Salzburg Travel Guide: The Best Things to Do, See & Eat
Salzburg offers a feast for the senses with its stunning baroque architecture, rich musical heritage as Mozart's birthplace, and breathtaking alpine backdrop. Highlights include the Hohensalzburg Fortress, Mirabell Palace, and the enchanting old town. Don't miss the Sound of Music tour and the vibrant local markets.
With 280+ hand-picked places to explore, Salzburg rewards travellers who look beyond the obvious. Here's our complete guide to the best of the city — organised by what you're in the mood for.
Must-See Attractions in Salzburg
The icons and landmarks no first visit is complete without.
Start with Papageno and Papagena Fountain — a whimsical fountain featuring characters from Mozart's 'The Magic Flute' enhances Salzburg's operatic legacy. Just as worthwhile is Salzburg Cathedral: located at Domplatz, this baroque cathedral is a striking architectural landmark in Salzburg. Herbert von Karajan Monument completes the picture: ideal for classical music enthusiasts, this monument honors a transformative conductor of the Salzburg Festival.
Papageno and Papagena Fountain
Salzburg • Monuments & Statues
A whimsical fountain featuring characters from Mozart's 'The Magic Flute' enhances Salzburg's operatic legacy.
Salzburg Cathedral
Salzburg • Historic Architecture
Located at Domplatz, this baroque cathedral is a striking architectural landmark in Salzburg.
Herbert von Karajan Monument
Salzburg • Monuments & Statues
Ideal for classical music enthusiasts, this monument honors a transformative conductor of the Salzburg Festival.
Schloss Klessheim
Salzburg • Famous Landmarks
This site suits couples and history enthusiasts with an interest in Baroque architecture.
Museums & Culture in Salzburg
Galleries, museums and cultural landmarks for a deeper look at the city.
Top of most lists is Hohensalzburg Fortress: one of Europe’s largest fully preserved castles, offering sweeping views of Salzburg and the Alps. Locals will also point you to DomQuartier Salzburg — immerse yourself in Salzburg's baroque heritage with a visit to this cultural complex that enriches any city itinerary. And for something different, there's Haus der Natur: ideal for families and science enthusiasts, this museum offers engaging exhibits and interactive experiences.
Hohensalzburg Fortress
Salzburg • Historical Sites
One of Europe’s largest fully preserved castles, offering sweeping views of Salzburg and the Alps.
DomQuartier Salzburg
Salzburg • Museums
Immerse yourself in Salzburg's baroque heritage with a visit to this cultural complex that enriches any city itinerary.
Haus der Natur
Salzburg • Museums
Ideal for families and science enthusiasts, this museum offers engaging exhibits and interactive experiences.
Mozart Dinner Concert
Salzburg • Theaters
Experience classical music and fine dining in the historic Baroque Hall of St. Peter Stiftskeller.
Best Things to Do in Salzburg
Activities and experiences to fill your days.
If you only make time for one stop, make it Klettersteig Postalm — a challenging via ferrata route with breathtaking panoramic views of the Austrian Alps awaits adventurers. Salzburg Indoor Climbing Center earns its reputation too — a diverse range of climbing walls and bouldering areas for all skill levels awaits at this indoor climbing center. Round out the shortlist with Salzwelten Hallein — ideal for families, this site reveals the history of salt mining in an engaging way.
Klettersteig Postalm
Salzburg • Outdoor
A challenging via ferrata route with breathtaking panoramic views of the Austrian Alps awaits adventurers.
Salzburg Indoor Climbing Center
Salzburg • Indoor
A diverse range of climbing walls and bouldering areas for all skill levels awaits at this indoor climbing center.
Salzwelten Hallein
Salzburg • Family-Friendly
Ideal for families, this site reveals the history of salt mining in an engaging way.
Exit the Room Salzburg
Salzburg • Indoor
Perfect for an evening of fun, this escape room brings teamwork and mystery to life.
Where to Eat in Salzburg
From local classics to standout modern kitchens.
Start with Restaurant Senns — ideal for couples and food enthusiasts seeking a unique fine dining experience in Salzburg. Just as worthwhile is Cafe Sacher Salzburg: ideal for couples and dessert lovers seeking a taste of Austria's coffeehouse culture. GustaV - The Green Kitchen completes the picture: located on Giselakai, this restaurant focuses on organic vegan cuisine in a cozy setting.
Restaurant Senns
Salzburg • Fine Dining
Ideal for couples and food enthusiasts seeking a unique fine dining experience in Salzburg.
Cafe Sacher Salzburg
Salzburg • Casual Dining
Ideal for couples and dessert lovers seeking a taste of Austria's coffeehouse culture.
GustaV - The Green Kitchen
Salzburg • Vegetarian & Vegan Restaurants
Located on Giselakai, this restaurant focuses on organic vegan cuisine in a cozy setting.
Restaurant Esszimmer
Salzburg • Local Cuisine
Ideal for couples and food enthusiasts seeking a blend of tradition and modernity in dining.
