The 29 Best Things To Do in Salzburg, Austria

Salzburg can get scorching hot in the summer months. What better way to cool off than by going for a dip outside? The Salzach River, though cool and enticing, is off-limits to bathers because of the strong currents, but Salzburg boasts three central outdoor swimming pools, including one adventure pool in Leopoldskron. If you have a free afternoon, kick back poolside while enjoying the mountainous location. Most pools also have a volleyball court and café, so why not make an afternoon of it? You can also travel to the nearby lakeside town of Fuschlsee.

A 20-minute climb, the views from the top of Mönchsberg are awe-inspiring. To reach the hill from the Old Town, take the steps up past the Nonnberg Convent and head in the direction of the castle (which sits on the Festungsberg, the adjoining hill). Whether you decide to go in or not, you can still appreciate both the view over the rooftops of Salzburg and, looking in the other direction, the beginning of the imposing Austrian Alps. The trip can be extended to an hour-long walk, which takes you to the Augustiner Brewery at the other end of Mönchsberg or simply back down into the city.

An ideal trip for a rainy day, the Stiegl Brewery is home to Salzburg’s most popular beer. This brewery is located a short bus ride away from the centre of town, in the direction of the airport, and contains various exhibitions and the offer of a beer-tasting session at the end of the tour. The museum takes you through the brewing process, the various advertising campaigns and gives you a brief history of Austrian beer culture. All the production is done locally, with the water for the brewing process sourced from the mountains nearby. If you’re feeling peckish or thirsty, Stiegl also has a restaurant and beer garden attached.

If you’re only going to visit one museum in Salzburg, then the DomQuartier Museum is the one to go for. Located in the heart of the Old Town, this museum combines five smaller museums in one space, giving you real value for your money. The Residenz Palace will be fascinating for those interested in Austrian history, and the guided tour gives you an exclusive view of the cathedral from the upper gallery. The terrace linking the Residenz and the cathedral spans across the two main squares in the Old Town, so be sure to take your time to enjoy the curious architecture.

Having a decent breakfast is imperative when on holiday. With a strong heritage of café culture, it’s a great idea to spend a leisurely hour (or two) in the morning enjoying a coffee and a generous breakfast spread. If you’ve got a particularly jam-packed day ahead, go the whole hog and indulge in an Austrian breakfast made up of cheese, cold meats, rolls and croissants, jam, muesli and yoghurt. With a huge range of cafés to choose from, you could go to a different one each morning.

For those with kids, or the young at heart, this museum makes for a fun afternoon. Containing extensive and interactive exhibitions, Haus der Natur has something for everyone, with exhibits on subjects such as space, energy, music and technology, as well as an aquarium and reptile house. Perfect for a rainy day, Haus der Natur is centrally located and also boasts a cosy and inexpensive café, serving some of the best all-day breakfast in the city.

It wouldn’t be a trip to Salzburg without at least one mention of the timeless classic, The Sound of Music. Instead of forking out for a coach tour, why not pay a visit to the beautiful and tranquil Mirabell Gardens? Just a short walk from the centre of town, these gardens are highly maintained and were part of the famous ‘doe, a deer’ scene. Enjoy a walk past the flowers and fountains, before taking those must-have photos on the steps, where Julie Andrews struck her famous hat-in-the-air, hand-on-hip pose.

Salzburg attracts thousands of classical music lovers each year, partly due to it being the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Now converted into a museum, the house in which the prodigy was born on January 27, 1756, still stands. Guests can learn about Mozart’s life and his music by walking through his bedroom, living room and kitchen. The museum features various original documents chronicling his life and even a replica of his own piano.

A short bus ride takes you to the cable car station in the valley beside Salzburg’s imposing mountain, Untersberg. In the summer months, it is, of course, possible to hike up to the top, but another option is to take the cable car and then walk around the top. The view from the peak is nothing short of incredible, boasting panoramic views of the Alps, Bavaria, Salzburg and the lakes in the Salzkammergut National Park. Snow covers the mountain throughout the winter, and there is the possibility of skiing down the mountain to a village nearby, although this is only for experienced skiers. Don’t forget to check the Untersberg online webcam before embarking on your trip, as it’s really only worth the visit on a clear day.

The 3.5-kilometre (2.2mi) trip to Hellbrunn Palace is too beautiful to take the bus. Completely flat and adorned with avenues lined by shady trees and white-washed old houses, cycling is a great opportunity to appreciate the view of the Untersberg from the valley below. During spring and summer, the surrounding meadows are full of lush grass and blooming flowers, while in the run-up to Christmas, the avenue is lined by romantic fairy lights. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, follow the hand-written signs to the ‘Milchautomat’, where you can collect cheap, fresh and delicious dairy products from local farms.

The Hohensalzburg Fortress is one of the best places to view Salzburg’s magnificent rural landscape – breathtaking mountains and seas of forests surround the baroque tower which sits on top of the Festungsberg hill.

St. Peter’s Cemetery, neighboring Nonnberg Abbey, is a beautiful – albeit somber – place. The oldest burial ground in Salzburg, some notable residents of Austria were laid to rest here, including Mozart’s sister, Maria Anna.

Located 40km outside of Salzburg, these dramatic caves – formed of limestone and ice – can be found beneath the Hochkogel mountain in the Alps. In fact this is actually the largest ice cave in the whole world, making in an absolute must-visit if you’re in the city for long enough to venture beyond the Old Town.

This impressive rococo abode has been nicknamed ‘The Sound Of Music House’, as it features prominently in the film. It was mostly used for exterior scenes in the pretty palace gardens, as well as the iconic outdoor pavilion, although that structure was actually moved to Hellbrunn Palace in order to reduce tourist congestion when the film’s release drove swathes of new visitors to the grounds. The palace is a hotel now, so you can even pretend to be a member of the von Trapp family for the night.

The convent of Nonnberg is steeped in history, and is the oldest nunnery in the German-speaking world. The interior of the church contains 12th century frescoes, and various artifacts from the Gothic era. It is also, of course, the place where Maria von Trapp begins her story.

One of the most distinctive landmarks of the skyline, the cathedral is a Baroque masterpiece and the sacred focal point of Salzburg. The original structure, built in 767, was destroyed by fire and was later rebuilt in 1598.

Mozartplatz is the Altstadt’s main square. Created in the early 17th century, the square now offers visitors multiple cafés, horse drawn carriage rides and beautiful Austrian buildings. Named after the famous composer, the square features a memorial for Mozart sculpted by the famous Austrian artist Ludwig Schwanthaler. Meet friends here for a coffee, wander around the courtyard and enjoy the typical Austrian setting, or just settle in for some people watching – the options are endless! Recommended by Alana Tabak.