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In a private tour you have a qualified guide, a high-class car or van available and we make you feel special. This tour can bring you to all different locations, like the Sound of ...

Explore the locations where the world famous movie Sound of Music was filmed and see some of the most important locations of the real von Trapp family. Along with a bilingual guide...

In this tour includes a walking tour through the city of Salzburg, a lunch in the center of Salzburg and a driving tour through the lake district area of Salzburg. If needed the wa...

During this tour we will show you the Bavarian mountains, the lake of Chiemsee (including a boat ride (of about 20 minutes) to the island and the entrance to the palace of Herrench...

This tour will take you without stress to the nearby Bavarian mountains. You will enjoy untouched and fascinating nature, history and also the mountains. During the tour you have t...

Enjoy a great drive through the mountains of Salzburg and the lake district area, also called "Salzkammergut" to come then to the UNESCO world heritage village of Hallstatt. Learn ...

We will drive with you form Salzburg to the area of Schwangau to see the palace of Linderhof, the village of Oberammergau and the palace of Neuschwanstein, that was used by Walt Di...

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About salzburg Quad & Atv Tours

Explore the best Quad & Atv tours in Salzburg. Offering a delightful experience, these tours are all you need to enjoy your visit to the fullest.

   +43 660 473 06 66 |  Map

 [email protected] |  Hauserdorfstraße 2, 5662 Bruck an der Großglocknerstraße |    +43 660 473 06 66

 [email protected] |    +43 660 473 06 66

Canyoning and Rafting Tours in Salzburg

We are specialized in providing good rafting- and canyoning tours in SAFE and FUN environment! With us your outdoor experience is going to be SUPERCOOOL!

Canyoning und Rafting Touren in Salzburg

Wir sind darauf spezialisiert, gute Rafting- und Canyoning Touren in einer SAFE and FUN Umgebung anzubieten! Bei uns wird Euer Outdoor-Erlebnis SUPERCOOOL!

Welcome to our FROST CAMP!

Our FROST CAMP is the meeting point for all our watersport activities. It is located on the river Salzach in Hauserdorf. The drive from Zell am See or Taxenbach takes ca. 10 minutes. In our FROST CAMP you have all the facilities you need. There are changing rooms and showers. We also have a terrace and an indoor bar where you can enjoy your drinks after the tour – in any weather contition! There is also a little playground for your kids.

This is your chance to have an extraordinary outdoor experience on your summer holiday – and at the same time feel that SAFETY goes FROST!

Our service minded, highly qualified guides will welcome you with top equipment and make you have a perfect tour!

Coffee Point

Our FROST CAMP is the meeting point for all our activities.

But it is also a lot more. It is a café and lounge where we serve drinks and snacks. It is a sunny terrace where you can chill- before or after your tours. It is an indoor bar. On request we also offer BBQ´s. We are looking forward to your visit. 

To be able to share our passion for water and mountains the way we like it, we decided to open up our own Rafting Center in 2013. This way you get the best treatment and service possible. Since 2019 we also have a new base for you to relax after your tours. Bar, shower and chilled atmosphere included. All our guides have lots of experience guiding for many years – not only on our river – but thrughout Europe (from Norway to Slowenia – Czech republic to Spain). Some of us have guided more than 2000 rafting tours and 1000 canyoning tours. Come visit us – you will not regret it!

These People had some Fun

Kristin Born, 2021 bei Google

Wir waren eine Gruppe von 10 Personen und waren morgens beim Canyoning und am Nachmittag beim Rafting! Es war ein mega schöner Tag, coole Typen sehr sympathisch und authentisch. Waren den ganzen Tag mit Jonas und Libor unterwegs hatten sehr viel Spaß mit den zwei Jungs :)

Udo Lang, 2021 bei Google

Super Team, super Service. Der Tourguide war verantwortungsvoll & wusste was er machte. Die Tour war der Beschreibung entsprechend gut rausgesucht und geplant. Aber auch das ganze Team und der Service drumherum sind nett und freundlich. Wer entsprechende Veranstaltungen buchen möchte, ist hier gut aufgehoben

Jens Hönisch, 2021 bei Google

Wir waren mit Jonas Canyoning. Klasse Erfahrung. Er war immer angenehm, kein Selbstdarsteller, lustig und gleichzeitig sicher. Wir waren mit Kindern. Tolle Tour - gerne wieder ;-)

Flo Zimmer, 2021 bei Google

War insgesamt meine 3. Raftingtour, aber mit Abstand die geilste überhaupt. Mega lustige Bootscrew & genialer Bootsguide, Danke Tom

PREBOOKINGS REQUIRED FOR ALL ACTIVITIES!

Pre-booking deadline for online bookings: 24 hours

Please let us personally take care of ALL requests for best planning and then confirm your booking!

We guide in ENGLISH, GERMAN, DUTCH, CZECH and SWEDISH!

Rafting Season: – 1st of May until 15th of September Canyoning Season: – 15th of April until 31st of October Rabattcode for early bookings: FRBU The first 25 bookings receive -5% discount until 15.05.

We are looking forward to your visit!

ATV-Quad-Tour

General Voucher

Free choice, germany map, location overview, power coupon, redeemable for, the largest quad tour portal in germany - since 2009 on the market - over 50 locations.

ATV tours in Austria

Offroad Park Viehhofen near Zell am See

Type of tour: Offroad Dates: July - Mid-October Ticketing : ticket or voucher Hours: 30 or 60 Min. Participants per group: 4 - 10 (on the course to 20) Minimum age: 15 years Price: 51 to 84 € (depending on the length) Maximum weight: 130 kg Shipping charges: free of charge (by e-mail), 2,50 € (by post ) Payment methods : bill, PayPal Services incl.: ATV rent, Tourguide, admission, Helmet for rent, comprehensive SB 2000,- Extra costs on the spot: Balaclava for 3,00 €, if necessary rain gear 7,50 € Starting point: Viehhofen, 10 north. Zell am See

Description : In Salzburg county is one himself 60000 m² off-road course with hills, Curving, inclines and declines. With the 500 cc four-wheel drive automatic ATVs you cope with gradients and lateral gradients. Despite the challenging track, the tour is suitable for beginners, especially recommended in the snow.

The choices: Offroad Tour 30 min , 51,- € per person Offroad Tour 60 min , 84,- € per person

Quadtour ab Nassfeld

Type of tour: On- and off-road Dates: Mid-June - Mid-October (plus Christmas to Easter depending on snow conditions) Ticketing : Voucher, Tickets Hours: ca. 2,5 - 5,5 hours incl. Instruction and breaks Participants per group: 3 - 8 Minimum age: 18 years (car driving license) Price: 109 - 249 € Co-driver: 35 - 45 € Shipping charges: free (by e-mail) or 2,50 € (by post ) Payment methods : transfer, Direct debit, PayPal Services for guided tours incl.: Automatic ATV, admission, Tour-Guide, liability insurance, Petrol costs and road tax, Helmet for rent, small snack On-site payment: Storm cover 3,- €, Protective clothing 11,- € Extra cost: Fully comprehensive insurance with 1.500.- € SB (16.- € surcharge per ATV) Starting point: Nassfeld (Carinthia)

Description : The tours run over small winding passes- and country roads, as well as on farm roads to the alpine pastures of the border region with Italy. Some tours also have an off-road practice area. Every tour includes a little break at a beautiful vantage point.

Quad bike course

The quad bike course requires skill, balance and accuracy! Only by shifting your weight perfectly will you be able to negotiate the tight bends and master the steep slopes.

The quad bike tour is ideal for all action fans and adrenaline junkies who want to really step on the gas as part of a staff event. In groups of at least 5 and up to a maximum of 100 people, you can ride a quad bike through an off-road obstacle course in the countryside of Salzburg and experience freedom, nature and adventure up close. 

Whether the sun is shining or the snow is meters high on the ground, you can go quad biking in Salzburg all year round. In consultation with you, the Montée team will choose the right location in the desired region in Salzburger Land and plan the course individually for your team. 

As part of the course, various tracks offer participants the perfect conditions for learning different quad driving techniques. The easier track leads across meadows and offers a fast-paced driving experience with 2x4 quad drifts. However, the quad bike off-road trial tracks in the forest are more difficult. The path leads between trees, over hill and dale. This is where it becomes clear which participants have the appropriate skill and can apply the driving skills they have previously learned. 

After this action-packed experience, you should definitely recharge your batteries and energy reserves. And what better way to do this than with a rustic snack or a BBQ evening together in a cozy atmosphere. The perfect setting to review the action-packed day together and bring it to a cozy close.  Here too, Montée Teambuilding and Events supports you in the planning and offers a BBQ, picnic and various culinary specialties on your quad bike tour. All individually tailored to your taste.   

If you prefer a more leisurely approach, we recommend the following activities:

• The  Alpine Olympics - rustic and fun
• A visit to the  Fahr(T)raum Mattsee  combined with the lake district boat trip
• Or a  Project-oriented team training in which not only skill but also the right communication within the team is important.

Still haven't found the right supporting program yet? The team of the Salzburg Convention Bureau will be happy to support you objectively and free of charge in the planning of your event and put you in touch with suitable  event location ,  event agencies  &  social program  - please inquire NOW via e-mail to  [email protected]  or simply fill out the  contact form .

Add items to your list and send inquiries to receive proposals and further information.

• Suitable for 5 to 100 persons
• Duration: 3 hours
• Outdoor & Active
• Team building

Other social and side programms

Home » Travel Guides » Austria » 15 Best Things to Do in Salzburg (Austria)

15 Best Things to Do in Salzburg (Austria)

Salzburg is one of the most renowned cities in Austria and Europe, and has possibly the best-preserved old town centre full of beautiful baroque architecture which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This charming Austrian town is most famous for being the birthplace of the classical composer Mozart, but has so much more in terms of historical sights and fun attractions. The list below details the top things to do in Salzburg and contains a wide variety, from Museums and Gardens to Churches and Mountains.

Lets explore the best things to do in Salzburg :

1. Salzburg Fortress

Otherwise known as Hohensalzburg Castle, this imposing Fortress sits in a dominating position on top of the Festungsberg Hill and has been a major power hive for the rulers of Salzburg since the 1000’s.

Since its inception, the castle has undergone many transformations, additions and expansions including a Funicular Cable Car leading from the bottom of the Hill that allows easy access for tourists.

The striking white exterior of the building stands out, while there are many courtyards and walls to look down on the city of Salzburg from.

Inside, there are many rooms and wings to explore containing various artefacts and traditional decor; a large Aerophon (Organ) sits in the powder room, while the Golden Hall contains many marble pillars and the Chapel is decorated with Stuccos and Ornate busts.

The fortress is without a doubt the number one attraction in Salzburg and a wonderful piece of history.

2. Salzburg Old Town

One of the largest UNESCO World Heritage sights by area, the Salzburg Old town or Altstadt encompasses many of the City’s main sights and is full of historical buildings, beautifully designed squares and quaint little side-streets leading off to forgotten corners.

The building style consists mainly of Medieval and Baroque architecture and the old town is just a great place to walk through.

The Old Town is a perfect starting place for your time in Salzburg and you could easily spend a day getting lost in the streets, admiring the sights, having a coffee or maybe doing some shopping.

3. Mirabell Palace and Gardens

Salzburg is not short on historical buildings and gardens, but the Mirabell Palace is outstanding and is one of the finest in Austria.

Listed as a cultural heritage monument, the Palace was built in 1606 and was used mainly as a pleasure palace.

As well as the striking Marble Hall which is a venue for Palace Concerts, the Palace also has a wondrous set of gardens that can be explored at your leisure.

The garden gives great views to Salzburg Cathedral and has a symmetrical design with emphasis on mythology including the Pegasus Fountain and lots of other fountains, hedges, and themed gardens.

If you enjoy maintained Gardens and being in the outdoors, the palace is a brilliant place to visit.

4. Mozart’s Residence

Wherever you go in Salzburg, the influence and fame of Mozart is apparent – Born in a small house originally, the family moved to what is now known as “Mozarts Wohnhaus” in Makartplatz.

The building was reconstructed as closely as possible to the original design after its destruction during World War II and is now open as a museum.

This fantastic museum contains biographies of the family members together with displays of their day to day life and how they would have lived.

For any Mozart fan this museum is a must.

Available activity : Mozart Concert with Dinner

5. Hellbrunn Castle/Palace

Located in the southern Morgz district of Salzburg, Hellbrunn Castle or Palace is surrounded by a beautiful park and also has the Salzburg Zoo close by.

Created in the 1600’s as a residential villa much like Mirabell Palace, Hellbrunn has a lively yellow rendering and its front façade is fully symmetrical.

The main attraction of Hellbrunn Palace however is the gardens and trick fountains.

The gardens are simply magical and contain many different Grottos, Fountains and Water Automats.

What people love most is the water features that try and trick you such as the seats with holes in that spurt water on the unsuspecting guest when you sit down – Its loads of fun and during the summer months a wonderful outdoor space to enjoy.

6. Salzburg Cathedral

A fine example of a Baroque Cathedral, the Salzburg Cathedral is located in an enclosed square next to the Salzburg Residenz and St. Peter’s Abbey, creating a lovely historical area to visit.

This Cathedral has been demolished and rebuilt several times from its initial creation in 774 and now stands as a striking piece of architecture; the front facade has dual bell towers and outside sits the Marian Column in the middle of the “Domplatz”. Although a relatively simple design, it is still striking while its interior is magnificent.

The interior is fairly simplistic too, and has many columns, knaves, a beautiful organ and detailed frescos in the dome.

7. Neugebäude

The Neugebäude or New Residence is a beautiful building in its own right and has halls decorated with Stuccos from the 1600’s and also hosts the Salzburg Museum but the main draw is the musical Glockenspiel.

This wonderful arrangement of 35 bells was created in the 18th Century in Antwerp and shipped over to Salzburg where it took several years to tune and setup correctly (Or to the best of the clock makers ability who installed it!). These amazing musical pieces play at set intervals during the day and perform beautiful renditions of Classical numbers such as the Menuett by Mozart and Tochter Zion by Handel.

Not only can you sit and admire this classical display, but guided tours of the bells and mechanisms are available too.

8. Getreidegasse

This famous and popular street runs for a stretch in the old town and is a standout destination for shopping.

The narrow street has many buildings packed together that stretch far back and have beautiful designs and quaint little windows.

Many passageways and courtyards spring from the main street and create romantic areas to explore, while small details like the wrought iron guild signs give Getreidegasse extra charm and character.

Shops include fine Jewellery, fashion, antiques, traditional costumes, and many boutiques.

There is also a mouth-watering selection of eateries and cafes to enjoy, and several historical buildings and points of interest.

9. Toy Museum

You may think that a Toy Museum is purely for children, well the Salzburg Toy Museum thinks otherwise.

Located close to  Mozartplatz and Mirabell Palace, this fantastical place will provide hours of fun and wonder for children and adults alike.

