Things to Do in Salzburg: 20 Best Attractions, Day Trips & Travel Tips
Salzburg is one of the most compact and rewarding cities in Central Europe — a Baroque gem on the banks of the Salzach River, UNESCO World Heritage listed, birthplace of Mozart, filming location of The Sound of Music, and surrounded by Alpine scenery that makes even a short visit feel extraordinary. Despite its relatively small size, Salzburg packs in an exceptional concentration of world-class attractions, beautiful architecture, and day-trip opportunities into the Austrian Alps.
This guide covers the 20 best things to do in Salzburg, organised by category, with opening hours, admission notes, and practical tips for planning your visit.
Salzburg at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
| Country | Austria |
| Language | German (most tourist areas English-friendly) |
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
| Best time to visit | April to October for weather; December for Christmas markets |
| Day trip from Vienna? | Yes — approximately 2.5 hours by train |
| Day trip from Munich? | Yes — approximately 1.5 hours by train |
| UNESCO status | Historic Centre of Salzburg — World Heritage Site since 1996 |
| Famous for | Mozart, The Sound of Music, Baroque architecture, Christmas markets |
Historic Landmarks and Architecture
1. Fortress Hohensalzburg — Best View in Salzburg
Location: Festungsgasse 1 | Open: Daily 9am–7pm (summer); 9am–5pm (winter) | Admission: ~€15 adults (funicular included)
Fortress Hohensalzburg is one of the largest and best-preserved medieval castles in Europe, standing on the Festungsberg hill directly above the Old Town. The fortress dates from 1077 and has been continuously inhabited for nearly a thousand years. The view from the fortress walls over Salzburg’s rooftops, the Salzach River, and the Alps beyond is the single best panoramic view in the city.
The fortress is accessible on foot via a steep 15-minute climb from the Old Town, or by the Festungsbahn funicular railway from Festungsgasse (the funicular fare is included in the combined admission ticket). Inside, the State Rooms feature original Romanesque woodwork and stoves, a museum covering the history of the fortress, and the Golden Chamber (Goldene Stube), one of the most elaborate medieval interiors in the German-speaking world.
Even if you do not pay to enter the fortress interior, the approach through Kapitelplatz (Chapter Square) below offers excellent views of the fortress for free, and walking up to the gates gives a sense of its scale without entering.
2. Salzburg Cathedral — Free Entry, Extraordinary Interior
Location: Domplatz | Open: Mon–Sat 8am–7pm; Sun 1pm–7pm | Admission: Free
Salzburg Cathedral is the centrepiece of the Old Town — a magnificent early Baroque cathedral rebuilt in the 17th century after fire, with a façade of white marble, twin towers, and a vast copper dome visible across much of the city. The interior is one of the finest Baroque spaces in the German-speaking world: ceiling frescoes depicting scenes from the life of Christ, marble columns, and an extraordinary organ.
Entry is free. The Cathedral also contains the Romanesque baptismal font where Mozart was baptised in 1756 — a small but historically significant detail. Access to the Crypt below is included with free admission and is worth exploring for its atmospheric vaulted chambers.
3. Mirabell Palace and Gardens — The Sound of Music Location
Location: Mirabellplatz 4 | Gardens open: Daily 6am–dusk | Admission: Gardens free; Palace interior (when open for events): free
Mirabell Palace and its formal gardens are one of Salzburg’s most photographed locations, and for visitors who know The Sound of Music, one of the most recognisable. The gardens feature prominently in the film — the Do-Re-Mi sequence was filmed here, and specific spots including the Pegasus Fountain and the hedge-lined pathways are immediately recognisable to fans of the film.
The gardens are immaculately maintained, with geometric parterre gardens, fountains, and views up to Fortress Hohensalzburg. In summer, flowers are in full bloom and the fountains are active. The gardens are open daily and free to enter at all hours. The Palace itself (used for civil wedding ceremonies and official events) is occasionally open to visitors.
4. Residenzplatz — The Heart of the Old Town
Location: Residenzplatz, Old Town | Open: 24 hours | Admission: Free
Residenzplatz is the largest and grandest square in Salzburg’s Old Town — a vast Baroque piazza fronted by the Residenz palace (the former seat of the Prince-Archbishops of Salzburg) and the Cathedral. The Residenz Fountain at the centre of the square is considered the most impressive fountain in Salzburg and one of the finest Baroque fountains north of the Alps.
