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20 Fun & Best Things To Do In Salzburg, Austria

20 Fun & Best Things To Do In Salzburg, Austria


Out of the handfuls of cities I’ve been to, Salzburg, Austria is one in all my favorites. The metropolis is comparatively small, so it’s straightforward to see in a couple of days. I used to be shocked by how relaxed and calm town’s environment is — it’s a beautiful vacation spot for relaxed escapes, sightseeing, and studying concerning the regional tradition.

When folks journey to Austria, many are inclined to solely go to Vienna. Although Vienna is unbelievable, it’s regrettable to skip out on the attractive metropolis of Salzburg, framed by the spectacular surroundings of the encircling mountains. Salzburg, compared to Vienna, can be a greater and nearer house base for a lot of worthwhile day trips in Salzburg’s Lake District.

Like a lot of Austria, Salzburg’s classical music scene is world-class. It’s house to the forever-famous Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Not solely that, however the delicacies in Salzburg is great. From conventional Austrian meals, and regional classics like fried Schnitzel and hearty Goulash, to upscale, trendy delicacies, there’s something to fulfill everybody. If you’re a foodie, it’s nicely price considering a food tour of Salzburg.

When it involves one of the best time to go to, I like to recommend going to Salzburg within the fall. September and October are thought of the low season, so nearly all of folks strolling round are locals, which gives a extra genuine expertise.

I instantly pictured myself residing in Salzburg after a couple of hours of strolling via the streets and chatting with locals. Be ready to push your flight as a result of it would be best to keep longer. The sunny and heat climate of late summer time and early fall is all it’s good to fall in love with this Austrian metropolis.

When I used to be final in Salzburg, I stayed at Cocoon Salzburg. It’s an attractive, stylish lodge with superb employees. It’s inexpensive, but appears and feels upscale. It has a little bit restaurant and bar to hang around in and make buddies.

Plus— the lodge is a five-minute stroll to Salzburg’s practice station, Innsbruck Hbf. NH Collection Salzburg City is one other fantastic, inexpensive lodge possibility I’ve stayed in. This lodge is nearer to Old Town Salzburg. It too has a cool, but extra upscale restaurant and bar and lounge.

But, I’m getting forward of myself – so get cozy, and prepare to get planning a trip to Austria, as I spell out one of the best issues to do in Salzburg.

TL;DR

  • Most important landmark – Hohensalburg Fortress
  • Best free exercise – Wandering historic Old Town Salzburg
  • Best exercise for teenagers – Toy Museum Salzburg
  • Best exercise for adults – Augustiner Bräu Beer Garden
  • Best tour – Sound of Music Tour
  • Best meals – St. Peter Stiftskulinarium Restaurant
  • Best nightlife – Hohensazlburg Fortress Dinner and Concerts
  • Best all-around lodgingNH Collection Salzburg City

Best & Fun Things to Do in Salzburg

1. St. Peter Stiftskulinarium Restaurant

St. Peter Stiftskulinarium Restaurant in Salzburg

Alex Lacouture / ThroughTravelers

Address: Sankt-Peter-Bezirk 1/4, 5020 Salzburg, Austria

It could also be shocking to see a restaurant on the high of this record, however St. Peter Stiftskulinarium deserves number-one standing. It’s well-known for being the oldest restaurant on this planet, in addition to for its important historic clientele and a mix of conventional and trendy delicacies.

Many incorrectly suppose that Sobrino de Botín in Madrid, which opened in 1725, is the oldest restaurant on this planet. Admittedly, Sobrino de Botin does maintain the report for the oldest repeatedly operating restaurant on this planet, however St. Peter Stiftskulinarium boasts the earliest opening date.

St. Peter Stiftskulinarium opened within the 12 months 803, which means it’s round 1,200 years previous, and only a smidge older than the brand new child from Spain. It’s is positioned inside St. Peter’s Abbey which was in-built 696. It was first documented in a letter to Charlemagne –in case your jaw simply dropped, I get it.

It’s mentioned that Christopher Columbus, Johann Georg Faust, and Wolfgang Mozart have been all patrons on the restaurant, which was additionally an inn again within the day. Stiftskulinarium additionally served cardinals, kings, and in additional trendy instances, Bill Clinton, Clint Eastwood, the President of Austria, and different European political figures.

Be certain to have a glass of wine from their well-known assortment of 600 wines. For your meal, I like to recommend ordering Tafelspitz. It’s a standard beef dish, cooked in broth with greens, that has been served for a whole bunch of years.

The accompaniments embrace creamed spinach, white sauce made with bread, and apple horseradish. I additionally advocate ordering their well-known meringue-like dessert, Salzburger Nockerln.

