Salzburg is a beautiful city located in Austria offering something for every type of traveler. If you love music, history, films, natural scenery, or architecture, you will love spending a few days in Salzburg!
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Hohensalzburg Fortress
The 1,000 year old Hohensalzburg Fortress is the focal point of Salzburg. Perched on a hill in the middle of the city, the fortress offers incredible panoramic views of Salzburg and the surrounding Alps. You can reach the fortress by riding the funicular from Old Town or simply hiking up the hill for a little exercise! Beware, however – it’s steep! Then climb up a little more to visit Reckturm Watchtower for 360 degree views of the city.
Inside the fortress, you can visit the lavish staterooms of the city’s Prince-Archbishops, including the Golden Chamber featuring amazing Gothic carvings. Marvel at the Golden Hall where a gold-studded ceiling covered the site of the banquets of yesteryear. And you will love the Magic Theater, an interactive multimedia experience combining light, sound, and digital protection to tell the story of the city’s history.
There are three museums on site. The Fortress Museum covers the history of the fortress, what life was like in the Middle Ages, and has displays of medieval weapons and armory. The Rainer Regiment Museum has exhibits on military history including uniforms from various eras. And the Puppet Museum showcases marionettes from the Salzburg puppet theater.
Take time to visit the 15th century St. George’s Chapel located inside the fortress. You should also see the Salzburg Bull. This circa 1500’s mechanical organ is one of the world’s oldest Gothic hornworks and is the oldest still played on a regular basis. It’s music can be heard all over the city each day at 7 a.m., 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.
If you are lucky, you can attend a special event during your visit. Offerings include concerts, historical re-enactments, and a yearly Christmas market,
Mirabell Palace & Gardens
You will probably recognize Mirabell Palace & Gardens from The Sound of Music. This is the background of the Do-Re-Mi scene where Maria and the kids frolicked around a garden and fountain. What you probably don’t know is that the entire area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that houses the Salzburg mayor and city administration.
You will want to take some time to wander around the garden and recreate scenes from the film. Make sure to walk through the geometrically arranged flower beds and the Hedge Theatre. And admire the sculptures of the Pegasus Fountain, Grand Fountain, and Dwarf Garden.
Salzburg Cathedral
The iconic 17th century Salzburg Cathedral has a marble facade with two towers topped green copper domes. Once inside, you will see a grand dome soaring almost 233 feet above and covered with frescos of Biblical scenes. You can also see the baptismal font where the composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was baptized in 1756 and the main organ that he once played.
Another highlight is the Cathedral Museum located in the upper galleries. This museum has exhibits with religious artifacts, paintings, relics, manuscripts, and more. You can also visit the crypt which contains tombs of past archbishops going back to 1619. The crypt is also the site of archaeological excavations with remnants of earlier churches that stood there.
There are several ways to experience the cathedral. You an attend one of the daily church services. Or go at noon to hear the amazing cathedral organs played. Take a guided tour daily at 2 p.m., or go anytime during opening hours and take advantage of the audio guide.
Mozart’s Birthplace & Residence
The famous composer Mozart was born in Salzburg on January 27, 1756. He lived in the bright yellow building in Old Town until he was 17 years old. Today you can visit Mozart’s Birthplace to learn more about his early life. You will see the rooms where he lived, his first violin, handwritten letters, family portraits, and period furnishings. Exhibits introduce you to Mozart’s parents and sister and explain Salzburg’s musical history.
Mozart’s Residence is where the composer lived from 1773-1781 when he left for Vienna. This more spacious home displays Mozart’s fortepiano and clavichord. There are also special exhibits, a display of Mozart’s writings, and the garden cottage where he composed parts of The Magic Flute.
St. Peter’s Abbey, Cemetery & Catacombs
One of the oldest monasteries in Europe. St. Peter’s Abbey was founded in the year 696. Start your visit in the 12th century St. Peter’s Church to admire the ornate interior, high alter, organ, and religious artwork. You can see the treasures and religious artifacts collected by the monastery in the Museum of St. Peter’s Abbey located nearby.
Definitely take time to stroll through the St. Peter’s Cemetery & Catacombs. Dating back to the 12th century, the cemetery is one of the oldest in Europe. It was the inspiration for the Sound of Music‘s von Trapp family’s escape scene. The inaccurately named catacombs are carved into the Mönchsberg cliff. The catacombs dates back to the 9th century and was not used as a burial site but rather as a Christian gathering site. Inside, the Gertrauden Chapel features ancient frescos and the Maximus Chapel is where early Christians worshipped in Roman times.