Residenzplatz is the site of Salzburg’s famous Christmas market in December, one of the most atmospheric in Austria. In summer, outdoor concerts are held in the square. The square itself featured in The Sound of Music as the setting for the outdoor concert scene.
5. Mozartplatz — Tribute to the City’s Most Famous Son
Location: Mozartplatz, Old Town | Open: 24 hours | Admission: Free
Mozartplatz is a small square adjacent to Residenzplatz, centred on a bronze statue of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart erected in 1842. Mozart was born in Salzburg in 1756 and the city celebrates this connection throughout — his name and likeness appear on chocolates, concert posters, and storefronts citywide. Mozartplatz is a pleasant stopping point between the Cathedral quarter and the Getreidegasse shopping street.
6. Getreidegasse — Salzburg’s Famous Shopping Street
Location: Getreidegasse, Old Town | Open: 24 hours | Admission: Free
Getreidegasse is Salzburg’s most celebrated street — a narrow, cobblestoned lane in the Old Town lined with wrought-iron guild signs hanging above the shops, a tradition dating from the Middle Ages when most citizens could not read and shops announced their trade with visual symbols. The street is famous today for its concentration of independent shops, luxury brands, and historical buildings. Mozart’s birthplace (Geburtshaus) is at number 9 Getreidegasse — the yellow Baroque building is one of the most visited sites in Salzburg, though entry to the museum inside charges admission.
Mozart Attractions
7. Mozart’s Birthplace (Mozarts Geburtshaus)
Location: Getreidegasse 9 | Open: Daily 9am–5:30pm (Jul–Aug until 8pm) | Admission: ~€12 adults
Mozart’s Geburtshaus (birthplace) is the yellow Baroque building at Getreidegasse 9 where Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born on 27 January 1756. The museum inside the building contains the family apartment on the third floor, exhibits including Mozart’s childhood violin, his first piano, family portraits, and letters. The house is operated by the Mozarteum Foundation and is one of the most visited attractions in Salzburg.
8. Mozart’s Residence (Mozart-Wohnhaus)
Location: Makartplatz 8 | Open: Daily 9am–5:30pm | Admission: ~€12 adults (combined ticket with birthplace available)
Mozart’s Residence is the house on Makartplatz where the Mozart family lived from 1773 until Wolfgang left Salzburg for Vienna in 1781. The museum is somewhat less crowded than the birthplace and covers the period of Mozart’s mature creative output in Salzburg, including many of his symphonies and the compositions written for the Salzburg court.
The Sound of Music Locations
9. Sound of Music Tour
Type: Guided tour | Duration: ~4 hours | Cost: ~€45–55 per person
The Sound of Music (1965) was filmed largely in and around Salzburg, and dedicated tours visiting the filming locations are one of the most popular activities in the city. Key locations include Mirabell Gardens (Do-Re-Mi sequence), the Residenzplatz (concert scene), Nonnberg Abbey (where Maria was a postulant), and the Leopoldskron Palace (used as the Von Trapp family villa exterior). Tours also venture outside Salzburg to the Salzkammergut lake district where other scenes were filmed.
Multiple operators run regular Sound of Music tours from Salzburg city centre; Panorama Tours and Salzburg Sightseeing Tours are among the most established. Booking in advance is recommended during summer.
10. Nonnberg Abbey — Maria’s Convent
Location: Nonnberggasse 2 | Open: Daily 7am–7pm | Admission: Free
Nonnberg Abbey is the oldest continuously inhabited nunnery north of the Alps, founded in 714 AD. It is also the real convent where Maria (the actual Maria von Trapp) lived before leaving to become the governess of the Von Trapp children. The convent church is open to visitors and is a peaceful and beautiful Romanesque building. The exterior of the abbey and its views over the Old Town are also used in the film.
