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Explore the city of music, theatre, and Imperial elegance, and experience the locals' unique 'Lebensgefühl'.

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This is salzburg - a unique city.

Centuries-old traditions, top-class music and cultural events, culinary delights and international art: Salzburg , known as the home of Mozart and a UNESCO heritage site for more than 25 years, celebrates both its prince-archbishop roots and the spirit of creative freedom and continuous renewal that already existed back then.

Take a stroll through the cobblestoned historic centre and you'll instantly feel the town's elegance, with the prince-archbishops' architectural, artistic and social heritage visible on every corner. Explore the old town's five squares Residenzplatz, Domplatz, Mozartplatz, Kapitelplatz and Alter Markt, considered the most beautiful in Salzburg, then pop into the traditional shops in famous Getreidegasse on the way to Mozart's birthplace. Or how about a play or a concert at the famous Salzburg Festival ?

Salzburg's charm also lies in the small moments. Wander through the perfectly manicured Mirabell Gardens, or watch the Salzach River wind its way through the city from Hohensalzburg Fortress or one of the surrounding mountains – that's how the locals enjoy their city, that's Salzburg's unique "Lebensgefühl".

'Lebensgefühl' in Salzburg means ...

... living for the city.

Salzburg owes its world-wide fame to the incomparable city charm, the scenic beauty of its surroundings and the fact that Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born here in 1756.

... enjoying music and theatre all night long

During the Salzburg Festival, music and theatre can be found in every concert hall, every garden, square and street in the city.

... snacking the real deal

The original "Salzburger Mozartkugel" (German for "Mozart ball") was invented at Cafe Fürst in Salzburg and is still hand-made today. Taste the difference!

... walking through signs of the times

Experience Salzburg's historic centre on a leisurely stroll. The locals are especially fond of their "Durchhäuser", narrow lanes often used as short cuts, e.g. along Getreidegasse.

Salzburg city view Tourismus Salzburg GmbH media_content.tooltip.skipped

Kapitelplatz Salzburg with the sculpture "Sphaera" by Stephan Balkenhol Tourismus Salzburg GmbH media_content.tooltip.skipped

Salzburg's greatest son, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Tourismus Salzburg GmbH media_content.tooltip.skipped

Panoramic view of Salzburg Tourismus Salzburg GmbH media_content.tooltip.skipped

Family in Salzburg Tourismus Salzburg GmbH media_content.tooltip.skipped

Haus der Natur, Salzburg (Museum of Natural History and Technology) Tourismus Salzburg GmbH media_content.tooltip.skipped

Exterior view Salzburg Museum Salzburg Museum Salzburg Museum media_content.tooltip.skipped

Kunst- und Wunderkammer im DomQuartier DomQuartier media_content.tooltip.skipped

Salzburg Christmas Museum on the Mozartplatz Tourismus Salzburg GmbH / G. Breitegger Salzburg Christmas Museum media_content.tooltip.skipped

DomQuartier Salzburg, Conference Room Tourismus Salzburg GmbH Domquartier Salzburg media_content.tooltip.skipped

The original Salzburger Mozartkugeln Tourismus Salzburg GmbH Café Confectionery Fürst media_content.tooltip.skipped

Cyclist on the banks of the river Salzach in Salzburg City Tourismus Salzburg GmbH / Andreas Hechenberger media_content.tooltip.skipped

Panoramic view across Salzburg Tourismus Salzburg GmbH media_content.tooltip.skipped

Salzburg Easter Festival OFS / Matthias Creutziger media_content.tooltip.skipped

The Salzburg Festival, cultural highlight of the year Tourismus Salzburg GmbH Großes Festspielhaus, Salzburg media_content.tooltip.skipped

Salzburg Festival, Festival masks Tourismus Salzburg GmbH Großes Festspielhaus, Salzburg media_content.tooltip.skipped

Schloss Hellbrunn mit Fürstentisch in Salzburg Tourismus Salzburg GmbH media_content.tooltip.skipped

The Salzburg Festival is the cultural highlight every summer and the SIEMENS Fest>Spiel>Nächte are an integral part of it. For more than 20 years, theatre and music performances have been screened on a huge LED screen on Kapitelplatz, allowing locals and visitors to watch them live for free.

Top Highlights in Salzburg

Hohensalzburg fortress, salzburg cathedral, mozart's birthplace, mirabell palace & gardens.

A Princely Residence and early Baroque edifice with paintings from the 16 th to 19 th century.

The old town's landmark! Find the Romanesque font inside where Mozart was baptised.

Visit the place where Mozart was born in the Getreidegasse, Salzburg's most famous street.

One of the "most beautiful wedding halls in the world", seen in "The Sound of Music".

We Are Family

Family in Salzburg Tourismus Salzburg GmbH Mozart's birthplace media_content.tooltip.skipped

Your family city break in Salzburg

Museum of natural history and technology.

Celebrates its 100th birthday this year! Discover dinosaurs, underwater worlds and more on 7,000 m2.

Exhibitions, playing grounds, interactive stations, and - of course - lots of toys .

Hellbrunn Palace & Trick Fountains

A unique outdoor spectacle that is over 400 years old - watch out for the hidden water jets!

Salzburg Zoo

Another must-see in Hellbrunn, home to 150 species and around 1,500 animals.

Salzburg Card

Your ticket to the city.

The Salzburg Card is your access to all of the city's major attractions, along with free use of public transportation. It is available for 24, 48 or 72 hours. Book it online here !

All benefits at a glance:

• one-time FREE admission to all city tourist attractions and museums
• free travel on public transport (except S-Bahn)
• attractive discounts on cultural events and concerts
• additional discounts at many excursion destinations
• for some sights, express entrance without queuing

Salzburg Card Tourismus Salzburg GmbH media_content.tooltip.skipped

Our favourite ...

• Domquartier Salzburg : Celebrates its 10th anniversary with the special exhibitition The Colours of La Serenissima (masters of Venetian art) - open from 21 June.
• Salzburg Open Air Museum : In the heart of Unterbergs Nature Park - celebrates its 40th birthday this year!
• Salzburg Museum : A city institution full of art objects and multimedia installations, bringing Salzburg's history to life.
• Mozart's Residence : From 1773 to 1787, Mozart lived at the so-called "Dance Master's House".
• Salzburg Christmas Museum : Discover the Christmas season in all its variety - this exhibition is unique in Europe.
• Hangar-7 : The Aviation museum is home to a big collection of historical aircraft from the Flying Bulls.
• Salzburg Whitsun Festival 17 - 20 May 2024
• Sommerszene (Summer Scene) 3 - 15 June 2024
• Salzburg Festival 19 July - 31 August 2024
• St. Rupert's Day Fair 20 - 24 September 2024
• Jazz and the City 17 - 20 October 2024

Our Insider Tips

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Celebrating it's 40th birthday this year, Salzburg Open Air Museum awaits with 100 rebuilt authentic historical buildings, telling tales of farming, trades, and rural crafts throughout the times.

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600 wooden marionettes, ten puppeteers, one great performance: Watch "The Magic Flute", "Mozart and Salieri" and the likes brought back to life by hand-made puppets.

[{ "@context": "http://schema.org/", "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "/static/img/icon/gusto.png", "contentUrl": "/static/img/icon/gusto.png", "caption": "Culinary Tip: Salzburger Nockerl", "isFamilyFriendly": true }] Culinary Tip: Salzburger Nockerl

No visit to Salzburg is complete without trying the city's signature dessert. Traditionally served in the shape of three peaked mounds, it's said to represent the three local mountains.

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The modern Untersbergbahn cable car takes walkers and hikers up the legendary Salzburg mountain in no time, where stunning views, various trails and picturesque picnic places await.

Get in Touch

Tourismus salzburg gmbh.

Auerspergstrasse 6

5020 Salzburg

A Summer in Austria - Your Daily Dose of 'Lebensgefühl'

Austria's nature, cultural treasures and moments full of pleasure - and the connection to the people who live here - are the framework for a special attitude to life.

The 12 best things to do in Salzburg

Nov 7, 2023 • 9 min read

A visit to the famous Schloss Mirabell is one of Salzburg's highlights © canadastock / Shutterstock

Salzburg is like a film set. Reclining at the foot of wooded cliffs on the banks of a turquoise river, its baroque-gone-mad Altstadt wings you through a millennium of history, with its jewel box of churches, abbeys, and domes. Everywhere you go, you are forced to look up in wonder: at the whopping hilltop fortress; at lavishly gilded palaces and concert halls where Mozart once performed; at mountains peeking up on the horizon where Maria (Julie Andrews) had her twirling The Sound of Music debut. 

You can pinch yourself, but it’s all fabulously real. Just don’t expect to have these streets to yourself – the word’s out that Salzburg has got it all going on. That said, there are ways to find peace in this city – whether it’s listening to Gregorian chorales at sunrise or a gentle cable car ride up a mountain where the Alps open up like a pop-up book. Read on for our top things to do in Salzburg.

1. Hear nuns sing at daybreak

As dawn breaks over the Alps, hoof it up the steep steps of the Nonnbergstiege to reach Stift Nonnberg by 6:45am to hear the hairs-on-end sound of nuns chanting Gregorian chorales at one of Europe’s oldest working abbeys. Founded by St Rupert, patron saint of Salzburg way back in 715 CE, the Benedictine abbey is off-limits apart from its rib-vaulted church, where you can glimpse Romanesque frescoes.

If it feels like déjà-vu up here, it’s no surprise: you probably have seen nuns waltzing to mass at this abbey before in The Sound of Music . And if you’re not an early riser, don’t worry, as you can hear their uplifting song again at 5:15pm on weekdays, 5pm on Saturdays, and 4:30pm on Sundays.

2. See the city from on high

Short but spectacular, the walk from Nonnberg to Festung Hohensalzburg along the Hohe Weg (Festungsgasse) lifts spirits instantly and gives a great overview of the city, with dress-circle views over the rooftops, spires, and domes of the baroque Altstadt to the forested mountains beyond. Walking up here, far above the hum of the city and toll of church bells, is really quite something. Round out your walk with a romp around the ramparts, lavish staterooms, and museums at the 900-year-old clifftop fortress.

3. Drink up at the Augustiner Bräustübl

It’s Oktoberfest 365 days a year at the Augustiner Bräustübl , an offshoot of the Munich-run brewery that is Germany’s oldest, dating to 1328. With its vaulted taverns and vast, 1400-seat beer garden set up under the shade of chestnut trees, this monk-founded brewery at the foot of Mönchsberg has given Salzburg rollicking good times since 1621. Fill your tankard at the foyer pump and visit the Schmankerlgang (deli stands) for hearty, beer-swigging grub like Stelze  (ham hock), pork belly, and pretzels as big as your head. Beers swing from mildly hoppy lagers to amber-hued wheat beers. You’ll find fewer tourists and a more authentic vibe here than at other beer halls in the Altstadt.

4. Sing along to The Sound of Music

Come on, you know you want to… You don’t have to be a die-hard fan of The Sound of Music or be able to hit the octave-leaping high notes like Julie Andrews to want to hop on a bike and belt out a few songs pedaling between film locations with Fräulein Maria’s Bicycle Tours . Do-Re-Mi, Sixteen Going on Seventeen, So Long, Farewell – all the classics are in the mix on this half-day bike tour that rolls from palace to plaza, park to abbey. Tours run from April to October – get in quick in summer as they are crazily popular.

5. Climb every mountain

Or maybe just the one. Puckering up on the German border, 1973m (6473ft)  Untersberg delivers a proper hit of mountain scenery on the fringes of the city. Stippled with wildflowers, the craggy summit is laced with hiking trails that open up sensational views of Salzburg, the Rositten Valley, and the Tyrolean, Salzburg and Bavarian Alpine ranges. Paragliders launch themselves from the peak in summer (listen for the whoosh), while in winter, there’s gentle skiing up here.

From the top station of the cable car, you can wander easy trails to lookouts like Geiereck (1805m; 5922ft) and Salzburg Hochthron (1853m; 6079ft), or trek a couple of hours across a karst plateau to the Schellenberger Ice Cave over the border in Bavaria. Either way, bring sturdy boots and a fleece or jacket, as temperatures are significantly cooler up here than down in the valley.

6. Get an art fix at Mönchsberg

With wooded cliffs rising above Salzburg like a theater curtain, 504m (1654ft) Mönchsberg – Monk Mountain – is named after the Benedictine monks of St Peter's Abbey. And the views? Well, they’re pretty heavenly, too, framing the fortress-topped Altstadt. Strike out on foot along trails weaving through meadows and woodland to Augustiner Bräustübl, and you’ll see all the way to the Austrian and Bavarian Alps on cloudless days.

If contemporary art floats your boat, you’ll be in your element at the Museum der Moderne , a strikingly minimalist oblong built from locally quarried Untersberg marble and plonked ceremoniously on top of the hill. You can race up here in the lift or take your time and walk from Festung Hohensalzburg. The gallery has an outstanding roster of 20th- and 21st-century art exhibitions. Outside, you can glimpse sculptures like American artist James Turrell’s Blue Pearl – Skyspace , an elliptical cylinder open to the sky that reflects the changing weathers, moods, lights and colors of the mountain.

7. Feel the Mozart groove at Schloss Mirabell

If you love Mozart but not the thought of sharing his symphonies with a ton of other tourists, give the kitschy Mozart dinners a skip and head to Schloss Mirabell instead. This fantasy 17th-century palace holds intimate chamber music concerts in its Marmorsaal (Marble Hall), a lavish confection of stucco, marble, and frescoes. Internationally acclaimed ensembles and soloists perform works by Mozart and other much-feted composers, including Vivaldi, Haydn, and Beethoven. Concerts are held at 8pm daily (except Friday and Monday). Tickets are like gold dust in summer, so book well ahead.

8. Marvel at puppetry magic at Salzburger Marionettentheater

You don’t have to be five years old to feel a sense of wonder at the Unesco World Heritage-listed  Salzburger Marionettentheater , where the red curtain has risen on a miniature stage since 1913. The theater is just as opulent as a full-size one, with its stucco ornament and chandeliers. The detail in costumes and backdrops is remarkable, and the puppeteers are among the most skilled of their kind (trust us, you’ll barely notice the strings as these marionettes dance, swoop, and fly through the air).

The repertoire star is The Sound of Music, with a life-sized Mother Superior and a marionette-packed finale. Other enchanting productions include Mozart's The Magic Flute and Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker . All have multilingual subtitles.

9. Swan around the gardens of Schloss Mirabell

Schloss Mirabell palace is the belle of the baroque ball in Salzburg, built by Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich to woo his mistress Salome Alt in 1606.  But it is the gardens that really blow you away. Archbishop Johann Ernst von Thun worked his green-fingered magic on them in 1690, going crazy with fountains and muses, parterres and rose gardens, all the while making sure that the gaze was constantly drawn up to high-on-a-hill Festung Hohensalzburg.

As you wander, keep an eye out for the Tänzerin (dancer) sculpture – a terrific spot to photograph the gardens with the fortress in the background. The Sound of Music fans will of course recognize the Pegasus statue, the steps, and the gnomes of the Zwerglgarten (Dwarf Garden), where the little von Trapps learned to sing Do-Re-Mi.

10. Cycle the banks of the Salzach

Unfurling from city to meadow and mountain, the banks of the Salzach River are a joy to cycle, especially when the city heaves in summer. Grab yourself a  rental bike and pedal south, with views of the Altstadt’s riot of domes and spires slowly fading as you pass the Volksgarten park.

Going for a pedal here allows you to give the city crowds the slip for a spell. Bring a picnic and make an afternoon of it, perhaps stopping to see the grand summer palace and trick fountains at Schloss Hellbrunn or, if the sun’s out, continuing south to Waldbad Anif . Swimming, canoeing, or wakeboarding in the refreshing turquoise waters of this forest-rimmed lake is a peaceful way to while away a summer afternoon.

11. Saunter along Steingasse

The baroque Altstadt on the left bank of the Salzach River gets all the fuss, and yes, it is incredibly beautiful, but it’s also nerve-fraying when the tourist masses descend in summer. For our money, the loveliest lane in Salzburg is Steingasse on the opposite side of the milky-green river. Hard though it is to believe today, this narrow lane was the main north–south route between the city and Italy in the Middle Ages, its cobbles polished smooth by many a horse’s hoof and wagon wheel. Salt from nearby mines was transported from here to Europe and beyond.

Now it’s the kind of lane that sends Instagrammers into raptures, with its gently curving medieval townhouses in soft fresco colors, at their most photogenic in the morning sunlight or lantern-lit in the blue dusk. Look out for the plaque at No.9 to famous past resident Joseph Mohr, who penned the lyrics to the carol Silent Night just after the end of the Napoleonic Wars.

12. Dig into traditional Austrian grub at Bärenwirt

There are a lot of fancy restaurants in Salzburg, with price tags to match, but sometimes all you want is schnitzel as big as a boot, cooked to golden perfection, and a side order of history. You’ll find precisely this at Bärenwirt , a warm, woody, hunting lodge-style tavern that has been juggling the pans since 1663. The inn forgoes all the new-fangled food trends in favor of good old-fashioned, gut-busting dishes like Bierbraten (beer roast) with lashings of dumplings and sauerkraut, beef goulash and Kasnocken (mini cheese dumplings with fried onions). If the weather is kind, snag a table on the terrace for a view of the Salzach River.

This article was first published July 2022 and updated November 2023

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18 Top-Rated Things to Do in Salzburg

Written by Bryan Dearsley and Joni Sweet Updated Dec 25, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Salzburg is one of Europe's most beautiful cities. Located in northwest Austria, it's as popular among tourists for its well-preserved historical architecture as it is for its magnificent Alpine setting.

This picturesque city stretches along both banks of the River Salzach as it emerges from the Salzburg Alps into lower land dominated by the 1,853-meter Untersberg. Its romantic Old Town district is a must-visit attraction, a compact neighborhood of narrow medieval streets and arcaded courtyards that are fun to explore. So, too, are the spacious squares of the residential area between the Neutor and the Neugebäude districts.

Salzburg also enjoys a special fame in the world of music as the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart . This rich musical heritage is reflected in tourist attractions such as the museum in his family home, various festivals showcasing his music, and even the melodies that ring out daily on the city's famous Glockenspiel. Several of Salzburg's attractions were also used as filming sites for The Sound of Music , and these are a particular draw for tourists.

Find out all the best places to visit while on vacation in this beautiful corner of Austria with our list of the best things to do in Salzburg.

1. Explore Salzburg's Old Town (Altstadt Salzburg)

2. climb to fortress hohensalzburg, 3. see st. peter's abbey, 4. visit historic st. peter's church, 5. tour salzburg cathedral, 6. explore the residenzplatz, 7. explore the salzburg residenz and the residenzgalerie, 8. see how the wealthy of old lived: hellbrunn palace and fountains, 9. mirabell palace and gardens, 10. visit the franciscan church, 11. mozart's birthplace, 12. salzburg's festival theaters, 13. neugebäude & the salzburg carillon, 14. st. sebastian's church and cemetery, 15. see the old town hall, 16. climb to the salzburg catacombs, 17. ride the cable car to the top of the untersberg, 18. take a drive to hallein and the celtic museum, where to stay in salzburg for sightseeing, tips and tours: how to make the most of your visit to salzburg, salzburg, austria - climate chart, more must-see destinations near salzburg.

From University Square (Universitätsplatz), a number of wonderful passageways known as "Durchhäuser" weave northward to Getreidegasse . This busy pedestrian area has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is lined with quaint old merchant homes dating from the 15th to the 18th centuries.

Highlights of a walking tour of this Old Town area are its many original wrought-iron shop and inn signs, along with its many quiet old courtyards. And it's a big area to cover, encompassing some 580 acres in the heart of Salzburg, all of it just begging to be explored.

