Things to do · Salzburg · Austria
18 best things to do in Salzburg
18 sights and experiences ranked for a first visit, with honest notes on time, cost and crowds.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Andreas Stiasny, CC BY-SA 3.0 at
Quick answer
The essential sights in Salzburg are Hohensalzburg Fortress, Mozart's Birthplace and Mirabell Palace and Gardens. Of the 18 picks below, 6 are free, 7 work on a rainy day and 6 suit children. Allow about 3 days to see the highlights without rushing.
Key facts
- Top sight
- Hohensalzburg Fortress
- Free sights
- 6
- Good on a rainy day
- Mozart's Birthplace
- Time to see the highlights
- 3 days
At a glance
| Sight | Area | Time needed | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hohensalzburg Fortress | Festungsberg | 2–3 hours | Mid-priced |
| Mozart's Birthplace | Altstadt | 1 hour | Mid-priced |
| Mirabell Palace and Gardens | Andräviertel | 45 minutes | Free |
| Salzburg Cathedral | Altstadt | 45 minutes | Low cost |
| The Sound of Music locations | Citywide | Half a day | Low cost |
| Mozart Residence | Right-bank old town | 1 hour | Mid-priced |
| DomQuartier and the Residenz | Altstadt | 2–3 hours | Mid-priced |
| Getreidegasse | Altstadt | 45 minutes | Free |
| St. Peter's Abbey and Cemetery | Altstadt | 45 minutes | Free |
| Hellbrunn Palace and Trick Fountains | Hellbrunn | 2–3 hours | Mid-priced |
| Mönchsberg and the Museum der Moderne | Altstadt | 1–2 hours | Low cost |
| Kapuzinerberg | Right-bank old town | 1–1.5 hours | Free |
| Nonnberg Abbey | Nonntal | 30 minutes | Free |
| Augustiner Bräu Kloster Mülln | Mülln | 1–2 hours | Low cost |
| Salzburg Marionette Theatre | Andräviertel | 2 hours | Mid-priced |
| Haus der Natur | Altstadt | 2–3 hours | Mid-priced |
| Untersberg cable car | Grödig | Half a day | Mid-priced |
| Hangar-7 | Airport | 1 hour | Free |
The 18 best things to do
Castle · Festungsberg
1.Hohensalzburg Fortress
Begun in 1077 and expanded by successive prince-archbishops, the fortress crowns the Festungsberg above the old town. Inside are the richly decorated princely apartments with the Golden Hall, a marionette museum and ramparts with views over the city and the Alps. The Festungsbahn funicular, running since 1892, climbs up from Festungsgasse in about a minute.
Walk up the path from Nonnberg or the Mönchsberg to avoid the funicular queue, and ride down instead.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Views
- History
- Kids
Museum · Altstadt
2.Mozart's Birthplace
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in 1756 in the third-floor apartment of this yellow house at Getreidegasse 9 and lived here until 1773. The rooms display his childhood violin, a clavichord, family portraits and letters.
Buy a combined ticket with the Mozart Residence across the river, and visit early to avoid tour-group crowds in the small rooms.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Rainy day
Garden · Andräviertel
3.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. The Pegasus Fountain and steps featured in The Sound of Music's 'Do-Re-Mi' scene, and the dwarf garden holds grotesque marble figures. The gardens are free.
Peek into the palace's Marble Hall staircase, decorated with putti, and look out for chamber concerts held there.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- Couples
- Photo spot
- Kids
Religious site · Altstadt
4.Salzburg Cathedral
The early-Baroque cathedral, consecrated in 1628, has a white-and-stucco interior under a high dome and the font where Mozart was baptised. Its three bronze doors date from the 20th century and represent faith, hope and charity, and the square in front is the stage for the festival's Jedermann.
Listen for the noon organ recitals or Sunday mass music, a free way to hear the cathedral's organs.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Architecture
- History
- Rainy day
Experience · Citywide
5.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. Coach tours go further to the gazebo at Hellbrunn and the wedding church in Mondsee.
Walk or cycle the Leopoldskroner Weiher path for the lakeside view of the palace from the film.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
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Museum · Right-bank old town
6.Mozart Residence
In 1773 the Mozart family moved to a larger apartment in the Tanzmeisterhaus on Makartplatz, where Wolfgang lived until 1781. The museum focuses on his life and works, with his fortepiano and an audio guide with musical excerpts.
It is less crowded than the birthplace, so allow time for the audio guide.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Rainy day
Palace · Altstadt
7.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. Peter's Abbey.
Allow at least two hours; the route is long and one-way.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Street · Altstadt
8.Getreidegasse
The old town's main shopping lane is known for its wrought-iron guild signs hanging over every doorway, including on international chains. Covered passageways (Durchhäuser) run through the buildings to Universitätsplatz, where the Grünmarkt sells produce and snacks.
Walk it before 10am or after 6pm, when it empties and the signs are easier to photograph.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- History
- Photo spot
Religious site · Altstadt
1.St. Peter's Abbey and Cemetery
Founded around 700, St. Peter's is one of the oldest monasteries in the German-speaking world. Its small cemetery, enclosed by wrought-iron grave chapels against the cliff, inspired a scene in The Sound of Music, and early Christian catacombs are carved into the rock face above.
