Trip to the City of Salzburg
General Information
Salzburg, the second-largest city in Austria (home to about 150,000 residents), is a picturesque city with narrow alleys, wide squares, colorful houses, castles, palaces, churches, gardens, and fountains. It is nestled between two high mountain ridges, and the Salzach River flows right through its length, providing an impressive backdrop to a city featuring beautiful Baroque architecture and an abundance of towers and spires.
Due to its architectural treasures, the city's historic center has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. In the 16th and 17th centuries, the city's prince-archbishops hired the region's top craftsmen and artists to design the city similarly to Rome, making the Italian influence clearly visible. It is not for nothing that Salzburg is called the "Rome of the North."
Accommodation
It is worth dedicating at least a full day to this beautiful city in order to see the main attractions in the old town combined with Hellbrunn Palace.
It is better not to stay directly inside Salzburg because accommodation there is more expensive and usually much more crowded. It is recommended to stay in special places outside the city and travel to it for a day trip.
Anyone interested in visiting additional sites, such as museums, the zoo, the cable car near the city, taking a Sound of Music tour, or attending festival events, should dedicate two full days to the city.
Recommended Accommodations Near Salzburg:
♦
Sheraton Fuschlsee-Salzburg Hotel Jagdhof
4-star hotel, located 20 minutes east of Salzburg, overlooking the lake, private golf course, large spa, and indoor pool.
♦
Schloss Fuschl - Resort & Spa
Five-star resort on the lake shore 20 minutes east of Salzburg.
♦
Pension Bergfried
Successful guesthouse south of Salzburg located in the picturesque town of Grödig, about 8 km south of Salzburg.
3-star hotel in the southern suburbs of the city (about a 15-minute drive south of the old town) in a pastoral location with a nice view. Bus stop near the hotel. The hotel has rooms in various sizes including rooms suitable for 4 people. The hotel features a restaurant, parking, and free internet. High-quality breakfast.
Recommended Accommodations in Central Salzburg:
For those who still prefer their hotel to be inside the city, they can choose from the following successful hotels in town:
♦ Hotel Goldener Hirsch, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Salzburg
Luxury 5-star hotel in a 15th-century historic building located in the heart of the old town on the famous Getreidegasse street. The rooms (with air conditioning!) feature classic Austrian design with many antique and unique furniture pieces. The hotel has a restaurant and bar, free internet, and private parking (for an additional fee).
4-star hotel surrounded by charming private gardens within about a 15-minute walk from the old town center. The hotel offers an impressive view of the nearby mountains. Free internet and parking. Some rooms have balconies. Excellent breakfast.
Small and elegant 4-star boutique hotel in a central and convenient location with rooms and suites in various sizes, including spacious family rooms suitable for 4 people. The hotel features a spa and bar, free internet, parking for an extra fee, and an excellent breakfast.
For trips to Salzburger Land, it is recommended to stay in the sports region of the province in the towns of Flachau and Wagrain or one of the nearby towns:
Recommended accommodations in Salzburg region.
Parking
You can easily reach the city by private car and park in one of the many parking lots in town. You can also park in one of the free parking lots located in the city suburbs, right off the highway, and travel to the center by public transport.
♦ Car rental from the reliable and convenient Booking site: Booking.com
Tours in Salzburg
The best way to tour the city for those who are not pressed for time and love wandering through beautiful streets, alleys, toy-like shops, and among gardens, castles, and the river, is to explore the old town center on foot:
♦ Booking from Viator:
♦
Guided walking tour of historic Salzburg and Mirabell Gardens
-
Salzburg Old Town Walking Tour, Mozart, Mirabell Gardens
Lasts for two hours.
Salzburg Card provides free admission to over 30 attractions and museums in Salzburg, free travel on public transport, and additional discounts at other attractions.