The area is also home to numerous art galleries, boutique shops, as well as jewelry and craft workshops. There are also plenty of cafés and restaurants, many with street-front patios that make for pleasant spots to kick back and do some people watching.

At the eastern end of Getreidegasse lies the Kranzlmarkt. Here, you'll find the old Town Hall (Rathaus) surrounded by even more old medieval houses, some as tall as five stories. In the Old Market (Alter Markt) stands the 13th-century Court Pharmacy (Hofapotheke), while in the middle of the square is the 17th-century St. Florian's Fountain. This latter attractive landmark is known for its unique octagonal basin and an even older spiral grille from 1583.

Other Old Town sightseeing opportunities include the Judengasse with its narrow, twisting lanes, and the Chiemseehof . Built in 1305, the latter was the residence of the Prince Bishops of Chiemsee until 1806. It's worth seeing for its arcaded courtyard decorated with coats of arms.

Salzburg is dominated by the picturesque Fortress Hohensalzburg (Festung Hohensalzburg), a stunning historic fortress that dominates the city skyline. Situated on the southeastern summit of the Mönchsberg, the original castle was built in 1077, and much of what's seen today dates from the early 1500s.

You can reach the castle by a pleasant 20-minute walk from the Old Town center or via a funicular railway from Festungsgasse. The approach to the fortress passes through a number of impressive arched defensive gateways under the 17th-century Fire Bastion to the Reisszug, a unique hoist dating from 1504 once used to haul supplies. It then continues through the Horse Gate into the Haupthof, or outer ward, with its ancient lime tree and a cistern from 1539.

Other highlights include the courtyard, with its tiny Church of St. George (Georgskirche) from 1502, and the famous Salzburg Bull (Salzburger Stier). This historic organ dating from 1502 still plays daily and seems to echo the carillon in the Neugebäude.

Interior highlights include the sumptuous Princes' Apartments, with their Late Gothic décor and fine painted wainscoting; the Golden Room (Goldene Stube), with its marble doorways; and the Golden Hall, with gold bosses on the blue coffered ceiling and red marble columns.

Also worth seeing are the Fortress Museum , with weapons and torture devices, and the Rainer Regiment Museum containing artifacts from the old Salzburg household regiment. English language guided tours of the fortress are available and include options geared toward families and children.

Address: Mönchsberg 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria

Official site: www.salzburg-burgen.at/en/hohensalzburg-castle/

On the western side of Salzburg's Kapitelplatz stands the Benedictine Abbey of St. Peter (Erzabtei St. Peter). Founded by St. Rupert in 690 CE, this impressive building complex served as the residence of the Archbishops until 1110.

While the present buildings date mainly from the 17th and 18th centuries, they remain an impressive testament to the order's architectural skills. The best example of this can be seen in the building's tall onion-shaped tower, one of the first of its kind in Europe.

Highlights include St. Peter's Churchyard (Friedhof St. Peter), an impressive burial ground surrounded on three sides by arcades and family tombs from the 17th century. To the south, it backs onto the sheer rock face of the Mönchsberg, where you'll find Early Christian catacombs and St. Maximus' Chapel, hewn from the solid rock.

A passage leads from the churchyard into the outer courtyard graced by St. Peter's Fountain (Petrusbrunnen) built in 1673. Also of note here is the Haydn memorial depicting the life and work of Johann Michael Haydn, brother of famed composer Joseph Haydn.

Another important Salzburg landmark is Nonnberg Abbey , founded in 714 CE. The abbey is also the site of what is reputedly Europe's oldest restaurant, St. Peter Stiftskulinarium, which was founded prior to 803 CE.

Address: Sankt-Peter-Bezirk 1, 5020 Salzburg, Austria

One of Salzburg's oldest and most attractive churches, St. Peter's Church (Stiftskirche St. Peter) has undergone many transformations over the years. Completed in 1143, it was added to and altered in 1625, and decorated in Rococo style between 1757 and 1783, when its distinctive helm tower was added. The church is also known as the "Abbey Church" for its location within the St. Peter's Abbey complex.

Inside the porch under the tower is the Romanesque west doorway dating from 1240. In the interior, the plan of the Romanesque basilica can still be detected, along with monuments including the rock-hewn tomb of St. Rupert with an epitaph from 1444.

Other notable monuments are those dedicated to Mozart's sister Marianne (Nannerl), who died in 1829, and to JM Haydn, brother of Joseph. Other highlights are the painted altarpieces on the 16 marble altars and the Lady Chapel (Marienkapelle) from 1319, which contains a stone figure of the Virgin, along with Early Gothic frescoes and later frescoes from 1755.

A prominent building thanks to its twin 79-meter tall towers, Salzburg Cathedral (Salzburger Dom) was completed in 1657 and is famous for its Italian style and its role as the location of Mozart's baptism. The building's west front, facing the Domplatz , has four colossal marble statues, the outer ones representing St. Rupert and Virgil, patron saints of the province. The inner ones depict Peter and Paul.

Notable features include its three massive bronze doors with their symbols of Faith, Love, and Hope; the high altar with its Resurrection painted in 1628; and the superb frescoes in the vaulting. The burial vaults and artifacts in the crypt are also worth seeing.

Be sure to visit the Cathedral Museum . This important cultural attraction features a variety of collections of liturgical objects and objets d'art from the Salzburg archdiocese. These include the 8th-century Carolingian Cross of St. Rupert, Gothic statues and paintings, and items from the Cathedral Treasury.

Also, check the cathedral's website in advance of your visit for details of upcoming concerts and recitals.

Address: Domplatz 1a, 5020 Salzburg, Austria

At the very heart of Salzburg's Old Town (Altstadt) on the left bank of the Salzach is the Residenzplatz. One of the city's largest squares, it's the best place from which to begin exploring the many tourist attractions and things to do that this beautiful city has to offer.

The focal point of the Residenzplatz is the stunning Residenzbrunnen . This masterpiece of marble was made by an Italian sculptor in 1661 and is the largest and finest Baroque fountain this side of the Alps. Standing 15 meters high with splendid figures of bold horses, along with the god Atlas bearing dishes, it also impresses with its dolphins. Crowning the whole display is a Triton with a conch shell.

From here, it's easy to spend time relaxing in the terraced cafés and boutique shops lining the adjoining streets. You can also jump right in and visit key attractions such as Salzburg Cathedral and the Residenz , the former palace of the city's Prince Bishops.

The square is also frequently used for concerts and celebrations such as public New Year's Eve parties and the excellent Salzburg Christmas Market.

Address: Residenzplatz, 5020 Salzburg, Austria

Dominating the western side of Salzburg's Residenzplatz is the Residenz, the former palace of the city's once powerful Prince Bishops. Built between 1596 and 1619, this huge palace is laid out around three courtyards, with a large marble gateway added in 1710.

Its spectacular State Apartments are lavishly decorated in Late Baroque and Early Neoclassical style and with exquisite wall and ceiling paintings, rich stucco ornaments, and handsome fireplaces. Of particular note are the Knights' Hall (Rittersaal), the Conference Hall (Konferenzsaal), and the splendid Audience Hall (Audienzsaal) containing Flemish tapestries from the 1600s and fine Parisian furniture.

Other highlights include the White Hall (Weisse Saal), with its superb stucco ornaments in Louis XVI style from 1776; the Function Room (Gesellschaftszimmer), with 18th-century silk carpets; and the Imperial Hall (Kaisersaal), with its portraits of Holy Roman Emperors and Kings of the Habsburg dynasty.

The Residenzgalerie , an art gallery established in 1923, displays works of European painters from the 16th to 19th centuries. The collection includes paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, and Brueghel.

Address: Residenzplatz 1, 5020 Salzburg, Austria

Official site: https://www.domquartier.at/en/residenz/

Markus Sittikus, Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg, commissioned this pleasure palace in 1613 as a place to relax and entertain. Never intended as a residence, Hellbrunn Palace (Schloss Hellbrunn) is nonetheless quite grand, and a tour gives you an inside look into the world of these immensely wealthy and powerful rulers of both church and state.

Sittikus conceived of unusual entertainments for his guests. These include a garden of trick water features and fountains, where an innocent looking statue of pavement may suddenly turn into a shower, or what appear to be benches around a table suddenly begin to spout water all over guests. The tour is lighthearted and fun, especially for children and those who don't mind getting a bit wet (it's a good idea to keep your camera and phone covered).

Apart from the trick fountains and beautiful flower gardens, the park is interesting as the site of the gazebo and grand alley of trees used in filming The Sound of Music . In December, the gardens are home to a lovely Christmas Market; entrance to a nearby folk museum is included in the admission ticket.

Address: Fürstenweg 37, Hellbrunn, Salzburg, Austria

Official site: www.hellbrunn.at/en/

Another garden used in the filming of The Sound of Music is at Salzburg's lovely Mirabell Palace (Schloss Mirabell). This excellent example of Baroque landscape design was laid out in 1690 with numerous terraces, marble statues, and fountains.

The palace itself was remodeled in Baroque style between 1721-27 before being restored in the simpler Neoclassical style after a fire in 1818. Highlights of a visit include the spectacular Grand Staircase, built in the 18th-century, with a number of statues by Georg Raphael Donner and his pupils.

Other interesting features are the Marble Hall, which is still used for concerts and functions, and the Schloss Mirabell Baroque Museum . Housed in the Gardener's Building (the Gärtnergebäude), the museum is part of the estate's Orangery, and exhibits European art of the 17th and 18th centuries.

Also of note is the former 18th-century aviary, now used for exhibitions. Of interest, too, is the small open-air theater located at the southwestern corner of the gardens.

Address: Mirabellplatz 4, Salzburg, Austria

To the north of St. Peter's Church stands the Franciscan Church (Franziskanerkirche), the town's parish church until 1635. Notable features of the exterior are the high roof of the choir, and the tower on the south side from 1498.

Interior features of note include the dark 13th-century Romanesque nave, which contrasts with the high, bright 15th-century Gothic choir. In front of a ring of Baroque chapels dating from 1606 stands the high altar, added in 1709 and notable for its late 15th-century carved Madonna.

In the central chapel behind the altar is a winged marble altar from 1561 from the old cathedral. Opposite the church is the still-operating Franciscan Friary. Visitors are welcome to attend mass here.

Address: Franziskanergasse 5, 5020 Salzburg, Austria

The house where Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born on January 27th, 1756, is one of the best places to visit in Salzburg if you're a fan of classical music. Highlights include the rooms once occupied by the Mozart family, and a museum displaying numerous interesting mementos, including the young Mozart's violin, portraits, and original scores of his compositions.

Engaging exhibits introduce his family members and their life and explore his operatic works, with costumes, set designs, and models and excerpts from his operas. One room is furnished as it would have been in his time. English language guided tours can be arranged.

Address: Getreidegasse 9, Salzburg, Austria

Official site: https://mozarteum.at/en/museums/mozarts-birthplace/

Salzburg has long been famous for its music festivals, as shown by the city's many historic theaters and concert halls. Collectively known as the Festival Theaters (Festspielhäuser), these buildings consist of the large Festspielhau ; the smaller Haus für Mozart , between which is a foyer with fine frescoes; and the Karl-Böhm Hall , used for exhibitions and receptions.

It's in this building, decorated by superb 17th-century frescoes, that the famous Salzburg Festival has been held since 1925. This popular multi-week-long summer event showcases the best of European music and drama.

Other major Salzburg festivals include Mozart Week , a winter event focusing on the works of the great Austrian composer; and Salzburg Cultural Days , an annual two-week festival in October that includes symphonic and chamber concerts and opera performances.

For a completely different theatrical experience, visit the Salzburg Marionette Theater . Eestablished in 1913, it's one of the oldest puppet theaters in the world.

Address: Hofstallgasse 1, A-5010 Salzburg, Austria

Official site: www.salzburgerfestspiele.at/summer

Opposite the Salzburg Residenz is the New Building (Neugebäude), erected in 1602 as the Archbishop's guesthouse and enlarged in 1670. Now home to provincial government offices and the Salzburg Museum , the building is famous for its carillon, the famous Glockenspiel.

Built in 1702, it contains 35 bells that play tunes from Mozart's vast repertoire three times per day (7am, 11am, and 6pm). Guided tours of the tower offering a unique view of the workings of this impressive mechanism are available.

A highlight of the experience is hearing the famous Salzburg Bull, the organ in neighboring Hohensalzburg palace, respond to the carillon with a chorale. Also, be sure to visit the lovely 18th-century St. Michael's Church (Michaelskirche) on the north side of the Residenzplatz at the corner of Mozartplatz with its Mozart Monument from 1842.

Address: Mozartpl. 1, 5020 Salzburg, Austria

A highlight of Salzburg's more modern district on the right bank of the Salzach is St. Sebastian's Church (Sebastianskirche). Built in 1512 and completely remodeled in Rococo style in 1753, the church features a flight of steps leading to St. Sebastian Cemetery (Friedhof).

Established in 1595, in the middle of the cemetery, stands St. Gabriel's Chapel (Gabrielskapelle), with its ornate ceramic decoration, completed in 1603 as a mausoleum for Archbishop Wolf Dietrich.

On the path to the chapel lie the graves of Mozart's father, Leopold, and his widow, Konstanze. To the west of the church is a passage leading to the Loreto Convent (Loretokloster) and Paris-Lodron-Strasse.

Address: Linzer Gasse 41, 5020 Salzburg, Austria

With its Rococo facade and iconic tower, the Old Town Hall makes for one of the most attractive sites in Salzburg. It served important roles throughout history: sounding the bell when curfew was near, keeping time for the public, and as a watchtower.

Today, its purpose is mainly to share local culture with tourists and provide a space for bureaucratic offices. Check out rotating exhibitions of works from Salzburg artists in the City Gallery , located on the first floor. While the second floor is primarily used for city council meetings, it also displays Franz Kulstrunk's famous painting The Town of Salzburg in 1916 , on view for the public.

Address: Kranzlmarkt 1, 5020 Salzburg, Austria

Just past St. Sebastian's Church and Cemetery are catacombs carved into the face of the Mönchsberg rock. The attraction, estimated to be about 1,000 years old, served dual purposes as both a hermitage and a burial site. You may recognize it from The Sound of Music as the place where the Trapp family sought refuge before fleeing to Switzerland.

To reach the two levels of the catacombs open to the public, you'll need to climb a set of old, steep stone steps (grippy shoes are a must!). The first level contains the "Gertrauden Chapel," while the upper part houses the "Maximus Chapel," which is thought to be even older. You can also see an incredible view of Salzburg from the windows and balcony.

The Untersberg, a popular recreation area with a rugged peak, draws outdoors lovers from around the world. You can reach the top by taking a ride on the Untersbergbahn (cable car), located about 10 kilometers south of the city and easily reached by bus. The 8.5-minute ride in one of the two gondola-like cars is a delight, offering dazzling views of Salzburg, the Rositten Valley, and the entire Berchtesgaden region.

The best vistas, however, can be found when the cable car drops you off near the Geiereck 1,805-meter-tall Geiereck summit and you're looking down on the fluffy white clouds and the snowcapped Alps. It's no surprise that many couples get engaged in this beautiful spot.

Spend an hour or two exploring the stunning high Alpine terrain, and when you're ready to refuel, simply pull up a seat at the mountaintop café for coffee and strudel.

Address: Dr.-Friedrich-Oedl-Weg 2, 5083, Austria

Official site: https://www.untersbergbahn.at/

The old Celtic town of Hallein on the River Salzach, a 10-minute-drive from Salzburg city center, is one of the several interesting places to visit near Salzburg. The town is especially popular for its picturesque narrow streets, gateways, and statues, as well as the historic homes built in typical Salzach style.

Hallein is the birthplace of organist Franz Xaver Gruber, composer of Silent Night. It's also where you'll find the Celtic Museum (Keltenmuseum Hallein), one of the largest and most complete museums of Celtic art and history in all Europe. Set in a former 17th-century orphanage, this reconstructed Celtic farmstead includes buildings and tools used by Celt settlers, as well as an ancient burial chamber.

Other highlights include displays of finds from the Hallstatt and La Tène (Iron Age) periods from 800-15 BC. There are also exhibits portraying local customs and the history of town guilds.

Address: Pflegerplatz 5, Hallein, Austria

Perfect for touring on foot, the picturesque streets of Salzburg's old town, almost directly under the walls of the formidable Hohensalzburg fortress, contain the cathedral; St. Peter's Abbey; and the palace, with its state apartments and museums. The funicular to the fortress is nearby, and just across the river is Mirabell Palace and gardens. Here are some highly rated hotels close to these Salzburg attractions:

Luxury Hotels :

• Spacious rooms at Hotel Goldgasse offer historic charm and modern facilities in the center of the pedestrianized old town.
• Equally well-located, within steps of attractions, is the elegant Hotel Goldener Hirsch , a Luxury Collection Hotel.
• Sister hotel to the landmark Hotel Sacher Vienna, the lavishly furnished Hotel Sacher Salzburg overlooks the river, and is just a short walk from the old town and from Mirabell Palace.

Mid-Range Hotels:

• Across the river, a block from the bridge leading directly into the center of the old town, Stadtkrug Hotel is also close to the Mirabell.
• Boutique Hotel Am Dom is in a restored historic building in the center of the pedestrianized old town.
• If old town charm is not important, IMLAUER HOTEL PITTER Salzburg is located near the train station, behind Mirabell Palace, and a 15-minute walk from the main attractions.

Budget Hotels:

• Star Inn Hotel Salzburg Zentrum has pleasant, plain rooms in a residential neighborhood on the other side of the Hohensalzburg fortress, a 10-minute walk to the old town through a pedestrian tunnel.
• The nearby family-run Haus Wartenberg has the character and charm of a traditional building with modern facilities and larger rooms that are ideal for families.
• Close to the rail and bus station, Pension Adlerhof has limited free parking and free continental breakfast, but you'll have a 30-minute walk or a bus ride to the Old Town.
• Sound of Music Tour : If you're a fan of The Sound of Music, you can reminisce about your favorite scenes at some of the movie's best-known locations and sing along to the soundtrack on The Original Sound of Music Tour in Salzburg . But you don't have to be a fan of the movie to appreciate the history and beauty of Salzburg's top attractions and architectural gems, which are also included on this tour. Top it off with a visit to the beautiful Lake District and the quaint town of Mondsee, where the movie's wedding took place.
• Eagle's Nest Tour : To soak up some fascinating history and see the spectacular scenery of the Bavarian Alps at the same time, sign up for the Eagle's Nest in Berchtesgaden Tour from Salzburg . On this half-day guided tour, you'll see Hellbrunn Castle and the Königsee River Valley before heading up to the Eagle's Nest, Hitler's former mountain retreat in Bavaria, where you can learn about its history and admire the views. Before heading home, you'll have a chance to explore the quaint German mountain town of Berchtesgaden.
• Mountains and Mining Tour : Another tour that blends history with striking scenery is the Bavarian Mountains and Salt-Mines Tour . After a scenic drive along the King's Lake River, this half-day guided tour takes you deep into an underground salt mine, where you can learn about its 450-year old history, take a tour on a mini-train, and cruise around a subterranean salt lake. This tour also ends with a stroll around Berchtesgaden before you head home.

Salzburg sits close to the border between Austria and Germany , almost equidistant from Munich and Innsbruck . Passau, in northern Bavaria , is about the same distance to the north, and farther east on the Danube is Linz . Just across the border to the west, the German town of Berchtesgaden and the idyllic Königsee are easy day trips from Salzburg . To the southeast is the beautiful town of Hallstatt and the Hallstätter Sea, part of the Dachstein/Salzkammergut Alpine UNESCO World Heritage Site. About halfway between Salzburg and Innsbruck is the Austrian ski resort of Kitzbuhel .

