mentioned it, but I’ll repeat it – it’s located on Mount Salzberg, so you need to get there by cable car or on foot. In my opinion, you shouldn’t go here purposefully, but if you are visiting the observation deck or salt mines, you can come here for a snack or a cup of coffee.
Holidays
- In the second half of June, Hallstatt celebrates the Catholic holiday of Corpus Christi. It is of great importance for all believers, but it is in Hallstatt that it is held in a special way - on the lake. Boats decorated with flowers float along it, on which the procession takes place. The whole action was launched about 400 years ago, when they realized that the city area was too small for such a celebration. Today this holiday is an unforgettable sight that you should definitely visit if you are planning your trip at the beginning of summer.
More detailed information about the date and time of the procession in the coming June can be found on the official website.
So, what can you do with a couple of free days?
Take a boat ride
Water communication has existed since 1862, the first route - between the city itself and the railway station of the same name - appeared in 1881. Interestingly, since 1967, the system of all water connections on the lake has been managed by one family, and they have only 4 boats at their disposal, but this does not prevent these walks from remaining one of the most popular entertainment among tourists. 
Today there are several routes: the first - the oldest - takes you from the center of Hallstatt to the railway station on the opposite bank, the second and third make circular sightseeing trips around Hallstattersee, capturing other cities located on the lake. So, one runs in a southerly direction and stops at the second pier in Hallstatt, which is called Hallstatt Lahn, in Obertraun and returns. The other heads north and stops in towns such as Obersee, Untersee and Stieg. In my opinion, one of the best views of Hallstatt is from the water, so have your camera or phone ready! You can look at the current schedule, prices, routes, as well as special offers at organizations that have information in English and German.
Climb the Salzberg mountain
You can get there by cable car, a ticket for which costs 12 EUR one way, or you can walk there, which takes 1-1.5 hours. Be sure to calculate your strength - this option requires certain physical preparation. At the top of the mountain is the World Heritage Skywalk, which offers a bird's eye view of Hallstatt, the lake and the mountains. 
There is also a cafe where you can combine admiring the beautiful panorama with tasting Austrian cuisine. In addition to the observation deck, you can visit the salt mines (Hallstatt Salt Worlds), where you will be given special clothing and told about the history of the city and where salt came from, how and when it began to be mined, and why it played such an important role in the development of the region.
More detailed information at this link. 
Visit the Hallstatt Museum
This option is great for those who are not very lucky with the weather and need to escape somewhere from the rain. But don’t neglect it on sunny days either! In the very center, next to the main square, is the Hallstatt Museum. There you can learn more about its history from ancient times to the present day, with a half-century-long culture period called Hallstatt. In the museum you can look at various archaeological excavations, such as stone axes from the early Neolithic and Bronze Age eras, working tools and personal belongings of miners, swords and other weapons found in burials. Ancient Roman artifacts in all their diversity are also presented to visitors. If you come to Hallstatt in the summer, you can attend the so-called Folklore Evenings at the museum. For two hours you will admire musical performances and traditional dances by artists in national costumes. 
Please note that from November to April the museum is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, but is open daily during other months. Tickets can be purchased at the museum box office; for adults it costs 8 EUR, for children - 7 EUR.
Conquer the Dachstein Salzkammergut
Taking a cable car to the mountains, visiting the Dachstein caves and admiring the stunning view from one of the most beautiful observation platforms in the world with the unusual name “Five Fingers”, which is located at an altitude of 2100m – sounds tempting, doesn’t it? This entire complex is called Dachstein Salzkammergut and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the region, and indeed the whole country. 
In order to get there, you need to get to Obertraun; in front of the funicular there is a parking lot with a fairly large number of spaces. If you are traveling by public transport, you can sail to Obertraun on the above-described boat along the southern route or take an Austrian Postbus bus. Upon arrival, you will see a large building with a ticket office in front of it. Inside you can wait for the cable car to arrive, and there is also a board with the cable car schedule. There are several different types of tickets, which can be viewed in advance on this website.
