11 Epic Places in Salzburg Locals Wish Were Kept Secret

Taking place from July until August, this festival puts on daily showings of various concerts—including operas and theatre productions—on a large-scale screen. The films are screened onto a wall in Kapitelplatz (Chapter Square in English)—one of Salzburg’s most spacious and popular-public spaces to see a few of the city’s main sites such as the Cathedral and the city’s fortress. As well as the culture that’s on offer, the festival also offers a culinary feast with stalls serving hot- and cold-Austrian food.

Chapter Square, Salzburg, Austria

Kapitelplatz, Salzburg, the location of the festival | © Bryan Reinhart/Courtesy of Tourismus Salzburg

Built way back in 1502, this decaying yet elegant burial ground is the resting place of some of Austria’s most revered residents. Although the composer himself isn’t buried here, Mozart’s mother, father, and sister were all buried in this cemetery. Terrifically spooky, the well-manicured grounds are great for exploring and discovering some unique and interesting landmarks.

The legitimacy of this creepy and strange artifact remains in dispute, but many avidly claim that the skull belongs to Salzburg’s own and one of the world’s most famous classical composer. Located at the University Mozarteum, the skull came into scientists’ possession in 1902. The skull, with an absent lower jaw, is said to match historical records. Legend has it that in 1801, gravedigger Joseph Rothmayer took the skull from the grave Mozart was buried ten years before. Albeit a morbid exhibition, it certainly provides a more unconventional day out than Mozart’s birthplace. Viewings have been closed to the wider public but remain available upon request.

Universität Mozarteum, Mirabellplatz 1, Salzburg, Austria, +43 0662 61980

Mozart Büste | © Zyance/Wikimedia Commons

Venture out roughly an hour away from Salzburg to see the world’s largest Ice Caves in Werfen. An incredible structure is as imposing as it is impressive, this underground cavern of twisted organic sculptures have formed in a manner that appears deliberate. A completely unique spectacle to behold, it is open to the public between May and October. Guided lantern-lit tours take visitors through the steep, winding alleys and glistening walls and offer scientific and historical facts about the phenomena along the way. Be sure to wear warm clothing, whatever the weather.

Eisriesenwelt, Eishohlenstrasse 30, Werfen, Austria, +43 06468 5248

Ice World Eisriesenwelt Ice Cave near Werfen Salzburg Province | Courtesy of Österreich Werbung

The Panorama Museum offers a close view of a painting by the iconic Austrian artist Johann Michael Sattler that depicts the city of Salzburg in bright and vibrant colors. Visitors can use periscopes to see every detail of the panorama. The painting was finished in 1829. It captured the very essence of the city at the time and detailed everything from the specific chimneys to the windows on each building. Much of the painting still aligns with Salzburg’s landscape today, giving guests the opportunity to compare an older view of the city to what it looks like in the modern age.

Panorama Museum, Residenzpl. 9, Salzburg, Austria, +43 0662 620808730

Painting of Salzburg | © Dieter Meyer/Flickr

Wolf Dietrich, a very wealthy and powerful man with a reputation for being cruel, is one of Salzburg’s most notorious residents. Similar to many aristocrats of the time, Dietrich owned a Wunderkammer—’Cabinet of Curiosities’. The cabinet contains an assortment of treasures, including shells and coral, globes and scientific devices, rosaries, ivory and horn, an ocean-life cabinet, and an amber cabinet.

Rumoured to be Central Europe’s oldest restaurant at 1200 years old, the Stiftkeller is built within the walls of St. Peter’s Abbey. Serving delicious meals made with locally-sourced ingredients such as freshly-caught trout and regional vegetables, it is not only one of the oldest but one of the best. The restaurant also offers a ‘Mozart dinner’—an evening that transports patrons back to the 1700s with historical food served by candlelight and music performed by the graduates of the Mozarteum University-Salzburg.

St. Peter Stiftskulinarium – Salzburg, Sankt-Peter-Bezirk 1/4, Salzburg, Austria, +43 0662 8412680

St Peter’s Stiftskeller | © thisisbossi/Flickr

Learn about the life and work of one of Austria’s most renowned resident and one of the most revered- and prolific-classical composers of all time. Mozart’s birthplace, in the picturesque Old Town, is one of the most frequently-visited tourist attractions in all of Austria and offers a glimpse into the prodigy’s early days with a collection of portraits, historical instruments, and various memorabilia from his lifetime.

Translating to ‘green market’, this is Salzburg’s best place to pick up some local food in the city’s grandest square. Regional cheeses, hams, fruit, vegetables, and bread are all up for grabs—and there is the chance to pick up some tasters for free too. Held outside the university every day, be sure to try the gigantic pretzels.

Grünmarkt, Universitätsplatz, Salzburg, Austria

Salzburg | © Cristian Bortes/Flickr

Imposing views of glittering lakes and jagged mountains stretching for miles on end, it’s understandable why the locals wish this natural-hot spot that straddles Germany and Austria was lesser known. There are a few ways to get up to the peak. Ambitious walkers can hike up to the top or people can take the Untersberg cable car up above the clouds in under 10 minutes.

Untersberg, 83471 Bischofswiesener Forst, Berchtesgaden Alps

Courtesy of Austrian Tourist Board