Split into two sections – The “museum” part contains various historical displays of old toys and games, while the “hands-on” part contains different interactive rides and activities such as a marble run, a mini race-circuit, and an imitation shop where children can learn how an old shop looked and worked.

With seasonal and special themed activities too, you can be guaranteed to always find something different and entertaining in this brilliant museum.

10. Mozartplatz Square

Buried right in the centre of the Old Town, Mozartplatz is a peaceful square dominated by an ornate Bronze statue of the square’s namesake that was unveiled in the presence of his sons in the 1800’s.

Aside from the statue, there is also several museums and attractions directly on the square including the Salzburg Museum, the Traklhaus and The Salzburg Christmas Museum.

Furthermore, just off of the square, are two more adjoining squares that are worth exploring – The Residenplaz and the Domplaz.

11. Hangar 7

This fantastically designed building is not your typical hangar, but does contain many aeronautical artefacts.

Situated next to the main Salzburg Airport (Keeping in with the theme!), the “Hangar” contains several bars, a  cafe, a Michelin Star restaurant, and outdoor lounge, several motorbike and Formula 1 exhibits, and an amazing display of aeroplanes ranging from a Cobra Helicopter to an Alpha Jet Aircraft.

Hangar 7 is just a fun and exciting place to see, not only for the amazing architecture of the hydrofoil dome, but also the well-presented displays and swanky social areas.

12. Mozarts Birthplace

As one of the most visited museums in the world, the birthplace of this legendary Classical Composer is a must see sight in Salzburg.

The city has various museums, monuments and places dedicated to Mozart, but his birthplace is definitely the defining one.

The sight is easily accessible as it is in the Old Town, and a full tour of the displays etc should take around an hour.

The museum contains everything Mozart, from details of his childhood life, to musical instruments he owned and composed his famous symphonies with.

It really is a treat to gain such a detailed insight into Salzburg’s most famous residence life.

13. St. Peter’s Abbey

Not to be confused with Salzburg Cathedral, the Abbey dedicated to St. Peter was originally constructed over old Christian remains in 696 by Saint Rupert and has stood in some form ever since.

This Benedictine Monastery is the oldest in the German-speaking era and also holds the oldest Library in Austria.

The architecture has changed over the years to suit the various fashions of the eras, and now has a combination of Romanesque and Renaissance styles.

A very decorated and ornate religious building, the Abbey also has Catacombs that are open to the public, a lovely Cemetery, The Long gallery which includes many large paintings, and also an extensive Library with over 100,00 volumes (Unfortunately the Library is only accessible by very selective guided tours). If you are interested in historical buildings, St. Peter’s Abbey is an interesting place to visit whilst in the Old Town area of Salzburg.

14. The Eagles Nest

This Third Reich era building was constructed as a mountain getaway high up near the town of Berchtesgaden in Germany and although it is not in Salzburg itself, is easily accessible as a day trip from Austria.

Today the building stands as a restaurant and tourist site and attracts many visitors, not only for the architecture of the building and its historical significance, but mainly for the unbelievable views of the Bavarian Alps.

To reach the summit where the Eagles nest is situated, it takes around two hours on foot from the Obersalzberg area – You will then be rewarded with some stunning views of the mountainous countryside beneath you.

To enter the building/restaurant, you walk through a long 124m underground tunnel and descend into a lift that takes you a further 124m inside.

Although not a well published site, the Eagles Nest is still an interesting place to visit and great for hiking.

Available tour : Eagle’s Nest and Berchtesgaden Tour from Salzburg

15. Gaisberg Mountain

Lying in the eastern area of Salzburg, this mountain is the perfect place to try your hand at some adrenaline filled activities or a hike.

There is a bus link from outside Mirabell Palace so if you do not have a car, the mountain is still accessible.

If you love the outdoors and outdoor activities, Gaisberg will be your dream – There is over 20km of well-marked trails ranging in length and difficulty, and a host of outdoor activities including Paragliding and Mountain Biking.

To experience a different side to Salzburg’s historical centre, get out of the town and explore the expanses of the Gaisberg!

15 Best Things to Do in Salzburg (Austria):

• Salzburg Fortress
• Salzburg Old Town
• Mirabell Palace and Gardens
• Mozart’s Residence
• Hellbrunn Castle/Palace
• Salzburg Cathedral
• Getreidegasse
• Mozartplatz Square
• Mozarts Birthplace
• St. Peter's Abbey
• The Eagles Nest
• Gaisberg Mountain

The Ultimate 2 to 3 Days in Salzburg Itinerary

Last Updated on January 15, 2024

by Maggie Turansky

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. That means if you click a link and make a purchase, we may make a small commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, see our privacy policy.

Are you visiting Austria and considering planning a 2 to 3 days in Salzburg itinerary? Well, look no further.

Located in the west of Austria not far from the German city of Munich , Salzburg has been a popular place for visitors for decades and is famous for being the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and the setting of the 1965 film The Sound of Music . However, Salzburg has much more to offer than simply these two facets.

If you’re considering a visit to this pretty, compact and historic city, planning out an itinerary is essential to maximising the time you will spend there. For such a small city, there really is a lot to do and you’re sure to quickly fall in love with this beautiful town!

Table of Contents

How Many Days in Salzburg?

Before I jump into the details of what to do in the city, you’re likely wondering how many days to spend in Salzburg.

As I’ve mentioned previously, there are plenty of things to do in the city, however, it is also quite compact and many simply opt for a Salzburg day trip from cities like Vienna or Munich. While this is certainly doable, you will get much more out of the city if you spend a bit more time there.

Ideally, you want to try and spend at least 2 days in Salzburg. This will give you enough time to see the main sites while also visiting some museums, taking in a concert and simply allowing you to enjoy the city at a more leisurely pace.

If you have even more time to devote, then consider spending 3 days. This will allow you to visit some areas that lie a bit outside of the city centre, whether that be some historic castles, ice caves, alpine lakes, waterfalls and more. The countryside in this part of Austria is some of the most beautiful in Europe and really worth visiting.

Getting To & Around Salzburg

Salzburg is a major metropolitan area in Austria and is also quite popular with tourism, so this isn’t a difficult city to reach by any means.

Depending on where you are coming from, there are a number of ways to reach Salzburg. There are numerous direct trains and buses from cities like Innsbruck , Munich and Vienna and you can even easily reach the city from Prague or elsewhere in neighbouring countries. You can browse train schedules here.

Many visitors to Salzburg will also arrive by car, especially if they’re on an extended road trip through Austria.

While you certainly don’t need your own vehicle to get around the centre of Salzburg (this would actually be massively inconvenient), having a car can be quite beneficial if you plan to spend 3 days in Salzburg and are going to do a day trip or two as this will give you quite a bit of flexibility. If you choose to rent a car, you can browse options here.

Once in Salzburg, you’ll find that the best way to navigate the city is on foot. Salzburg is very compact and you can pretty much walk from one end of the city centre to the other in about 15-20 minutes. And, besides the area around the fortress and Monchsberg, the city is quite flat so it isn’t too difficult to plan to traverse everything on your own two feet.

2 to 3 Day Salzburg Itinerary

Day 1 – main sites & fortress.

The first day of this itinerary takes you by the main sites of the city. Though Salzburg is quite small and compact, make sure to wear some good walking shoes today as you will be covering quite a bit of ground!

Coffee at Cafe Bazar

Begin your day at a classic Austrian cafe along the River Salzach — the Cafe Bazar.

Though cafe culture may be more associated with a city like Vienna rather than Salzburg, the tradition is actually quite pervasive throughout Austria and it’s something you can experience in cities throughout the country whether you find yourself in Linz or Graz or Salzburg or Vienna . But if you want to get a true Austro-Hungarian cafe experience in Salzburg, Cafe Bazar is really a great place to do it.

Here you can get classic Italian espresso drinks like a cappuccino or a macchiato or you can be a bit more local and get a traditional Austrian coffee, such as a kliener brauner (a shot of espresso served with milk). This is also a good place for breakfast should that be what you’re after.

Getreidegasse

After you’re sufficiently caffeinated, take a stroll across the river to explore the historic centre of Salzburg and take in one of its most iconic streets – Getreidegasse.

Winding through the beautiful baroque architecture, this is the high street of central Salzburg and comes with international shopping options along with a number of historic sites to see.

For instance, while you see how the shopfronts of McDonald’s or an H&M have been seamlessly incorporated into the aesthetic of this street, you can also wander by the birthplace of one Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Salzburg’s most famous resident.

Mozart himself moved to another residence across the river once he was older, however, both homes are available to visit if you should wish.

If you do want to visit both of these museums, it can be worth purchasing the Salzburg Card , where entry is included in the price along with most other attractions in the city.

Once you’ve strolled through the main drag, head a bit further into the city centre and browse through the Grünmarkt – an open-air market that is in operation every day of the week except Sunday.

While this isn’t Salzburg’s main market (that takes place across the street from Mirabell Palace on Thursdays), it does have an array of interesting things to browse through and will allow you to pick up some unique souvenirs from local sources.

Salzburg Cathedral

After browsing through the Grünmarkt, stroll over to the pivotal focal point of central Salzburg – its grand cathedral.

Salzburg was run by the Catholic Church until the early 19th Century and didn’t even become part of what is now modern Austria (then part of the Hapsburg empire) until 1816. Because of this, there are grand Catholic churches dotted around Salzburg but there is one that stands above others — and that is the Salzburg Cathedral.

Entry into the Cathedral is free (though there is a stand at the entrance that will solicit donations — this is optional) and it is really worth going inside and taking in the grandiosity. Another interesting facet of the Cathedral is the entrances, of which there are three doors.

Above each door, there is a date. The first door the year 774 is inscribed above it, describing the year that the first cathedral was built at this site. The second has the year 1628, when the construction of the main cathedral was completed and the third has 1959, when the reconstruction of the cathedral was completed after having been bombed in the Second World War.

Kollegienkirche

If the Salzburg Cathedral wasn’t enough for you to visit, head a few hundred metres away and visit the Kollegienkirche, or the Salzburg University Church.

This church is used mostly as a concert hall these days and is quite unique inside. Where the cathedral has classic frescos and stained glass, the Kollegienkirche is notable for its stark white interior, which is bright and incredibly beautiful.

Like the Cathedral, entry to this church is free of charge.

Residenzplatz

After taking in these amazing sites, find your way to Residenzplatz — Salzburg’s main square.

This large open area is where you will find a beautiful fountain surrounded by the former residence of the Archbishop of Salzburg (which houses a classical art museum), the Salzburg Museum, which is home to a number of historic artefacts from the city through the ages, and the Salzburg Glockenspiel, a belltower that plays songs three times per day.

Residenzplatz is also home to Salzburg’s biggest and most iconic Christmas market, Christkindlmarkt.

You can see all of these sites and more (along with gaining some important historical context) on the Salzburg Free Walking Tour . This tour runs daily and must be booked in advance. Though the tour is free of charge, it is customary to tip the guide at the end as this is how they make their living.

If the free walking tour doesn’t suit your schedule, there are also paid walking tours that run more frequently.

After all of this sightseeing, it’s likely that you’ve worked up quite the appetite. We recommend heading over to the nearby Mus Deli for some modern Austrian & European food at affordable prices. The menu is only in German, however, the staff speak English and will help you with what is on offer.

Now that you’ve refuelled after an eventful morning of sightseeing, it’s time to visit Salzburg’s most imposing and famous landmark — the Hohensalzburg Fortress.

Hohensalzburg Fortress

Sat atop a hill overlooking the city, this is the most iconic part of the city’s skyline and it is considered to be one of the best-preserved fortresses of its kind in Europe.

You can access the fortress either via funicular or by walking up the hill and paying for entry at the top. Entry with the funicular costs €14 per person and without it it is €10.80. Because of all of the walking (and the hike as the next activity on this Salzburg itinerary), I would recommend spending the extra money in order to take the funicular. It is possible to pre-book tickets here.

The fortress consists of several different museums and viewpoints where you can learn about the history of this iconic fortification. There is also a marionette museum there which I found to be a bit creepy, but may be of interest to some.

Hike on Monchsberg

After visiting the fortress, take the time to explore the hill this beautiful building lies on (and get some iconic views, as well) – Monchsberg.

There is a network of hiking trails along Monchsberg that are all incredibly well-maintained and popular for walkers to explore. We recommend walking on the trail in the direction of the Museum of Modern Art before heading down to the Augustiner Brau brewery.

If you’re looking for a great photo-op that includes both the city of Salzburg and amazing views of the fortress, take the time to stop outside of the Museum of Modern Art before continuing on.

The walking trail that I am recommending is well-maintained and relatively flat so it is really an easy hike until you reach your final destination (and comes with some beautiful views, as well).

Augustiner Brau

As a reward for all of the walking and hard work, end your hike at the Augustiner Brau brewery, a classic Austrian beer hall that is sure to give you an authentic Salzburger experience.

This beer hall has different areas where you can enjoy a stein of freshly brewed beer and also food stands where you can grab a snack or a meal (you are also welcome to bring your own food). If the weather is nice, we recommend finding a place in the larger beer garden.

When getting a beer, you can choose between 300ml, 500ml or 1-litre sizes. You pay for your beer at the counter, the cashier will give you a ticket, then you pick up your ceramic steins, rinse them out in the communal tap, and bring them to the barman where he will fill it up for you (in exchange for your ticket!). Make sure to follow the lead of the seasoned locals in front of you to pick up on the etiquette.

This is an excellent experience in Salzburg that I highly recommend.

Evening Concert

After an exhausting day of seeing all of the sites, spend your evening taking in another thing that makes Salzburg famous — classical music! There are countless options to be able to take in a concert in Salzburg depending on which night you’re visiting and what you’re after.

If you’re looking to book some tickets online, some options include this “Best of Mozart” concert at Hohensalzburg Fortress or this concert at Mirabell Palace.

Day 2 – Gardens, Palaces & Museums

If you’re spending 2 days in Salzburg, the second day is a bit more mellow than the first and will allow you to dig a bit deeper into the city and visit a few museums. We’d recommend looking into the Salzburg Card to save some money on entry into several museums and sites around the city.

Schrannemarkt

If you happen to be starting the second day on a Thursday, then make sure to visit the Schrannemarkt.

I, personally, love visiting open-air markets wherever it is that I’m visiting and Salzburg is no different. Located across the street from Mirabell Palace, this market is massive and has countless stalls selling fresh, seasonal produce and local products.

This is an excellent place to pick up some fixings for a picnic later or even buy some gastronomical souvenirs to bring home.

Mirabell Palace & Gardens

If it’s not a Thursday or if markets don’t interest you, start your day at the Mirabell Palace & Gardens. Perhaps most famous as a filming location of The Sound of Music (notably in the “Do-Re-Mi” song), these gardens, in particular, are absolutely gorgeous and worth strolling in and enjoying for as long as you may fancy.

The palace itself is also open for visitors and is notable for its beautiful Marble Hall, which, prior to 2020, hosted over 1000 weddings each year.