Visit early in the morning when the cemetery is silent, then step into the abbey church's Rococo interior.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Off the beaten path
- Photo spot
Palace · Hellbrunn
2.Hellbrunn Palace and Trick Fountains
Prince-Archbishop Markus Sittikus built this summer palace in the early 17th century with a garden of hidden jets designed to soak unsuspecting guests, still demonstrated on guided tours. The park also holds The Sound of Music gazebo, and the palace is open from spring to autumn.
Bring a change of top for children; the guides make sure someone gets wet on every tour.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- History
- Outdoors
- Couples
Viewpoint · Altstadt
3.Mönchsberg and the Museum der Moderne
A lift inside the cliff from Gstättengasse rises to the top of the Mönchsberg, where the Museum der Moderne shows modern and contemporary art and a terrace looks over the old town domes. Forest paths along the ridge continue to the fortress in about 20–30 minutes.
Walk the ridge towards the fortress and descend through the old town for a half-day loop.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Art
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
Viewpoint · Right-bank old town
4.Kapuzinerberg
Steps from Linzergasse climb the wooded Kapuzinerberg past Stations of the Cross to a Capuchin monastery and viewpoints facing the fortress across the river. The writer Stefan Zweig lived in a house on the hill in the 1920s and 1930s.
Go late in the afternoon, when the sun lights up the old town and the fortress from the west.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Outdoors
- Active
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Religious site · Nonntal
5.Nonnberg Abbey
Founded in the early 8th century, this Benedictine convent below the fortress is one of the oldest continuously occupied nunneries in the German-speaking world. Maria von Trapp was a novice here, and the Gothic church is open to visitors.
Combine it with the footpath up to the fortress, which passes the abbey gate.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Off the beaten path
Experience · Mülln
6.Augustiner Bräu Kloster Mülln
Salzburg's monastery brewery has served beer since the 17th century in vaulted halls and a big chestnut-shaded beer garden. You take a stone mug from the rack, rinse it, pay and have it filled from a wooden barrel, then pick up food from the stalls in the corridor.
Arrive on a summer evening for a seat under the chestnut trees.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- After dark
- History
Experience · Andräviertel
7.Salzburg Marionette Theatre
Since 1913 this theatre has staged full Mozart operas and The Sound of Music with hand-carved marionettes and recorded music. Performances are surprisingly moving and an easy introduction to opera.
Check the programme before you travel; performances are not daily.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Book ahead
- Book ahead for summer and Christmas performances, which often sell out.
- Kids
- Rainy day
- After dark
- Art
Museum · Altstadt
8.Haus der Natur
A large natural history and science museum on the edge of the old town, with an aquarium, a reptile zoo, dinosaur and space halls and a hands-on science centre. It is the go-to rainy-day option for families.
Head first for the science centre upstairs, where children can test experiments themselves.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Nature
Nature · Grödig
9.Untersberg cable car
A cable car south of the city climbs to about 1,800 metres on the Untersberg, the mountain on the Austro-German border. Trails lead to summit crosses with views over Salzburg, Berchtesgaden and the Alps; it is reached by city bus in about 25 minutes.
Go on a clear morning and wear proper shoes; summit paths are rocky.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Views
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Active
Museum · Airport
10.Hangar-7
Red Bull's glass-and-steel hangar beside Salzburg Airport displays historic aircraft, helicopters and racing cars, with free entry and bars and a restaurant on site.
Combine it with an airport arrival or departure; it is next to the terminal.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Pick by interest
| Interest | Best picks |
|---|---|
| Art and museums | Mozart's Birthplace, Mozart Residence, DomQuartier and the Residenz and Mönchsberg and the Museum der Moderne |
| History | Hohensalzburg Fortress, Mozart's Birthplace, Mozart Residence and Salzburg Cathedral |
| Views | Hohensalzburg Fortress, Mönchsberg and the Museum der Moderne, Kapuzinerberg and Untersberg cable car |
| Outdoors and nature | The Sound of Music locations, Hellbrunn Palace and Trick Fountains, Mönchsberg and the Museum der Moderne and Kapuzinerberg |
| Food and markets | Augustiner Bräu Kloster Mülln |
| After dark | Augustiner Bräu Kloster Mülln and Salzburg Marionette Theatre |
| With children | Hohensalzburg Fortress, Mirabell Palace and Gardens, Hellbrunn Palace and Trick Fountains and Salzburg Marionette Theatre |
| On a rainy day | Mozart's Birthplace, Mozart Residence, Salzburg Cathedral and DomQuartier and the Residenz |
What to book ahead
- Salzburg Marionette Theatre: Book ahead for summer and Christmas performances, which often sell out.
Plan the rest of your trip
Questions travellers ask
+What is the number one thing to do in Salzburg?
Hohensalzburg Fortress. Begun in 1077 and expanded by successive prince-archbishops, the fortress crowns the Festungsberg above the old town.
+What can you do for free in Salzburg?
Mirabell Palace and Gardens, Getreidegasse, St. Peter's Abbey and Cemetery, Kapuzinerberg and Nonnberg Abbey. More free things to do.
+What is there to do in Salzburg when it rains?
Head indoors to Mozart's Birthplace, Mozart Residence, Salzburg Cathedral and DomQuartier and the Residenz.
+What is there to do in Salzburg at night?
Augustiner Bräu Kloster Mülln and Salzburg Marionette Theatre are best after dark.