Hallstatt in Winter: Ultimate Guide for the Winter Wonderland in Austria

Hallstatt in winter is a fairy tale destination, and you’ll be greeted by amazing snow-coated mountain vistas and parcel-colored traditional architecture perched by the lakeside, this puts Hallstatt on the top list of the Dream Destinations to visit once in a lifetime.

If you’re planning a vacation trip to Austria, a stop at Hallstatt should certainly be on your itinerary don’t worry about logistics and all because I’ve put together a complete guide for your Hallstatt winter tour. I also recommend checking Salzburg in winter, since both towns are very close, and magic at this time of the year. And of course, plan to visit the magical Christmas Markets in Austria during your winter trip.

This article is packed with very helpful information. Here you will find the top things to do in Hallstatt in winter, plus the best places to stay, my recommendations for restaurants, and all tips to make your trip as memorable as it was for me. So without any further ado, let’s discover the best of Hallstatt in winter!

You may also be interested in:

• Ultimate Guide to Winter in Salzburg
• How to visit Innsbruck in 2-Days

READ NEXT: Best Christmas Market in Austria

 

The place I choose to stay in is the Seehotel Grüner Baum as it is located in the best spot in town – right in the center of everything. The traditional interior of the hotel is unique, and the rooms are sure to satisfy all the needs for comfort and warmth.

There is also a restaurant with stunning lake views where I loved to just have some steamy hot chocolate or coffee with the best view of Hallstatt. If you are staying overnight, I have selected the best accommodation options in Hallstatt:

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Hallstatt is very cold in winter! The days are usually snowy, rainy, and cold, with very little sunlight.

The average high temperature in Hallstatt winter is 3°C  (37.4 °F) and the average lowest temperature is -3 °C (26.6 °F). Despite being very cold, Hallstatt in winter is surprisingly busy with tourists and winter-lovers swarming the city.

It’s a beautiful white city, with plenty of fun activities, although some attractions may be closed. Also, make sure you pack the right kind of clothing. No matter what the Hallstatt, Austria weather  – dress accordingly and enjoy this fairytale.

You can visit Hallstatt in winter as a day trip from Viena or Salzburg, but it may be hard to hit all the main attractions in a single day. I recommend an overnight stay if you want to experience all the very best things to do in Hallstatt in winter before you leave.

Hallstatt in winter is magic at night, and you may want to enjoy the night if you love photography, you can take amazing pictures of the lights of the city casting a beautiful glow on the streets. Plus, the town normally has empty streets, and walking around can give you the feeling you have Hallstatt for yourself.

Waking up in the morning with the Hallstatt views from the balcony of your hotel is another thing to add to your bucket list. If you decide to stay overnight, I recommend staying in the city center, as Hallstatt is very compact and easy to explore on foot. 

Hallstatt is a very small town, and it’s easy to explore on foot, and the city center is actually a car-free zone. Also, all the major attractions can be easily accessed by foot, you can hike up the mountains or take the funicular and there are ferry rides to take you across the lake. If you wish to visit the Ice Caves, there are taxis and local bus services that can take you there.

You don’t need a car to explore Hallstatt, as the city is very compact and you can explore on foot. Parking in Hallstatt is easy, as the town has parking garages located just outside the old town.

You can get a 15% off your rental car when you book through this site. I use and recommend RentalCar because it is the most reliable rental car source, and it allows you to compare the prices of different places.

If you’re a first-time visitor to Austria, there are a couple of ways to get to Hallstatt. The easiest, fastest, and most convenient way to locate Hallstatt is from Salzburg.

You can take a very convenient tour from Salzburg to Hallstatt – Salzburg to Hallstatt is a 2.5 hr ride by bus or train, and only 1.5 hrs if you choose to drive. This is exactly what I did, and the driving is short and even better, scenic as you will have many opportunities to stop on the side of the road for pictures.

Alternatively, you can make your first stop at Vienna, and connect to Hallstatt from there. Vienna to Hallstatt is a 4 hr train ride, approx. 3 hrs by bus, and

From Salzburg to Hallstatt

The road distance between Salzburg and Hallstatt is 72.9 km, and on average, it takes about 2hrs to complete the trip. If you choose to visit Hallstatt from Salzburg, there are a number of options available; you can either make the trip by bus, train, or rental car. You can also find organized day trip tours to Hallstatt from Salzburg.