This restaurant is upscale, but comparatively inexpensive. It could be very standard with vacationers and locals alike, so remember to make a reservation. If you need an elevated expertise, examine their calendar, because the restaurant hosts dreamy candle-lit Mozart concert events!

See Related: Salzburg vs Innsbruck: What is Better to Visit?

2. The Sound of Music Tour

Sound of Music Do-Re-Mi hill in Salzburg
Alex Lacouture / ThroughTravelers

Salzburg is known worldwide for the beloved basic movie, The Sound of Music. Tens of 1000’s of individuals from all around the world have visited Salzburg to really feel the magic and study the historical past of the movie and the real-life von Trapps.

For these residing beneath a rock, The Sound of Music is impressed by an actual Austrian household (who now live in Stowe, Vermont) within the Twenties and Nineteen Thirties. The story is concerning the widowed Austro-Hungarian Naval Captain Georg von Trapp, his seven kids, and a girl named Maria. Maria was a governess who Captain von Trapp employed from a convent to assist take care of his kids, and the remainder is historical past.

The film follows the household via songs, merriment, and escaping from Nazis – a few of it true, a few of it not, though it’s price noting that the real-life household was identified for his or her singing. Even when you’re not a fanatic, The Sound of Music sites in Salzburg are beautiful and value seeing.

You can go to The Sound of Music filming areas and websites of inspiration your self, or you may go on one of many many guided Sound of Music tours. If you don’t get pleasure from happening excursions with strangers, you may at all times e book a private group tour.

If you’re a little bit of a completionist, there are Sound of Music sights inside town of Salzburg and in cities exterior town too. If you intend to go alone to see the websites exterior town, it’s good to hire a automobile, take a practice, or e book a extra unique tour.

Popular Sound of Music websites embrace Mirabell Palace and Gardens, Hellbrunn Palace and Gardens, Nonnberg Abbey, the “Do Re Mi” Hill in Werfen, St. Michael Basilica in Mondsee, and Leopold Palace.

3. Explore Old Town Salzburg (Altstadt Salzburg)

Street in Old Town Salzburg
Alex Lacouture / ThroughTravelers

Salzburg’s historic heart is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Known as Altstadt (which interprets to Old Town), the very first thing you’ll discover when strolling via is town’s magnificent setting.

The backdrop of snow-capped mountains and Fortress Hohensalzburg is unforgettable. I practically tripped a number of instances whereas strolling as a result of I couldn’t cease wanting in awe throughout me.

Salzburg’s Old Town is quaint, romantic, and picturesque. It’s full of lovely Baroque structure and is made up of a labyrinth of slender cobblestone streets that divulge heart’s contents to charming squares and delightful plazas. It’s largely a pedestrian zone filled with cafes, eating places, outlets, and museums.

Many of Salzburg’s sights are positioned in Old Town and are inside strolling distance from one another. These sights embrace Fortress Hohensalzburg, Salzburg Cathedral, Nonnberg Abbey, and each Mozart’s birthplace and residence.

Grain Lane (or Getreidegasse) is Old Town’s primary and most well-known procuring road. It has a very good mixture of small present outlets and designer shops. Even when you’re not procuring, the juxtaposing Baroque-style exteriors and hip interiors of those shops are a feast to your eyes. I couldn’t assist however splurge on a designer merchandise right here, which was a primary for me.

Be conscious that the outlets shut at 5 pm. This isn’t the tip of the world, as Grain Lane additionally has quite a few cafés and eating places that serve specialty coffees, desserts, and dishes.

A specialty dessert that originated in Vienna however can be served in Salzburg is Sacher-Torte. It’s a decadent chocolate cake with apricot jam that dates again to 1832. You can famously discover this yummy cake bought within the foyer of Hotel Sacher Salzburg.

If you’d wish to study what you’re seeing whereas strolling across the metropolis, I like to recommend taking a guided walking tour of Salzburg that takes you thru Old Town and New Town.

See Related: Best European Palaces to Visit

4. Day journey to Bad Ischl

Colorful buildings in Bad Ischl, Austria
Alex Lacouture / ThroughTravelers

One of my favourite excursions whereas in Austria was my day journey from Salzburg to Bad Ischl. You most likely received’t see this city listed on many vacationer guides or lists, so think about this our little secret.

A beautiful Austrian lady who labored on the lodge I stayed at in Salzburg satisfied me to go to Bad Ischl, her hometown. She had a lot satisfaction whereas speaking to me about it that nearly instantly I bought in my rental automobile and drove the 50 minutes there. If you don’t have a rental automobile, you may nonetheless get to Bad Ischl simply by way of practice or bus.