Depending on what you want to visit, you choose the type of ticket you need. The cable car has three levels, including the starting level. On the first is the Koppenbruller cave, the youngest of the three caves in Dachstein. A ticket to it will cost you the least, since it does not involve the use of a funicular - you can walk to it in 15 minutes. On the second level there are mammoth and ice caves. I took a ticket that gives permission to visit one of them, and chose the ice one. I strongly recommend taking comfortable shoes, warm clothes and some kind of hat with you, since the temperature in the caves usually does not exceed 4-5 degrees Celsius. 
On the third level there are three observation decks - the famous “5 fingers” and the slightly less famous Dachstein Shark and Welterbespirale. To get to them you need to walk a little from the cable car, the first one is the farthest. Spiral has a photo point where you can take a photo and print it for free on the website. The road to “5 Fingers” at a leisurely pace will take 20-30 minutes. I almost forgot - such an interesting name was given to it due to the fact that the shape of the observation deck resembles a hand, the fingers of which seem to be extended over an abyss. Each finger has its own special feature - the first one has a photo frame, the second one has a floor made entirely of glass, and it seems like there is no surface underneath you. The third finger is closed to visitors, which symbolizes the freedom and inaccessibility of the mountains. On the fourth finger there is a hole in the floor through which you can look at the abyss below you, and on the edge of the fifth you can take a closer look at the view through a free telescope. The Shark is the newest observation deck on Dachstein. The unusual name is explained by the fact that millions of years ago there was a sea in which ice sharks swam. 
For those who want something more interesting and unusual, the opportunity to fly on a paraglider is offered. I think this needs to be planned in advance, but unfortunately, I only learned about this option on the spot. Well, there is a reason to come back and make my little dream come true! 
Visit neighboring towns and lakes
For example, you can go to St. Wolfgang or St. Gilgen, two small towns that are located on opposite shores of the same lake Wolfgangsee. Or visit both in one day. In order to get to them, you need to take a train from Hallstatt to Bad Ischl, and then transfer to a bus that will take you to the city of your choice in half an hour.
St. Gilgen
St. Gilgen is rightfully considered one of the best holiday destinations in all of Austria. A very calm, cozy city is ideal for leisurely walks and watching waterfowl and steamboats on the embankment leaving for the neighboring cities of Strobl and St. Wolfgang. It should be noted that lovers of active recreation will be able to find something to their liking. The mountains that surround the lake have a large number of hiking and cycling paths. Bicycles can be rented from special companies, of which there are at least two in the city: one in the city center and one near the embankment. There are also all kinds of summer sports, windsurfing and water skiing, paragliding and rock climbing, diving and jumping into the clear water of the lake from a specially installed tower, not to mention traditional table tennis and lawn tennis, beach volleyball, and golf. Fans of a relaxing holiday can relax while basking in the sun on the beach of the lake. In winter, winter sports fans gather here. Near the city there is the Zwölferhorn ski resort, which has three ski lifts, and also has sections of different levels of difficulty, both for beginners and for professionals who are ready to confidently conquer the black slopes. 
St. Wolfgang
St. Wolfgang is another small, cozy Austrian town where many people come to conquer Mount Schafberg, which offers fabulous views of several (to be precise, four) beautiful lakes and the Alps. You can climb the mountain on foot or by train, which is only 5 km away. A ticket including ascent and descent costs 31 EUR. A little life hack: when the train turns, the seats that are near the window on the left in the direction of travel offer the most beautiful views. When planning to conquer the mountain, be sure to check the weather forecast and look at how low the clouds are, so as not to end up at the top without the opportunity to see all the beauty of this place. 
In addition, in Hallstatt itself in the summer you can go fishing (you need a license for this), try kayaking or canoeing, experience all the delights of rafting or diving, do Nordic walking or paragliding, go on a mountain bike tour around the lake or rent a boat and become its captain for the whole day, play golf, tennis, table tennis, volleyball, or just sunbathe on the beach and swim in the crystal clear water of Hallstattersee. In short, you won’t be bored even in such a calm and quiet place.
