A Perfect Day in Hallstatt, Austria

There are few places in this world that are as charming as the small village of Hallstatt. Nestled into the side of a mountain on the banks of an alpine lake, this small town is straight out of a postcard. During our stay in Munich, Germany we spent one day in Hallstatt to explore part of Austria’s mountain towns. I so wish we had weeks to explore this beautiful country, but even one day was worth it – what a perfect day.

The drive to Hallstatt from Munich consisted of winding mountain roads with each bend boasting a view more dazzling than the one before it. Three hours in the car were hardly noticeable with all the beauty out our windows.

Arriving in Hallstatt about 2 pm, we decided on a hike up to the waterfall located just above the village for unbelievable views of the valley below. The short hike only took about 30 minutes to complete but so worth it.

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After our hike and grabbing a bite to eat, we rented a boat (probably the BEST way to photograph Hallstatt). The motorized boats were very easy to navigate and more affordable than I anticipated (only 12 euros for a half hour). This dreamy boat ride along the shores of Hallstatt, with the beautiful Austrian architecture and views of the Alps was one of the best memories I have from our European trip.

The next couple hours we spent wandering the streets of Hallstatt. I’m not sure it gets more delightful than these views.

Tips for visiting Hallstatt:

• During the day, thousands of visitors arrive on tour busses to spend the day in Hallstatt. The best way to avoid the crowds is to make sure you have either an early morning or evening to spend in town. By 5:30, most of the tourists were gone and we had most of the streets to ourselves.
• Don’t stay in Hallstatt, stay in Obertraun. Accommodations in Hallstatt are very limited and very expensive. To save money, stay 5 minutes away (30 minute walk) in Obertraun.
• Most people only explore the lower levels on Hallstatt. To avoid the crowds, head up to the upper levels of the town, near the Ossuary and cemetery.

Accommodations:

We stayed at the Obertrauner Hof, located in Obertraun, just a short 5 minute drive from Hallstatt. Our room was located on the 4^th floor with no elevator – but the view from our room was just lovely.

Although, I am unable to comment on the breakfast portion of this local bed & breakfast, as we had to leave early in the morning to make it back to Munich for a train. The room was simple but very comfortable. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay here and would recommend it.

I booked our room through Airbnb. If you wish to receive $40 off your first stay with Airbnb – please click here.

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More Europe Adventures:

• A Two-Day Walking Tour of Prague
• Day Trips from Munich