A Tour of Salzburg's Baroque Architectural Landmarks

Salzburg City
Salzburg City | © Weinhaeupl W. / Österreich Werbung
Culture Trip

Dubbed ‘Rome of the North,’ Salzburg is a Baroque gem among mountainous surroundings. Many of the buildings were built by the order of the Monarchy, during the 17th and 18th centuries – churches, houses, gardens and fountains erected in the city were mostly designed in the style of the Baroque. We show you around a few of Salzburg’s most important landmarks.

‘Rome of the North’

Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Salzburg boasts some of the most opulent architecture in all of Austria – designed by many of the great architects of the Baroque era. Hugely inspired by Italian designs, the style of the buildings are similarly grand and elaborate to the epic façades seen in Rome.

speech icon man in bubble

Destinations Unlocked:

Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture trip

Looking for an expert's perspective?

Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.
speech icon man in bubble
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

The famous Hohensalzburg Castle, and Salzach River beautifully illuminated at twilight during Christmastime

Chapter Square

Chapter Square

Begin at Chapter Square, the spacious piazza beneath the dramatic Fortress on top of the hill, where locals can be seen mingling and playing oversized chess. Chapter fountain, modeled on Italian designs, is the first Baroque landmark you’ll see – adorned with horses and figures, including the god Neptune, who is blowing water from his mouth.

Chapter Square, Kapitelplatz, Salburg, Austria

Kapitelplatz, Salzburg | © Bryan Reinhart / Tourismus Salzburg

The Cathedral

Cathedral, Building

Decorative ceiling of Salzburg Cathedral
© John Mason / Flickr
From Chapter Square, head just around the corner to Domplatz, the city’s main square, where you’ll find the magnificent Salzburg Cathedral. The impressive structure, first erected in 767, is a striking example of incredible work from the Early Baroque era. The façade, made using Untersberg marble, contains various statues of the Saints, including Rupert and Virgil, and the interior contains countless treasures, including a bronze baptismal font.
Decorative ceiling of Salzburg Cathedral | © John Mason / Flickr

Quick break

Cafe, Coffee, Australian, Vegetarian, Vegan

From the cathedral, head north on Domplatz and hop across the river to Café Sacher for a quick break before you head to your next site. This historical café is in keeping with the traditional theme of the tour. Decked out in decor similar to Viennese coffee houses, Café Sacher will transport you back in time. You can sample many traditional Austrian dishes here, including Wiener schnitzel, apple strudel, and, of course, the decadent Sachertorte – the dreamy chocolate cake.

The Mirabell Palace Gardens

Historical Landmark, Building

Mirabell Palace in Salzburg
© Diejun / Österreich Werbung
One you’ve refueled, head up the road to The Mirabell Palace – the next Baroque highlight of the city. Here, you get the advantage of enjoying Baroque features in an outdoor setting, as the gardens on the grounds of the Palace are elegantly designed in the style from the era. Among the highlights in this impressively stately stretch of land are the Orangery palm house, the exquisite Pegasus Fountain, and the ‘hedge theater,’ which acts as a stage for various events in the summertime.

St Markus Kirche

Once you’ve taken in the splendor of the Palace Gardens, head back across the river to St Mark’s Church, or St Markus Kirche as it is known to locals. This Baroque masterpiece was commissioned by Archbishop Johann Ernst von Thun and designed by renowned architect Fischer von Erlach – the brain behind many other churches in the city. Although the exterior of the church is relatively modest – adorned with statues of the Saints – the interior is a breathtaking blend of wooden carvings, delicately decorated stucco and multicolored frescoes depicting scenes such as St Ursula in heaven.

St Mark’s Church, Franz-Josef-Kai 21, Salzburg, Austria, +43 662 842590

Christmas market in Salzburg

Now work your way back towards where you started your tour, for a well-deserved drink at Restaurant Stieglkeller, where you can sit outside on the terrace and watch the sun go down and admire some of the sites in the distance.

Restaurant Stieglkeller, Festungsgasse 10, Salzburg, Austria, +43 662 842681

culture trip left arrow
 culture trip brand logo

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

women sitting on iceberg

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

culture trip logo letter c
group posing for picture on iceberg
group posing for picture on iceberg

Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

map of volcanic iceland trip destination points
culture trip brand logo
culture trip right arrow
landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

X

Holiday Sale Offers on Our Trips

Incredible Savings

Edit article