Parks, Gardens, and Natural Scenery
11. Hellbrunn Palace and Trick Fountains
Location: Fürstenweg 37, approximately 4km south of the city | Open: Daily (Apr–Oct) 9am–5:30pm (Jul–Aug until 9pm) | Admission: ~€15 adults
Hellbrunn Palace is a 17th-century summer palace about 4 kilometres south of Salzburg city centre, famous above all for its extraordinary Trick Fountains — an elaborate system of water-powered mechanical figures and hidden jets designed to drench unsuspecting guests, commissioned by the eccentric Archbishop Markus Sittikus in 1613. The palace grounds include formal gardens, a deer park, and a natural stone theatre. The Von Trapp family gazebo from The Sound of Music (Do you know where you’re going tonight?) is located in the palace gardens.
12. Salzach River and Old Town Bridges
Location: River banks between the Old Town and New Town | Open: 24 hours | Admission: Free
The Salzach River divides the Old Town (left bank) from the New Town (right bank), and the riverside promenade on both sides provides excellent views of the Old Town skyline. Several pedestrian bridges cross the river; the Staatsbrücke and Makartsteg are the most central. The Makartsteg is notable for being a ‘love lock’ bridge. Walking along the Salzach — particularly on the Old Town side — is one of the simplest and most pleasant free activities in Salzburg.
13. Kapitelplatz and Hohensalzburg Views
Location: Kapitelplatz, Old Town | Open: 24 hours | Admission: Free
Kapitelplatz (Chapter Square) is the large open square immediately below Fortress Hohensalzburg, connecting the Cathedral area with the approach to the funicular. The square provides unobstructed views of the fortress on the hill above and is one of the best spots in the city for photographing the castle without paying admission. The large golden sphere sculpture (‘Sphaera’) in the centre of the square is a distinctive modern landmark.
Day Trips from Salzburg
14. Hallstatt — Austria’s Most Beautiful Village
Distance: Approximately 1.5 hours by car; 2–2.5 hours by train and ferry | Cost: Free to visit the village
Hallstatt is a small lakeside village in the Salzkammergut lake district, often described as the most beautiful village in Austria. The village clings to a narrow shelf between the Hallstätter See (lake) and steep Alpine cliffs, with painted houses reflected in the water. Hallstatt has a Bronze Age salt mining history dating back over 7,000 years — the Hallstatt Salt Mine is the oldest in the world and open for tours. The village itself is free to walk and explore; the mine charges admission. Hallstatt is reachable by train from Salzburg to Attnang-Puchheim, connecting to Hallstatt Bahnhof, then a short ferry ride to the village.
15. Berchtesgaden and Eagle’s Nest
Distance: Approximately 30 minutes by bus into Germany | Day trips available from Salzburg
Berchtesgaden is a short bus ride from Salzburg across the German border into Bavaria, and is one of the most popular day trip destinations. The main attraction is the Kehlsteinhaus (Eagle’s Nest) — a mountain-top building constructed for Adolf Hitler in 1938, now a restaurant open to visitors, accessible by a dramatic mountain road and lift built into the rock. The surrounding Berchtesgaden National Park is one of Germany’s finest Alpine landscapes, with the Königssee lake offering boat tours.
16. Werfen Ice Caves (Eisriesenwelt)
Distance: Approximately 45 minutes south of Salzburg | Open: May–October | Admission: ~€16 adults
Eisriesenwelt (World of the Ice Giants) near Werfen is the largest accessible ice cave system in the world, stretching over 40 kilometres into the Tennengebirge mountains. The ice formations — some reaching 20 metres in height — are extraordinary and unlike anything accessible elsewhere in Austria. Tours take approximately 1 hour inside the cave and involve walking 700 metres into the mountain. The approach requires a cable car ride and a 20-minute uphill walk. The cave temperature is approximately 0°C year-round; bring warm layers regardless of the outside temperature.
Food, Drink, and Salzburg Specialities
17. Sacher-Torte at Hotel Sacher
Location: Schwarzstrasse 5-7 | The Café is open daily
The Hotel Sacher in Salzburg is a sister property to the original Hotel Sacher in Vienna — both claim the authentic recipe for the Sacher-Torte, the dense chocolate cake with apricot jam and chocolate glaze that is Austria’s most celebrated confection. Taking a coffee and a slice of Sacher-Torte at the Hotel Sacher café is a classic Salzburg experience. The hotel’s exterior is worth photographing from the street at no cost.
