Things to Do in Salzburg

A city straight out of a fantastical fairytale, Salzburg is a beautiful destination for any tourist. The fourth largest city in Austria, its clean roads, well preserved city center and stunning Baroque architecture are set against the ice tipped Alps. Salzburg’s Old Town garnered international fame when it was listed as one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites in 1997 and is home to numerous colleges. Salzburg is the capital of the federal city of Salzburg. Old Town is where most of the fantastic sights in the city are located, so be sure to keep plenty of time to explore the area.

The city is a great draw for architecture lovers, and one will be treated to a short history lesson when walking through the numerous narrow streets of the city. A lot can be seen in the way its design evolved through the ages, with everything well preserved. Starting with Romanesque and Gothic churches during the medieval era, it was transformed to meet the ideals of the Renaissance period by the Archbishop of the time. Buildings created in the Classic Modernism and Post War Modernism styles can also be seen.

The city is separated into two halves by the Slazach River, connected by the Nonntal Bridge, the only pedestrian Mozart Footbridge, the State Bridge and two footbridges. Overlooking the locality’s many beauties, is the stern façade of Hohensalzburg Castle, one of the largest in Europe. A fortress, coupled with the Monchsberg and Capuchin Mountains surround the picturesque Old City, with extension paths carved into both mountains, offering panoramic views of the whole city.

Salzburg’s Old Town has been voted the number 1 attraction in the city, with its cobbled streets and quaint buildings. Visitors like grabbing drinks and watching the scenery, which retains its loveliness from dawn to dusk. The Old Town is home to the City Center, numerous handsome churches such as the Franciscan Church and the famous Salzburg Cathedral. Old Town’s most interesting attraction is the birthplace and residence of the great Mozart. Much of the Old City is relatively small and a pedestrian zone, ideal for window shopping and taking leisurely strolls, horse and buggy rides and tours of the city. Touring is possible both by land and sea, so do put thought into which more would offer you the most stunning views of this magically beautiful neighbourhood.

Sitting atop a small mountain, glaring down at the city, the Salzburg Fortress is a place of beauty with a rich past. Gradually enlarged over centuries, the 250 meter long and 150 meter wide fortress is the largest preserved medieval fortress in the whole of Europe. The austere looking exterior hides sumptuous state rooms within, along with a torture chamber and a marionette museum! Today, the fortress has become popular amongst travelers due its history, architecture and the activities available here. Like many places in the country, it looks like an apparition straight out of a story book.

Founded in 1077, the fortress was build to protect the interests of the city’s archbishops. The only time it came under attack was in 1525, during the German Peasants’ War. In 1612 the deposed Archbishop died there, imprisoned. During the Thirty Years’ War, various parts of the fortress were added such as its gunpowder stores and gatehouses. It was later used as a storage depot and dungeon was abandoned as a military outpost in 1861. Post the 19th century, the fortress was refurbished and became a popular tourist attraction. A cable car was attached, leading from the town into the castle. During the 20th century, it was a prison, holding Italian POW’s and Nazi Activists within its belly. In recent times, it has appeared on a commemorative coin and the 900th issue of the Austrian Mint magazine.

Fortress Hohensalzburg is also featured in 15 Days Europe trip Itinerary.

Inside the fortress lies numerous rooms, some beautiful and some macabre. There is the splendid Golden Room and the Burgmuseum, which holds a lovely collection of art. The Rainers museum is full of arms, armour and ammunition from medieval time. There’s even a torture chamber, filled with the most spine tingling devices from that age, though they were used in a different castle and are just stored here. Close to this chamber, is an exquisite chapel built in Gothic style. A 200 pipe organ, nicknamed ‘The Bull’, is played daily during the warmer months, and its music reverberates throughout the establishment. If you climb up to the lookout post, you will see a stunning view of Salzburg. Some of the rooms hold special exhibitions, including a marionette museum, which will prove to be an enchanting preview to the Welt Der Marionetten, which is close by.

Visitors can visit the fortress by walking up the foot path or they can take the Festungsbahn (the cable car), the latter being more advisable for the elderly and those with small children. You can treat yourself to pastry and coffee in the dungeon!

