day trips salzburg

8 top day trips from Salzburg to palaces, peaks and the world’s biggest ice caves

Jul 10, 2022 • 12 min read

It's an easy day trip from Salzburg to the Grossglockner Road, for epic views of the Hohe Tauern mountain range © Ellen van Bodegom / Getty Images

One glance at Salzburg ’s fanciful baroque palaces and domes, its mountain backdrop and its insanely turquoise river, and it’s love. We get it – you won’t want to leave. But do. When the streets heave in peak summer, there’s plenty to see (and far more peace to be had) just a quick train ride or drive away from the city.

The scenery around Salzburg is a knockout, whether it’s the looking-glass lakes of Salzkammergut – inspiration for everyone from a paintbrush-wielding Klimt to Hollywood directors – or the colossal snow-capped mountains that slide into your rear-view mirror on the Grossglockner Road.

And there's more. Celtic heritage, ice caves, salt mines with 7000 years of history – you’ll find the lot right on Salzburg’s doorstep. Here's our guide to the best day trips from the city celebrated as the 'Stage of the World.'

Why go? To delve into ice caves and soak up Sound of Music vibes

Werfen is a heart-stealer, with the limestone spires of the Tennengebirge range punching high above the river-woven Salzach Valley. Even in the height of summer, you’ll get a frosty reception at the world’s largest accessible ice caves at Eisriesenwelt , a Narnia-like wonderland of twinkling ice burrowing deep into the heart of the mountains.

A cable car hoists you up to the trail to the caves, but sling on an extra layer before joining a tour – it’s like a fridge inside! Kitted out with a carbide lamp, you’ll get to explore pitch-black tunnels and cavernous halls, where frozen sculptures, columns and curtains of icicles glitter when a magnesium flare illuminates them.

The caves are just the tip of the iceberg, however. Get an early start so you can also visit cliffhanger castle Burg Hohenwerfen , which has lorded it over the valley for 900 years. Or skip and sing your heart out, Maria-style, on the 1.4km (0.9-mile) Sound of Music Trail , which weaves through lush meadows from the village center to the Gschwandtanger viewpoint.

If you can, squeeze in lunch or dinner at Obauer , one of the region’s top tables, which leans on its fabulous kitchen gardens to create dishes that sing of the seasons, like Werfen lamb with nettle dumplings and smoked beans.

How to get to Werfen: Fast trains run hourly from Salzburg to Werfen (€9.30, 40 minutes), and buses leave Werfen train station at 8:18am, 10:18pm, 12:18pm and 2:18pm and stop at Eisriesenwelt car park, a 20-minute walk from the bottom cable car station. The last return bus leaves at 4:32pm. Allow at least three hours for the return trip.

Why go: For a dip into the lavish lifestyle of Salzburg's royals, Austria's original party people

Many of Salzburg’s prince-archbishops were preoccupied with matters of a divine nature, but not Markus Sittikus, Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg from 1612 until his death in 1619. Markus had a frivolous streak and naughty sense of humor and loved nothing more than throwing a raucous party, and Schloss Hellbrunn was a fine place to do just that.

On the fringes of Salzburg, this lemon-fronted Italianate palace is the kind of place a Disney princess might live, but this was where the prince-archbishop came to escape his religious duties, inviting the clergy over to feast, drink and make merry in exotic gardens full of citrus trees, muses and fountains.

You can get a flavor of these hedonistic times on a guided tour of the Wasserspiele (trick fountains) in the grounds. Choose a warm day and be ready to get soaked as you wander past mock Roman ruins, grottoes and mechanical theaters.

Don’t rush straight off after seeing the palace. The surrounding gardens are a brilliant spot for a picnic and stroll, with tree-canopied avenues, ponds and sculptures. Here you’ll find the pretty pavilion that formed the backdrop to the song Sixteen Going on Seventeen in The Sound of Music .

How to get to Hellbrunn: Hellbrunn is 4.5km (2.8 miles) south of Salzburg. Get here via a scenic 20-minute bike ride (mostly along the Salzach River) or a 15-minute ride on Bus 25 (€2.20, every 20 minutes), departing from Mozartsteg/Rudolfskai in the Altstadt.

Why go? History, mining relics, and museums devoted to Celtic history and music

For some mysterious reason, Hallein has managed to avoid popping up on the tourist radar, despite its evident late-medieval charms and proximity to Salzburg. You could easily spend a full day here as the town packs in a heck of a lot of history. Dive in at the deep end at Salzwelten , the town's historic salt mine, which has been in operation for 2600 years.

Salzburg grew high and mighty on the salt – or ‘white gold’ – mined here, which filled the princely coffers for many centuries. Pop on a boiler suit and you’re ready for a tour deep underground, leading through dark passages on trains, miners’ slides and a raft across an atmospherically lit salt lake.

To tap into the region’s Celtic heritage, stop by the riverside Keltenmuseum , which presents a fascinating chronological romp through the region’s history. Vaulted rooms harbor a remarkable stash of finds, from Bronze Age helmets to Celtic gold torques and the “Mannes im Salz,” the mummified remains of a prehistoric salt-miner.

Hallein’s more Christmassy claim to fame is the Stille Nacht Museum , set in a mansion that was home to Franz Xaver Gruber, the composer of Silent Night , for 28 years. Next to the parish church, the museum tells the story of the world’s favorite carol – Franz came up with the melody on his guitar, which you can see displayed here, in 1818.

Break up the sightseeing with a creative brunch and locally roasted coffee and cake at artsy, nicely chilled Pan Café .

How to get to Hallein: Sidling up to the German border, Hallein is located 18km south of Salzburg via the B150 and A10 in the direction of Graz/Villach. Coming by public transport, it’s a 25-minute train ride from Salzburg, with departures roughly every 30 minutes (€5.10), and an hourly bus runs from the train station to the salt mine.

Grossglockner Road

Why go? For giddying views on one of Europe's most dramatic Alpine roads

If you only have time for one road trip, make it the legendary Grossglockner Road , which serves up 48km (30 miles) of stomach-flipping hairpin bends, glaciers, crashing waterfalls, sapphire-blue lakes and wow-what-a-mountain moments. Leave Salzburg at the crack of dawn to beat the worst of the traffic (the route gets crazily busy in summer) and make the most of what is hands-down one of the loveliest drives in the Alps.

With 9% gradients and 36 tight bends to negotiate, you’ll need to be a fairly confident driver – but if driving seems tough, spare a thought for the sweaty cyclists battling their way to the top! Highlights abound, but you’ll be blown away by the view of a rippling sea of snow-capped peaks from the Edelweissspitze, the road’s highest point at 2571m (8435ft).

Pause again at Heiligenblut, where the needle-thin spire of a 15th-century pilgrimage church seems to reach for the heavens. Wind down your window and listen for whistling marmots and the shrill call of eagles as you cruise on to the flag-bedecked Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe lookout. This lofty viewpoint sits right below 3798m (12,461ft) Grossglockner, Austria’s highest peak, and the retreating Pasterze Glacier.

How to get to the Grossglockner Road: The Grossglockner Road begins in Fusch, a 90-minute drive south of Salzburg via the A10 and B311. The road goes with the snow and is open from early May to early November. Pick a good-weather day, as the drive is no fun in the rain, sleet or snow. A day ticket for a car costs €38.

Why go? For lake and mountain views and a deep dive into mining history

The Austria of a million postcards (and Instagram posts), the lake of Hallstätter See forces you to look constantly up in wide-eyed wonder at forested mountains plunging steeply into its inky green-blue waters. You can hike, swim and gaze, or head to the ludicrously pretty village of Hallstatt , where pastel-painted chalets tightly hug the shore. It's dreamy, but popular too – the number of visitors can be nerve-fraying in summer, so earmark the trip for spring or autumn instead.

A funicular glides above Hallstatt to the lake's unmissable Salzwelten salt mines. A visit leads into the cool depths of the mountain, taking you on miners’ slides, through tunnels and across subterranean salt lakes. The ground can be rough underfoot and the temperature hovers at 8°C (46°F) year-round in the mines, so dress sensibly. While you’re up here, check out the Skywalk , a platform perched 360m (1181ft) above the water, opening up epic views of the fjord-like lake and mountains.

For more insight into regional history, tag on a visit to the village's World Heritage Museum , which wings you back 7000 years to the early origins of salt mining. Come lunchtime, book a table on the terrace at Restaurant zum Salzbaron for a ringside view of the lake and fish plucked freshly from the waters.

How to get to Hallstatt: From Salzburg, take a bus to Bad Ischl (€11.30, 1½ hours), where you can connect with a train to Hallstatt (€6, 20 minutes). Boats frequently make the journey from the train station to the village (€3.50, 10 minutes). Otherwise, it’s just over an hour’s drive from Salzburg via the A1/B158.

