Hallstatt 3 nights + Vienna 2 nights, SPA recommendations?

One night in Hallstatt is OK, so you can really visit everything without having to hurry. But I would never choose it as a base for exploring the area, especially without a car. The Salzkammergut is famous for its landscape, lakes and mountains, but not for relaxing in a spa.

I spent 2 nights in Hallstatt last year and it seemed ideal for my enjoyment. 3 nights, probably not. I used Daytrip.com to get to Salzburg .... that worked well with a couple of sightseeing stops along the way.

Mr E, what is meant by "I spent 3 nights in Hallstatt last year and it seemed ideal for my enjoyment. 3 nights, probably not." 3 nights seemed ideal for us as well. We like to take our time and enjoy, not rush around from place to place. Fine with walking and hiking, boating, taking public transportation etc. 3 nights still too much?

Mr E, what is meant by "I spent 3 nights in Hallstatt last year and it
seemed ideal for my enjoyment. 3 nights, probably not." 3 nights
seemed ideal for us as well. We like to take our time and enjoy, not
rush around from place to place. Fine with walking and hiking,
boating, taking public transportation etc. 3 nights still too much?

It means the old man is getting too feeble to respond on a phone and needs to wait till he is at the computer. Correction made.

The recommendations that I got before the trip was 1 night. Everybody here wants you to count nights, not days. Thats fine for hotel bookings and for tricking tour customers (A 10 night tour sounds more impressive than an 8 day tour - which is generally what you get), but has nothing to do with activities. I was going to spend half a day getting there and the trip onward is another half day, then that just seemed to rushed for me.

So I got a nice room with a balcony looking out over the lake, spent two nights, and had a very enjoyable time for a few days last September. My S.O. enjoyed it so much she wants us to return. So maybe later this year Hallstatt and Graz. Three nights? Sure maybe if I were younger and wanted to a lot more walking ... but only with a lot of research first to make sure I could fill the time. Our trip was done with very little research, just a "hey, lets get on the train and see ..... sort of attitude".

• Day 1 Vienna to Hallstatt. Its holiday so i am not getting up for a 8 am train. So we arrived about 3pm if I remember correctly. Walked around town bought supplies for the room (wine, snacks).
• Day 2 The active day including the salt mine which alone is almost a half day (again, I am on holiday and breakfast is no earlier than 08:30). Plenty to see and do for a whole day until the town closes at 8pm.
• Day 3 Leisurely morninig before the Daytrip car came for us.

Or put another way 2 nights.

I think you should reconsider your time in Hallstatt. It is now blatantly unauthentic and filled with massive hordes of tourists particularly from Asia (the Chinese are obsessed with it). It is now blatantly unauthentic longer charming beyond a few hours, unfortunately, and the opposite of relaxing.

I suggest looking at St. Wolfgang or Sankt Gilgen as a base. St. Wolfgang has several higher end hotels with spas/wellness areas.

Otherwise, you might want to consider Bad Gastein as a base.

In Vienna, there are some days spas, particularly again in higher end hotels like Rosewood. But I’m sure Google can help you find what you want.

Thank you Emily, This is good information to know that the current situation in Hallstatt is different from the past. We thought perhaps there would be fewer tourists in late September. We have also looked at Wolfgangsee area (as you recommend) as well as Fuschlsee (any comments?) There are several spa hotels there on the lake which look relaxing and I guess those would both be on the train line? Will consider adjusting our number of nights along this route.

I was there in September last year, arrived 10 September, departed 12 September. There were no hoards of people. brad, happy to share some photos of the trip and you can see the "hoards". Yes, tourists there, but no worse then the streets of Vienna. As far as not being real? The views were real, the landscape was real, the salt mine and the ride up seemed pretty real, the views from up there very real, the architecture was real. Found some real good food. It was "real" expensive but then Austria is too. No, to be fair, I was afraid it would be worse than what it was. Not much different than NYC prices. What Asian tourist were there, not sure whay that matters at all (someone explain it to me please), behaved like most Asian tourists .... that being overly polite and considerate to those around them. But I went reluctantly because of all of the comments about the crowds and the fake and the cost. Actually I was dragged kicking and screaming. I was pretty wrong on this one and very happy we went.

We have decided to do 2 nights on Fuschlsee, 2 in Hallstatt, and 2 in Vienna.
Appreciate the feedback.

We are planning on 2 nights in Hallstatt in September too. Already have booked our stay. Just found out the Salt Mine will be closed and I presume the funicular since that is what is being renovated. Is it the only funicular/ tram in the town? How difficult is the hike to the overlook? Thinking twice now.

erin, i would skip it this trip.

This is the official statement:

Dear guests,
We are pleased to inform you that the cable car and the mountain and valley stations of the Salzwelten Hallstatt are being renovated. This investment will significantly improve capacity and, above all, comfort for our guests. Please note that cable car operations and the Hallstatt show mine will be temporarily suspended from 1 September 2025.
The new facility will start operating in time for the summer season in June 2026.

During the construction period (1 September 2025 to June 2026), we look forward to welcoming your guests to one of our two other locations - Salzwelten Salzburg & Altaussee - as an alternative.

I'm always surprised people don't stay in Bad Goisern or Bad Ischl and just take the ferry to Hallstatt for the day. Both of those are spa towns with good facilities.

At the recommendation of a fine RS contributor I stopped in Bad Ischl on the way from Hallstatt to Salzburg. The restaurant recommended was a good choice with pretty okay food, but a very nice view. It was a good idea. We didnt have much time for the town other than what amounted to a drive thru. I remember when I first saw Hallstatt I was immediately impressed. When I first saw Bad Ischl I can not begin to say the same. With precious time on holiday, it would not be first on my list beyond a lunch stop. I would imagine there are great spa towns in Europe where the time spent would provide greater enjoyment. But we are all different and I guess I could see how it might speak to some.

Hallstatt is overrated and a tourist hotspot. If you like crowds you will like Hallstatt.

Hallstatt is overrated and a tourist hotspot. If you like crowds you will like Hallstatt.

That is a bit of a commonplace. Crowds vary between days and daytime.