Warning: But if you go don't linger afterwards. The lift is only open for one or two trips down. We chose to walk down and being dress up for the concert that was difficult. The road within the fortress goes straight down and it is very slick clay. Nice walk, but not if you are in heals or do not have any traction on your shoes.

With an imposing façade, looming over the city, the Salzburg Cathedral is a famous monument, known for its magnificent 4000 pipe organ, gorgeous Baroque styled architecture and being the church where Mozart was baptized. It is located where the Residenzplatz flows into the city. The church is dedicated to the Saints Rupert and Vergilius.

This spot has been host to a church since 774, with numerous renovations in the history of its existence. The Romaneque cathedral that was located there earlier was destroyed in a fire in 1598 and a new, grander cathedral was built in its place. Designed by the famous architect Santino Solari, the cathedral was consecrated in 1628.

The cathedral is very striking visually. Its grand and majestic exterior houses an even grander interior. It’s marble façade, green topped twin towers and large green-roofed dome create a splendid sight.  There are bronze doors, with work that highlights the themes of Love, Faith and Hope. The plaza of the cathedral is a beautiful urban piece, with a statue of the Virgin Mary rising in the center. Walking in, you will be greeted by a peaceful combination of sepia and white, with the church full of intricate and elaborate murals. There are fixtures of cherubs on the ceiling and stunning art on the frescoes too.

The church is famous for playing an important role in the life of Mozart. A point of interest is the Romanesque font at which the great composer was baptized. The walls of the church almost reverberate with beautiful music as he served here as an organist and some of his greatest compositions were written for this very cathedral. Many of these pieces were performed here for the first time as well.

An exhibition of excavation work is yet another point of interest, with ruins of the original foundation of this structure on display. There’s also an exhibition of arts and wonders displayed in the Dom Museum, which you can enter through the cathedral.

You can light a candle in the cathedral, attend mass or just contemplate within the tranquil confines of this famous building. Its gorgeous exterior and serene interiors attract a number of people regularly. Whether you want to pray or just visit, the Salzburg Cathedral is another gem in the treasure chest of Salzburg.

The beautifully landscaped gardens will have any visitor ready to burst into song; it did to the Von Trapp children! The Mirabelle Palace and Gardens are perhaps most famous as the site where the epic musical number ‘Do-Re-Mi’ was shot, from the 1959 movie the Sound of Music. Situated in the city center, this Baroque styled gem has been immortalized in film, and is one of the most romantic places in Europe, known as ‘the most beautiful wedding hall in the world.”

Built in 1606, it was built as a token of love for Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich Raitenau’s mistress. The palace was engulfed in flames and rebuilt in its current style in 1818. Due to its romantic historical background, it can be likened to the TajMahal. The palace has stunning geometrically arranged gardens, decorated with statues of mythological figures such as Hercules, and boxwood layouts, and acts as a magical backdrop for photographs. The interior design is sophisticated and elegant, with the main hall used as a venue for concerts and wedding ceremonies.

The palace is a beautiful structure, named Mirabelle by the subsequent Archbishop, and details such as stuccowork bears, decorative cherubs and window edgings make it a visual marvel. A giant staircase is considered a precious work of art. Numerous famous architects designed this palace at different points of time, resulting in a melting pot of beautiful structural design. The Mirabell Gardens that stand today were designed around 1730, with installations put in over many years. Statues symbolizing the four elements (earth, air, water, fire) are grouped around a dazzling Pegasus Fountain. A Hedge Theater is located in the main part of the garden and is one of the oldest in the area. A Dwarf Garden is also featured, with a number of strange, misshapen creatures made of white marble. The garden is considered a horticultural masterpiece. Today, the Palace is used for more administrative purposes and serves as the offices of the Mayor of Salzburg and municipal council. People from all over the world gather to this site to wed as well as to wonder at, making it a very special destination.

Called the ‘Lustschloss’, or ‘Pleasure Palace’, of Hellbrun and complete with a water park, the Hellbrunn Castle is both fascinating and entertaining, making it quite an experience for everyone who visits. Built at the command of the famous Prince-Archbishop Markus Sittikus von Hohenems, visitors can tour the fine-looking castle and then spend the rest of the day by the Wasserspiele. A trip here promises both historical learning as well as a fun little twist by the gardens.

