{"id":31630,"date":"2021-08-06T09:33:42","date_gmt":"2021-08-06T08:33:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sommertage.com\/?p=31630"},"modified":"2024-08-25T09:07:40","modified_gmt":"2024-08-25T07:07:40","slug":"hallstatt-travel-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sommertage.com\/en\/hallstatt-travel-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Hallstatt Travel Guide: The Most Beautiful Sights & Photo Spots"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Oh Hallstatt \u2013 so picturesque and yet (perhaps because of that) so overcrowded! The small, scenic town of Hallstatt in Austria is the perfect example of what we would call overtourism. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before the pandemic outbreak,<\/strong> up to 10,000 visitors crowded themselves into the small alleyways between the mountains and lake. That all came to an abrupt end. Thanks to Covid, Hallstatt was comparatively tranquil. However, the tourists are back and Hallstatt is overcroweded. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this travel guide, <\/strong>we show you which sights not to miss on your visit to Hallstatt. We take you to the most beautiful photo spots and let you in on our personal tips<\/strong> for a wander through Hallstatt. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Hallstatt<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

1. Hallstatt: Between Mass Tourism & the Idyllic Alps <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Old wooden houses, the mirror-smooth Lake Hallstatt and an imposing mountain backdrop. Yes, Halstatt really is at first sight a picture-perfect Austrian village.<\/strong> There is a reason Hallstatt (along with the surrounding region) is a UNESCO world heritage site. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hallstatt is far from the idyllic alp village. Selfie sticks, the buzzing of drones (despite being strictly forbidden!) and souvenir shops everywhere you look \u2013 the tiny town is overrun by mass tourism<\/strong> like an avalanche.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is Hallstatt overcrowded?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

780 inhabitants and 1 million visitors per year. <\/strong>What has developed in Hallstatt over the past years is the prime example of mass tourism in Austria<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most of the tourists come from East Asia such as China, Hongkong or Taiwan. Hallstatt is particularly extremely popular for bus tourists.<\/strong> Many spend just one or two hours in Hallstatt before they are off again. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To say it in short: Yes, Hallstatt is more than overcrowded. Through the Covid pandemic, Hallstatt was mainly visited by tourists from Austria, Germany and other European countries.\u00a0Whether or not it will be possible to establish sustainable quality tourism in Hallstatt, only the future will tell.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why is Hallstatt so famous?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Even without Hallstatt, there are as many pretty mountain villages in Austria as there are grains of sand on the beach. So why Hallstatt? Why does this particular place in the Salzkammergut experience (or did experience) this strange hype?  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Initially, a South Korean soap opera<\/strong> from 2006 was responsible for it. Hallstatt was one of the set locations (along with Salzburg). The real rush to get to Hallstatt did not occur until some years later when a small village in China was constructed as a real life replica<\/strong> \u2013 secretly and only with the help of photos, mind you. Since then, many people would like to see the \u2018original artwork\u2019 of this strange copy with their own eyes and then travel in droves to Hallstatt. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hallstatt is also hugely popular as a location for wedding photos. Soon-to-be-wed couples travel to Hallstatt equipped with photographers and makeup artists to be photographed in the most famous photo locations so they can then proudly show off their photos at home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Hallstatt<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Hallstatt<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

2. Sight & Photo Spots in Hallstatt: Our Travel Guide & Tips<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Postcard motifs in Hallstatt <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s begin with the most well-known photo motif<\/strong> in Hallstatt, the famous view of the Hallstatt church with the mountain backdrop behind it. From this perspective Hallstatt really looks like a town from a picture book. Simply beautiful! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To reach this viewpoint from the carpark (more about this later), you walk through Hallstatt to the other end of the town, more precisely until you reach the address 68 Gosaum\u00fchlstra\u00dfe. The spot is hard to miss. If in doubt, when you see a whole bunch of cameras out, you know you\u2019re in the right place. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Hallstatt<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Hallstatt cemetery & ossuary <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Hallstatt\u2019s cemetery, together with its historic ossuary, is located just a stone\u2019s throw away from the viewpoint mentioned above. You can enjoy a very pretty view of Hallstatt and the Hallstatt Lake from the small, beautifully landscaped cemetery. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The peculiar part of this place is found inside the walls of the ossuary in the Michaels chapel. <\/strong>Skulls have been stored inside there since the 12th century (!). The reason why: For a long time, the Hallstatt cemetery was too small to hold all of the deceased. Therefore, the graves were re-opened after 10 to 15 years, the bones taken out and cleaned, (sometimes) artistically painted and then kept in the ossuary. There are currently around 1,200 skulls stored inside there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can visit the ossuary between May and October<\/strong> (entrance: 1.50 euros). It is open outside of the season on request. Good to know: The ossuary consists of \u2018just\u2019 one small room. However, the mystical, eerie ambience<\/strong> is really unique. Anyone who enjoys the more unique kind of sights should not miss a visit to the Hallstatt ossuary. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Hallstatt<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Hallstatt<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Hallstatt market square<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While on a stroll through Hallstatt, you should definitely make your way towards the historical market square. It is located in the heart of Hallstatt and is undoubtedly the most well-known square the town. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Usually, you will find a dense crowd <\/strong>at the market square during the day. When we visited the pretty square was abnormally empty due to the corona pandemic, so we could admire the picturesque houses in peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are a few cafes and restaurants<\/strong> located in the market square. You probably shouldn\u2019t expect to find fine culinary treats here at what is likely the most touristy spot in Hallstatt. However, the scenic backdrop is unique.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Hallstatt<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Hallstatt<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

World heritage viewing platform: Hallstatt\u2019s skywalk & salt mine<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The most spectacular bird\u2019s eye view over Hallstatt<\/strong> can be enjoyed from the world heritage viewing platform. The skywalk floats on a mountain 360 metres above the town centre <\/strong>and gives you fantastic views over Hallstatt, the Hallstatt Lake and the surrounding mountain peaks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are two options to get to the viewing platform from the centre of Hallstatt: <\/p>\n\n\n\n