A beautiful village said to have inspired Disney’s Frozen with its breathtaking landscapes has just been named Europe’s best winter destination. 

Hallstatt, Austria, has become one of those destinations you’ve likely spotted all over your social media feeds thanks to its location right on the edge of Lake Hallstatt and its crystal-clear waters, not to mention its snowy mountainous backdrop. 

Add in the 16th century architecture, cosy lodges and charming cafés and shops, and it’s not difficult to see why it’s regularly compared to the stuff of fairytales by visitors. 

It’s so pretty that the entire village has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, not to mention it’s reported that Disney production teams used it as the main inspiration for the kingdom of Arendelle in Frozen (although you can soon check out a real version of the hit film as Disneyland Paris is about to open a brand new Frozen land in 2026). 

Most recently, Hallstatt has been given another accolade as it’s been named Europe’s ‘best winter destination’. 

Icelandair recently surveyed 60 European destinations that are popular in winter, looking at a number of factors including the likelihood of snowfall, light pollution levels and the percentage of cloud-free skies. Hallstatt topped the list, beating out Iceland’s Reykjavik and Finland’s Rovaniemi (aka the home of Lapland). 

The team behind the report explained: “This picturesque village in Austria’s Salzkammergut region is the definition of a winter wonderland. Nestled between a lake and snow dusted mountains, Hallstatt shines with fairytale charm during the colder months. With an impressive 890 mm of snowfall and minimal light pollution, it’s the perfect spot for snow lovers and stargazers.” 

It’s worth noting that because of its increasing popularity with the social media crowd, Hallstatt has fallen foul of overtourism, with locals having taken measures in recent years to help combat the effects of the masses of tourists. 

The town itself has a population of just under 800, but during peak seasons in past years the village saw as many as 10,000 tourists arriving every day. The village isn’t equipped to deal with these types of crowds, leading to a number of issues including littering, local prices sky-rocketing, and growing issues of drones by photographers becoming a nuisance. Locals protested against the crowds, and even set up a temporary wooden fence blocking one of the best views in a bid to deter people at the time. 

As a result, the village has introduced a number of rules to help mitigate the effects, for example by banning the use of cars in the centre. Guests who stay overnight can get a shuttlebus from the nearby car parks direct to their hotels. There are also buses and trains that offer easy access to the village, but be mindful of the restricted operating times especially if you’re only planning a day trip. 

The local tourism board also gently reminds visitors on its website that the village is a real-life location, not a theme park. A statement on its website explains: “The town Hallstatt in the Salzkammergut is not an open-air museum, but a place of residence with about 750 inhabitants. So there are no opening hours. Hallstatt is always in season. And we like to be asked that too: Do I have to pay an entrance fee to the place? Of course not.

“The place is a completely normal village. And not a museum village like Disneyland. Our tip: speak quietly and do not go onto private property. Don’t just enter other people’s gardens and houses. The residents also don’t like it when they fly drones.Your rubbish belongs in the rubbish bin and not on the street. Please remember that normal citizens live here! Please behave accordingly!”