I visited 10 cities in seven countries during my first trip to Europe, and when I returned home, I ranked them all from least liked to my favorites. The location listed as my No. 1 destination was not what I expected it to be before traveling to Europe. Everyone else was surprised too because out of all of the cities I spent time in — some in Italy, France, Germany, Greece, etc. — the clear winner was Salzburg, Austria.
To me, this Austrian city had it all. It's a perfect destination for tourists. The town itself was clean and not too big for my taste. Although the cuisine wasn't the best I had on my trip, it was still delicious and not too expensive. (In fact, Salzburg was one of the cheapest cities I stayed in.) They also make it easy for visitors to travel around with a simple public transportation system and an organized and helpful city website.
Best of all, there was a wide variety of things to do, from physical activities to historical sites to appreciating artistry, and they caused Salzburg, Austria, to stand out among the rest of the popular European spots. Add that to the fact that you wake up every morning to a view of the most beautiful green mountains when you visit in the warmer months, and all I can say is that Salzburg was quite magical!
So without further ado, let's get into some activities that hopefully bolster my decision to make Salzburg my No. 1 and persuade you to visit this European fairytale setting.
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Before you dive into the ten activities that are unique to Salzburg, I have to share this one action you can do that will make your trip CHEAPER and BETTER. And that to-do list item is: BUY A SALZBURG CARD.
If you're planning on exploring Salzburg as much as possible during your stay, the Salzburg Card will be 100% worth it. You can use this pass to get into the city's attractions and museums for free, receive discounts for events and concerts, and travel on public transportation for free. (For example, at least four of the experiences in this list would be free with the card, and several more would be discounted.)
I stayed in an Airbnb a little outside of the main hub of the city and used the card to get on the (nice) buses, which took me to the middle of Salzburg. I also rode the trams to travel to some of the attractions before walking into those attractions without having to pay anything.
There are three types of cards, which are based on the time you'll be spending in Salzburg. You can get one for 24, 48 or 72 hours. The card can be downloaded digitally and added to your Apple Wallet.
I was so grateful that I bought the Salzburg Card during my visit. Not only did it make everything more convenient for me as a traveler, but it really did cut down on my expenses, allowing me to forget about the money and just have a great time enjoying this beautiful city!
1. Order at Café Tomaselli
Start one of your days in Salzburg at Café Tomaselli. As the oldest coffee shop in Austria, it has been around since at least the year 1700. And since 1852 (more than 150 years ago), the cafe has been run by the same family: the Tomasellis.
Located in the heart of Salzburg, Café Tomaselli is a relaxing spot to watch the town awaken or enjoy the bustle of the crowds during the day. Yes, you can eat indoors, but sitting outside on the terrace is the best place to be.
While there, you can order typical filling breakfast food like omelettes or eggs with sausage and toast, but the cafe is known for its specialty coffee and bakery, so try some items from those menus as well. The bakery sells a variety of homemade pastries, cakes, biscuits and more, and the coffee is always served on a silver tray with a glass of water and sugar. As a final note, the service at Café Tomaselli is impeccable — timely, polite and sophisticated.
My menu suggestion: Supposedly, Mozart was a regular customer at this coffee shop back in his day, and his drink of choice was almond milk. Café Tomaselli has modernized that historical "fact" and sells "Mozarts Mandelmilch," which includes a cup of hot milk with frothy milk, almond slivers and sweet almond cream that you can stir into the drink.
2. Learn About Mozart at his Birthplace
Did you know that Mozart was born in Salzburg? In fact, his birthplace (No. 9 Getreidegasse) has been turned into a museum. Inside, you'll find paintings of his family, instruments he played, miniature sets from his operas and other historical items. There are informational signs throughout the museum, but you can also download the museum app and listen to an audio tour as you peruse the exhibits.
The museum costs €15 for adults, but there are discounts for children, students, families, big groups and people with disabilities. However, if you have the Salzburg Card, you get in for free.
3. Hike up Kapuzinerberg
Located in the middle of Salzburg, Kapuzinerberg is a hill that offers stunning views of the city and its towering mountains. Tourists and locals hike up its 2,100-ft elevation to exercise, watch the sunrise or sunset, and enjoy the beautiful forest and surrounding nature.
If you go, you'll want to wear good tennis shoes. Most of the trails up Kapuzinerberg are paved, but there are some portions that aren't, and the hill is moderately steep. Additionally, at the beginning of the hike (which is in the town), you must climb up several sets of stairs. AllTrails offers two routes: a 2-mile loop and a 3.5-mile loop.
