Michael was the best tour guide! He is incredibly knowledgeable and kind. I learned so much about the history and life In Salzburg, the lakes, and the towns along the way to the 5 fingers platform. Michael was very helpful getting everything I needed to get up the mountain and was there waiting for me when I came back down, totally seamless. The tour of Hallstatt was great, I learned so much—even the best place to take photos. It was the perfect balance of guided sightseeing and solo time to explore at my own pace. I truly enjoyed talking with him and getting to know him. He also gave the best recommendation for restaurants to try and suggestions for how to organize my other activities. The tour was worth the time and money. He picked me up at our hotel and we strategized where to drop me off to maximize my time in Salzburg. I highly recommend touring with Michael!
About Activity
What's Included
Includes
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Professional guide
- Bottled water
- Driver/guide
- All taxes and handling charges
Excludes
- Food and drinks, unless specified
- Gratuities
- Entrance Fees
Departure & Return
Departure Point
- Traveler pick up offered
Itinerary
Pick up from your hotel or any other location in the city of Salzburg
We leave the city of Salzburg behind on our way to the Lake District. Your private guide will explain about the city of Salzburg and how it for many years it was a independent principality, ruled by the Catholic Church and the importance of Salt and how it influenced the growth of the city. Other points of interest will be explained on route to Hallstatt. You will enjoy our off the beaten track over the mountains where you can enjoy unspoiled scenery.
Walk down to the emerald green Lake Fuschl, capture a picture of the castle Fuschl a former hunting lodge of the Prince Archbishops, built in 1450. Enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding mountains that frame the lake.
Admire the beautiful architecture of the Red Bull headquarters and see one of the largest cast bronze sculptures in Europe.
Enjoy dramatic views above the Lake Wolfgang and the town of St. Gilgen. This is the area that was shown during the opening scene of the Sound of Music. You also have a view to the Schafberg where Maria and the children took the train up to the picnic meadow.
See the town center of St. Gilgen, including town hall, Mozart fountain and the birth place of Mozart's mother.
Option 1: After a breathtaking cable car ride, walk around 20 minutes to one of the most spectacular viewing platforms in the Alps that reaches out like a hand over the 400 m drop. From 5 platforms (the 5fingers), each in a different design, you can put your head for heights to the test and enjoy unique views down over Hallstatt, the Hallstättersee lake and the inner Salzkammergut region. The 5 different levels, each 4 x 1 m in size, offer spectacular insight and views. One of the platforms is made entirely from glass and another enables visitors to gain their own personal view of the Hallstatt World Heritage site through a large Baroque picture frame. The ‘5fingers’ are illuminated until midnight and can be seen from far and wide, even at night. On the way to the 5fingers you learn on information boards much about Fauna, Flora and the Geology at Dachstein Krippenstein.
Option 2: The oldest salt mine in the world, Europe’s oldest wooden staircase and the free-floating Skywalk with its “World Heritage View”, 360 meters above the ground: Hallstatt Salt Mine is a mine of superlatives. Come with us on a journey of discovery, back to the very beginnings of salt mining some 7,000 years ago, and experience the history of Bronze Age mining, recounted today in spectacular fashion thanks to state-of-the-art multimedia technology, including a Bronze Age Cinema 400 meters below ground. Here, you will experience up-close the very breath of history. Welcome to Hallstatt Salt Mine!
Included in Option 2: Optional: Take the train up to the Skywalk. When you stand on the “Skywalk”, Hallstatt lies right there at your feet. You look down on the world-famous World Heritage town, the cradle of the Hallstatt Period. Sparkling mystically, Hallstätter See nestles up against the medieval town like a fjord, flanked wonderfully by the spectacular panoramas of the Dachstein. Only possible with Salt Mine Option.
In Hallstatt, your private guide will point out all the hidden gems of the town, which include a beautiful photo spot of Hallstatt, Charnel House (Bone House), Hallstatt Museum, Hallstatt Waterfall "Waldbachstrub", the Sky View Platform, Hallstatt's local residence area and more. You will have 2 hours to explore Hallstatt with all its sights, as well as have lunch at one of the beautiful lake side restaurants in Hallstatt (lunch not included in price).