Mozart and The Sound of Music
Salzburg also became famous as the hometown of the renowned composer, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who was born, raised, and created his works there. Around every corner, you will find something related to Mozart (in addition to the wonderful chocolates named after him): Mozartplatz square with a statue of the famous composer in its center, the Mozarteum music academy, his birthplace, and of course the Mozart Museum.
Booking from Viator:
♦
Dinner with a Mozart Concert
-
Best of Mozart Concert and Dinner or VIP Dinner at Fortress Hohensalzburg
Proper evening attire is required for the event (no jeans, sneakers, or shorts).
His music is a significant component of almost every musical event in the city, which is considered the "City of Music" and is known for its many music festivals. The most famous festival of all, with a long-standing tradition, is the "Salzburg Festival" (Salzburger Festspiele), which began in 1920, attracts thousands of art and music lovers from around the world, and gave the city worldwide renown.
Another musical event that made the city famous is the movie "The Sound of Music", many scenes of which were filmed in the city. The movie, considered one of the most-watched films in history, also contributed to the city's tourism. Today, you can take a guided tour of the city leading to sites related to the musical, see a show based on the famous songs combined with dinner, or watch a "Sound of Music" marionette show (details below).
Booking themed tours from Viator:
♦ Private tour following "The Sound of Music" (approx. 4 hours)-
Original Sound of Music Private Custom Tour in Salzburg
♦ Combined tour of historic sites and "The Sound of Music" movie (approx. 4 hours):
The Original Sound of Music Tour in Salzburg
Restaurants, Cafes, and Shopping
Alongside its rich history and nostalgia for Mozart, Salzburg is also a vibrant, bustling city for entertainment, known for its excellent cafes, numerous restaurants, clubs, shops, theaters, galleries, and successful museums.
The most famous street in the city, also known as a sought-after shopping street, is the Getreidegasse pedestrian mall. This is a narrow, toy-like street where the signs of the houses and shops are all uniquely crafted from iron.
Even the McDonald's sign is styled accordingly. This street is considered one of the most beautiful shopping areas in Austria, and even those who are not shopping enthusiasts should take a stroll through it. The houses on the street are tall, narrow, and densely built, with covered passageways between them (housing mainly shops and galleries) and beautiful courtyards. Building number 9 on the street is Mozart's birthplace (Mozarts Geburtshaus), which currently houses the Mozart Museum.
Attractions
In the center of Salzburg, there are beautiful squares that are a delight to wander through and between. The largest square in the city is Residenzplatz, in the center of which stands an impressive fountain with statues of horses, dolphins, and figures from Greek mythology. At the eastern end of the square is the New Residenz building, which currently serves as the provincial government offices. About a hundred years after its completion, a bell tower was added to it—the Glockenspiel—whose 36 bells play Mozart melodies 3 times a day: at 7 AM, 11 AM, and 6 PM. From the square, you can embark on 20-25 minute horse-drawn carriage tours around the old town. A nearby central square is Mozartplatz, where the statue of the famous composer stands. This square also houses a tourist information office. Within a short walking distance, you will reach Alter Markt (Old Market Square), which, true to its name, has been the city's market for hundreds of years. The square features a row of 17th-century pastel-colored buildings. In the center of this square is also a fountain with a statue of St. Florian. One of the city's important squares is Domplatz (Cathedral Square).
The most beloved attraction for children in the city is:
Hellbrunn Palace and Trick Fountains Hellbrunn-Schloss und Wasserspiele
This is a palace built in the Baroque style in the 17th century at the foot of the Hellbrunn Mountains as a summer pleasure residence for Prince-Archbishop Markus Sittikus. The archbishop, who was extremely wealthy and possessed a developed sense of humor, wanted to create a place unlike any other where he could amuse himself with his guests. The castle, built in just three years, is located within a sprawling park with beautiful gardens near the zoo. An entertaining guided tour is held on site, during which the guide activates a series of fountains and water games by pressing hidden buttons, soaking visitors who scurry about trying to guess where the next "splash" will come from. This is how Prince-Archbishop Markus amused his high-ranking guests. Much of the fountains are visible and impressive (many built under the influence of Greek mythology), but some are hidden in bushes, flowers, and seemingly innocent statues... The water-loving archbishop also built a small theater of 256 puppets, entirely powered by water pressure. After the tour, you can independently stroll through the lovely gardens and the pleasant playground.
