Take your kids to the Haus der Natur, filled with reptiles, fish and other great attractions. Founded in 1924, it is a museum of local natural history and is home to a large variety of exhibitions about different aspects of the nature in Salzburg. An aquarium, a reptile zoo and a Science Center are included. Their objective is to inspire visitors, to stimulate interest in the environment and enhance understanding about the different processes in nature. It plays a key role in documenting all that is natural in the city. There are numerous exhibits, with a few of them being very famous all across the country.

The museum is divided into numerous exhibits, the most popular being for prehistoric times and dinosaurs. Dinosaurs and other animals of that age are on display, as precious fossils, plaster copies of high quality or life sized, animatronic replicas. They are set against a background of large mural paintings and diagrams. The Geology and Ice Age department displays fossils, particularly from Salzburg. There’s a time wheel which illustrates the development of the different continents of the world, along with animated models of volcanoes and earthquakes! Their collection of animal exhibits documents animals around the world, as well as focuses on Europe. They focus on peculiar animals such as the platypus and their ethnological collection shows the lives of native people from across the world, from South America to the dying out Bush man people.

There are impressive dioramas in the museum, created by the pioneer of diorama construction himself Wolfgang Grassberger. Using the help of mirrors, these exhibits create an optical illusion of wide open spaces.  There is also an exhibit dedicated to the local water bodies and another one that showcases crystals found across Salzburg such as salt, gold, arsenic and tungsten. The main attraction is a collection of giant rock crystals along with a treasure chamber of a gemstones and gold.

The most popular exhibits amongst children are the reptiles and fish aquariums. The aquarium houses sea horses, trouts and loads more. There’s a huge tank right at the center, with a mysterious paper thin, fish gliding through the water.

• It’s not that much fun for just adults, more of a family oriented visitor’s spot.
• Recommendations: Try to catch the animal feeding hours.
• The aquarium and reptile exhibit.
• There’s a movie for kids.
• Interactive science is a great display.
• The Doppler exhibit will be interesting to adults as well.

• Adults- Euros 8.00, Children (4 years and over)- Euros 5.50
• Seniors (60+): 7.50 Euros; Disabled adult: 6.50 Euros; Disabled child: 3 Euros
• Family Tickets: 1 parent + 1 child: Euros 11.50, 2 parents + 1 child: Euros 18.50, Each additional child: Euros 4.50

• Open all days including Sundays and bank holidays: 9 am – 5 pm

• Buses are available.
• Taxis are available.
• Bus stop Salzburg Ferdinand-Hanusch-Platz (Fischkrieg).
• Rent or hire a car/taxi.

• Restaurant M32
• Pizzeria Il Sole
• Carpe Diem Finest Fingerfood
• Sternbrau

Love this? Explore the entire list of places to visit in Salzburg before you plan your trip.

Fancy a good night's sleep after a tiring day? Check out where to stay in Salzburg and book an accommodation of your choice.