Obertraun–Dachstein

Why go? For giant caves and vertiginous, giant-scale landscapes

Obertraun’s big-hitter sight is the Dachstein Caves , a pair of staggering caverns that burrow up to 70km (44 miles) into the ground. A cable car trundles above Alpine meadows to Schönbergalm, set at 1350m (4429ft) above sea level, from where you can walk to the top in around 15 minutes.

Tours of each of the two caves last around an hour. First up is the Dachstein Rieseneishöhle (Dachstein Giant Ice Cave), with its strikingly lit ice formations – dress warmly! Stop two is the Mammuthöhle (Mammoth Cave), one of the world’s largest limestone caves, an eerie labyrinth of sculpted karst formations.

From Obertraun, another cable car zips up to Krippenstein at 2019m (6624ft) where the "5 Fingers" viewing platform juts out over a sheer cliff face. The five differently shaped platforms resemble a giant diving board, but if you’re prone to vertigo, the exposure may reduce you to tears. Get lucky with the weather and you’ll swoon over dizzying views of the lake and mountains far below you.

How to get to Obertraun–Dachstein: It’s a long day trip so get an early start. Hourly trains run from Salzburg to Obertraun Dachsteinhöhlen station (€29.40, 2½ hours). It’s quicker by road: roughly a 1¼-hour drive southeast of Salzburg via the A10.

Salzkammergut Lakes

Why go? For lush lake views close to Salzburg

If Hallstatt is too far to venture, you can get a feel for the Salzkammergut region by dipping into a few lakes close to Salzburg. The scenery here is off the charts – pools in jewel-box greens and blues lift the gaze steadily to forests and cloud-wisped Alpine peaks, and church-topped villages look as tiny as toys against the backdrop. In summer, there’s a real holiday vibe, with locals and day-trippers mixing on the beach over ice cream and water sports.

The crescent-shaped Mondsee gets a lot of attention for its butter-yellow, twin-spired basilica , which shot to fame in the wedding scene in The Sound of Music . But it perhaps deserves to be better known for its Neolithic pile-dwellings dating to 4000 BCE.

One lake over, Attersee is quieter. What it sacrifices in whopping mountains, it makes up for with turquoise waters that are ideal for swimming and stand-up paddle boarding. The Viennese Secessionist painter, Gustav Klimt, had a real soft spot for this lake and you can walk along the shores he loved so well on a 2km (1.2-mile) themed trail with prints of his works.

Cradled by mountains, Wolfgangsee to the south is perhaps fairest of all (but boy do people know it). Dodge the high season though, and you’ll be touched by the serene beauty of the lake. Make time for the glitteringly opulent pilgrimage church in  St Wolfgang and the Alpine views that unfurl from the top of 1783m (5850ft) Schafberg , reached via Austria’s steepest cogwheel railway since 1893.

How to get to the Salzkammergut Lakes: Buses from Salzburg serve the lakes – the trip to Mondsee (€7.30) takes 55 minutes. If you want to see more than one lake in a day, you’d be wise to hire your own wheels. Driving, you can reach Wolfgangsee in around half an hour.

Berchtesgaden

Why go? For a German perspective on the glorious Alps

A day trip into Germany? Well, why not? Where Austria slams into the limestone Bavarian Alps, you’ll find some of the most dramatic scenery for miles. And who can resist sneaking over to the ridiculously lovely district of Berchtesgaden , tucked into Germany’s southeastern pocket?

Here, mountains of myth – including gnarly, 2713m (8901ft) Watzmann, Germany’s second-highest peak – throw up sheer walls of rock around what has to be the country’s most ravishing lake. Fjord-like Königssee is so exquisitely turquoise it looks photoshopped.

The must-do? The boat tour from Schönau at the lake’s northern tip to the bauble-domed pilgrimage chapel of St Bartholomä, of course! Listen as the captain plays a horn towards the aptly-named Echo Wall, which reverberates seven times. From the chapel, it’s an hour’s walk to the Eiskapelle (Ice Chapel), the remains of a collapsed glacier at the foot of the Watzmann’s ferocious east wall.

Perched eyrie-like above it all on 1834m (6017ft) Kehlstein is the Eagle’s Nest , a lodge notoriously gifted to Hitler on his 50th birthday in 1939. It took around 3000 workers two years to hack out the vertiginous 6km-long mountain road and blast a hole through the rock for a brass-paneled lift.

How to get to Berchtesgaden: Bus 840 runs frequently from Salzburg to Berchtesgaden (€6.20, 50 minutes). Otherwise, it’s around a 40-minute drive south via the B305. From Berchtesgaden, drive or take bus 838 to the Eagle’s Nest shuttle bus stop.

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Home » Travel Guides » Austria » 15 Best Day Trips from Salzburg

15 Best Day Trips from Salzburg

It’s the setting for a hit musical and bursting with cultural significance and charm; the Austrian city of Salzburg is a brilliant place to visit.

The hills are alive with the sound of music – though you already knew that – and the streets hum with intrigue, with medieval and baroque architecture nestled side by side and the Alps outlined in the distance.

The city borders Germany and is also famous for another musical moment – it was the birthplace of virtuoso composer Mozart.

With palaces, castles and a historic centre, combined with a modern Neustatt across the river, there’s plenty to do for those of all tastes, from shopping and fine dining to learning more about the region’s history in Salzburg’s many museums.

If you find that you’ve seen all there is in the main city, why not head further afield on one of these excellent day trips?

1. Hallstatt

The mountain town of Hallstatt appears on all the lists of best places to visit from Salzburg, and even on the drive there you will begin to see why.

You’ll zip past mountain lakes in Austria’s answer to the Lake District, before arriving at the pretty town centre.

There’s lots on offer once you get there – head off on a train ride up the mountain for still better views, wander along the shores of the lake, visit the waterfall at Mullbach, or take a tour around the Beinhaus, with its display of eerie painted skulls.

If you have time, you can also stop at St. Gilgen, where Mozart’s mother was born.

Recommended tour : Half-Day Tour to Hallstatt from Salzburg

2. Eagle’s Nest

For a taste of the more unsavoury side of history, Eagle’s Nest is an intriguing place to visit.

Known for being the place where Adolf Hitler spent his summers, it is incongruously beautiful, despite this unfortunate claim to fame.

You’ll be treated to spectacular views over the peaks of the Bavarian Alps and the drive to get there is stunning too, with the road hugging the Konigsee River.

Keep your camera at the ready; you won’t want to miss capturing these incredible views.

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

3. Salzkammergut region

Surely one of the prettiest areas in the whole country, the Salzkammergut region is a must for any bucket list from Salzburg.

Head into the hills to recreate those opening scenes from The Sound of Music, and marvel at just how verdant and fresh the surroundings are.

Around the same place are manifold other sights of interest, including the Castle of Huttenstein, the Moon Lake and the town church famed for hosting the Sound of Music wedding.

It’s a magical place; full of glacier lakes and with snowy mountains as a backdrop, it’s a definite must-visit.

Available tour : Salzkammergut Mountain: Mountains & Lakes from Salzburg

You can hardly plan a trip to Austria without putting in a stop at its picturesque capital, Vienna.

It’s the largest city in the country, as well as being its economic, political and cultural centre.

As such, there’s plenty to keep even the fussiest day tripper happy, from beautiful baroque buildings and excellent museums and art galleries to tranquil city parks and gardens.

It is variously referred to as the City of Music or the City of Dreams, because of the influence of the famous psychotherapist Sigmund Freud.

A worthy place to visit.

5. Berchtesgaden

Berchtesgaden is yet another stunningly beautiful natural attraction, simply adding to the hordes that are scattered generously around the Salzburg area.

To get there, you’ll trundle past the Salzach River and the Konigsee – two sparkling bodies of water – before arriving up at the peak of the visit, 1000-meters above sea level.

Breathe in that fresh mountain air – you don’t get that just anywhere.

Take in the views and let your heart soar with the birds before you head down to the city again.

Suggested tour : Bavaria: Tour of Salt Mine and Berchtesgaden

6. Konigsee

The Konigsee – the King’s Lake – is surely one of the prettiest lakes in Germany, and has even been given that title by some.

Located across the border in Bavaria, this place really does feel like a postcard, with tranquil mirrored water backgrounded by trees giving way to snow-dusted mountain peaks.

Take a stroll around the water’s edge and perhaps pack a picnic if you want to eat your lunch with a fantastic view.

And definitely don’t forget the camera.

7. Ramsau am Dachstein

For a day trip with a difference, if you’re visiting in winter, visit Ramsau am Dachstein for a real-life sleigh ride.