Anyway, this woman was proper, and the drive was price it. Bad Ischl is a captivating city full of lovely flowers, cute outlets, eating places, and lovely previous homes, in addition to a scenic river and bridge. The spotlight for me was Konditorei Zauner, a luxurious Grand-café restaurant, premium chocolate store, and bakery that was began by the Zauner household in 1832.

Konditorei Zauner’s historic attraction and nostalgia hit me as quickly as I walked in, and the smells of pastries and sweets have been heavenly. The place has ornate pink, cream, and twinkling gold interiors. I felt like I stepped into the storybook of Alice in Wonderland.

Konditorei Zauner has a big round glass show case crammed with decadent specialty desserts. At that time, I’d by no means seen extra attractive and colourful desserts in my life. Behind the bakery and chocolate store, there’s a cafe restaurant the place you may order scrumptious consolation meals.

In the restaurant, you too can order over-the-top ice cream or frozen yogurt sundaes. I had one of the best strawberry milkshake of my life!

The locals have lots of satisfaction in Konditorei Zauner. Bad Ischl is an attractive city, and this heavenly restaurant and bakery alone makes it price visiting.

If you select to remain in a single day in Bad Ischl, I like to recommend staying within the city heart so you may get up and simply stroll to the outlets and eating places. Hotel Goldenes Schiff is an attractive four-star lodge proper on the river.

On the best way to or from Bad Ischl, I like to recommend stopping close by to see the surface of Red Bull’s Headquarters, just below half-hour away from each Bad Ischl and town of Salzburg. You’ll perceive why if you’re there – it appears like the entire complicated got here from the long run.

5. Mirabell Palace and Gardens

Mirabell Palace architecture and plants in Mirabell Palace Gardens
Alex Lacouture / ThroughTravelers

Address: Mirabellplatz 4, 5020 Salzburg, Austria

Mirabell Palace and Gardens is a must-see if you go to Salzburg. It’s central and simple to stroll to from wherever within the metropolis. It additionally occurs to be one of the vital standard Sound of Music filming areas.

Mirabell Palace was in-built 1606 by Prince Archbishop Wolf Dietrich for his mistress. Today, Mirabell Palace serves primarily as a venue for nuptials and different occasions held in its grand halls or across the beautiful Angel Staircase.

The palace’s baroque-style gardens are wildly spectacular and pristine with marble statues, fountains, and mesmerizing flower formations of each colour. I can’t think about how intensive the landscaping schedule is. When you’re within the gardens, keep in mind to lookup and benefit from the view of Hohensalzburg Fortress within the distance.

While visiting the gardens, you may reenact The Sound of Music scenes of Maria and the von Trapp kids singing “Do Re Mi” whereas dancing across the Pegasus Fountain, leaping up and down on the steps, and operating via the hedge maze tunnel. Mirabell Palace and Gardens are a cease on all Sound of Music tours.

An amazing, and surprisingly inexpensive exercise to get pleasure from at Mirabell Palace, is a Mozart concert. They steadily happen within the palace’s breathtaking Baroque Marble Hall, considered one of the vital stunning wedding ceremony halls in Central Europe. Some of Salzburg’s finest musicians placed on the live performance and are assured to enchant you with well-known classical items carried out by famend ensembles and soloists.

If you’re considering of staying within the neighborhood, NH Collection Salzburg City is only a brief stroll from Mirabell Palace and Gardens.

See Related: Best Gardens in Europe to Visit

6. Hohensalzburg Fortress

Panoramic view of Salzburg skyline with Festung Hohensalzburg and river Salzach, Salzburger Land, Austria
TTstudio / Adobe Stock

Address: Mönchsberg 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria

Arguably chief amongst Salzburg sights, Hohensalzburg Fortress is unimaginable to overlook, looming over town on the high of Festungsberg (actually Fortress Mountian). Commanding unmatched views of town heart and the encircling countryside, Hohensalzburg Fortress is one of Europe’s largest castles.

It’s additionally one of many oldest European castles nonetheless standing, being commissioned by archbishop Gebhard of Salzburg in 1077. Over centuries the fort was chopped, modified, and added to, with the final main renovations being carried out on the flip of the sixteenth Century.

Today the fortress is open for guests year-round and may be reached by way of the Fortress Funicular practice on Festungsgasse, which is sort of a gondola of types on rails.

It’s unbelievable simply how well-preserved it’s. The nice situation of the fort could also be as a result of it solely ever briefly got here beneath siege as soon as, by the hands of native peasants – I’m certain you may think about how nicely that went for them!