The famous architect SantinoSolari was commissioned to build the castle, which was meant to be a summer residence for the Archbishop. It was built in a relatively short time in the beautiful style of Italian Architecture. Since it was just a summer house, it holds no bedrooms and a tour around the castle is shorter than average though interesting none the less. The central theme of the castle is water, and this extends to the gardens as well. The area is well hydrated by a clear spring located nearby and this enabled the construction of the castles most famous feature, the water-park or ‘Wasserspiele’. The Archbishop had a funny bone had liked playing pranks on his guests, which led to the idea of the water park. Secret water fountains spring out at visitors and a series of other water based attractions are present by the garden. Objects are pushed off the ground by jets of water as the songs of mechanical birds fill the air. A stone dining table which soaks those seated is a popular attraction as well as a water operated musical theater. At each game exists a dry spot where the sneaky Archbishop would stand or sit and today, it is occupied by the tour guide.

The castle has magnificent ballrooms and a lovely garden, full of fish laden ponds and striking, mythological statues. A naturally formed stone quarry was turned into a stage, creating a ‘Stone Theater’, the oldest open air stage in Europe. Currently, there is also a museum which houses curio related to folklore, with objects of popular customs and piety, as well as traditional costumes.

The palace was primarily used as the site of luxurious celebrations and cultural festivities and today, the palace is still a popular venue for international events and seminars. The castle is still used for the purpose it was built for almost 400 years ago, which is no little feat in this ever changing day and age. Hellbrunn Castle is a must see for one and all, whether you seek a little history, an amusing day at the water park or some tranquility in the garden.

One of the oldest monasteries in Europe, the St. Peter’s Abbey is one of the prettiest places of worship in Europe. It was founded in 696 by Saint Rupert and the present day Romanesque style building stands at the foot of the Monchsberg. Located in the heart of Salzburg’s Old Town, it is known for its captivating cemetery, catacombs and ancient lineage. Mozart’s Great Mass in C minor debuted at this church.

The founding of the monastery was aimed at promoting missionary work in the Eastern Alps and in 1641, it was a member of the Salzburg Congregation. In 1927, St. Peter’s was given the status of an Archabby. During the Nazi regime, the church’s monks were expelled but returned to the monastery after the war.

The Abbey’s church is a Romanesque structure with a lavish, Rococo interior. With its onion dome and high altar, visitors will find the church to be very pretty as well as peaceful, truly a delight to those who frequent religious shrines.

St. Peter’s Abbey is home the oldest library in Austria with more than 10,000 volumes and 800 manuscripts. The most valuable is the Verbruderungsbuch. The collection consists on medieval church history and art history, as well as literature on the local history of the city. There are numerous documents archived, including those used for the abbey’s administrative purposes and a musical archive of all the famous musicians to have played there. There are also paintings, church treasure, instruments, a coin cabinet and many other curios.

The abbey cemetery is another sight, as each grave is marked with gorgeous wrought iron headstones and miniature gardens, all set aglow by the candles placed there in the evenings. The cemetery is one of the oldest in Europe, with entire families being laid to rest in large plots. In the cemetery, lay Mozart’s beloved sister and Haydn’s brother.

The abbey is also home to one of the oldest restaurants, mentioned in a document from 803. Located in the Abbey Cellars, enjoying a meal in such an old establishment should prove to be quite the experience. You can treat yourself to a musical concert on a Saturday, choral vespers on Sunday and normal services on weekdays. A ten minute walk from the river Salzach, St. Peter’s Abbey is a beautiful site, rich in heritage and a must see.

One of the more modern tourist attractions in the city, the Red Bull Hangar is an exciting display of historical airplanes, helicopters and Formula One racings cars. The Hangar is also home to a top rated restaurant called Ikarus, which was awarded two Michelin stars, two bars, a lounge and an aircraft. There are a multitude of things to view in the Hangar’s privately owned exhibition. Whether planes are your passion or motorbikes catch your fancy, you can hover around the aircrafts and bikes parked there, on display. There are even famous racing cars present in the enclosure. The hangar was created by the founder of the international energy drink brand Red Bull, Dietrich Mateschitz. It’s open to all and the entry is free of cost.

