16 Unmissable Tourist Attractions to Visit and Things to Do in Salzburg
Salzburg is a city in Austria that sits on the banks of river Salzach and towards the north of the Alps. The city is renowned for baroque architecture and can be seen in the majority of the best places to visit in Salzburg. The old town of the city is listed among UNESCO World Heritage sites. It is considered one of best preserved cities north of the Alps. Salzburg sightseeing comprises of several historical buildings, castles, churches, palaces, and so on. The city is also well known for being the birthplace of legendary musical composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The birth home and childhood home of Mozart are both among Salzburg tourist attractions.
The history of people in the region goes back to the Neolithic age. The region was a Roman settlement around the 15th century B.C. known as Juvavum. You can still find things to see in Salzburg regarding these settlements at the city’s museum. The town was established over this Roman settlement in 696 A.D. St. Peter’s Abbey, one of the Salzburg top attractions, was built upon a church established around that time. The region became the seat of the archbishop in 798. At that time, the city gained much of its income from trade, gold mining, and salt extraction. Hence it got the name Salzburg, which means Salt Castle.
The name also shows the biggest reason for which people visit Salzburg: Castles and Palaces. The Hohensalzburg close to the city is one of the largest in medieval castles in Europe. Aside from it, you also have Schloss Mirabell and Schloss Hellbrunn. The large complexes are among the top things to do in Salzburg, Austria. The city has equally wonderful churches and monasteries which are renowned for their exquisite architecture and designs.
If you are looking for outdoor activities, adventure, or nature exploration, there are quite a few places you can enjoy around the city as well. The city is close to the Alps and is quite popular for skiing during winter, which some consider to be the best time to visit Salzburg.
This Blog Post contains affiliate links. If you purchase anything from that link then I may earn a small part of the commission and for that, you do not need to pay any extra amount.
Table of Contents
The Best 16 Tourist Places to Visit in Salzburg in 4 Days (Trip Itinerary)
Day 1
1. Mirabell Palace (Schloss Mirabell)
This 1606 palace is one of the best places to begin Salzburg sightseeing. It was built by Prince Raitenau to express his love to Salome Alt. It is also well known being the location for “The Sound of Music”. You will need 2 to 3 hours to explore this palace.
2. Mozart Residence (Mozart-Wohnhaus)
This place used to be the childhood home of renowned musical genius Wolfgang Mozart. It is one of the most popular Salzburg tourist attractions. You will need an hour to see this house museum.
3. Mozart Birthplace (Mozarts Geburtshaus)
This used to be the Mozart family home where the legendary composer was born. It is once again associated the film “The Sound of Music”. It will take an hour to explore this place.
4. University of Salzburg Church (Universitatskirche) / Collegiate Church (Kollegienkirche)
Also known as the Collegiate Church, this monumental church is among the most beautiful places to visit in Salzburg. It is renowned for its baroque design and architecture. It will take you 30 to 45 minutes for this place.
5. Alte Residenz & State Rooms (Residenzgalerie Salzburg)
This mansion was occupied by the archbishops of the city. It is also associated with some significant figures of history such as Napoleon III and Mozart. The mansion is decorated with furniture, decor and painting of 16th to 19th century. It is one of the lavish things to see in Salzburg. You would need an hour for this place.
Day 2
1. St Peter’s Abbey (Stiftskirche St. Peter)
Also known as Stiftskirche St. Peter, this benedictine monastery was founded in 696, though the present structure was developed in 1147. It is one of the oldest buildings among Salzburg attractions. You will come across some of the finest architecture and artwork in the city. You will need an hour or so for this church.
2. Salzburg Cathedral (Salzburger Dom)
This church was instigated by Bishop Virgil upon Roman Ruins in 767. This church was also the place where Wolfgang Mozart was baptized. This church is well known for its baroque design. You will need an hour’s time for this church when you visit Salzburg.
3. Salzburg Museum
This museum talks about the history of the city. It is obviously among Salzburg top attractions. The museum showcases artifacts, documents and artworks. You will need about 2 hours for this museum.
4. Panorama Museum
This museum is famous for 130 meters square panoramic painting of the city created by J.M. Sattler. The painting showcases how the city would have looked in 1829. It is one of the Salzburg must see attractions. You will need 30 to 45 minutes for this museum.
5. Hohensalzburg Fortress (Festung Hohensalzburg)
This castle looms over the city with a dominating presence. It was first built in 1077 and was later renovated, rebuilt and enlarged over the years. The castle is divided into many segments and has some of the best things to do in Salzburg, Austria. You would need 2 to 3 hours of time for this place.