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Salzburg   Travel Guide

17 Best Things To Do in Salzburg

Updated May 16, 2022

Would you rather live like a king or a world-renowned classical composer? If you choose the former, you'll find yourself at home in the Schloss Hellbrunn  admiring its furniture and the grounds, or in the Mirabellgarten  while perusing the flowers.

• All Things To Do

Altstadt (Old Town) Altstadt (Old Town) free

Since this central district – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – contains some of the city's most popular attractions, such as  Mozarts Geburtshaus  and the  Salzburg Museum , you will undoubtedly spend hours exploring here. Fellow travelers recommend not rushing through it, however, since there are tons of architectural marvels, markets and shops to see.

Wander around Altstadt's Judengasse (the Jewish District) and examine the St. Florian Fountain in the Alter Markt, a marketplace that dates back to the 13th century. And for architecture buffs, spend plenty of time gazing at the neighborhood's array of buildings. Some structures were originally constructed during the Middle Ages, while others are more contemporary and show Alstadt's progression over time.

Dom zu Salzburg (Salzburg Cathedral) Dom zu Salzburg (Salzburg Cathedral) free

A giant monument to this city's religion, power and wealth, Dom zu Salzburg awes visitors with its turquoise domes and towering facade. Built, burned and rebuilt multiple times in the past millennia, the current structure – which was renovated in the 1940s and 50s after the roof suffered damage from World War II – demonstrates the pinnacle of early Baroque ecclesiastical architecture.

During your visit to this 17th-century monument, pay particular attention to the structure's smaller details – such as the statues of apostles Peter and Paul at the front, or the individual murals on the copulas – to appreciate its supreme craftsmanship and ornamentation. And music lovers will appreciate the cathedral's prominence in Mozart's life: The building served as the location of the musical prodigy's baptism, as well as where some of his pieces were composed during his time as an organist.

Mirabellgarten (Mirabell Gardens) Mirabellgarten (Mirabell Gardens) free

This 17th-century paradise on the east side of the Salzach River shelters notable sites like the Pegasus Fountain, the Dwarf Garden and the set of stairs where Julie Andrews and company practiced "Do-Re-Mi" in "The Sound of Music." Visitors like to explore the beautiful winding paths, snap photos of the unique sculptures or simply drink in the sights. Angel Staircase, a supreme example of the Baroque style, impresses visitors daily.

If you can, visit in summer. That's when Mirabellgarten's flowers are in bloom. In the backdrop, you'll see Schloss Mirabell (Mirabell Palace), which hosts Salzburg's municipal government.

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Festung Hohensalzburg (Hohensalzburg Fortress) Festung Hohensalzburg (Hohensalzburg Fortress)

Never conquered by enemy troops, Festung Hohensalzburg opened to the public in the late 19th century. It was originally built in 1077 in preparation for a conflict between Pope Gregor VII and Emperor Henry IV. Over the centuries, the complex has grown, serving as a prison, an army camp and, of course, a military stronghold. Today, a torture chamber, several courtyards and three small museums – the Fortress, the Rainer Regiments and the Marionette – reside within its walls.

When you visit, you'll notice this fortress' rugged purposes did not dissuade rulers from adorning the interior lavishly. Some of the oldest Gothic-style rooms have intricate wood paneling, elaborate door frames and vaulted ceilings, all of which have been beautifully maintained, according to past travelers. And despite the eclectic decor, most people appreciate the imposing exterior. For stunning views of Salzburg and the surrounding area, make your way to the top of the compound – a highlight for many recent visitors.

Schloss Hellbrunn (Hellbrunn Palace) Schloss Hellbrunn (Hellbrunn Palace)

Although "The Sound of Music" was shot at a handful of locations throughout Salzburg, the movie's gazebo scene, where Liesl and Rolf sang "Sixteen Going on Seventeen," was filmed at Schloss Hellbrunn. But even without the cult movie's following, travelers say this 17th-century palace would still be enormously popular. The simple exterior hides exquisitely decorated rooms, ballrooms and halls (check out the octagonal music room). Here, you'll preview the lives of Salzburg's archbishops, the former religious and political rulers of the region who built its pleasure palaces, which were primarily used for enjoyment and recreation.

Immaculately maintained, the gardens have stolen much of the thunder from the actual residence. This 17th-century palace is the only royal estate in the world that will squirt you with water if you aren't looking. The Wasserspiele, or trick fountains, send streams of cool water at visitors from humorously placed jets – an archbishop's idea of a joke. So, if you're not looking to get wet, make sure to wear a poncho while wandering the gardens.

Cable Car Untersberg (Untersbergbahn) Cable Car Untersberg (Untersbergbahn)

Winter sports enthusiasts, hikers and those in search of a panoramic view will all appreciate the Untersbergbahn, a cable car that takes travelers up the Untersberg mountain range in just 8.5 minutes. At the top of the mountain, which sits more than 6,000 feet above sea level, visitors are rewarded with spectacular views of Salzburg, the Berchtesgaden region and the Rositten valley.

Originally opened in 1961 and renovated in 2018, the funicular features two cable cars that can each accommodate up to 50 passengers. When visitors disembark at the top, they'll find themselves in alpine terrain with a variety of hiking trails at their fingertips. Closed-toe footwear that provides traction is necessary, as is appropriately warm clothing – even summer may be chilly. To get back down, visitors can hop back on the Untersbergbahn.

Mozarts Geburtshaus (Mozart's Birthplace) Mozarts Geburtshaus (Mozart's Birthplace)

If you're looking to tour a quintessential Salzburg attraction, then a stop at Mozarts Geburtshaus is a must. Born on Jan. 27, 1756 on the third floor of this property, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart resided with his family here until 1773. Now the building houses a museum that chronicles the musical prodigy's early years. Artifacts from his life are spread out between this site and  Mozarts Wohnhaus , where the famous composer also lived.  

If you're short on time and can only visit one of these melodious houses, however, spring for Mozarts Geburtshaus. On display there are exhibits like Wolfgang's childhood violin, portraits and family letters. Exhibits are stretched among three levels: Visitors learn about Mozart's family and birth on the third floor, progress to his opera-composing period on the second, and get an insight into his everyday family life on the final ground floor. Travelers claim all of the exhibits are extremely informative and interesting, even if you aren't big on classical music.

DomQuartier Salzburg DomQuartier Salzburg

In the 1500s, Salzburg's prince-archbishops planned an Italian Baroque-style city center that today is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The elaborate buildings they commissioned reflected the prince-archbishops' power over both religious and more earthly matters. The resulting DomQuartier is a series of harmoniously conceived buildings: a cathedral, Residenz precinct and St. Peter's Abbey.

Visitors to the Residenz can tour the prince-archbishops' elaborate state rooms, which feature Italianate frescoes, soaring arched ceilings and elaborate flooring. The Residenzgalerie boasts a collection of European paintings spanning the 16th to 19th centuries. Meanwhile, the Cathedral Museum permanently exhibits artwork from the Salzburg Archdiocese that date back as far as the eighth century, as well as temporary art exhibits. St. Peter's Abbey is also easily accessed in the DomQuartier.

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Salzburg Zoo Hellbrunn Salzburg Zoo Hellbrunn

For nature lovers, there is an animal for everyone at Salzburg Zoo Hellbrunn. Home to 150 species and more than 1,500 animals, the zoo groups animals by continent of origin and provides spacious, naturalistic enclosures. Among the animals you'll spot here are African penguins, cheetahs, lemurs, kangaroos and a variety of reptiles.

For those visiting Salzburg for its history, there is plenty of that at the zoo, too. In the 15th century, the area was part of a wildlife park at Hellbrunn Estate. The palace and fountains remain popular attractions in their own right.

Haus der Natur Haus der Natur

Conceived as the "new natural history museum," Haus der Natur was founded in 1924. Today, it offers family-friendly nature presentations spread out across more than 75,000 square feet. There is an aquarium, an outer space hall, and exhibits on dinosaurs and the human body.

Haus der Natur brings visitors face to face with fish and reptiles at its Aquarium & Reptile Zoo. Meanwhile, the Science Center offers hands-on experiments – a reprieve from the no-touch rules at Salzburg's historic sites – that explore everything from physics and music to electricity and water. What's more, there are a dozen permanent exhibits and a rotating cast of temporary exhibits. An observatory, a cafe and a gift shop round out the offerings.

St. Peter's Abbey St. Peter's Abbey free

St. Peter's Abbey was founded in 696, making it one of the oldest monasteries in the German-speaking region. It includes St. Peter's Church, Friedhof St. Peter (a cemetery), the oldest library in Austria and the oldest restaurant in central Europe. The cemetery's catacombs date to antiquity, and are considered a must-see for "The Sound of Music" fans (the von Trapp family hid here before escaping the Nazis).

Against the backdrop of beautiful 17th-century abbey architecture (much of it restored and updated in varying styles), Mozart composed "Dominicus Mass," which the abbot commissioned in 1769. Not long after, Haydn was similarly commissioned to write "Rupert Mass." The strong musical tradition continues today, with concert events and dinner concerts in various parts of the abbey complex.

Petersfriedhof (St. Peter's Cemetery) Petersfriedhof (St. Peter's Cemetery) free

Friedhof St. Peter is one of the world's oldest cemeteries, believed to date back to late antiquity. Nestled in the St. Peter's Abbey complex, it is the final resting place of many of Salzburg's aristocratic families, as well as Maria Anna Mozart – Wolfgang Amadeus' older sister, and a musician in her own right. Its catacombs are another highlight here. They were carved into the Mönchsberg mountain and are believed to date back to the 1100s.

Along with its notable inhabitants, the cemetery is famous for its beautiful architecture. This includes the Romanesque Chapel of the Holy Cross and St. Margaret's Chapel. The cemetery's beautiful setting and haunting catacombs made it an ideal filming location for a dramatic scene in "The Sound of Music."

Salzburg Museum Salzburg Museum

The Salzburg Museum has a wide range of archaeological and artistic treasures: from a 17th-century carillon (a set of mechanized bells) that plays Mozart compositions to religious Renaissance paintings and artifacts from Salzburg's early Roman origins. The most remarkable exhibit (listed as a separate museum for admission) contains several 360-degree panorama paintings. Still, recent visitors profess the true marvel of the museum is the facility itself.

In 2007, the Salzburg Museum reopened at a new location in Altstadt . The museum is located inside the Neue Residenz, an "overflow" palace for royal guests, diplomats and advisors. While most recent visitors were impressed with the building, they offered less praise for the displays, which some described as boring. However, if you're hoping to gain a better understanding of Salzburg history, in addition to the impact of current events, this could be a worthy stop.

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After drinking in Salzburg's history, help yourself to a taste of its beer. Stiegl Brauwelt is the city's largest private brewery. Boasting a brewpub, a beer garden, a beer bar and a gourmet restaurant, as well as a museum, Stiegl-Brauwelt takes its craft seriously. They have to – 90,000 bottles of Stiegl beer are filled each hour!

Once you enjoy a drink or a meal, tour the museum to learn about the history of brewing at Stiegl. Many different interactive tours are offered. The general guided tour includes three beer tastings. There are also family friendly options, including a student program and treasure hunt. Self-guided visits are also available.

Mozarts Wohnhaus (Mozart's Residence) Mozarts Wohnhaus (Mozart's Residence)

Before Mozart relocated to Vienna , he wrote many cherished symphonies, concertos and operas at Mozarts Wohnhaus, the composer's former home, which sits across the Salzach River from  Mozarts Gerburtshaus  and Festung Hohensalzburg . Unfortunately, only a third of the original house remains intact due to a World War II bomb blast. An office building was initially constructed in the devastated section, but was torn down in 1994. The property has since been restored to its original state.

Exhibitions at Mozarts Wohnhaus display the composer's original drafts and sheet music written in Salzburg. Most notably, Mozart's original pianoforte resides here, as well as a famous portrait of the Mozart family. And although some recent visitors wished more information was provided about Mozart's life, many appreciated the artifacts on display. However, if you only have time to visit one Mozart site, visitors suggest his birthplace rather than this museum.

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Home » Travel Guides » Austria » 15 Best Things to Do in Salzburg (Austria)

15 Best Things to Do in Salzburg (Austria)

Salzburg is one of the most renowned cities in Austria and Europe, and has possibly the best-preserved old town centre full of beautiful baroque architecture which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This charming Austrian town is most famous for being the birthplace of the classical composer Mozart, but has so much more in terms of historical sights and fun attractions. The list below details the top things to do in Salzburg and contains a wide variety, from Museums and Gardens to Churches and Mountains.

Lets explore the best things to do in Salzburg :

1. Salzburg Fortress

Otherwise known as Hohensalzburg Castle, this imposing Fortress sits in a dominating position on top of the Festungsberg Hill and has been a major power hive for the rulers of Salzburg since the 1000’s.

Since its inception, the castle has undergone many transformations, additions and expansions including a Funicular Cable Car leading from the bottom of the Hill that allows easy access for tourists.

The striking white exterior of the building stands out, while there are many courtyards and walls to look down on the city of Salzburg from.

Inside, there are many rooms and wings to explore containing various artefacts and traditional decor; a large Aerophon (Organ) sits in the powder room, while the Golden Hall contains many marble pillars and the Chapel is decorated with Stuccos and Ornate busts.

The fortress is without a doubt the number one attraction in Salzburg and a wonderful piece of history.

2. Salzburg Old Town

One of the largest UNESCO World Heritage sights by area, the Salzburg Old town or Altstadt encompasses many of the City’s main sights and is full of historical buildings, beautifully designed squares and quaint little side-streets leading off to forgotten corners.

The building style consists mainly of Medieval and Baroque architecture and the old town is just a great place to walk through.

The Old Town is a perfect starting place for your time in Salzburg and you could easily spend a day getting lost in the streets, admiring the sights, having a coffee or maybe doing some shopping.

3. Mirabell Palace and Gardens

Salzburg is not short on historical buildings and gardens, but the Mirabell Palace is outstanding and is one of the finest in Austria.

Listed as a cultural heritage monument, the Palace was built in 1606 and was used mainly as a pleasure palace.

As well as the striking Marble Hall which is a venue for Palace Concerts, the Palace also has a wondrous set of gardens that can be explored at your leisure.

The garden gives great views to Salzburg Cathedral and has a symmetrical design with emphasis on mythology including the Pegasus Fountain and lots of other fountains, hedges, and themed gardens.

If you enjoy maintained Gardens and being in the outdoors, the palace is a brilliant place to visit.

4. Mozart’s Residence

Wherever you go in Salzburg, the influence and fame of Mozart is apparent – Born in a small house originally, the family moved to what is now known as “Mozarts Wohnhaus” in Makartplatz.

The building was reconstructed as closely as possible to the original design after its destruction during World War II and is now open as a museum.

This fantastic museum contains biographies of the family members together with displays of their day to day life and how they would have lived.

For any Mozart fan this museum is a must.

Available activity : Mozart Concert with Dinner

5. Hellbrunn Castle/Palace

Located in the southern Morgz district of Salzburg, Hellbrunn Castle or Palace is surrounded by a beautiful park and also has the Salzburg Zoo close by.

Created in the 1600’s as a residential villa much like Mirabell Palace, Hellbrunn has a lively yellow rendering and its front façade is fully symmetrical.

The main attraction of Hellbrunn Palace however is the gardens and trick fountains.

The gardens are simply magical and contain many different Grottos, Fountains and Water Automats.

What people love most is the water features that try and trick you such as the seats with holes in that spurt water on the unsuspecting guest when you sit down – Its loads of fun and during the summer months a wonderful outdoor space to enjoy.

6. Salzburg Cathedral

A fine example of a Baroque Cathedral, the Salzburg Cathedral is located in an enclosed square next to the Salzburg Residenz and St. Peter’s Abbey, creating a lovely historical area to visit.

This Cathedral has been demolished and rebuilt several times from its initial creation in 774 and now stands as a striking piece of architecture; the front facade has dual bell towers and outside sits the Marian Column in the middle of the “Domplatz”. Although a relatively simple design, it is still striking while its interior is magnificent.

The interior is fairly simplistic too, and has many columns, knaves, a beautiful organ and detailed frescos in the dome.

7. Neugebäude

The Neugebäude or New Residence is a beautiful building in its own right and has halls decorated with Stuccos from the 1600’s and also hosts the Salzburg Museum but the main draw is the musical Glockenspiel.

This wonderful arrangement of 35 bells was created in the 18th Century in Antwerp and shipped over to Salzburg where it took several years to tune and setup correctly (Or to the best of the clock makers ability who installed it!). These amazing musical pieces play at set intervals during the day and perform beautiful renditions of Classical numbers such as the Menuett by Mozart and Tochter Zion by Handel.

Not only can you sit and admire this classical display, but guided tours of the bells and mechanisms are available too.

8. Getreidegasse

This famous and popular street runs for a stretch in the old town and is a standout destination for shopping.

The narrow street has many buildings packed together that stretch far back and have beautiful designs and quaint little windows.

Many passageways and courtyards spring from the main street and create romantic areas to explore, while small details like the wrought iron guild signs give Getreidegasse extra charm and character.

Shops include fine Jewellery, fashion, antiques, traditional costumes, and many boutiques.

There is also a mouth-watering selection of eateries and cafes to enjoy, and several historical buildings and points of interest.

9. Toy Museum

You may think that a Toy Museum is purely for children, well the Salzburg Toy Museum thinks otherwise.

Located close to  Mozartplatz and Mirabell Palace, this fantastical place will provide hours of fun and wonder for children and adults alike.

Split into two sections – The “museum” part contains various historical displays of old toys and games, while the “hands-on” part contains different interactive rides and activities such as a marble run, a mini race-circuit, and an imitation shop where children can learn how an old shop looked and worked.

With seasonal and special themed activities too, you can be guaranteed to always find something different and entertaining in this brilliant museum.

10. Mozartplatz Square

Buried right in the centre of the Old Town, Mozartplatz is a peaceful square dominated by an ornate Bronze statue of the square’s namesake that was unveiled in the presence of his sons in the 1800’s.

Aside from the statue, there is also several museums and attractions directly on the square including the Salzburg Museum, the Traklhaus and The Salzburg Christmas Museum.

Furthermore, just off of the square, are two more adjoining squares that are worth exploring – The Residenplaz and the Domplaz.

11. Hangar 7

This fantastically designed building is not your typical hangar, but does contain many aeronautical artefacts.

Situated next to the main Salzburg Airport (Keeping in with the theme!), the “Hangar” contains several bars, a  cafe, a Michelin Star restaurant, and outdoor lounge, several motorbike and Formula 1 exhibits, and an amazing display of aeroplanes ranging from a Cobra Helicopter to an Alpha Jet Aircraft.

Hangar 7 is just a fun and exciting place to see, not only for the amazing architecture of the hydrofoil dome, but also the well-presented displays and swanky social areas.

12. Mozarts Birthplace

As one of the most visited museums in the world, the birthplace of this legendary Classical Composer is a must see sight in Salzburg.

The city has various museums, monuments and places dedicated to Mozart, but his birthplace is definitely the defining one.

The sight is easily accessible as it is in the Old Town, and a full tour of the displays etc should take around an hour.

The museum contains everything Mozart, from details of his childhood life, to musical instruments he owned and composed his famous symphonies with.

It really is a treat to gain such a detailed insight into Salzburg’s most famous residence life.

13. St. Peter’s Abbey

Not to be confused with Salzburg Cathedral, the Abbey dedicated to St. Peter was originally constructed over old Christian remains in 696 by Saint Rupert and has stood in some form ever since.

This Benedictine Monastery is the oldest in the German-speaking era and also holds the oldest Library in Austria.

The architecture has changed over the years to suit the various fashions of the eras, and now has a combination of Romanesque and Renaissance styles.

