When choosing accommodation, the main deciding factor is whether you have a car. We travelled by car, so I quickly ruled out accommodation in Hallstatt itself.

I also needed two separate rooms in August and at relatively short notice. In the end, the Landhotel Agathawirt in St. Agatha worked out best for us.

What to look for in accommodation	Where to stay
The atmosphere in Hallstatt early in the morning and in the evening	Hallstatt
Good accessibility without a car and lower prices	Obertraun
Best value for money and location if travelling by car	Bad Goisern andGosau
Trips to Lake Gosausee and hiking	Gosau
Apartment for a family or group	Obertraun or Bad Goisern

Find accommodation in Hallstatt and the surrounding area

Accommodation right in Hallstatt

Stay right in Hallstatt for the atmosphere. Early in the morning and in the evening, there are far fewer day-trippers, and you’ll have the historic centre almost to yourselves.

Hallstatt is also the most convenient option without a car. The ferry from the railway station sails right into the centre, and you can walk to most of the attractions.

With a car, the advantages quickly diminish. The historic centre is closed to general traffic; you’ll have to park in paid car parks on the outskirts of town and continue to your hotel on foot or by hotel shuttle. Accommodation in Hallstatt also generally costs significantly more than in the surrounding villages.

In Hallstatt itself, I’d choose from these hotels:

• Seehotel Grüner Baum – an iconic hotel right on the square by the lake. Choose it for its location and views, but when booking, make sure to select a room with a lake view
• Heritage Hotel Hallstatt – the best choice if you’re arriving by train and ferry. The hotel comprises several historic buildings, so be sure to check the location of your specific room
• Fenix Hall Boutique Hotel – a more convenient location in the southern part of Hallstatt, near the P1 car park, the bus stop and the cable car to the Skywalk viewpoint
• Im Echerntal – quieter accommodation with on-site parking, from where you can walk to the centre in about 20 minutes

Choose Hallstatt if:

• You’re travelling without a car
• You’re staying for one or two nights
• You want to enjoy a quieter town centre in the mornings and evenings
• You’re willing to pay a bit extra for the location or a view of the lake

Stay elsewhere if:

• You’re arriving by car
• You’re planning to visit Hallstatt as just one of several day trips
• You need several separate rooms
• You’re looking for the best value for money

View all hotels in Hallstatt

Obertraun – the best alternative if you’re not travelling by car

Obertraun lies at the southern end of Lake Hallstatt. You can reach Hallstatt by direct bus in about 10 minutes, and there is also a railway station in the village.

I’d choose this location for a car-free trip if the hotels in Hallstatt are too expensive. Obertraun is also well situated for a trip to the Dachstein-Krippenstein.

Top picks:

• Landhaus Lilly – a small, family-run guesthouse with free parking near the Krippenstein cable car
• Dormio Resort Obertraun – the best choice for families and groups, offering apartments and large chalets with a kitchen, swimming pool and spa
• Seehotel am Hallstättersee – a practical hotel by the lake and near the railway station, particularly suitable if you’re travelling without a car

I’d also choose Obertraun if combining a visit to Hallstatt with the caves, the 5 Fingers viewpoint and other attractions on the Krippenstein. This saves you the daily journey from Hallstatt to the cable car’s lower station.

View accommodation in Obertraun

Bad Goisern and St. Agatha – our choice if travelling by car

I recommend Bad Goisern and neighbouring St. Agatha if you’re travelling by car. Hallstatt is about a 15-minute drive away, parking at the hotels is usually free, and for the same price you’ll get a better room or breakfast.

This location is also ideal for day trips to Bad Ischl, Gosau or Loser.

Landhotel Agathawirt – where we stayed

My dad and I went to Hallstatt in August and booked relatively at the last minute. I was looking for two available rooms in the same hotel, which really limited the options. With smaller hotels, there was often just one room left, or the prices were already too high.

In the end, I chose the Landhotel Agathawirt in St. Agatha. We paid around 133 eur per room per night, including breakfast, which was a very reasonable price for August and such a late booking.

As we were travelling by car, the location suited us perfectly. We parked for free at the hotel and reached Hallstatt in about 15 minutes.

The hotel feels as though time stood still somewhere between the late 1990s and the early 2000s. We had a similar impression of the service. However, we didn’t miss anything essential; the rooms were fine, the breakfast was decent, and the stay was generally pleasant.

For a similar price, I’d happily book the Agathawirt again.

I’d recommend the Agathawirt if:

• You’re travelling by car
• You need two or more rooms
• You’re looking for a reasonable price during peak season
• You want breakfast and free parking
• Modern design isn’t important to you

HOMEBOUND Apartments Bad Goisern offer a more modern alternative. The apartments have their own kitchen and free parking, and are particularly suitable for families, groups or longer stays.

I wouldn’t stay in Bad Goisern or St. Agatha without a car. Direct transport links to individual hotels aren’t as convenient as those from Obertraun.

View accommodation in Bad Goisern

Gosau – the best location for hiking

Choose Gosau if you’re planning to spend more time by Lake Gosausee, on the Gosaukammbahn cable car or on the hiking trails around the Dachstein.

It takes about 30 minutes to drive to Hallstatt. If Hallstatt is the main destination of your trip, Obertraun or Bad Goisern would be a better choice.

• COOEE alpin Hotel Dachstein – a modern hotel with free parking, a restaurant and a sauna, offering good value for money
• Gasthof Gosausee – accommodation right by Lake Gosausee with views of the Dachstein. The best choice for morning and evening walks around the lake without the crowds

View accommodation in Gosau

How to search for two or more rooms

When searching for multiple rooms, set the correct number straight away in the search. Two separate searches may each display the same last available room, which cannot then be booked twice.

During peak season, I would proceed as follows:

1. Set the exact number of rooms and guests
2. First, check Hallstatt and Obertraun
3. Continue by car to Bad Goisern and St. Agatha
4. Add Gosau if you’re planning trips to Gosausee
5. Compare the total price, including breakfast and parking
6. Book a good deal with free cancellation as soon as possible

In August, I wouldn’t count on significant last-minute discounts. The problem is often not just the price, but mainly the availability of the required number of rooms.

What to look out for when booking

• Lake view – this must be specified directly in the room name
• Parking – in the centre of Hallstatt, parking is usually in paid public car parks
• Railway station location – Hallstatt station is on the opposite shore of the lake and you’ll need to take a ferry to the centre
• Air conditioning – many traditional hotels do not have it
• Check-in – smaller guesthouses may only have reception open until the evening
• Final price – for apartments, check for a cleaning fee; for all stays, check for local tax

Where would I stay?

Without a car, I’d compare prices in Hallstatt and Obertraun. For the atmosphere and a short stay, I’d pay a bit extra in Hallstatt; for a longer stay, I’d choose Obertraun.

If I had a car, I’d look again in Bad Goisern or St. Agatha. If the Landhotel Agathawirt were available for around 133 eur per room per night including breakfast, I’d book it again.