Salzburg, besides being one of the most beautiful cities in Austria, is its fourth largest city and one of the best to visit. On the border with Germany, about 150 kilometers from Munich and 300 from Vienna, Salzburg is famous for being the birthplace of Mozart, its fairytale medieval buildings and music festivals every summer. If you want to discover all the things to do in Salzburg, keep reading. This city on the banks of the Salzach River will surprise you.
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Things to do in Salzburg
1. Salzburg’s Altstadt, something you can’t miss
The Altstadt Salzburg, or Salzburg Old Town in English, is the most beautiful neighborhood you can visit in the city. A UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, Salzburg’s old town is located on the left bank of the Salzach River and is home to some of the most important tourist and cultural attractions of this destination. Among these are the Hohensalzburg Fortress, which rises imposingly on the Festungsberg mountain, and the residence of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
The historic center can be easily explored on foot. And you will definitely enjoy a lively atmosphere and beautiful views over the colorful and historical buildings.
2. Mirabell’s Palace
One of the most iconic places in Salzburg is the Mirabell Palace. Built in the early 17th century, it is a beautiful baroque palace. In addition to its beautiful architecture, it stands out for its impressive gardens. Most rooms are closed to the public because they are the offices of the mayor of Salzburg and the municipal council. However, it is well worth a visit to wander through its gardens, a unique experience.
Opening hours: The palace is open to the public from Monday to Friday and the gardens are open every day. Admission is free.
3. Hohensalzburg Fortress
The Hohensalzburg fortress is located on the Festungsberg mountain, crowning the historic center of Salzburg. It is one of the most impressive places you can find in the city. Both for the views it offers, as for the building itself, a walk or taking the cable car up to the fortress is one of the essential experiences on your trip to Salzburg.
The fortress dates back to the 11th century. On your visit you can visit various rooms with medieval objects on display. There is also a curious museum dedicated to the tools of torture of the time.
Entrance fee: 12,9 € including the cable car. Opening hours: from January to April and from October to December: 9:30-17:00. From May to September: 9:00-19:00.
4. Salzburg Cathedral, a must-see in the city
Like the Mirabell Palace, the Salzburg Cathedral was built in the 17th century in Baroque style. Inspired by the Italian religious buildings of that time, this cathedral has a huge dome. A bomb fell on it during World War II, causing damage to the entire building. The Salzburg Cathedral is one of the most beautiful attractions to visit during your walk through the historic center of the city. In addition, it is intriguing to see with your own eyes the organs that Mozart played on and the beautiful paintings that adorn the cathedral.
5. Mozart’s residence
The house-museum of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is one of the most visited places in Salzburg and all Austria. Located in Getreidegasse, one of the main streets, it is the place where the musician was born and then lived for almost two decades. Here you can see some of his instruments, portraits and all kinds of items related to the genius.
Price: adults 11€, children (6 to 14 years old) 3,30€, young people (15 to 18 years old) 4€. Opening hours: daily 9:00-17:30.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
Things to do around Salzburg
1. Hellbrunn Palace
One of the most beautiful places in Salzburg is located on the outskirts of the city, about 8 kilometers from the center. It is the 17th-century Helbrunn Palace, summer residence of Prince Markus Sittikus. The residence has a Renaissance style and lovely gardens. The gardens are very well-kept and are supported by the water coming from the Hellbrunner Berg mountain, to create the famous “Water Games”. These games are actually a joke designed by the prince, with fountains hidden in the gardens serving to wet visitors by surprise.
Price: adults 12,20€, children and young people 5,5€. Opening hours: March to April and October to November 9:00-16:30, May to June and September 9:00-17:30, July to August 9:00-18:00.
2. Munich, the German Bavaria
Munich, full of history and art, is one of the main cities to visit in Germany. You will definitely be charmed when you walk through its narrow streets where every single place has a great story. A visit to the iconic Neues Rathaus, the New Town Hall, symbol of the Marienplatz and Munich, is a must. There, besides learning about the history of the Second World War, you can appreciate the green landscapes and maybe take some nice photos.
You can also enjoy the famous Oktoberfest festivities and iconic landmarks such as the Marienplatz or the magnificent Nymphenburg Palace. With its large lakes and mountains, Munich is an ideal place to visit. Find out more places to visit in Munich reading our post: Things to do in Munich.