The palace (and gardens) are free to enter and you can visit the Marble Hall — it is located on the first floor and is behind a closed door (however, if it is unlocked you can enter so don’t be discouraged!).

This is a primary filming location of The Sound of Music but if you want to dive even more into the making of the film in Salzburg, you can book a Sound of Music tour that will take you by all of the filming locations and more!

Visit a Museum

After enjoying the Mirabell Palace and gardens, take the time to head to a museum or two to learn more about Salzburg, or its most famous resident — Mozart.

You can opt to head to the nearby Mozart House on the north side of the river or to his birthplace on Getreidegasse. Alternatively, visit the Salzburg Museum or even the Museum of Modern Art.

There are countless museums in the city that you could easily fill the entire day.

You’ve likely worked up a bit of an appetite with your sightseeing for the day so take the time to have a quick lunch break at one of Salzburg’s great eateries.

If you’re looking for some international fare, we can recommend Xinchao , a Vietnamese place that has excellent bahn mi.

If you’re after Austrian Cuisine, Gasthaus Zwettler comes recommended, however, we did not eat here ourselves.

Cruise on the River Salzach

On day one of this Salzburg itinerary, you had the opportunity to see Salzburg from above on the view from Monchsberg. Now, it’s time to get a different (and slightly more relaxing) perspective of the city by going on a river cruise.

There are lots of options to cruise up and down the Salzach, such as this 40-minute tour that leaves several times a day.

Sunset Hike up Kapuzinerberg

After a relaxing cruise along the Salzach, it’s time to get a bit active once more and hike up the other major hill dominating Salzburg’s skyline, Kapuzinberg.

This hill, located on the north side of the city, provides a different perspective and excellent views of the Hohensalzburg Fortress and the city below. If you want to get the best photos, head up there just before sunset to really see the city glow under the later afternoon sunshine.

After a busy couple of days, it’s time to reward yourself with a locally brewed beer! You’ve already been to Augustiner Brau so plan to go somewhere a bit more trendy this time, Die Wiesse.

This brewery has several locally brewed wheat beers on tap (some seasonal brews, as well). They have a large and inviting beer garden that is lovely to relax in on warm days and also have a full kitchen, so it’s a great place to grab dinner should you wish, as well.

Day 3 – Explore the Surrounding Area

If you are lucky enough to have 3 days in Salzburg, you can spend your third day going on a day trip somewhere in the surrounding area. Whether you’re looking for some outdoor adventures, beautiful natural wonders or historic castles, there are lots of options available.

Mondsee & Wolfgangsee

If you want to enjoy some tranquillity or watersports in an Alpine lake, then look no further than the lakes Mondsee and Wolfgangsee.

Both are located not far from central Salzburg, these are easy to reach and are absolutely beautiful to visit. Mondsee is bigger and a bit more developed, with lots of watersports and lakeside pubs and restaurants available.

Wolfgangsee is a bit smaller and not quite as busy, however, the town of St Gilgen on the northwest end of the lake can get very popular with tourists. All in all, both lakes are very easy to visit from Salzburg either by car or public transport and are well worth it.

Mondsee and Wolfgangsee are excellent alternatives to the over-visited town of Hallstatt — especially the charming town of St Gilgen on Wolfgangsee.

Werfen Ice Caves & Hohenwerfen Castle

If you’re looking for something jaw-dropping and active, consider visiting the Werfen Ice Caves. Located in the town of Werfen about 40km south of Salzburg, these ice caves are truly spectacular.

They are only open from May through October and a general level of fitness is recommended if you’d like the visit these caves. They are accessed either by a panoramic cable car ride or a steep hike. You can buy tickets in advance online.

Nearby the ice caves lies Hohenwerfen Castle , a medieval castle sat atop an imposing peak overlooking the town of Werfen.

It is considered to be a sister castle to the Hohensalzburg Fortress and is also known as a filming location for the 1968 film Where Eagles Dare . Hohenwerfecn Castle can also be seen in the background during the beginning of the “Do-Re-Mi” scene in, of course, The Sound of Music .

Schloss Hellbrun

Another excellent place to visit just outside of Salzburg (and actually included in the aforementioned Salzburg Card) is Schloss Hellbrun.

This palace is situated very close to central Salzburg and is a wonderful place to visit with children. Filled with beautiful fountains and grottos, you can wander through the water features and feel lost in a mystical world.

Gollinger Waterfall

And finally, if you’re looking for a day of hiking, look no further than the Gollinger Waterfall. Located roughly 30km south of Salzburg, this waterfall is absolutely stunning and is accessible to see from a short hike from the car park.

You get a view of the waterfall almost instantly, however, there is a well-marked and maintained trail that you can take to see the waterfall from different vantage points (this will take about 30 minutes in total to hike).

If you want to go further, there are a number of different hiking trails of various lengths that you can embark on in this area, as well.

Where to Stay in Salzburg

Gästehaus im Priesterseminar – If your budget allows for a bit more than a hostel, then this guesthouse could be a great option. Centrally located in the heart of Salzburg, this beautiful baroque building offers several great rooms.

Boutique Hotel Auersperg – If you’re after a bit of luxury while in Salzburg, then look no further than this elegant hotel. Family-run for generations, this hotel is centrally located close to all of the city’s top attractions. they have luxe rooms available and countless other amenities to ensure your stay is a great one.

Private Rental – If you want to feel like a local while in Salzburg, then a private apartment rental is a great choice for you. There are countless options available in the city, such as this bright central apartment that will suit all kinds of travellers.

Yoho International Youth Hostel – If you’re visiting Salzburg on a budget or are simply looking for a social atmosphere, then this centrally located hostel is a great option. They have both private and dorm rooms available and, for those who want it, a screening of “The Sound of Music” every evening.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Salzburg hotels!

Planning the perfect 2 or 3 days in Salzburg itinerary can be an overwhelming task when you consider how much there is to do in this small city. However, if you plan your time well, you’re sure to get the most out of this beautiful and historic Austrian town.

Are you visiting Austria? Have you been planning a trip to Salzburg? Let us know in the comments!

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About Maggie Turansky

Maggie is a co-founder and writer for The World Was Here First. Originally from the US, she has lived in five different countries and has travelled to dozens more, both solo and with her partner, Michael. She particularly loves exploring Spain and spending time in the Caucasus and the Baltics. Read more about Maggie

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TOUR GUIDES

Experience Salzburg by taking a stroll. The best way to discover the historical core of the city of Mozart is via a walking tour with a state-registered tour guide. The classic walking tour through the Old Town lasts about 2 hours and leads you to the most important historical sites. As well as the cathedral, St. Peter’s monastery, the archiepiscopal residence and Salzburg Fortress, the birth place of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and the Festival district await you. During the walking tour, you also encounter loveable buildings such as the oldest coffee house in Salzburg or the oldest pharmacy in the town and your tour guide will not deprive you of the little anecdotes either which make the history of the town and its people even more interesting.

Price for the guide: Euro 215,--

Maximum of 30 people per tour guide Admission prices are not included in the price. Duration approx. 1.5 -2 hours

A few examples below.

Price for the guide: Euro 240,--

Maximum of 30 people per tour guide Duration of the tour: approx. 3 hours. Admission prices are not included in the price

• Musical aspects in the town of Salzburg
• Learn more about the work of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
• The Salzburg Festival
• Baroque Salzburg
• The life of women in Salzburg
• Contemporary Salzburg
• Gossip in Salzburg
• The different side of Salzburg – explore the hidden treasures
• Salzburg during Advent and Christmas time

For example – to Salzkammergut – in the land of light operas

The picturesque and charming lake scenery will fascinate you as you are driven past Fuschlsee lake, visit the Mozart village of St. Gilgen – the home of Mozart’s mother – and get to know the famous church by Wolfgangsee lake with its gothic winged altar from Michael Pacher in St. Wolfgang. Also possible is a short detour to the “Im Weissen Rössl” restaurant, or a boat cruise on Wolfgangsee lake. The journey home to Salzburg takes you past Mondsee.

For example – to Hallein/ Dürrnberg

This excursion leads you into the south of Salzburg state and includes a visit to the salt mines in Hallein by the Dürrnberg and the Celtic village by the Dürrnberg. Immerse yourself in the underground world of the miners and discover all kinds of interesting things about the extraction of salt. Whether it’s a voyage by the mystical salt lake or going down slides which were once used by the miners, the oldest exhibition mine in the world will be a real experience for you. A subsequent visit to the Celtic museum in Hallein will bring you closer to the lives of the Celts.

Price for the guide: Euro 320,--

Maximum of 30 people per tour guide Duration of the tour: approximately 4 hours Admission prices are not included in the price Bus prices on request

For example – Salzkammergut

Voyage beyond the Salzachtal valley to Golling, on towards Abtenau in the Lammertal valley and trip on the Postalm Road - with the highest pasture region in Europe – towards Strobal by Wolfgangsee lake, short detour to St. Wolfgang and then on with the journey to Bad Ischl – to the summer residence of Emperor Franz Joseph; there you have the possibility of visiting the imperial villa or walking through the spa gardens; journey home via Mondsee.

Our personal advice: A tour through the Old Town in combination with a boat cruise on the Salzach with the panoramic boat “Amadeus Salzburg” to the trick fountains and journey back with the original London double-decker bus from 1964.

At all times, we are happy to put together a tour according to your individual demands!

Price for the guide: Euro 750,--

Maximum of 30 people per tour guide Duration of the tour: approximately 8 hours, including 2 hours lunch break Admission prices are not included in the price Bus prices on request

• Londonbus Charter
• Wedding Coach London Double-Decker Bus
• Fortress Hohensalzburg
• Hellbrunn Palace & Zoo Salzburg
• Mozart & Culture
• Tour Guides (active)
• Marionette Museum

‎ Austria ‎ >  Salzburg > Free Salzburg Walking Tour

Top 10 Salzburg Tips | Suggested Itineraries For Salzburg

• Top 10 Things To Do
• Old Town Walking Tour
• Sound of Music Movie Tour
• Mozart Walking Tour
• Best Viewpoints In Salzburg
• More Sights
• Best Day Trips
• Helpful Visitor Tips
• Best Places To Stay
• Suggested Itineraries

Free Salzburg Walking Tour:

Walking Tour Location :  Old Town Salzburg ( Altstadt ) Cost :  Free, Self-Guided ( Museum costs listed below ) Style :  Do-It-Yourself Walking Tour ( Self Guided )  Start :  Mirabell Palace Gardens End :  Mönchsberg Winkler Terrace Walking Distance :  3 Miles ( +0.3 inside Salzburg Castle,  +0.75 to follow Mönchsberg to Augustiner Beer Hall; +0.50 roundtrip for Nonnberg Abbey ) Time :  2 Hours For Walk ( with attractions 5-6 hours ) Fun Scale :  10 out of 10

Salzburg Walking Tour Overview:

Our free Salzburg walking tour focuses on beautiful Old Town ( Altstadt ), which is well known as the home of Mozart and the setting for the hit movie The Sound of Music.  From its Alpine surroundings to its robust history, and rich architecture, it is no wonder that so many visitors flock to Salzburg’s Old Town each year.  The city center is very compact, and you will be able to breeze through the main sights thanks to our free Salzburg walking tour map.

We like to start this Salzburg walking tour early in the morning, sometimes even right dawn when the Mirabell Palace Gardens are opening.  Starting early in the day is a great way to avoid feeling rushed and will give you plenty of extra time to explore the walking tour sights, shop on Getreidegasse, or to just stop and relax.  We hope you enjoy our free Salzburg walking tour!

Brief History Of Old Town Salzburg:

The core of Old Town Salzburg’s history started as a Celtic settlement which the Romans developed into a formal town of Luvaum ( controlled from 15BC-488AD ) complete with a large forum.  Luvaum ( pronounced U-Va-Voom ) sat right at the intersection of two trades routes, and because of an abundance of nearby white gold ( salt ), the town was gradually renamed Salzburg ( meaning Salt Fortress ) during post-Roman redevelopment.  Our free Salzburg walking tour will cover the in-depth history of the town.

Throughout its almost 500 years of independent rule by Prince-Archbishops ( 1213–1803 ), medieval Salzburg grew quite wealthy and full of elegant Baroque architecture. The city grew especially powerful in the 1500s which led to a lot of Italianate redevelopment in Old Town.  A vibrant local culture also sprung up in Salzburg, and as the home of the famous composer, it became known as the city of Mozart.  Salzburg’s city center was lucky enough to retain its beautiful by avoiding The 30 Years War and by suffering relatively minor damage during WW2.  Because Salzburg’s Old Town has kept much of its original charm, the hills are very much still alive with The Sound of Music.

1. Sacher Cafe :

About Sacher Cafe :  The Sacher Café is known for having the best slice of chocolate cake you can find anywhere.  Their  world-famous cake , known as the Original Sacher-Torte, was the creation of Austrian chef Franz Sacher who was asked to make a dessert for a  Royal party in 1832  while only 16 years old.  Word of the Sacher’s amazing cake spread and he quickly became a household name.  Forever known as the family of rich cake, Sacher’s son opened the Sacher Hotel and Café in Vienna in 1876 and spared no expense decorating every elegant detail.

With over a century of success, the Sacher business expanded to Salzburg in 1988 with their  riverfront location  and has become a local staple ever since.  The fancy sit down area is wonderful, but they also have outdoor umbrella tables facing the river and a takeout shop where you can even have desserts shipped back home.  They actually have a wide range of food and can be a good breakfast option.  If you are confused and which coffee goes best with the cake, the traditional drink in Vienna is hot black coffee with foamed milk and whipped cream.  If Sacher is too busy for some reason, you can also great a great bite to eat next door at the Cafe Bazar.  Coffeehouse culture is an essential part of Austrian culture and stopping at one while on this free Salzburg walking tour is a must.

Hours :  Daily 7:30am-11pm.   Website :   Here .

2. “ Love Lock ” Footbridge ( Makartsteg ):

About The Love Lock Bridge :  While other tourist destinations around Europe like Paris have crackdown down and banned love locks, the romantic city of Salzburg has embraced it.  Every day the long pedestrian & bike-only Makart Footbridge ( Makartsteg ) is lined with tourists leaving paddle locks in hope for good luck .  Some wish for lasting romance with the person they love while others memorialize someone they have lost, but all do it in the hopes of returning to Salzburg someday.  Many of the locks have custom messages or initials written on them and once locked you throw away the key to make your wish come true.

The first bridge here was completed in 1905 and named after  19th-Century painter Hans Makart .  It had to be rebuilt in 1967 following damage in WW2, but the bridge would sway so much with the ever increasing foot traffic that it had to be re-designed for its grand opening in 2000.  While admiring the love locks, or leaving one yourself, make sure to take in the beautiful panoramic views of Old Town.  Many of the interesting things you see from the Love Lock Bridge we will see later on this free Salzburg walking tour.  You can also see the boat docks on the Southern bank of the bridge where Salzburg’s river cruises leave from.