In winter, you have options such as ice diving, relaxation in spas and thermal springs, and, of course, the ski resorts for which it is so famous.
How to get around the city
You can and should only move around on foot! As I already mentioned, car traffic is allowed only on one street out of two, so tourists don’t have much choice. As for traveling between neighboring cities, you can use a boat, bus or train.
Transport rental
As I wrote just above, driving around the city itself by car is pointless, but in order to get to Hallstatt or see the surrounding area, it is, of course, necessary. You can find the car you need. The specific price of a car depends on many factors: the rental company, the time of year and even a specific day, the age of the driver, the place of rental and return of the car. As a rule, it is cheapest to rent and return a car in the same place, but sometimes companies, in order to move a certain number of cars from their fleet to another city or even country, hold promotions when this option is significantly cheaper.
In order to understand the general order of prices, I will say that usually for a small hatchback or sedan with a manual transmission like a Skoda Fabia, Renault Clio, Opel Astra or Volkswagen Polo they will ask for around 50-80 EUR per day, and for an executive sedan like a BMW 3 Series or Mercedes C-class – from 110 EUR.
In order to rent a car, you will need a driver's license: everywhere they write that you need an international standard certificate, but in reality they always accept ordinary Russian ones. However, if you are stopped by a police officer or suddenly have an accident, an IDP (international driver's license) will be very useful. You will also need a Visa, MasterCard or Maestro credit card (a deposit will be charged from it, the amount of which depends on the rental company, the number of rental days and the specific car you choose) and, of course, your foreign passport. I also highly recommend taking care of the navigator in advance: you can download it to your phone or tablet so as not to overpay for it later. The experience must be at least one year, but the minimum age varies from company to company: in some places they are ready to rent a car to an 18-year-old driver, but in others they are not willing to rent a car to a 21-year-old driver.
There are different rental companies - international and local. The former, as a rule, provide greater insurance guarantees, have a more diverse and new fleet of vehicles, but also cost more. The latter offer much more attractive prices, but their cars are usually older (but this does not mean that they will give you a car from 2000 - rather, it will just be the penultimate model), they sometimes have scratches and chips (which must be pointed out immediately to avoid problems when returning the car). 
Don’t forget that some sections of roads may have tolls, gasoline in Austria is not cheap (to be precise, for one liter of 95 the price is 1.21 EUR, and for 98 you will have to pay 1.35 EUR), and the fines are higher, than the average Russian. For example, for speeding by more than 40-50 km/h you will have to pay from 150 to 300 EUR, for using a phone while driving - 50 EUR. They also check the correctness of parking quite strictly; special attention is paid to violators who park their car in spaces for the disabled.
To calculate your expenses, be sure to create your route in advance. Don't forget to also check parking information at the hotels where you will be staying overnight. Also, think about what kind of insurance you need, and whether you need it at all. All this needs to be decided and calculated before the trip in order to understand how much money you will spend on renting a car and other costs. However, do not be alarmed - driving a car on Austrian roads is a real pleasure, and if you follow all the traffic rules, then you will not have there shouldn't be any problems.
Hallstatt - holidays with children
Perhaps Hallstatt can be a very good place to relax with children. Very comfortable climatic conditions, high level of safety, plenty of entertainment. Personally, I remember the playground near the lake, where local children ran on the bright green grass, swung on swings, played and fed the swans. For a couple of moments I even felt sad that I didn’t have the same experience as a child. 
If you happen to be traveling to Hallstatt with children in December, try not to miss the arrival in Obertraun of St. Nicholas by boat - I think it will leave an unforgettable impression!
Ski holiday
Tourists arriving in Hallstatt in winter have an excellent opportunity to combine a visit to the city and surrounding area with a ski holiday. The closest place to Hallstatt, just 80 km away, is Schladming-Dachstein. This is one of the largest and most popular Austrian ski regions. It is one of the world's 10 best ski resorts. It includes 8 winter sports centers, four of which are part of the same Schladming Ski Swing system (4Schaukeln) and are connected by a common network of lifts. 