A very decorated and ornate religious building, the Abbey also has Catacombs that are open to the public, a lovely Cemetery, The Long gallery which includes many large paintings, and also an extensive Library with over 100,00 volumes (Unfortunately the Library is only accessible by very selective guided tours). If you are interested in historical buildings, St. Peter’s Abbey is an interesting place to visit whilst in the Old Town area of Salzburg.

14. The Eagles Nest

This Third Reich era building was constructed as a mountain getaway high up near the town of Berchtesgaden in Germany and although it is not in Salzburg itself, is easily accessible as a day trip from Austria.

Today the building stands as a restaurant and tourist site and attracts many visitors, not only for the architecture of the building and its historical significance, but mainly for the unbelievable views of the Bavarian Alps.

To reach the summit where the Eagles nest is situated, it takes around two hours on foot from the Obersalzberg area – You will then be rewarded with some stunning views of the mountainous countryside beneath you.

To enter the building/restaurant, you walk through a long 124m underground tunnel and descend into a lift that takes you a further 124m inside.

Although not a well published site, the Eagles Nest is still an interesting place to visit and great for hiking.

Available tour : Eagle’s Nest and Berchtesgaden Tour from Salzburg

15. Gaisberg Mountain

Lying in the eastern area of Salzburg, this mountain is the perfect place to try your hand at some adrenaline filled activities or a hike.

There is a bus link from outside Mirabell Palace so if you do not have a car, the mountain is still accessible.

If you love the outdoors and outdoor activities, Gaisberg will be your dream – There is over 20km of well-marked trails ranging in length and difficulty, and a host of outdoor activities including Paragliding and Mountain Biking.

To experience a different side to Salzburg’s historical centre, get out of the town and explore the expanses of the Gaisberg!

15 Best Things to Do in Salzburg (Austria):

• Salzburg Fortress
• Salzburg Old Town
• Mirabell Palace and Gardens
• Mozart’s Residence
• Hellbrunn Castle/Palace
• Salzburg Cathedral
• Getreidegasse
• Mozartplatz Square
• Mozarts Birthplace
• St. Peter's Abbey
• The Eagles Nest
• Gaisberg Mountain

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19 Top Attractions & Things to do in Salzburg

One of the most stunning cities in all Austria, Salzburg is set in a picture-perfect spot amidst the Alps. Besides its beautiful architecture, old town and alpine setting, all its sites relating to The Sound of Music film only add to its already considerable charm.

Once known as the ‘Rome of the North’, the city was completely transformed in the fourteenth century under the rule of the influential Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich. Since then, its atmospheric Altstadt has instead been famed for its picturesque and well-preserved Italian Baroque-style buildings.

Map of Tourist Attractions in Salzburg

Lying alongside the scenic Salzach river amidst snow-capped mountains, its historic heart contains loads of elegant churches, squares and palaces. Exploring the handsome hilltop castle, which dominates the city skyline, is one of the most popular things to do in Salzburg while world-class concerts and operas are held in its countless theaters below.

It’s possible to see a few of the attractions in Salzburg on a quick day trip from Munich or Vienna, but spending a few days allows visitors to take in more sights and soak in the atmosphere of this delightful city.

Although now synonymous with the famous musical starring Julie Andrews, the city is also the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. With melodies ringing in the air and romantic views and cityscapes wherever you go, it is no wonder Salzburg is one of the country’s main tourist destinations.

19. Mozarts Wohnhaus

A fascinating place to visit, Mozarts Wohnhaus lies just across the Salzach river from the older house he was born in. Actually, destroyed during the Second World War, the renowned composer’s residence was rebuilt and opened as a museum in 1996.

From 1773 to 1780, he and his family lived here in the ‘Dance Master’s House’ along Makartplatz. Their airy eight-room apartment now has a handful of instruments used by him for you to peruse. Some original portraits and music sheets are also on show.

Although it is quite small in comparison with the other museum dedicated to Mozart, music lovers will still appreciate its unique artifacts and exhibits. These also present more information on Wolfgang’s family and their lives in Salzburg.

18. Alter Markt Square

Just a short walk from Mozarts Wohnhaus is the attractive Alter Markt Square which has acted as the center of the city for centuries. Enclosed by pretty pastel-colored townhouses, it is located right next to Residenzplatz and the Salzburger Dom.

Set at the foot of the castle, not far from the riverfront, the old square has served as a market and meeting place since the thirteenth century. Lined by loads of stylish cafes and chic tourist shops, its charming cobblestones also contain the ornate St. Florian Fountain. Erected in 1488, its striking statue, coat of arms and marble steps make for some fine photos.

Asides from taking in its architecture and ambience, you can see the city’s narrowest house and an old apothecary. There is also the classic Viennese-style Cafe Tomaselli coffee house to stop by and fun markets to explore.

17. Stiegl Brauwelt

Other than seeing the city’s attractions and scenic surroundings, one of the main things to do in Salzburg s visit its top-class breweries. At the historic Stiegl Brauwelt just outside of the center, there are terrific tours and tastings for you to enjoy.

One of the most popular and commonly found beers in Austria, Stiegl has remarkably been family-owned since 1492. On their very well-run tours, you’ll learn all about their history and how beer production has changed over the years. In addition to exploring its modern brewhouse and bottling hall, there is a 270-degree film to see that covers the entire process from start to finish.

At the end, you can sit and sample some of the flavorful beers produced here in its brewpub or restaurant. There is also some tasty Austrian cuisine to try and a lovely beer garden to relax in outside.

16. St. Sebastian’s Church & Cemetery

Back over on the more modern side of town, not far from Mozart’s Residence, is the stunning St. Sebastian’s Church. It and its cemetery are wonderful to wander around with many famous historical figures having been buried here.

Instantly recognizable from its onion-dome, the Late Baroque-style church was built in 1753 to replace an early edition that had become derelict. Although a devastating fire later destroyed many of its artworks, its interior still boasts a beautiful high altar.

The real highlight however is its gorgeous graveyard which was designed to look like an Italian campo santo in 1595. Alongside its exquisite arcades, you can find majestic monuments and markings to Mozart’s father and wife among many others.

At the center of its immaculate, green grounds lies the elaborate St. Gabriel’s Chapel. The final resting place of the important Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg, Wolf Dietrich, the mausoleum really is an architectural masterpiece. For us, St. Sebastian’s easily rivaled the more popular St. Peter’s due to its cool carvings and rather eerie graves.

15. Getreidegasse

Getreidegasse, which translates as Grain Lane, is Salzburg’s most famous shopping street. Located in Old Town, Getreidegasse is filled with high narrow buildings that contain shops, boutiques and restaurants serving the city’s specialties, including mouthwatering desserts.

Some buildings have guild signs that indicate the type of work that took place here in centuries past. Jewelry and traditional costumes are among the popular items on shoppers’ lists. Note that No. 9 Getreidegasse is where Mozart was born. Visitors should take time to explore the passageways and courtyards off this street as there are even more enticing shops to separate visitors from their Euros.

14. Franziskanerkirche

Another hugely interesting church for you to check out is that of Franziskanerkirche (Franciscan Church) in the Salzburger Altstadt. Lying right next to St. Peter’s Abbey and the Domplatz, it has a fantastic vault ceiling, tall bell tower and intricately crafted high altar to admire.

While the first church to stand here was established in the eighth century, the current one dates to 1450. Now exhibiting an arresting mix of architectural styles, its slender steeple and steep roof are visible for many miles around.

Inside is the real showstopper though as its glorious Gothic vault ceiling is supported by soaring pillars that tower above its glimmering gold-decked altar. Its choir also has nine Baroque-style chapels to stroll about, all home to refined religious paintings and sculptures.

13. Haus der Natur

Towards the end of the Altstadt, alongside the Salzach river, is the equally impressive Haus der Natur. At the state-of-the-art science center, you can learn about everything from dinosaurs and technology to anatomy, evolution and our universe.

Founded in 1924, its interactive exhibits now cover eight levels across two buildings. Whereas some rooms focus on Arctic ecosystems or those of the rainforest, others look at life back in prehistoric times. You can also examine orbiting planets from up close or ogle at its amazing dinosaur models and sparkling spaceships.

Particularly popular are the museum’s innumerable aquaria and the glass tanks of its reptile zoo. Amidst its colourful coral reefs and verdant foliage, guests can spy shoals of swirling fish, live snakes and lizards.

12. Take a Sound of Music Tour

As the city is synonymous with the film, you really must take a Sound of Music Tour when in town. As well as taking you about all the main shooting locations, your guide provides in-depth info on the family and filming process.

Following the footsteps of the von Trapp family, it visits both the Mirabell Garden and Hellbrunn Palace among other stops. Here you’ll see where Maria and all the children danced and sang ‘Do-Re-Mi’ alongside other singing scenes. You can then explore the old Nonnberg Abbey where she served as a novice and drive out to the delightful Lake District nearby.

Options include not just brilliant bus and bike tours around Salzburg but walking ones and horse-drawn carriage rides too. Whichever one you opt for, you’re certain to see a lot of the city and learn everything there is to know about the magical musical.

11. Kapuzinerberg

Travelers with an interest in pre-historic sites may enjoy a visit to Kapuzinerberg. Sitting on a hill overlooking the Salzach River, human habitation of Kapuzinerberg dates back to the Neolithic period.

The hill is not fully developed, and small wild animals may be seen roaming the gardens and grounds. Kapuzinerberg is best known for its Way of the Cross chapels that tell the story of the Passion of Christ as they lead up the hill. The route ends with an impressive depiction of the crucifixion. A monastery, towers from an old fortress and lush gardens add to the site’s beauty.

10. Mozarts Geburtshaus

If you want even more insight into the life of the musical maestro, make sure to head to Mozart’s Geburtshaus. Much larger than the other museum dedicated to the famed composer, it lies along the lively Getreidegasse shopping street.

Now painted bright yellow, it was here in the twelfth century house that Wolfgang was born on January 27th, 1756. Up until the family moved in 1773, he spent much of his childhood in their apartment on the third floor. One room has since been restored to how it would have looked back during his lifetime.

Turned into a museum in 1880, the big building also contains unique old certificates, letters and memorabilia that document his life in the city. The highlight is of course its expertly crafted historic instruments, including a violin and clavichord actually played by Mozart. We ended up really enjoying all its well-done displays and even snapped some great pics with the museum’s large Playmobil model of Mozart!

9. Residenzplatz

Residenzplatz, or Residence Square, is located in the heart of Old Town Salzburg, This magnificent square is surrounded by archbishop residences, Salzburg Cathedral, the Old Residence and townhouses now filled with shops and eateries.

It is also the place where visitors can hop a horse0drawn carriage for a ride through the streets of Old Town. A fountain, said to be Salzburg’s most beautiful, punctuates the square. This unique fountain sports snorting horses, giants and dolphins. Many public events, including Salzburg’s Christmas fair, take place in the square today.

8. Hellbrunn Palace

Visitors to Hellbrunn Palace should wear clothes that dry quickly. That’s because the trick fountains the palace is famous for spray water on visitors.

One of the most famous family attractions in Salzburg, this early 17th century Renaissance palace was originally built as a pleasurable place where archbishops could relax for a day. Since they came only for a day, the palace has no bedrooms, though it was intended as a summer residence.

Sound of Music fans may recognize the pavilion where Liesl sang “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” to Rolfe, though it was located at another palace when the movie was filmed.

7. Hangar 7

Owned by Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz, Hangar 7 is a stylish, hangar-inspired museum with a collection of historical airplanes, helicopters and Formula One racing cars. It is one of those museums that is just as intriguing from the outside as it is from the inside.

The wing-like dome of the museum and adjoining cylindrical towers are built of a latticework of steel supporting a glass shell. The sleek, modern structure contrasts sharply with the Alps rising in the backdrop. Hangar 7 is also home to the Michelin starred restaurant Ikarus as well as two bars and a lounge.

6. Cable Car to Untersberg

For the most incredible views imaginable of Salzburg and the surrounding Alps, make sure to take the cable car up Untersberg. Set just southwest of the city, the legendary mount has all kinds of fun outdoor activities for you to enjoy.

Easily reached by bus, the funicular’s cable cars whisk guests up to its summit in just over eight minutes. From St. Leonard station in Gartenau, you slowly rise over 1,300 meters to Geiereck’s jagged peak, high up amidst the clouds.

On the way, you bask in breathtaking panoramas of Hohensalzburg Castle watching out over Salzburg and the Rositten Valley. At its 1,806-meter-high peak, there is some magnificent hiking and biking to be had amongst its alpine landscapes.

5. St. Peter’s Abbey

One of our favorite places in the city, St. Peter’s Abbey, its cemetery and catacombs are nestled right at the foot of the fortress. Located alongside a sheer rock face, all its grand rooms and gardens are very interesting and attractive to wander around.

Long the spiritual heart of Salzburg, it was founded in the seventh century though the current church ‘only’ dates to 1130. Later redecorated in a Rococo-style, it contains several exquisite altars and the tombs of both Mozart’s sister and Johann Michael Hayden. There is also a very elegant library to see, though this is unfortunately only accessible on rare occasions.

Perhaps even more impressive however are the intricate, iron-wrought graves in the lush green cemetery outside. You can also visit the cool catacombs and chapels that are carved in the rugged rock right by the abbey. Coupled with its unique setting, look and atmosphere, we thought this made St. Peter’s very special to visit.

4. Salzburger Dom

Rising dramatically above the Altstadt are the big bronze dome and two tall towers of the Salzburger Dom. One of the city’s most important places of worship, the basilica boasts loads of lovely architecture and twinkling artistic treasures.

Originally erected in 774, it was later rebuilt in the seventeenth century under the rule of Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau. Once past its arresting Baroque facade with its ornate gates, portals and statues, you can explore the cathedral’s immense interior. Besides an imposing organ, there are fine frescoes to see beneath its dome and the baptismal font where Mozart was baptized.

The Domplatz in front also contains the marvelous Marian Column with the city’s fun Christmas market taking place here in wintertime. The Cathedral Museum is also well worth checking out if you like old religious artworks.

3. Mirabell Palace and Gardens

Just one of Salzburg’s many unmissable tourist attractions is the magical Mirabell Palace and its gorgeous gardens.

The building’s front is plain compared to other Salzburg palaces, but visitors will find lush gardens, featuring statues of mythological people, on the grounds. Is pretty flowerbeds and fountains make for some absolutely phenomenal photos, with the charming castle looming in the background.

Again, built by the Prince-Archbishop in 1606, the vast Neoclassical-style palace was designed for his beloved courtesan Salome Alt. It was later rebuilt in Baroque and Neoclassical styles, and served as the 1815 birthplace of the future King Otto of Greece.

Highlights include the amazing ‘Angel Staircase’ which is adorned with dozens of cute cherubs and the grand, gold-decked Marble Hall. At the palace, you can also hear Mozart concerts almost everyday – over 200 years since he performed there himself.

Outside though amidst its terraced gardens where the famous musical was filmed is where visitors spend most of their time. Asides from the distinctive Pegasus Fountain around which Maria and the children danced, there are some divine viewpoints to see too. We really loved ambling about the blooming gardens, snapping pictures with the castle and church spires in the distance.

2. Hohensalzburg Castle

Sprawling across a huge hilltop, the spectacular Hohensalzburg Castle completely dominates the city’s skyline. After a steep climb up either on foot or via its funicular, you can explore its countless courtyards, museums and sturdy fortifications.

The largest, fully preserved castle in Central Europe, the colossal complex’s current appearance mostly dates to the 1500s. Perched atop Festungsberg Hill, it acted as an important seat of power for the Prince-Archbishops of Salzburg for centuries. As well as seeing all its sumptuous stately rooms and their fine furnishings, guests can walk around its old dungeons, towers and battlements.

Other than the glittering Golden Hall, the antiquated Salzburg Bull organ is another of its main sights. The castle’s museums also house armour and weapons while exhibits shed more light on the lives of the Prince-Archbishops. From up here, you can also enjoy panoramic views of the city, old town and endless mountains all around you.

1. Salzburger Altstadt

An absolute treat to stroll around, the atmospheric streets of Salzburger Altstadt are undoubtedly the highlight of most people’s time in town. Lined by lots of beautiful old buildings, its grand squares contain most of the city’s main sights.

Overlooked by the hulking great Hohensalzburg Castle, the historic heart of the city straddles the banks of the Salzach river. As Salzburg was once the capital of a very wealthy independent state, eye-catching churches, squares and merchants’ houses all sprung up over the centuries.

Getting lost amidst the narrow lanes of the Judengasse before again emerging at one of the Altstadt’s picturesque squares like Alter Markt or Residenzplatz is a wonderful way to spend the day. Along the lively Getreidegasse, you can shop til you drop while taking in its fetching facades and wrought-iron guild signs. Here too you’ll find some excellent art galleries, chic boutiques and, of course, Mozart’s birthplace.

As the cathedral, castle and St. Sebastian’s Church are all found here, not to mention Mirabell Palace and St. Peter’s Abbey, it really is the heart and soul of life in town. An enchanting place, it made Salzburg and its scenic surroundings our favorite stop in all Austria.

Best Time to Visit Salzburg

As the weather is warmest and its mountain landscapes are at their most magnificent, June through September is the most popular time to visit Salzburg. Temperatures range from 19 to 23°C (66 to 73°F) with the world-famous Salzburg Festival taking place in July and August.

As the operas, plays and concerts draw such huge numbers, the city’s hotels and restaurants are at their busiest and most expensive. Once you escape the center though, lovely lakes and mountains have loads of epic outdoor activities to enjoy. These months do see the most amount of rainfall however, with rain at least a little on 13 to 19 days on average.

If you want to avoid the crowds, high prices and rain (well, the worst of it at least), then the spring and autumn seasons may be better options. While April and May see the flowers back blooming, October’s autumnal foliage is every bit as enchanting.

Outside of these months is the low season with average temperatures dropping to just 2 to 8°C (35 to 46°F). The expectation is December when many visit for its Christmas market or to ski in the nearby mountains.

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Borders Of Adventure

Leading Culture and Adventure Travel Blog by Becki Enright. Looking at the world with a different angle to change perceptions of misunderstood places, for the best in travel.

Austria , Cultural Travel

Why You Should Visit Salzburg, Austria – The City Beyond Mozart & The Sound of Music

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links to handpicked partners, including tours, gear and booking sites. If you click through or buy something via one of them, I may receive a small commission. This is at no extra cost to you and allows this site to keep running.

There are many reasons to visit Salzburg, Austria, and in this travel guide, I highlight what this city is about beyond its well-known parts and cliches detailed in the things to do in Salzburg lists, and beyond only Mozart and the Sound of Music. 

Let’s pretend all of Austria’s major cities are siblings. Vienna would be the classical one with a hidden, gritty second personality. Innsbruck would be sporty, and Graz would have a Mediterranean flair. Salzburg? She would be exquisitely beautiful and musically gifted. Everyone wants to see Salzburg.

Why You Should Visit Salzburg, Austria – The City Beyond Mozart & The Sound of Music

The Reason to Visit Salzburg, Austria

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There’s more to Austria’s fourth-largest city than Mozart and the Sound of Music, of course, but the city is first and foremost a musical metropolis, even if this is not your sole purpose for visiting.

Salzburg’s streets are filled with buskers, opera singers and all manner of harmonic performers, continuing to serve with melodies a city that bore one of the greatest composers of all time.

Annually the city hosts over 4,000 cultural events, including the internationally renowned Salzburg Festival. In-between, die-hard fans of the Sound of Music seek out the film’s famous film scenes, just as I did, and winter in Salzburg sees people come to visit the origins of the Silent Night Christmas Carol.

READ MORE: The History of the Silent Night Song in Austria

It’s no wonder Salzburg takes the tagline “Stage of the World”. That’s a lot of performance to pack into a compact city.