Day 3
1. Glockenspiel (Salzburger Glockenspiel)
This church is known for its iconic bell tower, which is a musical instrument by itself. It is fitted with 35 bells which can be played in various combinations to create music. The winter festivals is among the best time to visit Salzburg as you get to enjoy full glory of this tower. You will need 30 to 45 minutes for this place.
2. Large Festival House (Großes Festspielhaus)
This concert hall is included among Salzburg tourist attractions for its rich history, its acoustics and architecture. You would need 30 minutes for this hall.
3. Toy Museum (Spielzeugmuseum) & Historic Musical Instruments Museum (Historische Musikinstrumente)
This museum features history of toys as well as evolution of a variety of musical instruments. You will need about 2 hours for this museum during Salzburg travel.
4. Museum of Modern Art
These two buildings exhibit artworks from 20th and 21st century. You will need 2 hours to explore this museum when you visit Salzburg.
5. Museum of Natural History (Haus der Natur)
This museum focuses on the evolution of life exhibited through historical fossils, exhibits, reptile zoo and aquarium. You will need 2 to 3 hours to explore this museum.
Day 4
1. Hellbrunn Palace (Schloss Hellbrunn)
This lavish palace goes back in history to 1619. There are so many Salzburg tourist attractions to explore within their palace complex. You will need 3 to 4 hours for this palace.
If you are looking for more tourist information on Salzburg, check out the section below. We have prepared an exhaustive list of places and activities you can enjoy in and around the city.
Things to do in Salzburg
Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Salzburg
- Fortress Hohensalzburg
- Mirabell Palace
- Schloss Hellbrunn
- Mozart’s Houe Museum
- Salzburg Cathedral
- Museum der Moderne / Museum of Contemporary Austrian Art
- St. Peter’s Archabbey
- Casa della Natura
- Salzburg Museum
- Stift Nonnberg Church
- St. Peter’s Cemetery
- St. Sebastian’s Cemetery
- Toy Museum
- Panaroma Museum
- Residenz Galerie
- Freilicht Museum
- Schloss Klessheim
- Salzburger Burgen
- FOTOHOF Art Gallery
- Maria Plain Church
- Salzburg Art Association
- Schloss Frohnburg
- Pferdeschwemme Horse House
- Convent des Capucins de Salzburg
- Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church
- Salzburg Glockenspiel
- Folklore Museum
- Galerie im Traklhaus
- Festungs Museum
- Festungsberg
- Residenzbrunnen Fountain
- Museo de la Navidad de Salzburgo / Museum of Christmas Artifacts
- Plainburg Castle Ruins
- Monats Schloss
- Sigmundstor Tunnel
- St. Sebastian Church
- Schloss Glanegg
- Museum Kunst der Verlorenen Generation
- Berchtoldvilla
- Dome Archeological Museum
- Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Salzburg
- Dom Art Museum
- Wasser Speigel Museum
- Stille Nacht Museum Hallein
Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Salzburg
- Mount Gaisberg
- Kapuzinerberg Hill
- Mount Monchsberg
- Saalach River
- Mount Nockstein
- Waldbad Anif lake
- Glassenbachklamm Park
- Mount Walserberg
- Aigner Park
- Plotz Waterfall
- Leopoldskroner Weiher Lake
- Mount Hellbrunner Berg
- Mount Geiereck
- River Wiestalstausee
Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Salzburg
- Salzburg Zoo Hellbrunn
- Hangar-7
- Stiegl Brewery
- Utersbergbahn Skiing Cable Car
- Casino Salzburg
Shopping in Salzburg
- Getreidegasse Street
- Designer Outlet
- Alter Market
- Europark Shopping Center
- Salzburg Schranne
- Keisel Passage
- Shopping Arena
- Zetrum Heernau Shopping Center
- Salzburg Old Town Market
Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventure in Salzburg
- Hiking
- Trekking
- Paragliding
- Bike trails
- River Rafting
- Kayaking
- Mountain Railway Tour
- Skiing
- Canal Surfing
- Horse Carriage Tour
- Canal Boat Ride
Sightseeing in Salzburg
- Residenz Platz
- Mirabell Garten
- Mozart Platz
- Chapter Square
- Alm Canal
- Salzburg Volkgarten
- Steingasse Lane
- Mozart Monument
- Sentiero Marko Feingold Bridge
Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Salzburg
- Hangar – 7
- Senns
- Augustiner Brau
- Brunnauer
- Carpe Diem Lounge
- M32
- Cafe Romaselli
- The Glass Garden
- Die Stadtalm
- Blaue Gans
- Konditorei Furst
- Goldgasse
- Afro Cafe
- Fideler Affe
- Barenwirt
- Panzerhalle
- Triangel
- Elefant
- Esszimmer
- Gasthaus Drei Hasen
- Die Weisse
Where to Stay in Salzburg?