18. Salzburg’s Christmas Markets
When: Late November to 26 December | Admission: Free
Salzburg’s Christmas markets are among the most atmospheric in Austria, set against the backdrop of the Baroque Old Town, the illuminated Cathedral, and Fortress Hohensalzburg. The main market is held in Residenzplatz and Domplatz (Cathedral Square). Additional markets operate at Mirabell Palace, Hellbrunn, and elsewhere in the city. The markets sell Glühwein (mulled wine), baked goods, hand-crafted decorations, and traditional Austrian Christmas items. Entry is free; Salzburg in December is cold but the atmosphere is exceptional.
Practical Tips for Visiting Salzburg
Getting to Salzburg
- From Vienna: Austrian Federal Railways (OeBB) runs regular direct services; the journey takes approximately 2 hours 20 minutes. Trains depart from Wien Hauptbahnhof. Booking in advance provides significant fare savings.
- From Munich: Direct trains run approximately every hour; the journey takes 1 hour 30 to 1 hour 45 minutes. Salzburg is also easily accessible as a day trip from Munich.
- By air: Salzburg Airport (SZG) is approximately 4 kilometres west of the city centre, served by several UK and European airlines including Ryanair and easyJet from various UK airports.
Getting Around Salzburg
The Old Town is compact and most major attractions are within walking distance of each other. The Old Town (Altstadt) is largely pedestrianised. Buses connect the Old Town to outlying attractions including Hellbrunn and Mirabell. The Festungsbahn funicular is the fastest way to reach Fortress Hohensalzburg.
Is Salzburg Worth Visiting?
Yes — Salzburg is one of the most beautiful cities in Central Europe and remarkably rewarding for its size. The Old Town is UNESCO-listed and genuinely extraordinary, the Mozart heritage is authentic and interesting, the Alpine surroundings are spectacular, and the day-trip opportunities (Hallstatt, Berchtesgaden, Werfen) are exceptional. The city is expensive by Austrian standards but many of the best attractions (the Cathedral, Mirabell Gardens, river walks, the Old Town itself) are free.
How Many Days Do You Need in Salzburg?
Two days is sufficient to cover the main attractions at a comfortable pace. One full day covers the Old Town thoroughly — the Cathedral, Getreidegasse, Mozartplatz, Residenzplatz, Mirabell Gardens, and Fortress Hohensalzburg. A second day allows for Hellbrunn Palace, Mozart’s Birthplace or Residence, Nonnberg Abbey, and the Salzach riverside. A third day opens up day-trip options to Hallstatt, Berchtesgaden, or the Werfen Ice Caves.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best things to do in Salzburg?
The top things to do in Salzburg are visiting Fortress Hohensalzburg for the best view of the city, exploring the Baroque Old Town on foot including Getreidegasse and the Cathedral quarter, visiting Mirabell Palace Gardens (free), seeing the Residenzplatz and its fountain, visiting Mozart’s Birthplace, and taking a Sound of Music tour for the filming locations. Day trips to Hallstatt and Berchtesgaden are among the best day trips in Austria.
What is Salzburg famous for?
Salzburg is famous primarily as the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756) and as the main filming location of The Sound of Music (1965). It is also celebrated for its extraordinarily well-preserved Baroque Old Town (a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996), its Christmas markets, the Salzburg Festival (one of the world’s premier classical music and opera festivals, held in July and August), and its Alpine surroundings.
Is Salzburg worth a day trip from Vienna?
Yes — Salzburg is one of the best day trips from Vienna, at approximately 2.5 hours by direct train. The compact Old Town can be covered thoroughly in a single day. Arrive by mid-morning, walk the Old Town including Mirabell Gardens, Getreidegasse, the Cathedral, and Kapitelplatz views of the fortress, and depart in the early evening. A day trip works well in summer; Salzburg in December for the Christmas markets is particularly worthwhile as a day trip.
Final Thoughts
Salzburg is one of Europe’s most rewarding compact cities — small enough to explore thoroughly in a weekend, beautiful enough to justify far more time, and surrounded by day-trip destinations that are among the finest in the Alps. Whether you are there for Mozart, The Sound of Music, the Baroque architecture, or simply the extraordinary Alpine scenery, Salzburg consistently surprises visitors with how much it delivers in a relatively small area.