A painted lakeside village under the Alps, with salt-mine slides and ice caves. Here's what Hallstatt is like with the family, when to go and how long to stay.
The EU is bringing in new entry checks, so check the rules on GOV.UK before you book.
June and September are warm enough for the lake and hiking, with fewer coach groups than high summer. July and August are lovely but the village gets very crowded in the middle of the day. Some caves and cable cars only open from spring to autumn, so check before you go in winter.
Ride the funicular up, then whizz down the wooden miners' slides deep inside the mountain.
A platform hanging out over the cliff at the top of the funicular, with views down to the lake.
Take the cable car from Obertraun to a cave full of frozen waterfalls. Bring warm layers, even in summer.
A viewing platform shaped like a hand, sticking out over a huge drop on the Krippenstein.
Hire an electric or rowing boat for the best view of the village from the water.
A flat walk round a clear lake with the Dachstein glacier behind it, about half an hour's drive away.
Yes, especially for families who like the outdoors. The salt mine, ice caves and lakes are great for children. Stay overnight to enjoy it once the day-trippers leave.
Three to five nights covers the salt mine, the ice caves and a lake day. Stay longer to explore the wider Salzkammergut.
Fly to Salzburg, then drive about an hour and a half. You can also go by train to Hallstatt station and take the little ferry across the lake.
It can be in summer, when coach groups arrive in the middle of the day. Early mornings and evenings are much calmer, and nearby villages like Obertraun make a quieter base.
Put Hallstatt on standby with everyone's other ideas. You each spread your points in secret, get one veto, and the draw picks where you go.