Discovering Hallstatt: A Fairy Tale Village in Austria

I want to bring you to a place of such astonishing beauty that one might say that it was a page from a book – Hallstatt, Austria. This little village, wedged in between the Hallstätter See dolce vita of the south and the majestic Dachstein Alps to the north, is one of those peculiar places where the very ground beneath one's feet appears to be dreaming the most fascinating history and the most gorgeous of tales.

I don't forget the first time I went to Hallstatt. It was morning, and mist of that almost magical mist was rising from the lake, giving everything an eerie feeling. The houses, with their wooden facades and flower-filled balconies, looked like they were drawn on the scenery. It's a small place, easy to explore on foot, which is exactly what I did.

The Market Square is one of my favorite places. It's quaint and likable, hemmed in by a mosaic of color, and full of hustle and bustle. There is this fountain in the middle, a great spot to sit and watch the world go by. I picked up a coffee from a café next door, the aroma of which combined with the fresh mountain air and I just felt the atmosphere.

On the other hand, Hallstatt is not just about being beautiful in its appearance. It also has a very interesting story. I do recommend the Hallstatt Museum. The story of this town goes back to the early Iron Age, and the town has been known from the start. The museum is relatively small, but it is absolutely full of artifacts and the engaging stories that help the visitors to visualize how it was in the past.

Talking about the past, one must not forget to visit the Bone House at St. Michael’s Chapel. The name may hint at a truly horrific place, but in fact it is so marvelous and so very touching. The chapel contains more than 600 skulls, all of them iconically painted, making a connection that underlines the town's curious customs and beliefs.

Nature enthusiasts will have no trouble finding things to do in the area. While riding the boat, the sights were nothing but marvelous. The water was crystal clear, it was quite a sight looking at the mountains and the sky on the water. It was as if time had stopped, it was so calm. If you are extremely into outdoor activities, you will certainly find some good hiking spots there. One of the most popular of them is the path that leads up to the Skywalk, a viewing platform that goes straight out over the village and gives you a 360 degrees view of the area.

One other highlight was the salt mine, which is one of the oldest in the world. The ride up the mountain and the deep, dark trip into the mine made it an unforgettable visit. But the highlight of it all was the trail down the old miner's slide, I was surprised that it was so enjoyable, the fun fact about the salt mines that I didn't know of added a new perspective through which I viewed and loved the town.

Once the sun goes down, the village is even more enchanting. The tourist inflow decreases, and the town gets quite serene. I was eating dinner on the lakefront, the food I ordered was delicious and we had the local wine, and we watched the sun set, turning the sky a combination of orange and pink colors. The village lights reflected on the lake at night are sight that will stay with me.

One of those places that stays with you, long after you have left, is Hallstatt. It's the beauty, the feel that the place gives you, a sense of peace with just a touch of magic.

If ever you get a chance to visit, do not hesitate. This shall remain a little bit of paradise, which you shall carry in your heart ever after.