Top-level slopes, pistes with a total length exceeding 120 km, 44 modern ski lifts – that’s what awaits you here. Simple “family” ones alternate with black ones, which seem to challenge experienced skiers and snowboarders. On the territory of the resort you can also find a large number of cafes and restaurants, ski equipment stores and services where you can rent equipment, major world hotels and small cozy chalets. In short, this is a separate world with a special atmosphere, where you will definitely want to return again. 
For a ski pass for the whole day you need to pay 50 EUR. If you want to spend 3 hours on the slope, the ski pass will cost you 42 EUR. If you want to arrive on the slope after two o'clock in the afternoon, you will be asked for only 32.50 EUR. If you arrive at the resort before December 23 or after March 18, the ski pass will cost 46.50 EUR, 39.50 EUR and 30 EUR respectively. There are good discounts for youth and children. The network of all Austrian Ski Amadé resorts has its own website and mobile application of the same name.
It should be noted that the slopes on Schladming are mainly suitable for experienced athletes, since for the most part there are red and black sections of the slope. However, if you belong to this category of skiers and snowboarders, you will be able to appreciate the highest quality of the slopes and their wide variety.
You can get to Schladming by car or by train with a change in Steinach-Irdining.
Hallstatt is the place to come when you decide to take a break from accumulated problems or conquer all the mountains of the Salzkammergut region. When you want to try a dish of freshly caught trout or delicious apple strudel. Try a new extreme sport or lie on the beach by the lake and read an interesting book. Explore all the caves of Dachstein or enjoy the views of all the nearby lakes. When you want to feel the atmosphere of a Christmas fairy tale or ski down the mountain at one of the best Austrian ski resorts. This is a place where everyone will find something for their soul. And this is the place where you will feel at home, being there for the first time in your life. 
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Anything to add?
Travel Stories 31.07.2016
Hallstatt(Hallstatt, Hallstatt) is a small and very picturesque town in Upper Austria, located on Lake Hallstatt ( Hallstattersee). Many sources write that it is located in a remote alpine area, and getting to Hallstatt is not easy, but this is not entirely true. Yes, perhaps the area itself is difficult to access, but it is a small country, and communications there are quite well established. There are both roads and railways passing by Hallstatt, so all you need is a little patience. And we'll tell you how to get there!
There are different ways to get to Hallstatt: by car, by train, or choose a “combined” option (bus + train). It depends on your point of departure as well as your preferences. Below is a detailed description of each method that will help you get your bearings, plan your route optimally and not get lost on the spot.
Getting to Hallstatt by car
No matter where you are, essentially all you need to get to Hallstatt by car is a GPS device. Just enter the following address or coordinates and follow its instructions.
Of the large cities, the closest to Hallstatt is: the road from it will take about 1.5 hours (the shortest option is about 70 km, via the autobahn - 90 km). You can see different route options at Google maps.
note
Some of the routes may include toll sections. It is also worth taking care in advance of purchasing a special sticker for your car if you decide to use the A10 autobahn (they are sold at any gas station and cost about 10 €).
Distance to Hallstatt from is about 300 km, the journey will take you a little over three hours. There are also toll sections of the road here, and the travel time is almost the same as by train. Therefore, it may be easier to use public transport. If you decide to go by car, you can look at the available routes.
Parking in Hallstatt is bad (in fact, there is simply nowhere to park your car, since the town is very small), so you will need to leave it somewhere at the entrance. There is, however, a small parking lot on one of the “upper levels”, just where the road passes through the tunnel.
Small parking lot in Hallstatt Traveling to Hallstatt by train
As we already wrote at the beginning, the railway connection in Austria is well developed, so you can easily get to Hallstatt by train. True, there are no direct trains from Vienna or Salzburg, but the optimal route with one transfer will not cause any particular difficulties. On the Austrian Railways website you can plot a route from one point to another, select the most suitable option and, if desired, purchase tickets.
Attention!
