The most famous view of Hallstatt can be captured from the Classic Village Viewpoint. However, my favourite photo was taken on the inconspicuous steps of the Salzberg trail, just a few minutes’ walk above the centre.

During our stay in August, I visited nine spots offering views of Hallstatt and Lake Hallstatt.

In this article, I only describe the viewpoints that I have personally visited.

💬 Do you have a favourite viewpoint? Share your tip in the comments below the article – thanks!

The 10 best hotels in Hallstatt

For each one, I’ve also recommended the best time of day to visit, based on the light. In Hallstatt, don’t plan your visit solely based on sunrise and sunset times. The town lies at the foot of a steep western slope, so direct sunlight reaches it later in the morning, whilst it disappears significantly earlier in the afternoon.

The times given in this article mainly apply to the summer season. In spring and autumn, head out to the afternoon viewpoints a little earlier.

Before you go, be sure to check out our comprehensive guide to Hallstatt, the current weather in Hallstatt, and transport and parking options.

Want to take photos of Hallstatt without the biggest crowds? Staying right in the centre will allow you to arrive at the viewpoints before visitors arriving by coach. Compare hotel prices in Hallstatt or read our tips on where to stay in Hallstatt and the surrounding area.

A quick comparison of viewpoints

Viewpoint	Biggest advantage	Best light in summer
Classic Village Viewpoint	Iconic photograph	8.30–10.30
Hallstatt Lahn	Easiest access	8.30 am–12.00 pm
Badeinsel	A quieter setting by the water	8.30 am–12 noon
Hallberg Street	A unique view of the church	9.30 am–11.30 am
The stairs to the Salzberg	The best view, in my opinion	10.00–16.00
Catholic church	The city centre from above	13:00–16:00
Skywalk	The whole of Hallstatt at a glance	12:00–17:00
Ferry from the station	The most impressive arrival	8.00–10.00
5 Fingers	The lake and the Alps from above	9.30 am–1.00 pm

Map of viewpoints in Hallstatt

These are all 9 viewpoints I visited in Hallstatt and the surrounding area.

Classic Village Viewpoint – the most famous view of Hallstatt

The Classic Village Viewpoint is the most popular viewpoint in Hallstatt. And I can totally see why.

The view from here is simply magical. The townscape is dominated by the slender spire of the Protestant church, which stands out beautifully against the lake and the surrounding mountains.

Don’t expect a panoramic view of the whole of Hallstatt, though. The viewpoint mainly shows the most photogenic part of the centre around the church. The rest of the town remains hidden behind you or out of the frame.

• Best light: in the morning, in summer roughly from 8.30 am to 10.30 am
• Least crowded: before 8.00
• Location: Google Maps

Haus Franziska is the closest to the viewpoint. If you want to take photos before the first buses arrive, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better spot.

Hallstatt Lahn – the most convenient viewpoint

The view from the Hallstatt Lahn bus terminal requires the least effort of all.

You get off the bus, turn towards the lake and take a photo. In theory, you could leave straight away from here, but it would, of course, be a shame not to take a stroll through the centre of Hallstatt.

From Lahn, you look at Hallstatt from the south. The angle is wider than at the Classic Village Viewpoint, and you can capture a larger part of the town, the lake and the mountains in your shot.

• Best light: late morning, in summer from around 9.00 am to 12.00 pm
• Best lens: standard or mild zoom
• Location: Google Maps

During the late morning, the sun is behind you or slightly to the side, so Hallstatt won’t be lost in backlight. Around midday, the light becomes harsher, but the angle is still good for this shot.

Expect large crowds. Lahn is the main coach terminal and also the natural gateway to the centre. We describe all transport options in the chapter on transport in Hallstatt.

Badeinsel – a similar view in more picturesque surroundings

Badeinsel is a grassy islet connected to the shore by a short footbridge. The view of Hallstatt is similar to that from the Lahn, just a little further away.

Photographically speaking, however, I preferred the setting of the islet. You can include the grass, the beach, the trees or the edge of the islet in the foreground, and the photograph doesn’t look like it was taken at a bus station.