To get there, you’ll pass along many popular ski destinations through the Salzach valley.

The town itself is very picturesque and charming, but when everything is carpeted in a thick, muffled layer of snow, the scene transforms to nothing short of magical.

This visit is a great option for those with kids, and of course particularly exciting if you’re there around Christmas time.

Recommend tour : From Salzburg: 8-Hour Tour with Horse-Drawn Sleigh Ride

8. Oberndorf

Oberndorf is the home of the Christmas carol ‘Silent Night’, and this is the seed upon which much of its tourism is centred.

During your visit, you can learn about the creation and history of the song – its inception in 1818 in the St. Nicholas Church and its two creators.

You can also visit the chapel and the Silent Night Museum to learn more about the background of the area.

Again, this is a perfect day trip option for those visiting around the holiday season, though it’s interesting at any time of year.

Available tour : From Salzburg: “Silent Night” tour to Oberndorf

9. Werfen Ice Caves

The underground glacier world of the Werfen Ice Caves is completely unique.

It’s the world’s largest ice cave and the formations and features of this subterranean wonder are truly spectacular.

You’ll be escorted around by a knowledgeable guide, ready to inform you of the geological history of the place and explain how it formed.

Once you’ve had your fill of icy fun, head over to the nearby Hohenwerfen Castle – a perfectly preserved medieval structure – for some pictures and the chance to thaw out a little.

Available tour : Private Tour: Werfen World’s Largest Ice Caves

10. Lungau Ski Region

This region is well-known for skiing, so it wouldn’t be right to visit Salzburg without at least a quick stop off on the slopes.

Grab a day-pass and head up on the lifts to see the peaks of the mountains get closer and the towns and villages of the mountain area get smaller.

There are around 300-kilometers of ski slopes spread out across this ski region, so perhaps a little too much to be taking on in just a day, but you can certainly do your best.

Whizz down the mountain, spot the freshest powder and stop off at a café for the afternoon instalment of Gluhwein (mulled wine), to really warm yourself up.

Be warned, though, you may not want to hand your skis back at the end of the day.

11. Innsbruck

The pretty city of Innsbruck certainly deserves a place on your list of spots to visit during your time in the region.

The red rooves of the city make a beautiful backdrop for the views on high, and the indomitable mountains are ever-present in the distance.

The most famous landmarks and sites of the city include the Golden Roof, the Folklore Museum and the Imperial palace.

If you’re up for something a little different, you can also visit the nearby Swarovski Crystal World to learn about the famous brand, its origins and designs.

It might surprise you to learn just how accessible the German city of Munich is from Salzburg, but in fact, it’s only around an hour and a half by train.

If you’re there around the time of the famous beer festival, Oktoberfest, then of course you should pay a visit, but Munich is worth the trip at any time of year.

As the former capital of Bavaria, Munich has a very particular feel to it, led by the beer hall culture.

There are plenty of sites to wander around too, including a couple of castles a little way outside the city.

13. Wolfgangsee and Schafberg railroad

Train enthusiasts rejoice, there’s a big opportunity here for you in the Schafberg railroad, and the rest of the family certainly won’t object to those views either.

This cog railway heads up the Schafberg Mountain and has been running since way back in 1893. At the top, you’ll be rewarded by some excellent fare at the Alpine Hut restaurant, and of course a picture-perfect panorama.

If you head back down to sea level, you should also take the time for a lakeside cruise in a spot that’s often missed by tourists.

You can visit the town of Saint Wolfgang, which is perched right in the middle of the water.

14. Hallein Salt Mine

A commonly explored part of this area’s history is its salt mining tradition, and Hallein is an excellent place to see this through.

You can take a wooden shaft slide to get down into the depths of the mine, and once you’re there, take a tour around the tunnels.

It’s a very interesting phenomenon to learn about, and certainly something a bit different from other day trip options.

15. Saalachtaler Naturgewalten

Despite the long and confusing-sounding name, the attraction of Saalachtaler Naturgewalten is simple: it’s a protected natural area, full of amazing sights such as caves, forests, gorges and waterfalls.

This is the perfect day trip option for nature lovers, and kids will have a lot of fun here too.

It’s a very well-maintained area, with wooden walkways connecting the different sections, allowing you to explore without fear of getting lost.

15 Best Day Trips from Salzburg:

• Eagle’s Nest
• Salzkammergut region
• Berchtesgaden
• Ramsau am Dachstein
• Werfen Ice Caves
• Lungau Ski Region
• Wolfgangsee and Schafberg railroad
• Hallein Salt Mine
• Saalachtaler Naturgewalten

14 Stunning Days Trips from Salzburg, Austria

This post contains product affiliate links. These are mainly on items/hotels/tours that I personally endorse & love. I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase, but at no extra cost to you.

Are you searching for the best day trips from Salzburg? From the idyllic village of Hallstatt to the majestic Dachstein Ice Caves, these are my top picks!

Most people know it as the home of both Mozart and The Sound of Music, but there’s so much more to Salzburg than just those two things.

With picture-perfect baroque architecture and charming cultural landmarks, this is a city that I could visit time and time again. I’m a firm believer that it should on the itinerary for any Austrian adventure.

What makes it an even better stop-off point are all the amazing day trips from Salzburg that you can do. There are so many stunning places you can visit all just a short drive or train ride away.

The city has fantastic transport links which means all of these Salzburg trips are easy to do in a day.

Visits to places like the fairy tale village of Hallstatt or the Bavarian capital of Munich are ideal if you’re seeking culture.

I think it’s important to get clued up on local history, so trips to the Eagle’s Nest and Dachau Concentration Camp are also excellent choices. Equally, I love to get in a good dose of natural beauty and found the Dachstein and Werfen Ice Caves just awe-inspiring. As you can see, there is so much to see & do here.

So, without further ado, let’s dive into the best day trips from Salzburg in Austria. I’ve got no less than 14 recommendations for you and there’s somewhere for every traveller’s tastes.

If you’re looking at basing yourself in Salzburg, then make sure you check out my article on where to stay in Salzburg featuring some of the best hotels in the city!

Are you planning an amazing holiday to Salzburg? If so, you may want to book your hotels and tours asap to ensure availability. Here are some links to quickly help plan your trip!

Best hotels and apartments in Salzburg:

• Hyperion Hotel Salzburg (best rated 5* hotel)
• Boutique Hotel & Petit Spa Auersperg (best rated 4* hotel)
• Motel One Salzburg-Süd (cheap 3* hotel with great reviews)

Best activities and tours in Salzburg :

• Mozart Concert with Dinner
• Salzburg Walking Tour: Mozart, Old Town & More
• Stiegl Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting (great indoor activity)

Best Day Trips from Salzburg, Austria

1. hallstatt, austria.

I would say a day trip from Salzburg to Hallstatt is one of the most popular you can in Austria.

I’d recommend a full day here to really take in this idyllic village. It’s so peaceful wandering around the lake and exploring all the village has to offer.

My top activity to do in Hallstatt is definitely the salt mine tour. It uncovers the history of the oldest salt mine in the world and the huge significance of ‘white gold’ in the local area. A ride on one of the traditional wooden boats across the serene lake is another must. Also, don’t forget your camera because this place is picture postcard perfect.

A tour of Hallstatt from Salzburg costs £56/US$70. This is for a half-day tour (6 hours) and includes all guides and transfers.

2. Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest, Germany

Anyone with an interest in history, especially WWII history, should make this one of their Salzburg day trips.

The Eagle’s Nest is a former command centre that was built for Adolf Hitler and became his second seat of power. Its name comes from the fact that it’s situated 6,017 feet above sea level with unparalleled views over the Bavarian Alps and surrounding area.

Today, the building is a mountain-top restaurant loved for panoramic views – a far cry from its unsavoury past. There’s an uneasy contrast between this beautiful scenic spot and what you know about the history.

The nearby Documentation Centre is a museum dedicated to understanding the history and includes a WWII bunker tunnel system on display.

A tour of the Eagle’s Nest costs £56/US$70. This is for a half-day tour (5 hours) and includes all guides and transfers. Make sure you bring your passport with you just in case too!

3. Alpbach, Tirol, Austria

Alpbach has everything you want from a day trip to an alpine village: authentic wooden houses, mountain vistas, pure air, green spruce trees and picturesque meadows. It was once voted Austria’s prettiest village and I’m pleased to report it lives up to the reputation.

Skiing and other winter sports are the obvious pastimes here, but there are also loads of beautiful hiking and cycling trails. You can also go paragliding and while I didn’t have a go myself, I’m certain you’d be treated to unbeatable views.

