50 Best Things to Do in Salzburg, Austria | Top Attractions

With one pass, access heritage sites, the mozarts collection, och insights that map the city fast. Visit the birthplace and explore church interiors, plus the puppet theater and a cemetery stroll. Dont miss the vibrant beer gardens and the eating options nearby. This pass is filled with hours of activity, and it helps you keep these parts of the old town on a clear, efficient route that many visitors overlook. You’ll discover a well-curated array of spots designed for comfort and speed, so you can know the city in fewer hours. dont miss this chance to tailor your day.

Reserve your pass now and you’ll see the best of Salzburg without guesswork: a map with collection ideas, insights into heritage, and a direct route that links the birthplace, the church, and the puppet theater in hours you choose. The pass includes eating stops and beer venues, and it keeps your day flexible for impromptu strolls through the cemetery corners and the courtyard markets. Use it with confidence, know these routes, and enjoy a compact, memorable Salzburg experience.

50 Best Things to Do in Salzburg, Austria – Top Attractions; Our Top 10 Things to Do in Salzburg

1. Hohensalzburg Fortress Visit Hohensalzburg Fortress for panoramic city views. Located on Festungsberg, the fortress dominates the city centre and offers a panorama stretching across miles. The ascent rewards with well preserved chambers, original furnishings, and exhibits that illuminate medieval life; staying indoors in winter can be pleasant, as the views are just as dramatic.

2. Mirabell Palace and Gardens The palace sits beside the Salzach in the city centre, and the orderly grounds invite a relaxed, walking tour with views of the fortress above. In summer they glow and attract many visitors; in winter, fountains lie quiet, but the marble staircases and the dwarfs’ garden retain their charm; That mix of features makes it a favorite for family outings and for those who want iconic photographs of the city skyline; many would consider it a centerpiece of a Salzburg day.

3. Salzburg Cathedral The massive domes anchor the old town; its original Baroque interiors shimmer when the light hits the nave. Locals and visitors gather for music and reflection, and the surrounding streets offer café breaks after a short walk through the centre. The cathedral’s towers provide a familiar panorama of the river and hills.

4. Getreidegasse and Mozart’s Birthplace Getreidegasse lines the city with copper-labeled shop fronts and a selection of historic locations; you’ll spot the Mozart Geburtshaus, one of the original houses preserved throughout the city. Walk the lanes to sample pastries baked in nearby bakeries and pick up souvenirs along the way, then step into cafés to watch locals and travellers mingle.

5. Hellbrunn Palace and Trick Fountains The grounds offer an array of statues, fountains, and a shaded course for a refreshing stroll. On warm days, you can sip coffee at a cafe and let kids enjoy the toys at the adjacent park area; the whole site is preserved and held in good order.

6. Untersberg and the Cable Car Take a short trip from the city centre and climb into the Alps for hiking routes that reward with alpine panorama. The cable car runs year-round, and in winter the snow-capped peaks create a magical backdrop. Locals commonly visit for a day on the hill, and you can find maps showing nearby locations and trails miles long.

7. St. Peter’s Abbey and Cemetery This historic complex sits near the cathedral and preserves ancient cloisters and a catacomb museum. The softly lit church interiors and the nearby cemetery offer quiet spaces for reflection, and the adjacent café row is a pleasant place for eating before or after a stroll through the heart of the centre.

8. Salzburg Museum and Toy Museum The museum complex sits in the late 19th-century wing and offers exhibits about the city’s art, history, and crafts. The Toy Museum adds a playful angle for families, with models and retro toys that remind visitors of how locals learned and played; you can combine the stop with a stroll through nearby locations and a quick bite of baked pastries.

9. Film and Music Heritage Walks Choose a walking tour that traces famous locations from Salzburg’s film and music legacy. You’ll pass cathedrals, the river, and the moody lanes of the old town; the guide can point out where the film crew set scenes and where fans gather for a quick photo along the centre streets, then head to a pastry shop to enjoy a bite.

10. Markets, Street Food, and Winter Walks The Christkindlmarkt and riverside stalls offer mulled wine, salty bites, and baked treats; a great way to taste the city when the temperature drops. Stroll along the Salzach, sample local clothes shops for warm layers, and end your day with a panorama over the cathedral spires that glow after sunset. For a lighthearted break, try soccergolf at a riverside area.