Marvel at the Gosausee, with the glistening Dachstein glacier as its backdrop. (Time and weather permitting).
Language Offered
Additional Info
Cancellation Policy
Reviews
Our guide was waiting for us atthe allotted time. We appreciated the flexibility in that we originally thought five fingers would be a good option but changed our mind to go to the salt mine - no problem! The vehicle was a sort of minibus but quite comfortable for the trip. The whole day was amazing. Our guide knew exactly where to go and what to see. Admittedly we benefitted from a (rare) clear day but the lakes we visited and the views were terrific. The salt mine might lack the adrenaline punch of Five Fingers but turned out to be a very interesting experience and tour was in English as well as German so easy to get teh most from it.
Fantastic day out from Salzburg - a must do trip for anyone visiting the area! Michael was very knowledgeable and made the trip even more enjoyable with his facts and humour. Sadly the mine was closed so we visited the five fingers view point which did not disappoint. Hallstatt was so beautiful, I only wish we had a bit more time to explore the town. I would recommend getting there early before the large crowds gather.
Such a wonderful experience! We absolutely loved exploring the area with Michael as our guide and driver. He was knowledgeable and entertaining. He also made sure to take us to all the best spots for photos and sound of music filming locations, and he was happy to take pictures for us. The experience was well worth the price! We highly recommend this tour and Michael in particular! -The Andersons from Sacramento
This was the most incredible tour to see some of the most amazing places but the best part was Michael! He had such vast knowledge of the areas we hit on the tour and was able to provide unique insights on the culture, history, and lore behind it all. He accommodated every request we had and more! He also had key insights to when attractions would be busy to help us plan accordingly. Michael even went as far as to return my scarf I had left in the vehicle to Munich! He went above and beyond to say the least and really made our stay in Salzburg and our tour special.
Carlos was awesome! Super friendly, prompt, and flexible. The charter van is a very comfy ride. Great little tour with friends. We especially enjoyed the salt mine experience!
It was interesting and fun, however, beware there are a lot of stairs involved. We took the funicular up thinking that would save us from having to climb, but not true. You take 2 slides down that’s the fun part, but it’s a chore getting up there. If you have teens or preteens they will love this. They take pictures of you on one of the slides which was fun. Didn’t get to eat at restaurant but our guide said it’s excellent but small. The village was really cute. We went as a group on a bus, however, you could easily take a train from Salzburg and a short ferry ride over to Hallstatt.
Ten of us booked two vans for the day tour to Hallstatt from Salzburg. Michael and Luciano were our drivers and guides for the day. We appreciated the flexibility to decide on the way down whether to go to the Salt Mines or 5 Fingers. Since the weather wasn't totally clear and a few had knee troubles we decided to go the Salt Mines. (There are a lot of steps to reach the entrance to the Salt Mines. A couple of people with us struggled with this.) Michael assisted us in purchasing tickets and guiding us to the entrance. The Salt Mines were busy on the day we went, so the tour took a longer than expected. But it wasn't a problem for Michael and Luciano. They were in constant contact with each other. Once the tour was completed, Michael met us at the bottom by the tram and then took us to the center of Hallstatt. Several couples wanted to get something to eat, so Michael got them situated at a restaurant. One couple wanted to shop. My husband and I wanted to stroll around Hallstatt. Michael walked with us and pointed out interesting details on the way. Everyone was told where to meet at the appointed time. One couple misunderstood where the meeting point was, so it took several minutes to track them down. After locating them we were on our way back to Salzburg. We appreciated the fact that this tour went back to Salzburg by a different route, through some beautiful countryside. The scenery both going and coming is absolutely stunning especially around the lakes. We had a 6:00 reservation at one of the bier gardens in Salzburg and we made it right on time. Michael and Luciano were wonderful drivers and guides throughout the entire day. All ten of us highly recommend this tour. The experience and price were absolutely worth it.
<p>Our guide Carlos was friendly and great. He planned the tour to make sure we made the best of the weather. He had a lot of knowledge about the history and the area around the places we visited. To make full use of your trip, private tour is the way to go. <br/> Thanks and a big thumbs up to Carlos for the guide and safe journey for our tour.<br/> Hallstatt and 5fingers platform is a must see.</p>
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