Yet, Salzburg is also a great place to wander and absorb the history that marks it out from other Austrian cities etched with typical Habsburg style and their distinct atmosphere. Salzburg is timeless while having carved out a youthful vibrancy; distinctly famous without being disgustingly overcrowded and charming in a way that you always hear about, but which you only connect with once you are there.

Salzburg – always the city of music on every corner.

Things to Do in Salzburg Beyond Musical Fame

My journey began in the Schloss Leopoldskron , the historic palace 20-minutes from the city centre . The epitome of majestic Salzburg, this landmark building from 1736 sits upon the banks of a shimmering blue lake (of Sound of Music fame), with manicured gardens and a mountainous backdrop.

In 1918 it was taken over by the famous theatre director and founder of the Salzburg Festival, Max Reinhardt who renovated to how it stands today with stunningly decorated rooms and a grand library – all of which you have free reign to wander.

Once the gathering place of writers, composers and other creatives, I couldn’t have asked for a better introduction to a city I had longed to visit for many years. After an emotional arrival (for reasons I cannot work out I just wanted to burst into tears the second I stood on the grounds here) and gorging on Palace interiors, the city was calling.

Want to book? ► Stay in the Schloss Leopoldskron

The Sound of Music Lake at Schloss Leopoldskron in Salzburg

The beautiful Schloss Leopoldskron in Salzburg, seen from the other side of the lake pond.

The library of Schloss Leopoldskron in Salzburg, Austria

The Horse Head Gate, made famous in Sound of Music.

Salzburg’s historic city centre has been a World Heritage Site since 1997 and is seen as the most significant baroque city north of the Alps. It was built to be exquisite and display prosperity. Occupying a unique position in Europe as a Roman stronghold on the junction of a military road that linked the north and south of Europe, it came into being in the 7 th century (year 700) when it was founded and ruled by independent Catholic Prince Archbishops.

Its absence of grandeur Hapsburg touches was replaced by those of the secular kind – with Cathedrals and beautiful baroque church spires, all set within large open Italian flair squares which today brim with artworks and views to the castle on the hilltop. The Archbishops’ power and affluence continued well into the 19 th century, who built the city from the wealth accumulated through salt trading (hence the city’s name). It only became a part of the Habsburg Empire in 1816.

Riverside view of Salzburg city, UNESCO World Heritage Site of Austria

In the very heart of the city centre of Salzburg, Austria

One of the grand public squares in Salzburg.

Salzburg’s Golden Fountain.

Old City Gate’s of Salzburg – the still visible doorways to the past.

In place of pastel candy coloured noble houses and overshadowing the art nouveau touches of the Austrian monarchy, you’ll find alternative splendour in pretty avenues. One particular highlight is Getreidegasse – a notable street and stunning shopping mile full of traditional confectioners, tailors and weavers alongside international brands.

The defining feature of Getreidegasse is the uniform design of the shop signs. Notice how McDonald’s even adheres to the signage styling.

The famed Getreidegasse shopping street in Salzburg.

Beyond the centrepieces of Sound of Music Fame, the palace structure, manicured gardens and opulent fountains of the Schloss Mirabell and the Mirabell Gardens are a must for a sample of quintessential, classic Salzburg. Views are topped off with a scattering of mint-coloured rooftops as you gaze towards the castle complex on the hill. 

Famous fortress view from the Mirabell Gardens in Salzburg.

The grand gate of the Mirabell Gardens.

The smallest house in Salzburg (No. 10a Alter Markt) is less than 1.5 metres wide, yet perfectly blends in. The legend is that a young man went to his future wife’s father to ask for her hand in marriage. The father permitted the marriage only if the man could provide his daughter with a house and this was all his funds permitted.

The truth is the house was built to fill an old Medieval alleyway between the larger houses on either side of it and is, today, a jewellery store. 

10a Alter Markt – the smallest house in Salzburg.

Admire the city’s 1,000 protected buildings from various elevated viewpoints in the city. The best is the rooftop of the Museum of Modern Art , which is a full window on the city that includes the 11th-century  Hohensalzburg Fortress – the medieval castle that watches over the city (itself a frequented panoramic vantage point).

Get up to the modern art museum at the Hohensalzburg Fortress for the best view over Salzburg.

The best panoramic shot from Salzburg from the top of the Modern Art Museum

On the subject of modern art, Salzburg doesn’t just covert the best of it in museums. Modern artworks like the man on the golden globe and the giant interactive chessboard , add colour and curiosity to old squares as you stop and gaze at the baroque structures that dominate.

I always like to see how old cities add some modern spark to stay exciting and relevant to all manner of visitors. Salzburg is opulent, but it isn’t without a subtle coating of gritty, youthful vibes and modern creative inclusions, which are fun to find and push you to explore outside the architectural boundaries of the historic centre.

Two of the best modern artworks in Salzburg’s historical city centre.

Salzburg is a city with over 500 years of beer heritage. It’s a rite of passage to immerse yourself in Salzburg’s beer heritage and sip on a Steiner at the Augustiner Brewery as you marvel at the history of the monks.

Ancient beer halls of the Augustiner Brewery in Salzburg.

First, you choose the size of your Steiner, pay for it and then let one of the guys fill you up from the barrel. Find a table, socialise with locals and grab some traditional foods, which you can find served outside the giant beer halls.

Even if you are on your own, as I was, you will strike up a conversation since sharing tables is a part of the beer culture. My good friend, Steph, demonstrates the scale of the beer from her visit a month before mine.

Still thirsty? Head to the 17 th century established Stiegl Brewery that is still in operation today.

Cross the River – See Salzburg Differently

It’s easy to spend all your time on the side of the river where the historical centre and old town is. Yet, a simple river cross to the other side reveals another side of Salzburg, where trendy neighbourhoods are thriving in timeworn alleyways and cosy city corners. 

Get to Steingasse, across the river from the Historic Old Town. Stone Street (as it translates) is the oldest street in Salzburg, and this quiet, historical alleyway of the city is not forgotten but is a place where street art and trendy neighbourhood vibes are emerging.

The beautiful and hidden Steingasse – the oldest street in Salzburg.

Street art and old shop signs merge on the trendy Steingasse street.

While you are on this side of the river, wander through the neighbourhood of Andräviertel. It’s quieter, has some independent stores and cafes, adding to a growing bohemian feel that makes it feel like a different ‘halve’ of Salzburg across the water.

Salzburg’s Andräviertel Neighbourhood. The other side of the city.

Local Salzburg in Andräviertel.

A University City, you’ll stumble across from the hum of coffee houses in courtyards, trendy bars and bistros that feed the young heart. Salzburg is where ‘Lederhosen Donnerstag’ (Lederhosen Thursday) was established, where young people come together in traditional clothing to socialise and muse in a modern establishment on this chosen day of the week. The city is known for its endless array of Dirndl and Lederhosen shops, and this fun movement keeps the culture alive in a modern setting. 

What to Do in Salzburg for the Music

Hollywood can often ruin a city, especially one made famous by the longest standing musical film of all time that attracts over 300,000 tourists a year. However, while some of the 1965 film’s scenes are within the centre of the city, many remain outside of it, accessible only by your meticulous planning (and special permission) or via The Sound of Music Panorama Tours bus.

The Sound of Music bus tour in Salzburg

I admit I was a little pessimistic about a bus tour since I like to bounce around on my own time. But here’s the honesty. It was one of the most fun mornings I’ve ever had – a bus full of excitable Sound of Music fans hyper on Do Re Me, My Favourite Things, How do You Solve a Problem like Maria and all other tunes, while staring out of the window at Salzburg’s green vistas. Panorama Tours have created a sing-along, multi-stop schedule that runs every day of the year (because it is THAT in demand).

It stops at various highlights including the other side of the Schloss Leopoldskron pond (access is only available if you stay at the property), the white gazebo known for “Sixteen going on Seventeen”. It passes the outskirts of Villa Trapp, heads out to the church where Maria and Captain Von Trapp got married and ends at the beautiful Schloss Mirabell in the city. So you can dance on the Pegasus (Do-Re-Mi) fountain and snap yourself on the famous stairs at the Mirabell Gardens.

The Do Re Me Bridge from the Sound of Music, crossing the Salzach River in central Salzburg.

The “Sixteen going on Seventeen” gazebo.

Mondsee Cathedral, used for the marriage scene.

The Pegasus fountain in the Schloss Mirabell from Do-Re-Mi.

The film famous stairs at the Mirabell Gardens.

The tour is also a way of getting out in the surrounding nature of Salzburg, where you can spot the Untersberg – the panoramas used in the opening scenes of the Sound of Music. While the city pops with gardens and cycle paths, the mountain ranges of the Mönchsberg, Festungberg and Kapuzinerberg hug the city, whose old and modern districts get divided by the river Salzach.

On the Panorama Tours bus, you weave through these mountainous valleys and past half a dozen lakes, getting an introduction to the diversity of Salzburgerland state.

The panoramas used in the opening scenes of the Sound of Music.

Scenes from the Panorama Tours bus.

Mozart is the city’s most famous son, born and bred in Salzburg and forever a part of its legacy.

The Mozart Statue in Mozart, honouring his legacy in his birth city.

Born in Getreidegasse 9 (in 1756), today fans flock for a picture outside the building’s brightly painted yellow façade, which now incorporates a permanent exhibition about his life and career.

Getreidegasse 9 – Mozart’s Birth House.

Afterwards, you can indulge in a Mozartkugel chocolate, whose silver and blue wrapper marks it out as the “Original Salzburger Mozartkugel” – the real deal compared to the red and gold wrapped ‘souvenir’ style Mozartkugels found elsewhere in Austria. There’s a lot of pride here over the Mozartkugel – a delicious mesh of green marzipan layered with nougat and dark chocolate, which you can buy from Fürst on Brodgasse .

In 1890, master confectioner Paul Fürst invented this treat and named it after the city’s composer, who was not even that famous at the time. It is still produced by hand to this day with the original recipe and tastes a lot better than the mass-produced ones. 

The Fürst chocolate shop – home to the original Mozartkugel.

Winter in Salzburg is not just one of the most romantic places for all things advent and Christmas related; it is also where the story of Silent Night began. The most famous of all Christmas Carols, Salzburg is pivotal to the beginnings of the song with seven locations related to it. Joseph Mohr, who wrote the Silent Night songtext, was born in Salzburg and lived at Steingasse 31. In wider SalzburgerLand, around 30 minutes from the city, you can visit Arnsdorf village where school teacher Franz Xaver Gruber first composed silent Night before moving on to the neighbouring village of Oberndorf where you’ll find the Silent Night Chapel.

READ MORE:  Silent Night Song Locations in Austria  – A 200-Year-Old Old Story of the Famous Christmas Carol

Things to Know About Salzburg, Austria:

Honour the legends of sound when you get to Salzburg and take yourself on the musical journeys it is worthy of, yet know there are more stories. Stories in its architec ture, art, old alleyways and trendy neighbourhoods, giving this city more reasons for a visit.

• Salzburg has an airport, Flughafen Salzburg, with connections to major European cities and beyond. Travel to Salzburg is also easily accessible from anywhere in Austria, primarily via the other major city hubs. Salzburg is a 2.5-hour train ride from Vienna, 2 hours from Innsbruck and 4 hours from Graz, easily accessible via the ÖBB network .
• The Salzburg Card gives you access to all museums, transport and discounts in individual stores and other outlets. It’s especially useful if you want to visit the Museum of Modern Art just for the view while using it for other advantages. A 24-hour card costs €24, 48-hour €32 and a 72-hour card is €37. There are also Salzburg hotel and card packages from €119.

Salzburg attractions are not just limited to the centre of the city. From salt mines to mountain lakes, city walking tours to a broader exploration of the state of SalzburgerLand, there are many Salzburg sightseeing options to see the wider city and beyond if you are staying for a few days.

• City and Countryside Full-Day Sightseeing Tour
• See the Lakes and Mountains in Salzkammergut
• Half-day tour to Hallstatt
• Eagle’s Nest and Berchtesgaden Tour

One of my recommendations is to visit St. Johann im Pongau in Salzburg, home to the deepest gorge, the hiking point to one of Austria’s best mountain viewpoints, and next to the biggest ice cave in the world – Eisriesenwelt. 

READ MORE: Summer in St. Johann im Pongau , Austria – The Salzburg Mountain City After Ski

• Sound of Music fans should take the Panorama Tours bus  in Salzburg all around the key film locations and out into the surrounding lake areas. The musical is also shown at the Salzburg Marionette Theatre and at the Salzburg State Theatre (check if it’s a live sing-along!).

Hotels in Salzburg are plentiful, which options to suit all budgets.

• A suggested historical city centre Salzburg hotel is the 3* Bergland Hotel for the budget end and the real Villa Trapp for mid-budget.
• I recently stayed at the Stein Hotel – an old legendary city hotel, now renovated in the new art design. Located right on the banks of the Salzach River, its rooftop bar and restaurant provides a panoramic view of Salzburg.
• For those looking to sleep in a palace in Salzburg,  stay in the Schloss Leopoldskron for ultimate luxury and a magnificent backdrop of mountains,
• If you want to stay in a former fortification on the Kapuzinerberg in the centre of the city, check out the availability of the restored 1629 castle, Franziskischlössl . Since 2017 guests can stay in the renovated former private residences and two suites with an elevated view of Salzburg’s famous mint green rooftops.
• For more information on Salzburg’s world-acclaimed events including the summer Salzburg Festival, the Salzburg Easter Festival and ‘Mozart Week’ check out the online Salzburg events calendar.
• Check out the Salzburg Tourist information website. For further information about planning your trip around Austria visit the  Austria Tourism website and find additional information that supplements this Salzburg travel blog. 

About Becki

Becki Enright is a British Travel Press Award-winning writer whose work focuses on changing perceptions about misunderstood aspects of destinations. Her writing combines storytelling with insight into the social, historical, political and economic factors that shape the country or place in relation to tourism. Becki has appeared live on Sky News and CNN and has contributed to high profile media including National Geographic, Time.com, Guardian online, New York Times, Grazia and Buzzfeed.

Stuart Forster says

29 August 2017 at 8:01 am

I’ve been over to Salzburg many times (I used to live in Munich) and reading your post makes me keen to return. Your photos really capture the mood of the city, as I remember it.

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How to See the Best of Salzburg in 2 Days (+ Itinerary, Map & Tips)

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: September 4, 2023

Thinking of visiting Salzburg in Austria for a few days and wondering what to see and how to best plan your time? In this guide, we share a suggested 2-days Salzburg itinerary that covers all the main sights in the city, including tour recommendations, places to eat, and useful tips for your visit. Find out!

Salzburg is one of the most beautiful cities in Austria, world-known as the birthplace of Mozart and the backdrop of the iconic movie ‘The Sound of Music’. But there’s so much more to the city than that! It’s a lovely town with a great atmosphere, and there’s a lot to see and do in town and in the area.

Good to know: We start with the detailed recommendations of what to see in Salzburg in two days. At the bottom of this article, you can find a short overview of this itinerary and the approximate time indications you need for each attraction . We also include a map indicating all the places mentioned in our guide.

With so much to see and do in Salzburg , you can probably imagine that there are countless different ways to spend 2 days in Salzburg. Depending on your interests or the time of the year when you visit, you may want to plan a (half) day tour outside the city as well. Or you can stay in the city and spend two full days in Salzburg and still not see everything.

This itinerary is just one of the many possibilities for how you could plan your Salzburg 2-day itinerary. It’s based on our personal experience visiting Salzburg. We focus mostly on the top sights in the city , but we also include additional recommendations nearby (such as the Sound of Music tour , Hellbrunn Palace, or a half-day trip to Hallstatt ).

I hope that this guide will help you plan a fun and memorable city trip to Salzburg. Take a look!

READ ALSO: One Day in Salzburg

PRO TIP: Be sure to get the Salzburg Card for your visit. It includes public transport and so many attractions in and near the city. It offers excellent value that pays off even if you just visit 3-4 sights.

Depending on what you decide to see and if you plan any tours outside the city, for this itinerary, you could get either a 24-hour card or one for 48 hours. Its validity starts from the first use and is indeed counted per hour, not by calendar day.

Here’s what your Salzburg itinerary for 2 days could look like:

Old Town: Alter Markt, Residenzplatz, Mozartplatz

Start your visit with a short walk through the historic old town of Salzburg. You’ll pass many nice areas in the city center later on in this itinerary as well, but one of the best places to start is probably the area around Mozartplatz and Residenzplatz .

Alter Markt (the Old Market) is the most picturesque of them and is absolutely not to be missed. You could also stop for a cup of coffee or breakfast at the historic Café Tomaselli . Be sure to also check out Goldgasse , a pretty little street that gets its name from the goldsmiths who used to have shops here.

There are several big town squares in the old town and even though they all have different names, they are interconnected and you basically just walk from one to the other. If you come here early, it’s not too busy yet and you can admire the beautiful architecture without having to navigate the big crowds that flock to this area later in the morning.

Next, make a quick stop at the Tourism Information center on Mozartplatz where you can pick up your Salzburg Card . Normally, it’s open daily from 9 am and ideally, you get here as soon as it opens.

Check out the Mozart Statue on Mozartplatz and walk to the adjacent Residenzplatz . Here, you can see the Salzburger Glockenspiel (the Salzburg Carillon), an impressive bell tower with 35 bells that play different songs three times a day (normally at 7 am, 11 am, and 6 pm).

There are several museums on Residenzplatz including Salzburg Museum, Panorama Museum, Christmas Museum, and DomQuartier Salzburg. All of these are free with the city card, so – depending on your interests – you could quickly check them out. However, we found that one of them – DomQuartier Salzburg – is worth it so much more than all the others. So under the motto ‘less is more’ we recommend visiting here – see further below.

However, DomQuartier Salzburg only opens at 10 am. So in the morning, we recommend making a tiny detour and visiting one of Salzburg’s must-sees first.

Mozart’s Birthplace

If there’s one place that you really can’t miss when visiting Salzburg, it’s Mozart’s Birthplace . The bright yellow building at Getreidegasse 9 is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city.

It will come as no surprise that this place gets very busy, so it’s best to come here early in the morning before the tour groups arrive. It’s just 5 minutes walk from the Tourist Information Center and the places mentioned above, so you could easily beat the biggest crowds by arriving here early.

It is in this house that Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born on 27 January 1756. Nowadays, the ground floor of the building houses a supermarket while the upper floors serve as a museum. Inside, you can see the room where Mozart was born and the apartments where he spent his childhood and youth.

Inside, you can see a kitchen and several rooms that feature some furniture from that period. There are also some paintings and other artifacts, including some hair that supposedly belonged to W.A. Mozart. You can also learn more about the Mozart family and the early life of the famous composer.

Good to know: The museum is quite small and the expositions are limited. So don’t expect much from it. But just being here and reading all the stories gave me goosebumps – it’s not every day you get to visit such a special place. We find that it’s an absolute must in Salzburg.

Practical information: Mozart’s Birthplace is open daily from 9 am, and the entrance is free with the Salzburg Card . Taking into account that a single ticket here costs almost half of the 24hr card price, you’ll quickly realize that the card is more than worth it! We spent about 30 minutes inside.

DomQuartier Salzburg

DomQuartier Salzburg presents itself under the slogan ‘more than a museum’, and it sure is. Set inside a former residence of the Prince – Archbishops that ruled over Salzburg, this is one of the most interesting museums in the city.

The impressive complex of baroque buildings constructed around three courtyards dates from the early 17th century and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has 180 rooms and halls, decorated by the best Austrian baroque masters of the 17-18th centuries.

Today, there are three museums inside, included in one ticket. They are all interconnected, so you walk from one to the other in a circle. You see impressive staterooms and an art gallery with some masterpieces by painters such as Rembrandt or Rubens. In addition, you visit the Cathedral Museum and see the impressive Cathedral itself from the upper inside terrace, as well as the Museum of St. Peter’s Abbey.

