3 days in Salzburg

Day by day

1. Day 1: Hohensalzburg Fortress and Mozart's Birthplace

   Hohensalzburg Fortress, Mozart's Birthplace and Mirabell Palace and Gardens, then Augustiner Bräu Kloster Mülln in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Hohensalzburg Fortress

      Begun in 1077 and expanded by successive prince-archbishops, the fortress crowns the Festungsberg above the old town.

   2. Late morning

      Mozart's Birthplace

      Buy a combined ticket with the Mozart Residence across the river, and visit early to avoid tour-group crowds in the small rooms.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Salzburger Nockerl

      Traditional restaurants and coffee houses in the old town; order it for two and expect a wait of about 20 minutes.

   4. Afternoon

      Mirabell Palace and Gardens

      Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich built the palace in 1606, and its formal Baroque gardens frame a classic view of the cathedral and fortress.

   5. Evening

      Augustiner Bräu Kloster Mülln

      Arrive on a summer evening for a seat under the chestnut trees.

2. Day 2: Salzburg Cathedral and DomQuartier and the Residenz

   Salzburg Cathedral, DomQuartier and the Residenz and Getreidegasse, then Salzburg Marionette Theatre in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Salzburg Cathedral

      Listen for the noon organ recitals or Sunday mass music, a free way to hear the cathedral's organs.

   2. Late morning

      DomQuartier and the Residenz

      A single ticket leads through the prince-archbishops' Residenz state rooms, where the young Mozart performed, the Residenzgalerie of European paintings, the gallery above the cathedral nave and the museums of the cathedral and St.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Mozartkugel

      The Fürst confectionery shops in the old town sell the original hand-made version; others are everywhere.

   4. Afternoon

      Getreidegasse

      Walk it before 10am or after 6pm, when it empties and the signs are easier to photograph.

   5. Evening

      Salzburg Marionette Theatre

      Check the programme before you travel; performances are not daily.

3. Day 3: The Sound of Music locations and Mozart Residence

   The Sound of Music locations, Mozart Residence and St. Peter's Abbey and Cemetery, then Rudolfskai and Kaigasse in the evening.

   1. Morning

      The Sound of Music locations

      Many film locations are walkable: Mirabell Gardens, the Residenzplatz fountain, Nonnberg Abbey and the views across the lake to Schloss Leopoldskron.

   2. Late morning

      Mozart Residence

      It is less crowded than the birthplace, so allow time for the audio guide.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Bosna

      Street stands in the old town, including the small grill in a passageway off Getreidegasse.

   4. Afternoon

      St. Peter's Abbey and Cemetery

      Founded around 700, St.

   5. Evening

      Rudolfskai and Kaigasse

      A cluster of pubs and late bars along the left bank below the old town, popular with students.

Before you go

• Salzburg Marionette Theatre: Book ahead for summer and Christmas performances, which often sell out.

If it rains

• Swap in Haus der Natur (Altstadt): Head first for the science centre upstairs, where children can test experiments themselves.
• Swap in Hangar-7 (Airport): Combine it with an airport arrival or departure; it is next to the terminal.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 3 nights, Altstadt (left-bank old town) keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Right-bank old town and Linzergasse ($$$) suits first-timers, couples and food lovers. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 15–19 hours of visiting over 3 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 8.4 hours in December to 16 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

More or fewer days

• One day in Salzburg
• 2 days in Salzburg

Questions travellers ask