The Hangar contains many Red Bull and Toro Rosso Formula car, Red Bull aircrafts, sponsored motorcycles, Indy race cars and more. There’s the Felix Baumgatner Space Jump capsule and flying suits as well as well as carbon fiber wings he wore when he crossed the English Channel in 2003. There are fighter jets and other old styled aircrafts. Going through the pictures of the museum is enough to entice someone into visiting the hangar. After witnessing the exciting exhibits, a testament to technology and a rich man’s buying power, you can go to the restaurants or pubs available there and chill out while eating some really good food. The restaurant offers a prime view of airplanes taking off and landing.

The most famous eateries inside are Ikarus and the Mayday Bar. Ikarus has top chefs from around the world come in every month in order to take over control of the menu. The Maydar Bay serves international cocktails and has a novel concept of ‘Brain Food, Mood Food and Beauty Food’, which are elaborated upon in three, specially tailored smart food menus. The objective: guests can totally devote themselves to indulgence and for the rest of the day will still be able to feel how much good the carefully thought out and lovingly prepared dishes are doing them.

It is located very close to the airport, so it’s an ideal stop over on the last day of your vacation, a couple of hours before your flight. A little hard to find by yourself, this destination is quite a gem once you do locate it.

Standing at 6,473 feet above ground, the Untersberg is not for the faint of heart! One of the peaks of the Berchtesgarden Alps, this prominent northern massif straddles the border between Salzburg and Germany. The beautiful city of Salzburg lies just 16 kilometers away, connected by a bus route. Adventurous travelers will be treated to an amazing view thanks to the cable car which starts from the village of St. Leonhard and goes all the way up to the Geiereck spur, spanning a distance of 2.5 kilometers.

There are two legends about Mt. Untersberg. According to one story, Emperor Frederick Barbarossa is sleeping inside the mountain, until the day of his resurrection. His beard is constantly growing and is wound around a table and the day it winds thrice will signify the end of the world. When the Emperor finally leaves the mountain, the last battle of humankind will be fought. The other story says another being lives inside, being tended to by small dwarf like creatures, and wakes every hundred years. There are also many fables centered on the mysterious cave system, located below the mountain.

The system of cable cars that transport people up Untersberg are called the Untersbergbahn was created at the beginning of the 20th century. Fully operational by 1961, the largest distance from the ground is 286 meters and is famous for the breath taking views it offers. If you visit during winter, you’ll be treated to the contrasting sight of green, fresh low grounds and white, snow covered mountain. Besides the cable cars, there are a variety of snow sports you can take part in if the weather is right, including skiing, climbing, paragliding, mountaineering, snowboarding and snowshoeing, and you can explore the ice cave. Purchasing a Salzburg card, which includes bus fare and the Untersberg ticket, has a number of advantages attached, such as free beer tasting and the Steigl brewery and free entry to certain museums as well as numerous other discounts. The height can be a little dizzying but the stunning and wondrous, snowy scenery is well worth it. There’s a café at the top and travelers can trudge up through the snow to grab a hot meal and a warm drink as a reward.

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.

The Hellbrunn Palace is one of Salzburg’s most widely loved attractions. Built in 1619 by the Archbishop of the city (who had a penchant for playing pranks), it was named after a clear spring that supplied water to the palace. The main specialty of the palace is the water games that are played on the ground, thus the name ‘wasserspiele’ and this has resulted in Wasserspiele Hellbrunn’s popularity during the summer months. Entering the grounds is free on purchase of the Salzburg Card.

There’s a guided tour of the castle available but the main attraction are the water games played on the grounds. Created on the orders of Archbishop Markus Sittikus, they were meant to be a variety of practical jokes to be played on guests. Spending a day at the wasserspiele will be filled with crumbling grottoes, objects lifted by strong jets of water, mechanical birds and surprise attacks by secret water jets! One notable feature is a group of stone seats around a dining table through which water is sprayed into the guest’s seats! Guests are also sprayed on tours around the area by hidden water fountains. Another treat is a theater, mechanical, musical and water operated, which depicts various professions. At each of these games, is a dry spot where the Archbishop used to stand or sit in and today, that spot is occupied by the tour guide.

