A picturesque lakeside village nestled between towering mountains, featuring charming houses with dark roofs, a church spire, and boats docked along the shoreline. The scene is bathed in bright sunlight, reflecting a serene and idyllic atmosphere.

Hallstatt – World Heritage Site

My name is Samy, and I have been working at the Austria Classic Hotel Vienna for over four years as Assistant Front Office Manager. Besides looking after our guests at the front desk, I also support our General Manager and the owner of our family-run hotel.

At our reception, we have been working with Vienna Sightseeing Tours, or VST for short, for many decades. In addition to their classic sightseeing tours, VST also offers a variety of day trips, which are perfect for guests who are staying in Vienna a little longer and would like to explore some of the beautiful places outside the city.

To experience one of these tours ourselves and see what our guests can expect, my lovely front office colleague Borimira and I decided to join the Hallstatt Day Trip.

We were very excited to experience the tour from a guest’s perspective, enjoy a day outside Vienna and discover one of Austria’s most famous and beautiful destinations.

A big thank you to VST for making this wonderful day possible! We had a fantastic time and are now even happier to recommend this experience to our guests.

The bus & useful information

The tour departs on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:15 am, directly in front of the Vienna State Opera at Opernring 2. The full tour takes a little over 13 hours.

The modern, air-conditioned coach was very comfortable, and with a QR code, you can download an audio guide available in 20 languages. This provides plenty of interesting information throughout the journey. You can also follow the route to the Salzkammergut on the displays inside the coach.

In addition to the audio guide, a personal guide accompanied us throughout the journey and shared even more interesting background information about the different places along the way.

The stop at Melk Abbey

The Hallstatt tour is not just about getting to Hallstatt – it also includes a stop at Melk Abbey. The abbey is considered one of the most beautiful and impressive Baroque ensembles in Europe and sits majestically on a rocky hill overlooking the beautiful Danube River.

We spent around 30 minutes at Melk Abbey, accompanied by our guide, who shared fascinating stories about the history of this beautifully decorated monastery. The interiors are decorated in such a magnificent and lavish style, with plenty of gold – exactly how you would imagine a monastery in a movie!

If you would like to spend more time in Melk and explore the area in greater detail, the Wachau Valley Day Trip is a great option. It gives you more time to discover the Wachau Valley and Melk Abbey at your own pace. (And my lovely colleague Borimira has already done this tour with her mum!)

A courtyard featuring a central fountain with ornate sculptures, surrounded by historic yellow buildings and a clear blue sky. The architecture displays intricate details, and the scene conveys a sense of tranquility and grandeur. A view looking up at the intricately decorated ceiling of a baroque-style church. The dome features ornate frescoes and elaborate carvings, with light fixtures illuminating the detailed artwork. Rich wood paneling and gilded elements enhance the grandeur of the interior. An ornate church interior featuring intricate gold detailing and elaborate sculptures. The focal point is a large altar with religious figures, complemented by grand architectural elements and painted ceilings, creating an atmosphere of historical and artistic significance. Large windows allow natural light to illuminate the space.

Schloss Ort

From Melk, we continued our journey towards Lake Traunsee and the beautiful Schloss Ort near Gmunden, which many people know from the Austrian TV series Schlosshotel Orth. Located on a small island, it is one of the oldest buildings in the Salzkammergut region. The long bridge leading to the castle is the perfect spot to take some beautiful photos. It is also possible to visit the castle for an additional fee, which is not included in the price of the Hallstatt tour.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hallstatt

After another 45 minutes on the bus, we finally arrived in Hallstatt. Before getting off, our guide explained that there are restrictions on group sizes in Hallstatt. As the village is very small, larger groups can be disruptive. The time in Hallstatt is therefore designed for guests to explore the village independently, using the audio guide. You can explore in a small group of up to five people, for example as a family, while larger groups are discouraged.

Hallstatt is truly special thanks to its unique and beautiful location on Lake Hallstatt. At first, the lake looks very dark, but the water is actually incredibly clear. We had around 2.5 hours to explore Hallstatt. You could take the Hallstatt Salt Mine funicular up the mountain and enjoy the view from the Skywalk. You can also rent a boat and explore the lake yourself or take a relaxing 20-minute boat trip. Or you can do what we did: simply take a leisurely stroll through Hallstatt and enjoy a delicious ice cream at Maik’s. This tip came from a local, and from personal experience I can say: yes, it was absolutely delicious and a great recommendation! There are, of course, also plenty of restaurants and cafés in the village where you can take a break and enjoy the atmosphere.

Our conclusion: A well-organised tour to one of the most beautiful areas of Austria – and a definite “Yes, we’ve done it, and we can absolutely recommend it to our guests!”

Frequently Asked Questions About the Vienna Sightseeing Tour to Hallstatt

[Translate to English:] Hallstätter See mit Bergen und dem malerischen Ort Hallstatt