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Guest post by Nicoletta Habsudova
Salzburg is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, and still, many people don’t even know about it. Travelers often come to Vienna if they visit Austria and skip other country’s beauties. Don’t make the mistake when traveling to Austria; make Salzburg your priority.
The city has a charm and special atmosphere, offers unique things to do, and you can also make incredible day trips to nature in the region. So, in this article, I’ll reveal the 13 best things to do in Salzburg to help you have the perfect time.
What Is Salzburg Best Known For?
Salzburg is mainly known as the birthplace of the Classical Musician – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. You can visit the home where he was born and his home place. Another thing not to miss in Salzburg is enjoying a classical concert.
Besides, the River Salzach is famous for salt trade, which dates back to the 12th century, when the river was a primary transportation point between Germany and Venice.
If you want to learn more about Salzburg and its interesting facts, read this 3-day Salzburg itinerary. Follow it when you visit Salzburg to ensure you see all the highlights.
13 Best Things To Do In Salzburg
Let’s jump right into the best things to do in the city. There are a variety of activities and sights that I highly recommend experiencing during your visit to Salzburg.
1. Explore Salzburg’s Fortress
The fortress in Salzburg is the icon of the city. It was built in 1077 and has remained one of the largest preserved castles in Central Europe. The secret is that it was never even captured nor destroyed by foreign troops.
Nowadays, you can take a funicular train up or walk 15 minutes. But be careful; the pathway is very steep.
You’ll get an audio guide and make a roundtrip around the fortress, learning about its history and culture. The highlight is the tower, from which you can enjoy splendid views of the Alps.
If you don’t want to make the audio guide tour, you can only stay on the terrace and see Salzburg from above.
2. Learn About Mozart & His Life
Salzburg is mainly known for being the birthplace of Mozart, the famous Classical Musician. I’m sure you’ve heard about his crazy personality. If not, I highly recommend watching the movie ‘Amadeus’ before coming to Salzburg.
Mozart was a genius, and locals soon found out when he played piano at a concert in Salzburg’s Cathedral when he was only 6 years old.
Today, you can learn more about his life and talent in the Mozart Birthplace House on Getreidegasse Street or the Mozarthwohnhouse, where he moved after birth.
3. Enjoy Mirabell Garden
Mirabell Garden is my favorite place to be in Salzburg. Stay away from the crowds and enjoy the beautiful garden setup with various flowers. Besides, it offers the most beautiful views of the fortress.
Now, to all Sound of Music fans – pay attention to the Pegasus Fountain. That’s the place where Sound of Music was shot.
The gardens belong to the famous Mirabell Palace, a popular wedding venue. You can just come to the gardens and hang out; the entrance is free of charge.
4. Cruise On River Salzach
One of the main attractions in Salzburg is a cruise on the River Salzach. It’s very touristy and often crowded. But if you really want to do it, I recommend taking it in the morning right after opening.
This way, you’ll avoid the crowds, and it’ll be more enjoyable. Watch out for the surprise at the end of the cruise.
You’ll also get to enjoy all the sights from a different perspective; it’s lovely to see the beautiful buildings from the river.
River Salzach used to be one of the main salt trading routes in the past. And the name reflects it – Salz is a German word for salt in English.
5. Go On Sound Of Music Tour
As many of you know, Sound of Music has been filmed in various locations in Salzburg. But there are also many places outside Salzburg, like Mondsee or the Werfen Castle.
So, if you’re a real movie fan and want to see all the shooting spots, join one of the Sound of Music tours.
You’ll travel on a bus with a guide, who will explain every detail about shooting the movie and give you some fun facts. It’s the best way to see all the Sound of Music locations.
6. Visit The Old Bakery
I have a little secret spot to share with you that barely any traveler knows about. And that’s the old bakery located in St. Peter’s Cemetery. Many people go through the cemetery and end up at the oldest European restaurant – St. Peter’s Stiftskeller Restaurant.
But most of them miss an old bakery situated right after the gate when you enter the cemetery from the Kapitel Square. It’s on the left-hand side next to an old mill. When you come closer, enjoy the wonderful bakery smell of fresh bread.
You can go inside and see how locals prepared bread in the past. I love this tradition in Salzburg.
7. Soak Up Atmosphere Of Salzburg’s Cathedral
Salzburg Cathedral is another icon of the city, also known as Salzburger Dom (in German language). Locals come here every Sunday to pray and participate in a mess. I also went a few times, and the atmosphere was just so magical.
The cathedral was built in the 17th century in a Baroque style. It was the first Baroque church in Austria. Mozart played his piano concert inside when he was only 6 years old. The entrance is free.
8. Taste Traditional Mozart Praline
When you come to Salzburg, you’ll see those red-gold chocolate pralines with a Mozart face in almost every souvenir and grocery store. It’s something you have to taste when you visit the city. But be careful, the red-gold pralines are fake.
If you want to taste the traditional Mozart praline, you’ll have to look for a silver-blue one. The place where they started producing this chocolate treat is called Furst Confectionery, opposite the Tomasseli Café. So go there and treat yourself with a local sweet.
9. Enjoy Classical Concert
Salzburg, the birthplace of Classical Music, calls you every second to enjoy a concert. One of the best places to do so is in the fortress.