You can check out the best things to do in Alpbach in my blog post here (just click on the link),

4. Munich, Germany

The beer halls and the Bavarian city of Munich is only 90 minutes away by train. For me, this makes it one of the best day trips from Salzburg, especially if you want to visit a different country.

Germany’s third largest city is packed with interesting sights. Marienplatz, the English Garden and the BMW Museum are all favourites, plus there are some truly epic churches, galleries and palaces.

And of course, if you’re in Salzburg around the time of Oktoberfest , then a day trip here is a no brainer. I’ve been to a couple of Oktoberfest parties before and they are so much fun. I promise you they’re even better in Munich!

A tour of Munich from Salzburg costs £49/US$60. This is for a full-day tour (10 hours) and includes all guides, train tickets and transfers.

5. Dachstein Ice Caves, Austria

Located above Hallstatt, I found visiting the Dachstein Ice Caves a mind blowing experience. These aren’t just ice caves, but mega-sized ice caves which began forming more than 500 years ago.

During the tour, which lasts about 50 minutes inside the caves themselves, you get to see magical glaciers, icebergs, frozen waterfalls and other formations. There is also the Mammut (Mammoth) Cave to explore, one of the world’s largest karst caves.

You would never believe this whole other world was lying right beneath your feet. If you want to see some unique natural beauty, this is one of the Salzburg tours you should choose.

The Dachstein ice caves price is €37.50 for an adult and €20.50 for a child.

6. Werfen Fortress, Austria

Hohenwerfen Fortress is a formidable sight. It lives among the forests at the top of the Salzech Valley with mountains looming over it.

The fortress dates back 900 years and is an amazing example of medieval architecture. I took a tour of the historic castle and also watched one of the daily falconry shows that takes place here, both of which were brilliant. Everyone thinks Germany and Bavaria is famous for these type of castles but there are a fair few in Austria too, this one being the finest around.

This is another quick and easy Salzburg day trip taking around 45 minutes to reach by train.

7. Wolfgangsee, Austria

Wolfgangsee is an impressive lake with a quaint little village right at its centre – Saint Wolfgang. A blissful, leisurely lakeside day out is guaranteed here. Head on a lake cruise, browse the shop-lined lanes, and enjoy some good food at one of the many water-side restaurants.

The cog railway, which has been running since 1893, is another highlight of a visit to Wolfgangsee. Climbing up the Schafberg Mountain, you’re in for a memorable experience knowing your riding on a historic railway and with some breathtaking views too. There’s also a superb restaurant, The Alpine Hut, waiting for you at the top.

A Salzburg day tour of Wolfgangsee and some of the other lakes in the area costs £46/US$58. This is for a half-day tour (4 hours) and includes all guides, a boat trip and transfers.

8. King’s Lake, Berchtesgaden, Germany

Nestled in a tranquil valley, not far across the German border in Bavaria, lies this gem of a lake. The King’s Lake, or Königssee, is blessed with emerald green water and enchanting alpine surroundings.

Make sure you hear the echo of Königssee before you leave. Hop on a ferry to the triple-domed St. Bartholomä Chapel, the former hunting lodge of Bavarian kings. Just past here you enter an echo chamber, where the ferry driver sounds a trumpet to show off the famous echo.

It’s the deepest lake in Bavaria, one of the cleanest in Germany and is home to some rare fish too. If there ever was a Top Trumps for lakes, I think we’d have a winner!

A tour of Berchtesgaden and Bavaria costs £48/US$60. This is for a full-day tour (10 hours) and includes all guides and transfers.

9. Hallein Salt Mine, Austria

Hallein Salt Mine is located in the Dürrnberg plateau, an area where salt was being mined all the way back in the Neolithic Age. An underground lake and traditional wooden miners’ slides that you can go down are some of the main features in the mine. One of the slides is an immense 150 feet long.

There’s even a chance to cross an underground border into Germany, which gives it a unique edge on the other salt mines in the area. 

I loved taking a look around the replica Celtic village next to the mine too, which gives you an insight into what life was like here 2600 years ago.

A tour of the Hallein Salt Mine costs £66/US$82. This is for a half-day tour (4 hours) and includes all guides, entrance fee into the salt mine and all transfers/transportation. For me, this is one of the best Salzburg day tours you can do.

10. Zell am See-Kaprun, Austria

There aren’t many places around the world that can boast the beauty of Zell am See – it just has a little bit of everything.

Mountains and glaciers? Check. Deep dense forests? Check. Beautiful blue lake? Check. And then there’s the town – it’s so charming and cute.

One of my top highlights in Zell am See-Kaprun was heading to the top of the Kitzsteinhorn glacier. This is one of the top things to do in the area and a great way of getting up in the mountains.

Being a mountain and glacier, the main things to do at Kitzsteinhorn are skiing and snowboarding. However, if you’re looking for somewhere to go hiking or to be in the fresh alpine air then this is it. I really loved my time in Zell am See-Kaprun and exploring the Kitzsteinhorn so hopefully you will too!

11. Untersberg Mountain, Austria

Over 100,000 passengers ride the cable car up Untersberg Mountain every year. In just ten minutes it sends you the 1,500m to the summit. As well as to enjoy the stunning views, people travel up the mountain for skiing, climbing, hiking and other activities.

If you’re up for the two-hour long trek there, you can also check out the Schellenberger ice cave. It’s not the easiest walk but straying off the beaten track has the payoff of getting to see an awesome cave without many other tourists around.

12. Dachau Concentration Camp, Germany

Visiting Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial is a tough but important experience. Just a stone’s throw from Munich, there are a number of Salzburg day tours that you can choose from.

Now a place of education and remembrance, tours of the site including cells, barracks and gas chambers are available and there’s also a museum. You leave with a perspective on the Holocaust like no other. Basically, it teaches you all about man’s inhumanity to man, and it really hammers home why we should be kind to one another.

It’s always uneasy visiting somewhere with such tragic history. But learning about what happened here and remembering all those who needlessly lost their lives is one way to pay our respects. It teaches us never to let it happen again.

13. Innsbruck, Austria

Nestled at the bottom of a valley and surrounded by the mountains, many people consider Innsbruck just a winter destination with world-class ski resorts. However, there’s so much to do here in summer too – don’t skip over it as one of your potential Salzburg day trips thinking it’s seasonal.

Austrians love their cycling and Innsbruck is a top spot for it. The downhill cycling is some of the best in Europe, though I decided to go for a more leisurely (and less scary!) ride around town instead.

There are lots of pretty photo opportunities, especially the row of colourful houses down by the river, so make sure you bring your camera.

You can check out some more things to do in Innsbruck in my blog post – just click on the link.

14. Werfen Ice Caves, Austria

Werfen Ice Caves are the largest in the world and, like those in Dachstein, they are extraordinary. Not far from Werfen Fortress, I would combine visiting the two to make one cracking day trip.

In the past, locals would not enter because the entrance was said to look like the gates of hell. But inside the ‘World of the Ice Giants’, trust me when I say it’s all beauty, with the most amazing glistening ice sculptures and galleries.

You have the choice of hiking from the visitor centre to the cave entrance or riding in Austria’s steepest gondola. I decided to walk but either way it’s a nice journey upwards!

A tour of the Werfen Ice Caves costs £86/US$104. This is for a half-day tour (6 hours) and includes all guides, entrance fee into the ice caves and all transfers/transportation.

Which one of these do you think is the best day trip from Salzburg? Let me know in the comments below!

If you’re travelling around Austria, then check out my guide on travelling from Salzburg to Vienna . This should help plan your trip.

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About the Author

Macca Sherifi is the founder of the multiple award-winning blogs An Adventurous World and the Great British Bucket List. Every month he inspires over 200,000 avid readers to travel the world.

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8 Most Beautiful Day Trips from Salzburg

Last Modified: February 12, 2024 //  by  Anda //   40 Comments

Nestled in the eastern Alps, on the banks of the Salzach river, Salzburg makes an excellent home base for day trips. The city is ideally located within striking distance of many places of interest. Most of the day trips from Salzburg are between 1 to 3 hours away by car, bus, or train. While there are many scenic places to visit around this area, the ones below are my top choices for the best day tours from Salzburg.

Table of Contents

1. Hallstatt Day Trip (1 hr 15 min by car)

2. dachstein ice cave & 5 fingers day trip (2 hrs by car), 3. hitler’s eagle nest & berchtesgaden old town, 4. königssee (30 min by car), 5. wolfgangsee & schafberg railroad (50 min by car), 6. melk (2 hrs by car), 7. neuschwanstein castle tour (2 hrs 46 min by car), 8. day trip from salzburg to vienna, best day trips from salzburg.

We traveled through Austria by car. While most of the day trips below can be accessed by public transportation, having a car will help you get to your destination quicker and on your own schedule.