Good to know: The museum is quite big and you could easily spend 2-3 hours here. But you can also just quickly walk through in about 1 hour. They have audio guides in different languages and you can learn a bit more about the rooms/ paintings that interest you the most.

Practical information: The museum is open daily, except Tuesdays from 10 am. A visit here is included with the Salzburg Card. You can find more practical information on their website .

St. Peter’s Abbey, Cemetery, and Catacombs

Just next door to DomQuartier is the Abbey of St. Peter with an old cemetery and a small gothic St. Mary’s Chapel in the center. You can’t visit the abbey itself here, but you can see the interior of the “Long Gallery” as part of your visit to the above-mentioned DomQuartier.

Just as you enter the abbey site, on the left side, you can see an old water wheel used to power the monastery mill . Salzburg’s oldest bakery – Stiftsbäckerei St Peter – is located here, and the smell of freshly baked bread is hard to resist…

But the main reason to come to the old site of St. Peter’s Abbey is the cemetery and St. Peter’s Catacombs . The cemetery is very tranquil and – as strange as it may sound – is a nice place to walk around. You can see lots of old burial vaults and graves, including those of famous citizens of Salzburg, artists, and scholars. Mozart’s sister Nannerl, and her husband Michael Haydn are buried here too.

Interesting to know: You may recognize the cemetery from the film ‘The Sound of Music’. One of the final scenes of the movie – the von Trapp family’s escape from the National Socialists – was filmed here.

Just behind the ‘modern’ cemetery, you can find the Early Christian catacombs, hewn out of the rock of the Mönchsberg mountain. This part requires a ticket (also free with Salzburg Card ) and you can visit the catacombs, a 12th-century ‘Gertrauden Chapel’, and an ancient ‘Maximus Chapel’.

It’s just a small site and you have to climb some stairs, but it’s really interesting to see. Also the views from a small viewing platform about halfway down the stairs are really nice.

Good to know: The Catacombs are open daily except for some public holidays. They usually close for half an hour between 12.30 and 1 pm, so – for this itinerary – it’s best to come here before noon.

Salzburg Cathedral

Next stop – Salzburg Cathedral . The baroque masterpiece is quite impressive from the outside already, with a big green dome and two towers, but it’s well worth taking a look inside as well.

If you visit the DomQuartier Salzburg mentioned earlier, you’ll already have seen the Cathedral from the inside from the upper floor, where you can also see its impressive organ from close by. So it’s not really a must to come back and visit the church unless you want to take a deeper look at the interior .

Good to know: To visit the Cathedral, you’ll have to get a separate ticket. This is one of the few places that is not included with the Salzburg Card, but you get a small discount.

TIP: You can also attend an organ concert at the Cathedral . This allows you to see the Cathedral at the same time too. Concerts run at noon daily except on Sundays and take just about half an hour. You can find more information and get the tickets here . If it’s not too busy, you should be able to get a ticket on the spot as well.

Kapitelplatz

As you exit the Cathedral and turn in the direction of the Hohensalzburg Fortress, you’ll walk past another big town square, Kapitelplatz .

Here you’ll see a giant golden sphere with a sculpture of a man on top of it, a popular photo spot in Salzburg. There’s also a big chessboard and a big fountain here as well.

As you walk through all these squares in the center of Salzburg, it feels like you are visiting some outdoor museum – there’s something to see around every corner…

Funicular & Lunch at Hohensalzburg Fortress

Next on this itinerary is a visit to Hohensalzburg Fortress. To get there, you can either walk up the hill, or – much easier and quicker – take a funicular.

The funicular is located just next to St. Peter’s Cemetery and is also free with the Salzburg Card. Also, with this card, you don’t have to stand in line in order to get a ticket and can just go straight to the funicular. Funiculars run constantly and the ride takes just a minute or so.

The Hohensalzburg Fortress is huge and there’s a lot to see and do inside. So before you start exploring, you may want to have a quick lunch . While there are lots of restaurants in the center, if the weather is nice, I highly recommend you have lunch at the top. The views from here are amazing!

We stopped at the first restaurant that you see when you exit the funicular in the direction of the viewing platform. I think it’s called Panorama Restaurant. It has a beautiful outdoor terrace overlooking the city center on one side and the mountains on the other. There’s also another restaurant with a big terrace at the back side of the fortress.

Of course, these restaurants are touristy, but they serve all kinds of traditional Austrian specialties and everything we tried was really good. The service was quick and friendly too – nothing to fault. And those views were so beautiful that we never wanted to leave…

Hohensalzburg Fortress

Sitting high on the hill, Hohensalzburg Fortress is one of Europe’s largest completely preserved fortresses. It dates from the 11th century!

One of the reasons to come here is, of course, the amazing views over Salzburg. But you can also visit several museums inside. As a minimum, do the ‘Panorama tour’ – that way you see a bit of the interior of the fort as well. But I also recommend the Fortress Museum where you also have separate access to the impressive staterooms that consist of the Princes’ Hall, the Golden Chamber, and the Golden Hall.

These  Princes’ Chambers are probably the most interesting part of the fortress. The furnishings inside are original from the early 1500s!

Our kids especially enjoyed the Arsenal building with several interactive games for the entire family. If you are visiting Salzburg with kids, check out that part as well.

Good to know: Almost everything you can visit here is included with the Salzburg Card, except for the staterooms, where there’s a small extra fee. This part is also included if you visit before 11 am, but I wouldn’t necessarily change the entire itinerary for that.

On the other hand, if you want to explore the fortress without the crowds, you could easily start here early morning and visit the other places afterward. Everything is so close by that it’s very simple to switch things around and adjust this itinerary to your liking.

Practical information: Hohensalzburg Fortress is open daily. In summer (May – September), it’s open from 9 am to 8 pm, and the rest of the year – from 9.30 am to 5 pm. You can spend 2-3 hours here, depending on what you visit inside. For a quick visit, count at least an hour.

City Center: Nonnberg Abbey, Franciscan Abbey, Pferdeschwemme, Getreidegasse…

After visiting the fortress, get back down to the city center. You can either take the funicular or walk.

If you walk, you could also stop at Nonnberg Abbey (located a bit uphill from the city center). The monastery is best known for its gate that was featured in ‘The Sound of Music’, so if you plan on taking a tour on the second day of this itinerary, you’ll likely come here at that time.

Once back in the city center, you could head straight to the main shopping street Getreidegasse . It’s a very picturesque street that is not to be missed in Salzburg. In fact, Mozart’s Birthplace that you visit first thing in the morning is located on this street. However, if you want to experience the real atmosphere (= crazy busy), you have to walk through this street during the day too.

Alternatively, turn left at the Domplatz (a big square in front of the cathedral), take the Franziskanergasse street, walk past the Franciscan Monastery . You could take a quick look at the church – its gothic interior is very impressive.

Next, walk to Marstallschwemme – Pferdeschwemme a bit further west following the same street. This is one of the two preserved ‘horse baths’ in the old town of Salzburg. The fountain with big murals depicting horses stands at the base of Mönchsberg, with the steep cliffs of the mountain right behind it. In the middle, you’ll see a large sculpture of a horse. This is one of those places that’s not a must-see, but it’s just a small detour, so I recommend checking it out.

From here, you can turn back towards the center and walk the entire length of the above-mentioned Getreidegasse . Be sure to check out at least a few of the side alleys of this main pedestrian street as well. You could also get a pretzel or some ice cream and enjoy it while walking around.

Rooftop Views

After all that walking and sightseeing, you definitely deserve another break by now. There are many places where you could get a drink all over the city, but for a special experience, why not head to a rooftop bar with the best views in Salzburg .

Cross the river via Staatsbrücke bridge and you’ll immediately see Hotel Stein on your right. This 4* hotel has a beautiful rooftop bar & restaurant and the views are unparalleled. In fact, if you are traveling without kids (the hotel is adults-only), this could be a really nice place to stay in the city. With kids, we stayed at the Imlauer Hotel Pitter which also has a very beautiful rooftop restaurant (the views aren’t comparable, but the hotel is amazing and the staff – much friendlier).

Anyway, back to the rooftop bar Steinterrasse . You don’t have to be a guest at the hotel to come here, and the views are definitely worth it. If you’d want to come here for dinner, it’s best to reserve in advance, but for a drink in the late afternoon, you should be able to find a table without a reservation (I’m not even sure they take reservations during the day).

The prices are a bit on the higher side and we found that some staff were a bit arrogant (some others were extremely friendly too). I was wondering if it had to do with the fact that we came here with our kids (teens), but some reviews on the internet seem to share this experience… Anyway, the drinks were good and our kids ordered some dessert which was delicious as well. And yes, the views make it all more than worth it!

Mozart Concert & Dinner

End your first day in Salzburg with a Mozart concert and dinner. You can do the two separately and just head to a concert while dining somewhere else, or you can also opt for an all-in experience that includes a concert and a nice dinner.

I cannot comment on any of these from personal experience. There was no way our kids would sit still through an experience like that, so we didn’t do it. But we researched all the different options and – frankly – some of them really looked amazing.

So if you are looking for a special experience in Salzburg, you may want to plan this for your first evening in the city.

Here are some of the best experiences based on the research I did for our trip:

• Mozart Concert with Dinner inside the Baroque Hall of St. Peter Abbey in the old town, close to the Cathedral. As far as food quality goes, this looks like the best option. Also, this is a more special experience with opera singers in costumes, etc.
• Mozart Fortress Concert with Dinner at the state rooms inside the Hohensalzburg Fortress. Going here would mean a bit of backtracking, but you could also adjust this itinerary a bit and time your visit to the fortress to fit this concert with your schedule. You can also opt for the concert-only option here (without dinner).
• Mozart Classical Concert at the Mirabell Palace. This is your chance to see the beautiful interior of the Mirabell Palace. This option doesn’t include dinner, but you will easily find plenty of restaurants for that. Just be sure you go for dinner early so that you can make the concert in time. Or try to find a restaurant that’s open later and reserve a table right after the concert.

On your second day in Salzburg, you could opt for a half-day tour outside the city and some more sightseeing in the center. Depending on your interests, some of the best tour options include The Sound of Music tour (4 hours, morning or afternoon), River Cruise + Hellbrunn Palace (2.5 hours, afternoon), or a half-day trip to Hallstatt (5.5 – 6 hours, afternoon).

For this itinerary, we recommend ‘The Sound of Music’ tour. But if you decide on one of the other two options, you can easily adjust the rest of the itinerary to suit your schedule as well. Hellbrunn Palace can also easily be visited by public transport – it’s just a 12-15 minutes drive from the center.

Here is what your second day in Salzburg could look like:

Sound of Music Tour

Start your day with the Sound of Music tour . Even if you are not a fan of the movie, it’s just a really nice experience since you get to see so many nice places just outside the city.

There are various tour options, by bus or by bike as well. However, bus tours will take you to more locations (and also further away), whereas the bike tours will be more focused on the places in the city (and you’ll see many of them on your own anyway).

This is one of the most popular (and highly rated) Sound of Music bus tours . It runs daily throughout the year and the morning tour usually starts at around 9 am and takes about 4 hours. This makes it easy to plan the rest of the day. But you can also opt for the afternoon tour if you prefer (in that case, switch the order in which you visit the other sights in this itinerary).

Mirabell Palace & Gardens

The tours usually start and end at Mirabell Palace (which is actually another Sound of Music filming location). So after you are back in the city, be sure to visit here.

The nicest place to see is undoubtedly Mirabell Gardens, and definitely, if you are visiting Salzburg in the warmest months when everything is blooming. The gardens are so beautiful, with fountains and sculptures, rose gardens, and other flowers all around you.

Our hotel was located nearby, so we passed here at least twice a day every day and I just couldn’t get enough of this place. So pretty!

Good to know: Normally, you can visit Mirabell Palace inside and the admission is free. Mirabell Palace and Angel Staircase are open daily from 8 am to 6 pm and the Marble Hall is open from 8 am to 4 pm on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and from 1 pm to 4 pm on Tuesday and Friday.

However, it sometimes closes for special events and we had bad luck that it was closed for visits every time when we passed by. If you want to be sure to see the interior, the best way to do it is by coming here for a Mozart concert in the evening , as mentioned earlier.

Time for lunch ! In fact, if you are hungry, you can also have lunch first and then visit the Mirabell Gardens afterward.

There are quite a lot of restaurants in the area north of Mirabell Palace, or you can also walk in the direction of the city center, and you’ll find plenty of options there as well.

TIP: If you are looking for another special experience, you may want to check out the rooftop restaurant Imlauer Sky-Bar at Imlauer Hotel Pitter , just a few minutes walk from Mirabell Palace. We stayed at this hotel and had lunch here once and it was excellent. On the pricier side, but truly good food that comes with some nice views.

Alternatively, you can also simply get some pretzels (Brezen) at one of the many bakeries in town. Austrians seem to eat them at any time of the day – for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or anything in between…

Mozart Residence

In addition to Mozart’s Birthplace which we recommend visiting on the first day of this itinerary, there’s also another house where Mozart’s family lived, Mozart Residence .

It’s located just outside the southern end of the Mirabell Gardens, so it’s probably best to visit here on the second day (it’s nice to spread all the info too so that it doesn’t get too overwhelming).

Mozart Residence is a big house where Mozart’s family moved when he was 17 years old. He himself only lived here for a few years, before moving to Vienna. Currently a museum, a visit here gives you a deeper insight into the life of the family of the famous composer.

In the large ballroom, you can see a portrait of the Mozart family. It’s considered to be one of the best and most accurate images of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. In this same room, you can also see Mozart’s original piano. Each room inside the house tells a story of a different member of the family (be sure to pick up an audio guide) – it’s really interesting.

Good to know: Mozart Residence is normally open daily from 9 am to 5.30 pm. In July and August, it’s open from 8.30 am to 7 pm. The entrance here is also free with Salzburg Card . Count 30-45 minutes for a visit.

View from Kapuzinerberg

After visiting Mozart Residence, you could make a short detour to the viewpoint at Kapuzinerberg . There’s a monastery on top of this hill and a small church that you can visit. But indeed, the main reason to come here is the view.

The views from Kapuzinerberg are nice, but you have very similar views from the rooftop bar that I recommended visiting on day 1 of this itinerary.

So I’ll let you decide if it’s worth it. The uphill climb is pretty steep but short. If you take the road with the Kapuzinerberg Stations of the Cross up and the stairs down, it’s really not that tiring. To help you orient, I indicated both – the recommended starting point of the climb and the stairs – on our map further below.

It took me less than 5 minutes to get to the top, a few minutes to visit the church and enjoy the views from the two terraces (the best view is from the terrace that’s a bit further away – more in the direction of the river), and then 5 minutes to get back down the stairs. All in all, maybe 15-20 minutes for a quick visit. I found that it was worth it, but my family decided to get some ice cream and wait for me at the bottom.

The Kapuzinerberg viewpoint is one of the best places to see the sunset in Salzburg, so you could also come here later.

River Cruise

Next, make your way to the city center on the other side of the river (5 minutes walk). It’s probably best to walk to the pedestrian bridge – Marko-Feingold-Steg – and cross the river here. You have really nice city views from this bridge too.

Just next to the bridge, on the right side, there’s a stop of the Salzach River cruises . A regular boat ride takes about 40-50 minutes and the standard ticket is free with Salzburg Card. The only issue is that – if it’s busy – you may not be able to find a spot for the next available cruise.

So if you absolutely want to do this cruise, you could stop at the ticket office on the first day of this itinerary and reserve a spot for 5 pm on day 2. Alternatively, you can also get timed tickets for the cruise in advance , but you’ll have to pay full price.

The cruise takes you on a slow ride on the Salzach River a bit outside the city. There’s a commentary in German and in English, so you learn a bit about the places you pass by. The boat then turns around and comes back the same way (much faster since it goes downstream this time), and the captain performs a little ‘dance’ with the boat at the end of the tour.

All in all, it’s a nice experience for the whole family and it’s also good to rest your legs a bit, but I wouldn’t consider it an absolute must.

Views from Mönchsberg

Just a few minutes walk from the river, you can find an elevator to Mönchsberg . This is one of the many hills in Salzburg center, offering amazing views of the city. The elevator is also included with the Salzburg Card and the ride takes just a few seconds – absolutely worth it.

There is a museum of modern art on top of Mönchsberg and a restaurant with a panoramic outdoor terrace, and you can also explore the area on many walking trails here as well. But the nicest viewpoint doesn’t require much walking at all – it’s right at the elevator.

We also walked to the nearby Humboldtterrasse and the views are also very nice here. However, this is a +-10 min walk on a dirt path. If you want to do it, you’ll find signs to this viewpoint behind the museum building or behind the tower next to the museum.

As mentioned, there is a restaurant here and it looks like a beautiful place for dinner. But the reviews aren’t great and so if you are looking for good food and a more traditional experience, head back to the city center for dinner. You could try and get a drink here, but – depending on the time and how busy it is – they may not be keen on just serving drinks.

TIP: Mönchsberg could also be a nice place to visit around sunset . But this will depend on the season when you visit and when the sun sets, of course. In summer, you could also come here after dinner – the elevator runs until late in the evening. On the other hand, the sun would be behind you and so if you want those amazing sunset views, you’re probably better off on the other side of the river or at the top of the fortress where you have views in that direction as well.

Dinner at a Traditional Beer Garden

We recommend visiting at least one traditional beer garden during your time in Salzburg. For the best beer garden experience in the center of Salzburg, head to Sternbräu .

This beer garden is located in a beautiful courtyard with chestnut trees, the ground is covered with small white pebbles, there are old wooden tables and benches, and it’s self-service too. So it has all the ‘ingredients’ of a traditional beer garden.

This place can get really busy on a nice sunny evening, especially on the summer weekends. So you may need some patience and luck to find a table. The best way to secure one is to arrive a bit earlier than the standard dinner time.

Alternatively (and if you don’t like an idea of a self-service dinner), you can also reserve a table at their indoor restaurant or try the Italian restaurant Trattoria La Stella which is located in the same courtyard.

Or you can have dinner somewhere else and just come here for some beer and pretzels some other time during your visit. As you’ll see on the map further below, this restaurant is very centrally located and so you can easily plan to visit here during the day as well.

Alternative restaurant suggestion for dinner: Restaurant Pitter Keller at Hotel Imlauer Pitter. This restaurant serves traditional Austrian food in a really nice setting (a traditional-style beer basement, very common in Austria and Germany).

Salzburg 2-day Itinerary – OVERVIEW & MAP

As promised, here is an overview of the suggested itinerary. Please note that the hours are just indicated for your reference, to give you a better idea of what can be done and how to plan your time.

2 days in Salzburg:

• 8.30 am: Breakfast/ coffee in the city center (Café Tomaselli?). Alter Markt, Residenzplatz.
• 9 am: Pick up the Salzburg Card at the Tourist Info on Mozartplatz (or one of the other locations in the city).
• 9.15 am: Mozart’s Birthplace.
• 10 am: DomQuartier Salzburg.
• 11.30 am: St. Peter’s Cemetery & Catacombs.
• Noon: (optional) Concert at the Cathedral ( tickets ).
• 12.45 pm: Funicular & lunch at Hohensalzburg Fortress.
• 2 pm: Hohensalzburg Fortress.
• 4 pm: City center.
• 4.45 pm: A drink with nice views (at a rooftop bar of Hotel Stein?).
• +-6-7 pm: Mozart concert with dinner or dinner and 8 pm concert (see all the options above ).
• 9 am: The Sound of Music tour (see availability here ).
• 1.30 pm: Lunch (Sky-Bar at Hotel Imlauer?).
• 2.45 pm: Mirabell Palace & Gardens.
• 3.15 pm: Mozart Residence.
• 4 pm: Views from Kapuzinerberg.
• 5 pm: River cruise.
• 6 pm: Mönchsberg.
• 7 pm: Dinner (at the traditional beer garden Sternbräu?)