3. Mozart’s Residence ( Wohnhaus ):

About Mozart’s Residence :  Welcome to the house that Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart lived in with his family from age 17 to 25.  We will cover the more popular home where Mozart was born later in this free Salzburg walking tour, but we love this building which is often overlooked by tourists.  After returning from a European music tour in 1773, the Mozart family realized they had  outgrown their original Salzburg home  and needed to upgrade.  Mozart’s dad Leopold decided to move the growing family to the sizeable Dance Master House ( Tanzmeisterhaus ) building you see before you.  They rented half of the building, complete with 8 spacious rooms, which later became known as the Mozart Residence ( Wohnhaus ) .

Amadeus produced many famous works in their apartments in Dance Master House ( Tanzmeisterhaus ), and the family thrived in their new social environment.  After 8 years in the Wohnhaus, Amadeus was ultimately driven from Salzburg in 1781 after an argument with the Archbishop and moved to Vienna.  Mozart had long felt he was under the thumb of the Archbishop and wanted more personal and creative freedom outside of Salzburg, although his father was upset by the move.  Two years later, Mozart’s beloved sister Nannerl moved to nearby Saint Gilgen Austria after marrying the city’s administrator, but oddly left her newborn baby here at the Wohnhaus with her dad Leopold.  After Leopold died in 1787, the home changed hands many times over the years and was later heavily damaged by WWII bombings.

Decades after the WWII, with Salzburg’s tourism on the upswing, the Mozarts’ Residence was faithfully reconstructed and opened to the public as a museum in 1996.  Exhibits include original documents and portraits showing the history of the Wohnhaus building, Mozart’s compositions during his Salzburg years, and of the large social gatherings of the family.  Special attractions include Mozart’s  original fortepiano  and the famous family portrait in the  Dance-Master’s Salon Room .  Separate areas in the museum are dedicated to topics such as the women in Mozart’s life, especially his sister Nannerl, and even sports shooting ( Bölzlschießen ) which was a popular pastime among the family, as well as info on the family’s extensive European travels.

Make note of the white and yellow house ( Makartplatz 1 ) on your right as you approach the Mozart Residence from the river.  Local physicist Christian Doppler was born in 1803, who later went on to pioneer the “Doppler effect” which led to modern radar.

Visiting Hours :  Daily 9am-5:30pm; in July & August 8:30am-7pm; last entry an hour before close.   Cost :  Adults are 11€, or 18€ for a ticket that also includes Mozart’s Birth Place.  Children are only 3.50€, and a family ticket is 23€.   Website :   Here .

Featured On : Self-Guided Mozart Tour

4. Mirabell Palace Gardens :

About Mirabell Palace Gardens :  The Mirabell Palace Gardens ( laid out in 1715-30 ) is one of the most playful areas of Salzburg and offers some of the best views of Old Town.  The name Mirabell literally means beautiful view, so you know you’re in for a treat.  The palace grounds are very famous for being laced with scenes from the hit movie The Sound of Music – especially from the song ‘ Do Re Mo ’.

A visit to the Mirabell Gardens begins at the Southern entrance where two large pairs of Greek fencing statutes can be found leaping toward each other with their triumphant fists in the air.  The figures were inspired by the ancient Borghese gladiator statues are among many carved pieces of art in the park.  As you walk through the grounds, you’ll encounter several fountains, elegant statues, and plenty of colorful flowers.  Make sure to turn around and check out the amazing views of  Hohensalzburg Fortress  towering over Old Town Salzburg.  We’ll visit the fortress later on this free Salzburg walking tour.

You’ll find one of the most iconic spots in the Mirabell Gardens, the  Pegasus Statue Fountain , sitting in the Northwest corner of the grounds.  This horse statue was moved here in 1913 after previously sitting in front of the Mozart Residence in Hannibalplatz ( now Makartplatz ).  In the movie The Sound of Music, the Von Trapp children dance around this Pegasus Fountain ( added in 1913 ) while singing Do Re Mi and using the nearby terrace steps as a  musical scale .  After inspecting their unicorn guards, climb the terrace steps just like Maria did in the movie for an epic view of Salzburg.

Make sure to also follow the other set of steps near the Pegasus Fountain guarded by lions ( Westside opposite the palace ) across a small footbridge to the  Dwarf Gnome Park ( Zwergerlgarten ) .  Commissioned in 1715, the statues were meant to caricatures making fun of Salzburg’s common people who weren’t even allowed in the park ( became public in 1854) .  These statues helped to upper class to feel big while also creating an ugly balance to the large triumphant statues in the center of the park.

15 of the original 28 gnome statues in the park, and they are all said to have been modeled after real royal court dwarfs.  All of the dwarfs are carved out of local marble ( actually chalky limestone ) from Untersberg Mountain whose small ice cave is fabled to hold the resting spirit of Charlemagne The Great.  Each sculpture is fun and unique, but the dwarf with the glasses on was the one all the Von Trapp kids patted on the head during The Sound of Music movie.  Near the Dwarf Garden is a long pergola vine tunnel and hedge maze  which was also featured in the film.  To learn more about the nearby movie sights see our  Sound Of Music Movie Tour .

Getting Here :  You can easily walk from the main city center or take the bus, pretty much every bus line will have a Mirabell stop.   Cost :  The Gardens & Palace are free.   Garden Hours :  Main gardens open all year from Dawn to Dusk; the Hedge Maze and Dwarf Garden close each Winter.    Photos :  ( Pegasus Fountain  |  Entrance  |  Garden View  |  Pergola  |  SOM Gnome ).

Featured On : Sound of Music Movie Tour

5. Mirabell Palace :

About Mirabell Palace :  Overshadowed by the sprawling gardens, the Mirabell Palace itself was built in 1606 by Archbishop Wolf Dietrich Raitenau  for his mistress Salome Alt  whom he had 12 children with.  Originally called Altenau Palace in her honor, the mansion was outside of the original city walls at the time and was considered a country escape for the not-so-secret couple.  The Archbishop was expelled from office in 1612 his replacement tried to erase his memory by renaming the palace Mirabell  after its beautiful views  of Old Town.  It is one of the top five viewpoints on our free Salzburg walking tour map.

If you go inside Mirabell Palace, make sure to check out the 3-level staircase  adorned with angel statues , in addition to the historic Marble Ball Room.  In the Marble Ball Room, which is now used for weddings,  Mozart performed piano concerts as a child.  During Salzburg’s short modern stint as part of Bavaria ( 1810-15, was also Bavaria in the 700s ), Prince Otto was born in Mirabell Palace in 1815 and later went on to become the King of Greece.  The Palace has been owned by the city since 1866 and is used as offices including the Mayor of Salzburg.

Palace Angel Staircase Hours :  Daily 8am-6pm.   Palace Marble Hall Hours :  Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 8am-4pm; Tuesday & Friday 1-4pm.   Photos :  ( Front of Palace  |  Palace Interior – Staircase Angels ).

6. Saint Sebastian Church & Cemetery :

About The Cemetery :  The Saint Sebastian Cemetery ( Sebastianskirche Friedhof ) is home to the graves of  Mozart’s wife Constanze  and his father, Leopold.  While the family graves are small, it is easy to find them near the giant Mausoleum.  We love the outdoor corridors lined with statues and headstones.  The entrance to Saint Sebastian Church ( built in 1505 ) is a favorite among photographers as it has a very photogenic group of playful angel statues on a gate added in 1752.  The church was also the parish that the Mozart family attended for most of Wolfgang’s time in Salzburg.

If you aren’t into Mozart or are short on time feel free to skip the cemetery and go right to the next stop, but if you’re a history or classical music lover it’s only a block or so out of your way to get here.  Visitors often say that this cemetery is one of the most peaceful places on our free Salzburg walking tour.

Visiting Hours :  Daily 9am-4pm; Summer stays open until 6:30pm.   Photos :  ( Grave of Mozart’s Wife & Father  |  Mausoleum  |  Church Interior  |  Church Exterior  |  Angels ).   Church Website :   Here .

7. Capuchin Monastery ( Kapuzinerkloster ):

About Kapuzinerberg Monastery :  Isolated on the Northside of the Salzach River, the Capuchin Hill ( Kapuzinerberg ) is the  highest point in Salzburg  and has some very rewarding views of Old Town.  In 1594 the Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg established a monastery here for devoted Capuchin Order of Franciscan Monks inside the remains of the former Trumpeter Castle ( Trompeterschlössel ) .  The original building dates back to the 1200s ( Fortified in 1405 ) to protect what was the town’s only bridge below and has almost eye-level views of the mighty Salzburg High Fortress perched above Old Town.

A mild, winding stroll ( or steep steps ) will bring you up to the Capuchin Monastery ( Kapuzinerkloster ), located 1/4 of the way up the 2081 foot tall Kapuzinerberg Hill.  During your hike up you’ll pass by a lot of interesting parts of the Medieval city wall and even scenes from the Passion of Christ in a small chapel built into the wall.  During normal daytime hours, you are free to check out the monastery and learn more about the Monks’ way of life.  As you can imagine being up so high, the  stunning views of Old Town  and the colorful buildings lining the Salzach River make it worth the short hike up.  Sadly most tourists don’t go through the effort to get up the Hill and miss out and an unbelievable experience which is one of the best on our free Salzburg walking tour.  In addition to the great views, and peaceful brown cloaked monks, you’ll love the decorative Gothic oak door at the monastery, which is a relic old Salzburg Cathedral after it was rebuilt in the early-1600s.

The monastery is a good jump-off point if you are hiking further up the hill ( 0.8 miles ) to Saint Francis Fortress ( Franziskischlössl ) .  In the 1600s, Franziskischlössl was built as a watchtower for the city wall and is now a restaurant.  On your wooded hike to the top of the Kapuzinerberg Hill, you will cross multiple parts of the old Medieval city wall and hidden city viewpoints.  The walls were re-enforced for protection following The 30 Years War which Salzburg managed to stay out of by basically paying their way out of the conflict.  If you hike even closer to the top of the hill they have discovered two settlements from the Neolithic Period that date back to around 1,000 BC.  These settlements are far older than even the Celtic findings and the Roman village of Luvaum ( 15BC-488 AD ) which once covered Old Town Salzburg below.

Terrace Hours :  Daily from Dawn-Dusk.   Monastery Hours :  Monday-Saturday 6am-6pm;  Sunday 8am-6 pm; Closed during Mass.   Photos :  ( Monastery on Hillside  |  View From Monastery  |  Wall Carving ).   Monastery Website :   Here .

Featured On : Best Viewpoints In Salzburg

8. Stone Alley ( Steingasse ):

About Steingasse :  Although it is a block off the water today, the Salzach River once butted up again the cobbled Stone Alley ( Steingasse ) until its flow was redirected in 1862-66.  From Roman times through the Middle Ages, this created a natural fortification  for the narrow roadway wedged between the river and the cliff of Kapuzinerberg Hill.  The protection was vital as Steingasse was the main road into Salzburg from the South including the salt mines in Hallein.  This route continued through Werfen and over the Alps onto Italy which helped Salzburg ( Salt Castle ) become very a dominant trading center.  Wagons full of salt would pour into Salzburg following the river along the regulated Stone Alley before turning into Old Town along the Roman Bridge.  This also made it easy to charge tolls along the way.

As you stroll down the cobblestone lane, it almost feels like you are walking inside of a city wall.  Our favorite feature of the Steingasse is the fortified  Inner Stone Gate ( Innere Steintor ) which dates to 1280 ( rebuilt in 1634 ) and had a drawbridge all the way until 1900.  No wider than an alleyway, through Medieval times the street was home to many of Salzburg’s craftsmen whos trade required water access like potters, dyers, and tanners.

The most notable people to live on the cobblestone Steingasse was the Joseph Mohr  ( #31 ) who wrote the lyrics to the timeless holiday song  ‘Silent Night’  which premiered on Christmas Eve in 1818.  You’ll see a plaque near the door in Mohr’s honor which is important for a city that prides itself on its Christmas traditions.  The marker for Mohr’s home had been incorrectly placed at house #9 in 1968 due to an error in the 1794 Census, but was later moved to the correct house #31 in 2017.

Across the street from Mohr’s home, you’ll notice a large chunk of stone is missing from the corner of another building.  Local folklore says that this gash happened when a drunken American soldier  tried to drive his tank  down the narrow Steingasse on his way a brothel in WWII and got stuck.  The historic House of Pleasure Brothel ( Maison de Plaisir, #24 ) dates back to 1513 ( same name since 1794 ) and is still open today.  There is no doorknob, just a buzzer, a peephole, plus an eerie green light at night.

The Violin Maker’s House ( Geigenmacher, #25 ) across the street from the brothel was once a shop where Andreas Ferdinand Mayr made Mozart’s childhood violin in 1746, six years before the musician was even born.  This violin can be seen on display at Mozart’s birth house later on this free Salzburg walking tour.

As you wander through the pedestrian street, you’ll come across a lot of unusual doorways that are fun to photograph.  Some of the doors have Medieval armor-like embellishments, a few have a door within a door, and others like house #2 have a charming coat of aged blue paint.

You’ll also notice that many entries will also have chalk markings on them saying  20+C+M+B+18 .  These markings are a Catholic tradition usually put above one’s door to bless visitors on the 12th night of Christmas, also known as the Feast of the Epiphany.  In Salzburg, they take this spirit to a new level and use the chalk marks to bless visitors all year.  The 20 & 18 represent the current year, and the C, M, & B are the initials of the traditional names of the three wise men from the Bible known as Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar.  The initials also have a second meaning as they represent the Latin phrase Christus Mansionem Benedicat which translates to May Christ Bless This Home.  The + signs are meant to be crosses that represent the protection of Christ.

Photos :  ( Narrow Streets  |  Joseph Mohr’s Home Sign ).

9. Mozart Footbridge ( Mozartsteg ):

About The Mozart Footbridge :  The pedestrian-only Mozart Footbridge ( Mozartsteg ) is named after Salzburg’s most famous resident and opened in 1903.  From the Northern bank of the Salzach River, you will great some of High Fortress gleaming over the steel arches of the Mozart footbridge.  The riverbank near the bridge is also a popular place both either fish or relax in the grass.

The Mozart Bridge was only the third built over the river into the heart of Old Town which is remarkable since Salzburg was started as the Roman village of Juvavum ( 15BC-488AD ).  From 15BC, the old Roman Bridge ( römische brücke ) was the only one to span the river and became covered in Medieval market stalls until it was replaced by the State Bridge ( staatbrücke ) in 1599AD.  A second bridge wasn’t opened until 1859 when the first Caroline Bridge ( Karolinenbrücke ) was completed and was followed later in 1903 by the Mozart Footbridge.  The Love Lock Bridge from earlier in this free Salzburg walking tour was the fourth to open in 1905.

