There are some amazing day trips from Salzburg that you should definitely consider during your visit. Some are in Austria and others are in Germany, and all offer a variety of historical sites, cultural experiences, and stunning scenery.
Note: We may earn a small commission from the affiliate links below.
Day Trips from Salzburg in Austria
The Original Sound of Music Tour
This is probably cheating, but number one on my list of day trips from Salzburg is The Original Sound of Music tour. Technically, this tour includes both sites in Salzburg and outside the city. And it’s only a half day tour. But it’s all kinds of awesome for fans of the Sound of Music!
You visit various Sound of Music sites in Salzburg first, including Nonnberg Abbey (Maria’s convent, pass by). Lake Leopoldskron (site of the canoe scene), Frohnburg Palace (the von Trapp house, pass by), and the Hellbrunn Palace gazebo (of 16 going on 17 fame).
Then the brightly painted bus takes you about an hour outside of town, stopping at Lake Wolfgang and Mount Unterberg (from the opening scenes of the movie) for a photo opportunity. During the drive, your guide leads you in a singalong of all the wonderful Sound of Music songs. For a small fee, you can purchase a tiny bottle of prosecco to loosen up your vocal chords!
Soon you arrive in the picturesque town of Mondsee. This is where the movie version of Maria and Baron Von Trapp got married (the real life version of the couple got married at the church at Nonnberg Convent). Here you will have some free time to look at the Collegiate Church of St. Michael, the site of the nuptials , look at the shops, and have a delicious slice of cake in one of the cafes.
Then you board the bus to head back to Salzburg, watching a documentary with the actress who played Liesl actually on this same tour and telling you various facts about the movie. Once back in the city, your tour ends with a guided tour of Mirabell Gardens , site of Maria and the children singing the Do-Re-Me song.
Logistics
This one is easy. Simply book the tour, show up at the bus departure point, and go! You can go on longer group tours that include the Sound of Music sites along with Hallstatt or the Berchtesgaden Salt Mine. You can read more about both of these places below.
Hallstatt
Hallstatt is a picture-perfect lakeside Alpine Village! Start your visit by exploring Hallstatt’s Old Town and Marktplatz where you will find pastel-colored houses and plenty of shops and restaurants. While in the city center, make sure to check out the Bone House (Hallstatt Ossuary) dating from the 12th century. This collection of 1,200 skulls are located in St. Michael’s Chapel. About half are painted with flowers, snakes, and crosses, and marked with death dates.
Spend the afternoon visiting the Hallstatt Salt Mine & Skyway. Known as the world’s oldest salt mine, you can discover the mine’s 7,000 year history with a three-hour visit. You will start at the Salzbergbahn funicular in Hallstatt. After a brisk ride up the mountain, you will take a bridge towards the lookout platform, Hallstate Skywalk. Then you will be guided on a 90 minute tour of the mine.
After touring the mine, take some time to walk along the lake and take some photos. If you have time, rent a boat to enjoy lakeside views.
Logistics
The best way to get to Hallstatt from Salzburg is by car which will take a bit more than an hour. You can get there by train, but it requires a transfer and takes about 2.5 hours. Then when you arrive, you will have to take a 5 minute ferry across the lake to reach the town center. If you don’t want to rent a car or waste time taking the train, your best bet it by going on a group tour.
Wolfgangsee Lake & St. Wolfgang Village
Not far from Salzburg lies the Salzkammergut region of Austria. Here you will find the lakeside village of St. Wolfgang and the crystal clear waters of Wolfgangsee lake. Start your visit in St. Wolfgang’s Old Town to admire its traditional Austrian architecture Then visit the Pilgrimage Church of St. Wolfgang. Established in 976, the church has a amazing Gothic altarpiece created by Michael Pacher in the 15th century.
You should also stop by the White Horse Inn (Weisses Rössl). This iconic hotel dates to the 15th century and was the source for the 1930 operetta At the White Horse Inn (Im Weissen Rössl). It’s a great place to have coffee or lunch and admire views of the Woflgangsee lake.
