In January of 2020, my husband and I embarked on a Central European Road Trip. First, we flew into Prague and then rented a car and drove through The Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Austria. One of our favorite stops along the way was the fairytale town of Hallstatt, Austria. This town is magical in the winter. Below is my guide to visiting Hallstatt in winter.

Why You Should Visit Hallstatt in Winter:

• Crowds are smaller and hotel prices are cheaper in the off season
• The town is stunning with a dusting of snow
• Winter sports like snow shoe hiking, skiiing, and ice climbing at Dachstein Krippenstein are so much fun

What You Should Know Before Visiting Hallstatt in Winter:

• It’s going to be cold. Come prepared with the right clothing:
  • Baselayers
  • Down Jacket or similar
  • Gore-Tex Gloves suitable for snow
  • Hat
  • Waterproof Boots
  • Microspikes (for walking on ice)
  • Scarf or neck warmer

• There is not a lot of parking in town. Plan to either book a room at a hotel that provides parking (Pension Bergfried) or take the train into town.

• You need cash at most places. Hit the ATM when you get into town.

Getting to Hallstatt in Winter

There are two main ways to get to Hallstatt: by car or by train.

Getting to Hallstatt by Car:

We chose to drive to Hallstatt from Budapest which was amazing. If you decide to follow our road trip itinerary and drive from Budapest to Hallstatt, it will take you about 5 hours. The scenery is breathtaking. You’ll cross through lush green vineyards and as you get closer to Hallstatt the scenery transforms from rolling green hills to snowcapped mountains and royal blue lakes. After entering Austria, you will need to stop and buy a vignette (essentially pay the country’s toll fee) in order to legally drive in Austria. For more information on vignette’s, see my Budapest post and read under “Prague to Budapest Road Trip Tips” or check this article out: The Austrian Vignette – Don’t Get Caught Without It! – Travel Tyrol Blog

Be sure to have a plan for where to park when you arrive. There is not a lot of public parking in town. I recommend booking a hotel with parking provided such as Pension Bergfried

Getting to Hallstatt by Train:

The alternative to driving is taking the train into town. You can take the train in from Munich, Vienna, or Salzburg for a very low price. Search for flights here: Train tickets in Europe – Search & Book on Rail Europe.

The train will drop you off at the opposite side of the lake from Hallstatt town. You’ll then need to board the ferry and cross the lake which will cost you €4 one-way and must be paid in cash (can’t be booked ahead of time). The ferry operates all year round.

Best Places to Stay in Hallstatt in Winter

We chose to stay at Pension Bergfried which was absolutely perfect. We were within walking distance to everything in Hallstatt and the best part of all, the hotel offers free parking. Staying at a hotel that offers parking is essential in Hallstatt where there is not a lot of parking available.

The hotel was affordable at about $130 per night. Our room was simple and had everything we needed. I recommend staying one night in Hallstatt rather than doing a day trip. Being able to wake up early in the morning and walk through the town before the crowds arrive is amazing.

Also check out The Heritage Hotel Hallstatt. It is beautiful and located right on Lake Hallstatt.

Where to Eat in Hallstatt in Winter

Hallstatt has a short “off-season” in the winter in which many of the restaurants aren’t open. When we visited in January, restaurant options were very limited.

We ate at Schirmbar which was a simple bar/food spot. We were so hungry after our long day of travel and the schnitzel we ate along with steins of beer hit the spot. If we go back, I would definitely reserve a spot on the water at Restaurant im Seehotel Gruner Baum or at BRAUGASTHOF am Hallstattersee which also offers water front dining.

We stopped into Pizzeria Bella Minano and grabbed a beer here after dinner. The grocery store next door was also open and we grabbed a bottle of local wine here and a magnet souvenir. In the morning, we grabbed pastries at a little bakery by the water.

Tip: You need cash at most of these places. Hit the ATM when you get into town.

What to Do in Hallstatt in Winter

1. Walk Through Town

After a long day of driving, we got into town in the late afternoon as the sun was setting and strolled through the sleepy streets. We took in all the sights, the shops, and the amazing views over the water. Walking in the town feels like being in a fairytale. It is very romantic, and many couples take advantage of the gorgeous backdrop for photos.