To help you plan your visit, here’s a map indicating all the places mentioned in this 2-day Salzburg itinerary.

Please note that we are not affiliated with any of the restaurants, hotels, or activities mentioned here; these are all recommendations based on our personal experience. You’ll find plenty of other restaurants, bars, and cafes in the city, so choose the places that appeal to you the most. Just one tip – if you want to have dinner at a specific restaurant (and especially if visiting on a weekend), it’s best to reserve in advance.

How to use this map:  Use your computer mouse (or fingers) to zoom in or out. Click on the icons to get more information about each place. Click the arrow on the top left corner for the index. Click the star next to the map’s title to add it to your Google Maps account. To view the saved map on your smartphone or PC, open Google Maps, click the menu and go to ‘Your Places’/’Maps’. If you want to print the map or see it in a bigger window, click on ‘View larger map’ in the top right corner.

Where to Stay

Salzburg city center is really compact, so I recommend staying in the center. That way, you can just walk to all the main sights. If you are arriving by train, you may want to stay closer to the station. And if you are visiting by car, be sure that your hotel offers car parking.

One of the most convenient areas to stay in Salzburg for sightseeing is the area north of the river and south of the railway station (around the Mirabell Palace).

This is also where we stayed – at IMLAUER HOTEL PITTER . The location is excellent for everything – the hotel is close to the station and just a short walk from all the main sights. Furthermore, it has a private underground parking, a really nice traditional restaurant, and a fantastic rooftop terrace. Having breakfast at such an amazing terrace already makes your day perfect, before you even set off for the day… I can’t recommend this hotel highly enough – we loved it.

Here are some of the best-rated hotels in Salzburg city center for various budgets (but this is really just a tiny selection – be sure to check here for the best options for your travel dates ):

• €€€€€ Hotel Sacher Salzburg – a traditional 5* luxury hotel (+ amazing river views).
• €€€€ Radisson Blu Hotel Altstadt – great price/quality in the heart of the old town.
• €€€+ Hotel Stein (adults only) – a nice 4* luxury hotel by the river.
• €€€ Star Inn Gablerbräu – a very nice and simple 3* hotel (great mid-budget option).

The following hotels are close to the station, about 20 minutes walk from the old town, and offer an excellent price-quality ratio on a lower budget. Just be sure to note if breakfast is included when comparing the prices.

• €€ H+ Hotel Salzburg – a modern 4* hotel with great customer reviews.
• € a&o Salzburg Hauptbahnhof – one of the nicest budget options.

So, these are our recommendations for 2 days in Salzburg. I hope that this guide and itinerary help you plan an amazing visit to this beautiful city.

Have a great trip!

READ ALSO: Best Things to Do in Salzburg & 1-day Salzburg Itinerary

More travel inspiration for Austria:

• Salzburg Day Trip
• Top of Tyrol – Stubai Glacier
• Tiroler Zugspitz Arena in Summer
• Seebensee & Drachensee Hike
• Zillertal in Summer
• Olpererhütte Hike
• Hintertux Glacier & Nature’s Ice Palace
• Stubai Valley in Summer
• Schlick 2000 in Summer
• Almabtrieb in Austria
• Best Things to Do in Tirol with Kids

If you found this post useful, don’t forget to bookmark it and share it with your friends. Are you on Pinterest? Pin these images!

European cities – itineraries:

• 1 day in Amsterdam
• 1 day in Barcelona
• 1 day in Venice
• 1 day in Rome
• 1 day in Florence
• 1 day in Milan
• 1 day in Naples
• 1 day in Madrid
• 1 day in Lisbon
• 1 day in Edinburgh
• 1 day in Glasgow
• 1 day in Manchester
• 2 days in London
• 2 days in Rome
• 2 days in Amsterdam
• 2 days in Barcelona
• 2-3 days in Krakow
• 4 days in Rome
• 4 days in Paris
• … for more places, please see our destinations guide .

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Tuesday 26th of March 2024

Thank you for another outstanding itinerary. I will be using it in two weeks!

Wednesday 27th of March 2024

Glad to help, Claire. Have a great trip!

Friday 23rd of February 2024

I am so glad that I stumbled upon your blog on Salzburg! I copied the link and this will be our itinerary in Salzburg. Thank you for sharing your trips! Also, your photos are absolutely beautiful!

Glad to help, May. Have a great time in Salzburg. It's such a beautiful area!

Michael Cicchi

Monday 6th of June 2022

👏👏👏👏 You really do make gorgeous articles. I am saving all of your articles for ant trips I make to those places.👍

Wednesday 8th of June 2022

Thank you, Michael. You're a very loyal reader!

I love Salzburg! It looks like you had a wonderful trip. My husband was born and raised in Salzburg and we met there in 1979. It’s my favorite city in Europe for good reason!

Salzburg is really charming, indeed, Patti. I have to admit that we didn't really know what to expect and the city surprised us in a very positive way. The atmosphere is amazing too. Definitely, a place to return to for a longer visit. Happy travels!

We're Not In Kansas Anymore!

travel inspiration!

the ultimate 3-Day Salzburg itinerary: highlights and more! (2024)

Salzburg Austria is a beautiful historic city situated on the banks of the Salzach River . Enchanting Salzburg is known for its baroque architecture, stunning landscapes, cultural heritage, and rich history. To further add to its charm, the entire city is surrounded by the Austrian Alps which provide a stunning picture-perfect backdrop.

*Disclosure: This Post Contains affiliate links , for more information see my terms and conditions page.

Table of Contents

The perfect Salzburg Itinerary

Can you blitz tour Salzburg in one day? Two days? Yes. Should you? No! It just isn’t enough time! This city deserves at the very minimum a long weekend! So, I’ve crafted this 3 day Salzburg itinerary with the top things to see and do in Salzburg that includes the most popular spots in town! In this three day itinerary I’ll give you plenty of great ideas for the best things to do to fill your time in one of Europe’s prettiest cities, the City of Salzburg!

Feel free to mix this itinerary up anyway that works for you. Have more time? See the alternative experiences listed in this article. Less time? Pick your favorites!

Salzburg Map

Getting your bearings in the Austrian City of Salzburg:

Salzburg is a relatively small city (population 152,000) with most of the main sites concentrated in a small area. A medieval castle overlooks Salzburg’s historic sites. Salzburg’s Old Town, with its procession of lovely squares, is located on the west bank of the river. New Town, on the east.

Follow the link for an interactive map of the main attractions in Salzburg : link to interactive Google map of Salzburg attractions for tourists

The official Salzburg website has a variety of maps including:

• Transit maps
• Creative Salzburg Walk
• Instagrammable Salzburg
• Church City Salzburg
• Salzburg Beer Culture
• Salzburg City Mountains
• UNESCO World Heritage

Day 1: Salzburg

stay: 1 of 3 nights: Salzburg

Total Walking: about 1.5 miles

Arrival in Salzburg

Ideally, you’ll want to arrive early on the first day so you can fit all of these great things in!

By Air (Salzburg Airport) Salzburg is served by the Salzburg Airport (SZG), which is located about 4 km from the city center. The airport is well-connected to major European cities. Cities with direct flights to Salzburg include Amsterdam, Berlin, Frankfurt, and London to name a few. If you are arriving in Salzburg by air you may want to stop and get some Euros at a bank ATM before leaving the airport.

By train or bus Salzburg is also well-connected to other parts of central Europe by train or bus. The city’s main train station, Salzburg Hauptbahnhof, is located in the city center and is served by trains from major cities such as Vienna, Munich, and Zurich. Explore your public transportation options on Rome2Rio .

By car Driving in the city center is challenging, and parking in the city center is costly. Fortunately, it’s easy to visit Salzburg without a car! Visitors who prefer to rent a car can do so at Salzburg Airport or at various rental agencies located throughout the city. Consider using one of the Park-and-Ride options for parking your car.

Purchase the Salzburg Card

The first thing you’ll want to do is purchase a Salzburg Card from your hotel or at one of the Tourist Information offices in town.

Tourist Information office locations:

• Tourist Info – Mozartplatz: Mozartplatz 5
• Tourist Info – Salzburg Hauptbahnhof: Südtiroler Platz 1

If you plan to visit the majority of the attractions in this article, purchasing this card is a good idea because it will save you money. We figured it saved us about 45 euros per person over 3 days. With the Salzburg Card: Free admission to many attractions, ride area buses for free, a free round trip boat ride, discounts on the hop-on-hop-off bus tours and more!

Head to Salzburg Old Town City Centre

Since we weren’t staying in the city centre, we jumped on the bus, easy and free of charge with our Salzburg cards!

Charming Salzburg Old Town, (Altstadt) a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the very best-preserved cities in Europe. The unique skyline is a fanciful mixture of Gothic and baroque architecture, which gives the town a decidedly ornate appearance.

You may be interested in: Salzburg is the birthplace of Mozart , the famous composer. There are so many neat Mozart related things to do, I wrote an entire article: Mozart in Salzburg

Mozart’s Birthplace (covered on Salzburg Card)

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born here in this building in 1756. The building now houses a museum that showcases Mozart’s life and work, and visitors can see some of his personal belongings, including his childhood violin, a lock of his hair and a clavichord he may have played. (Getreidegasse #9)

Getreidegasse

is the very crowded main drag in old Salzburg, which looks much like it did in Mozart’s day. This historic street is lined with unique shops and eateries. I have to be honest, I couldn’t wait to get off of this congested street! It seems like every tourist in town had descended upon this one street all at once. The further you get from Getreidegasse the thinner the crowds become.

other highlights on the street include:

• Getreidegasse #3 for scrumptious pastries at Schatz Konditorei.
• Across from #40 Eisgrotte is a tunnel that leads to the famous Balkan Grill (sign reads Bosna Grill) which serves what is purported to be the very best wurst in town. I got the original with onions and mustard.
• Getreidegasse #47 is the location of the Original Furst Shop that invented the Mozart ball in 1890.

The Mozart Family Residence (Tanzmeisterhouse) (covered on Salzburg Card)

Now head across the bridge to New Town. The Mozart family moved from the birthplace across the river to this house. On display: original Mozart family instruments, including Amadeus’s piano forte as well as his violin, and a family portrait. It’s worth a look but I didn’t find it as appealing as the Birthplace so if you must choose just one, I’d choose the birthplace.

IF you feel like it while you are in this area: take the long way around to Mirabell and stop at St. Sebastian Cemetery where Mozart’s wife and father are buried.

Mirabell Palace, Mirabell Gardens and Dwarf Park. (free)

Mirabell Palace and Gardens is a beautiful garden complex and 17th century Palace which was once the home of the Prince-Archbishops of Salzburg. The beautiful but popular gardens are free to visit and feature flowers, manicured lawns, sculptures, and elaborate fountains.

My favorite feature of the Mirabell Gardens is the Dwarf Park (Zwergerlgarten (Ehemalige Bastion der Stadtmauer) which is located between the palace and the river.

Boat Ride (covered on the Salzburg Card)

If you haven’t yet, go ahead and take that free river cruise on the Salzach River that’s included with your Salzburg Card! (Consider hitting this first thing in the morning or booking in advance. By the time we got freed up they were booked for the day. OR try first thing tomorrow morning!)

Evening entertainment options

choose one!

• Salzburg Marionette Theater
• Mozart dinner concert at Mirabell Palace Marble Hall
• Mozart dinner concert at Hohensalzburg Fortress
• Mozart dinner concert at Stiftskeller St. Peter restaurant (my personal favorite pick!)

Mozart Dinner Concert This unique experience is so much fun and a MUST if you are planning to be in Salzburg! The concert features an elegant baroque setting, three courses of food, Mozart era recipes, and three 20-minute courses of classical music. Located in Stiftskeller St. Peter restaurant. The Mozart family frequented this restaurant, and Charlemagne ate here in 803, making it perhaps the oldest restaurant in Europe. My husband balked a bit at this experience but he ended up having a great time! So, if you’re on the fence about this experience, order yourself a bottle of wine like he did, and go for it!

Day 2: Salzburg

stay night 2 of 3: Salzburg

total walking:

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart statue in Mozartplatz

Salzburg Cathedral (Salzburger Dom)

is a stunning 17th century baroque cathedral which features beautiful frescoes, sculptures, and stained-glass windows. See the baptismal font where Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was baptized in 1756. In later years he served as organist in this church. Not covered on the Salzburg card so you will need to purchase entrance tickets. Conservation fee adults € 5.00 or € 9.00 for the guided tour.

St. Peter’s Square

Catacombs (covered on the Salzburg card) Medieval hermit monks lived in the Catacombs (Katakomben). Explore the old cemetery where Mozart’s sister Marianne is buried. (free) Stop into the little 12th century Abbey Church of St. Peter. (free) The abbey was founded in 696 but the Monastery is, unfortunately, not open to visitors.

The recommended Stiftskeller St. Peter restaurant in the courtyard boasts that Charlemagne ate here in 803, making it perhaps the oldest restaurant in Europe. If you don’t plan to attend the Mozart Dinner Concert, consider stopping by this historic building for a meal or even just an Apfelstrudel.

DomQuartier Salzburg (covered under the Salzburg Card)

DomQuartier is a museum complex located in the historic center of Salzburg, Austria. It is situated on the Domplatz, next to the Salzburg Cathedral, and comprises several buildings that were once part of the archbishop’s palace. The complex includes the Residenzgalerie, which houses a collection of European art from the 16th to the 19th centuries, and the Dom Museum, which showcases the history and culture of the Salzburg archdiocese. Visitors can also explore the state rooms of the former archbishop’s palace.

Hohensalzburg Fortress (Festung Hohensalzburg) (covered under the Salzburg Card)

The best way to get to the castle is to take the funicular / cable car (no extra cost to you with the Salzburg card which includes skip the line privileges!) up to the 1,000 year old Hohensalzburg Castle . The medieval fortress, also known as the Hohensalzburg Fortress, is perched high on Festungsberg Mountain overlooking charming Salzburg. It offers panoramic vistas of Salzburg’s fanciful rooftops and surrounding mountains.

The expansive castle complex has about 50ish buildings. Castle highlights include the Marionette Museum, the castle museum which houses a collection of weapons, armor, and other artifacts, and the STUNNING Regency Rooms and castle interiors.

Consider attending one of the world class Mozart Concerts at the stunning concert hall in the Fortress. While you’re up on the hill you may be interested in the Mönchsberg Walk, a paved wooded walking path along the narrow ridgeline. Here is where you get a different perspective of town, along with the most magnificent views of the city!

When you are ready to head back down, you can ride the elevator (also covered on the Salzburg card), or head back to the FUNICULAR. The castle is open late, which is a great time to explore with fewer crowds.

On the second day choose from one of the evening activities listed under Salzburg Day 1!

Day 3: Salzburg

stay night 3 of 3: Salzburg

Schloss Hellbrunn Palace and Gardens (covered under the Salzburg Card)

Make your way to (Schloss) Hellbrunn Palace, a baroque palace located on the outskirts of Salzburg. Built in the 1600’s, what makes Hellbrunn so special are the dozens of playful trick fountains, designed to entertain guests, located in the gardens. The palace interior is stunningly decorated and worth seeing for its intricate frescoes and ornate furnishings.

Here are some of my favorite fountains at Hellbrunn

There are a few options for getting to Hellbrunn:

• Take a taxi (10 minutes, around $20)
• Take the boat (this one is not covered on the Salzburg card): The boat takes you as far as the Palace, where you will disembark and take a four-minute ride on the London Double Decker which will take you the rest of the way to the palace.
• Use the hop-on-hop off bus (yellow line) or regular buses (Rome2Rio)
• Walk or cycle from the city center (or consider the boat there and walk back): There’s a 400 -year-old tree lined path called Hellbrunner Allee! In the evening the riverbanks are a world of floodlit spires. Approximately 3.5 miles from the city center.

If you need to fill out your day, consider one of the “alternative experiences” below.

Choose from one of the evening activities listed under Salzburg Day 1.

Salzburg alternative experiences

There are tons of things to do in the surrounding area. Here are a few of my favorites to fill extra time:

Join a tour or excursion

• take a Sound of Music tour from Salzburg . Explore filming locations from the popular movie with a tour guide, including the Mirabell Palace and Gardens, the Nonnberg Abbey, and the Mondsee Cathedral. The tour also includes a visit to the famous gazebo, where the song “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” was filmed.
• take a tour of Eagles Nest from Salzburg . Eagle’s Nest, formerly a retreat for Hitler is now a popular high-altitude restaurant with breathtaking views.
• Salzburg 2.5-Hour Walking Tour: Mozart, Old Town & More, from a local guide
• Full-Day Bavarian Mountains Tour (includes Berchtesgaden, Eagles Nest, and Konigssee )
• Bavarian Salt Mine Tour and Berchtesgaden
• Sound of Music & Salt Mines Tour
• Salzburg: Ghost Tour
• Stiegl Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting , this one’s for beer lovers!

Explore one of Salzburg’s Museums

Salzburg has many museums to choose from, such as the Museum of Modern Art. Check the website for the Salzburg Museum list .

Day Trips from Salzburg

These are popular day trips from Salzburg:

• Salzkammergut Drive: If you have a car, consider making your way out to the mountainous countryside on the Salzkammergut Scenic Drive. (Hwy 158 to Hwy 145)
• Hallstatt : is a small village located in the Salzkammergut region of Austria, and a popular day trip from Salzburg and easily reached by public transportation. The village is famous for its picturesque views of the lake and mountains. Distance from Salzburg: 80 km . Get more details: Everything you need to know about Hallstatt PLUS crowd beating tips !
• Gosausee : is a stunning alpine lake where the surrounding mountains refelect off of it’s emerald green surface. It’s a must see when in Austria! Distance from Salzburg: 80 km . Get more information: How to see Gosausee !
• Berchtesgaden Area: Königssee is a fjord-like lake located in the Bavairan Alps of Germany . Take a boat ride along the lake and disembark at Obersee , a magical alpine lake surrounded by mountains. From there you can take a trail to Germany’s highest waterfall. Get details on on this great activity: Königssee and Obersee, how to see them both ! also in the area, the picture perfect Parish Church of St. Sebastian , one of Germany’s most recognizable churches. The little chapel sits magicall between a babbling brook and a mountain backdrop and it is PERFECT! Distance from Salzburg: about 50 km
• Hohenwerfen Castle: is the nearly 1,000 year old castle which sits high above the valley below, surrounded by mountains. This delightful castle has a daily falconry show. A personal favorite, this castle is an absolute delight. The red paint color used on some of the architectural elements  really pops against the deep blue canvas of the sky.   Distance from Salzburg: 45 km . Get more information: Hohenwerfen Ultimate visitor guide !

Austrian food and eating in Salzburg

If you’re like me, then the best part of the trip is usually the food! When in Rome, try the local cuisine!

• Eiernockerl (their version of spaetzle with cheese and fried onions)
• Speckknodel (dumplings with ham and bacon mixed in, served with broth)
• Mozart cake (layers of chocolaty goodness!)
• Salzburger Nockerl, (souffle resembling mountain peaks with a snowy dusting of sugar)
• German food : There’s a lot of cross over between Austrian and German food, you know the basics…wurst, schnitzel… Learn all about the best German food since you’ll have the opportunity to try a lot of it in Austria!

My favorite way to find the best restaurants is on TripAdvisor. You’ll get plenty of customer photos and reviews, all ranked top to bottom!

While we could all eat Austrian food every day, if you are looking for a bit of a break consider some of the international cuisines in the city. We had some of the best Asian food that we have ever had at Yuen Restaurant, Getreidegasse 24.

Accommodation: where to stay in Salzburg

The quieter outskirts of town:.