Of all the day trips from Salzburg I liked the one to Hallstatt the most. There is something so irresistible about this salt mine village squeezed between the crystal clear lake and the base of Salzberg Mountain ( Salt Mountain )!

Hallstatt was once a quiet place. Until the late 19th century, you could only reach the town by boat or via small mountain trails. As the land between the lake and the mountain was so narrow, the town itself occupied every inch of it.

But today Hallstatt is no longer so quiet. In recent years, to the dismay of the locals, Hallstatt has become one of the most visited places in Austria! The town is particularly popular among Chinese and Korean tourists who visit it as a day trip from Salzburg.

Despite being such a small place, Hallstatt has quite a few attractions. One of the nicest things to do here is stroll along the only street in town. Besides the souvenir shops, bakeries and restaurants, you’ll see some of the town landmarks, like the market square or the Evangelical Church.

Another attraction in town is the  Hallstatt Salt World which includes the Salt Mine  and the Skywalk . The Salt World lies high above the town on the 1,030-meter-tall Salzberg (Salt Mountain). A three-minute funicular ride will take you to the beautiful Skywalk viewing platform that extends over a sheer drop.

But the main attraction atop the Salzberg Mountain is the 7,000-year-old salt mine itself. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to visit it!

Another fun thing to do in Hallstatt is boating on Hallstätter See.  The 8.5 km long and 2 km wide lake is surrounded by steep forested mountains that give it a fjord-like look.

Getting There

• By Car: The easiest way to get from Salzburg to Hallstatt is by car. The ride takes about 1 hr. 15 min. (72.9 km) via B158. There are parking lots at the entrance of the village. 
• By Buss:  You can also get to Hallstatt by buss. The ride takes about 2 hrs. 15 min. The driver will pick you up from the Old Town Salzburg and drop you off at the edge of the town. He will pick you up again 6 hours later from the same location.
• By Train: Getting to Hallstatt is by train is possible, but it’s not the most convenient option because from train station to the village you’ll have to take the ferry. The ride (including the ferry) takes about 2.5 hrs. The last ferry departs the village at 6:15 pm, so if you miss it you’ll be stuck in Hallstatt for the night.

You can also book half a day tour from Salzburg to Hallstatt here:

One of the most exciting day trips from Salzburg is to Dachstein Ice Cave. This impressive natural limestone and ice cave lies hidden in the Dachstein Krippenstein massif, in the Austrian Alps.

As you arrive at the big parking lot, enter the Visitor Center to get to the gondola that will take you to the top. If you want to see both the Ice Cave and the 5 Fingers viewing platform, you will need to purchased the more expensive ticket all the way to the top: €49/person ($55). Ouch!!

The first gondola stop is at the Ice Cave, where the salesperson will stamp your tour time (approx. 30-40 minutes ahead). This will give you enough time to hike up to the cave entrance, where the guided tour starts. 

There is a steep 15-20 minutes hike from the station up to the cave entrance. At the ticket office, no one warns you that during the cave tour you’ll have to climb 500 more steps! You will learn about this only from the guide, as the tour begins.

I recommended taking stops along the way to catch your breath. Also, take a bottle of water with you because you can’t find water up there. Being an ice cave, it’s very cold inside, so bring a warm jacket and a hat to keep yourself warm.

Visiting the Giant Ice Cave is fascinating! As you walk through the labyrinth of spacious caverns, you’ll encounter huge cave glaciers, massive ice sculptures and frozen cascades of sapphire-colored ice. There are also some light shows and music effects inside the cave.

Visiting the 5 Fingers Hand-Like Shape Viewing Platform

After you finish visiting the Ice Cave, take the second cable car to the top to see the 5 Fingers hand-like shape viewing platform. The views are stunning and totally worth the 30-minute walk from the gondola. We visited on 23rd May and the whole walk from the cable car to the 5 fingers was in snow.

The climb was steep and icy. I slipped literally every step I took, although I was wearing good hiking boots. Warm clothes and good footwear are essential!

Dachstein Krippenstein is about 80 km away from Salzburg, about 1/2 hr away from Hallstatt. You can travel to Dachstein by car, by bus, or by train.

• By Car/Taxi:  The easiest way to get to Dachstein is by car. If you are driving yourself, there is a large parking lot right at the Dachstein Visitor Center. You can also reach Dachstein from Hallstatt, by taxi.
• By Train:  If you are arriving in Dachstein by train, get off at the Obertraun Train Station ( Obertraun Banhhof ). It’s the next stop after Hallstatt Station. From here you can also grab Postbus 543 on the way up Dachstein Mountain. 
• By Bus: There is no direct bus service from Salzburg to the Dachstein Mountain Visitor Center. The Visitor Center can only be reached by the local bus from from Hallstatt.  

“Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest” is an extravagant mountaintop chalet that sits like a fantasy castle atop a high mountain peak in the Bavarian Alps. The lodge was a gift to Adolph Hitler for his 50th birthday, in 1939.

Underneath the charming chalet there was a huge compound of 80 buildings where Hitler hosted world leaders and had important meetings. The Eagle’s Nest was once the second seat of the Nazi administration. 

The creation of Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest was a remarkable engineering success, but not much of it remains today. After the Second World War the allied forces destroyed almost everything, except for the elaborate bunker system which you can see today underneath the Documentation Center.

Your visit starts at the Documentation Center which is a museum just above the resort town of Berchtesgaden. From here you can visit the bunker system below.

There is also a shuttle bus that providing the only access to the Eagle’s Nest high above the mountain. From the bus stop, visitors pass through a tunnel leads to a brass elevator which takes them to the top. The chalet is actually a restaurant with a beautiful terrace from where you can see the entire area around.

Walk Through Berchtesgaden’s Old Town

To get to Hitler’s Eagle Nest you’ll have to pass through Berchtesgarden, a small town on the border of Austria and Germany. Use the opportunity to visit this charming German town, encircled by snow-capped mountains and packed with great shops, restaurants, and eye-catching buildings.

• By Car:  It takes about 30 minutes to drive from Salzburg to Berchtesgarden.
• By bus:  Bus #840 (the Watzmann Express) will take you from the Salzburg to Berchtesgarden in about 45 minutes. You can take it either from the main train station (Salzburg Hauptbahnhof), or from the Salzburg Rathaus.
• By train:  There are no direct trains from Salzburg to Berchtesgaden. If you choose this option, you will have to change trains at Freilassing, and arrive at the main station in Berchtesgaden in about one hour and 15 minutes. 

Just a couple of miles south of the town of Berchtesgaden lies Germany’s deepest and cleanest lake: Königssee (King’s Lake). A day tour to Königssee is an absolute must if you are in Salzburg. Surrounded by the Bavarian Alps, the emerald fjord-like waters of the lake will amaze you! 

The most popular activity at Königssee is a lake tour on one of the vintage electric passenger ferries. The ferries glide quietly past silent mountain faces and roaring waterfalls. Along the way, the boatman will stop to blow a blast on his trumpet to demonstrate the amazing echo created by the mountain walls.

You can take the ferry all the way to the end of the lake, at Salet, or stop at Saint Bartholomä Church. The full boat ride without getting off will take about 2 hours (35 minutes to the church, 20 minutes to the end, and back).

You can spend an entire day at Königssee exploring Saint Bartholomä Church, walking  along the lake, and eating at the restaurant next to the church. Or, if you feel inclined to work out your muscles, you hike 6 km up to the Ice Chapel (a small cave into a glacier.) 

If you have more time, you can also ride out to Salet and walk to Obersee, a smaller lake just 15 minutes away from the dock.

If you are planning to visit Königssee, you should have an early start to beat the crowds. The lake is quite popular and the lines for the ferries become very long during the day. 

• By bus:  The Watzmann Express (#840) will take you from the Salzburg Hauptbahnhof (or the Salzburg Rathaus) to the Berchtesgaden Hauptbahnhof (a 45 minute ride.) 
• From the Berchtesgaden Hauptbahnhof, take bus #839, 841 or 843 to the Königssee parking lot.
• By Car : getting to Königssee by car is by far the fastest and easiest option. The ride will take about 30 minutes. If you arrive by car, park in the big parking lot next to the Visitor Center and then follow the path down to the lake. 

If you are a mountain railway enthusiast, this excursion is for you. Schafberg is a  cogwheel train takes you from the shore of the Wolfgangsee in St. Wolfgang, almost to the very top of the Schafberg Mountai at 1,783 m.

The slope is pretty steep (they claim this is the steepest railway in Austria) and the views are fantastic! The ride up takes about 35 minutes. We’ve been on a couple of cogwheel trains before, so the experience wasn’t new, but we loved it just the same.