• Best light: in summer, roughly from 9.30 am to 12 noon
• Biggest advantage: a wide, unobstructed view
• Location: Google Maps

Badeinsel is situated close to car parks P1 and P2. If you’re arriving by car, you can start or finish your walk through the town centre here.

You can find exact prices and the location of the car parks in the section on how to get to Hallstatt and where to park.

Hallberg Lane – a unique view of the church

The narrow pedestrian street known as Hallberg runs between the main street and the lakeside promenade.

It was here that I discovered several lesser-known views of the tower of the Protestant church.

The houses, rooftops, pine trees and narrow streets create a natural frame, and the photographs look completely different from the classic panoramic shots taken from the lakeside.

• Best light: in summer, roughly from 9.30 am to 11.30 am
• Best for: vertical shots and close-ups of the tower
• Location: Google Maps

The steps up to the Salzberg – my favourite view

My best view of Hallstatt was taken right here. A beautiful spot.

All I had to do was climb the steps along the path towards Salzberg. After about a three-minute walk above the centre, a view opened up between the houses, taking in the Protestant church, the rooftops, the local gardens, the lake and the mountains.

For me, this is the best photograph I took in Hallstatt.

You don’t need to climb for an hour up to Salzberg or pay for the cable car. Just follow the signs towards Salzberg and, after the first flight of steps, keep turning back towards the lake every now and then.

• Best light:before midday and in the afternoon; in summer, roughly from 10.00 to 16.00
• Duration of the walk: just a few minutes
• Location: Google Maps

You can continue along the same route to the Hallstatt Salt Mines and the Skywalk viewpoint.

Viewpoint by the Catholic church and cemetery

Another elevated view is offered by the area around the Catholic church, the cemetery and the Hallstatt ossuary.

From the cemetery, you can see the town centre with the Protestant church, the lake and the northern part of Hallstatt. The view is lovely, but personally I enjoyed the steps up to the Salzberg and Hallberg Lane more.

I would certainly still take a walk past the church, though. You can combine the view with a visit to one of the most interesting spots in the centre and get several different angles on both sides of the lake.

• Best light for the town centre: in summer, probably from 1.00 pm to 4.00 pm
• Best for: the combination of rooftops, the church and the lake
• Location: Google Maps

The cemetery is still in use, so please be considerate when taking photographs and do not walk amongst the graves just to get a better shot.

Skywalk – the whole of Hallstatt at a glance

The Hallstatt Skywalk offers a completely different perspective on the town. The historic centre lies far below you, and in a single shot you can see practically the whole of Hallstatt, a large part of the lake and the mountains opposite.

The downside is getting there. You have to take a cable car (for a fee) or walk uphill for about an hour on a steep path.

If the Salzberg is shrouded in clouds, I wouldn’t go to the Skywalk. However, if visibility is good, I’d recommend the view, ideally combined with a visit to the Salzwelten salt mine and the Rudolfsturm restaurant.

• Best light: late afternoon, in summer roughly from 13:00 to 17:00
• Best for: a sweeping panorama of the entire lake
• Location: Google Maps

In the morning, you’ll be photographing towards the sun, and the lake’s surface may be very glistening. In the afternoon, the sun moves behind you and the panorama takes on clearer colours.

The Fenix Hall Boutique Hotel is well situated near the lower cable car station.

The view from the ferry at the railway station

Hallstatt, as it approaches from the deck of the ferry, has its own charm.

The historic centre gradually emerges from beneath the steep slope, the tower of the Protestant church looms larger before your eyes, and within a few minutes, what was a tiny speck on the shore becomes a whole town.

If you’re arriving by train, you’ll be treated to this view automatically.

To be honest, I’d probably take the ferry just for the photo alone. It really is a monumental arrival.

• Best light: in the morning, ideally from around 8.00 am to 10.00 am
• Best for: photographs of the whole of Hallstatt from the lake

In the morning, the sun is behind you and Hallstatt is lit from the east. In the afternoon, the town is backlit and later falls into shadow.