There are multiple sights and viewing areas along this hike. One of the most prominent attractions is the small castle at the top of Kapuzinerberg, which has a rich history. Now a hotel and restaurant, the castle is generally open from Wednesday to Sunday. Visitors can sit down for an Austrian meal or a drink or even attend an event if one is being held that day.
4. Listen to Live Classical Music
People from all over the world travel to Salzburg to enjoy its live music. As the birthplace of Mozart and the setting for The Sound of Music, the city has taken this melodious theme and run with it. Now, you would be hard-pressed to visit Salzburg without having listened to or watched a performance.
There are talented buskers in the squares, small ensemble classical concerts, dinner orchestra or choir concerts, and more. Many of the performances are based on Mozart's pieces, but you can also hear works from other famous composers. Not only are the performers exceptional, but the locations of many of these productions are exciting, from famous and historic music halls to cathedrals to palaces.
I stopped to listen to several buskers while in Salzburg, but I also bought a ticket to hear a Mozart duet, which included a harpsichord and violin. It was phenomenal! One morning while walking in the Mirabell Gardens, I was also surprised by the sound of some beautiful spring-focused tunes that were being played by a live orchestra.
In Salzburg, there really is music around every corner, so attending a concert is a must!
5. Explore Fortress Hohensalzburg
Built in 1077, the Hohensalzburg Fortress is a true medieval castle. It's also the biggest fully preserved castle in Central Europe.
There are several things you can do at the Hohensalzburg Fortress. First, take in the castle's architecture from afar and inside its walls. Second, appreciate Salzburg from the top of the castle's walls and towers. There are some breathtaking and photo-worthy views. Third, learn about the construction and history of the fortress through the Fortress Museum. Lastly, check out the other museums inside the castle, including the Marionette Museum.
Before you visit this Salzburg landmark, here are some additional tips:
Get the Salzburg Card. This experience is included in the pass.
Be pretty physically fit before visiting. It's a really steep walk up to the fortress, and the views atop the towers require you to climb some stairs. The museums include a lot of standing, and of course, you'll need physical stamina to walk along the wall. I saw some older couples with trekking poles, which was a great idea!
Wear functional shoes. As mentioned, it's a steep walk up to the castle, and the journey includes stairs, pavement and gravel. In fact, there was one spot where I was slipping so much on the incline that I had to use the wooden rungs on the ground to keep myself upright.
Engage the whole family by playing medieval games: There are multiple historical games throughout the castle, including a big ring toss, tug-of-war with bulls and more. (The gift shop also includes some hands-on activities and fun quizzes.) These will help keep your children happy and occupied.
Walk the trail that follows the walls of the fortress: The outer castle wall still stands and weaves around Salzburg, and there is a nice path you can stroll to see more of it. You'll run into some old towers, other historical spots, restaurants and overlooks. If you want a good photo of the castle on its hill, this path is the place to shoot it.
6. Eat Salzburg's Dessert: Salzburger Nockerl
There are several legends about when and by whom Salzburg's famous dessert was created, but the only aspect that truly matters is that it is unique to Salzburg. Apparently, you can't find this treat anywhere else in Austria, or at least it would be a difficult search.
Salzburger Nockerl seems to be a combination of a sweet soufflé and meringue, which are formed into three distinct mounds. The dessert is served with a dusting of powdered sugar and a raspberry sauce, and its three peaks represent three of the mountains surrounding Salzburg.
I enjoyed the symbolism of Salzburger Nockerl and its light texture and flavor, but trying to eat all three mounds by myself was a task! So if you're traveling with others, simply order one for the table.
7. Attend a Puppet Show at the Marionette Theatre
Austria has a rich history of puppetry, and the Salzburg Marionette Theatre is famous for its highly skilled puppeteers. Every year, it offers numerous shows based on fairytales, operas, musicals, plays and ballets. Some of them include an audio narration in German, but there are English subtitles for tourists.
I attended a production that included three short versions of two famous stories and an opera: Babar the Elephant, The Story of Ferdinand, and The Carnival of Animals. I couldn't tell you which one I liked the best because they were all unique in the types of puppets used, their storylines, and the sound effects and music incorporated throughout.
Just a note: I promise this is not just an experience for kids. As an adult, I not only enjoyed the funny stories but was also fascinated with the artistry of the production. The puppets were all built differently so that they could move in a variety of ways, and I could tell it took a lot of skill and attention to detail to make them move exactly when they were supposed to. The use of foreground and background props and scenery was impressive, allowing the puppets to be immersed in their worlds and causing the audience to be entranced by each story that was brought to life.