Once you get off the train you can start walking around to admire the beautiful landscape around you. Don’t miss the cross at the top of the mountaintop, which is hidden behind the Himmelsporte restaurant.

You can return to St. Wolfgang on foot, if you like. If you want to return by the cogwheel train, make sure to reserve a seat.

• By car: The quickest and cheapest way to get from Salzburg to Schafberg Railway in St. Wolfgang is to drive (the trip takes roughly an hour).
• By bus: Bus #150 & 546 go from Salzburg via Strobl to St. Wolfgang. Just be aware that you need to change buses at Strobl. You can also take a ferry between Strobl and St. Wolfgang.

Another beautiful day trip from Salzburg is the one to Melk. The town is home to to one of the most beautiful Baroque monasteries in Europe, Melk Abbey.

Built high above the town on a rock overlooking the Danube, the vast Baroque building of the monastery can be seen from far away.

The monastery was built in 1089 and has since been continuously inhabited by the Benedictine monks who live and work there. The visit will take you through abbey church, the Imperial Staircase, the abbey museum, the Marble Hall, the veranda, the library and the beautifully manicured garden with its picturesque Baroque pavilion.

Melk Abbey went through an extensive restoration process that started in the 70s and ended in 2006. The result is astounding! Two of the most impressive parts of the abbey are the Marble Hall and the Library.

We didn’t take the guided tour, but instead used the audioguide. This allowed us to explore the grounds at our own pace.

Melk itself is a nice town with many pleasant restaurants, wine taverns and cute stores. It’s worth taking a stroll through town and back to the river to give the monastery one last look. 

• By train: There is no direct train from Salzburg to Melk. If you want to travel by train you will have to change trains in Amstetten Noe. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 2h 32m and costs between €17-35.
• By car: the fastest and most convenient way to travel between Salzburg and Melk is by car. The journey takes about 2 hrs via A1 (this is a toll road).
• There are some shuttle busses that offer private pick-up/drop-off services between Salzburg and Melk, but they are expensive.

Unlike the other day trips from Salzburg, this one is a bit tricky because it can only be done by car, or by private tour. There are no busses going to Neuschwanstein and getting there by train it’s way too complicated and time consuming.

There are advantages and disadvantages to choosing a private tour as opposed to driving yourself to Neuschwanstein. The advantages of hiring a private tour company tour is that you won’t have to stress about driving for almost 3 hours; you’ll be picked up and dropped off at your hotel; you will skip the ticket line.

On the downside, the private tours are quite expensive and they won’t stop anywhere else along the way. If you go on your own, you could also tour Hohenschwangau Castle , or stop to see the beautiful town of Fussen.

Neuschwanstein isn’t a real castle, but rather the fantasy of a “mad king” – Ludwig of Bavaria . If you plan to do this day trip you should arm yourself with some knowledge about King Ludwig, Wagner and his operas, and the German Romanticism . Your visit will make much more sense, as the castle is actually the result of all these influences on King Ludwig. Otherwise the castle will just seem like a strange collection of murals.

Neuschwanstein is an icon, so it’s worth seeing at least once in your lifetime. Unfortunately the castle is overrun with busloads of tourists and can only be seen by tour (which is not that great.) But while one can argue about the “merits” of Neuschwanstein, I think it’s definitely worth taking the time to visit it at least once in your lifetime.

No trip to Austria would be complete without a visit to Vienna. Ideally, you should spend more one day in Vienna, but if that’s all the time you have available it’s still worth squeezing in a visit.

Vienna is a very alluring city, with a rich musical and cultural life. However, it will be difficult to experience that aspect of Vienna on a short day trip . You will however be able to see some of the city’s landmarks and enjoy some Viennese schnitzel.

Many of the city’s attractions are concentrated in Altstadt (Old Town), so you should plant on spending the day there. There are also numerous high end stores and nice restaurants in this area. I would strongly recommend buying a one day hop-on-hop-off bus ticket that will make your visit easier.

Getting to Vienna from Salzburg

By train: The best way to travel between Salzburg and Vienna is by train. The trip is fast and inexpensive (it takes about 2 hrs 25 min and tickets start at €40). From Salzburg, hop on the RJ 949 train that will drop you at the Vienna Central Station. 

By car: I wouldn’t recommend this option, even if you have a rental car already. Parking in Vienna is expensive and difficult, like in all the big European cities. Besides, the trip takes longer (around 3 hours).

There are no bus connections between Salzburg and Vienna.

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Anda is an award winning travel writer, avid globetrotter and passionate photographer. She is the voice behind "Travel Notes & Beyond," a collection of stories and travel impressions from her wanderings around the world. When she is not busy writing, traveling, or editing photographs, you can find her hiking in the foothills behind her house together with her husband and their dog.

Reader Interactions

Oscar R Arce

May 15, 2023 at 4:57 pm

Going to Austria for 14 days arriving in Vienna the 18 August in the morning going west to return from Munich on the 29 August here is the plan: 17 August travel to Vienna

18-19-20 August Vienna sleep Vienna from here day trips to:

Vienna to Bratislava 1:10 by train/ 57 min by car

Vienna to Graz 2:30 by train/ 2:15 by car

21-22 August

Vienna to Krems,Weissenkirchen/Durnstein,Spitz .Sleep probably in Weissenkirchen

22-23-24 August go to Melk then Salzburg maybe visit Linz, Kremsmünster Abbey along the way?

day visits from Salzburg to Hallstatt salt mines and the Dachstein Ice Caves & 5 Fingers Lookout.

25 August Salzburg to Zell am See

26 August Zell am See to Innsbruck

28 August Innsbruck to Munich 1:47 by train/ 2:08 by car sleep in Munich

Is this overly ambitious? what will you cut, or add (?) what towns will you suggest to stay overnight I am contemplating renting a car, but buses seem so tempting, your feedback will be greatly appreciated Oscar

May 15, 2023 at 6:44 pm

Hi Oscar, It may seem like a pretty tight schedule, but I don’t think it’s overly ambitious. However, if you want to accomplish this itinerary I suggest to rent a car for more flexibility. You’ll also save a lot of time. Hope this helps.

Cindy Ann Carlsson

July 14, 2019 at 4:11 pm

What a great list! I did a few of those when I was last in Salzburg, but I’ve been meaning to return and now I have a good list of other places to visit while in the area. This part of Europe is just so beautiful!

Anda Galffy

July 14, 2019 at 7:17 pm

HeY Cindy, good to hear from you. Salzburg definitely needs a return trip. Thanks for dropping by.

June 27, 2019 at 9:28 am

That is a perfect comprehensive guide on day trips from Salzburg. All the places are equally picturesque and unique but Hallstatt won my heart. Those colourful houses around the lake are so pretty and a visit to 7000 years old mine will top our list. The view of Lake on the way to ice cave is amazing and that 5 finger bridge is superb. Great pictures too.

Dylan Myers

June 27, 2019 at 4:43 am

Salzburg looks like a great place to visit with any places around it rocks go as well. Neuschwanstein Carl’s Tour looks amazing. My family would love that. Konigsse looks beautiful as well. They all look like great places to go.

June 25, 2019 at 6:42 pm

I am terrified of heights, but I think I’d have to get over it to enjoy the skywalk over Hallstatt. Who could miss out on that view?! The lake tour around Königssee sounds exceptional, so I’m definitely adding this to my Austria travel plans in the fall.

Arnav Mathur

June 25, 2019 at 10:38 am

The last time I was in Austria, i was only able to tick off Vienna. But this year, am definitely heading out to Salzburg, and spending a considerable time there, doing day trips to all these places. I personally would love to visit Halsatt, but maybe even stay for a night there, and in a way experiencing the town, minus the touristy crowd.

June 25, 2019 at 4:12 pm

I would have loved to stay in Hallstatt as well, but didn’t have time.

Elaine Masters

June 24, 2019 at 8:04 pm

I long to spend time exploring Austria. What lovely places to see. Sad that you couldn’t get to the salt mine but I avoid crowds too and the viewpoint was fantastic. Loved hearing about the ice cave and boat ride. Such beautiful weather.

June 25, 2019 at 12:08 am

I’m hoping there will be a TBEX meeting there sometime.

June 24, 2019 at 12:40 pm

What a great comprehensive guide to day trips from Salzburg. I’m sad to hear that Hallstatt has become so popular that it is impeding daily life for the locals. A victim of its own popularity, like so many places. I didn’t realise you could reach Neuschwanstein Castle so easily from Salzburg – great tip!

June 24, 2019 at 4:22 pm

Neuschwanstein is reachable from Salzburg only if you have a car.

