Hi - we have the option to either do Hallstatt or Berchtesgaden on a Sunday - it will be April 1. Does anyone have any ideas if things will be open in the towns on a Sunday?
Also do you recommend Berchtesgaden - is the town cute to visit (not asking as a replacement to Hallstatt) - just not sure if its one of the towns near Salzburg that we would like to visit.
Thanks
I think of Berchtesgaden more as a place to go see nature than as a place to go see the town. Don't get me wrong, the town is cute, but it is not Hallstatt cute. The surrounding area, though is gorgeous. Königssee (a lake) is great. Take an electric boat across the river to the Salet stop, take the short walk to the smaller lake Obersee, hike around the lake, visit the snack hut, ascend to a beautiful alpine meadow complete with cows, and then walk to Röthbach Waterfall. Super nice. There are many other outdoorsy things to do in and around Berchtesgaden.
It's been a warm year so there's probably not much snow, but this is the rainy season. Add to that it's early for tourists and most things closed on Sundays and I'd suggest you're going to have to get local advice.
Hallstatt is 100% for tourism so everything is open on Sundays due to loopholes in the law.
My take... Berchtesgaden itself will be sleepy. Some cafes will be open. Maybe a good Sonntags Mittagessen? Good for a short look around. It has its history. A souvenir or two shops open? Weather permitting a picturesque view of the Watzmann. Hallstatt is what it is now. I'd put it in a similar category tourist burden wise as Rothenburg ob der Tauber, DE.
Thank you all - sounds like Hallstatt on a Sunday will be fine. Berchtesgaden just may be a quick stop as we are doing other things in the area.
Go where your local recommendations are. Enjoy the culture. Don't worry about the Language. This can be the best.
The views from the boat ride on the lake at Berchtesgaden are incredible, along with the hikes. I would highly recommend this from Salzburg, and it's only about an hour away.
Hallstatt is a longer day trip, and you're somewhat in shoulder season. We were in Hallstatt late March, and many restaurants were still closed, even during the week. I'm not sure when the season starts.
Safe travels.
1 April will be Saturday. I think both are good destinations, and both will be full at this time. Although I'm not sure if the boats at Königssee are running at this time, you'll have to check.
Say, right now it's predicting a lot of rain for the next few days, so it's worth considering. If it rains then Hallstatt is more walkable, but the rain will detract from the experience of both.