You can simply spend a complete day exploring the fort complicated when you take your time. Not solely are you able to see the huge grounds and immaculately preserved rooms and halls, however the fortress can be house to 3 fascinating museums that give further context to town’s historical past.

The Hohensalzburg Fortress Museum paperwork the historical past of Salzburg’s prince-archbishops – the lads who known as the fortress house as they dominated over town. Military buffs will benefit from the Museum of the Rainer Regiment which data the deeds of one in all Austria’s most embellished infantry regiments.

Last however certainly not least, this museum is perhaps a little bit odd, however nicely definitely worth the time, particularly in case you have children in tow. Salzburg has an extended historical past of puppetry, and the Marionette Museum is an outstanding little museum that does its finest to maintain this historical past and craft alive. There are a whole bunch of puppets right here, with a very good chunk coming from the well-known Salzburger Marionettentheater (which is one other nice day trip).

Seems like rather a lot, doesn’t it? Well, there’s much more to this fortress than meets the attention…

7. Salzach River Cruise and Fortress Concert

Bridge with locks over Salzburg's Salzach River
Alex Lacouture / ThroughTravelers

One of essentially the most well-known Salzburg vacationer actions is the Salzach River Cruise tour, which incorporates an incredible dinner expertise and a Best-of-Mozart live performance within the 900-year-old Hohensalzburg Fortress. I can’t consider something cooler than spending a night in an attractive, historic fortress after having fun with one of the best views of Salzburg whereas cruising along the Salzach River.

The whole time for this tour is 4 to 5 hours. The tour begins within the heart of Old Town the place you meet to stroll to the cruise boat. The river cruise lasts 40 minutes.

Salzburg stretches alongside each banks of the Salzach River. From the river, you’ll get one of the best views of Old Town Salzburg in addition to the Tennen and Hagen Mountains within the distance.

After the river cruise, the tour information will take you as much as Hohensalzburg Fortress on the fortress funicular. Once on the fortress, dinner is served on the panorama restaurant with customary and VIP eating choices. A Best-of-Mozart live performance will comply with dinner.

The live performance is held within the fortress’s attractive Golden Hall. It’s placed on by the Mozart Chamber Orchestra of Salzburg, a extremely revered and internationally sought-after chamber orchestra devoted to conserving the magic of 18th Century classical music alive.

If you would favor to skip the river cruise, there are options to only dine and enjoy the concert at Hohensalzburg Fortress.

See Related: Inspiring Songs about Traveling

8. Mozart’s Birthplace (Geburtshaus)

Mozart's Birthplace building in Salzburg
Alex Lacouture / ThroughTravelers

Address: Getreidegasse 9, 5020 Salzburg, Austria

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is definitely essentially the most well-known historic determine from Salzburg and one in all music’s most celebrated names. You merely can’t go to this metropolis with out paying homage to one of many world’s best composers.

One of the methods you are able to do that is by visiting his birthplace, Hagenauer Haus, at No. 9 Getreidegasse in Salzburg.

Mozart was born in 1756 and at this time, his birthplace is likely one of the most visited museums in Austria. Mozart’s household lived in Hagenauer Haus’s Third-floor residence from 1747 to 1773, being constructed within the Twelfth Century. Today, three flooring maintain displays on the composer’s childhood, his non-public life, and his world-changing music profession.

The first ground of the museum exhibits a typical house within the 18th Century together with furnishings, on a regular basis objects, paperwork, and work.

The second-floor exhibit focuses on Mozart’s opera music. The exhibit has costumes, scores, fashions, and dioramas of theater units that have been made for his operas. Mozart’s clavichord, an early piano on which he composed The Magic Flute, can be on show.

In the third-floor exhibit, you may see the precise room the place Mozart was born. Other artifacts for viewing embrace Mozart’s childhood violin, portraits of his household, and a few of his early musical scores. There are additionally objects from Mozart’s time in Vienna in addition to his harpsichord.

You can expertise Mozart’s birthplace museum inside thirty minutes, so it’s a fast, straightforward, and worthwhile exercise to suit into your Salzburg itinerary. It’s additionally close by different standard Salzburg sights and high accommodations corresponding to Cocoon Salzburg.

9. Mozart’s Residence

Mozart's Residence architecture in Salzburg
Alex Lacouture / ThroughTravelers

Address: Makartplatz 8, 5020 Salzburg, Austria

Mozart spent his childhood in his birthplace, Hagenauer Haus, up till 1773. He then moved to a distinct Salzburg residence the place he stayed till 1781. In 1781, Mozart left Salzburg to spend the remainder of his life in Vienna.

This residence is far bigger than the earlier three-bedroom residence the place Mozart was born. The museum spans eight rooms, and every part of the museum has its personal theme.