June 24, 2019 at 6:53 am

I’m in process of creating an itinerary including Austria for the Fall and Salzburg is one of the stops. I am most excited about taking a day trip to Hallstatt and now I’m even more excited about the skywalk and boat ride! Dachstein Krippenstein, Melk Abbey and Königssee look incredible too. There is never enough time!

June 24, 2019 at 4:23 pm

Hope you’ll have fun in Austria, Sherianne.

April 6, 2023 at 2:47 pm

Loved your suggestions! Traveling in August with my daughter (25) who writes historical fiction/ we will only have time for 3 day trips from Salzburg. Are any of these stops in the same direction where we could go early/ hit one- then drive further to the next one? We don’t mind long drives. We aren’t interested in the caves- but the rest sound amazing!

April 6, 2023 at 5:09 pm

Hi Tara, You could probably go to Eagle’s Nest (which is close to Berchtesgaden), then to Königssee, and after that to Hallstadt. However, each one of these places take several hours to visit, so you may want to schedule only two in a day.

Carol Colborn

June 23, 2019 at 12:00 pm

My gosh, I made a huge mistake. I chose Innsbruck as our base for covering Austria. The day trips around Salzburg are awesome, especially as photographed by you!

June 23, 2019 at 9:27 pm

Thank you, Carol.

June 23, 2019 at 4:46 am

Loved this article! I’ve been thinking about a trip to do at the end of September, and Salzburg may well be the place. I always hear such good things about it and to know that there are so many beautiful day-trips to do from it, is definitely a plus.

June 23, 2019 at 9:28 pm

That’s what I liked about Salzburg too: it makes a great home base for many beautiful day trips.

June 19, 2019 at 8:12 am

What a great guide for those staying in Salzburg and wanting to get out of town for the day. So many great suggestions.

The salt mines at Hallstatt Salt world would have been very interesting. Plus the added bonus of that amazing looking skywalk.

June 19, 2019 at 9:12 pm

Mozart was too lucky to be surrounded by all these beautiful places in Salzburg. No wonder his work has been such legendary masterpieces. There’s just so much inspiration! My favorite here is definitely the ice cave. I’ve never been to one before and I didn’t even know they exist. It would definitely take me more than 20 minutes to hike that haha! But I guess it’s worth the trip. Now I’m craving for schnitzel!

Shreya Saha

June 18, 2019 at 7:13 pm

Salzburg is located strategically close to all those beautiful places to visit in Central Europe. It is nice to know that I can visit Melk and also Neuschwenstein Castle in day tours from Salzburg. Hallstatt is a dreamy place and I would like to rather stay there for a day or two, however if you do not have enough days in hand, it’s nice to have a quick visit there from Salzburg.

June 18, 2019 at 5:01 pm

That’s a lot of places worth visiting from one town. I think it would be hard to pick only one or two. My mom gave me a painting of Neuschwanstein Castle several years ago. I thought it was a real castle. It’s interesting that a mad king built it. I think his cousin might live close to us, as there is a castle in the middle of nowhere that is similar.

June 18, 2019 at 11:16 am

Although I’ve been to Salzburg, I actually wasn’t aware that it is so close to Neuschwanenstein, but most of all Melk – since I visited Melk from Vienna and it was pretty close. Only shows how tiny Austria actually is 😉 It’s a very nice post with many great destinations to visit when in Austria or Bavaria, for that matter.

June 18, 2019 at 5:59 pm

Yea, Austria is tiny indeed. Tiny and beautiful!

June 17, 2019 at 9:06 pm

Wolfgangsee & Schafberg Railroad, Neuschwanstein Castle, Königssee and Hallstatt all seem like a dream! Especially Hallstatt! With the photo, I can understand why it’s very popular. Once I saw the photo, it immediately bought me back to my experience with some ancient towns in China. Unexpectedly, you mentioned that Chinese (& Korean) tourists love it there. If I’m not wrong, it’s not only picturesque, but I think it probably slightly reminded some of them from what they see in China – so many beautiful ancient towns in China too! Anyways, I never really consider visiting Austria – despite that my boyfriend was telling me how beautiful it is. Yet, your photos have now made me reconsider! 🙂

June 18, 2019 at 4:18 am

I’m glad if my post made you change your mind about Austria, Stacey. You won’t regret visiting it.

Linda (LD Holland)

June 17, 2019 at 4:36 pm

We were in Salzburg for 3 days and simply ran out of time. We loved wandering the city. And I could not pass on a trip out to Hallstatt. We did not hear about the Dachstein Giant Ice Cave when we were there. So glad to do that on a next visit. I would definitely pay to take the trip to the top of the 5 Fingers viewing platform. Konigssee is another day trip we wanted to do. I am sure the emerald fjord would amaze us. Especially right at water level. Some good options for a return visit. I have saved this one for our next visit.

June 17, 2019 at 6:16 pm

This area has endless possibilities for day trips, Linda. I’d love to return too Salzburg also.

Thomas Bourlet

June 17, 2019 at 2:12 am

Ooh Hallstatt looks amazing, sad to hear it is not quite as quiet as it used to be. It is the one guilty feeling I have about writing articles about less known areas or ‘getting off the beaten track’ is if people take the advice then you just hope it doesn’t become too well known or lose its magic.

June 17, 2019 at 12:02 pm

Yea, you are right. Too much advertising eventually destroys a beautiful destination and unfortunately we see this happening more and more lately.

Rhonda Albom

June 17, 2019 at 12:50 am

I do like the Alpine villages and the surrounding lakes and mountains. It sounds like Salzberg is situated well for exploring. The Dachstein Krippenstein ice cave sounds amazing but I’m not sure about the extra 500 steps during the tour after you already walked uphill to get to the start. I guess the extra effort will keep you warm.

June 17, 2019 at 12:03 pm

Hahaha, well it’s not quite so cold inside Rhonda. However, you won’t notice climbing the 500 steps because of the beauty that surrounds you.

June 16, 2019 at 1:51 pm

Salzburg is somewhere I want to visit, so it’s good to know there are plenty of great places to visit nearby. Hallstat looks incredible, the scenery looks out of this world. I could easily spend a week or two exploring the area around the city!

June 16, 2019 at 6:28 pm

I think you could spend even more than that. The Alps are gorgeous!

June 15, 2019 at 10:38 am

Wow, fantastic that there are so many attractive places to visit with stunning landscape and beautiful cities or towns to explore – this region around Salzburg is really amazing to visit.

June 14, 2019 at 12:02 pm

We were fortunate to visit Salzburg many years ago during the music festival. And oh the classical concerts were wonderful! Reason enough to visit Salzburg… We’ve heard good things about Konigsee, and Hallstatt looks so pretty (just too bad it’s become so popular; maybe try for more of a shoulder season visit?). Anyway, it looks like you had a really good time in Salzburg and surrounds :-).

June 14, 2019 at 11:30 pm

We sure did, Janice. Austria is such a beautiful destination!

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Home » Destinations » Europe » Austria » 16 Amazing Day Trips From Salzburg (And How To Get There)

16 Amazing Day Trips From Salzburg (And How To Get There)

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Here Are Some Great Day Trips From Salzburg!

Once you’re done exploring Salzburg, you might be interested in exploring the surrounding countryside.

This is a great idea since there are numerous lakes, castles, beautiful scenic hikes and views to take in – and there’s more than just going to picturesque Hallstatt!

We got the chance to explore Salzburg – and the surrounding areas – not too long ago but we know there is much more to check out.

That said, anyone embarking on a mini road trip from Salzburg should know what awesome things there are nearby!

So, whether you’re interested in exploring the famous Salzkammergut region, Salt Mines, Ice Caves, or towns and cities like Innsbruck and Hallstatt – here’s our guide on great day trips from Salzburg in any season.

We’ve also included estimates driving distances and transport options for each of them!

While the Austrian train system is great, some of the day trips mentioned below are easier to get to with a car. So, if you need to rent a car to explore the area, you can compare prices for rental companies in Salzburg here . If you’re travelling by train, you can check schedules and buy tickets at the Austrian Train website (OEBB) . And if you’re heading out on a day trip into Germany from Salzburg, you might also want to check the DB website for train schedules and tickets!

Table of Contents

Of course, it may seem odd to start off this list with a place that’s not even in Austria – but Königssee is worth the journey!

This famous lake can be found very close to Salzburg just across the border in Germany in the beautiful Berchtesgaden region. This area also includes attractions like the Salt Mine and the Eagle’s Nest (mentioned below).

One of the reasons this lake is so popular is due to its geographical features. The lake – being surrounded by large mountainous hills – has these very steep cliff sides that shoot up from the lake’s edge seemingly out of nowhere. This makes the lake popular for photos and activities like canoeing.

There are a number of hiking trails and cable cars in the area and many of them lead to various viewing platforms from where you can get lovely perspectives of the lake and surrounding area.

