{"id":33510,"date":"2020-05-23T14:15:21","date_gmt":"2020-05-23T12:15:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/12-cool-things-to-do-in-salzburg-austria\/"},"modified":"2026-01-08T21:16:19","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T20:16:19","slug":"things-to-do-in-salzburg","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/en\/things-to-do-in-salzburg\/","title":{"rendered":"12 Amazing Things to Do in Salzburg, Austria"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Salzburg is always suitable for a short city trip. To give you a good overview, I have put together a guide with the best sights in Salzburg<\/a>! Salzburg is full of great locations that you can easily discover in a whole weekend or even a day<\/a>! <\/p>\n\n

Tips for your trip to Salzburg:<\/strong>\u279c Travel cheaply and comfortably to Salzburg with the Deutsche Bahn Sparpreis ticket<\/a>*\u279c You can find cheap hotels in Salzburg here*<\/a>\u279c Save on tickets for many Salzburg attractions with the Salzburg Card<\/a>*<\/p>\n\n

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Fortress Hohensalzburg: One of the major tourist attracions in Salzburg<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

Best Things to Do in Salzburg<\/h2>\n\n

The Hohensalzburg Fortress, the M\u00f6nchsberg, Mirabell Palace or the pretty old town with many sights such as the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Salzburg has a lot to offer in a small area! The best place to start is here: <\/p>\n\n

#1 Fortress Hohensalzburg & Fortress Funicular<\/h2>\n\n

The city’s landmark also provides a breathtaking view of Salzburg and the surrounding mountains. At Hohensalzburg Fortress you can not only enjoy the panorama, but also explore one of the best preserved medieval castles in Europe! Almost 950 years ago, the first foundation stone for the huge castle overlooking Salzburg was laid on the fortress hill.<\/p>\n\n

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The man on the golden globe: the sculpture makes the view of Hohensalzburg Fortress perfect<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n
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View from the fortress over the old town of Salzburg<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

By the way, the fortress railroad takes you up and down in just a few minutes. The train runs every 10 minutes and is free for Salzburg Card*<\/a> holders. It takes about 20 minutes to walk up to the castle, the path is asphalted, but not unstrenuous. Once at the top, you also have to pay admission if you don’t have a Salzburg Card.<\/p>\n\n

Fortress Hohensalzburg<\/a><\/p>\n\n

#2 Mozart’s Birthplace<\/h2>\n\n

Even if you say that you have nothing to do with classical music – I bet you’ve certainly heard a piece by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. His compositions were legendary even in his lifetime! You can’t miss his birthplace in the Getreidegasse: Either the bright yellow facade or the long lines of waiting tourists in front of the door will show you the way. <\/p>\n\n

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In the house itself, the Mozarts’ former apartment and adjoining rooms house a lovingly curated museum with old letters, Mozart’s original children’s violin and, of course, lots of music. Don’t let the many tourists scare you off, a visit is worthwhile and free if you have purchased the Salzburg Card*<\/a> beforehand. Mozart’s birthplace is the classic among Salzburg sights.<\/p>\n\n

Mozart’s birthplace<\/a><\/p>\n\n

Looking for delicious food in Salzburg?<\/em>\u279c Click here for the big Salzburg Food Guide<\/a>!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

#3 Mozart Residence<\/h2>\n\n

At Makartplatz, on the other side of the Salzach, you will find the Mozart family’s residence. If you want to dive deeper into Mozart’s life, you’ve come to the right place! Destroyed during the Second World War, the former dancing master’s house was rebuilt and now houses a multimedia exhibition on the life of Mozart and his equally musical family.<\/p>\n\n

If you have little time, however, I would recommend that you give priority to the birthplace and only visit that one.<\/p>\n\n

Mozart residence<\/a><\/p>\n\n

\u279c Tip for Mozart fans: Mozart Week Salzburg<\/a> and Where you can trace Mozart everywhere in Salzburg<\/a><\/p>\n\n

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Exhibition in the Mozart residence on Makartplatz<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

#4 DomQuartier & Salzburg Cathedral<\/h2>\n\n

The Salzburg Cathedral is impressive. No wonder, Salzburg was ruled by archbishops for centuries. They ensured a correspondingly high density of churches in the city, with the Salzburg Cathedral as the most outstanding of all. And they did not spare any pomp, I can assure you! You should definitely take a look at the cathedral as well.<\/p>\n\n

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Salzburg Cathedral<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n
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The Salzburg Cathedral is really impressive from the inside!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n
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Impressive ballrooms in the DomQuartier next door<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

Insider tip<\/strong>: Via the DomQuartier next door, you can get through various state rooms and exhibition spaces via a large terrace on the upper floors directly to the organ loft! Between the antique organ and all kinds of orchestral equipment, you have a mega view of the nave.<\/p>\n\n