Booking from Viator:
♦
Trip to Hellbrunn Palace
(with trick fountains)
and scenic river cruise
in the old town
River
Cruise to Hellbrunn, Palace & world-famous trick
fountains
Scenes from The Sound of Music were also filmed here. The castle is located about 8 km south of central Salzburg.
Salzburg Salt Mines Salzwelten Salzburg
These mines are located about 15 km south of the city of Salzburg near Hallein in Bad Dürrnberg. These are the most recommended mines to visit, both because of their central location and the attractive tour they offer.
Guided tours have been conducted in these mines for 300 years, making them among the oldest mines in Central Europe.
The guided tour in the mines lasts about 70 minutes, but it is recommended to dedicate about two and a half hours to the site (including a visit to the Celtic village).
At the beginning of the tour, visitors receive white miner's overalls to wear over their clothes and watch an instructional video on safety rules during the tour.
Afterwards, you ride a small miner's train inside a dark tunnel deep into the mine (which has been inactive for many years). During the 400-meter ride, you descend 80 meters below ground level. From there, the tour continues on foot inside the mine (walking a distance of one kilometer), during which you receive extensive explanations about the mine, its history, the importance of salt, etc. Explanations are given in English and German. While walking, you cross the border into Germany and back into Austria deep underground. The highlight of the tour, especially for children, is sliding down two steep wooden slides (formerly used by miners) deep into the mine.
Towards the end of the tour, you reach an underground salt lake which you cross in a small boat, sort of like a raft. During the short boat ride to the sound of soft music, you witness a brief light show. The temperature inside the mine is constant year-round: 12 degrees Celsius. It is advisable to dress warmly accordingly and bring comfortable walking shoes.
Near the mines, on a small hill, is a Celtic village where you can visit and see how people lived in the ancient Celtic period. At the entrance to the village, there is a charming wooden playground.
Admission is charged. The price also includes a visit to the nearby Celtic village and the Celtic Museum in Hallein.
Opening hours: Open every day of the year. Opening hours vary depending on the date, from late March to early November.
Address: Ramsaustraße 3, 5422 Bad Dürrnberg.
Booking a tour departing from Salzburg to the salt mines from Viator:
♦ Salt Caves Tour - Skip-The-Line Salt-Mines and Bavarian Mountains Tour from Salzburg
An experience for the whole family, landscapes, caves, miner's slides. Enter without waiting in lines. Lasts about 4 hours.
Eagle's Nest
Salzburg is located near the border with Germany and therefore also serves as a convenient starting point for trips to southern Germany, for example to the "Eagle's Nest".
Booking from Viator:
♦
Scenic trip to the "Eagle's
Nest"
-
Skip-the-Line: Eagle's Nest in Berchtesgaden Tour from
Salzburg
This is Hitler's famous vacation home located on a mountain peak. The trip departs from the bus station at Mirabellplatz in Salzburg and takes about 4.5 hours. Enter without waiting in lines (bringing a passport is required for the trip because you cross the border into Germany).
Hohensalzburg Fortress Festung
An 11th-century fortress built on a rocky cliff, about 120 meters above the city. The 900-year-old castle is considered the number one tourist attraction in the city and Europe's best-preserved medieval castle. It is one of the seven top attractions Salzburg Top 7 of the Salzburg region.
The castle was built on a hill and spans a huge area of about 14,000 square meters. This is the best vantage point over the city.