Bloberger Hof

There are some great options in the historic city center that are within walking distance of the main attractions. However, MY favorite stay in Salzburg is Bloberger Hof. Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and trade it for scenic meadows with highland cattle and a mountain backdrop. Bloberger Hof is located on the bus route directly into the city center, and the hospitality and food are excellent! If you still have the car, they also offer FREE private parking. I wrote a full article on wonderful Bloberger Hof , or

book it now on Booking.com!

Hotel Schloss Leopoldskron

Splurge Alert! This palace was build in 1736, It’s surrounded by 17 acres of manicured grounds and mountains and sits on an idyllic little lake. Located 1.2 miles from the city center. Scenes from the Sound of Music were filed here, opulent dining areas and a library fit for a King! guest rating 8.8

book it now on booking.com!

City Center options:

Rather Stay in town? Here are some of the standout options:

• Altstadt Hotel Stadtkrug : a 700-year-old building located in historic old town, guest rating 8.4
• IMLAUER Hotel Pitter: opened in 1864, panoramic views of the city, including the castle! guest rating 8.7
• Hotel Wolf: the building dates from 1429, this place is CUTE! guest rating 9.0
• Hotel Stein: (adults only) the building dates back to medieval times, beautifully renovated with eye popping color! sits on the Salzach River, panoramic rooftop terrace with views of the town, including the castle! guest rating 8.6
• Hotel am Mirabellplatz: boutique hotel located in a 17th-century building (former residence of Archbishop Paris Lodron) looks out over Mirabell Palace, guest rating 8.6
• Hotel Sacher Salzburg: another luxury option, this 1866 hotel is luxuriously decorated and has a beautiful quintessentially Austrian dining room with rich wood waxed to a high shine, on the banks of the Salzach River with views of the castle, guest rating 9.6

Budget Hostels

For budget-conscious travelers:

• Yoho International Youth Hostel Salzburg : This hostel is located just a short walk from the city center and offers dormitory-style rooms with shared bathrooms.
• A&O Salzburg Hauptbahnhof: This hostel is located near the train station and offers both private and dormitory-style rooms.
• Eduard-Heinrich-Haus: This hostel is located just outside of the city center and offers dormitory-style rooms with shared bathrooms.

Tips and Tricks for Visiting Salzburg

Here are some tips and tricks to help you make the most of your visit:

speaking German!

While you’ll get along just fine speaking English in Salzburg, you may want to learn a little German before you go. I have a guide to overcoming the travel language barrier so you can relax and enjoy your travels!

when is the best time to go?

Spring and Fall are ideal times to visit Austria. However, mountain regions may already or still be dealing with snow.

Winters are cold but with lovely snow-capped mountains as a backdrop. Expect to deal with winter weather road conditions, particularly because most of this Austria itinerary is located in the mountainous Bavarian Alps region. Some mountain passes may be closed.

Summer months are prime time to visit for summer activities like swimming and boating but it will be crowded.

Crowd beating travel tip

The commonsense rule of thumb for avoiding the worst crowds at popular tourist attractions are:

• Visit early morning or late in the day (i.e., the first or last tour of the day)
• Weekdays are often less crowded than weekends.
• Visit in the Off-Season: Salzburg can get crowded during the peak season (June-August), so it’s best to visit during the off-season (September-May) when there are fewer tourists and prices are lower.

Getting around

Once in Salzburg, visitors can use the city’s efficient public transportation system to get around. The city has an extensive bus network, with buses running every few minutes. Visitors can buy tickets at vending machines located at bus stops or at the Salzburg Verkehr (SVB) ticket office. The city also has a tram system, which is particularly useful for getting around the city center.

Taxis are also available in Salzburg, but they can be quite expensive. Take a Walking Tour: Salzburg is a walkable city, and taking a walking tour is a great way to explore it. There are many guided tours available that cover different parts of the city, including the Old Town, the Mirabell Palace, and the Sound of Music locations.

Festivals and free things to do in Salzburg

The best free things to do:.

• Explore the squares and take in the beautiful architecture, statues, fountains, and St. Peter’s Square.
• Explore Mirabell Palace and Gardens
• The Mönchsberg Walk above Salzburg for panoramic views of the city.

The most popular festivals include:

• Salzburg Festival: Held late July through August is one of the world’s most important festivals for opera, music and drama.
• Christmas Markets: Salzburg hosts some of the best Christmas Markets in Austria. There are several held at various locations around town. For more information check the Salzburg Calendar of events or check out their Christmas Market map .

cost and trip planning resources

Cost: 3-day Salzburg Itinerary How much can you expect to spend on this 3-day Salzburg Itinerary? Depending on your travel style prices can vary greatly. This is a middle of the road estimate:

(2023 prices)

Don’t forget to add the cost of airfare ( we fly free, learn how here !) PLUS sign up for “Going” (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) to get FREE flight deals sent to your inbox! see the world for less!

Travel Resources

Check out my Travel Resources page to learn how to get the best deals on airfare, rental cars for your Austrian road trip, accommodations, language learning resources and more!

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days are sufficient for salzburg.

You can hit some of Salzburg’s best highlights on a one- or two-day trip. However, to really do this wonderful city justice three days is ideal. Is a week too long for Salzburg? If you have even more time to spend in Salzburg, you won’t run out of things to do in this Austrian cultural and historical hub!

What language do they speak in Austria?

German is the official language of Austria.

What kind of currency do they use in Austria?

The Euro is the official currency of Austria.

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Unesco social media, historic centre of the city of salzburg.

• Description

Salzburg has managed to preserve an extraordinarily rich urban fabric, developed over the period from the Middle Ages to the 19th century when it was a city-state ruled by a prince-archbishop. Its Flamboyant Gothic art attracted many craftsmen and artists before the city became even better known through the work of the Italian architects Vincenzo Scamozzi and Santini Solari, to whom the centre of Salzburg owes much of its Baroque appearance. This meeting-point of northern and southern Europe perhaps sparked the genius of Salzburg’s most famous son, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, whose name has been associated with the city ever since.

Description is available under license CC-BY-SA IGO 3.0

Centre historique de la ville de Salzbourg

Salzbourg a su préserver un tissu urbain d’une richesse exceptionnelle élaboré entre le Moyen Âge et le XIXe siècle, alors qu’elle formait une ville-État gouvernée par son prince-archevêque. L’art gothique flamboyant qui s’y épanouit attira dans la ville de nombreux artistes avant que son rayonnement ne s’affirme encore avec l’intervention d’architectes italiens, Vincenzo Scamozzi et Santini Solari, à qui le centre de Salzbourg doit beaucoup de son caractère baroque. Cette rencontre du nord et du sud de l’Europe n’est peut-être pas étrangère au génie du plus illustre des fils de Salzbourg, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, dont la renommée universelle rejaillit désormais sur la ville.

الوسط التاريخي لمدينة سالسبورغ

لقد تمكّنت سالسبورغ من الحفاظ على نسيج حضري ثري جداً تبلور بين العصور الوسطى والقرن التاسع عشر عندما كانت مدينة- دولة يحكمها أمير – أسقف. وقد جذب الفن القوطي البارز الذي ازدهر فيها عدداً من الفنانين قبل أن يثبت إشعاعها بتدخّل مهندسين معماريين إيطاليين مثل فينشينزو سكاموزي وسانتيني سولاري الذي يدين له وسط سالسبورغ بالكثير من طابعه الباروكي. إن هذا اللقاء بين الشمال والجنوب في أوروبا قد لا يكون غريباً عن تلك العبقرية التي يتمتع بها أهم أبناء سالسبورغ، وهو وولفغانغ أماديوس موزارت، الذي تنعكس سمعته العالمية على المدينة.

source: UNESCO/CPE Description is available under license CC-BY-SA IGO 3.0

当萨尔茨堡还是大主教统治下的一个城邦的时候，就一直在尽力保护那些建于中世纪至19世纪的珍贵城市建筑。在她广为人知之前就以其火焰样的哥特式艺术吸引了大批工匠和艺术家。后来，意大利建筑师文森佐·斯卡莫齐(Vincenzo Scamozzi)和山迪尼·索拉里(Santini Solari)为这里带来了大量巴洛克风格的建筑，通过他们的作品，这个城市也得到了更大的知名度。也许正是这种南北欧艺术的交融才成就了萨尔茨堡最著名的天才——乌夫冈·阿马戴乌斯·莫扎特(Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart)。从那时起至今, 他的名字便一直和这个城市联系在一起。  

Centro histórico de Salzburgo

Salzburgo ha logrado preservar un tejido urbano de excepcional riqueza, que se fue estructurando desde la Edad Media hasta el siglo XIX, cuando era una ciudad-Estado gobernada por un príncipe-arzobispo. El arte gótico flamígero de sus edificios atrajo a numerosos artistas, incluso antes de que la notoriedad arquitectónica de Salzburgo se afirmase tras la llegada de los arquitectos italianos Vincenzo Scamozzi y Santini Solari, que imprimieron al centro de la ciudad su sello barroco. El hecho de que la ciudad fuese un punto de encuentro entre el norte y el sur de Europa pudo influir en la genial inspiración del más ilustre de sus hijos, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, cuya fama universal aureola desde entonces a Salzburgo.

ザルツブルク市街の歴史地区

source: NFUAJ

Historisch centrum van de stad Salzburg

Salzburg is erin geslaagd om zijn bijzonder rijke stedelijke vorm te behouden. De stadstructuur ontwikkelde zich van de Middeleeuwen tot de 19e eeuw, toen Salzburg een stadstaat was geregeerd door een prins-aartsbisschop . De flamboyante gotische kunst trok veel ambachtslieden en kunstenaars aan. Pas later werd de stad nog bekender door de Italiaanse architecten Vincenzo Scamozzi en Santini Solari, aan wie het Salzburger centrum zijn barokke uiterlijk dankt. De stad is een ontmoetingspunt tussen Noord- en Zuid-Europa, wat misschien wel een aanzet was voor de genialiteit van Salzburgs meest beroemde zoon, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart wiens naam sindsdien altijd in verband gebracht wordt met de stad.

Source: unesco.nl

Outstanding Universal Value

Brief synthesis

Salzburg is an outstanding example of an ecclesiastical city-state, peculiar to the Holy Roman Empire, from Prussia to Italy. Most disappeared as political and administrative units in the early 19th century and adopted alternative trajectories of development. No other example of this type of political organism has survived so completely, preserving its urban fabric and individual buildings to such a remarkable degree as Salzburg.

Salzburg is the point where the Italian and German cultures met and which played a crucial role in the exchanges between these two cultures. The result is a Baroque town that has emerged intact from history, and exceptional material testimony of a particular culture and period. The centre of Salzburg owes much of its Baroque appearance to the Italian architects Vincenzo Scamozzi and Santino Solari.

The Salzburg skyline, against a backdrop of mountains, is characterized by its profusion of spires and domes, dominated by the fortress of HohenSalzburg. It contains a number of buildings, both secular and ecclesiastical, of very high quality from periods ranging from the late Middle Ages to the 20th Century.  There is a clear separation, visible on the ground and on the map, between the lands of the Prince-Archbishops and those of the burghers. The former is characterized by its monumental buildings - the Cathedral, the Residence, the Franciscan Abbey, the Abbey of St Peter - and its open spaces, the Domplatz in particular. The burghers' houses, by contrast, are on small plots and front onto narrow streets, with the only open spaces provided by the three historic markets. Salzburg is rich in buildings from the Gothic period onwards, which combine to create a townscape and urban fabric of great individuality and beauty.

Salzburg is also intimately associated with many important artists and musicians, preeminent among them Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Criterion (ii) : Salzburg played a crucial role in the interchange between Italian and German cultures, resulting in a flowering of the two cultures and a long-lasting exchange between them.

Criterion (iv) : Salzburg is an exceptionally important example of a European ecclesiastical city-state, with a remarkable number of high-quality buildings, both secular and ecclesiastical, from periods ranging from the late Middle Ages to the 20th century.

Criterion (vi) : Salzburg is noteworthy for its associations with the arts, and in particular with music, in the person of its famous son, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

The historic centre of Salzburg contains all the key elements that define the ecclesiastical city-state. The overall coherence is vulnerable to the adverse impact of new developments in the buffer zone and setting.

Authenticity

The centre of Salzburg has retained its historic townscape and street pattern to a high degree. Against the background of the surrounding hills, its architectural monuments, such as the Cathedral and the Nonnberg Convent, have retained their dominating roles on the skyline. The town has generally managed to preserve its historic substance and fabric, although it is vulnerable to new constructions which are not entirely sympathetic to the coherence of its Baroque form.

Protection and management requirements

Management occurs at national, regional and local level. The property is protected at both Federal and Provincial level. A number of other specific laws regarding particular matters (such as water management) also apply. In addition, consensual management is practiced, where property owners and relevant cultural societies can also bring about individual actions.

A management plan was elaborated in the year 2008 and finished by the end of January 2009 and sent to all authorities. This addresses the way new structures are integrated into the city's fabric and planning and how the impact of new urban development projects can be monitored and assessed to ensure the coherence and integrity are not compromised.

Over the last 40 years there has been an increasing collective awareness regarding the heritage value of the urban fabric. The Commune, and individual owners, take responsibility for the day-to-day management processes. This is based on advice and direction provided by the City's expert staff, in addition to guidance offered by the Federal Office for Protection of Monuments. Funds are available from the Federal State of Austria and through the Historic Centre Maintenance Fund (which is financed by the City and the Province).

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The senses are heightened on the mountain hut and nothing tastes as good as right there. Regional, seasonal and usually hearty culinary delights on the mountain pastures of SalzburgerLand delight the taste buds. Filled ‘Bladln’ dumplings, sweet doughnuts, ‘Kasnockn’ traditional cheese gnocchi or a typical Salzburg ‘Brettljause’ lunch with a mixed meat platter is incentive enough to speed up the hike to the top.

Salzburg is world-famous as the city of Mozart, music and festivals. Whilst walking around you can discover the different steps in Joseph Mohr’s life by visiting the Steingasse, St. Peter’s Monastery or the cathedral.

The history of the Salzburg Festival starts with the first Everyman performances in 1920. A lot has changed since then. The Festival has become the most renowned classical music festival in the world. It has remained faithful to Everyman to this very day.

Beside the city of Salzburg, SalzburgerLand has a lot to offer, too. Enjoy its cultural highlights with jazz, classical music, theatre, literature and art.

For 2023, visitors to the Salzburg Whitsun Festival embark on a journey to the underworld – from May 26 to 29.

Discover the 7 top cycling paths in Salzurgerland, with hidden treasures and experience cultural highlights as well as unrivalled cycling fun.

Freeriding on the many Biker Trails in SalzburgerLand

E-Bikers are 'bon vivants', who do not see sporting activity and relaxation as contradictory for a holiday, but rather go hand in hand. And should one’s power really start running out, then simply switch the electric motor a bit higher and glide on to your destination.

In the four bike parks in SalzburgerLand, Freestylers and Downhillers really get their money's worth

SalzburgerLand

The variety of mountains, lakes, and cultural attractions makes SalzburgerLand so rich and fascinating that the author Carl Zuckmayr once described it as “part of paradise”. Be it in summer or winter, between mountains and lakes everything is possible!

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FC Salzburg

• Marin Ljubicic ( 18' Pen, 26', 73' )
• Nene Dorgeles ( 84' )

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Kamala Harris, Traveling to Arizona, Will Slam Trump Over Abortion

The vice president is set to lean into a partywide attack on Donald Trump and fellow Republicans, who are newly on the defensive over the issue.

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By Nicholas Nehamas ,  Lisa Lerer and Reid J. Epstein

Vice President Kamala Harris will travel to Arizona on Friday to assail former President Donald J. Trump over abortion restrictions, with plans to blame him for bans in the state and across the country.

In her remarks at a rally in Tucson, Ms. Harris will lean into the Biden campaign’s new attack line on laws pushed by Republicans that have cut off abortion access for millions of American women: Donald Trump did this.

She is also planning a new way to hit the former president, arguing that a second Trump administration would enforce the Comstock Act, a rarely used federal law from 1873, to circumvent Congress and ban medication abortion nationwide.

“They want to use another law from the 1800s — the Comstock Act — to ban medication abortion in all 50 states,” Ms. Harris is expected to say in Tucson, according to Biden campaign aides. “A ban that would include states where abortion is currently legal.”

Medication abortions now account for the majority of abortions nationwide, so enforcement of the Comstock Act could have a significant impact on the availability of the procedure.

While the former president has never specifically mentioned the act publicly, some of his allies have begun sketching out proposals to enforce it through executive actions . The law, once considered a constitutional relic, prohibits the mailing of “obscene, lewd, or lascivious” materials and has become part of a high-profile lawsuit seeking to halt the availability of abortion pills.

This week, Arizona became the center of the national debate on reproductive rights after a ruling by the state’s top court upheld an 1864 law banning nearly all abortions. The decision gave Democrats around the country an opportunity to focus their races on abortion rights, a strategy that has led to unexpected victories for the party over the last two years. The Biden campaign has already released two new ads this week hammering Mr. Trump on abortion.

“The overturning of Roe was a seismic event,” Ms. Harris is expected to say in Tucson, according to a copy of her prepared remarks distributed by the Biden campaign. “And this ban in Arizona is one of the biggest aftershocks yet.”

Ms. Harris’s comments on Friday may be some of the most direct and extended attacks that she has made against Mr. Trump on the issue. While she has appeared frequently at events about abortion rights, she has often done so in her official capacity, limiting her ability to criticize Republicans. The event in Tucson, however, is a campaign rally, meaning Ms. Harris can speak more freely.

“We all must understand who is to blame,” her prepared remarks say. “It is the former president, Donald Trump. It is Donald Trump who, during his campaign in 2016, said women should be punished for seeking an abortion.”

The vice president’s trip to Arizona was planned before the ruling and was originally supposed to involve an official event on student debt. But even before the court ruling, Ms. Harris insisted that abortion rights become the focus instead and that the campaign take over, according to three Democratic officials familiar with the planning.

The timing could not have been better for the Biden campaign. On Monday, Mr. Trump released a video saying that abortion restrictions should be left up to the states. The next day, the Arizona Supreme Court upheld a prestatehood law banning nearly all abortions, without exceptions for rape and incest. (The law, which Mr. Trump has since criticized , has not yet gone into effect.)

Republicans have been left on the defensive, including Kari Lake, the Trump ally running for an open Senate seat in Arizona. Two years ago, when she was running for governor, Ms. Lake called the Civil War-era abortion ban “a great law.” But on Thursday, she released a five-minute video , saying that “this total ban on abortion” was “out of line with where the people of this state are.”

“I chose life,” said Ms. Lake, who has two children, of her own pregnancies. “But I’m not every woman. I want to make sure that every woman who finds herself pregnant has more choices so that she can make that choice that I made.”

Ms. Lake’s stark shift shows how much the politics of abortion have changed since Supreme Court justices appointed by Mr. Trump ruled in favor of a Mississippi law in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization and abolished the constitutional right to abortion.

“This is the first presidential election since Dobbs. And it is a massively important issue because it does affect every woman in some capacity. It just does,” said Stephanie Schriock, former president of Emily’s List, the powerful organization that seeks to elect Democratic women who support abortion rights. “It crosses people’s minds because women are dealing with this stuff all the time, particularly those of reproductive age, which is a pretty big swath of all of Gen Z and millennials.”

Nicholas Nehamas is a Times political reporter covering the re-election campaign of President Biden. More about Nicholas Nehamas

Lisa Lerer is a national political reporter for The Times, based in New York. She has covered American politics for nearly two decades. More about Lisa Lerer

Reid J. Epstein covers campaigns and elections from Washington. Before joining The Times in 2019, he worked at The Wall Street Journal, Politico, Newsday and The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. More about Reid J. Epstein