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Great photo ops from the terrace of the DomQuartier: View of the Salzburg Museum in the Neue Residenz<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n
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Inside Salzburg Cathedral<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n
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Organ gallery in the cathedral<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

Admission to the Salzburg Cathedral is free. With the Salzburg Card*<\/a> you also have free admission to the entire DomQuartier.<\/p>\n\n

DomQuartier<\/a><\/p>\n\n

Very cool photo spot<\/strong>: On Kapitelplatz stands the sculpture “Sphaera” by Stephan Balkenhol. The man on the golden sphere with the fortress Hohensalzburg is a super photo motif. (By the way, the sculpture is in two parts: can you find the female figure that goes with it?)<\/p>\n\n

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The sculpture “Sphaera” with the man on the golden globe<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n
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Perfect view from the other side with the Hohensalzburg Fortress in the background<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

If you are interested in funny details of church history, you should definitely drop by the Kajetanerkirche on Saturdays exactly between 10 and 11 a.m. (not earlier and not later!). Then a small inconspicuous looking chapel opens, in which there is an offshoot of the Scala Santa from Rome. Like the “real” Scala Santa, this staircase may only be climbed kneeling! One of the insider tips among the Salzburg sights. <\/p>\n\n

You can also find more unusual places and wacky stories from over 800 years of Salzburg in this article: Salzburg and its secrets<\/a><\/p>\n\n

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May only be slid up kneeling: The Scala Santa in the Kajetanerkirche<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

#5 Mirabell Palace and Gardens<\/h2>\n\n

Very close to the Markartplatz you will find the Mirabell Palace with its beautiful Mirabell Gardens. The Mirabell Palace today houses parts of the city administration. Here you can see the impressive Marble Hall, where concerts are also held. <\/p>\n\n

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Not only beautiful for getting married: The Marble Hall at the Mirabell Palace<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

The Mirabell Palace is also a popular place for weddings. Couples from all over the world come here to tie the knots. Maybe you’ll be lucky and are able to watch a fairytale wedding!<\/p>\n\n

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The Mirabell Garden around Mirabell Palace <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n
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The small palm house in the Mirabell Garden<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

In the Mirabell Garden you should also take a look at the small palm house. Another nice photo op!<\/p>\n\n

Admission is free.<\/p>\n\n

#6 The Getreidegasse & the old town of Salzburg<\/h2>\n\n

The heart of Salzburg is the old town! Even though it can get crowded in high season, I love the pastel-colored houses in the winding alleys. After all, they are a sight in themselves in Salzburg! The main street here is Getreidegasse, where next to Mozart’s birthplace you can find a lot of stores from expensive to a little less expensive. In the old town of Salzburg cars are prohibited, so you can stroll leisurely through the streets.<\/p>\n\n

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The Goldgasse in the old town<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n
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One of the busiest streets in Salzburg’s old town: Getreidegasse<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n
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The typical thin rain in Salzburg is called “Schn\u00fcrlregen”<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n
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Narrow alleys, pastel-coloured facades: Salzburg’s old town is a little dream.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

Tip: If you feel like shopping, on the other side of the Salzach you will also find Linzer Gasse with many shops and caf\u00e9s!<\/p>\n\n

Are you a coffee addict like me? In my big Salzburg Food Guide<\/a> you will find many extraordinary addresses for a cozy coffee in between!<\/p>\n\n

#7 The M\u00f6nchsberg <\/h2>\n\n

You can walk up to the M\u00f6nchsberg<\/strong> from the old town. Much more impressive, however, is the ride on the M\u00f6nchberg elevator<\/strong>, which is simply carved into the middle of the massive rock and provides a total contrast between the picturesque old town and the futuristic complex.<\/p>\n\n

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Entrance to the M\u00f6nchsberg lift<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

At the top of the M\u00f6nchsberg is the Museum der Moderne<\/a>, which you literally fall into from the elevator. A lot of concrete, a lot of art and regularly changing exhibitions: Salzburg is also a modern city! And the view over the old town is fantastic. One of my absolutely favourite places in Salzburg.<\/p>\n\n

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Museum der Moderne at the M\u00f6nchsberg in Salzburg<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n
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In the middle of nature: the Museum der Moderne presents first-class exhibitions on several floors<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n
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View from M\u00f6nchsberg to the old town with the fortress Hohensalzburg<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

Tip<\/strong>: The M32<\/a> serves fine Austrian cuisine and\/or coffee in a relaxed atmosphere. Pretty cool, pretty nice atmosphere: A good address for a cozy evening above the roofs of Salzburg.<\/p>\n\n

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Salzburg Card<\/h3>\n\n\n