In addition to the fortress, the site features torture chambers, halls, a tower, the "Marionette World" (Welt der Marionetten) displaying a diverse collection of puppets including pieces from the Salzburg Puppet Theater, and the Fortress Museum (Festungsmuseum) containing weapons, knight costumes, and many historical items. You can take an audio tour with headphones through all the buildings on the site (in eight languages, but not Hebrew). There are also headphones with special explanations for children. In summer, interactive knight-themed activities are held on site.
The most convenient way to get up to the castle is by a very short ride on the "Festungsbahn" funicular from Capitelplatz to the top of the castle. This is the oldest funicular in the country (built in 1892). Alternatively, you can hike the path on foot for about half an hour.
Address: Mönchsberg 34, Salzburg, 5020.
Mönchsberg Elevator Monchsbergaufzug
Another wonderful viewpoint over the old town of Salzburg is from the Mönchsberg terrace, reached by riding an elevator carved into the rock. The elevator ride lasts less than 30 seconds. At the top of the cliff, you can walk along several beautiful paths while taking in the charming scenery. The summit also houses the Museum of Modern Art as well as a successful cafe named M32. Address: Gstattengasse 13, A-5020, Salzburg (near Neumayrplatz square).
Salzburg Cathedral Dom zu Salzburg
Considered the largest church in Austria and undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in the country.
It is one of the city's prominent landmarks and is known for its impressive and large dome. The cathedral was heavily damaged during the bombing of the city in World War II but was restored and renovated, returning to its original appearance in 1959. The cathedral has undergone many changes and transformations since it was first built in 767 by Bishop Virgil. The site it was built on was known as a sacred place even in Celtic and Roman times. It burned down completely twice and was destroyed in bombings, each time being rebuilt in a different style. In 1628, it was rebuilt in a Renaissance style according to the design of an Italian architect named Santino Solari.
Today, it accommodates 10,000 worshippers. Mozart, Salzburg's beloved son, was baptized here.
Even those who are not fans of churches and religious sites will be very impressed by this imposing church, both its exterior marble facade with three huge bronze doors decorated with lion motifs and its brilliantly white interior and decorated vaulted ceiling. The church features a large organ with 4,000 pipes. The cathedral stands in a square named after it: Domplatz, which serves as a fitting backdrop. In the center of the square is the Column of the Blessed Virgin.
Address: A-5020 Salzburg Domplatz
Mirabell Palace Gardens Mirabellplatz
Mirabell Palace and its gardens were built in 1606 by Archbishop Wolf Dietrich for his mistress and their children (she bore him 15 children!). The palace is located on the right bank of the river, somewhat away from the main attractions of the city's old center. The gardens feature impressive statues, fountains, a theater, and a small hedge maze.
The attraction particularly favored by children:
The Dwarf Garden (Zwerglgarten) featuring 28 white marble dwarf figures. No one knows who created these figures.
The theater with the dwarfs was removed by Ludwig of Bavaria, who feared their influence on the health of his wife and unborn child. They were returned only a hundred years later, in 1854, by Emperor Franz Joseph, who also opened them to the general public. The famous scene from The Sound of Music, where Maria and the children sing "Do-Re-Mi," was filmed in these beautiful gardens, which offer a successful view of the city of Salzburg. Admission to the gardens is free and they are always open.
Address: Mirabellplatz, A-5020 Salzburg Schloss Mirabell.
Salzburg Zoo Salzburg Zoo
A sprawling zoo in the southern suburb of Salzburg near Hellbrunn Palace, housing 800 animals from 140 species native to Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America, living in conditions as close as possible to their natural habitats.
Address: A-5081 Anif Hellbrunner Straße 60
Stiegl-Brauwelt Beer World
This is the largest private brewery in Austria.
During your visit, you will learn everything you ever wanted to know about the popular drink, its history, the folklore surrounding it, and of course how it is brewed. The visit takes place in the oldest part of the brewery, which has been restored and preserved in the Maxglan area of the city where the brewery moved in 1863.
