AUSTRIA
Is Hallstatt worth the trip? Here's what you need to know
ou already know Hallstatt is a beautiful, fairytale-looking village in Austria, but is it really worth the trip from Vienna? I decided to check this off my bucket list in February, and here’s everything I realized, so you can keep it in mind if you’re planning a winter visit.
Winter transforms it into something that feels almost unreal - quieter, softer, and even more magical.
Hallstatt has been in my bucket list for a while – the beautiful, picturesque scenery looked straight out from a fairytale. Especially in winter, where snow has covered the mountainsides, the rooftops are white and the weather is gloomy in an otherwise stunning landscape. It was always risky to visit during winter. We spend the whole day in Hallstatt with light showers and clouds, which made it a bit hard for us to enjoy the place to the fullest (if you take into consideration that some stairs were covered in ice and some alleys were extra slippery).
Also, it’s best if you have cash though some stores and restaurants accept credit cards. If you didn’t manage to withdraw money before your trip, there are ATM machines everywhere. There’s also just one road so you will never be lost.
The Views
Let’s be honest, the best thing you can do is enjoy the view. Colorful or snow-covered houses lining up the mountainside or the main square and wooden shops framing the mountains across make up stunning sceneries for the eye and the camera. If you’re brave enough you can also take a boat ride in the lake.
The Churches & The Cemetery
There’s not too much to do except walk around, grab a snack or eat if you want. Hallstatt has two churches – the Evangelical Church of Christ which is the one starring in every picture of the village, and the Catholic Church near the cemetery. Both are free to enter, and they are pretty minimal, though beautiful, inside. The cemetery is beautiful too and one of the most peaceful spots in the village, with wooden, triangular tombstones sitting on the rocky grounds.
The Hidden Museum
If you come across Janu, you will see it’s a shop selling sports equipment and souvenirs. However, if you go inside and climb down to the basement, you will encounter 7000 year history on 300 m² and it all started by an accident! A renovation of the heating system led to discoveries dating back to various periods in history from prehistoric times to the modern day.
The Schaumrolle
You will probably see a long queue in front of Rührwerk, a small shop on the side of the street. People are waiting for a schaumrolle and you have to try it too. This Austrian and German consists of a cone or tube of puff pastry filled with whipped cream, Bavarian cream or meringue. We tried the classic one and the chocolate covered one – I personally liked them a lot, it’s not an extraordinary taste but its worth a try.
Is it worth the daytrip?
Hallstatt is a beautiful village. Winter transforms it into something that feels almost unreal – quieter, softer, and even more magical than in the warmer months. Snow settles on the rooftops and along the lakeside promenade, the entire village takes on a storybook quality. However, if possible, make it an overnight visit instead of a day trip. The rain really held us back from enjoying the place to the fullest.