If you are hungry during your visit, you can dine at St. Peter Stiftskulinarium, Europe’s oldest restaurant. Established in the year 803, it serves traditional Austrian dishes. For a special experience, attend a Mozart Dinner Concert within the Baroque Hall located in the restaurant. Enjoy a three course meal while listening to a musical program of Mozart’s greatest hits. If you just want a snack during your visit, look no further than the Stiftsbäckerei St. Peter bakery. Arrive early to watch the bread making process, then savor delicious fresh bread as a reward for getting up early!
Hellbrunn Palace & Trick Fountains
Hellbrunn Palace was built in 1615 as a summer house for Salzburg’s Prince-Archbishops. Designed as a pleasure palace, exhibits explain the extravagant lifestyle of the residents. You will enjoy the whimsey of the architecture and furnishings inside the palace.
The main highlight of the palace are the Trick Fountains. Created with hidden water jets, the fountains surprise and soak visitors. There are five immersive grottos wonderfully decorated towards their own theme and each containing sights or sounds operated by water. From the sound of bird callas in the Bird Call Grotto to a grimacing face with rolling eyes sticking out his tongue in the Neptune Grotto, these waterworks will delight you just as they did guests of the prince-archbishops of the past.
You can imagine how they felt seated at an outdoor stone table encircled by a curtain of water when the playful prince-archbishop decided it was time to spray water from beneath the stone stools where they sat! And you will be just as amazed as they were at the water automats depicting various scenes from Roman and Greek mythology and the Mechanical Theatre featuring 163 figures working in a Baroque city.
The palace park features both landscaped gardens and untouched fields and forests. Here you will find the Stone Theater which is sometimes used for concerts and other performances. Another site in the park is Little Month Palace which today houses the Folklore Museum. Sound of Music fans will also love visiting the gazebo that inspired the scene where Liesl and Franz danced and sang the song “Sixteen Going on Seventeen.” If you love animals, take some time to visit the Salzburg Zoo featuring over 150 species of animals.
Residenzplatz & Salzburg Residenz
Residenzplatz is the largest square in Salzburg’s Old Town. The magnificent 17th century fountain in the middle of the square may seem familiar – Maria and the children pass by it on their carriage ride in the Sound of Music. The square is home to a Christmas market in December and hosts live concerts, New Year’s Eve parties, and St. Rupert’s Fair every September. If you get a bit peckish, there are plenty of cafes offering pastries, traditional Viennese coffee, and heartier fare.
One of the gorgeous buildings in Residenzplatz is the Salzburg Residenz. This former palace of the prince-archbishops features lavishly decorated state rooms. There’s also the Residenz Gallery where you can see art from the great masters like Rembrandt and Rubens. You can visit both along with other key sites on a DomQuartier Tour which is designed to guide you through the former power center of Austria.
Another fun place to visit in Residenzplatz is the Panorama Museum. Inside you will see a 360-degree painted panorama of 19th century Salzburg.
Kapuzinerberg
If you need a break from the crowds, head to Kapuzinerberg, the scenic hill on the eastern side of Old Town. Rising 2,100 feet above the city, the hill offers incredible panoramic views. The most famous viewpoint is Franziskischlöss, a small castle at the very top of the hill which now is a hotel. After hiking up the hill, you can quench your thirst and tuck into hearty Austrian fare at The Tavern.
Another must-visit site on Kapuzinerberg is Kapuzinerkloster, a Capuchin monastery. This circa 1599 monastery is still active today. Enjoy its peaceful atmosphere, simple Baroque-style church, and stunning views of the Salzach River.
Kapuzinerberg served as part of the city’s medieval fortifications. Some of the historic walls, watchtowers, and other defense structures still stand waiting to be discovered as you hike on the various scenic trails on the hill. Keep your eyes open for wildlife, particularly chamois (a goat-antelope species) perched on rocky outcroppings.
Salzach River Promenade & Cruise
Another great way to experience nature in the city is to take a walk or bike down the Salzach River. Cross over the Markartsteg Bridge connecting Old town to New Town to see hundreds of locks attached by lovers. You should also visit the Müllner Steg bridge for the best views of Old Town. While you are there, stop by the Augustiner Bräu beer garden, the largest in Austria. There are plenty of other riverside cafes along the river as well.
On the eastern side of the river lies Steingasse Street, one of the city’s oldest streets. This residential street has charming medieval houses and courtyards. One famous past resident was Joseph Mohr, the man who wrote the lyrics to the song Silent Night.
Another great way to experience the river is by boat cruise. Opt for a romantic sunset cruise, a cruise combined with a tourist site, or even an amphibious splash tour in a vehicle that is both boat and bus!
Nonnberg Abbey
Yet another famous Sound of Music site, Nonnberg Abbey was the convent Maria left to become a governess to the von Trapp children. This abbey dates to the 8th century and the current building features Gothic architecture. You can go inside during opening hours or to attend a service. Try to time your visit to hear the nuns singing early in the morning or at Vespers at 5 p.m. most days.
What’s topping your list of things to do in Salzburg?
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