My Photography & Travel Guide to Hallstatt, Austria
Hallstatt, Austria, is probably on every photographer's bucket list. It is such a beautiful village. It looks like a postcard. It is a fantastic place to visit early in the morning before the crowds.
Hallstatt is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. The village dates back more than 7,000 years.
The Classic View
I visited Hallstatt during the Winter and again in the late Summer. I definitely preferred visiting in September when the weather was better.
Winter in Hallstatt Taken from Entrance to the Village
Where is Hallstatt?
Hallstatt is a village on Lake Hallstatt's western shore in Austria's mountainous Salzkammergut region. It is located about an hour from Salzburg. We just drove in early in the morning while staying in Salzburg, and it was very easy.
Parking in Hallstatt
Parking is a bit tricky in Hallstatt. You can click on this link to learn more about the parking areas. My recommendation is to visit Hallstatt at Sunrise. We had no problem finding parking in the morning, but when we drove back to take photos at Sunset, it was impossible to find parking.
Parking P2 is the Best Spot
Where to stay in Hallstatt
If you can spend the night in Hallstatt, I highly recommend it. For one, you’ll be able to explore the area with fewer people in the evening and early morning. Plus, you will not have to deal with finding parking.
There are a few small hotels and bed-and-breakfasts in Hallstatt. The one that looks best is the Heritage Hotel Hallstatt, which is located at the lakeside in the center of town.
Photography Gear
For Hallstatt, you will need 1 Body (i.e., Canon R5, Nikon Z7) and a 15-35mm lens. You will also need a Tripod and a set of ND filters. I brought my 3, 6, and 10 Stop NDs.
Photography Locations
The village is quite small. It will only take about 10 minutes to walk from end to end. There are at least 3 photo opportunities —walking through the Streets of Hallstatt, taking Photos of the houses, churches, The Market Place, and the “Classic View”.
The Streets of Hallstatt
The village is so pretty early in the morning before it is overrun with tourists. The walk is very flat and easy. The houses are just gorgeous.
Market Square
The market square is located in the center of the town. It is only about a 5-minute walk from the entrance of the village. The main square in Hallstatt is full of cafes, restaurants, and houses. It is a beautiful place to walk through.
Viewpoint Hallstatt
The classic photo location is called “Viewpoint Hallstatt,” as it is labeled on Google Maps. This spot is so popular that it’s become one of Instagram’s most photographed locations. Arrive early!! Once you park, walk through the only road in town towards the opposite side of the town. The market square is the halfway point. Just keep on walking. It is about a 10-minute walk from the village entrance. There is a sign indicating you have reached the viewpoint.
The day we were there, I was the only person taking photos. I was shocked and thought I must be in the wrong location. Eventually, other people started trickling in.
I think a long exposure photo is a great option to capture the reflection of the church in the water.
Once the sun climbs over the mountainside on the left side, it will light up the church. This is why I recommend visiting at sunrise.
Sunrise from the Viewpoint
If you are in Austria, I would highly recommend visiting this beautiful location.
If you have enjoyed this guide to Hallstatt, Austria, please look at my other Photography & Travel Guides on this link.