Planning a day trip to Hallstatt in winter? We visited the picturesque mountain town of Hallstatt, Austria, on a day trip from Salzburg. Hallstatt offers stunning scenery, charming architecture and unique things to see and do year round. In this post, find out more about planning a day trip to Hallstatt in winter and discover this idyllic alpine town without the crowds.
Hallstatt in Winter Day Trip
Located over one hour from Salzburg, Hallstatt is an ideal location for a day trip from visiting the Christmas markets or as a stop along a Europe road trip. Hallstatt, nestled between the Dachstein Alps and Hallstatt Lake, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is frequently called one of the most beautiful villages in Europe.
Hallstatt is a famous destination in Austria, especially for day trippers in the summer months. During the peak summer season, Hallstatt can get very busy with tourist crowds and if you are visiting by car, you could be turned away due to lack of parking.
Spring and autumn, the shoulder seasons, are ideal times to visit when the weather is mild, attractions are open and the town is less crowded.
Related: Europe Road Trips with Kids
Winter is considered off season and, while it can be very cold, it is also a great time to visit without the crowds and enjoy stunning snow-capped mountain scenery and beautiful Christmas decorations.
Related: Salzburg Christmas Markets Guide
Note that some restaurants are closed in Hallstatt in winter. I would recommend making a dining reservation ahead of your visit since the restaurants that are open tend to be booked out in advance and don’t accept walk-ins.
The medieval town centre of Hallstatt is full of traditional alpine architecture and pastel-coloured houses. The main street is lined with restaurants, cafes and souvenir shops.
What to Do in Hallstatt in Winter
Note that some popular attractions are closed in Hallstatt in winter, so do check ahead if there is a particular place you would like to visit.
UPDATE: The Hallstatt Salt Mines, Salt Mine Railway and Hallstatt Skywalk will remain closed for renovations until Summer 2026.
Panoramic Viewpoint of Hallstatt
One of the best things to do when visiting Hallstatt is to take in the postcard perfect view overlooking the town. For the classic shot, head to the Aussichtspunkt (Panoramic Viewpoint), located at Gosaumühlstraße 67, 4800 Hallstatt.
The panoramic viewpoint overlooking Hallstatt is on a small hill at the northern end of the town. From this vantage point, you can see both of Hallstatt’s famous Protestant and Catholic churches, along with the houses and hotels that line the lake.
The advantage of visiting Hallstatt in winter, of course, is that you won’t see nearly as many tourists at the viewpoint as you would in the summer or even the shoulder season. If you are planning a day trip to Hallstatt, early morning and late afternoons are ideal time to capture the picture perfect views of the town.
Special events in winter include the annual Hallstatt Christmas market held on 8 December in the town’s main market square.
Hallstatt Christmas Market
8 December
The annual Hallstatt Christmas Market takes place on just one day per year, always 8th December, in the town’s main market square. The Christmas Market in Hallstatt features unique gifts from local artisans, live music and traditional Austrian treats such as mulled wine and gingerbread.
Highlights at the Hallstatt Christmas Market also include a life-size, wooden nativity scene and a tall Christmas tree.
Hallstatt Skywalk
Another fantastic viewpoint overlooking the town is at the Hallstatt Skywalk. This free-floating structure is situated 360 meters above the ground and overlooks the mountains, lake and town below.
You can reach the Hallstatt Skywalk by taking a short, 3-minute ride on the Salzbergbahn funicular, or by hiking for about an hour. The funicular ride operates on a first-come, first-served basis, and costs approximately for a round trip.
Note that from September 2025 to June 2026, the salt mine is closed for construction work and access to the Skywalk will be affected during this time.
See latest updates about booking to visit Hallstatt Skywalk
Hallstatt Salt Mines
One of the top things to do in Hallstatt is to visit the Hallstatt Salt Mines. Tours are available daily all year expect for four weeks in winter, when they close from mid-January to mid-February.
The salt mines (Salzwelten) are located within the UNESCO World Heritage Site and date back to 5000 B.C., making the Hallstatt Salt Mines the oldest in the world.
Again, please note that from September 2025 to June 2026, the salt mine is closed for construction work. During this renovation phase, there are two special offers for visitors in Hallstatt: an all-inclusive tour to the Altaussee Salt Mines and free salt-tasting in Hallstatt.
See latest updates about booking to visit Hallstatt Salt Mines
How to Get to Hallstatt
If you are visiting Hallstatt by car, there are two ways to enter the village. You will see large sign posts with information on where the parking areas are and how many spots are still available. The parking lots are located in Lahn, the newer part of town. Hallstatt town centre is not accessible by car and is closed off with two barriers.
There are four main parking lots in Hallstatt. All Hallstatt parking lots are equipped with automatic payment systems, and you can pay by cash, Mastercard, Visa or Maestro at the ticket machines.
P1 and P2 are large car parks within the local area. These parking lots are closest to the Hallstatt town centre and about 5 to 20 minutes walk from the main sights. P1 is mainly for guests stating in accommodation in Hallstatt, while P2 is for day visitors. It is not possible to reserve a parking space in advance and is advisable to arrive early.
P3 car park is located outside of the village and is mainly for buses, RVs and campervans. This parking lot is a 30 minute walk from the town centre. P4, a large car park for day visitors, is located just after P3 and is about a 40 minute walk from the town centre.
If you are visiting Hallstatt by bus, there are no direct routes and you will need to change buses along the way. The 150 bus is a common route to take from Salzburg to Lake Hallstatt and the Gosau Valley, beginning at the main station in Salzburg. You will then change to the 541 or 542 bus in Bad Ischl, and then switch again to the 543 bus in Goamula. For more details information, visit hallstatt.net
Europe Travel Inspiration
I hope you have found this post on planning a visit in Hallstatt in winter helpful! Find more tips, ideas and inspiration for travelling Europe with children in our travel guides;
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