Hallstatt: Salt History and World Heritage by the Lake
Accommodation in Hallstatt
Hallstatt combines a long history of salt production with archaeological themes and a historic townscape on Lake Hallstatt. The World Heritage Museum, lakeside promenade and Hallstatt Skywalk offer different highlights, from prehistoric history to views of the lake and mountains. If you’re looking for hotels in Hallstatt, you can first consider whether cultural history, the townscape or the surrounding landscape should shape your stay.
Salt History and Archaeological Finds
Hallstatt is considered the archaeological heart of the World Heritage region. Large-scale salt production here can be traced back to the Middle Bronze Age. The Iron Age burial ground is one of the world’s most important archaeological legacies. It contains luxury goods from across Europe, dating from 800 to around 350 BC. These dates refer to different historical periods: large-scale salt production began earlier, while the finds place the burial ground in a later phase of the Iron Age.
The Hallstatt World Heritage Museum is divided into 26 themed sections. They cover everything from Neolithic developments and prehistoric salt mining to the Celts, Romans and Middle Ages, and on to the modern era and the present day. A museum trail adds to the experience and is particularly suitable for school students and children. The museum thus offers both an overview of many eras and a specific activity for young visitors.
Local History and Lakeside
After a devastating fire, Hallstatt was completely rebuilt in the late Baroque style from 1750 onwards. This adds a much later phase of local history to the early archaeology. The two highlights offer different perspectives on time: salt production and the burial ground take you back to early history, while the reconstruction from 1750 onwards belongs to the Baroque period.
The historic town centre has a promenade directly on the shore of Lake Hallstatt. Hallstatt Lahn, with its bus parking areas and car parks 1–3, is an important starting point for finding your way around; it’s about 10 to 15 minutes from there to the centre. Hallstatt railway station is accessible only by boat. The boat service departs from the centre, near the Protestant Church. As timetables can change, check the times before your trip.
Views and Trails in the Echerntal Valley
The Hallstatt Skywalk is a twelve-metre-long walkway that extends out into the open. From there, you can enjoy views of Lake Hallstatt, the UNESCO World Heritage town of Hallstatt and the surrounding mountains. If the Skywalk is important to your plans, check access before your visit.
The Hallstatt–Echerntal Valley theme trail to Waldbachstrub starts in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Hallstatt and passes through the Echerntal Valley, following scenes depicted by celebrated painters of Austrian Romanticism. The Echerntal Valley invites you to discover the landscape in its unspoilt beauty. The Skywalk focuses on views of the lake, town and mountains, while the theme trail connects the landscape with Romantic imagery. This lets you choose between a viewpoint and a trail with a cultural and historical connection.
Discover more destinations: Moosham, Bad Goisern on Lake Hallstatt, AltmĂĽnster on Lake Traunsee, Traunkirchen, Obertraun, GrĂĽnau in the Almtal Valley, Rindbach, Sankt Wolfgang in the Salzkammergut.
Return to the main travel overview: Gmunden.
