Hallstatt, a fairy tale village with a history of more than 7,000 years, is known as one of the most beautiful destinations in Austria and the world, featuring green trees, lakes, and high mountains. If you have the opportunity to visit Northern Austria, try to step into the not-too-crowded but extremely stunning village of Hallstatt.
Photo: TravelAwaits
No matter who you are or where you come from, you will definitely be impressed as soon as you set foot here. The breathtaking scenery creates an amazing ink painting with churches, wooden houses with ancient architecture, and small poetic slopes, all contributing to the perfect picture of a poetic and tranquil town.
With its back against the Dachstein mountain and its face opposite the Hallstattersee Lake, Hallstatt stands out with its poetic beauty and is called by beautiful words such as “the pearl of Austria” or “wonderland”. In particular, in the autumn, this glorious country becomes extremely vibrant with a wonderful color show.
As you know, Hallstatt is a world-famous paradise in Austria, located between the two cities of Salzburg (hometown of the musical genius Mozart) and Graz. It is also known as one of the towns with the oldest history in Europe, with beauty as seen coming out of fairy tale land.
About the small town of Hallstatt
Over thousands of years of history, Hallstatt has always kept its original pristine beauty, with all details carefully preserved, from winding small streets, stunning wooden houses gently on the mountainside, extremely ancient houses, and medieval castles… that bring a strange attraction to tourists. Located in the district of Gmunden, Upper Austria, Hallstatt features an area of nearly 60 square kilometers nestled southwest of Lake Hallstätter and the slopes of the Hoher Dachstein mountain in the Salzkammergut region. In 1997, Hallstatt was recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in need of preservation.
Photo: Wallpaper Abyss
Tourist attractions in Hallstatt
Hallstatt Salt Mine: Hallstatt in the old dialect means “Salt Man”. Perhaps the reason here is that it is the oldest salt mine in the world and is still in operation today. When you come to explore the salt mine, you can travel by slide and be told by the tour guide about the history of the salt mine, the underground lake, and the oldest historical stairs in Europe.
Photo: Salzburg
Parish Church: The Gothic Catholic Church was built and inaugurated in the 16th century. From the top of the church, you can easily enjoy a panoramic view of this beautiful town, where the Protestant church is located in Saint Evangelischen Pfarrgemeinde.
Swan Lake: This is one of the main factors contributing to the unforgettable beauty of Hallstatt, where fairy-white swans gently glide across the water as the brightest stars. If you are interested in capturing wonderful photographs, it is an optimal choice for you.
Photo: Fine Art America
An ideal time to visit Hallstatt
According to many visitors, there is no best season in Hallstatt. Ha Tomas, a Vietnamese photographer living in the Czech Republic who visited Hallstatt, said: “Each season brings different things to Hallstatt, making the town a magical place worth visiting at any time. any time of year”. However, other indigenous citizens believe that autumn is the ideal time to see Hallstatt with a clearer lens. When everything transforms into characteristic hot colors, Hallstatt’s sky and earth stand out in an unusual way.
How to travel from America to Hallstatt
There is no major airport in Hallstatt, so you should opt for routes to Salzburg Airport. Most flights from major cities in the US, such as Washington, DC, New York, Chicago, etc., to the airport will stop at one station.
From Salzburg, you take bus number 150 to Bad Ischl, then change bus number 542 to Hallstatt Lahn (the bus stops at the beginning of the village). Another option for those who are interested in taking the ferry is to take bus number 150 after arriving in Bad Ischl, take the train to Hallstatt, and then choose to take the ferry across the village.
A few notes for visitors
– Unlike many other tourist cities in the world, cars are banned from May to October every year from 10 am to 5 pm.
– In the evening, the bars are not open, so this is definitely not a favorite place for those who are big fans of vibrant nightlife or a city that never sleeps.
– Living expenses such as food, drink, and accommodation are quite costly, and you need to book a room before arriving in Hallstatt.