- Top Attractions
- See & Do
- Eat & Drink
- Hotels
- Apartments
- Vacation Rentals
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Why Visit Salzburg
Salzburg's wealth from the salt trade funded the Prince-Archbishops' vision, creating a stunning Baroque cityscape. Beyond the iconic Hohensalzburg Fortress and DomQuartier, look for hidden 'Durchhäuser' passages, a local shortcut through historic buildings.
The Salzach River bisects Salzburg, which is flanked by city mountains like Mönchsberg and Kapuzinerberg. A key part of visiting Salzburg is hiking directly from the Old Town. Keep an eye out for the resident chamois colony on Kapuzinerberg, a rare urban sight.
Taste the iconic Salzburger Nockerl, a sweet soufflé representing the city's three mountains. For a savory street food classic, grab a Bosna sausage from a stand in the Old Town. Seek out the original Mozartkugel from Fürst, still handmade and wrapped in blue-silver foil.
- SalzburgAustria
- SalzburgAustria
- SalzburgAustria
- SalzburgAustria
Quick Travel Essentials
- Apr-Jun & Sep-Octmild weather, fewer tourists
- Jul-Augwarm, peak tourist season
- Wintercold, festive atmosphere
- #ComfortableShoes
- #LayeredClothing
- #RainJacket
- #TravelAdapterTypeC
- #Sunglasses
- 3-4 days for highlights
- 5-6 days with day trips
- Euro (€)
- German
- English widely spoken
- #HohensalzburgFortress
- #MirabellPalace
- #Getreidegasse
- #Mozart'sBirthplace
- #SalzburgCathedral
- #HellbrunnPalace
- Stroll through the Old Town
- Visit the Salzburg Museum
- Try a Mozartkugel
- Explore the Sound of Music locations
- Attend a classical concert
Recommended Hotels in Salzburg by Experience
Things to do in Salzburg
Discover
Begin exploring Salzburg at the imposing Hohensalzburg Fortress, Mozart's Birthplace, and the historic Old Town (Altstadt). Take the Mönchsberg lift for panoramic city views or delve into local history at the Salzburg Museum.
Experience
Attend a classical concert at Mirabell Palace, sample Mozartkugel chocolates, or browse the stalls at the traditional Christmas Market. Enjoy the Salzburg Festival in summer or take a guided Sound of Music tour to iconic filming locations.
Hohensalzburg Fortress
Medieval fortress offering city views and historical exhibits.
Salzburg's Old Town (Altstadt)
UNESCO World Heritage site with baroque architecture and shops.
Mirabell Palace and Gardens
Baroque palace with ornate gardens from The Sound of Music.
Mozart's Birthplace
Museum in the composer's family home on Getreidegasse.
Salzburg Cathedral
17th-century baroque cathedral with a monumental dome.
The Sound of Music Tour
Guided bus tour visiting the movie's filming locations.
Salzburg Festival
Annual summer festival of opera, music, and drama.
Before You Arrive
Getting There
Fly into Salzburg Airport (SZG). The trip from Salzburg airport to city center is quick via Obus lines 2 & 10 (20 min) or taxi (15 min). Salzburg Hbf offers direct train to Salzburg connections from Vienna (2.5h) and Munich (1.5h).
Getting Around
The compact Old Town is highly walkable. For wider travel, the efficient public transport in Salzburg is key, mainly the Obus trolleybus network. The Salzburg Card offers free travel and entry to sights. Ride the FestungsBahn funicular for castle views.
Local Essentials
Driving in Salzburg's historic center is restricted; use Park & Ride lots on the outskirts. Purchase Obus tickets at a "Trafik" kiosk or machine before boarding for a lower price. Most places accept cards, but carry some cash for smaller shops.
Where to Stay in Salzburg
Where to Eat and Drink
Celebrate
Explore Salzburg's authentic food, from Wiener Schnitzel to the iconic Salzburger Nockerl dessert. The city's deep-rooted coffee house culture invites you to linger over coffee and cake, a beloved local tradition. Taste a true Mozartkugel.
Enjoy
Eat at the best restaurants in Salzburg like St. Peter Stiftskulinarium for a historic meal; book ahead. Visit Augustiner Braustuebl's bustling beer garden; self service. Try Cafe Tomaselli for classic charm; cash only.
St. Peter Stiftskulinarium
Historic fine-dining, dating back to 803.
Barenwirt
Famous for its fried chicken and traditional dishes.
Alter Fuchs
Cozy, traditional Austrian gastropub experience.
Gasthaus Zwettler's
A bustling spot for classic Austrian comfort food.
Events & Festivals
Celebrate
Explore Salzburg cultural activities through its heritage. Must-see events include Rupertikirtag, a fair honoring the city's patron saint, and Fasching (Carnival) parades before Lent. These traditions connect to Salzburg's deep Catholic roots.
Enjoy
Experience modern creativity in Salzburg. The city offers a dynamic scene with events like the Salzburg Festival, presenting world-class opera and drama, alongside electronic music gatherings like the Electric Love Festival.
Salzburg Festival
A premier summer festival of opera, drama, and classical concerts.
Salzburg Christkindlmarkt
Historic Christmas market on Cathedral Square held Nov-Jan.
Mozart Week
A must-see classical music festival celebrating Mozart's birthday.
Rupertikirtag
A traditional September fair honoring St. Rupert with rides and food.
Electric Love Festival
Major electronic dance music festival held at the Salzburgring in July.
Salzburger Bauernherbst
Harvest festival with folk music and rural traditions.
Fasching (Carnival)
Pre-Lenten celebrations in February with costumes and parades.
A Beautifully Preserved City
Salzburg is a stunning city, so clean and easy to walk around. The views from the Hohensalzburg Fortress are amazing and give you a great perspective of everything. The whole place feels like a storybook, with the river and mountains right there.
Lovely Gardens and Scenery
A wonderful, walkable city. We spent so much time just strolling through the Mirabell Gardens and along the river. The architecture in the Old Town is just gorgeous. So many good spots for a coffee and a slice of Sacher-Torte to rest your feet.
A Must for Music Lovers
Salzburg is the place for classical music fans. Seeing Mozart's birthplace on Getreidegasse was fantastic. The city breathes music, and you can feel that history everywhere you go. It's compact, which makes it super simple to see all the main sights.
Cozy and Historic
Visiting in January was perfect; it was less crowded but still had so much to see. The Old Town is just beautiful under a little snow. We found the coziest little cafes to warm up in with some amazing Apfelstrudel. A really nice, relaxed trip.
Pure Holiday Magic
The Christmas markets were everything I hoped for. The main Christkindlmarkt by the cathedral was incredible, with great food, drinks, and crafts. The whole city feels so festive with all the lights and decorations. A perfect holiday atmosphere.
For Fans of The Sound of Music
As a huge fan of the movie, this city was a dream. You recognize so many places, like the steps at Mirabell Gardens and views of Nonnberg Abbey. The mountain scenery surrounding the city is absolutely spectacular and looks just like it did in the film.