Experience the best of Hallstatt

Hallstatt crowds a narrow shelf of land between the Hallstätter See and the steep walls of the Dachstein range, its colourful houses and church spire mirrored in the water. Salt made the place rich: mining here goes back to prehistoric times, and the Iron Age culture named after the village is known from graves found above the town. The whole area is a World Heritage site.

In the old market square a Trinity column stands among timber-framed houses, and above the parish church the small Charnel House holds rows of painted skulls. A funicular climbs to the salt mine, which can be visited underground, and to a viewing platform over the lake. Other lakes of the Salzkammergut lie close by, and the Dachstein plateau above has glaciers and ice caves.

Fish from the lake, especially the whitefish called Reinanke, is grilled whole or fried in butter with parsley potatoes, and Kaiserschmarrn, a torn sweet pancake served with plum compote, follows. The village is crowded in summer, and quiet and snowbound in winter.