Holidays in Hallein –
Bad Dürrnberg

historical flair meets modern lifestyle  

The small historic town Hallein harbours a real treasure: The town on the Salzach has one of the most untouched old town centres in Austria. As you stroll through the small, winding alleyways and across the spacious squares, you experience the magic of a town with a historic centre that dates back to the Middle Ages.

History and museums

On your walk through Hallein, you will encounter vestiges of centuries of salt production everywhere in the town. One beautiful testimony to the prosperity that the salt trade brought to this area are the brightly coloured town houses with their marvellous window and gable decorations.

Hallein's wonderful old town is not its only testament to the glory of bygone days. You can also take a journey into the past in the Hallein Celtic Museum. It is one of the most important archaeological museums for artefacts from Europe's Iron Age Celts.

However, Hallein is not only renowned for salt and Celts; one of the town's residents also achieved worldwide fame: Franz Xaver Gruber, who composed the melody for the carol "Silent Night", lived for many years in Hallein. A museum has been opened in his honour, and his grave can also be found in Hallein's old town.

Mountain and valley

And the Dürrnberg – the Halleiners' local mountain – watches over everything. 400 metres above the town, its slopes attract plenty of day trippers in both summer and winter. In Bad Dürrnberg, you can spend your days mountain biking and hiking, Nordic walking or going for a walk in summer or skiing in our comfortable family ski resort Zinkenlifte in winter: Bad Dürrnberg is the perfect place for everybody who’s searching for relaxation and a wonderful natural experience.

Bad Dürrnberg has been a popular spa and health resort for many years. No wonder: You can relax and recover particularly well in the fresh, clean air, surrounded by the beautiful Alpine landscape. In the traditional health resort above the town of Hallein, you can choose from a selection of renowned spa and medical facilities.

Salt and worlds

Also on the Dürrnberg, you can submerge yourself in the mysterious "Salt Worlds". With the help of a mine train and thrilling miners' slides, your journey takes you into the depths of the mountain to a mystical salt lake. Actual salt mining here ceased a number of decades ago, yet you can still experience first-hand the fascination of mining and the arduous working conditions of the miners of old.

In the SALINA Celtic village connected to the salt mine, you can get a real feel for how the Celts used to live and work. The faithfully reproduced props and the atmosphere in the village will transport you back in time 2500 years.

After a fascinating day, fans of good food will find plenty of choices in downtown Hallein, as well as at Hofbräu Kaltenhausen, the oldest brewery in the province, serving specialty beers and all kinds of delectable dishes.

During your holidays in Hallein and Bad Dürrnberg, history will be close enough to touch. Simply send us your no-obligation booking enquiry.