The cute village is nestled in a picturesque landscape, located directly on the lake and surrounded by mountains and forests. Just 737 people live in this tranquil village and yet it is world-famous and touristy. The entire region is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making it one of only 20 places in the world that is both a natural and cultural heritage site. According to an expert list by Forbes, the village is also one of the 50 most beautiful in the world.
A place with a long history
People are said to have lived in the region as early as 5,000 BC. Salt mining probably began from around 1,500 BC. It is no longer possible to determine exactly when the first permanent settlement took place, but the village was granted market rights in 1311. The village has been continuously inhabited since then at the latest.
The village was not connected to the road network until 1875. If you wanted to reach it, you had to walk or cross the lake. The residents resisted further expansion of the road, which ultimately led to Austria’s very first referendum being held here in 1958.
Later, in 1877, the railroad station opened on the opposite shore of the lake, which was reached by boat or, in winter, by snowmobile. The post also came by ship until 1990, making it the longest active ship mail line in Austria.
Shaping an entire era
Mining in the region was so important that the Early Iron Age from 800 to 450 BC was named after it. The decisive factor was the discovery of a burial ground near the salt mountain in 1846, comprising around 1,000 graves. Iron was still little used at this time, hence the distinction between the Iron Age as an older and younger period. However, copper and tin played an increasingly minor role.
The period was characterized by extensive trade, which reached as far as the Mediterranean, but individual mobility was also not uncommon. There was also a clear social hierarchy, as indicated by grave goods and the presence of particularly lavish burial mounds. In addition to the possession of iron, family affiliation was a determining factor, gender rather less so.
The name “Hallstatt period” was coined in 1874 by the Swedish prehistorian Hans Hildebrand, inspired by the burial ground found near Hallstatt. He proposed the subdivision of the Iron Age into the earlier Hallstatt period and the later Latène period. This distinction is still in use today.
Replica in China
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yt6prmRu1Jk
Hallstatt is very popular with Chinese tourists. Before 2020, 600,000 to 700,000 tourists, including many Chinese, traveled to the small Upper Austrian village every year. A replica has existed in the Chinese city of Luoyangzhen since 2012. This is also very popular with tourists and attracts numerous visitors. The core of a residential area within Luoyangzhen replicates the market square, some streets and buildings as well as a church in Hallstatt. The area is not inhabited, but there are various stores and restaurants here.
Hallstatt goes Hollywood
Hallstatt is not only popular with tourists, but also with film producers. The Sissi trilogy was filmed here back in the 1950s. But international productions have also chosen Hallstatt as a location, such as the South Korean series “Spring Waltz” from 2006 or the Netflix production “Nine Perfect Strangers” with Nicole Kidman. Some scenes in the John Wick spin-off “Ballerina “, which was released in 2025, are also set in Hallstatt. You can see the Salzkammergut region in the James Bond film “Spectre”.
Visit to Hallstatt
You can reach Hallstatt from Vienna within three hours by train. There is a direct connection that runs daily from Vienna Westbahnhof. Alternatively, you can take the car and drive via the A21 and A1.
Hallstatt offers a number of sights, such as the Rudolfsturm tower, the Dachstein Chapel and the parish church. Pay a visit to the historic salt mine and let yourself be guided through the tunnels. Afterwards, enjoy the view over the lake from the “World Heritage View” skywalk. If you are interested in even more history instead, visit the World Heritage Museum or the burial site that gave the Hallstatt period its name.
The area around Hallstatt is ideal for hiking or exploring the caves, such as the Mammut Cave or the Giant Ice Cave. They are among the largest in Europe. The Kroppenbrüller stalactite cave is also worth a visit. Those who prefer to cool off in the open air can jump into the lake or do other water sports. The region around Hallstatt is also perfect for cycling or winter sports.