Examples embrace the ladies in Mozart’s life and the journeys the Mozart household took throughout Europe. Two favourite artifacts on this museum are Mozart’s fortepiano and the best-known portrait of the Mozart household.

While his birthplace would survive, sadly, Mozart’s Salzburg residence was destroyed throughout World War II, however was reconstructed and opened to the general public in 1996. The museum inside this residence, Tanzmeisterhaus (or Dance Master’s House), educates guests on the on a regular basis lifetime of the Mozart household and consists of every of their biographies. Similarly to Mozart’s birthplace, this museum inside his former residence is a good expertise and doesn’t take lengthy to finish.

In addition to a museum, this residence can be a venue for particular occasions, short-term exhibitions, and concert events.

10. Panoramic views from Kapuzinerberg and Mönchsberg

Salzburg, Austria, with its two hills Kapuzinerberg and Gaisberg and the Salzach River as seen from an overlook above the city
Kenneth Sponsler / Shutterstock

One of the various causes Salzburg is exclusive is that town has a number of mountains surrounding it. From superior structure to mesmerizing mountains, town’s skyline and surroundings are extraordinarily dynamic.

There are many choices for hikes on totally different mountains to present you viewpoints of Salzburg and past. I feel one of the best panoramic views are from Kapuzinerberg and Mönchsberg., each mountains positioned inside town of Salzburg.

You can simply attain the Mönchsberg from town. A preferred route begins on the precise shores of the Salzach close to Imbergstraße.

If you don’t wish to stroll to the highest, you may take the Mönchsberg Lift, which carries passengers to the highest of Mönchsberg in simply 30 seconds. The scenic terrace gives magical views of Salzburg’s Old Town, Hohensalzburg Fortress, and the Alps.

The three-mile hike to the highest of Kapuzinerberg is taken into account straightforward. It takes about two hours and fifteen minutes to finish. On the hike, you’ll see the ruins of a medieval fortress along with the panoramic views of Salzburg, Hohensalzburg Fortress, and the Alps.

See Related: The Ultimate Backpacking Through Europe Itinerary

11. Day journey to Hallstatt

Aerial view of Hallstatt neighborhood
Alex Lacouture / ThroughTravelers

Hallstatt is likely one of the most beautiful small towns in Austria and one of the vital well-known vacationer cities in all of Central Europe. It’s positioned in Salzkammergut, Austria’s lake district. If you will have over three days in Salzburg, it’s price leaving town and doing a half-day tour of Hallstatt.

This half-day tour is between 5 and 6 hours lengthy. It’s a guided tour plus two and a half hours of free time to discover at your individual tempo. The tour bus leaves Salzburg and can drive via a lot of charming villages within the lake district.

Activities in Hallstatt embrace a leisurely stroll alongside the lake and admiring all the homes that cling to the mountainside with their reflections shining on the water. You’ll even have time to see the Mullbach waterfall, Bone House, lakeside park, Hallstatt Skywalk, and the native museum.

The Bone House, positioned in Hallstatt’s St. Michael’s Chapel, is likely one of the most attention-grabbing and peculiar experiences you’ll have whereas in Austria. The Bone House has existed because the Twelfth Century. There are 1,200 human skulls stored right here. 610 of them are intricately hand-painted, they usually’re all organized in response to particular person household teams, and the dates of loss of life are marked on them.

The Hallstatt Skywalk is a comparatively new viewing platform that extends 12 meters from the mountainside and 360 meters above the bottom. This is the proper approach to get a hen’s eye view of Hallstatt. Plus, it’s an awesome spot to take photos.

During the Hallstatt day tour’s return journey again to Salzburg, you’ll drive via and see the beautiful Gosau Lake and the Dachtsein Mountains.

Visiting Hallstatt was a dream come true for me. The lake and well-known panorama of the homes and the large church tower are breathtaking.

It’s laborious to consider that the surroundings isn’t a inexperienced display screen. I like to recommend going to Hallstatt through the low season, like within the fall. It’s extra gratifying to discover the small village when there are fewer vacationers.

If you like to remain in Hallstatt for an evening or two, Chalet Hallstättersee is a good vacay house rental, steps away from the park on the lake.

12. Hellbrunn Palace and Trick Fountains

Front of Hellbrunn palace in Salzburg, Austria
ComfortableAlex / Adobe Stock

Address: Fürstenweg 37, 5020 Salzburg, Austria

Hellbrunn Palace and its trick fountains are a must-see when in Salzburg. They have been constructed within the early seventeenth Century by then Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg, Markus Sittikus. Hellbrun Palace is located on the foot of the well-watered Hellbrunn Mountain, and water was the primary theme within the design of the Palace and the world-famous trick fountains.

