The Top Things to See and Do in Hallstatt, Austria

Like the Catacombs of Paris but on a much smaller scale, Hallstatt Ossuary is home to human remains – but with an artistic twist. More than 1,200 skulls are neatly stacked in this subterranean charnel house. Of these, 610 have been delicately hand-painted, creating the largest collection of painted skulls in Europe.

With its 7,000-year history, the Salzwelten is the oldest salt mine in the world. To continue its superlative streak, it’s home to the oldest wooden staircase in Europe, discovered among the mine’s prehistoric tunnels (it dates back 2,800 years). Today, you can head 400m (1,312ft) underground and make your way along the 64m (210ft) miners’ slide before jumping on the mine train, which brings you back to the entrance.

Don’t just marvel at the lake – explore it by paddleboard too. The lake’s calm nature means even stand-up paddleboarding novices will be able to grasp the technique quickly, and you’ll be hopping between bathing spots in no time. Be sure to rent a board close to sunset, as this is when the picturesque village is bathed in a glowing golden hue, allowing you to see Hallstatt in a completely new light.

For those who prefer a more active holiday, nothing will get your adrenaline pumping quite like the rope course on the Dachstein Krippenstein. Here, you’ll be able to traverse a steep rock face, following its wire cables, footholds, ladders and tightropes. It’s not for the faint of heart, but those who do take it on will be rewarded with glorious views.

A schaumrolle pastry is an Austrian delight made up of a cone- or tube-shaped pastry filled with whipped cream or meringue – yes, it’s as delicious as it sounds. The best place to bag yourself one of these in Hallstatt is at Taglich Frisch Gebacken, a charming old-world bakery serving a version of the schaumrolle that is utter marshmallowy goodness.

The Kalvarienberg Church is a baroque chapel on the edge of the village that you can judge by its facade. Inside, you’ll discover beautifully carved crucifixion figures credited to the baroque sculptor Meinrad Guggenbichler, who made them in the 17th or 18th century. There are also incredible murals; after exploring the interior, wander outside to see the rooftops and lake from the church’s mountainside vantage point.

This World Heritage Museum in the very heart of Hallstatt allows you to discover how people here lived 7,000 years ago when the area was settled as a salt-mining town. You’ll also get a glimpse of some notable finds from the Hallstatt burial grounds and learn how the Great Fire of 1750 transformed the village into the postcard-perfect haven it is today.

Hovering 360m (1,181ft) above the rooftops of Hallstatt, this fenced walkway jutting out over the slopes offers spectacular views across Lake Hallstatt and the surrounding peaks. Once you’ve taken a few pictures, head to the Rudolfsturm, a former defence tower that sits directly above. It’s now a restaurant where you can dine on delicious local delicacies, including schnitzel and spinach dumplings, with that incredible view as your backdrop.