Strategic, Practical Itinerary and Booking Tips

Plan a three-day core itinerary with a base in Salzburg’s Old Town and book Hohensalzburg Castle tickets in advance to save hours. Start Day 1 around 9:00–11:00 at Mirabell Gardens, then stroll to the famous Mozart Geburtshaus and the Domplatz, enjoying the open-air atmosphere. The UNESCO-listed Old Town is almost car-free, so you can pause at charming courtyards and mention the life of people who lived here. Reserve three parts for the morning: the fortress grounds visit, the exhibits at the Salzburg Museum, and a traditional cafe break to taste local pastries. The route is lovely, and you’ll benefit from a relaxed pace as the hours pass.

Get a Salzburg Card if you plan multiple museum visits and castle tours; it covers transport and admission to many sights. Book key slots for Hohensalzburg Castle early, especially on weekends; the first funicular departs around 9:30 and the last around 16:30. For meals, reserve at least one traditional restaurant for a three-course lunch to keep the day balanced. They offer open-air seating in warm months, which adds to the atmosphere. Sure to keep a flexible plan, this approach ensures you can adjust without missing the main stops.

On Day 2, take a short trip to the Freilichtmuseum Salzburg in Großgmain, about 12–15 miles from the city center. The grounds host open-air exhibits showing traditional farm life, with barns and workshops that illustrate how people lived and farmed. It’s a lovely break from the city and adds variety. If time allows, drive about 25 miles to Berchtesgaden for the salt mine and alpine views; the route is scenic and easy by train or car. Check hours in advance, as some sites close earlier outside peak season.

Morning markets offer a real taste of local life: visit the Grüne Markt near Universitätsplatz for fresh vegetables, cheeses, and breads from nearby farmers. Grab a sample and take a short break at a bench to savor the flavor. In the evening, choose a traditional tavern for a three-course dinner to finish the day with pleasure. Afterward, stroll along lovely streets to absorb the atmosphere and reset for the next day’s adventures.

Practical tips: set a daily target of miles and at least one rest break; use public transport for longer legs and walk when the weather suits. Print or save this plan as a bible for traveler guidance. Open your calendar, check hours for each venue, and book ahead for popular stops. If a slot is sold out, switch to a nearby stop or tweak the route to keep the momentum going.

Plan a High-Impact 2-Day Route Covering All Highlights

Start at Mirabell Palace and Gardens, then follow the Salzach river into the historic centre to hit all top attractions in two days for your route, and you’ll feel the state’s heart beat through Salzburg’s atmosphere, with much to love.

1. Day 1 – Historic core and riverfront

   • Morning: Begin at Mirabell Palace (palace) and Gardens, then follow the river toward the front gate and into the centre, saving time for the most-loved views.
   • Mid-morning: Getreidegasse and Mozartplatz; browse austrian souvenirs, peek into a gallery, and enter the DomQuartier complex for a deeper look at the attractions and the cathedral.
   • Lunch and dessert: dine in a traditional austrian tavern, enjoy a glass of local wine, and sachertorte at a classic café; you’ll love the atmosphere throughout the centre.
   • Afternoon: ascend kapuzinerberg for a sweeping panorama; this stop yields the sole viewpoint that captures the river, the dom, and the fortress in one frame; insider tip: go early to avoid crowds and capture crisp photos.
   • Evening: wander back along the river, pick up a few souvenirs, and reflect on the three parts of your day: culture, views, and flavour.

2. Day 2 – Fortress, galleries, and riverside flavour

   • Morning: take the funicular to Hohensalzburg Fortress; walk the front ramparts for one of the most impressive views in the state capital; the site offers a compact museum about Austrian history and a gallery with period artefacts.
   • Mid-morning: return to the centre to explore Residenzplatz, St. Peter’s Abbey, and the surrounding museum spaces; this area is a hub for tourismus and offers strong photography opportunities.
   • Lunch: choose a lakeside or riverside cafe, sip a glass, and plan your next moves; during the day, if a soccer match plays on screen, join the crowd for a local vibe.
   • Afternoon: stroll Getreidegasse again for a few final souvenirs, then visit a small gallery or two in the DomQuartier complex to wrap the cultural portion of your route.
   • Evening: end with a sunset walk along the river, capture reflections in the glass storefronts, and toast to a well-paced experience across the centre of Salzburg.

