City of The Sound of Music, birthplace of Mozart, and home to a UNESCO-listed old town, the Austrian city of Salzburg has no shortage of impressive accolades. From its many claims-to-fame comes a long list of things to do in Salzburg, with classical music concerts, film location tours of Hellbrunn Castle and Mondsee Abbey, and Christmas markets set against a pretty Alpine backdrop. Lovers of the great outdoors are also in luck, with easy access to mountains and lakes for skiing, hiking, camping, and more.
The weather in Salzburg is at its finest from June until early September, but you’ll have to contend with crowds in the compact Altstadt (Old Town), particularly in July and August. The holiday season is another great time to explore the city: Salzburg is particularly enchanting in the month leading up to Christmas when lights and decorations add plenty of festive cheer and Christmas markets pop up all over town.
Salzburg is easy to get around on foot and by public transportation. In fact, you’ll be better off not renting a car unless you plan on staying on the outskirts of the city or want to do a lot of traveling to other parts of the country. You can get up to the Mönchsberg plateau using the Mönchsberg lift from Anton-Neumayr-Platz in the Altstadt.
If you want a taste of hearty Austrian cuisine with a fine-dining twist, make a reservation at Restaurant Goldener Hirsch, one of the most celebrated spots for local fare in town. If you’ve got a hankering for something different, head over to Das Restaurant Wasserfall, a delightful Alstadt spot serving up Italian and pan-Mediterranean fare, including plenty of seasonal specialties.
Attractions 44 | Tours 340 | Reviews 13,359 |
A London-based account manager at Viator, Melanie enjoys traveling the world but she is always being drawn back to Austria, her home country.
take a stroll through Salzburg’s Old Town, snap a photo in front of Mozart’s birthplace, and sample the original Salzburger Mozartkugel, a marzipan- and nougat-filled chocolate praline, at Cafe Fürst.
involves a run along the river Salzach, an afternoon enjoying Salzburger Nockerl in a café, and a classical concert in the Baroque Marble Hall of Mirabell Palace or drinks on the Hotel Stein rooftop.
taking a The Sound of Music Tour. Even if you’re not a fan of the musical, you can enjoy stunning movie locations such as Schloss Leopoldskron, Schloss Hellbrunn, and the charming town of Mondsee.
go to the Schranne Market, which takes place every Thursday on Mirabellplatz. There, you can sample local culinary delicacies and admire the local arts and crafts.
head to the Fortress Hohensalzburg which offers stunning views over the city’s spires, domes, and the mountains beyond. You can take the funicular but hiking up Festungsgasse is more memorable.
is thinking Red Bull is an American brand, when it’s actually Austrian. Its founder Dietrich Mateschitz is from Salzburg and if you’re into airplanes and motorcars, make sure to visit the Hangar-7 at Salzburg Airport.
Salzburg is renowned for its photo-worthy Old Town: a UNESCO-protected baroque treasure overlooked by the forbidding Hohensalzburg Fortress. The city was also where the composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in 1756—his birthplace is a museum—and played a starring role in the much-loved 1965 musical, The Sound of Music.
...MoreBe sure to visit Mozart’s Birthplace on Salzburg’s Getreidegasse. His family’s apartment has been reconstructed and showcases his original clavichord, violin, and family letters. Sound of Music fans, meanwhile, shouldn’t miss a tour of the movie’s iconic Salzburg filming locations, including the Mirabell Gardens with their “Do-Re-Mi” steps.
...MoreThree to four days in Salzburg is ideal. This is enough to enjoy Old Town highlights like Salzburg Cathedral, Mirabell Palace, Mozart’s Birthplace, and the shops and restaurants hugging the cobbled streets. It also still provides time to sample the surrounding Alpine countryside of blue-green lakes, villages, and mountain scenery.
...MoreOver 70 percent of Austrians speak English, and because Salzburg is tourist-oriented, you’ll likely find an even higher ratio of people who speak it well. But don’t take it for granted: Locals will be delighted if you’re ready with some stock phrases from the region’s official language: Austro-Bavarian German.
...MoreYes. History, classical music, and film—especially Sound of Music—enthusiasts will find Salzburg rewarding and memorable. The city’s elegant baroque architecture, stylish shops, cozy pubs, and hearty cuisine, not to mention its surrounding mountain panoramas, will add extra appeal and keep general sightseers more than happy, too.
...MoreExplore Salzburg Old Town on day one to view Salzburg Cathedral, Mozart’s Birthplace, and more before absorbing sweeping city views from the Hohensalzburg Fortress. Day two is prime for pursuing personal interests: enjoying the shops and restaurants; taking a Sound of Music four, or admiring the region’s lake-and-mountain scenery.
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