The renowned ‘City of Mozart’ has plenty to offer tourists. With breathtaking landscapes, baroque architecture, and bountiful culture – there are endless things to do in Salzburg. One of the best ways to explore the city is on a walking tour. If you’re on a budget, there are free walking tours of Salzburg available, too. Not sure what to do in Salzburg? Here are some of our top picks.
Top places to visit in Salzburg
Hohensalzburg Fortress (Salzburg’s castle)
Visiting this impressive hilltop fortress is one of the best things to do in Salzburg. Take the funicular railway to the top to explore the impressive 16th-century architecture and enjoy panoramic views over the city.
Mozart museums in Salzburg
No trip to Salzburg is complete without a dose of Mozart. You can visit the Mozart Birthplace and Mozart Residence museums for an extraordinary insight into the composer’s childhood or retrace his steps on a City Walk: Mozart.
Salzburg Old Town
Salzburg Old Town, or Altstadt, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for a good reason. The area is characterised by quaint cobbled streets and bustling squares lined with ornate medieval and baroque buildings. The Old Town is a must-see in Salzburg.
See sights from the Sound of Music
If you’re a fan of the 1965 musical cult classic, you can get your Sound of Music fix in Salzburg. Not only was the film shot in the city, but the real Trapp family lived here, too. Take in the most famous sites on a Sound of Music Tour of Salzburg.
Day trips from Salzburg
During your trip, make time for a day trip from Salzburg. The Alps are just a short drive from the city, so it’s well worth visiting nearby mountains for some of the best views in Austria. Rent a car from Salzburg Airport to visit these unmissable sites easily.
Eisriesenwelt Ice Caves
Eisriesenwelt Ice Caves in Werfen are the largest accessible ice caves in the world. Delve into a naturally formed ice kingdom in the mountain, where you’ll get a guided tour through sub-zero winding paths and spectacular ice formations. The Ice Caves are one of the top things to do in Salzburg.
Mountains near Salzburg
There are numerous mountains a short distance from Salzburg where you can hike, cycle, paraglide, sightsee, and ride cable cars. With a rental car, these are easily accessible. Mountains near Salzburg include:
• Gaisberg
• Untersberg
• The Kapuzinerberg
• Monchsberg
• Rötelstein
Hallstatt
For a change of pace, visit Hallstatt, a fairy tale-esque lakeside town that’s earned a place on UNESCO’s World Heritage list. Hallstatt is also home to the world’s oldest salt mine, which is one of Salzburg’s top attractions.
Liechtensteinklamm
An hour’s drive from Salzburg is Liechtensteinklamm, a dramatic gorge with a natural waterfall. Visitors can explore a kilometre of wooden walkways through the ravine, and even climb 30 metres up the spiral ‘helix’ staircase for unrivalled views.
Salzburg food & drink
Salzburg’s signature dishes include schnitzels (meat breaded and fried), kasnocken (warm dumplings filled with cheese and caramelised onions) and bierfleisch (goulash made with beer). Some of the best food in Salzburg is sweet, like warm apple strudels, rich chocolate Sachertorte and Mozart Balls – chocolate pralines filled with pistachio and nougat. Keen to know more about the beer brewing process? There are plenty of breweries near Salzburg due to its proximity to Germany’s ‘Beer Belt’.
Shopping in Salzburg
Salzburg boasts a varied shopping scene of boutiques, markets, shopping centres and traditional gift shops (be prepared for plenty of Mozart souvenirs). If you’re looking for small, independent shops, head to Salzburg’s Old Town where you’ll find more than 400 stores. The most famous shopping street here is Getreidegasse, one of Salzburg’s top sites (it’s also home to Mozart’s birthplace). A 15-minute drive from the city centre, Europark Shopping Centre has more than 130 high-street and designer shops, including an Ikea.
Festivals and events in Salzburg
Every winter, visitors flock to Salzburg Christmas Market. The event dates back to 1491 and takes place in the cathedral square, with a packed calendar of festive events to accompany the traditional market stalls. Mozart Week is held annually over the composer’s birthday (27th January), where the city’s concert halls are filled with classical music in celebration of Salzburg’s most famous resident. The highlight of the city’s calendar, the Salzburg Festival takes place for six weeks every summer. The culture hub plays host to opera, music, and drama events in 15 venues across the city.