The Prince-Archbishop meant Hellbrunn Palace to be a spot for enjoyment and leisure. Back then, guests got here to this pleasure palace for excursions, hunts, and stylish receptions.

Today, Hellbrunn is a vacationer attraction and holds vital conferences, seminars, and glamorous social occasions. It’s additionally only a brief hop from Salzburg Zoo (aka, Salzburg Zoo Hellbrunn, Zoo Salzburg, or Tiergarten Hellbrunn – phew!).

The trick fountains, on the Hellbrunn grounds, are one of the vital fascinating cultural jewels of Salzburg. They’ve been entertaining visitors since 1615! Prince-Archbishop Markus Sittikus, a little bit of a trickster in his day, had this technique of fountains constructed each as a standing image and to astonish and excite his visitors.

The huge park and gardens on the Palace grounds are stunning for strolling round or having fun with a picnic. The landscaping and colourful flowers are overwhelming in one of the best ways attainable.

For these Sound of Music fanatics, throughout the park, you may go to the well-known “Sixteen Going On Seventeen” glass pavilion/gazebo from the film. This is the place Liesl and Ralph danced, sang, and had their first kiss.

Maria and Baron von Trapp additionally proclaimed their love for one another whereas gradual dancing and singing “Something Good.” Unfortunately, you may’t go inside, however you may nonetheless take nice footage in entrance of it!

See Related: Real, Magical Castles in Fairytales to Visit

13. Nonnberg Abbey

View of Nonnberg Abbey in Salzburg
Fabio Lotti / Adobe Stock

Address: Nonnberggasse 2, 5020 Salzburg, Austria

Nonnberg Abbey is one other standard Salzburg vacationer attraction. Founded within the 12 months 696 by Saint Rupert of Salzburg, Nonnbery Abbey is a Benedictine nunnery and the oldest convent within the German-speaking world.

It’s been a repeatedly working nunnery since its inception. Today, it homes a lot of artifacts, together with mid-Twelfth Century murals.

Nonnberg Abbey is most well-known for its connection to The Sound of Music. Five scenes have been filmed right here. The Abbey can be an enormous a part of the actual von Trapp household’s life.

Maria lived right here within the convent earlier than caring for the von Trapp kids. She later married Captain von Trapp within the Abbey Church in 1927.

Nonnberg Abbey is a little bit of a trek, positioned on the Festungsberg. While guests are usually not permitted to go to the precise abbey because it’s nonetheless in use, you may go to the church and grounds. Most of town’s Sound of Music excursions take you by the abbey however solely provide you with sufficient time to get a glimpse and snap a couple of images.

If you’d wish to see it up shut, I’d advocate taking the steps as much as it. Be conscious that this stroll is a bit steep.

Another possibility is to take the funicular as much as Hohensalzburg Fortress and go to Nonnberg Abbey in your stroll again down the mountain. Trust me, the views of Salzburg from the mountainside are definitely worth the go to.

The church and cemetery are open day by day and free to enter, however you do need to request permission/register on arrival to view some areas of the church. If you’re an early riser, I like to recommend going to the church at 6:45 am. You’ll doubtless be capable to hear the nuns singing their morning Gregorian chants.

14. Salzburg Festival (July – September)

The Salzburg Festival, established in 1920, takes place yearly from July via September. The Salzburg Festival presents a distinguished show of operas, performs, and concert events of the very best inventive requirements.

It’s held in an amphitheater referred to as Rock Riding School, (aka Summer Riding School, or Felsenreitschule). This monumental theater that stands at this time was initially constructed to be a cathedral. Today, the Rock Riding School is Salzburg’s hottest live performance venue and is ready to accommodate round 1,500 folks.

Historically, boulders have been lower from Mönchsberg mountain within the metropolis, which left a crater the place the Rock Riding School now stands. In 1693, Archbishop Johann Ernst von Thun repurposed the cavernous area and later it turned a theater.

15. Salzburg Cathedral

Front of Salzburg Cathedral
Alex Lacouture / ThroughTravelers

Address: Domplatz 1a, 5020 Salzburg, Austria

By now, you’ll most likely understand there are a selection of unmissable landmarks in Salzburg. Salzburg Cathedral (or Dom zu Salzburg) is definitely within the high three, and it’s definitely one of many oldest (if not the oldest) Salzburg vacationer sights.

This breathtaking cathedral is town’s most important church and its ecclesiastical heart. The cathedral represents essentially the most spectacular early Baroque edifice north of the Alps. It’s additionally a fast and simple place to see whereas strolling across the metropolis.

