The Rudolfsturm stands directly above the Skywalk viewing platform and now houses a restaurant with a large terrace. From there, you can enjoy views of Lake Hallstatt and the mountains on the opposite side of the lake.

The return cable car ride to the ‘ 29 eur ’ isn’t really worth it just for the Rudolfsturm itself. It’s a good place to stop off when visiting the Skywalk or the Salzwelten, or as a reward after a walk up from the centre of Hallstatt.

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Rudolfsturm Restaurant

The restaurant specialises in traditional Austrian cuisine. The current menu includes, for example:

• Beef and goulash soup
• Pork or turkey schnitzel with potato salad
• Roast pork with sauerkraut and dumplings
• Beef goulash
• Trout with potatoes
• Spinach dumplings
• Apple and quark strudel
• Sacher cake

If you don’t fancy a full lunch, Rudolfsturm is also a great spot for a coffee, a beer or a strudel. The main attraction is the outdoor terrace, rather than the restaurant’s interior itself.

In fine weather and at lunchtime, the terrace can get quite busy. If you’d like to plan your visit between your tour of the Salzwelten and your cable car ride down, please use the restaurant’s booking form.

Opening hours

According to the official Rudolfsturm website, the restaurant is open as follows:

• Restaurant: 10:00–16:00
• Kitchen: 11:00–15:00

Opening times are subject to the season and the Salzbergbahn timetable. I therefore recommend checking the current opening times before your visit, particularly at the start and end of the season.

History and free exhibition

Rudolfsturm was built around 1284 as a defensive tower to protect the mines and other structures on the Salzberg. It later served as the residence of the mine manager and, until 1954, as an administrative building.

On the first floor, there is a free permanent exhibition dedicated to Johann Georg Ramsauer, who led the first systematic archaeological excavations at the Hallstatt burial ground. The exhibition is fairly small, but it’s worth a quick stop if you’re visiting the restaurant.

How to get to the Rudolfsturm

The Rudolfsturm is situated right next to the Skywalk. There are two ways to get there from Hallstatt:

• By the Salzbergbahn funicular in about 3 minutes
• On foot along a steep, winding path in about an hour

From the top station of the cable car, take the panoramic lift and cross the bridge directly to the Rudolfsturm. The walk from the cable car station is short and accessible.

A return ticket for the Salzbergbahn costs 29 eur for adults and 14 eur for children aged 4 to 15.

Children under 4 travel free of charge. A combined ticket to Salzwelten, including the cable car, costs 49 eur for an adult and 23 eur for a child.

What to see around

Discover all the places to see in Hallstatt.