Altaussee is the quieter alternative to Hallstatt in the inner Salzkammergut, positioned above a small turquoise lake with the Totes Gebirge plateau behind it. The salt mine here stored thousands of looted artworks during the Second World War, including major pieces from across occupied Europe. Local miners defused explosives intended to destroy the collection in April 1945. That history gives the village a weight beyond its size. The literary and intellectual character that drew 19th-century Viennese writers persists. Combine with Bad Aussee and Grundlsee for a full inner Salzkammergut circuit. About 10 minutes by car from Bad Aussee.