Austria,  Europe

Hallstatt in Summer – 10 Best Things to Do

Are you planning on taking a day trip to Hallstatt in the summer? Then you are not alone.

Hallstatt is a beautiful small village, located right on Lake Hallstatt, in Austria’s Salzkammergut region. The picturesque little village is famous and one of the must-do things when you are in Austria.

I have had the luck to visit Hallstatt, Austria in winter as well as in summer and both times I have been amazed by the beauty of this quaint little town. Visiting the little village in summer is quite different from going throughout the rest of the year.

To make the planning a bit easier for you and spare you some trouble – I have created this ultimate guide with all my experiences of visiting Hallstatt in summer.

Let’s get to it!

Table of Contents

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When is the best time to visit Hallstatt, Austria?

Personally, I don’t feel like there is an ideal time to visit Hallstatt. However, Hallstatt in winter is vastly different than Hallstatt in summer. Both versions are undeniably beautiful and worth a visit, but the activities you can do, change with the seasons.

Summer in Hallstatt is very nice, because you can sit outside on the terraces, enjoy the scenery without being cold and even take a boat ride on the lake Hallstatt. However, keep in mind that this is the busiest time in Hallstatt, so it might get a little crowded. Parking spaces will be limited and you might have to walk a bit in the glistering sun.

Winter in Hallstatt, on the other hand, is truly magical. The mountains will be covered in snow and there is a small Christmas market in Hallstatt. I personally preferred my trip in winter, because the scenery looked even more impressive. Parts of the lake were frozen and all the trees were snowed in.

What are the temperatures like in Hallstatt, Austria in Summer?

In Hallstatt, the summer season typically lasts from June to August. During this time, the temperatures in Hallstatt are generally mild and pleasant. This is a great time for outdoor activities and exploration.

In June, the average high temperatures range from 18 to 23 degrees Celsius (64 to 73 degrees Fahrenheit), with lows ranging from 10 to 14 degrees Celsius (50 to 57 degrees Fahrenheit).

July and August are usually the warmest months, with average high temperatures reaching around 23 to 26 degrees Celsius (73 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit), and lows ranging from 13 to 16 degrees Celsius (55 to 61 degrees Fahrenheit). We visited at the end of July and the temperatures were great.

Make sure to check the weather forecast before going there – the weather in Austria can be a bit unpredictable.

view from above of the beautiful village hallstatt with mountains in the background

How to get to Hallstatt?

You can easily reach Hallstatt by car, it is about an hour of driving away from Salzburg. Even from Vienna, the drive with a drive time of three hours, is not too bad.

There is paid parking everywhere in Hallstatt, so you can nicely leave your car there and walk a couple of steps to the city center. If you are planning on taking a full blown road trip through Austria, keep on reading this blog post. If you wanna know more about the Steiermark area of Austria, head over here.

Hallstatt can also easily reached by train, since there is a train station called Obertraun-Dachsteinhöhlen Bahnhof, at the other side of the lake. From there, you can take a shuttle service, that will take you to the city center.

Trains to Obertraun-Dachsteinhöhlen Bahnhof are operated by ÖBB, the Austrian national rail network, you can book your tickets here. Make sure to not forget switching trains in Attnang-Puchheim, if you come from Vienna or Salzburg.

There are many great tours and excursions with busses that offer day trips to Hallstatt. Here are my favorite Hallstatt excursions and day trips from Munich, Salzburg and Vienna:

Best hotels in Hallstatt, Austria

If you are planning on staying longer in the area, I can recommend booking a hotel right in Hallstatt. Then you can explore the town in the morning and evenings, before and after the other visitors arrive.

Here is a selection of the best hotels to stay in Hallstatt (with an amazing view):

Historic Lakeview Apartments

Heritage Hotel Hallstatt

Seehotel Grüner Baum

The history of Hallstatt, Austria

Before diving into the specifics on what to do in Hallstatt in summer, I wanted to give you some background info on Hallstatt.