By purchasing tickets in advance, you can save money, because... Closer to the departure date, the cost usually increases. Read additional information (for example, about the need to reserve a seat): by default, you buy a ticket simply for travel, without assigning a specific seat. Although reservations cost a little more, people take advantage of them, so when boarding, look out for seats signed with someone else's name - someone else has reserved them.
If suddenly someone did not see the “Route Search” button on the ÖBB website, here is a link to the planner page. There is all the necessary information, right down to the departure and arrival platform - you just need to be careful and check on the spot to see if there have been any changes. Navigation at railway stations and stations in Austria is clear, there are various electronic boards, so you are unlikely to get lost :)
An example of a route from Vienna to Hallstatt by train, built on the Austrian railway website It is important to know
Not many trains stop at Hallstatt railway station. The ferries that take you to the city from the Hallstatt railway station are “synchronized” with the arrival times of trains, so you won’t have to wait for anything directly on the spot. The ferry schedule can always be found on the carrier’s official website.
However, just a few kilometers from Hallstatt is Obertraun ( Obertraun) , where trains arrive much more often. From Obertraun to Hallstatt you can take a bus, cross by boat, or travel one stop by train (it turns out in the opposite direction). Yes, it will be a little more expensive (a boat from Obertraun, for example, costs about 8 €, while a ferry from the Hallstatt train station itself costs 2.5 €), but this may be a good option if you want more flexibility for yourself time.
Generally speaking, in Obertraun (more precisely, a couple of kilometers from it) there is a famous observation deck "5 fingers", located at an altitude of 2100 meters, as well as other attractions included in this mountain complex (for example, an ice cave), so a trip to Hallstatt can be combined with a visit to Obertraun. According to the author’s personal experience, one day is unlikely to be enough for this, so it is better to look for a place to sleep in advance, because... hotel prices here are steep (in principle, there are not very many of them, and in the summer they sell like hot cakes).
A cozy small boat departs from Obertraun to Hallstatt every hour (weather permitting, of course) Train from Vienna to Hallstatt
The most optimal route from Vienna to Hallstatt by train has 1 change via Atnang Pusheim station (Attnang-Puchheim) and takes 3.5 hours. This is a fairly large (by Austrian standards) regional transfer hub, so the transfer time there is usually minimal (10-15 minutes), which means the journey will be fast and not so tiring. Just after Attnang Pusheima, the landscape outside the window transforms, and you are already enjoying gorgeous views of the “hard-to-reach” alpine terrain.
Of course, there are other options, incl. with two or more transfers, but we don’t want to complicate things, right? Again, if the need arises, you can always find similar routes on the ÖBB website and choose the one that suits you. The cost of the trip will be approximately the same, and the minimum time difference will be approximately +30 minutes.
Transport from Salzburg to Hallstatt
But the road to Hallstatt from Salzburg looks a little more complicated, since you will have to use different types of transport. In fact, this is the same route with 1 change as from Vienna, only faster: in the best case, the whole journey will take you 2-2.5 hours.
First you will need get to Bad Ischl (Bad Ischl) by bus number 150. The current schedule can be viewed and downloaded on the official website of the Salzburg Transport Association. There, if you wish, you can plan your route and see all possible options, including trains, and much more. The journey by bus takes a little over an hour, the ticket is purchased from the driver and costs about 10 €.
Attention!
Valid Salzburg city public transport tickets also count for longer journeys (i.e. city fares are deducted from the regional ticket), so if you have one, please mention this in advance when purchasing your ticket to receive a discount!
Bad Ischl, by the way, is widely known and popular as a thermal resort; it is also located on a lake in picturesque surroundings, so, if possible, it is also worth spending time on.
Next head to Bad Ischl railway station, buy a train ticket and voila, you are about half an hour from your destination! The cost of a ticket will be approximately 4.5 € one way, most often a ticket is given to Obertraun (according to existing zones). Trains to Hallstatt depart every 1.5 hours, so, as we wrote earlier, if you wish, you can take the train to Obertraun, so as not to wait so long, and from there head to Hallstatt.
