Waymark

Austria · Salzkammergut

Hallstatt and the lakes travel guide

Lakeside villages, salt mines and mountain views

Hallstatt on its lake. Photo: C.Stadler/Bwag, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

1h 45mflight from London
SZGnearest main airport
14° in Julwarmest month
-5° in Jancoolest month

The Salzkammergut is a region of deep lakes and mountains east of Salzburg. Hallstatt, a village of wooden houses on a lakeshore below cliffs, is one of the most photographed places in the world.

Away from Hallstatt's crowds, villages such as St Wolfgang and Gmunden are calmer, and the Dachstein has ice caves and a five-fingers viewing platform.

Good forLakesHikingViewsDay trips

What Hallstatt is known for

  • Lakes

    Swim, sail and take boat trips.

  • Salt mines

    7,000 years of mining.

  • Dachstein

    Ice caves and viewpoints.

  • Hallstatt

    The famous lakeside village.

Top things to do in Hallstatt and the lakes

  1. 1

    Hallstatt

    Come early or stay overnight.

    Find tours and tickets
  2. 2

    Salzwelten Hallstatt

    The world's oldest salt mine, with slides.

    Find tours and tickets
  3. 3

    Dachstein Five Fingers

    A platform over a 400-metre drop.

    Find tours and tickets
  4. 4

    St Wolfgang

    A lake steamer and the Schafberg railway.

    Find tours and tickets

See all tours and tickets in Hallstatt

Where to stay in Hallstatt and the lakes

Find a hotel in Hallstatt

Best time to visit Hallstatt and the lakes

Best value: Apr–May, Sep–Oct. May, June and September: warm enough to swim, quieter than August.

  • Best valueGood weather, smaller crowds
  • PeakBusiest, highest prices
  • QuietCheapest, cooler or wetter
-5.4 C-5°J-4.6 C-5°F-0.6 C-1°M4.4 C4°A8.8 C9°M12.9 C13°J14.5 C14°J14.2 C14°A9.7 C10°S5.7 C6°O0.8 C1°N-3.8 C-4°D
Bar height is the average temperature in Hallstatt and the lakes, °C, 2001–2025 (NASA POWER).

Getting there and around

About 1h 45m from London to SZG, and flights from most UK airports. How long is the flight from your airport?

Trains and buses link the villages. A car makes it easier to explore.

Airport transfer to Hallstatt

Find flights to Hallstatt (SZG)

Shows the cheapest fares for next month on Aviasales, our flight partner. We may earn a commission, at no cost to you. Flight times are straight-line estimates for a direct flight from Heathrow.

Good to know

  • Hallstatt is busiest from 10am to 4pm.
  • Take the boat from Hallstatt station across the lake.
  • Bring swimwear: the lakes are lovely in summer.
Austria guidesVisasPlugs & adaptersWhen to go

Hallstatt and the lakes FAQ

Is Hallstatt worth it?

Yes, but go early or stay the night.

How do I get there from Salzburg?

Bus and train in about 1.5 to 2 hours.

More places in Austria

Back to the Austria travel guide + Add Hallstatt and the lakes to your bucket list