The city of Hallstatt, Austria has a very interesting history, some artifacts dating long back until 1200 BC. The community around Hallstatt has been known to have worked in the salt mines around the city, many ancient artifacts have been conserved in the mines, such as leather and shoes and tools. The Hallstatt museum in town has the largest collection of materials from early excavations.

The production of salt was always been a major source of income for Hallstatt, ever since 1595, the salt has been transported with a 40 km long pipeline. This is one of the oldest pipelines known to humans. It has been constructed from 13.000 hollowed out trees. The salt mine itself is the world’s oldest salt mine.

In the 19th century, tourism slowly but steadily increased. The town, that could only be reached with boats thus far, got finally connected to the street grid in 1890. Ever since the town was marked as a UNESCO cultural heritage site in 1997, tourism exploded. Shortly after, Hallstatt was featured in a South-Korean television show, and it became huge all over Asia. They even went as far as building a replica of the town in China.

Over-tourism has been a problem in Hallstatt ever since. Luckily, they are trying to focus on quality tourism now, cutting the number of allowed buses per day in half. The town is now focusing more intensely on overnight guests, instead of day tourists. Try to keep that in mind before booking your trip!

Things to Do in Hallstatt in Summer

1. Visit The World Heritage Museum

The World Heritage museum is located right in the town square and is a great activity for young and old. Thanks to multimedia technology, the visitors will be taken back almost 7000 years and learn all about the culture and history of Hallstatt.

History is being presented with modern day technology, such as video animations, holographic representations, 3D presentations, and life-like dioramas. For more info head over here.

Prices:

  • Adults: 10 EUR
  • Children: 8 EUR
  • Families: 20 EUR

Location:

Seestraße 56, 4830 Hallstatt, Austria

2. Check out the World Heritage View

If you are not afraid of heights, you definitely have to check out the World Heritage View. This is my favorite place to be in Hallstatt in Summer.

Roughly 350 m high, a view platform is hovering above the town of Hallstatt. The viewpoint offers a gorgeous view over the village, the lake and the mountains. Make sure to stop at the restaurant on top, they serve delicious Austrian cuisine.

You can reach the Skywalk in Hallstatt using the funicular railway up the salt mountain. Another option is to hike up to the salt mine. The ascent from the valley takes about 1 hour. The descent via a part of the ‘Soleweg’ (brine path) takes about 90 minutes.

The cable car operates between 09:00 in the morning and goes down for the last time at 16:30 in the afternoon. Make sure to check the opening times before you go, since they can vary on holidays.

Prices:

  • Adults: 20 EUR
  • Children: 10 EUR
  • Family Ticket: 41, 50 (two adults and one child)

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3. Visit the Salzwelten (Salt Mines)

The Salzwelten (salt mines) in Hallstatt are an amazing experience you cannot miss on your trip to Hallstatt, Austria. This is also one of my favorite things to do in Hallstatt in summer. You can escape the heat for a bit, since it is quite cold down there.

Dive in deep into the mountain and retrace the steps of the ancient salt miners. Go down a miners slide and see the underground salt lake.

Opening times:

09:00 until 14:30

Prices:

Adults: 40 EUR (includes tickets for the cable car)

Children: 20 EUR

underground mines in the salzwelten with a tunnel going down

4. Visit the Catholic Church of Hallstatt and the Charnel House

The catholic church as well as the Ossuary and the mountain cemetery are nicely hidden away in the mountain. To see the church you have to walk on the small hill over stone-steps. The walk is not too bad, but make sure to wear some good shoes.

You have not only the possibility to visit the church, but also the historic bone-house (called charnel house) with over 600 painted skulls and an amazing view over the area and the town.

5. Take a Scenic Boat Tour on Lake Hallstatt

Basically, you can do all the same things in Hallstatt in summer than you can do in winter. However, in summer you can additionally enjoy a scenic boats tour on the lake on board of the MS Hallstatt.

The boating tour will take you across the lake to Obertraun and back later in the day. What a fabulous excursion!