The setting is amazing, and you’ll get to listen to the best musical masterpieces that Mozart produced throughout his life. Don’t miss this opportunity.
10. Explore Hangar 7
Another thing you can’t miss is the Hangar 7 exhibition center. It displays a collection of historical Flying Bulls aircraft fleet and Formula 1 race cars.
Believe me, I’m not so much into cars, but the Bull aircraft are so cool to see. The building itself is a masterpiece, so come and see at least its exterior if you don’t want to go inside.
You can also enjoy high-end cuisine at the local Ikarus Restaurant.
11. Go Shopping
If you’re a shopping fan, head to the Getreidegasse. It’s the main shopping street in the city, full of designer outlets and luxury shops. Gasse is a German word (Austrian dialect) for street in English.
Alternatively, you can also go to Linzergasse, which has more regular shops and many restaurants. My favorite is the Italian restaurant, L’Osteria – the food is absolutely delicious, and you won’t be disappointed.
12. Make A Day Trip To The Salt Mines
Now you know that the River Salzach and Salzburg itself became famous thanks to salt trading. Even the city name suggests it: Salz means salt, and ‘Burg’ means a castle. That’s because famous salt mines are only a few miles away from the city.
When you’re visiting the city, spare some time making one of the best day trips from Salzburg. One of them is the salt mines in Hallein, where you can learn more about salt production and even have fun during the mine tour.
13. Visit The Christmas Markets
Salzburg is lovely at any time of year, but I highly recommend visiting it in December or closer to Christmas. The atmosphere is so magical at this time.
Salzburg truly has some of Europe’s most beautiful Christmas markets (I would claim they’re the best). So come to sip a delicious cup of mulled wine and eat a traditional Brezel from the markets.
Sometimes, local singers sing Christmas carols in front of the cathedral, making it even more charming.
Practical Tips For Visiting Salzburg
I’ve also got some practical tips to help you plan your visit to Salzburg further. See when the best time to visit the city is, the best way to get around, and where to stay.
How To Get Around Salzburg
Salzburg is a tiny and walkable city, and the best way to get around is on foot. Most sights are in the pedestrian area anyway, so you can walk everywhere.
You can take local buses if you want to explore something outside of the city center, like the Red Bull Hangar. Rent a car or use the S-Bahn trains to make the day trips to the nearby cities.
You can also purchase the Salzburg Card, which includes transportation on the local buses and the main attractions. It’ll make it easier for you as you don’t have to buy every entrance ticket to each attraction.
Best Time To Visit Salzburg
The best time to visit Salzburg in June, September, and October. These months are less crowded, so you can enjoy the city more.
Summer months are also great as you can sit down next to the river and enjoy the atmosphere and views of the entire city. But July and August are often crowded with tourists.
I recommend checking the weather forecast before booking your trip. Salzburg is known for having a lot of rainy days per year. So be prepared for the rain and don’t forget an umbrella.
Where To Stay In Salzburg
The best places to stay when visiting Salzburg are the Old Town and the New Town on the shores of the River Salzach. Everything is within walking distance, and the hotels are often in a tiny street, isolated from the crowds and noise.
If you want to decide for yourself, learn about the best areas to stay, and get more hotel ideas, check out a full article about where to stay in Salzburg with the best hotels.
I recommend booking one of the hotels below for your stay.
JUFA Hotel Salzburg – best budget-friendly hotel
Boutique Hotel Am Dom – best mid-range hotel (in the Old Town)
Sacher Hotel – best luxury hotel (on the shores of River Salzach)
FAQs
I’ve also answered some of the frequently asked questions. Check my answers below:
Is 2 days enough in Salzburg?
Yes, 2 days are enough to only explore the city. It’s the perfect time to enjoy everything the city has to offer. However, I highly recommend spending at least 4 to 5 days in Salzburg and leaving space to visit nearby attractions like the salt mines, Hallstatt, ice caves, lakes, or the Sound of Music Tour.
Could you do Salzburg in 1 day?
Yes, you can absolutely do Salzburg in a day. It’s a small city; if you only have a day, you can see everything without rushing too much.
Is It Cheap In Salzburg?
Salzburg is slightly more expensive than other budget-friendly cities in Europe, like Prague and Budapest. But for Austria, Salzburg has regular prices as in any other Austrian city. You’ll need approx. 80 EUR per day as a mid-range traveler when visiting Salzburg.
Final Thoughts on Best Things to Do in Salzburg
This is Salzburg, with its charm and everything the city offers. Make sure to put it on your travel bucket list, as I’m sure you won’t be disappointed. Also, don’t forget to plan extra days for excursions to the Alps and beautiful locations. The entire Salzburg region is breathtaking, so make sure to explore it more.
If you want to have a full experience and see the highlights of Austria, follow this Austria road trip itinerary. It’ll take you to the most beautiful places in the country in 10 days.
About the author:
Nicoletta, the owner of Voices of Travel, is a travel enthusiast and passionate language learner. While traveling, she loves to connect with locals using her language skills to learn about new cultures. Look for her skiing, hiking in the mountains, or exploring new destinations as she designs travel itineraries for her clients.
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Raised as a third culture kid living in South America and Europe, Annick caught the travel bug early. As an empty-nester, Annick enjoys sharing her tips for traveling for those with champagne taste and beer budgets.