Hallstatt, Austria

Wandering around the Old Town's streets, which are lined with vibrant buildings that date back more than 700 years, is one of the best things to do in Hallstatt. Take that classic picture of the village to the north of Old Town, along the lakeshore, for the best perspective of the town.

Consider taking a flat-bottomed boat excursion on Halstatter See for a fantastic way to experience the breathtaking alpine scenery. While on the cruise, you may marvel at the surrounding towering Alps and observe swans gracefully gliding across the lake.

Hallstatt is known for its scenic beauty, but there is also a lot of history and adventure to explore. Visit the 7,000-year-old Salzwelten Hallstatt, thought to be the world's oldest salt mine, for something a little more educational. Or, for something a little heartier, the close-by Dachstein Krippenstein offers a variety of challenging activities, such as via ferrata tours and ice cave exploration.

Hallstatt is incredibly small, you could easily walk around the entire town in 20 minutes, and it soon fills up with tourists, especially during the summer. Even if you could see the most of the sights in a few hours, there is still much to do for two to three days. At the very least, it would be wise to spend the night here after the tour buses have left in the afternoon. The following morning, get up bright and early to enjoy a few hours of solitude on Hallstatt's streets before the hordes gather!

Location: Salzkammergut, Austria