6. Hike the Echern Valley

From Hallstatt you can take a hike to the beautiful Echern Valley and be surprised by the beautiful scenery on the way.

Start from the center of Hallstatt: Begin your hike from the village center, where you can easily find signposts indicating the way to the Echern Valley. The trail will lead you along the western edge of the village.

As you hike, you’ll pass through charming meadows, forests, and along the Hallstätter See. Along the way, you’ll encounter several enchanting waterfalls, including the Waldbachstrub and the larger Echernfall.

The trail will lead you back to the village of Hallstatt. What a beautiful hike on a summer day in Hallstatt, Austria.

7. Get Sporty in Hallstatt in Summer

  • Cycling: The area around Hallstatt offers scenic routes for both road cycling and mountain biking. You can rent bicycles in the village and embark on fun rides
  • Boating and Watersports: Hallstatt is situated on the shores of Lake Hallstatt, so there are many opportunities for boating, kayaking, paddle boarding and swimming. You can rent boats or join guided tours to explore the lake’s crystal-clear waters. Lake Gosau is another great spot in the region for this
  • Paragliding: If you’re seeking a thrilling adventure and a bird’s-eye view of the region, paragliding is available in Hallstatt. Experienced instructors can guide you through tandem flights, allowing you to soar above the picturesque landscape
  • Tennis and Mini-Golf: In the village of Hallstatt, you can find facilities for tennis and mini-golf. These activities are especially great for families
  • Hiking: The Salzkammergut region is a paradise for hikers, with a network of well-marked trails. There are trails for all levels of expertise. My favorite hiking trails are the Echerntal Trail, the Five Fingers Viewing Platform Trail, and the Dachstein-Krippenstein trail

8. Visit the Market Square

In Hallstatt, Austria, the Market Square (also known as Marktplatz in German) is the central hub of the village. This is the place where locals and visitors gather to socialize, shop, and experience the charming atmosphere. It is one of my favorite places to see in the area.

he Market Square is located near the shore of Lake Hallstatt and is surrounded by traditional Alpine-style buildings adorned with colorful facades. You can also see market stalls, restaurants and cafes on the Market Square.

In winter, the Christmas market is held in this spot.

9. Explore Hallstatt’s Old Town

One of the main attractions of the Old Town is its well-preserved architecture. The houses and buildings in Hallstatt were built in a traditional Alpine style, with colorful facades, wooden balconies, and flower-filled window boxes.

The narrow cobblestone streets wind their way through the town, creating a charming and idyllic atmosphere. This is the perfect place for a romantic summer walk in Hallstatt. There are also many opportunities for great pictures in this area.

view from the Welterbeblick over the old town of hallstatt and the lake in the background

10. Visit the Hallstatt Museum

The Hallstatt Museum is located in the Old Town of Hallstatt. The museum is dedicated to the rich history and archaeological finds of the region. It will show you all about the prehistoric past of Hallstatt. I found this museum so interesting.

The museum houses a huge collection of interesting artifacts that were discovered during excavations in and around Hallstatt. It showcases a wide range of objects, including tools, weapons, jewelry, pottery, and clothing. Such a cool glimpse in the life of the people back then.

What to Eat in Hallstatt in Summer

The typical Austrian cuisine is totally worth a try (yes, I am biased). Especially the area around Hallstatt has many signature dishes that you should try on your vacation. Here are some of my favorite dishes you have to try in Hallstatt:

  • Wiener Schnitzel: That one is obvious, I know. You should still try it!
  • Fresh Fish: Many restaurants serve a catch of the day, freshly caught from lake Hallstatt.
  • Kaiserschmarrn is a delightful Austrian dessert and it is kind of a shredded pancake made from a light batter of flour, eggs, sugar, and milk. Some people eat it with powdered sugar, others love it with apple sauce.
  • Salzburger Nockerl is a great soufflé-like dessert named after the city of Salzburg, which is not far from Hallstatt. This sweet treat is made from a fluffy mixture of whipped egg whites, sugar, and vanilla, baked to a golden brown.
  • Backhendl is a popular Austrian dish consisting of breaded and deep-fried chicken pieces. Sometimes you can buy half the chicken fresh from a rotisserie. It is typically eaten with the fingers (my husband still struggles with the art of eating Austrian chicken)
  • Apfelstrudel or apple strudel, is one of the most famous Austrian desserts, and it is enjoyed by everyone year-round. It is made of some pastry filled with a warm mixture of thinly sliced apples, sugar, cinnamon, and raisins.

