Comparison · Hallstatt vs Salzburg · Austria
Hallstatt vs Salzburg
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: C.Stadler/Bwag, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Choose Hallstatt for Lakeside village views and Salt mine; choose Salzburg for Mozart, Hohensalzburg Fortress and nightlife. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 52 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 52 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Hallstatt
- May–June and September
- Best time for Salzburg
- May–June and September
Side by side
| Hallstatt | Salzburg | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Austria | Austria |
| Known for | Lakeside village views, Salt mine and UNESCO World Heritage | Mozart, Hohensalzburg Fortress and Salzburg Festival |
| Best time to visit | May–June and September | May–June and September |
| Ideal stay | 2 days | 3 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $180–$320 | $180–$300 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Expensive |
| Warmest month | July, 23°C (73°F) | July, 25°C (77°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 2°C (36°F) | January, 3°C (37°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 6 | 6 |
| Day trips in our guide | 5 | 7 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | SZG, LNZ, VIE | SZG, MUC |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Hallstatt for…
Lakeside village views and Salt mine. Hallstatt is a village of about 750 people squeezed onto a ledge between the Hallstätter See and steep mountainsides in the Salzkammergut, about 75 km southeast of Salzburg. Salt has been mined in the mountain above for some 7,000 years, giving its name to…
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Choose Salzburg for…
Mozart, Hohensalzburg Fortress and nightlife. Salzburg's UNESCO-listed old town squeezes Baroque churches, archbishops' palaces and Mozart's birthplace between the Salzach river and the cliffs of the Mönchsberg, with Hohensalzburg Fortress on top. It is compact enough to see on foot in a day or two, and…
Top sights compared
| # | Hallstatt | Salzburg |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Salzwelten Hallstatt salt mine | Hohensalzburg Fortress |
| 2 | Skywalk 'Welterbeblick' | Mozart's Birthplace |
| 3 | Beinhaus (Charnel House) | Mozart Residence |
| 4 | Catholic Parish Church of the Assumption | Mirabell Palace and Gardens |
| 5 | Protestant church and lakeshore | Salzburg Cathedral |
Food compared
| Hallstatt | Salzburg |
|---|---|
| Reinanke | Salzburger Nockerl |
| Saibling | Mozartkugel |
| Steckerlfisch | Bosna |
| Kasnocken | Cheese dumplings |
Which is cheaper?
Hallstatt and Salzburg cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $180–$320 in Hallstatt and $180–$300 in Salzburg (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Salzburg on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Hallstatt and Salzburg are about 52 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 2 days in Hallstatt and 3 in Salzburg.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Hallstatt or Salzburg cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $180–$320 in Hallstatt and $180–$300 in Salzburg (estimates).
+Is Hallstatt or Salzburg better for a first trip?
Pick Hallstatt for Lakeside village views and Salt mine, or Salzburg for Mozart, Hohensalzburg Fortress and nightlife.
+How far is Hallstatt from Salzburg?
About 52 km in a straight line.