During the boat trip, it’s worth staying on the open deck and changing your focal length as you go. A wider shot will capture the town with the mountains in the background, whilst zooming in will bring out the church tower and the houses on the shore.

Fare information, payment methods and warnings about missed connections can be found in the section on ferries and transport in Hallstatt. We describe other cruise options under Hallstätter See.

The Heritage Hotel Hallstatt is situated right next to the ferry terminal in the centre.

5 Fingers – Hallstatt is small, but the views are spectacular

From the 5 Fingers viewpoint, you’ll see Hallstatt itself as just a small part of a vast panorama. You’ll need a powerful zoom to capture the town in detail.

The star of the show here is the whole of Lake Hallstatt, nestled between the Alps. I can’t think of a better word for it. The view is simply breathtaking.

Yes, it tends to get very crowded here too. Nevertheless, it’s a wonderful place that I recommend 100 per cent.

• Best light: in the morning, ideally from around 9.30 am to 11.00 am
• Best way to get there: the first cable car at 8.40
• Location: Google Maps

From the top station of the cable car, the walk to the viewpoint takes about 20 to 30 minutes. If you take the first cable car, you’ll therefore arrive at 5 Fingers just as the sun is behind you, casting a lovely light over the lake and the western shore.

The air is also clearer in the morning, and there is less risk of clouds forming over the mountains during the day. Before buying a ticket, check whether the summit of Krippenstein is visible. If there is low cloud, the expensive trip is not worth it for the view.

Allow at least half a day for the whole trip. In our guide to Dachstein-Krippenstein, you’ll find prices for the cable cars, transport, parking and options for combining your visit with the Giant Ice Cave.

If you want to be on the ridge before the first cable cars arrive, you can stay overnight at the Lodge am Krippenstein.

Which is the best viewpoint over Hallstatt?

It depends on what sort of photo you’re after:

• The most beautiful view: the steps on the Salzberg trail
• The iconic Hallstatt photo: Classic Village Viewpoint
• The most convenient stop: Hallstatt Lahn
• The most original shots: Hallberg alley
• Best view from the lake: the morning ferry from the station
• The greatest mountain panorama: 5 Fingers
• The whole of Hallstatt from above: Skywalk

If you only have a few hours in Hallstatt, I’d recommend a stroll through the Classic Village Viewpoint, the lanes near Pension Hallberg, the steps up to Salzberg and Lahn, or Badeinsel.

Set aside a whole morning for 5 Fingers.

How to plan your visits to the viewpoints throughout the day

You won’t be able to catch the best light at all nine locations in a single day. I’d split the visit up as follows:

In the morning

• Classic Village Viewpoint
• The ferry on arrival by train
• Hallberg Lane

Later in the morning

• Hallstatt Lahn
• Badeinsel

Early afternoon

• Catholic church and ossuary
• The steps up to the Salzberg

Later in the afternoon

• Skywalk

A free morning

• 5 Fingers via the first cable car

If travelling by car, head straight to the Classic Village Viewpoint first. On the way back, stroll through the narrow streets, the town centre, Lahn and Badeinsel. In the afternoon, return to the steps leading up to Salzberg or take the Skywalk.

Where to stay for the best photos

Staying for one night right in Hallstatt gives you the best chance of catching the morning light before the main crowds arrive.

The most practical hotels for photography:

• Haus Franziska – closest to the Classic Village Viewpoint
• Fenix Hall Boutique Hotel – good value for money, near the Lahn, car park P1 and the cable car to the Skywalk
• Lodge am Krippenstein – the best choice for the morning 5 Fingers hike

As we were travelling by car, needed two separate rooms and made our booking late in August, we stayed at the Landhotel Agathawirt. The location suited us, but for early morning photography, a hotel right in Hallstatt is more convenient.

Compare accommodation prices in Hallstatt

You’ll find a detailed comparison of locations, prices and specific hotels in the section on accommodation in Hallstatt and the surrounding area.