From Vienna to Hallstatt

From Vienna, you can reach Hallstatt either by bus, train, or by driving. On average, the trip takes about 3 hours and covers a distance of 304 km.

From Munich to Hallstatt

Munich to Hallstatt is about 224 km long and the average journey time is 3.5 hours, and it’s usually not a direct trip.

READ NEXT: Top 10 Things to do in Innsbruck

Some restaurants in Hallstatt close during wintertime, but you still can find some open restaurants and cafes that are open.

• Zum Salzbaron Restaurant: Located inside Seehotel Grüner Baum, with the lake view.
• Seewirt Zauner Hotel Restaurant: Situated very conveniently in the square, a great option for dinner
• Cafe Polreich: This is a great place to have lunch in Hallstatt
• Braugasthof am Hallstattersee.: Is a great option for dinner.

1. Explore the scenic streets of Hallstatt

The first impressive thing about this little town is its beautiful lakeside view. A stroll through the scenic streets is a perfect way to start your Hallstatt winter exploration. The streets are flanked by traditional pastel houses, with beautiful balconies. Continue your stroll to the amazing Lake street for a picturesque view of the lake and the beautiful snow-covered mountains.

If you prefer a more structured itinerary then taking a private Hallstatt tour might be a great option for your Hallstatt winter visit.

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2. Visit the Central Square Marktplatz

Hallstatt is a small town, and you can’t miss Central Market Square while exploring the streets. The historic market square was once a medieval center of trade and commerce and is still quite full of activity. At the very center of the Square is the beautiful statue of the Holy Trinity, which is surrounded by very colorful 18th-century buildings with steep roofs and balconies decorated with flowers.

During Hallstatt winter, the buildings may be covered with a layer of snow, but Market Square remains just as lively, it actually becomes a bustling Christmas market with stunning decorations, festive music, and cheery events. Don’t forget to take as many pictures as you can, and browse the surrounding cafés and souvenir shops.

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3. Experience the World Heritage Museum of Hallstatt

As part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Hallstatt museum is one of the most visited places, and for good reasons. This museum houses historic treasures from 7 millennia; from the Stone Age to recent history.

You will find interesting collections from local salt mines, cemeteries, archeological excavations, swords, weapons, Roman remains, etc. And the best part is that they use 3D displays and video animations to keep your experience as exciting as possible. No dusty shelves and boring lectures, it’s certainly one of the most amazing winter experiences in Hallstatt.

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4. Marvel at the Historic Churches

Hallstatt is a town rooted in religious beliefs, and there are a number of magnificent church buildings to admire. One is the 15th-century Catholic Church of Hallstatt, with a gorgeous Gothic-style altar, Gothic frescoes, invaluable paintings, and artworks.

Also, marvel at the spectacular vistas of the town and lake from the church balcony. Another incredible church to visit is the towering, picture-perfect 18th-century Evangelical church. The magnificent Evangelical Church sits just at the city center, by the lakeside, you can stroll down to it from Market Square.

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5. Visit the Bone House

Your visit to the Catholic Church of Hallstatt isn’t complete without stopping by at the incredible Bone House at St Michael’s Chapel. As the name implies, this 12th-century chapel is akin to a bone museum with a spooky collection of over 1200  human skulls, of which 600 have hand-painted artistic inscriptions of the name of the deceased, year of death, and floral markings.

According to the locals, the bone house was built to act as an extension of the graveyard. To create spaces in the cemetery, bones were removed from graves, cleaned up, painted with special inscriptions, and stored in the bone house. This way, graves can be reused. The Charnel house is both a fascinating and eerie place.

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6. Discover the World’s Oldest Salt Mine

Dating back to the 12th century, the Altaussee Salt Mine is the oldest and biggest active salt mine in Austria. The salt mine was established in 1147 and has been producing 10,000 tons of ‘white gold’ annually since 1906.

