This picture postcard village is set in front of a mountainous backdrop and is known for its well-preserved architecture
An EU village so nice, they made it twice. This perfectly picturesque village was the inspiration for a housing development in the Chinese town of Luoyang. But before travelling to the replica, head to Austria to see the model village for itself.
The small village of Hallstatt sits on southwestern shore of Lake Hallstatt in Austria’s Salzkammergut mountain region. If you’re trying to conjure an idea of the little hamlet, think Austrian postcard: 16th-century Alpine houses on the lake’s edge with snow-capped mountains in the background. Though no postcard can capture the tranquility and incredible history of Hallstatt.
Hallstatt was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997 for its well preserved architecture and its ancient traditions that can be traced back to the Iron Age. The village owes its origin to the mining of salt deposits in the nearby mountains during prehistoric times.
Salt mining is what put Hallstatt on the world map and today, the village is home to the oldest salt mine (German: “Salzwelten”) in the world. The Salt Mine & Skywalk experience allows travellers to take a cable car up “Salzberg” mountain to the Hallstatt high valley and roam the same stone wall tunnels of ancient Hallstatt inhabitants.
The trip up the mountain is itself an exhilarating experience, but the best views are found on the free-floating skywalk that has become a popular photo-op destination. Keep in mind, the Salt Mine & Skywalk are only open until August 31, 2025, at which point the site will close for extensive construction until June 2026.
While the high valley offers an incredible glimpse of prehistoric life, there is another side of the village to be discovered down by the lake. In fact, one of the best ways to enjoy the village is directly on the water.
While Venice has gondolas and Portugal has moliceiro boats, Hallstatt has “Fuhren”. Fuhren are flat-bottomed wooden boats that were traditionally used to transport goods and people on Lake Hallstatt.
While Fuhr are no longer as commonly used for transport, they still play a significant role in sacred and secular festivities in the village, for example as a part of the Corpus Christi lake procession. Travellers can also book a Fuhr ride to experience the majesty of the lake up close.
Other great ways to experience the village are by bike or on foot. Multiple hiking trails run in and around the village and mountain area, winding past wild streams and rock formations. The most well-known path is the historic Brine Trail, but keep in mind that sections of the trail may be closed due to rockfall so it is critical to plan ahead.
There are no direct flights from the UK to Hallstatt, but there are regular flights from London and other UK destinations to Salzburg. From here, travellers can take a two and a half hour train ride to Hallstatt.
