My husband and I have 2 nights and 1 day in Salzburg this December. We have been to Salzburg before, and though we love the city, we have heard a day trip to Hallstatt may be worth sacrificing our day in Salzburg to see.
Any advice? Will Hallstatt be difficult to get to considering it will be winter weather and we will be travlling by train or bus?
Thank you!
I was in Hallstatt in August and loved it, but, if you are already in Salzburg, see Salzburg. It's worth it. But, avoid the SOM tour. It's just the classic tourist trap.
We took a day trip to Hallstatt from Salzburg and I would recommend it. We traveled by train and then a boat across the lake to Hallstatt. We were there in the early spring so I don't know if there would be a problem in the winter.
Salzburg or Hallstatt in December? It's a difficult choice and you'll have to play it by ear. Salzburg has a Christkindl Market and the whole town is up to its festive best. Also, tourist crowds are thinned out considerably, so that's a plus. At the same time, you won't be able to see a number of outdoor attractions like the Mirabell Gardens or Hellbrunn. Also, if there has been a lot of Snowfall, Salzburg streets can be slushy.
Hallstatt is much more scenic than Salzburg in the winter, but typically colder. The town lies in the shade for most of the time, and I don't think it gets any sun at all in December. Tourist crowds are practically gone, and you'll have much of the town to yourself. The lake rarely freezes solid, and it hasn't done so in recent years. The ferry from the train station still crosses in the winter, if the lake is open. I know of people who have walked across the ice when it wasn't, but I wouldn't recommend it. You can also get there by bus.
So play it by ear. If you have time, give Salzburg a quick once over to see if you like the conditions. If you don't, go to Hallstatt.