A guided tour of the salt mine will take you on a 2.5 km walk through underground tunnels, guided by lamps, with walls of pure orange-red rock salt that glisten in the dark. Deep into the mountain is the Barbara Chapel, which was built only from rock salt in 1935 by miners. Plus all the exciting stories connected to the mine.

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7. See Hallstatt from Above

The only thing better than exploring Hallstatt on your feet is seeing the enchanting little town from above. To see Hallstatt from above, take the zigzag hike that travels through waterfalls and beautiful vistas up to the top. Note that the trail can be slippery during winter, especially when there’s ice on the path. Be extra careful, and don’t go with kids.

Once at the top, you can walk to the Hallstatt Skywalk viewing point; a free-floating observation deck that’s suspended 350 meters (1,148 feet) above the city. From up there, you will enjoy a bird’s eye view of the town below, soak in the panoramic views of the lake, and take in the impressive mountain vistas and breathtaking Alpine peaks.

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8. Experience the Small Island

A 15-minute walk from Central Market Square takes you to the small island via two small bridges. The small island is a World heritage landscape uniquely developed for recreational fun, it’s an ideal place to spend some refreshing time in the water.

This artificial bathing island was built in the 60s with rocks from the Hallstatt tunnel, and it’s still an amazing place to visit. It’s family-friendly, with shallow water sections suitable for kids to use during summertime.

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Read More: Most Magical Christmas Markets in Austria

9. Enjoy the Hallstatt Christmas Markets

Another amazing reason to visit Hallstatt in winter is to visit the incredible collection of Christmas traditions that you’ll explore during this time. You also have the option to join this Christmas tour. where you can see the traditional Christmas market in the town square and absorb the festive atmosphere in the historic center.

You’ll also be led to some of the town’s most decorated sites to see how the twinkling lights. After which you can taste some of Hallstatt’s most famed Christmas delicacies. Sip zirbenschnaps, also known as pine cone schnapps, take photos of the nativity scene, and eat icing sugar-sprinkled pastries while you admire the Christmas tree. 

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10. Enjoy some Cool Winter Sports in Hallstatt

The snow-coated mountains of Hallstatt are perfect for a variety of winter sports, and you can try out a few during your visit; skiing, sleigh rides, snowboarding, etc.

Just 5km from Hallstatt lies Obertraun, and the very popular Free Ride Arena – Krippenstein. This is one of the longest free ski spots in Austria and it is a great option for adventure seekers, whether on skis or boards. The various slopes on offer are sure to get your blood racing.

Hallstatt in winter is cold, so make sure to pack accordingly and keep warm, so you can enjoy walking around while the temperatures are below freezing conditions for hours on end, especially with a windchill. I visited Hallstatt in December and it was so cold that even with gloves, my hands got so cold that they hurt – so make sure you pack the warmest gear you have if you are planning to visit Hallstatt in winter.

You can click on any of the following item pictures to be taken to their pages and see prices and details. 

• Warm Coat – Pack a warm coat with a hood that is long enough to cover your legs partially. I didn’t pack one on my trip to Hallstatt and I regret it.
• Warm Boots – Pack a comfortable, but still warm pair of boots, that you can wear with thick socks
• Fleece-lined leggings – These are perfect as they are warm and comfortable, and great to wear as a layer too.
• Merino layers: This is a must if you are going to travel to Hallstatt during wintertime.
• Beanie and Gloves – A beanie is essential for your trip as it keeps your head warm, and gloves to keep your fingers warm is essential. Touchscreen gloves are the perfect solution to keep your hands cozy and still give you access to your phone and camera

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With landscapes that look like they popped right out of a fairytale, Hallstatt in winter is an idyllic destination. It’s a great place to visit at any time of the year, however, the blanket of snow that envelops the town in winter makes it even more charming. This alpine village is truly an Austrian treasure waiting to be discovered.

Whether for a day’s trip or more, let yourself marvel at the historic treasures and natural beauty of Hallstatt. And if you want extra excitement, ski resorts offer a series of thrilling winter sports that keep you warmer.

I think you would also love to check out other amazing destinations in Austria:

• Salzburg in Winter Guide and top things to do
• Innsbruck Guide and top things to do
• Best Christmas Markets in Austria
• How to visit Brussels on a Day Trip