The cathedral is part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Salzburg and is devoted to Saint Rupert and Saint Vergilius. Salzburg Cathedral was in-built 767 however was destroyed and reconstructed – 3 times, no much less! The remaining development and enlargement occurred within the seventeenth Century, leaving us with the grand, baroque masterpiece that stands to this present day.

Inside the ornate interiors of the Salzburg Cathedral, you may see the place the place Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was baptized and composed a lot of his musical masterpieces. And if music is your jam, you may attend a mid-day organ concert here.

If you’d wish to study extra about this magnificent home of worship, don’t overlook to cease by the close by Salzburg Cathedral Museum, house to a wealth of data concerning the cathedral and its relationship with town, to not point out distinctive artistic endeavors from the Salzburg Archdiocese.

See Related: Incredible Bucket List Ideas

16. Salzburg Museum

Salzburg Museum exhibit
Salzburg Museum / Facebook

Address: Mozartpl. 1, 5020 Salzburg, Austria

Established in 1834 and relocated in 2005, the award-winning Salzburg Museum, also referred to as Neue Residenz, is unbelievable and the proper bad-weather vacation spot for all ages. There are many multi-media installations and displays for guests to marvel at and study from.

If you wish to study extra concerning the historical past and tradition of Salzburg and the area, that is the place to do it. Initially a modest military museum, the Salzburg Museum shortly advanced right into a provincial museum, that includes the works of Salzburg residents because the centerpiece.

While it’s not the largest museum on the town, its grandeur is second to none. The first ground of the museum walks guests via the historical past and modern-day occasions of Salzburg, in addition to the Napoleonic Wars. Exhibition rooms are revolved round totally different epochs.

The museum’s second ground explores the lives and contributions of Romantic painters, writers, and scientists from in and outdoors of Salzburg. The exhibit additionally educates guests on how and when tourism began in Salzburg.

The Art Hall of the Salzburg Museum is house to a rare assortment that holds main particular artwork exhibitions. Art buffs ought to be making a bee-line for this a part of the museum to view merely spectacular work, sculptures, and frescoes.

17. Day journey to Innsbruck

Innsbruck aerial panoramic view
saiko3p / Adobe Stock

If you’re in search of a change of surroundings or maybe some winter sports activities within the Bavarian Alps, think about taking the quick practice from Salzburg to Innsbruck. The historic metropolis of Innsbruck is each bit as pretty as Salzburg, house to historical past, attention-grabbing sights, nice meals, stellar nightlife, and ski slopes galore.

On high of the plethora of snowboarding and snowboarding alternatives, it’s additionally an superior place to go to for views of the Bavarian Alps. The Top of Innsbruck cable automobile expertise is the preferred for certain, however adrenaline junkies may discover the Innsbruck Paragliding Adventure a greater approach to benefit from the view.

While Innsbruck is standard for excessive and winter sports activities, there are a selection of well-known cultural sights right here. First, is the Hofburg of Innsbruck, thought of one in all Austria’s high three most culturally important buildings, the opposite two being the Hofburg Palace in Vienna and Schönbrunn Palace (which is one in all my favorite places in Austria).

The most important cultural attraction in Innsbruck nevertheless, needs to be the Golden Roof (or Goldenes Dachl). The Golden Roof was the ultimate present for Austro-Hungarian Emperor Maximilian I in celebration of his wedding ceremony to Bianca Maria Sforza. Completed on the flip of the sixteenth Century, the roof of this royal statement field is roofed in practically 2,700 shimmering copper tiles.

It makes for a incredible photograph op, and when you’re peckish, the sq. under the statement field is house to a number of the best restaurants in Innsbruck. I additionally advocate spending a night or two here. You received’t remorse it, particularly when you examine into someplace like aDLERS Hotel, the tallest, and swankiest joint on the town.

18. Salzburg Christmas Market (November to January) and the Salzburg Christmas Museum

Salzburg Christmas Market
SCStock / Shutterstock

Address: Mozartpl. 2, 5020 Salzburg, Austria

As a German-speaking nation, Austria comes alive at Christmastime. Salzburg is no different with the picturesque streets across the cathedral arches crammed with enchanting decor as one in all Austria’s most celebrated Christmas markets comes into bloom.

If you’ve by no means been to a Christmas market, I can’t advocate it sufficient – even when you hate Christmas. They are infectiously joyful and nice locations to get pleasure from traditional delicacies and tipples in addition to supply traditional Christmas gifts.

Sadly although, these festive markets are solely short-term fixtures. If solely there was some approach to get pleasure from Christmas all 12 months spherical…oh, wait, due to Salzburg’s Ursula Kloiber, you may!

