the salt is the ideal starting point for exploring the surrounding area. There is lots to see in the old town of Hallein. In addition to interesting historic sights, you’ll find a wide range of small shops and cozy cafés in its charming medieval streets. The nearby city of Salzburg celebrates history, culture and culinary delights. With its lakes, mountains, alpine meadows and forests, the Salzburg countryside is perfect for relaxing in nature.
The area around the city of Salzburg spreads across most of the Flachgau region and offers a wide range of outdoor activities. The lower and higher Alps, the lake district, the Salzkammergut region and the flysch regions are perfect for hiking, biking tours and swimming, as well as various water sports, golf, horseback riding and much more. During winter time, the area turns into a snow-covered wonderland, with skiing areas, toboggan runs, cross country- and snowshoeing trails and ice skating.
Salzburg´s old town is one of Austria’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It was the seat of the former archbishops’ residence, the spiritual center of Middle Europe and its roots go back to the early days of Western civilization. This time in history is kept alive through well-preserved monasteries, the cathedral, the many medieval and baroque buildings, as well as the fortress Hohensalzburg. Especially the cathedral, the New Residence and the fortress are worth a visit. Other highlights include the quaint shopping street Getreidegasse, Mozart’s birthplace, Mirabell Palace and Mirabell Gardens, the Museum of Modern Art and Hellbrunn Palace. The city mountains Kapuzinerberg and Moenchsberg lend themselves wonderfully for walks and great views of the city.
The historic old town of Hallein is located in the southern Tennengau region, in the province of Salzburg. The town tells an interesting story on every corner and you will still get a strong sense of the past, when strolling through its medieval streets. Around 600 BC the Celts began to mine salt here. The so-called “white gold” brought considerable prosperity, which is why the area became the economic and political center of its time.
Today, visitors have the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in this fascinating time in history. Hallein’s old town has remained nearly untouched since its creation, which means that the center has been preserved since the Middle Ages. The Celtic Museum in Hallein houses one of the most important collections of Celtic art and culture. The Silent Night Museum, the saltworks on the Pernerinsel, the parish church and the Mediterranean-style squares are all worth a visit. Another highlight and must-see are the salt mines on the Duerrnberg above Hallein, where the Celts started mining their salt 2,500 years ago. Special features include the miners’ slides, the train ride, the boat trip across an underground lake and the Celtic village.