The site features a "Beer Museum" showcasing Europe's largest beer exhibition. The price includes tastings of up to ten different types of local beer (children are treated to non-alcoholic drinks of course), bread with salt, and a souvenir gift.
Address: A-5020 Salzburg, Bräuhausstrasse 9
For Sweet Tooth Lovers - Mozartkugeln
In the Old Market Square is the old chocolate maker “Fürst”, the inventor of Mozartkugeln, the delicious marzipan-filled chocolate balls. To this day, you can purchase these delicious balls there, which were named after the revered composer and are handmade on site. The price is high accordingly. The cheapest place to buy "Mozarts" from a larger production line is in supermarkets in Austria, not in the souvenir shops or markets in the heart of Salzburg!
The square also houses one of the most popular cafes in the city: Café Tomaselli, known for its wonderful cakes. Rumors say that even Mozart (whose name is tied to every site in the city) used to drink coffee here...
"The Sound of Salzburg" Dinner Show
A successful and entertaining musical show following the famous movie "The Sound of Music" featuring songs from the film. The show is presented in English and has been running in the city since 1991.
Address: Getreidegasse 34/Griesgasse 23 Sternbräu Dinner Theater
Salzburg Marionette Theatre Salzburger Marionettentheater
A puppet theater staging impressive performances of plays, operas, and operettas in a spacious hall in the city center. The performances include fairy tales and well-known children's stories such as Peter and the Wolf and Snow White alongside a successful marionette show of "The Sound of Music." Most performances take place during the summer months, mainly from June to mid-September, but many shows are also held in winter during Christmas and New Year.
Address: Schwarzstraße 24 - A-5020 Salzburg, Austria
Museums and Famous Buildings:
Salzburg Open-Air Museum Salzburger Freilichtmuseum
The museum is included in the list of the seven top attractions Salzburg Top 7 of the Salzburg region. The museum, located a few kilometers from Salzburg in the city suburbs, is considered the largest museum in the city. It spans a vast area and includes 65 original buildings, some more than 500 years old. Among the buildings, you can find farmhouses, a school, a brewery, windmills, a steam locomotive, tractors, and other agricultural tools. Here you will learn experientially all about the lifestyle and architecture characteristic of rural Salzburg between the 16th and 20th centuries.
The museum features various demonstrations, such as how soap, clogs, and rakes are made, multimedia displays, and many folklore events. The site has a large and successful playground.
Address: 1, A-5084 Grossgmain Hasenweg
Museum of Natural History Haus Der Natur
An impressive museum in the center of the old town featuring 80 exhibition halls containing various collections in geology, minerals, space exploration, children's human body laboratories, animals from around the world in 3D settings, an insect kingdom, dinosaurs, and more. The site also features rotating interactive displays.
The site features an aquarium with 36 tanks of various sizes (the largest tank holds 10,000 liters of water) with a huge variety of colorful fish from around the world, considered one of the most beautiful in Central Europe. Another successful attraction is the reptile house containing about 200 lizards, snakes, and even crocodiles. If you get tired, you can relax at the museum's cafe, which has a nice outdoor terrace and reasonable prices.
The museum is included in the list of the seven top attractions Salzburg Top 7 of the Salzburg region.
Address: A-5020 Salzburg Museumsplatz 5
Mozart's Birthplace Mozarts Geburtshaus
This is the house where Mozart was born on January 27, 1756, and lived (on the third floor of the building) for the first 17 years of his life. Located on the most famous and touristy street in the city, Getreidegasse Lane. Today, a small museum is housed in the building, including the composer's instruments, the first editions of his works, family photos, a collection of letters, and various memorabilia he collected. The museum was established in 1880 by the International Mozart Foundation.