2. Take A Snowshoe Hike at Dachstein Krippenstein

This is the best part of visiting Hallstatt in winter! Dachstein Krippenstein is a ski resort in the Dachstein-Salzkammergut region of Upper Austria which is a UNESCO world heritage site. For those who want to experience the mountain in the winter but don’t feel up to skiing, snowshoe hiking is the perfect activity. It’s safe and easy and the views up there are incredible.

To get there:

• Type: Dachstein Mammuthöhle (Dachstein “Mammoth Cave”) into Apple Maps
• Address: Winkl 34 4831 Obertraun Austria

There is a large parking lot where you can park your car. Walk up to the ticket desk where you can purchase gondola tickets and rent snowshoes. Then you’ll take 2 separate gondola rides up to the very top and get off at mountain station Krippenstein.

From here, there are two separate show shoe hiking trails. The shorter and easier of the two is the hike to the 5 Fingers Viewpoint and World Heritage Spiral. Follow the yellow signs labeled “5Fingers”. The hike is easy, about half a mile out and back, and takes about one hour to complete. On your way to the 5 Fingers, make a quick stop out to The World Heritage Spiral. You’ll pass signs for The World Heritage Spiral about a quarter mile in. The yellow sign will read “Welterbe-Spirale”. Follow those signs and check out this incredible platform then head back to the main trail and continue following the “5Fingers signs” until you reach the 5 Fingers Viewing Platform which to this day is one of the most incredible magnificent things I’ve ever seen.

If you’ve got a few hours, you can hike the 2 miles out and back to the Dachstein Shark along the Heilbronner Circular Trail. From the Krippenstein mountain station, follow the yellow signs labeled “Dachstein-Hai” (Dachstein Shark). The hike will take you about 2.5 hours and is slightly more challenging than the hike to 5 Fingers. Make sure to give yourself enough time to catch the gondola back. The last gondola back to the valley is at 4:40pm.

After your hike, make sure to grab lunch and beers at Bergrestaurant Dachstein Krippenstein before descending on the gondola.

3. Other Things to do at Dachstein Krippenstein Ski Resort in the Winter:

• Ski/ snowboard. Rent equipment here: Ski rental & shop

• Stay the night at Lodge am Krippenstein Ski Resort which is located at the Krippenstein Mountain Station (take both gondolas to the top of the mountain) and simply enjoy their restaurant and the amazing views from the lodge

• Take a Ski Touring for Beginners Course with Outdoor Leadership: Ski Touring Beginners – Skischule Dachstein West Gosau
  • Half Day training either 09:00-12:00 or from 13:00-16:00
  • December-April
  • Costs:
    1st person € 280.00 + each additional person € 40.00
    All safety equipment such as shovel, probe, avalanche transceiver is included in the price!
• If you have been ski touring before but would like to improve your skills, you can take the full day tour from 09:00-16:00 for 1st person € 400.00 + each additional person € 40.00 : Ski Touring Beginners – Skischule Dachstein West Gosau. Also available December-April.

• Try Ice Climbing

4. The World Heritage Skywalk: A Great View of Hallstatt in Winter

In the summer, there is a cable car that will take you to the Hallstatt Skywalk in under 5 minutes. In the winter, the cable car’s hours are limited. If you find the cable car is not running while you’re there, it is possible to hike (about 1 hour) to the top. I recommend micro spikes or crampons in case the trail is icy. Type “Hallstatt Skywalk” into Apple Maps and get walking directions to the top.

5. Enjoy the Water on Lake Hallstatt

You can rent a boat, paddleboard, or simply just walk next to the water and enjoy the views.

6. Tour the Salt Mine:

Book Here: Hallstatt Salt Mine & Skywalk – the oldest salt mine in the world

During the summer, tours are available on a daily basis. For a winter visit to Hallstatt, the salt mine is open for visitors from November – January 8th and then again after February 1.

Salt has been mined in Hallstatt for thousands of years and the history is fascinating. This is a great activity for anyone but definitely great when visiting Hallstatt with kids.

7. Hallstatt Ossuary / Hallstatt Charnel House

If you delight in all things dark and creepy- this is the place for you. There are about 2,000 skulls stacked in this cave like room located at the Hallstatt Charnel House and Cemetary. The skulls are labeled with names and painted with ornate decorations. Winter hours are limited. There isn’t a lot of great information online about when this is open. It was closed when we visited in January.

I hope this guide helps you enjoy Hallstatt in the winter. It is truly one of the most magical places I have ever been and one of my favorite adventures to date.