Here we have listed Top Rated Luxurious, Mid-range and Budget Hotels in Salzburg. You can check below listed hotels for your perfect stay in Salzburg.
Luxurious Hotels
- Wyndham Grand Salzburg Conference Center
- Hotel Elefant
- NH Collection Salzburg City
- Radisson Blu Hotel Altstadt, Salzburg
- Hotel Sacher Salzburg
- Sheraton Grand Salzburg
- Hotel Goldener Hirsch, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Salzburg
- Hotel&Villa Auersperg
- Hotel Stein
- Hotel Stadtkrug
- Hotel Schloss Leopoldskron
- Altstadthotel Weisse Taube
- arthotel Blaue Gans
- Hotel Bristol Salzburg
- Hohenstauffen Hotel
Mid-Range Hotels
- Hotel Imlauer & Brau
- Der Salzburger Hof
- Star Inn Hotel Salzburg Zentrum
- H+ Hotel Salzburg
- Mercure Salzburg City
- Dorint City-Hotel Salzburg
- Hotel Hofwirt Salzburg
- Holiday Inn Salzburg City, an IHG hotel
- Hotel-Pension Bloberger Hof
- Adlerhof
- Hotel Villa Carlton
- Gastehaus im Priesterseminar Salzburg
Budget Hotels
- Gasthaus Hinterbruehl
- Pension Jahn
- Yoho International Youth Hostel
- Wastlwirt
- Zum Guten Hirten
- Pension Elisabeth
- Das Junior by MAX 70
- Haus Am Moos
- Vier Jahreszeiten Hotel
- Hotel Drei Kreuz
- Numa I Ivy Rooms
- Rosslgut
Custom Tours Package in Salzburg
How to Reach Salzburg?
By Air
Salzburg travel is the easiest by flight. You would land at the city’s international airport also known as the W. A. Mozart airport. You can get direct flights to this airport from Dublin, Riga, Tallinn, London, Southampton, Amsterdam, Berlin, Bristol, Liverpool, Helsinki, Dubai, Jeddah, Riyadh, Oslo, Reykjavik, Belfast, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Leeds, Manchester, New Castle, Frankfurt, Luxembourg, Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Tel Aviv and more. You have to option of using buses and cabs to get to the city from the airport.
By Road
You can get direct trains to visit Salzburg from Zurich, Zagreb, Ljubljana, Budapest, Vienna, and Linz. The bus network connects you to several cities and towns in the country as well as in neighbouring countries.
If you are planning to go Salzburg sightseeing by road, you should head through routes A8, A1, or E55.
By Water
As Salzburg is a landlocked city, you won’t find a direct water route to reach here. Although you can enjoy boat rides and other activities in the river and lakes around the city. They are among the top things to do in Salzburg, Austria.
Image Reference
- Mirabell Palace (Schloss Mirabell) – Leonhard Niederwimmer / PixaBay
- Mozart Residence (Mozart-Wohnhaus) – Dennis Jarvis / Flickr
- Mozart Birthplace (Mozarts Geburtshaus) – Hans Braxmeier / PixaBay
- University of Salzburg Church (Universitatskirche) / Collegiate Church (Kollegienkirche) – Mark Hoogenboom / Flickr
- Alte Residenz & State Rooms (Residenzgalerie Salzburg) – Zairon / Wikimedia Commons
- St Peter’s Abbey (Stiftskirche St. Peter) – Yannic Meyer / Flickr
- Salzburg Cathedral (Salzburger Dom) – Cristina Raus Guerreiro / PixaBay
- Salzburg Museum – Andreas Praefcke / Wikimedia Commons
- Panorama Museum – Hans Braxmeier / PixaBay
- Hohensalzburg Fortress (Festung Hohensalzburg) – Hans Braxmeier / PixaBay
- Glockenspiel (Salzburger Glockenspiel) – Pixelteufel / Flickr
- Large Festival House (Großes Festspielhaus) – © 1971markus / Wikimedia Commons
- Toy Museum (Spielzeugmuseum) & Historic Musical Instruments Museum (Historische Musikinstrumente) – Dennis Jarvis / Flickr
- Museum of Modern Art – Aleksandr Zykov / Flickr
- Museum of Natural History (Haus der Natur) – Wolfgang Sauber / Flickr
- Hellbrunn Palace (Schloss Hellbrunn) – Andree Heidrich / PixaBay