A day in Hallstatt - close to mass tourism. The UNESCO World Heritage Site Hallstatt is known all over the world. If you are planning a day trip to Hallstatt and are looking for information on things to do in one day in Hallstatt and on parking in this beautiful city, I have collected some info for you here.
Hallstatt is relatively small and located in the Austrian Salzkammergut and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site back in 1997. Meanwhile, Hallstatt is considered the most beautiful village in Austria and the viewpoint on the Gosaumühlstrasse is one of the most popular photo spots in Europe. No wonder, because from here the scenery not only resembles a postcard motif. Around the historic village square stand ancient houses with wooden balconies and the famous church tower.
You can find plenty of beautiful Hallstatt photos on the Internet. Even the well-known Instagram spots in Hallstatt are no longer insider tips. I want to share a few impressions of my visit to Lake Hallstatt on the way home from Berchtesgaden back to Nuremberg.
Stroll through the picturesque town - as long as you do it before 9 am. Getting up early is definitely worth it, and if you're arriving by car, you'll be happy to find parking right in Hallstatt and won't have to use the overflow parking lots.
Parking in Hallstatt
Traffic to and in Hallstatt can quickly come to a standstill, as the roads are narrow and there are few alternative options. There are two parking lots in Hallstatt itself and two more outside. Parking is scarce and if you are coming by car, plan to arrive in Hallstatt by 08:30 to escape the traffic jam and find a parking spot. The parking spaces are also priced accordingly - 4 hours parking costs 9 €. By car you will find parking spaces P1 and P2 near the cable car. A display at the entrance of the village gives current information about free parking spaces in Hallstatt.
Mass Tourism in Hallstatt
Hallstatt mass tourism is becoming more and more of a burden for the residents. Tourists on round trips are unloaded here in buses just to take a photo and then quickly drive on. Over half a million people come to the small town in the Salzkammergut every year.
Unfortunately, the idyll is only one side of the coin, namely the one presented in the social media. The reality, however, looks different. In truth, Hallstatt is bursting at the seams. Although the tranquil village has only 780 inhabitants, it is visited by up to 10,000 tourists from all over the world every day.
As mentioned above, the parking situation in Hallstatt is a horror for all those who travel individually and do not come to Hallstatt with a horde of people in a tour group. The individual tourists, who travel for example with their own car or camper, are ripped off mightily here. The people who serve mass tourism, which is actually no longer desired here, are made nice and easy. Tour buses are allowed to stop in the immediate vicinity of the town center.
Tourists take photos, chase drones over the residents' properties, make noise, leave behind mountains of garbage, trample through front gardens and don't even stop at private houses.
Like many others, I have also been attracted by the pictures that show the fairytale village from its most beautiful side. I had wanted to visit Hallstatt for a long time. However, when I was there in June 2020 (during corona), the reality shocked me, annoyed me and above all made me think. Overtourism has become a real problem in Hallstatt. Certainly I was aware beforehand that Hallstatt is not an insider tip. However, I had not expected such an extent of overtourism (especially during corona).
What Is Hallstatt Famous For?
The Chinese and Koreans love the most beautiful city in Europe because of soap operas and replica models. Usually they come in droves, at the end of June 2020 (due to corona) there is no sign of it. The main street along Lake Hallstatt is not empty, but it is also not overly crowded compared to other places.
Things To Do In Hallstatt in one day
People don't seem to want to move much further than the cemetery along the main road through town. If you follow the path a little further, it will be much quieter and you will encounter fewer tourists.
Viewing Terrace Hallstatt
Admittedly, the viewing terrace in Hallstatt is no longer an insider tip or secret. Nevertheless, my first way in Hallstatt leads me to the end of the village to the observation terrace. This view of Hallstatt is like something out of a storybook.
Marketplace and the center of Hallstatt
Every single building in Hallstatt seems to have sprung from a movie set and you can't get enough of it. The market place with the magnificent Trinity Column is particularly charming.
In the center, by the way, there is also the church that we know from the typical pictures of Hallstatt. The Protestant parish church is kept even plainer than the Catholic one, you can dare a short look inside, but you don't have to.
Cemetery and Ossuary Hallstatt
Another beautiful viewpoint can be found from the cemetery of the elevated Catholic parish church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. Especially worth seeing is the cemetery that surrounds the church. The graves are decorated with flowers and beautifully decorated crosses commemorate the deceased.
Salt mountain railroad and viewing platform
The ticket for the Salzbergbahn costs 11 euros each way, the walk down takes a little less than an hour.
Entering the platform is free of charge an in good weather you can think about hiking the way down through the beautiful nature in the Salzkammergut.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to write them in the comment section below. ⇣
xx
Nina