Maximize Value with The Salzburg Card: Where to Buy, What’s Included, and When It Pays Off

Buy The Salzburg Card online before you arrive to maximize value. This is a must know tip for travelers who want an experience filled with museums, gardens, and river views. The card helps you skip lines and plan a day around mozarts sites, a walk across makartsteg, and a tasty break at stiftsbäckerei.

Where to buy: online via the official Salzburg Card site, at the Mirabellplatz tourist information, at Salzburg Airport, or at major hotels here. If you’re here in summer, pick up your card early so you can start your walking plan right away and make the most of every moment.

What’s included: the Card offers free entry to dozens of museums, gardens, monasteries, and attractions and includes free transport within the city during the chosen period. Look for mozarts-related venues and other highlights along the water, plus access to makartsteg as part of your stroll.

When it pays off: if you plan to visit more than two paid attractions per day or rely on transit, the Card pays off quickly. It is almost always worth it for families who want a lovely mix of gardens, walking along the water, and famous sights, because you save on tickets and avoid buying transport separately. Mention the stops you want most, such as kapuzinerberg viewpoints and a monastery visit.

Tips: know which attractions include free entry, keep your card handy for walking between stops, and plan a route around the center here. You can combine a visit to a stiftsbäckerei bakery with a stroll through the gardens and a stop at makartsteg. For a family day, offer toys for the kids and enjoy a relaxed afternoon near the water, away from crowds, known for lovely summer days, with a quiet garden to rest.

Pacing Your Day: Time-Saving Routes Between Mirabell Gardens, Hohensalzburg Fortress, and Mozart’s Residence

Begin at Mirabell Gardens at 9:00 to save hours later; wear comfortable clothes and bring a light jacket for a smooth loop between sites.

From Mirabell Gardens, walk about 12 minutes to Mozart’s Residence on Getreidegasse and allow 40 minutes for the interior tour, then another 5 minutes to domplatz. At domplatz, ride the Festungsbahn up to hohensalzburg; the ascent takes about 10 minutes and a solid fortress visit runs roughly 60 minutes. Descend in about 10 minutes and return to the old town, giving you time to sample sachertorte at a nearby cafe freshly baked by a stiftsbäckerei and to enjoy a sip of bräu before continuing your day; this keeps you efficient without rushing the experience.

Option A keeps a tight rhythm: Mirabell Gardens → Mozart’s Residence → domplatz → hohensalzburg → back to the streets around Salzburg’s historic core. This order minimizes backtracking and concentrates visits in one corridor of the city, suitable if you have times to spare in the late morning and early afternoon for small souvenirs and a light snack.

Option B avoids crowds by starting with Hohensalzburg: take Festungsbahn from domplatz as soon as the fortress opens, then descend to Mozart’s Residence and continue to Mirabell Gardens. This path reduces stairs and walking between the three areas while still delivering a complete picture of the history, architecture, and folk atmosphere that define Salzburg.

During the day you’ll see a blend of history and culture that reflects the city’s dating back centuries; you’ll notice how the theatre district and local cafés contribute to a living collection of moments. In the domplatz area you’ll find many shops with souvenirs and poems inspired by the city’s past, and the streets around salzburg offer plenty of means to capture the moment–whether you’re carrying a camera, a phone, or a paper map. If you crave a quick break between sites, a final stop at a small bakery or pastry shop near the cemetery area can provide freshly brewed coffee and a light bite before you return to your hotel or continue your journey.

Family and Accessibility: Kid-Friendly Attractions and Wheelchair-Friendly Routes

Start with Mirabell Gardens: flat, stroller-friendly paths invite an easy, active stroll; the impressive grounds, fountains, and statues captivate kids, and a playful trick of water adds charm. Learn a few facts about the design and Salzburg’s history as you follow a loop toward domplatz and residenzplatz, where the cathedral and markets create a lively backdrop.

From Mirabell you can continue along the river to residenzplatz and nearby domplatz, where wide spaces and seating suit families. Markets around these spots offer kid-friendly snacks and crafts, while locals share stories about the birthplace of Mozart in Getreidegasse.