In the movie The Sound of Music, the Mozart Footbridge is where Maria and the kids skip across the river while pointing during the instrumental end to the song  ‘My Favorite Things’ .  Along the bridge’s grassy riverbank, the children also skip along during the film scene.  To learn more about the nearby film sights see our  Sound Of Music Movie Tour .

10. Mozart Square ( Mozartplatz ):

About Mozartplatz :  With a giant statue of the city’s number one son, Mozart Square is the coolest place to enter Old Town Salzburg.  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart made Salzburg his home for the first 25 years of his life ( 1756-1781 ) before moving to Vienna, and the  Mozart statue  dominates the center of the square.

When the statue was being added in 1841, the city found the foundations of two Roman Villas complete with 3 magnificent mosaic floors below the square.  The top layer of mosaics had an inscription that read “Here lives the luck, nothing evil should be allowed” in Latin.  Due to poor initial preservation, only 9 sections of the floors and an original color drawing of the findings remain today and can be viewed at the Salzburg Museum.

The real highlight of Mozartplatz may be the exterior of the beautiful pink  Church of Saint Michael  which dates back almost 1,000 years before Mozart to 813AD.  The inside of the church is a little bland to be worth your time, but the outside pop of color is excellent.  During WWII, an air raid bomb blasted a hole just steps from the Mozart statue, but luckily both it and the church were unharmed.

If you need to refuel for the rest of the free Salzburg walking tour, we suggest stopping for a coffee and pastries at the sprawling  Café Glockenspiel .   The cafe has a nice outdoor seating in the square plus a covered balcony area which are perfect both for people watching.  From the balcony, we especially love watching all of the  horse carriages  that line up in Mozartplatz.

11. New Residenz & Panorama 1829 :

About The New Residenz :  Starting in 1587, the Archbishop started began opening up a new main square for Salzburg including the building of  New Residenz ( Neugebäude )  on the square’s Eastside. The mansion-sized New Residenz replaced a tight grouping of Medieval homes, served as the Archbishop’s guest house, and today holds museum space.  Notice the huge  Glockenspiel Bell Tower  sitting on top of the New Residenz.  If you are lucky enough to be there when it chimes ( 7am, 11am, & 6pm ) you will hear the Glockenspiel’s 35 bells from the 1600s ring out a tune set to match the current month.  At the top of the Tower is a depiction of an upside down flaming heart surrounding the solar system is meant to symbolize God’s love for all of creation.

Inside the New Residenz, there are a few different things to do that make it worth a stop.  If you are looking for great local knickknacks and handcrafted items make sure to stop by the  New Residenz’s Heimatwerk Shop .  If it is a rainy day, consider checking out both the workshop and the Salzburg Museum of History and Art ( website ) inside the complex. There you can find many of the  Roman artifacts that have been discovered from Salzburg’s early days at the as the settlement of Luvaum ( 15BC-488AD ).

The one thing you really shouldn’t miss, which is attached to the New Residenz, is the  Salzburg Panorama 1929  ( website ) painted by Johann Michael Sattler.   The Panorama boasts a series of stunning 360-degree panoramic paintings of how many European cities looked in the early 1800s.  The mural of Salzburg is pretty straightforward, however, figuring out what European cities are in the others paintings is set up as a fun game.  They even give you a cheat sheet so you can verify your answers after you’ve investigated the murals.

Salzburg Museum Hours :  Tuesday-Sunday 9am-5pm; Closed Mondays.   Salzburg Museum Cost :  Adults 8.50€; Kids 4€; Family pass 17€.   Panorama Hours :  Daily 9am-5pm.   Panorama Cost :  Adults 3€; Kids 1€.    Glockenspiel Tower Hours :  Carillon plays music Daily at 7 am, 11 am and 6 pm.   Glockenspiel Tower Tours :  March-October Thursday 5:30 pm, Friday 10:30 am and by prior arrangement.   Glockenspiel Tower Cost :  Adults 4€; Kids 2€.  Panorama Website :   Here .   Museum Website :   Here .

12. Residenz Square & Fountain :

About Residenz Square :  Before modern Salzburg, the Residenz Square was once  part of an ancient Roman Forum  with an altar to Jupiter and a Pantheon Temple dedicated to all the gods.  While the Forum was largely built over in the centuries after the Romans left in 488, modern excavations of Residenz Square have revealed a lot.  Beneath the square, they found blocks from the time of Emperor Septimius Severus ( 193-211 ), ruins of Roman buildings, walls, a road, and a Weihealtar with inscriptions of the river god Iuvavus.  A 4-foot-tall part of the Jupiter Altar ( 2nd or 3rd century AD ) was found during renovations of the square in 2008.

In 1587, the Archbishop of Salzburg leveled many Medieval homes that had been built over the Forum as well as a cemetery so he could expand his palace and open the area up into a large square with  Italian style architecture .  Originally called Main Square ( Hauptplatz ), this new space was lined with Baroque buildings as it became the heart of town and today still shows off the Archbishop’s Italian ambitions.  Circling the square clockwise is pink Saint Micheal’s Church to the North, the  New Residenz  ( Neugebäude )  to the East, the  Salzburg Cathedral ( Dom )  to the South, and the  Old Residenz ( Alte Residenz )  to the West.

The vast Residenz Square is well known to movie lovers as the place where the Von Trapp family performs  ‘I Have Confidence in Me’  in the movie The Sound of Music.  Maria enters through the Domplatz arches on the Southwest corner of the Residenz Square and splashes in the 45 foot tall  Horse Fountain ( Residenzbrunnen ) .  The Horse Fountain is the focal point of the busy Square and is complete with a Triton which matches Bernini’s famous Triton Fountain in Rome.  Completed in 1661, the Horse Fountain is considered the largest Baroque fountain located outside of Italy.

The people watching in Residenz Square is fantastic as it if the center of everything Salzburg.  There have been local painters setting up in Residenzplatz forever, and many of them even take on fake Italian last names so they can charge higher rates for their work.

13. Gold Lane ( Goldgasse ):

About Goldgasse :  The curved and narrow Goldgasse alleyway gains its name from the goldsmiths that once had their shops here in Medieval times.  While the prestigious shops along Goldgasse are still a little upscale today, this will be your first look at Salzburg’s picture perfect back lanes.  For us, the highlight of the alley is the beautiful  Gasthof Goldgasse Restaurant  ( website ) which resembles an Alpine lodge inside.  The restaurant has excellent meals and is one of our favorite place of this free Salzburg walking tour to get traditional Austrian food.  They have lunch specials daily ranging from 11-19€ including a meal and dessert.

Gasthof Restaurant Hours :  Daily Noon-11pm; kitchen open until 10 pm; reservations suggested during lunch and dinner.   Gasthof Restaurant Website :   Here .

14. Old Market Square ( Alter Markt ):

About Old Market :  The city gained grain market rights in 996AD ( when Austria was formed ), but it wasn’t until after Salzburg was granted political sovereignty from Bavaria in 1297AD that the Old Market Square really took shape.  While it may seem tucked away today, the long Old Market ( Alter Markt ) served as  Medieval Salzburg’s main marketplace .  The location of the square was a vital gateway going back to Roman times as it directly lined up with the only bridge crossing the river into town from 15AD until 1859AD.  We love the square’s Saint Florian Fountain which goes back to 1488 and has a statue of the Saint added in the 1700s.

The weekly fresh produce market moved to University Square in 1857, but the Old Market ( Alter Markt ) is still great to visit as there are tons of shops and stands selling  excellent tourist souvenirs .  Some buildings of note around the square are Salzburg’s smallest house ( #10a ), and the  old Royal pharmacy  called the Hofapotheke ( #6,  website ).  The former Royal pharmacy dates back to 1591, has a beautiful Rococo facade which as added in 1777, and is fun to photograph.

You will also want to check out the Café Konditorei Fürst (#13,  website ) where confectioner Paul Furst created the now world-famous  Mozart Chocolate Balls  known as Mozartkugel in 1890.  We like to sit down at Cafe Furst for a coffee with our chocolate, but they have perfect sized mini-gift boxes of Mozartkugel available for sale if you are on the go.  You can wash your chocolate down with an uplifting cup of coffee or a fancy ice cream drink from Cafe Tomaselli ( #7,  website ) which is the  oldest cafe in Austria .  Frenchmen Johann Fontaine opened the first cafe in Salzburg on nearby Goldgasse in the year 1700, which was moved to the present location in 1764 and acquired by Carl Tomaselli in 1852.  Cafe Tomaselli was a favorite of Mozart who would come here for their almond milk.

Just off the Northwest corner of the Old Market is the slightly hidden  Old Town Hall ( Alter Rathaus ) .  Built in the 1300s as a Citizen’s Hall, the city bought the building to use as the Town Hall in 1407 and added the bell/clock tower.  The tower served as the lookout for the nightwatchman in Medieval times, and its clock also has a timeless moon dial.  In 1618, the marble statue of Justinian was added above the door to represent the justice of the court inside.  The Old Town Hall was given a Rocco-style facade in 1772, and the government offices later moved to Mirabell Palace in 1947.

15. Old Residenz Palace :

About Old Residenz Palace :  When they call it the Old Residenz Palace, they aren’t kidding.  There has been a mansion here for Salzburg’s Archbishop  since 1120AD  including the current one which was rebuilt in 1596 as part of an Italianate makeover.  To enlarge the Old Residenz Palace and open up a new town square, the Archbishop had to tear down a bunch of Medieval homes and a cemetery which themselves had been built over an ancient Roman forum.

Today you can tour 15 of the Palace’s  elegant staterooms  which are lavishly decorated plus a classic art gallery that has Rembrandt and Ruben paintings.  Film lovers may remember that in the Sound of Music movie, the palace had a giant Nazi flag draped on the facade of the Old Residenz Palace facing the square.

Hours :  Wednesday-Monday 10am-5pm; Closed Tuesdays.   Time Required :  It takes about 30 minutes for the Staterooms and 45 minutes for the art gallery.   Cost :  Adults 12€; Kids 5€; Family Pass 22€.   Guided Tours :  90-120 minute guided tours for large groups; audio guides are also available for smaller groups and individuals.   Website :   Here .

16. Salzburg Cathedral ( Salzburger Dom ):

About Salzburg Cathedral :  The Salzburg Cathedral ( Dom ) is by far the  biggest church in Old Town , faces 3 town squares at once, and is where Mozart was baptized.  The original Christian parish on the grounds was completed by Saint Virgil ( Bishop from 767-84 ) and was about half the size of the current Cathedral.  This first parish was consecrated on September 24th, 774 when the remains of  Saint Rupert  were moved here and an annual festival still marks the day.  Saint Rupert was the Bishop of Worms who came here in 696 to establish a new center to spread Christianity in the region.  Rupert spent the next 20 years building churches and a convent in what remained from the then sparsely occupied Roman town of Juvavum which once filled all of today’s Old Town.  While Saint Rupert’s work is considered the  founding of modern town , the name Salzburg wasn’t used until after Bishop Virgil ( from Ireland ) took over the church building work of his predecessors and was in honor of the ancient fort that was on the site of Nonnberg Abbey.

Bishop Virgil’s parish was subject many fires and expansions over the centuries and grew into a large complex including a choir, clergy house, a crypt, and cemetery.  After a 10 year rebuild from a fire in 1167, the Virgil Dom become the  mightiest Romanesque Cathedral  North of the Alps.  Another huge fire in 1598 led to church’s 8th re-build and the magnificent Baroque style Salzburg Cathedral you see today.  The new cathedral was planned by Archbishop Wolf Dietrich Raitenau who was already in the midst of revamping the neighboring Residenz Palace and new square with help from an Italian architect.  Some say he may have even been involved in the fire as an excuse to clear more room for his other building projects.  Although he was anti-Protestant, Bishop Raitenau was expelled by Bavarian forces and imprisoned for life after refusing to join the Reformation’s Catholic League.  The next Bishop was both a relative and nemesis of Raitenau, but also stayed out of the Catholic League and laid the cornerstone for the Cathedral in 1614 ( opened 1628 ).  It is a miracle that the new Salzburg Cathedral was built at all as most of Austria got swept up in Europe’s Catholic versus Protestant  30 Years’ War  during the construction.  While other cities were in the middle of this turmoil, Salzburg was able to rely on its rich salt production to have enough money to  remain independent  from the War.  Because of their independence, Salzburg was able to build this massive Church while most other cities had to scale back on their building projects.

Before entering the Salzburg Cathedral it is hard to miss the beautiful  Virgin Mary ( Madonna ) Statue  in Dom Square in front of the doors.  While it appears odd that the Mary statue is looking away from the church, further inspection reviles that the statue is actually interacting with the Church’s facade.  The two angels on the front of the Church are holding a crown and as you walk closer their relation to the Mary Statue give the appearance that they are actually placing the crown on her head.  Moving closer to the Cathedral’s entrance you’ll notice large scene with the  Statues of Four Saints  ( 1600s ) and three towering bronze gates ( 1900s ).  The 4 statues are of Saint Rupert holding a salt barrel, Saint Virgil with a church, Saint Peter with keys, and Saint Paul holding a sword.  Statues of apostles as well as Moses and Elijah are further up the facade.  The three gates are made to represent the  Three Virtues  ( Göttliche Tugenden ) and go from left to right: The  Gate of Faith  ( Tor des Glaubens ) the  Gate of Love  ( Tor der Liebe ), and the  Gate of Hope  ( Tor der Hoffnung ).

Inside the entrance look for the bronze baptismal font ( 1311 ) with lion statues ( 1200 )  where Mozart was baptized .  The most impressive part of the interior is the  huge 233 foot tall dome  which is painted into two eight piece sections depicting scenes from the Old Testament to go with murals of Passion of the Christ along the nave.  During WWII a bomb crashed right through the dome, but luckily didn’t explode.  Also awaiting the curious traveler is the working organ from 1703 that Mozart played during two years as the Church’s organist, an old tomb filled crypt with exposed pieces of the old Romanesques foundations from both 774 and 1167, plus an interesting Cathedral museum ( website ) covering 1300 years of history.  While the modern 4,000-pipe organs impressive, the 7 huge tower bells ( 2 from the 1600s ) are a real treat.  The group of bells is considered the finest sounding in Austria and among them, the  Salvator Bell , is the second largest in Austria weighing 14 tons.

Hours : Monday-Saturday 8am-6pm & Sundays 1pm-6pm; Summer months open until 7pm; Winter Mondays closes at 5pm.   Cost : Free, however donations requested.   Mass : Sunday 10am.   Organ Performance : June-Sept Wed & Sat 11:15am for one hour.   Museum Hours : Wednesday-Monday 10am-5pm ( last entrance 4pm, closed Tuesdays ); Open daily in December; July & August also open daily until 8pm.   Museum Cost :  Adults 10€, Kids Free.