Is Hallstatt in Summer Worth It?

Yes, Hallstatt is worth it! While it can be so crowded and touristic, it is still a sight to behold. If you can see past all the people, the stunning nature and cute architecture will absolutely delight you.

I will not lie, summer is the busiest time in Hallstatt. However, it is also a great time to enjoy the outdoors to the fullest. If you can, visit early in the morning or later in the day to avoid the crowds. An overnight stay is recommended, this way you can enjoy the town outside of peak visiting hours.

Conclusion: Summer in Hallstatt

In conclusion, Hallstatt in the summer is a destination that captivates will absolutely captivate you. From exploring the charming Old Town with its well-preserved architecture to immersing oneself in the rich history and culture at the Hallstatt Museum, there is no shortage of things to do in Hallstatt in summer.

The natural beauty surrounding Hallstatt is a true treasure. The crystal-clear waters of the Hallstätter See invite visitors to swim and boat around the lake. Hiking enthusiasts can explore the surrounding trails, discovering hidden waterfalls, lush forests and amazing viewpoints.

The many museums in town showcase all you need to know about Hallstatts history. Keep in mind that it can get quite crowded, so you need to adjust your expectations accordingly.

If you know what to expect, I believe you can make the most out of your visit to Hallstatt in summer. For everyone that can’t get enough of Austria just yet – try out my ultimate Austrian road trip itinerary or explore the charming Austrian state of Styria.

Looking for more Austria inspiration? Check out my favorite hotels near the Red Bull Ring.

FAQ: Summer in Hallstatt – Things to do

Is Hallstatt worth visiting in Summer?

Yes, Hallstatt is definitely worth visiting in the summer. With its stunning natural beauty, charming Old Town, rich history, and a variety of outdoor activities, Hallstatt has so much to offer. From exploring the picturesque streets to enjoying the crystal-clear waters of the lake – there is much to do. Keep in mind that it can be crowded in summer.

What are the best months to visit Hallstatt?

The most beautiful time to visit Hallstatt is December. However, if you want to avoid the crowds, I suggest visiting in April, May, September, or October. Summer is an amazing time to visit Hallstatt as well, because it offers great opportunities for outdoor activities. It does get quite crowded in summer.

Is it possible to swim in Hallstatt?

Yes, it is possible to swim in Hallstatt. The village is situated on the picturesque Hallstätter See (Lake Hallstatt), which offers crystal-clear waters. During the summer months, visitors can enjoy swimming, boating, and various water activities in the lake. There are several piers and spots for visitors to jump into the water.

Is Hallstatt expensive?

Hallstatt can be considered relatively expensive compared to other destinations in Austria. The popularity of the village and its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site contribute to higher prices for accommodation, dining, and tourist activities. However, it’s important to note that the experience and the natural beauty of Hallstatt often justify the higher costs for many visitors.

How many days do you need in Hallstatt?

I suggest staying at least two nights in Hallstatt. While you can see most of the village in one day, there is a lot to explore in the surrounding area as well. Also, you will absolutely love the mornings and evenings in Hallstatt, once the tourists have left. Make sure to stay at least one night in Hallstatt.

blonde girl pink dress in front of blue door santorini

About the Author

Sabrina is a passionate travel blogger and content creator, based in New Mexico. She spends about half the year traveling to various destinations with her husband.

She provides slow-paced itineraries that focus on quality over quantity. Sabrina wants to help her readers to get more out of their travel experiences – while doing less. Read more.