The castle is in the midst of a large park and zoo, and the Monatschlossl, a small building upon a hill which today houses a section of the Carolina Augusteum Museum. The garden area is very pretty and well maintained, with ponds full of fish. A great photo opportunity is the original gazebo from the classic ‘Sound of Music’. This site is fun for both children and adults, as the tour is short and the water games are surprising, engaging and fun. Besides the tour and games, one can enjoy a picnic on the grounds and visit the other attractions near-by. Though reaching the castle is a little harder than Salzbergs other attractions, it’s an experience worth the effort.

On the way to Salzburg Fortress, one will see a wrought iron gate leading into Petersfriedhof – the cemetery which surrounds the Church of St. Peters. It’s one of the two oldest graveyards in the city and is located right at the foot of the Festungsberg, with burials dating as far back as 1288. It was closed down in 1878 until 1930, when new burials were admitted at the site. Mozart was said to have debuted his Great Mass in C Minor in one of the churches and his sisters’ tomb is located here, along with the tombs of numerous other famous figures from Austrian history such as the painter Georg Pezolt, architect SantinoSolari, politician HanzLechner and numerous others. This cemetery is also the basis for the one that appears in the movie Sound of Music.

There are catacombs carved into the rocks and include two beautifully decorated chapels, the Maximuskapelle and the Gertraudenkapelle. A third chapel, called the Margarethenkapelle, is located smack in the middle of the graveyard. The cemetery is known for its beauty, especially during Christmas. The people of Salzburg traditionally visit the graves of their loved ones, with a miniature Christmas tree and candles in hand. The wrought iron headstones are masterfully crafted with little planted gardens on top of each grave.

This cemetery is unique to Salzburg, as only people or families born in the city are buried here. Many of the graves are large family plots of land, with dates and details highlighting the history of each plot. Another interesting fact is that in Austria, grave sites are not purchased but are rented, which leads to new graves popping up every time someone’s family forgets to pay rent!

Monuments and paintings add colour to the graveyard. This is a charming fact about this graveyard since all these features make it feel warm with love instead of macabre as cemeteries are famous for being. The churches are ornate and well decorated as well. A sense of peace prevails in the area, making it a great place to escape to when in need of some quiet time. This peaceful atmosphere and the surrounding loveliness make this one of Salzberg’s most loved tourist spots.

The first church on this location was likely form the 8th century, and even though the current building was built around five centuries later, it is still one of the oldest churches in the city. Initially of a late Romanesque design, the church was given a Gothic choir and tower in the 15th century. In the 18th century, it was further spruced up with Baroque touches. Highlights of church are:

The red marble and gold High Altar by Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach.

• The Gothic style vault
• The Rosary of chapels.
• Frescoes by Conrad Laib on the triumphal arch.
• The nine Baroque chapels with very distinct decorations by Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach.

Salzburg’s oldest privately owned brewery is also one of the oldest in the world. It was opened in 1492. Aside from the barley brew, visitors can also treat themselves to a tour of the brewery, which has the world’s tallest beer tower. The tour is also somewhat focused on history, serving up interesting facts about old brewing traditions. For example, once upon a time, brewing was almost exclusively a woman’s work. At the end of the tour is the Stiegl Museum, a gift, and a small beer sample of your own. But if you’re interested in a more immersive experience (and if you have some working knowledge of brewing), you can also register in advance to brew a more personal blend of your own.

This 636 meter high hill is more than a mere hiker’s pleasure. Neolithic settlements have been discovered here. Military fortifications have been built here, a now extant structure that was known as the Trompeterschlössl. The climb up the hill usually begins at Linzergasse, marked by the Baroque chapels known as Stations of the Cross. Halfway up, you’ll see the Felix Gate, a good spot from where to to take pictures of the city. Just beyond that is the Kapuzinerkloster, or the Capuchin Monastery. Following the path up the ridge will take you to the Franziskischlossl, a castle which is an attraction in its own right. Various points along the walls and hill offer unparalleled views of the city.

Originally a 14th century burgher house that was purchased by the city in the 15th century, this medieval building with a Rococo facade was the old seat of the city government. But it manages to stand out from the other similar houses of its time thanks to its little bell and clock tower. The clock mechanism is one of the oldest in the country. Still, the hall is far more humble compared to the grandiose palaces of the city. This is because the mayor of these offices was a mere figurehead with little power. Note the Rococo work on the windows that was added in the 16th century. Today, the building still retains some administrative function, though the old meeting room is used for conferences and exhibitions. There are shops on the ground floor.