Founded in 2014 by Christmas-crazy Ursula, the compact Salzburg Christmas Museum (or Salzburger Weihnachtsmuseum) is positioned above the well-known Café Glockenspiel on Mozartplatz in Old Town Salzburg.

Here, you may study Germanic Christmas customs and traditions from the nineteenth Century as much as the current from Ursula’s personal assortment of festive knick-knacks that she has been constructing for the final 5 a long time.

See Related: Best Christmas Markets in Europe

19. Toy Museum Salzburg and Museum of Historic Musical Instruments

Toy Museum Salzburg Building
Okay.Okay / TripAdvisor

Address: Bürgerspitalgasse 2, 5020 Salzburg, Austria

If you’re visiting Salzburg with young kids, this subsequent cease is a should. Founded in 1978, Toy Museum Salzburg (or the Spielzeugmuseum), may simply be my favourite of all Salzburg museums – me, a grown grownup!

The smartest thing about this museum is that it’s meant for teenagers. It ain’t your typical museum, that’s for certain. All of the displays are at a toddler’s eye degree and plenty of of those displays are hands-on too, selling actual play.

There’s additionally an in depth kids’s library, a enjoyable maze, and a movie show for the youngsters to get pleasure from. The museum additionally hosts frequent puppet exhibits, lots of the puppets and puppeteers courtesy of the Salzburger Marionettentheater.

While the youngsters play, the adults can study, as a result of right here you’ll discover the most important assortment of historic European toys within the nation, that includes an enormous assortment of historic and modern toys courting from the seventeenth Century to at this time’s playthings.

Another factor that makes this an amazing place to go to with wee ones is that it shares a ticket with the Museum of Historic Musical Instruments (run by the Salzburg Museum). It’s no secret by now that Salzburg has a factor for music, and this incredible museum is of the world’s high authorities and collectors of historic musical devices.

With an enormous assortment of musical devices and artifacts from the sixteenth Century to the current, this hands-on museum is nice for toe-tappers and any budding Mozarts of your individual. As nicely as with the ability to strive your hand at sure musical devices, concert events are steadily held right here too.

20. Augustiner Bräu Beer Garden

Austria's biggest beer tavern Augustiner Brau
Studio MDF / Shutterstock.com

Address: Augustinergasse 6A, 5020 Salzburg, Austria

Well, now that we’ve taken care of the youngsters, it’s time for the adults to take pleasure in a little bit of self-care. So be sure you cease by the Augustiner Bräu Beer Garden – the most important outside Biergarten within the nation!

Like its neighbor Germany, Austria is mad about good beer and has been for hundreds of years. The Augustiner Brewery has been round for a lot of of those centuries, based by some boozy monks in 1621. The beer they brew and serve at this time is far the identical because it was again then within the seventeenth Century, strictly adhering to the German Purity Laws.

If you will have the time, it’s best to look right into a tour of the brewery, though I’d counsel doing this earlier than you begin indulging of their mouthwatering produce.

To say they make fabulous beer is an understatement. I may need spent my complete journey right here had I not booked The Sound of Music Tour. But additionally they serve some fairly scrumptious meals, largely Austrian conventional fare, they usually host several festivals and events all year long.

See Related: Best Breweries in Germany

FAQ

What is one of the best day journey from Salzburg?

If you’re an avid Sound of Music fan, Werfen is the city to go to. The close-up views of the Untersberg Mountains are breathtaking. It’s a priceless expertise to sing and picnic on the well-known “Do Re Mi” meadow within the movie.

If you don’t care about The Sound of Music, I like to recommend visiting Hallstatt. This means, you drive via Austria’s lake district and see one of the vital well-known cities in Europe. If you’re after winter sports activities, think about Innsbruck.

Which is healthier – Salzburg or Vienna?

You can’t evaluate the 2 cities as a result of they’re extensively totally different. Vienna is a a lot bigger metropolitan metropolis. Salzburg is smaller and feels extra intimate.

It’s price visiting each if attainable. You can’t lose both means as a result of each cities are stunning, have scrumptious meals, wealthy historical past, and are world-famous for classical music. I simply have a gentle spot for Salzburg.

What is the best restaurant in Salzburg?

St Peter Stiftskeller gives a once-in-a-lifetime eating expertise. Founded within the 12 months 803, it’s the oldest restaurant on this planet.

It’s constructed into historic stone cliffs and the inside decor is beautiful and trendy. The meals, cocktails, and wine are additionally superb.

Should I keep in New Town or Old Town Salzburg?

Old Town Salzburg. No query. If there is no such thing as a availability in Old Town, New Town remains to be strolling distance from Old Town. Note that Old Town is costlier to remain in.

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