Salzburg After Dark: Bars & Nightlife
Where to go once the sun sets.
Top of most lists is Sky Bar M32: perfect for a summer evening, this rooftop bar offers a unique blend of art and leisure. Locals will also point you to Take Five Salzburg — a sleek interior sets the stage for exclusive events and high-profile guest DJs. And for something different, there's Alchimiste Belge: a Belgian pub with a cozy atmosphere, offering a wide selection of unique beers in Salzburg.
Sky Bar M32
Salzburg • Rooftop Bars
Perfect for a summer evening, this rooftop bar offers a unique blend of art and leisure.
Take Five Salzburg
Salzburg • Nightclubs & Discos
A sleek interior sets the stage for exclusive events and high-profile guest DJs.
Alchimiste Belge
Salzburg • Pubs & Bars
A Belgian pub with a cozy atmosphere, offering a wide selection of unique beers in Salzburg.
Club Half Moon
Salzburg • Nightclubs & Discos
A lively nightclub in Salzburg featuring an impressive sound and lighting setup, ideal for weekend revelers.
Where to Stay in Salzburg
Hand-picked hotels, hostels and B&Bs across every budget.
If you only make time for one stop, make it Hotel Bristol Salzburg — located at Makartplatz, this hotel combines historic charm with contemporary luxury in Salzburg. Hotel Gmachl earns its reputation too — a historic family-run hotel in Elixhausen, ideal for wellness and relaxation enthusiasts near Salzburg. Round out the shortlist with Haus Ballwein — located on Moosstraße, this family-run bed and breakfast offers a taste of the Austrian countryside with mountain views.
Hotel Bristol Salzburg
Salzburg • Luxury Hotels
Located at Makartplatz, this hotel combines historic charm with contemporary luxury in Salzburg.
Hotel Gmachl
Salzburg • Spa Hotels
A historic family-run hotel in Elixhausen, ideal for wellness and relaxation enthusiasts near Salzburg.
Haus Ballwein
Salzburg • Bed & Breakfast
Located on Moosstraße, this family-run bed and breakfast offers a taste of the Austrian countryside with mountain views.
Hotel Gabi
Salzburg • Spa Hotels
A family-run spa hotel that provides personalized service and a relaxing atmosphere near Salzburg.
Shopping in Salzburg
Markets, boutiques and everything in between.
Start with Salzburger Christkindlmarkt — experience the magic of Salzburg's historic squares during the traditional Christmas market season. Just as worthwhile is Christmas in Salzburg: this shop adds a festive touch to any day spent exploring Salzburg's charming streets. Kleiderrausch Salzburg completes the picture: a curated collection of vintage clothing emphasizing sustainability and spanning various decades.
Salzburger Christkindlmarkt
Salzburg • Markets
Experience the magic of Salzburg's historic squares during the traditional Christmas market season.
Christmas in Salzburg
Salzburg • Souvenir Shops
This shop adds a festive touch to any day spent exploring Salzburg's charming streets.
Kleiderrausch Salzburg
Salzburg • Vintage & Thrift Shops
A curated collection of vintage clothing emphasizing sustainability and spanning various decades.
Linzer Gasse
Salzburg • Luxury Shopping
A blend of luxury boutiques and local artisans, perfect for an afternoon of shopping in Salzburg.
Parks & Green Spaces in Salzburg
Room to breathe when you need a break from the streets.
Top of most lists is Botanischer Garten der Universität Salzburg: ideal for families and nature enthusiasts seeking a peaceful outdoor experience in Salzburg. Locals will also point you to Gaisberg — a peak known for sweeping views of Salzburg and the Alps, Gaisberg attracts outdoor enthusiasts year-round. And for something different, there's Gaisberg Nature Reserve: a refreshing stop during a day in Salzburg, offering nature trails and stunning alpine views.
Botanischer Garten der Universität Salzburg
Salzburg • Botanical Gardens
Ideal for families and nature enthusiasts seeking a peaceful outdoor experience in Salzburg.
Gaisberg
Salzburg • Nature Reserves & Wildlife
A peak known for sweeping views of Salzburg and the Alps, Gaisberg attracts outdoor enthusiasts year-round.
Gaisberg Nature Reserve
Salzburg • Nature Reserves & Wildlife
A refreshing stop during a day in Salzburg, offering nature trails and stunning alpine views.
Kapuzinerberg
Salzburg • Parks
A scenic hill offering a blend of nature and history above Salzburg's urban landscape.
78 Explorer Picks We Held Back
Every list above is our free tier. On top of it, our editors mark the roughly one-in-ten places in Salzburg that are genuinely special — standout stays, tables worth planning a day around, and rooms most visitors never find — as Explorer picks, with full write-ups reserved for members. A few currently on the Salzburg list:
- Salzburg Festival· Festivals
- Hotel Schloss Mönchstein· Luxury Hotels
- 220 Grad· Secret Foodie Spots
- Mirabell Gardens (Mirabellgarten)· Parks
- The Green Garden· Secret Foodie Spots
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