Free things to do · Hallstatt · Austria
6 free things to do in Hallstatt
Hallstatt without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: C.Stadler/Bwag, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 2 days in Hallstatt without paying an entry fee: Protestant church and lakeshore, Classic village viewpoint, Catholic Parish Church of the Assumption and Marktplatz are all free. Stay in Obertraun, Bad Goisern or Gosau for lower room prices and travel in by bus or train.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 6
- Low-cost extras
- 3
- Cost level
- Moderately priced
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–March and November
Free sights and experiences
Religious site · Hallstatt Markt
1.Protestant church and lakeshore
See it at first light or after sunset, when the reflections are calm and the crowds have gone.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- Photo spot
- Couples
Viewpoint · Hallstatt Markt
2.Classic village viewpoint
Come before about 8am to take photos without queuing, and keep the road and residents' entrances clear.
- Time needed
- 15 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Photo spot
- Iconic
- Views
Religious site · Hallstatt Markt
3.Catholic Parish Church of the Assumption
Climb the covered wooden staircase from Seestraße rather than the road for the atmospheric approach.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Art
- Architecture
- Views
Landmark · Hallstatt Markt
4.Marktplatz
Sit outside a café in the square in the early evening, once the coach groups have left.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Photo spot
- History
Nature · Lahn
5.Echerntal and Waldbachstrub waterfall
Go after rain, when the waterfall is at its fullest, and wear shoes with grip for the wet rocks.
- Time needed
- 2–2.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Off the beaten path
- Kids
Nature · Hallstatt Markt
6.Soleleitungsweg (brine pipeline trail)
Walk the stretch north from Hallstatt and take the bus back from Bad Goisern.
- Time needed
- 2–4 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Active
- Views
- History
- Outdoors
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Hallstatt Markt | Protestant church and lakeshore, Classic village viewpoint, Catholic Parish Church of the Assumption, Marktplatz and Soleleitungsweg (brine pipeline trail) | 30 minutes + 15 minutes + 30 minutes + 20 minutes + 2–4 hours |
| Lahn | Echerntal and Waldbachstrub waterfall | 2–2.5 hours |
Worth a small ticket
Religious site · Hallstatt Markt
Beinhaus (Charnel House)
Take a moment in the terraced churchyard outside, with its lake views and iron crosses.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Off the beaten path
- Rainy day
Museum · Hallstatt Markt
Museum Hallstatt
Visit before the salt mine to make sense of the archaeology you will see on the mountain.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Kids
Experience · Lahn
Hallstätter See by boat
Even if you arrive by bus, take the ferry across to the station and back for the view of the village from the water.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes–1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Kids
- Couples
- Photo spot
More ways to save
- Stay in Obertraun, Bad Goisern or Gosau for lower room prices and travel in by bus or train.
- The lakeshore, churches, viewpoint, Echerntal and Soleleitungsweg are free.
- Combined tickets for the salt mine and funicular, or caves and cable car, cost less than separate tickets.
- Picnic with smoked fish and bread from local shops instead of eating at lakeside terraces every meal.
- Use public transport passes and guest cards offered by accommodation for regional discounts.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Hallstatt expensive to visit?
Hallstatt is moderately priced for most visitors, but 6 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Hallstatt?
Protestant church and lakeshore: See it at first light or after sunset, when the reflections are calm and the crowds have gone.