Next, take the Schafberg Railway to the top of Schafberg Mountain. This 35 minute journey on a historic steam-powered cog railway covers 3.6 miles and almost 4,000 vertical feet. After about 30 minutes, you reach the Middle Station where you get off and climb the rest of the way to the summit on your own. Or you can stay on the train for another five minutes until you reach the Mountain Station. From here, you will have a panoramic view of 11 different lakes and the alpine landscape.
After you descend the mountain, take a scenic ferry ride across the lake to St. Gilgen. Known as the Mozart Village, this charming village was the home of Mozart’s mother’s family and where she was born in 1720. Visit the Mozart House museum to learn more about the family. And take some time to visit Mozartplatz where there’s a statue of Mozart’s mother.
Head back to St. Wolfgang via ferry and spend your remaining time wandering along the Lakeside Promenade admiring the views!
Logistics
You can get to St. Wolfgang or St. Gilgen by car or public bus in a little less than an hour. Group tours are not available, but you can book a pricey private tour.
Werfen
As we’ve seen on this list of day trips from Salzburg, Austria is full of charming Alpine towns. Werfen is one of them! Located just 45 minutes away from Salzburg, it is known for its ice caves, medieval castle, and amazing scenery. Start your visit at Eisriesenwelt, the world’s largest ice cave. The cave stretches 26 miles into the mountain. During the months of May through October, you can take a guided tour to see the ice formations, frozen waterfalls, and icy tunnels. You reach the cave by taking a 20-minute hike from the visitor’s center and then a brief cable car ride up the mountain.
Another must-see place in Werfen is the 900 year old Hohenwerfen Castle. Open from April through October, it can be reached via a 15 minute hike from Werfen city center or a funicular. Take a guided tour to see the inside of this medieval fortress. And make sure to time your visit to see one of the daily falconry demonstrations with birds of prey.
Sound of Music enthusiasts will want to take the less than 1 mile Sound of Music Trail! Starting from Werfen, this accessible path leads you up the Gschwandtanger to a viewing point above the town. Here you will see the place where Maria first taught the kids the Do-Re-Mi song and the picnic scene was filmed.
Logistics
Werfen is very close to Salzburg and can be reached by train or car in under an hour. You can also book a group tour.
Innsbruck
Last of our Austrian locations on this list of day trips from Salzburg is Innsbruck. Nestled in the Austrian Alps, it’s a little further away than other locations we’ve covered. But it is worth a visit to see the candy colored buildings nestled between the soaring mountains and the aquamarine Danube River.
Old Town Innsbruck is the perfect place to lose yourself for a few hours. The cobbled streets, colorful houses, and charming squares ooze charm. While there, make sure to check out the Golden Roof (Goldenes Dachl), a 15th century era balcony covered with a golden tile roof. Inside you can learn more about the history of Innsbruck.
If you love opulence, a visit to the Hofburg Innsbruck is in order. Take a guided tour through this former residence of Habsburg emperors and then enjoy the Imperial Gardens on your own. And if you haven’t had enough of palaces, visit Ambras Castle. It is known as the world’s first museum since Archduke Ferdinand II built the lower part of the castle to display his collections of art, armor, and curiosities in the 16th century. Today you can still see the treasures of the Habsburg as well as opulent spaces such as the noteworthy Spanish Hall.
Other interesting places to visit in Innsbruck are the Tyrolean Folk Art Museum and Swarovski Crystal Worlds. The folk art museum provides information about the culture, crafts, and customs of the Tyrol region of Austria. Located just outside the city, the Swarovski museum features art installations made of crystals.
If you want to spend some time outdoors, head to the Nordkette mountain range via cable car. Or visit the Bergisel Ski Jump stadium. Here you will have amazing views of Innsbruck. Take a guided tour and watch live ski jumping, or just relax and have a meal at one of the stadiums two restaurants.
Logistics
You can reach Innsbruck directly by train in less than two hours, which is about the same amount of time it will take you to drive. Expensive private tours are available, but group tours are not.
Day Trips from Salzburg in Germany
Berchtesgaden (Eagle’s Nest)
Berchtesgaden is best known as the location of Eagle’s Nest, Adolf Hitler’s mountain retreat. Today it houses a restaurant and a museum. When you visit, you will be bussed from the parking lot up four miles through five tunnels with a single hairpin turn. Then you can walk on a footpath or take an elevator up to the building. Once there, you will marvel at the panoramic views of the Alps and Berchtesgaden National Park. Take some time to learn about the history of Eagle’s Nest in the context of Nazi history at the Exhibition of the Institute for Contemporary History. Then enjoy a meal or snack from the onsite restaurant.