8. Tour the Hellbrunn Palace and Trick Fountains
Built in the 17th century, the Hellbrunn Palace, its trick fountains and park were created to wow guests and provide enjoyment. Today, this property still surprises visitors, particularly through its trick fountains, which are the main attraction.
Accustomed to typical pond fountains and fountain shows, I wasn't sure what to expect from the experience as I didn't know what "trick" meant in this context. But the word really does mean what it says it is! During the tour, my group discovered that water shot out of the most unexpected places, sometimes putting on a show through its artsy and technical stone sculptures and other times getting us a bit damper than when we arrived. It was a blast!
While viewing each trick fountain, you can learn about the story it tells and how it was created through an audio device (they have an option for English speakers). This is the same system you'll use when you step inside the palace to learn about its history and the art showcased on the walls.
Just a note: The trick fountains are only open from April to November.
Past the palace and trick fountains, there are walking trails, more bodies of water with fountains and sculptures, a park with playground equipment and an open field, some addition museums (one of them is all about water, which is fitting), and even the zoo is nearby.
It's a beautiful and serene space for a picnic (there is a restaurant by the palace too) or simply to spend some time in the outdoors. Before heading back to the main part of the city, be sure to check out the gift shop as well.
Just a reminder: The Hellbrunn Palace and Trick Fountains are free with the Salzburg Card!
9. Shop on Getreidegassee
Yes, Getreidegassee is a popular street for picking up souvenirs, perusing art galleries, buying special treats and trying on new clothes. However, its shopping popularity isn't what sets this area of Salzburg apart. Instead, Getreidegassee is where you'll find the city's famous through-houses.
Through-houses are buildings with tunnels that allow people to cross through and arrive at another street. So basically, Getreidegassee is a maze of passageways offering a variety of routes to your next destination. Now, of course, the tunnels in these through-houses also offer even more shopping experiences, so take some time to explore them all. (If you get the chance, stop at Eisl Eis for some delicious sheep's milk ice cream!)
10. Visit the Sound of Music Filming Locations
Most scenes from The Sound of Music were filmed in Salzburg, and for good reason! This is where the story of the real-life Maria and the von Trapps took place. For example, Maria was a nun at Nonnberg Abbey, which is still standing and being used for Mass.
You can book a The Sound of Music tour that will take you to some Salzburg locations and a few other locations in other towns. However, for a cheaper (free) option, you can also easily go on your own free self-guided tour to see each filming location in Salzburg.
Here are eight places you must add to your list:
Schloss Frohnburg Palace: If you're a fan of The Sound of Music, you'll instantly recognize this building! (See the photo above.) The front of the Schloss Frohnburg Palace was used for the entrance shots of the von Trapp's house.
Residence Fountain: This is the fountain Maria stands beside during one of the scenes in the song "I Have Confidence." She even flings some of the water at the horse in the center. You can find the Residence Fountain in Residence Square, which you'll likely be in often. (See the second photo in this blog post for a reference.)
Nonnberg Abbey: As mentioned, the real Maria was a novice at this abbey, and the building and its courtyard were also used in The Sound of Music for the shots when Maria is late for mass, the nuns sing "Maria," the children come to the gate to see Maria, and they escape after their final performance. You can hear the nuns sing every morning at 6:45 and sometimes in the evening.
Mirabell Palace and Gardens: Most of the song "Do Re Mi," particularly when Maria and the children are walking and dancing, was filmed in the Mirabell Palace and Gardens. From the fountains and steps to the statues and green tunnels, you'll get to view them all for free, and even reenact the whole song if you feel like it!
Felsenreitschule: This theatre was used for the music festival scenes in the movie, including when Captain von Trappe sings "Edelweiss." Unfortunately, you have to pay for a tour to get a peek inside, but if you have the time and are also interested in the theatre's history, go for it!
The Gazebo at Hellbrunn Palace: The gazebo from "Sixteen Going on Seventeen" was relocated from the grounds of Leopoldskron, another The Sound of Music filming spot in Austria, to its current location at Hellbrunn Palace. If you pick up a map of Hellbrunn, you'll easily be able to navigate to this famous pavilion in the park.
The Catacombs of St. Peters: The catacomb scenes weren't actually filmed in Salzburg, but the constructed catacomb set in Hollywood was based on the one in Salzburg. (It's free to enter the catacombs with the Salzburg Card.)
The "Hills": If you have time to hike the mountains surrounding Salzburg, do it! And if you're really feeling it, belt out your version of "The Hills Are Alive" because the mountains truly are full of life in Salzburg.
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