Address: A-5020 Salzburg Getreidegasse 9
Mozart's Residence Mozart`s Residence
Here the famous composer lived with his family between 1773 and 1780. Mozart's family continued to live in the building for another nine years. Today it is a museum featuring exhibitions related to Mozart's family life during that period (including of course instruments and sheet music) as well as the history of the building. You can take an audio tour including explanations of the various exhibits and musical excerpts. The museum also features a slide show depicting the famous composer's life, focusing mainly on his childhood and his years living in Salzburg.
Address: A-5020 Salzburg Makartplatz 8
Old Residenz Palace Residenz
A large and impressive early Baroque building that served as the official residence of the prince-archbishops of Salzburg until the early 19th century. The building contains 180 rooms and three ornate courtyards. You can tour the reception rooms where the archbishops hosted their important guests, part of the guest quarters area, and the gallery containing an impressive collection of paintings by 16th-to-19th-century European painters.
Today, official receptions and important international congresses are held here. In the courtyard is a beautiful Baroque fountain in the shape of Hercules.
Located in the heart of the old town near the cathedral.
Address: A-5010 Salzburg Residenzplatz 1
Panorama Museum New Residence
A museum built entirely around a single giant painting, a cyclorama, 26 meters long and 5 meters high, painted by Johann Michael Sattler in 1829. The painting depicts a view of the city of Salzburg and its surroundings on a sunny autumn day. It is a highly detailed, realistic painting reflecting the appearance of the city at the time it was painted. The painting, which was damaged over its many years of life, was restored and repaired over two years (taking 4,400 hours of work!) and has been displayed to the public in its current form since 2005. Visitors view the painting from a special observation balcony. Today, 12 additional paintings (called "Cosmorama" - a panorama of the universe) of major world cities (from Moscow to New York) and world mountains are exhibited in the museum in a rotating display.
Entrance to the museum is from Residenzplatz near the post office.
Address: A-5010 Salzburg Residenzplatz 9 / Eingang Postamt
Toy Museum and Historical Musical Instruments Spielzeugmuseum
A small museum housed in the building that was once the Salzburg hospital. The museum holds a collection of toys from 1500 to the present day. The collection includes miniature dolls and dollhouses from around the world as well as old and modern train models, educational games, paper puppet theaters, and a collection of ancient musical instruments. The museum also has a toy shop so those who are not satisfied with just looking can buy a nice souvenir.
Address: A-5020 Salzburg Bürgerspitalgasse 2
Hangar 7
A unique and impressive structure built of glass and metal located at the Salzburg airport.
The building houses an exhibition of historic aircraft, known as "Flying Bulls", which includes fighter jets, civilian planes, and a selection of helicopters most of which are still capable of flying and participate in various air shows. Additionally, the massive hangar, with a maximum height of 14.5 meters, also houses a quality restaurant and two bars.
Address: Salzburg Airport, Wilhelm-Spazier-Str. 7A, 5020 Salzburg
The Untersberg Cableway
This is the closest cable car to the city of Salzburg, climbing to the summit of the impressive neighboring Untersberg mountain, which stands at 1,805 meters. This is the famous mountain from The Sound of Music to which the family members escaped from the Nazis on their way to Switzerland (in reality, the mountain borders Germany rather than Switzerland...)
The cable car climbs from an elevation of 456 meters at its base station in St. Leonhard to an elevation of 1,776 meters at its upper station Geiereck. During the ride, a wonderful view of the valley and the surrounding mountains will unfold before your eyes. From the summit station, a magical view of the Salzburg Lake District and the snow-capped peaks of Hohen Tauern can be seen. From the summit, you can embark on hikes along well-marked trails. At the upper station, there is a restaurant overlooking the landscape. This is also a popular site for paragliding and mountaineering enthusiasts. Since you are reaching a high alpine area, it is advisable to bring warm outerwear even in the summer months.
Address: A-5083 Gartenau-St. Leonhard, Dr. Ödlweg 2 Untersbergbahn. The cable car base station is located about 10 km (a 15-minute drive) south of the city of Salzburg.