How to get to Salzburg
The most popular way to travel to Salszburg is from Vienna, the capital of Austria, or from Munich, just 144 km away. Here’s how to get there from these two cities.
From Vienna
Although Salzburg has its own airport, most of the flights it handles are from Frankfurt, Dusseldorf and London. But there are no flights connecting Vienna and Salzburg. The most comfortable way to travel to Salzburg is by train. The trip takes about two and a half hours and trains leave almost every hour, so you don’t have to worry about schedules. The price ranges from 24 to 37 € depending on the time you take it. Of course, there are other alternatives such as car rental or Blablacar.
From Munich
As we said, the distance between Munich and the Austrian city is only 144km, so many people decide to visit this city on their trip to Salzburg. The fastest and most comfortable way to do it is by train. The journey takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes, with intervals of half an hour and the price ranges from 18 to 26 € one way. Another option if you travel from Munich is to purchase the Bayern Ticket, a train ticket for unlimited travel that costs 25 € per day. The cheapest option is to travel by bus, since you can find tickets from 10 € and the journey time is 2 hours and 15 minutes.
Where to eat in Salzburg
- Augustiner Braustuebl: One of the most famous breweries in Salzburg and one of the best places to eat at a very affordable price. It is one of the essential places to go. It has a huge hall and different stalls where you can order typical food of the region such as sausages, mashed potatoes or snitzel. The price for a plate and a mug of beer is around 10-12€.
- Restaurant Esszimmer: It is one of the best restaurants in Salzburg, holding a Michelin star. It is the perfect place to treat yourself to a gastronomic experience during your trip. Modern cuisine with traditional influences, it has delicious dishes of European cuisine that you won’t find anywhere else. Price range: 57 € – 171 €
- Alter Marktplatz: In this square from Monday to Saturday there is a market where different stalls offer a variety of products such as sausages, sweets, etc. Where you can enjoy food that tastes like home and local products. And if the market does not convince you, in the square there are more restaurants and terraces where you can eat on sunny days.
Where to sleep in Salzburg
- Boutiquehotel Villa Sissi: A hotel that, as its name suggests, seems to be taken directly from a Sissi Empress movie. It offers luxurious rooms, free bikes and a beautiful garden with a pond, a fantasy! Breakfast included. Average price per night: 178€
- Hotel Sacher: A luxury only affordable to a privileged few. The 5-star Hotel Sacher is located in the city center and is one of the most impressive places to stay. In addition to its spectacular rooms, the Sacher chain has something that makes it unique: the Sacher Cake. Indeed, the Sacher hotels are the owners of the authentic recipe, so there is no better place to try it. Price: from €385 a night.
- The Keep Eco Rooms: And from the most luxurious hotel in Salzburg to a hostel that also makes the list of one of the best places to stay in the city. This hostel, decorated in an original and cozy way, offers clean and comfortable rooms with bunk beds and shared bathrooms. It also stands out for its for its excellent location and the Bio Buffet breakfast that is paid as desired. Average price per night: 96€
Tips for your trip to Salzburg
- The official currency of Austria is the euro (€).
- If you are a European citizen, you do not need a visa to enter the country, an ID card or passport is sufficient.
- The best time to visit Salzburg is summer, between June and September, but this is also when there are more tourists. The winter can be very cold.
- If you’re traveling in winter, bring warm clothing, such as shirts and thermal socks.
- Even if you travel in summer, always bring some warm clothes, the nights can be cold.
- The city is safe, but as in any tourist spot, better be careful with your belongings.
- Hedge yourself against possible medical emergencies: travel insured.
How to organize what to see in Salzburg
Sign up or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.
- Get inspired by the experiences of other travelers.
- Create your own itinerary and add the suggestions from the app to it.
- Add the stops you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest we list in this post as a reference).
- Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can be inspired by the routes presented in the post)
- Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make the modifications you need and you’re all set for your trip.
- Share your experience. Upload photos of places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend other travelers what to see in Steyr Austria
If you have doubts on how to do it, you can check our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.
Frequently asked questions about Salzburg
One day, especially in summer when you have more daylight hours to walk around, is enough. However, it is always advisable to stay an extra day in order to see more than the most touristic places and to be able to enjoy the trip at a more leisurely pace.
The best time to travel to Salzburg is in summer, when temperatures are warm and pleasant. Winter temperatures do not exceed 4 or 5ºC and it rains often. The months of May and October are perfect, especially if you do not like high temperatures.
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