In order not to get confused on the way, or at the preparation stage, you can download this small infographic:
How to get to Hallstatt from Vienna or Salzburg: infographics.
If you are tired of noisy resorts and want to enjoy peace and contemplation of true natural beauty, then you need to visit the fabulous Austrian town of Hallstatt. Austria is famous for its small, fairy-tale-like cities, with neat, bright houses, quiet green streets and a relaxed way of life. However, even against their background, Hallstatt is able to charm and win the hearts of seasoned travelers.
Hallstatt (Austria): description of the city
In the Salzkammergut region (Upper Austria), on the banks of a river, surrounded by the Dachstein mountain range, lies the tiny town of Hallstatt. The unique natural landscapes are appreciated: in 1997, the town was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Hallstatt is a tiny, inaccessible community located in the Austrian Alps, sandwiched between steep cliffs and the lake of the same name. Hallstatt (Austria) is considered the oldest European settlement. And although there are no major highways nearby, thousands of tourists come here from all over the world every year.
Sights of the town
Today many of our compatriots have already visited Hallstatt. Austria, whose sights are well known all over the world, has acquired a new meaning for many in this remote town. There are many interesting places, historical and architectural monuments, but most of all tourists are struck by the extraordinary atmosphere of tranquility and even isolation from civilization that reigns here.
Bright, like toy houses, nestled in several tiers on the mountainside, an azure lake with floating swans, which are reflected in the mirror-like surface of the water and fluffy snow-white clouds, create a feeling of unreality in the picture; in itself, there is a feeling of protection from any of life’s adversities, peace and comfort . Here it is, the fabulous and beautiful town of Hallstatt in Austria. How to get here? We will definitely answer this question, but a little later, but for now we suggest taking a “walk” through its interesting places.
Lutheran Church
Tourists from all over the world are eager to see Hallstatt. Austria can impress with its magnificent nature and numerous monuments, but this settlement, lost in the mountains, is something that is beyond our idea of tourism and recreation.
The town, home to about a thousand people, consists of two streets, and only one of them allows movement by car. When going on a walking tour around the city, you will definitely see a beautiful Lutheran church with a high spire, which is located on the very shore of the lake. It was built in the mid-19th century in the Romanesque style. From here there is a stunning magnificent view of the surrounding town.
The church houses unique works of world culture: an ancient altar, which consists of three parts. Opening its doors you can see images of scenes of the Nativity of Jesus Christ and the worship of the Magi.
Rudolfsturm Tower
One of the attractions of the town of Hallstatt in Austria, a photo of which you can see in this article, is the Rudolfsturm tower. It was built by King Albert I at the end of the 13th century, and served to protect miners and their families from enemy attacks, especially during the “salt war” between Archbishop Conrad IV of Salzburg and Albert I.
Inside the tower you can still see the remains of ancient interiors. Today, the tower houses a restaurant where you can relax and have a snack before visiting the underground salt mines.
Ancient mines
Hallstatt (Austria), a photo of which can be seen in all tourist brochures in Austria, is famous for its oldest salt mines in the world. They are located above the town and you can get here by walking along one of two paths, or by using the funicular.
The first path starts at the tourist information center. This is a rather steep staircase, which very soon turns into a complex serpentine. It runs along the pipeline that supplies brine to the Ebensee processing plant. The climb along this path will take you no more than forty minutes.
The second path, starting at the cemetery, is better suited for climbing, and it also offers a magnificent view of the surrounding area. When going on an excursion to the mine, you will receive a special overalls, since it is quite cool inside (about 0 °C). During the excursion you will be able to go down special chutes twice. This is how miners got into the mine in the old days.
Ossuary
Tourists visiting Hallstatt in Austria have mixed feelings when learning about a strange local tradition. Its essence lies in the fact that the dead, whom the residents of the town bury like all people, are removed from the ground ten years later and the remains are left in the open sun for several weeks. They acquire a characteristic ivory color. After this, they are sent for storage to a special ossuary.