17. Chapter Square ( Kapitelplatz ):

About Kapitelplatz :  The vast Chapter Square ( Kapitelplatz ) is named after the high clergy of Salzburg Cathedral who lived here in the Cathedral Monastery ( Domkloster ) through Medieval times.  When the monastery was disbanded in 1803, it and the rest of the square was opened up revealing glorious wide-angle views of the High Fortress above .  Today Chapter square is very festive hosting music and artist events, a huge beer tent during some holidays, outdoor movies in the Summer, and has a number of very interesting sights.  The Chapter Square is also where Maria catches the bus from Salzburg to visit the Von Trapp Family for the first time during the hit 1965 film The Sound of Music  while singing “I Have Confidence”.

The first two things to check out in Chapter Square are the giant  over-sized chess board  with two-foot-tall pieces and a 30-foot-tall yellow orb sculpture topped with a man standing on top.  Called Sphaera, the orb was made in 2007 by artist Stephan Balkenhol as part of a series of works with the same male figure across Europe ( Mann on Giraffe ,  Mann on Stump ,  Mann on Elk ).  If you’ve been to Munich Germany’s city center, you may have noticed the same male figure from this Salzburg sculpture walking off a steel beam in another of the Balkenhol’s works.  Locally the work is called Mann auf Mozartkugel after the famous round local treats made out of chocolate you may remember from earlier in this free Salzburg walking tour.

Continuing through Kapitelplatz Square, you’ll run into a medieval  Horse Bath Fountain ( Kapitelschwemme )  from 1732 AD which is framed by two lovely trees.  Nowadays the Horse Bath is more of a well and pond, but back in the 1700s it served as the equivalent of a full-blown car wash for your horse.  The area around the fountain is also an excellent spot for photos of the High Fortress on the hilltop above you.

If you have been looking for a bathroom, there is a public restroom under the archways separating Kapitelplatz from Cathedral Square.  Also under the archways, opposite the bathrooms, is the  Coat of Peace copper statue by artist Anna Chromý which is one of our favorite hidden gems of Salzburg.

Photos : ( Chess Board  |  Horse Bath ).

18. Stieglkeller Beer Hall & Restaurant :

About Stieglkeller :  The Beer Hall that locals recommend the most to us is the historic  Stieglkeller  which is elevated 1/4 the way up the side of Mönchstein Hill.  Partially shaded by trees, the multi-leveled beer garden has room for over 1000 guests and almost every outdoor table has a great view of Old Town Salzburg.  It is a perfect place to rest your feet and grab a beer on a warm summer afternoon.  The inside of the Beer Hall is decorated to look like an old hunting lodge and has good traditional food.

One of the main reason locals love Stiegl so much is that they opened their brewery in Salzburg in 1492 and are the largest brewery in Austria that is still privately owned.  Located on the South of Mönchstein Hill, you can visit the Stiegl Brewery and museum for daily tours.  There are two other very popular beer halls and beer gardens in Salzburg.  The  Sternbraeu  off of Getreidegasse Street, but it does not have the same commanding view as StiegKeller.  There is also the classic 1,000 seat  Bräustübl Tavern  attached to a monk’s brewery from 1621, which is our overall favorite and where we will end this Old Town Salzburg walking tour.

StieglKeller Hours :  Daily 11am-10pm; open until 11pm in Summer.   Website :   Here .

19. Fortress Funicular ( Festungsbahn ):

About The Funicular : There has been a lift up Mönchsberg Mountain to Hohensalzburg Fortress since at least two decades before 1515AD and a modern funicular since 1892.  It is by far the easiest way to get up the cliff side as it turns a very steep hike into an easy 54 second ride.  The glass enclosed cars can carry 55 people per trip and service 1.7 million visitors a year.

Hours : Varies but usually 8am-Midnight.   Cost : 2-4€.  Your ride will be added onto your ticket for Hohensalzburg Fortress.   Website :   Here .

20. High Salzburg Fortress ( Hohensalzburg ):

About High Salzburg Fortress :  Since 1077 AD, this castle-like High Salzburg Fortress ( Hohensalzburg ) has been towering over Salzburg from Mönchstein Hill offering an ever steady sense of protection. Thanks to an expansion around 1500 AD, Hohensalzburg is one of the largest fortifications in Europe and one of the only ones never over taken by force.

With views grand enough to match The High Fortress’ massive scale, the castle has easily become Salzburg’s number one tourist attraction.  Hohensalzburg holds a decent  Fortress Museum and  Medieval Prince Apartments  which are worth a visit, but the best room is the gilded,  Golden Fortress Room .  Even if you are short on time at least stop to take in the 360 degree views which let you see all over Salzburg and even all the way to the Alps toward the South.

Hours : May-September 9am-7pm; October-April 9:30am-5pm; last admission 30 minutes before close.   Cost : With Staterooms and funicular Adults are 15.50€ and Kids 8.70€.  You can save a couple euros by hiking up and a couple more by visiting by 10am during peak season.   Website :   Here .

21. Saint Peter’s Cemetery ( Petersfriedhof ):

About Saint Peter’s Cemetery :  The beautiful Saint Peter’s Cemetery has been in use since before 700 AD, and its cliff-side catacombs go back even  further to 215 AD .  With wrought -iron headstones, this beautiful flower-filled cemetery may be the most peaceful stop on our free Salzburg walking tour.  You can even get some get vantage points in of the Salzburg castle high above you as you stroll among the tombs.

In the beginning, Saint Peter’s Cemetery was reserved only for the burials of monks living in the neighboring monastery until it was opened to the public in 1454.  The oldest surviving headstone is from 1288 AD, and the cemetery is also where Mozart’s sister Maria Anna and composer Michael Haydn are buried.  You can find their graves in the entrance to the catacombs explained next on their free Salzburg walking tour map.  There is even an American buried in the cemetery as Major General Harry Collins, who was the commander that liberated Dachau Concentration Camp in 1945, met his second wife in Salzburg and moved here after the war.

Our favorite graves are the 7 tightly clustered iron cross headstones from the 1700s for the Stumpfegger family.  Local folklore save that Sebastian Stumpfegger murdered his 6 wives and they are all buried there together.  In reality, the graves are for the stonemason Stumpfegger, his parents, and his 4 wives.  None of the wives were murdered and 3 of the 4 died in childbirth which was very common at the time, even more so since Stumpfegger had 21 kids.

The most interesting thing about Saint Peter’s, unlike most cemeteries around the world, is that you do not buy the plots but instead rent them.  Relatives of the dead must pay rent for each plot every 10 years and must also be the caretakers.  If your family doesn’t pay your rent, the church tosses your body out.

In the center of the cemetery is the Gothic-style stone chapel which was dedicated to Saint Margaret in 1170.  Now used as a mausoleum, the church was originally built as Amandus Chapel around 700AD by Saint Rupert before being rebuilt in 1170 and again in 1491.

In the mid-1600s, iron-gated arcades holding private family tombs were added ringing the cemetery.   In the 1965 movie ( and 1959 play ) The Sound of Music, these archways and headstones were depicted as where the Von Trapps hid from Nazis  during their escape, although the actual scene was filmed in Hollywood.  Behind the arcades on the Eastern side of the cemetery is the Saint Peter’s Bakery which is the oldest in town going back to 700 and is famous for its sweetbread.

Cemetery Hours : April-September 6:30am-7pm; October-March 6:30am-5:30pm.   Cemetery Cost : Free.

22. Saint Peter’s Catacombs :

About The Catacombs :  While touring the cemetery, you may also notice a number of window-like holes along the Southern cliffside in the cemetery which are the now empty catacombs.  As the Roman’s carved away stone to build their city of Luvaum ( 15BC-488AD ) part of the cliff-side started to be used by early-Christians for assembly and hermitage as early as 215AD.  Because the Pagan Romans used cremation and didn’t allow burials inside of town ( except for Emperors ), the catacombs likely weren’t used for the dead much or at all until after the Empire adopted Christianity in the 300s.

Near the entrance to the catacombs are the graves of Mozart’s sister Nannerl and composer Michael Haydn.  After climbing stone 48 steps you find chapel of Saint Gertrude ( died 659 ) dating back to 1178 and 36 steps further up is the chapel for Christian martyr Maximus ( died 250 ).  both of the cliffside chapels were dedicated by Archbishop Conrad of Wittelsbach in the 1170s.  Seeing the mainly bare underground catacombs requires hiking up a lot of stone steps carved inside the cliff, but the views of the cemetery below are stunning.

Catacombs Hours : May-September Daily 10am-6pm; October-April Daily 10am-5pm; Closed on holidays.   Catacombs Cost : Adults 2€; Kids 1.50€.

23. Saint Peter’s Abbey :

About Saint Peter’s Abbey :  Saint Peter’s Abbey was established by Saint Rupert, who is considered the founder of modern Salzburg , in 696AD.  Saint Rupert ( Frankish missionary & Bishop of Worms ) was given this control of this former Roman town of Juvavum ( 15BC-476AD ) by the Duke of Bavaria ( Theodo ) to revive it into a Christian stronghold.  This spot was chosen for his church as there had already been an abbey for monks established here by  Severinus of Noricum ( 410-482 ) in as early as 450AD.

Officially established in 696, Saint Peter’s Abbey is the  oldest church in Salzburg and is also the oldest continuous monastery in the German-speaking world.  Before his death in 710, Saint Rupert also started a second small abbey on the site of today’s Salzburg Cathedral ( Dom, established in 774 ), Amandus chapel ( now called Saint Margaret s) in the Saint Peter Cemetery, and other churches in the region which earned him the title of Patron Saint of the Salt Miners.  Rupert’s own sister Erentrudis was inspired to build Nonnberg nunnery on the towns original fort in 711 which is world’s oldest continuous Christian women convent.  Two of the sons of the Duke of Bavaria ( Theodo ) who sent Rupert to establish churches ruled Bavaria out of Salzburg ( 702-725 ) instead of Regensburg to see the work be sustained.  From 739- 987, the abbot of Saint Peter’s Church was automatically Bishop of Salzburg and even after that changed the monastery remained the residence of the Bishop until 1110.

Today’s Romanesque version of Saint Peter’s Church was built in 1130 ( dedicated in 1147 ) before getting its iconic steeple onion dome and Rococo-style interior in the mid-1700s.  The interior is the real treat of any visit to Saint Peter’s and the narrow nave is lined with Goliath-sized painted canvases under a muraled ceiling.  There is also a painting museum area from the 1600s known as the Long Gallery, but the impressive walls of the main nave are more interesting.  Next to the altar where Saint Rupert is entombed are the tombs of Mozart’s sister Maria Anna Mozart and famous composer Johann Michael Haydn.  The monastery’s 10,000 book library is the oldest in Austria including over the 800 old-world manuscripts with the most precious being the  Verbrüderungsbuch , brought here in 784 by Bishop Virgil.

In the square facing the entrance to the abbey is a central statue of Saint Peter looking up to the steeple while praying.  Along the north side of Saint Peter’s Square, you can see an excellent vertical sundial on the archway leading to the Franciscan Church which we will visit soon on our free Salzburg walking tour.

360 Degree Tour :  Amazing virtual tour  here .   Church Hours :  Daily 8am-Noon and 2:30-6:30pm; No visits during mass.   Church Website :   Here .

24. Saint Peter’s Restaurant ( Stiftskulinarium ):

About Saint Peter’s Restaurant :  In addition to the historic bakery from 700AD, Saint Peter’s Abbey is also a destination for food lovers with their Stiftskulinarium Restaurant.  Widely considered  Europe’s oldest restaurant ,  Alcuin of York, an English scholar attendant ( liegeman ) of Emperor Charlemagne ate here first documenting the restaurant in 803AD.  The restaurant was later heavily written about starting in the 1300s and began extremely popular with nobility, the bourgeoisie, and the clergy by the 1700s.  Over time Saint Peter’s Restaurant has grown to have multiple dining rooms throughout numerous rooms of the former Benedictine monastery.

There are 11 dining rooms inside Saint Peter’s Restaurant and we have three favorite spaces.  The amazing Felsenstube Room is one of the oldest in the restaurant, is chiseled out of the cliffside hundreds of years ago, and is used for wine tastings.  Our other favorites are the exposed brick vaulted Rardstube Hall which was the wine cellar 1200 years ago and the Gothic-arched Innenhof Courtyard is one of the most timeless spaces you’ll find in Salzburg.  During the Christmas season, the Innenhof Courtyard is beautifully decorated like a wonderland to celebrate Advent complete with a gluhwein ( hot mulled wine ) stand.

Micheal Haydn, who was one Mozarts friends, the creator of the modern string quartet, and the little brother of famous composer Joseph Haydn also lived on the restaurant’s second floor ( 1760-63 ).   A dining hall named after him now takes up Haydn’s former room.  In 1809 French troops were even housed in the restaurant during Napoleon’s invasion.

The Saint Peter’s Restaurant is world-renowned for its nightly  Mozart Dinner Concerts  ( more info ) in their Baroque Ballroom which have been taking place since 1996.  Having seen the wonderful concert ourselves, we feel that it’s a splurge that is easy to justify with the highly talented singers & musicians, authentic 1700s-style costumes, and the perfect ballroom setting.  It’s hard to come to the city of Mozart and not want to hear some authentic performers doing his music.

Restaurant Hours :  Daily 11:30am-11pm ( reservations highly recommended ).  Restaurant Website :   Here .   Mozart Concert Time :  Night at 7:30pm; lasts 2.5 hours; doors open one hour early.   Mozart Concert Cost :   63-73€ with a 3-course meal ( drinks not included ).   Mozart Concert Website :   Here .

25. Franciscan Church ( Franziskanerkirche‎ ):

About Franziskanerkirche‎ :  There has been a church here since 1139, but it is the current Gothic-style one that will make your jaw drop.  You’ll enjoy trying to wrap your head around the scale of the forest of columns holding up the uniquely designed  vaulted canopy of a ceiling .  The breathtaking beauty is impossible to get into one photo unless you have a fish eye lens.  The interior is pretty bare as all of the color and attention is meant to be drawn to the gilded Virgin Mary alter in the center of the Church which dates back to 1709.

In addition to the goliath-sized pillars and stunning interior, you’ll also want to pay attention to the front door of the Franciscan Church.  There is a special element at the entrance known as the Asylum Hand which you should touch as you enter.  It is said that anyone who touches the hand is granted entrance regardless if they are guilty or pure.  This is significant as historically the Franciscan Church has been considered modest the church of the people while the mighty Salzburg Cathedral was the showpiece of the Prince-Archbishop.

Church Hours :  Daily 6:30am-7:30pm; No visits during mass.   Church Website : Here .

26. Festival Hall Complex :

About The Festival Hall :  The three-block-long Festival Hall complex is home to three performance theater and was the site of some of the best scenes filmed for The Sound of Music.  After the Saint Peter’s Benedictine Convent was closed ( 1125-1583 ) the Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg, Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau, had the Royal Horse Stables ( Hofmarstall ) built on the Western end of today’s complex over ten years starting in 1599.  The stables held over 150 horses and were later expanded Eastward with an indoor Winter Riding School in 1662 and an open-air Summer Riding School carved into the cliffside in 1693.  The riding school quickly became important to Salzburg’s upper class for horse training and riding competitions similar to the Spanish Riding School in Vienna.