For more insight into the Third Reich, visit the Dokumentation Obersalzberg. Here you will find exhibits on Hitler, Eagle’s Nest, the Nazi Party, and the region’s role in World War II.
Another not-to-be-missed site is Königssee, an emerald green lake surrounded by mountains. Visit St. Bartholomä Church, which is only accessible by boat. And if you enjoy hiking and seeing wildlife, spend some time in Berchtesgaden National Park. This UNESCO Biosphere Reserve has numerous trails for you to view the spectacular scenery.
Take a guided tour of the Berchtesgaden Salt Mine where you will see underground lakes, salt crystals, and centuries-old mining tunnels. Ride on a miner’s train into the mountain, then whiz down miner’s slides to the lower levels of the mine. This is fun for kids and those of us who are kids at heart!
Logistics
Berchtesgaden is only 30 minutes by car or public bus from Salzburg. It’s definitely the closest of the places on this list of day trips from Salzburg. If you just want to see Eagle’s Nest, you can take a group tour from Salzburg.
Munich
It’s easy to visit the capital of Bavaria on a day trip from Salzburg! Located in southern Germany, Munich is a vibrant city full of incredible sites to see. Start with a visit to Marienplatz, a bustling square in the heart of the city. Here you will see the iconic Neues Rathaus, Munich’s town hall. Marvel at its ornate facade, and make sure to time your visit to see the Glockenspiel clock show at 11 a.m. and 12 p.m., as well as 5 p.m. from March to October.
Nearby you will find Viktualienmarkt, a food market with over 100 stalls selling produce, bread, spices, fish, meat, gifts, and souvenirs. Want to try some famous Bavarian beer? Viktualienmarkt is the location of Munich’s most central beer garden serving beer from all six Munich breweries. The square is also near all of the best shopping in Munich. Kaufingerstrasse is a car-free pedestrian area filled with department stores, fashion shops, perfumeries, and other specialty shops.
If you don’t spend all of your time shopping, you will enjoy exploring Englischer Garten, one of the largest urban parks in the world. Or if you love royalty and glamour, visit the Munich Residenz or Nymphenburg Palace. Both housed Baravian kings. Before you leave, stop by Hofbräuhaus München, Munich’s most famous beer hall.
Logistics
You can catch a direct train to Munich and reach the city in under two hours. It’s about 1.5 hours by car. Ironically, tour options abound if you are in Munich and want to visit Salzburg. But only expensive private tours are available for the reverse. So I recommend skipping the tour and making your way to Munich on your own via train. It’s easy and everything is walkable once you get there!
Chiemsee Lake & Herrenchiemsee Palace
Last on our list of day trips from Salzburg is Chiemsee, the largest lake in Bavaria. Known as the Bavarian Sea, the best way to experience it is on a steam boat. There are boat tours connecting the lakeside towns of Prien, Herreninsel, Fraueninsel, and others. Another great way to get around is by the Chiemsee-Bahn, a historic steam train that runs from Prien to the harbor.
The number one site in the area is Herrenchiemsee Palace. Intended by King Ludwig II to look like Versailles in Paris, the lavish palace has lavish rooms, a Hall of Mirrors, and beautifully manicured gardens. The palace is located on Herreninsel (Men’s Island) and can be reached by boat.
Another island, appropriately named Fraueninsel (Women’s Island), is also a must-see place and and can also be reached by boat. This peaceful island village has old fishing cottages, charming houses, and beautiful flower gardens. Visit the circa 772 Frauenwörth Abbey. Take a guided tour of the church or abbess’s corridor. And make sure to visit the monastery shop featuring specialties such as homemade marzipan, spicy gingerbread and herbal liqueurs.
Logistics
Drive for 45 minutes or take a direct 1-hour train to Prien am Chiemsee. Tours don’t seem to be available, but it’s easy to get there and get around on your own.
What tops your list of day trips from Salzburg?
Tell us more below! You can also contact us and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest so you never miss a post!