This repository is located at the Church of St. Mikhail. Like the church itself, the crypt has been preserved since the 12th century. Today there are more than 1,200 skulls and several thousand bones of the townspeople who left this world. Such a strange and even creepy tradition, which still exists today in the very center of Europe, is not associated with any occult rituals. Everything is explained much more prosaically - the city is catastrophically short of free space for burials. The narrow terrace does not allow expanding the cemetery.
Death dates and painted flowers can be seen on many of the turtles. The next deceased is buried in the vacated grave.
Dachstein Caves
In ancient times, the area in which the Dachstein Mountains are located was penetrated by a huge number of streams and rivers, which later went underground and left many picturesque caves and voids. According to tourists, the most beautiful of them is the Rieseneishohle cave.
As soon as you get into its warmest, first part (+3 °C), you will immediately find yourself in a hall of stalactites, which are considered a huge rarity for Alpine caves. Behind this hall is the so-called King Arthur's Cathedral. In it, the water created a huge arch, a little reminiscent of a church. The temperature here does not rise above +1 °C.
Next comes the Cathedral of Parsifal, followed by the frozen caves. Blocks of ice more than eight meters high are formed in them. Researchers were able to find out that some of them have been lying here for more than five centuries. After the Cathedral of Tristan, you can climb the stairs to the amazing ice chapel, which is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful creations of nature.
Hallstatt Hotels
Naturally, in such a picturesque place as Hallstatt in Austria, hotels are crowded during the season. Due to the increased demand for overnight accommodations, almost all homeowners are looking to create their own bed and breakfast establishment. If you are unable to stay in Hallstatt during your trip, do not despair - there is always a hotel in Hallstatter See, located on the opposite bank. In addition, accommodation here is much cheaper. But we would like to introduce you to several hotels that are located specifically in Hallstatt.
Phoenix Hall
Located in Hallstatt, two hundred meters from the lake and very close to the city center. The hotel's rooms are individually decorated in a modern country style. The windows and open terraces offer stunning views of the mountains.
Each room has an LCD TV, coffee machine and a very comfortable and spacious bathroom.
Zum Muhlbach
This hotel is located in the very center of the town, close to the Salzbergbahn cable car and a swimming lake. Rooms with terraces are furnished with necessary furniture and household appliances. The only downside is the shared bathrooms.
Breakfast can be served upon request. Guests are offered homemade cakes and national dishes. The hotel has a bar. On site you can enjoy your favorite outdoor activities: cycling, hiking, and skiing in winter.
Apartments Wallner
The apartments offer rooms with a living and dining area. There is a kitchen with an oven, dishwasher, coffee machine and microwave.
Each room has a bathroom with all necessary cosmetics and hygiene items. Towels and bedding are provided.
Hallstatt in Austria: how to get there from Vienna?
Austria has many interesting tourist routes, but Hallstatt is unique. That is why every year more and more tourists from all over the world strive to come here. Fortunately, the times have passed when visiting this extraordinary city was associated with great difficulties.
Today, Hallstatt can be reached by the excellent road for which Austria is famous, or by rail. The easiest way to start your trip to Hallstatt is from Salzburg. From here trains and regular buses run to the town. In just two hours, tourists, amazed by the road through a tunnel in the mountains, find themselves in the center of the town.
We have no doubt that all travelers traveling on the Moscow-Vienna flight to Hallstatt (Austria) are interested in how to get from Vienna by train to the ancient town. Today tourists can travel from the Austrian capital by fast train. The journey will take about four hours.
True, you will have to transfer to a bus at the lake of the same name, which will take you to Hallstatt completely free of charge.
- It is believed that Hallstatt is home to the oldest salt mines not only in Europe, but also in the world. Salt mining in these places has been going on for more than three thousand years.
- The dissolved salt is transported to the Ebensee processing plant via the world's oldest pipeline, built in 1595, with a length of 40 km.
- Information about the town was first preserved in chronicles dating back to 1311.
- In Guangdong Province (China), a local tycoon built an absolutely exact copy of this Austrian town. It cost him a rather impressive amount - about nine hundred and forty million dollars.