For the 5th annual Salzburg Festival in 1925, a section of the former horse stables complex was re-built as the  Small Festival Hall Theater ( Kleines Festspielhaus ) and became the new home for the event.  The following year the former open-air Summer Riding School area was turned into a second performance space for the Salzburg Festival.  Originally carved out of the stone cliffside in 1693 in a former quarry, the space has an impressive 3-level, 96-box viewing gallery and is well-nicknamed the  Rock Riding School ( Felsenreitschule ).   We love how the arched portal stone wall looks like a gladiator arena especially since Salzburg was originally a Roman town called Luvaum ( u-va-voom ) established in 15BC.  Now serving as the lobby for the Rock Riding School Theater, the massive Karl Böhm Hall was the original indoor winter riding school built in 1662.  This vast space is highlighted by a 600 square meter ceiling mural painted in 1690 depicting Turkish military exercises on horseback.

The open-air Rock Riding School theater gained a partial roof ( now fully retractable ) in the 1930s and is where the real-life Von Trapp Family Choir won the singing competition in 1936.  Although the family had left Salzburg before the first Salzburg Festival under Nazi occupation in 1938, the Festival Hall was used in the filming of some key scenes in the 1965 movie The Sound of Music.  In the film, the Von Trapps perform a melody mashup on the stage before then Captain sings  ‘Edelweiss’  with help from the audience followed by the family joining in  ‘So Long, Farewell’  before they exit and make their escape.

During their conversion into theaters, the Small Festival Hall and the Rock Riding School were connected with a large foyer completed  covered in beautiful frescoes .  While the Nazis covered up the frescoes during their WW2 occupation of Salzburg, they were thankfully brought back to life in 1956.  After a lot of work, the painted lobby and original indoor theater ( Small Festival Hall ) were renovated as the new House for Mozart ( Haus für Mozart ) in 2006, celebrating  250 years since Mozart was born  in Salzburg.

A third theater was added onto the complex in 1960 known as the Large Festival Hall ( Großes Festspielhaus ) which has one of the largest stages in the world at 100 meters wide with steel plate backdrop.  You can still see some of the original entrance arches on the outer walls in the foyer leading to the Large Festival Hall Theater as well as on the Western exterior of the complex.

Address :  Hofstallgasse 1.   Guided Tour Cost :  Adults 7€; Kids 4€.   Guided Tour Hours :  50 minute guided tours are at 2pm daily ( also 9:30am, 2pm & 3:30pm in July & August ).   Photo :  ( Exterior from the West ).   Website :   Here .

Featured On : Sound of Music Movie Tour .

27. University Square ( Universitätsplatz ):

About University Square :  Salzburg’s main open-air market sits in the vast University Square with growers from all over the region selling delicious produce.  Known as the Green Market ( Grünmarkt ), it was established in 1857 and is still open daily.  We recommend recharging here by buying some fruit and taking a short break to do some people watching.

On the Southside of University Square is the massive Collegiate Church which was started in 1694, but took over 70 years to fully complete as the original  builder went blind  a few years into the project.  This cathedral was where Mozart premiered “Mass in D minor” on February 5th, 1769 which is one of his prettiest arrangements.  While the size of the white Church is awesome, the interior is fairly bland.

Tucked away along the West side of the Church is a large grassy square called Prince′s Park ( Furtwänglerpark ) which was once part of a Franciscan Monastery then by the 1600s the University of Salzburg.  With most of Salzburg’s squares paved over since Medieval times, there aren’t many huge green spaces like this in the heart of Old Town.

Turning around to the Northside of University Square, you’ll see numerous windows on the backside of Mozart’s Birth Place House ( Universitätspl #14 ).  We will visit Mozart’s house next on this free Salzburg walking tour and it gives you some great elevated vantage points to admire the scale of Collegiate Church towering over the square.  We love to exit University Square toward Grain Lane ( Getreidegasse ) through the narrow Medieval pathways connecting the two streets called Through House Alleys ( Durchaus ).  There are more than ten covered alleyways all filled with shops, but our favorite is Roittner-Passage which connects Universitätsplatz #15 through to Getreidegasse #7 via a gorgeous courtyard.

Outdoor Market Hours : Monday-Friday 7am-7pm; Saturday 6am-3pm; Sunday Closed.   Church Website :   Here .

28. Mozart’s Birthplace ( Geburtshaus ):

About Mozart’s Birth Place :  On January 27th, 1756 one of the true pioneers of Classical music was  born in this very home , Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.  You simply can’t miss the home with its bright yellow facade and large groups of tourists milling around the entrance.  This museum is by far the most visited Mozart landmark in Salzburg.

The three stories of interesting exhibits are labeled in multiple languages and take about 90 minutes to get through.  Everything starts on the 3rd floor where you are introduced to the different members of the family and even get to check out the room Mozart for born in.  The 2nd floor primarily focuses on Mozart as a composer of operas.  There are a ton of set models and costumes from his operas, plus excerpts from Mozart’s most famous operas for you to listen to.  We especially love the different  musical instruments  that are on display including one of the famous violins Mozart performed with.  The 1st floor and final floor is dedicated to everyday life of the family both while at home and while traveling.  The collections included 18th-century travel utensils, original documents, and paintings telling the Mozart family’s story in Salzburg and abroad.  A few of the rooms are staged with period furniture to help give you the atmosphere of the age.

Hours :  Daily 9am-5:30pm; in July & August open until 7pm; last entry 30 minutes before closing.   Cost : 10€ for Adults; 3.50€ for kids; 21€ for a family ticket.  Combo ticket available with his adult home.   Guided Tours :  While the Museum is mainly self-guided and takes 90 minutes, you can book a staff-guided tour as well for 66€ per group.  All staff tours must be booked at least 2 weeks in advance.   Website :   Here .

29. Grain Lane ( Getreidegasse ):

About Getreidegassee :  Grain Lane, or Getreidegasse ( pronounced Ga-try-Da-gah-sa ), is the main shopping street in Salzburg since Medieval times.  It is complete with high-end stores like Louis Vuitton, many jewelry stores ( schmuck ), and even a very  fancy McDonald’s  which has silverware and outdoor seating.  You can really see the Medieval roots of this compact pedestrian street by the signage that hangs above each shop.  In the Middle Ages  almost no one could read  so instead of having signs with business names on them, the shops would hang an icon for their trade or craft.  Notice how the signs for the hat maker, locksmith, umbrella shop and many more have kept this signage tradition alive.  One of the best parts of this free Salzburg walking tour is getting lost among the shops on Getreidegasse for a good hour and it’s even better if you stop by any of the roadside gelato stands for a delicious treat.

At the beginning of Getreidegasse Street is a very inviting bar known for its schnapps drinks called the  Sporer Schnapps Pit Stop  ( No 39,  website ).  Sporer has located in the building since 1905 and their staff very English-language friendly.  If you like what they have to offer you can even buy an eighth of a liter ( achtel ) of schnapps to bring with you.  It’s crazy to think that there have been homes documented on the site of the Sporer shop going back to Roman times in 174AD with the current house dating to 1407.

Even if you aren’t shopping make sure to stop into the  active Wieber Blacksmith Shop  ( No 28,  Facebook )   to get a real life look into the trade as local craftsmen hammer their red-hot creations into an anvil.  They make everything from custom keys, modern works, and the decorative outdoor signs that adorn the street’s shops.  There has been a blacksmith here  since 1415AD  and the current shop is on its 4th generation of owners.  Make sure to also check out the Sound of Music World Museum at the western end of the lane ( No 47, website ) which is run by the same group that manages the Von Trapps family’s real-life home in Salzburg.

Sporer Shop Hours :  Monday-Friday 9:30am-7pm; Saturday 8:30am-5pm; Closed Sundays.   Blacksmith Hours :  Monday-Friday 7:30am-5:30pm; Closed Saturday & Sundays.   Sound Of Music World Hours :  Daily 10am-6pm.

30. Horse Bath ( Pferdeschwemme ):

About The Horse Bath : Hugging the side of Mönchsberg Hill is Salzburg’s largest Medieval horse bath ( Pferdeschwemme ) which in the Middle Ages were like car washes for horses.  Because this horse bath was part of the neighboring Royal Stables ( Hofmarstall ), the Prince-Archbishop had the mural backdrop and statue of a horse being tamed added to the sprawling fountain in 1693.  In the movie The Sound of Music this was where Maria and the kids danced around while singing  ‘My Favorite Things’ .

There are actually two of these Medieval horse baths remaining in old town Salzburg with the larger painted one located here which was part of the Royal Stables ( Marstallschwemme ) and a smaller one in Chapter Square ( Kapitelschwemme ) from earlier in this free Salzburg walking tour with a beautiful fountain drooping trees.  Like all of the fountains in Salzburg, this one is fed by a series of underground water canals said to go back to Roman times which were later revamped in both the 700s and the 1200s, long before most of today’s Baroque structures were built.

31. Winkler Terrace :

About Winkler Terrace :  High above the West side of Salzburg on Monks’ Hill ( Mönchsberg ), the breath-taking Winkler Terrace has stunning panoramic views of Old Town.  The amazing view from the stone terrace was highlighted in the movie The Sound of Music during a number of scenes including the song  Do Re Mi .  The neighboring M32 Cafe ( website ) was once Cafe Winkler before the Modern Art Museum ( website ) was built here, but the terrace has been preserved.

Overall our experience visiting the cafe has been very negative as it is the only place in Salzburg we have ever got really bad service and it has happened to us three times here.  That being said, we suggest going up for the city views on the sprawling terrace which is free but if you want coffee or food then visit either the nearby Stadt Cafe next to the Militia Wall which also has amazing views or check out the fancy Schloss Mönchstein Hotel.  Both of these alternatives are explained next on our free Salzburg walking tour.

Getting Up To Winkler Terrace :  The most accessible way up is the  Mönchsberg Elevator  which sits behind the Salzburg Museum and takes you directly to Winkler Terrace.  Look for the pink row house along the cliff with a large MdM above the entrance.  The elevator is fully inside the cliff while the tube-like tower on the side is actually the Gstätten Tower.  Alternatively, can take a taxi to up the backside of the cliff to M32 Cafe or the stairs at Toscaninihof ( behind the Festival Hall ) to the top of Mönchsberg and reach the terrace with a 15-minute walk.

Elevator Hours :  Tuesday-Sunday 8am-9pm; Monday 8am-7pm.  July & August Daily 8am-11pm.   Elevator Cost :  Adults 2.30€ one way or 3.60€ round trip; kids half off.   Modern Art Museum Hours :  Tuesday-Sunday 10am-6pm; Wednesday 10am-8pm; Closed Mondays.   Museum Cost :  8€.   Photos : ( View From Terrace  |  View From Cafe at Night  |  Schloss Mönchstein  |  Johannesschlössl ).

Other Nearby Sights:

32. militia city wall ( bürgerwehr ):.

About Bürgerwehr :  Near the Winkler Terrace is the amazing the timeless fortified Militia Wall ( Bürgerwehr ) which was built on the hilltop from 1465-80 to protect the West side of Salzburg.  This is the only place in Salzburg with the remnants of the Medieval city wall really feels mighty as it is over forty feet tall .  Other defensive structures on top of the cliff top include the Mülleggertor Gate ( 1280 ), Frey Palace red tower ( Roter Turm-1278 ), and eventually wraps around to the High Fortress from earlier on this free Salzburg walking tour.

While you stroll along the ramparts of the Burgerwehr wall, the small Stadt Alm Cafe ( website ) is one of our favorite places to get coffee in Salzburg.  Located inside a small hostel, Stadt Alm still has decent views with plenty of seating, but less crowded and less expensive than the M32 Cafe ( horrible service ) on Winkler Terrace.

33. Castle Mönchstein Hotel :

About Castle Mönchstein Hotel :  The beautiful Castle Mönchstein ( Schloss Mönchstein ) was first documented 1350AD as the Tetelheimer Tower ( Tetelheimer Turm ).  For the most part, the tower served as a home and fort until Saint Peter’s Monastery acquired the property in 1654 as a retreat for its professors.  During this period the tower was expanded and called the  Professors Castle .  What is now the tower room on the castle was then used as an astronomical observatory. Castle Mönchstein was turned into a luxury hotel in 1948 and has gone on to win countless castle hotel and restaurant awards.  It is one of our favorite castle hotels in the world and a great place to stay in Salzburg.  Even if you can’t stay here, walking past the castle and the grounds are pretty impressive.

Hotel Website :   Here .

34. Augustiner Monks Beer Hall :

About The Augustiner Beer Hall :  There is no better place to end a long Salzburg walking tour than an amazing Augustiner Beer Hall ( Bräustübl ) that has been open since 1621 AD.  The  beer is even older  as before coming to Salzburg, the Augustiner monks opened a brewery in Munich in 1328.  Over the centuries the monks perfected brewing and their light beer ( Helles ) is our favorite.  Out of the beer hall’s 1500 seats, we like hanging out in the outdoor beer garden section the most.

When choosing where to sit there  two types of service , Waiter Service ( bedienung ) and Self-service ( schank ) where you wash your own cup at the cleaning fountain ( krüglwasch brunnen ) before getting your beer.  The mugs themselves are a great throw back as it is one of the only places still serving beer in traditional  ceramic beer steins .  Waiters do not serve food, but as long as you purchase a drink mug you can bring any food you want with you.  You can either bring your own food with you picnic-style or hit up the deli upstairs for a great selection of pizza, deli meat, and cheese.

Depending on how early arrive, consider  touring the brewery  to see what happens behind the scenes and get an exclusive tasting.  Tours run Monday-Friday afternoons with advanced booking for 13.90€ per person.  They require a minimum of 10 people, but you may be able to join an existing group, online booking here .  From the tavern you can easily walk up the back side of the Monchsberg Cliff to get a great night time view of Salzburg.  The Mönchstein elevator closes after midnight, so if you are trying to get into Old Town from the cliff viewpoint late at night you will need to back track to the Bräustübl Tavern and follow the river back.

Hours :  Monday-Friday 3-11pm; Saturdays-Sundays and public holiday 2:30-11pm.   Photos :  ( Traditional Stein  |  Wooden Kegs  |  Slideshow from Brewery ).   Website :   Here .

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Guided tours, which are offered every day of the week, are a great way to discover Salzburg. The various tours also appeal to a broad range of interests.

Public Guided Tours

Salzburg has so many different faces, all of which are well worth discovering. Guided tours of the city invite you to constantly change perspectives and view Salzburg from different angles. If you like to hear exciting tales, listen to intriguing anecdotes at historic locations and get to know personalities you had never heard of before, you are certain to love these tours.

Individual tours give culture buffs exciting new insights into the Salzburg Festival , the Salzburg Residenz, Hohensalzburg Fortress and Mozart’s Birthplace. If you want to throw yourself body and soul into the vibrant life of this city and its array of historical, cultural, political and humorous highlights, a whole slate of individual theme tours present you with countless possibilities.