Hohensalzburg Fortress rises above the old town and remains a winner for families; the Festungsbahn funicular brings you to the ramped entrance with broad aisles, and many exhibits are accessible on ground level. From the ramp you gain views of the river Salzach and the city, accessible throughout the day.

Nonnberg Abbey offers a calm alternative; the grounds stay accessible with a gentle stroll and a few steps. Visitors enjoy historical clothes displays in the chapel area and a concise overview of abbey life, all within peaceful surroundings that invite lingering.

On the Mönchsberg mountain, choose paved sections that skirt the edge and lead to overlooks. The lower routes run along a wide grade suitable for families and wheelchairs, while hiking options provide light adventure for older kids and active parents.

Mozart’s Birthplace in Getreidegasse welcomes visitors with ground-floor access in parts and original rooms plus exhibits. Families learn about local life and the artist, and the area around residenzplatz stays lively with street performances and markets that run throughout the day.

To plan efficiently, create a list of 4–5 spots and map a loop that follows the river, linking domplatz, residenzplatz, and the Getreidegasse locations. The route supports every family and almost all accessibility needs, with benches and shade along the way, delivering a balanced mix of historical and modern attractions across locations in the old town and beyond.

Photographing Salzburg: Best Spots, Angles, and Golden Hours for Iconic Shots

Begin at dawn in Mirabell Garden: the long axial paths, the Pegasus fountain, and the reflective water frame hohensalzburg on the hill. The salzach river mirrors pastel roofs and warm façades, so shoot from the central terrace with a vertical orientation to capture both garden geometry and fortress silhouette. To keep the scene calm, take a break on the steps and wait for passersby to step away, then shoot again with fresh perspective.

Next, wander Getreidegasse, the historic market street in the heart of the old town. The ornate wrought-iron signs, Mozart’s birthplace museum, and small shops line the lane, offering plenty of opportunities for portraits and detail shots. Mozart was born here, and the birthplace museum sits along the lane. For texture, photograph window displays with glass, and in some shops you’ll spot clothes and toys that add color to the frame. The sounds of bells and street performers add atmosphere; capture them with a short exposure that freezes motion.

From Mönchsberg, climb to gain a panoramic sweep across the salzach and toward hohensalzburg. Use a telephoto to compress the fortress into a bold silhouette as warm light hits the stone; this vantage is ideal for iconic long shots that convey scale and history. Keep the sole focus on the fortress or shoot a two-frame sequence to compare texture of the walls and the river below.

Evening along the riverfront near the cathedral and the stage district: the dom and Residenzplatz glow in the golden hour; reflections on glass storefronts and restaurant windows add depth. Take a few portraits with the old town façades in the background and include such architectural details as arches, columns, and cornices to emphasize texture. If you stay away from the busiest bridges, you can capture elegant lines without crowds.

Night shots: where the dom and the historic arcades illuminate; use a tripod for long exposures; aim for 15–25 seconds at f/8 to render the salzach as a mirror and the lights as trails. Listen for the bell sound from the cathedral and the distant chimes; such details improve the sense of place. This is an ideal moment to shoot with a wider lens to include the square, or a longer lens to isolate the illuminated arches and the fortress silhouette in the distance.

Practical route: plan 2-3 hours for a compact loop: Mirabell Garden, Getreidegasse, riverside walk along the salzach, panoramic vantage on Mönchsberg, then a sunset look at hohensalzburg. Bring a sturdy tripod, spare batteries, and a rain cover; freshly charged gear keeps you ready for every angle. Learn quickly as light shifts every minute, and you can adjust quickly to capture different moods with minimal gear changes.

Family-friendly spots: the market stalls offer taste of Salzburg; you can buy souvenirs and bring back presents like glassware, small clothes, or toys; consider posing by the river with souvenirs and imprinted stamps; this gives a sense of place. If you want to document daily life, look for local markets filled with people and soccer fans after a game; their energy adds motion to the shot. In the mornings you can visit a bakery to grab freshly baked pastries, which makes a nice contrast for portraits on the steps of the cathedral. Salzburg is the birthplace of many artists and has a rich international vibe in its cafés and museums, where you can learn about exhibits that illustrate the city’s history and culture, from the birth of Mozart to modern art collections; the city’s warm taste and friendly people invite you to break away from routine and capture images that feel alive and impressive.