Individual Tours with Salzburg’s City Guides

They know the city like the backs of their hands, and have all kinds of tales and anecdotes to share that you simply won’t find in books: The Salzburg Guides are all certified and offer around 80 different tours in 18 languages.

These guided tours appeal to a broad range of interests such as architecture, music, culture and nature. If you would like to take make a foray outside the city limits, with the Salzburg Guides you are also in the best of hands: They offer tours across Salzburg province as well as to neighboring Bavaria. On request barrier-free tours are also offered.

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The many-and-varied cultural events represent the heart & soul of Salzburg. Book your tickets right here:

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The Salzburg Card provides you with free or discounted admission to numerous sightseeing attractions, along with free use of public transportation.

48 hours in Salzburg in autumn

Autumn in Salzburg is a particularly charming time. After the Salzburg Festival in summer, the city of Mozart becomes quieter again and the many parks, avenues and gardens turn beautiful autumn colors. The surrounding countryside also turns into an autumnal wonderland that really comes into its own on a walk. Whether on an autumn walk over the Mönchsberg or an excursion to the Kapuzinerberg - the vantage points offer fascinating views of the city mountains and the surrounding nature. In addition to the beautiful landscape, there are also varied event highlights such as the Salzburg Harvest Festivals “Salzburg Bauernherbst”, a festival that celebrates the rich traditions of the region from August to October.

Cultural days, walks through the woods and the last warm rays of sunshine make an autumn vacation in Salzburg unforgettable. Take advantage of the fall season to discover the numerous excursion destinations in this enchanting city. Panorama Tours shows you which treasures are hidden in Salzburg in the fall and how you can experience Salzburg on a short trip in the fall within 48 hours!

Day 1: Explore the old town in autumn & bad weather program for young and old

Start your autumn vacation in Salzburg with an autumnal walk through the historic old town. During an autumn walk, you can also visit the most important sights such as Salzburg Cathedral , Getreidegasse and the Prince Archbishop Residence on the left-hand side of the Old Town and Linzer Gasse , Mirabell Palace and the magnificent Mirabell Gardens on the right side of the old town. The pond Leopoldskroner Weiher with Leopoldskron Palace , known from the movie The Sound of Music , is also a great location for a walk in autumn.

A beautiful autumn day is also ideal for a short hike up the city mountains. The city mountains Kapuzinerberg, Mönchsberg or the Festungsberg can be climbed on foot, and the mild autumn weather is particularly suitable for the sometimes more or less steep ascent. Once at the top, you are rewarded with a wonderful view over the city of Mozart. You can also take a walk through the forest on the Kapuzinerberg or a short hike up the Mönchsberg to experience autumnal nature with a view of the city to the full.

The city shines in warm colors in autumn, when the leaves of the trees on the Kapuzinerberg and Mönchsberg mountains glow in all shades of yellow and red. Enjoy the view of the autumnal landscape of Salzburgerland from the numerous vantage points.

If the weather doesn't cooperate, Salzburg offers numerous excursion destinations and activities for the whole family, so you can enjoy the autumn season in this beautiful city, come rain or shine. If you want to pass a rainy afternoon, you can visit one of the exhibitions in the numerous museums in Salzburg:

• Marionette Museum: A hidden gem in Hohensalzburg Fortress: The World of Marionettes fascinates visitors with its collection of historical puppets and productions of classic plays from the Salzburg Marionette Theater . Fun for the whole family!
• Toy Museum: A paradise for children and nostalgics - a colorful variety of historical and modern toys await you in the Toy Museum Salzburg , inviting you to marvel, play and discover.
• Museum of Natural History: The classic - the “Haus der Natur” Museum of Natural History is popular with locals young and old. In the various themed rooms with interactive stations on dinosaurs, music, space or in the reptile zoo, boredom doesn't stand a chance!
• Fortress Museum: A must for history buffs - the Fortress Museum on Hohensalzburg Fortress offers exciting insights into Salzburg's past and the impressive architecture of the fortress.
• Residence Gallery Salzburg: A highlight for art lovers – the Residence Gallery presents an impressive collection of European paintings from the 16th to 19th centuries in the magnificent rooms of the Salzburg Residenz.
• Museum der Moderne: Contemporary art in an impressive location - the Museum of Modern Art on top of the Mönchsberg offers exciting exhibitions of modern and contemporary art with a breathtaking view over Salzburg.

Day 2: Admire the Salzburg region in autumn colors

After getting an overview of the city of Salzburg the day before, it's time to explore the Salzburger Land region on the second day. Again, there are various alternatives depending on the weather: In fine weather, natural spectacles such as the Krimml Waterfalls or the lakes in the Salzkammergut region are a spectacular sight. In bad weather, the Giant Ice Caves in Werfen is a great tip. The underground glacier world offers ice figures and is considered the largest ice cave in the world with a total length of 42 km.

Depending on your interests, you can also make a deep dive into the world-famous film hit The Sound of Music or the Third Reich . Hallstatt is also a wonderful place to enjoy the nature and landscape of Austria in the fall. Salzburg Panorama Tours offers various tours, all of which start at Mirabell Square in Salzburg.

After the tour, you return directly to the center of Salzburg and can spend the evening in one of the traditional restaurants or at an event .

Events at the Harvest Festival in the city of Salzburg

• Salzburg Rupertikirtag - pure tradition and festive atmosphere: experience the Rupertikirtag in the old town and on the square Residenzplatz in front of the Prince Archbishop Residence, where customs, crafts and Austrian hospitality come together. The Kirtag takes place every year around September 24, the day of Salzburg's patron saint St. Rupert.
• Frühschoppen in the Stiegl-Brauwelt - Enjoy a hearty Frühschoppen (typical Austrian beer brunch) in the Stiegl Brewery, accompanied by traditional music and regional delicacies - a perfect start to the day!
• Schrannenmarkt - Discover the variety of regional products at the Schrannenmarkt market on Mirabell Square and around the Andräkirche. Here you can taste and buy fresh fruit, vegetables, cheese and much more from the Salzburg region. The Schranne takes place every Thursday from 05:00 to 13:00 directly next to the Panorama Tours bus terminal .
• Game Weeks - Treat yourself to delicious game dishes and matching beer specialties during the Game Weeks in Salzburg's various inns - a culinary highlight of the Harvest Festival!

Tips for your fall vacation in Salzburg from Panorama Tours:

• With the Salzburg Card, you enjoy free entry to many sights and use of public transport.
• Take a tour of the city to get an overview of the most important sights . The old town of Salzburg can easily be explored on foot.
• Take a day trip to the surrounding Alpine landscape. The surrounding regions such as the Salzburg Lake District and Berchtesgadener Land are also worth a visit!
• Our packages offer great opportunities to experience as much as possible during your short trip to Salzburg.

Sete Cidades: Half-Day ATV Quad Tour

The Sete Cidades Half-Day ATV Quad Tour offers adventurous travelers a unique opportunity to explore the stunning landscapes of São Miguel Island. With experienced guides leading the way, participants can safely navigate the trails and take in breathtaking views of the Pico da Cruz and Miradouro Das Cumeeiras. At just $89.55 per person, this 3-3.5 hour tour provides a thrilling and immersive experience for nature lovers and thrill-seekers alike. But the real question is, what kind of adventure awaits those who choose to embark on this exciting journey?

• This half-day ATV quad tour on São Miguel Island provides an exciting off-road adventure with stunning views of the Sete Cidades volcanic crater.
• The 3-3.5 hour tour is led by knowledgeable guides, available in English and Portuguese, and includes a safety briefing and photo stops.
• Participants must be at least 9 years old with a valid driver’s license, and the tour includes necessary safety gear and equipment.
• The itinerary highlights key locations such as Pico da Cruz, Miradouro Das Cumeeiras, and the final stop at Sete Cidades.
• This tour is highly rated by customers, with an overall score of 4.9 out of 5, and can be booked online with flexible options.

More tours and experiences nearby.

• Private Customised Sao Miguel Highlights Tour for Groups
• Ponta Delgada: Sete Cidades & Lake of Fire Tour
• Ponta Delgada: 4-hour Half-Day Sport Fishing Adventure
• Hot Springs & Waterfalls & Tea Plantation

Tour Overview and Details

This half-day ATV quad tour on São Miguel Island provides an exhilarating opportunity to explore the stunning natural landscapes of the Azores.

Priced from $89.55 per person, the 3-3.5 hour tour is led by live guides and available in English and Portuguese.

Participants must be at least 9 years old, possess a valid driver’s license, and have a moderate fitness level.

The tour includes a safety briefing, photo stops, and sightseeing at key locations like Muro das Nove Janelas, Pico da Cruz, and Sete Cidades.

Free cancellation, reserve now & pay later, and small group options are available, ensuring a personalized and flexible experience.

Itinerary Highlights

The ATV quad tour commences at the Muro das Nove Janelas, where participants undergo a comprehensive safety briefing , lasting approximately 20 minutes.

The first photo stop is at Pico da Cruz, offering a chance to capture stunning views for 10 minutes.

Next, the tour traverses to the Miradouro Das Cumeeiras, providing 30 minutes to admire the scenic landscape .

The final stop is Sete Cidades, where visitors can enjoy a 15-minute break and explore the picturesque surroundings.

Along the way, the tour passes by Ponte dos Rágos and São Vicente Ferreira before concluding at the original pickup location.

Inclusions and Requirements

The Sete Cidades ATV Quad Tour includes a comprehensive package. The tour provides a knowledgeable guide , essential safety gear like helmets and insurance, and covers the fuel costs.

Plus, you will receive a complimentary lunch and access to rain gear if needed.

To join the tour, riders must meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 9 years old.
• Possess a valid driver’s license if 18 or older.
• Maintain a moderate fitness level.
• Avoid participation if pregnant, with back problems, or other pre-existing medical conditions.

What to Bring

Passport or ID card and a valid driver’s license are essential items participants must bring to the Sete Cidades ATV Quad Tour. Plus, comfortable clothing and a jacket are recommended, as the tour may encounter varying weather conditions. A face mask or protective covering is also required for the safety of all participants. Prohibited items include sandals, flip flops, slippers, and alcoholic drinks inside the vehicle.

Customer Reviews and Feedback

According to reviews, the Sete Cidades ATV Quad Tour has an overall rating of 4.9 out of 5 based on 246 reviews.

Customers highlight several key points:

• Friendly guides and excellent service.
• Thrilling experience with stunning views.
• Recommendations for basic ATV handling experience for safety.
• Positive feedback emphasizes the tour as a highlight of the trip , with multiple reviewers expressing a desire to repeat the experience.

Booking and Reservations

Customers can book the Sete Cidades ATV Quad Tour conveniently online through the tour provider’s website. The tour is priced at $89.55 per person and lasts 3-3.5 hours.

Participants can choose the small group option and select their preferred start time. A live tour guide is provided, and the tour is offered in both English and Portuguese.

Customers can take advantage of the reserve now and pay later option. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

With these flexible booking options, travelers can easily secure their spot on this thrilling ATV adventure.

Safety and Precautions

Always prioritizing guest safety , the tour operator takes several precautions to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience.

First, all participants must be at least 9 years old and possess a valid driver’s license if they’re 18 or older. Plus, a moderate fitness level is required, as the tour isn’t suitable for pregnant women or individuals with back problems or pre-existing medical conditions.

The tour also provides essential safety gear , including helmets, gloves, and raincoats.

Frequently Asked Questions

Though the Sete Cidades ATV Quad Tour is designed with safety in mind, prospective participants may have some questions.

Do I need prior ATV experience? No, the tour staff provides a safety briefing and basic instruction to ensure everyone feels comfortable.

What should I wear? Dress in comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing and closed-toe shoes.

Can I bring my own ATV ? No, the tour provides the ATVs.

Is there a weight or age limit ? Participants must be at least 9 years old and have a moderate fitness level. Those with certain medical conditions may be unable to join.

Are there any restrictions ? Sandals, flip-flops, and alcoholic drinks aren’t allowed in the vehicles.

Here's a few more nearby tours and experiences we think you'll like.

• Nordeste Waterfalls Half Day Hike
• Best of São Miguel 2 Days Private Tour
• Ponta Delgada: Private Full or Half-Day 4×4 São Miguel Tour
• Full Day Sete Cidades and Lagoa Do Fogo
• Fishing in the Azores
• Ponta Delgada Full Day Sailing Tour With Snacks

Can I Bring My Own ATV or Quad Bike?

No, participants cannot bring their own ATV or quad bike. The tour includes the rental of the vehicle as part of the package, and all necessary safety equipment is provided by the tour operator.

Are There Any Weight or Height Restrictions for the Tour?

The tour has participant requirements, including a minimum age of 9 years old and a moderate fitness level. However, there are no specific weight or height restrictions mentioned in the tour details provided.

Is There an Option to Do a Private Tour With Just My Group?

Yes, there’s a small group option available for the half-day ATV tour. Participants can book a private tour just for their group, allowing them to customize the experience and enjoy the scenic trails at their own pace.

Can I Request a Specific Tour Guide or Language?

Yes, you can request a specific tour guide or language. The tour operator offers small group options and provides live tour guides who speak both English and Portuguese. Just make your preferences known when booking the tour.

Is It Possible to Extend the Duration of the Tour?

While the standard tour duration is 3-3.5 hours, the tour operator may be able to accommodate requests to extend the duration for an additional fee. Guests should check with the operator about the possibility of extending the tour.

Not for you? Here's more of our most recent tour reviews happening neaby

• From Ponta Delgada: Sete Cidades Highlights Tour W/ Transfer
• Sao Miguel: Full-Day Nordeste & Waterfall Tour With Lunch
• Vila Franca Do Campo: Introduction to Scuba Diving Tour
• From Ponta Delgada: 2-Day São Miguel Island West & East Tour
• Angra Do Heroísmo: SSI Try Scuba Program in a Shipwreck
• Ribeira Grande: Sete Cidades ATV Quad Tour
• Ponta Delgada: Full-Day Sete Cidades 4X4 Tour With Lunch
• Azores: Furnas Evening Thermal Bath With Tickets
• Photoshoot With Local Tour Guide – San Miguel Island-Azores
• Full-Day Furnas Azores 4×4 Tour From Ponta Delgada
• Half Day Furnas Tour With Volcano Activity
• Nordeste Private Tour (2 People)
• Sete Cidades – Nature Lovers Jeep Tour
• Sao Miguel: Glass Bottom Boat Tour With Snorkeling
• Private Full-Day Tour CUSTOMIZED

The Sete Cidades Half-Day ATV Quad Tour offers an exhilarating way to explore the stunning landscapes of São Miguel Island. With experienced guides, safety equipment, and breathtaking photo stops , this 3-3.5 hour tour is perfect for thrill-seekers and nature lovers alike. At $89.55 per person, it’s an excellent opportunity to discover the island’s natural beauty while enjoying an adrenaline-filled adventure .

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