Of course, a ferry ride from Schönau am Königssee (the town at the north end of the lake) is a great way to experience the landscape. Aside from the natural beauty, you’ll also pass the famous landmark of St Bartholomew’s Church on the shoreline.

Salzburg to Königssee By Car

A great option to check out the Königssee – and other attractions in the area like the Salt Mines or Eagle’s Nest – is to drive.

The drive is to the south of Salzburg taking about 40 minutes with a driving distance of around 30 kilometres. This will take you to the north end of the lake itself. You can find parking here and a small town.

Address for Main Parking Lot: Seestraße 3, 83471 Schönau am Königssee, Germany

Salzburg to Königssee By Train/Bus

If you want to head down to the Königssee on a day trip, you can also do so via a really great bus from Salzburg. The #840 leaves right from Salzburg HBF for Berchtesgaden HBF. Ride it the whole way and you’ll be there in about 50 minutes (it runs frequently).

From Berchtesgaden HBF, hop on bus #841, ride for 10 minutes and get off at Königssee, Schönau a. Königssee. You’ll basically be looking at the lake from the north shore!

Salzburg to Königssee Tour

If you’re looking to check out the Königssee without navigating buses or driving yourself, you’ll find a number of guided tours that cater to this exact location.

The nice thing about heading to the area (and it’s close proximity from Salzburg) is that tours usually bundle together the lake, Salt Mines, and Eagle’s Nest all in one great day!

So, if you’re keen to see the gorgeous lake and a few other attractions, check out this Ultimate Königssee Day Trip from Salzburg !

The Eagle’s Nest (Kehlsteinhaus)

Another top attraction that is easily reachable from Salzburg (and once again not in Austria) is the Eagle’s Nest. Called the Kehlsteinhaus in German, this structure sits at the top of a very high ridge in the Obersalzberg region in southern Bavaria.

A visit here goes beyond the stunning views because this compound high on the hill was actually used by the Nazi Party as a place for meetings and gatherings. Hitler did actually visit a bunch of times but it’s said he didn’t like it because he had a fear of heights.

In any case, the building purposefully has a distant connection to its past and serves now as an attraction complete with a restaurant and beer garden.

If you want to visit, make sure you visit the website because the weather (and the season) can dictate whether the high mountain road is open to visitors or not. You can get your tickets for the journey up by bus/elevator at the Dokumentationszentrum Obersalzberg.

Address: Kehlsteinhaus, 83471 Berchtesgaden, Germany

Salzburg to The Eagle’s Nest By Car

If you want to drive to the Eagle’s Nest, it’s a similar route as to the Salt Mine and Königssee. Just head into Germany to the south of Salzburg. The driving distance to the main parking lot where you will grab tickets and another bus up the hill is about 40 minutes and around 30 kilometres.

Address for Driving – The Parking Lot at the Dokumentationszentrum Obersalzberg: Salzbergstraße 43, 83471 Berchtesgaden, Germany

Salzburg to The Eagle’s Nest By Bus

Once again, there’s a great option to take public transport to visit the Eagle’s Nest from Salzburg. From Salzburg Central Bus/Train station, there’s a direct bus (#840) which is heading for Berchtesgaden HBF.

For the Nest, get off after around 45 minutes of driving at the stop Berchtesgaden Schießstättbrücke. From here, get on the bus #838 for about 10 minutes and you’ll end up at the Dokumentation Obersalzberg which is where you get tickets and another bus up to the Nest.

Salzburg to The Eagle’s Nest Tour

Because visiting the Eagle’s Nest can be a TAD complicated with a number of steps, heading down there on a tour from Salzburg is a great option. This way, you just get to sit back, relax, and enjoy the views and information while you head there and back with a guide to take care of everything!

Plus, the Eagle’s Nest is close to other top attractions so lots of tours bundle them together (if you’re looking to maximize your day experience)! You can find a number of tour options to the Eagle’s Nest below:

• Views from the Eagle’s Nest – Get spectacular views of the Bavarian Alps and visit the famous location high in the hills
• Eagle’s Nest, Königssee, Salt Mines – Discover three top sights in one full day with a knowledgable guide!

Salt Mines (at Berchtesgaden)

Another attraction just across the German border from Salzburg – and the first Salt Mine on this list – is the Mine at Berchtesgaden. Originally opened in 1517, this salt mine remains as the oldest (and active) salt mine in Germany!

The mine does a great job of showing visitors around on a guided tour. From the train ride under the ground to the cruise across an underground lake in the mine, the experience is one to be remembered.

You even get to put on protective clothing (overalls like the miners) which makes the visit immersive and good for kids. Did we mention you get to ride an underground slide, too?

If you want to visit, be sure to check out the official website so that you can reserve your tickets/tour time in advance!

Address: Bergwerkstraße 83, 83471 Berchtesgaden, Germany

Salzburg to Berchtesgaden By Car

Similar to if you were heading down to the region to explore the Königssee and Eagle’s Nest (listed above), the drive to the Salt Mines is very simple.

Located basically due south of Salzburg (but in Germany), the drive is around 35 minutes and approx. 25 kilometres. You can find parking nearby once you arrive.

Salzburg to Berchtesgaden By Bus

Once again, there’s a great public transport alternative if you want to explore the Salt Mines. From Salzburg Central Bus/Train station, there’s a direct bus (#840) which is heading for Berchtesgaden HBF.

After about 45 minutes, get off at Berchtesgaden Salzbergwerk (B305) and you’ll have a quick 5 walk to the Mines.

Salzburg to Berchtesgaden Salt Mines Tour

Because the salt mines are such a popular attraction to check out, there are loads of great tours that are focussed on taking you down to explore the mines and the area! All you have to do is show up and enjoy.

• The Famous Salt Mines – Explore the Mine and the town of Berchtesgaden on a guided trip from Salzburg
• Salt Mine, Wolfgangsee, and Villages – Discover the Mine and take a boat cruise on the beautiful Wolfgangsee from Salzburg
• Salt Mine, Eagle’s Nest, and Konigssee – Check out 3 top attractions in a single day from Salzburg!
• Salt Mines and the Sound of Music – Explore the Mine and famous filming Sound of Music Filming sites on this day tour from Salzburg!

If you’re travelling to Salzburg and wondering where that classic “postcard” photo you always see is taken, head for Hallstatt.

This small town on the shores of Hallstätter See is a very popular day trip from Salzburg because it’s easy to get to and there truly is a lot to do and see once there!

Aside from taking the “classic” photo of the town and church (Evangelische Pfarrkirche Hallstatt), the town has a medieval market square, a museum, and numerous little cafes/restaurants and shops which you can check out.

The shoreline is full of other things to enjoy so be sure to go for a little explore when you visit.

Further from the edge of the lake, you’ll find attractions in the hillside like hiking paths and cable cars to lookout points like the World Heritage Skywalk.

Of course, there is also a Salt Mine in Hallstatt which you can visit! The area can get pretty busy in the summer season ( and we honestly wouldn’t recommend visiting then) but you can also visit in winter for a completely different vibe!

Salzburg to Hallstatt By Car

Driving to Hallstatt by car is definitely doable. The town is located to the southeast of Salzburg for a driving time of around 1 hour and 30 minutes and a distance of about 75 kilometres.

Once you arrive at the lake (Hallstätter See), you should be able to find a parking spot. However, when it is very busy, finding a parking spot might be slightly problematic.

Salzburg to Hallstatt By Train/Bus

If you don’t want to drive, you can always take the train to Hallstatt. It’s not the most direct route but it’s definitely doable.

The total journey (regardless of which train combination you choose) will take over 2 hours and you’ll very most likely have to change in Attnang-Puchheim.

From Attnang-Puchheim, you’ll head right to Hallstatt Bahnhof – and then you have to take the ferry across the lake to the main town centre.

Salzburg to Hallstatt Tour

If you are very eager to see the picturesque town of Hallstatt, then one of the easiest and enjoyable way to do it is on a tour. This also makes sense since the train options aren’t as easy as other day trip destinations.

Luckily for you, there are a few great tour options to check out Hallstatt. Some visit other small villages as well while other tours offer more free time. It’s up to you!

• Salzburg to Hallstatt I – Explore the small town of Hallstatt and other villages with a tour guide and transport (popular)
• Salzburg to Hallstatt II – Discover the famous Salzkammergut region (with a focus on Hallstatt) with a guide!

Wolfgangsee

Nestled in the Salzkammergut region is one of the most well-known lakes in the area: Wolfgangsee!

This long lake is a popular resort destination in the summer season with water sports and hiking being the main draws. There are numerous cable cars or hiking trails around which you can take for amazing views of the region.

There are various smaller towns that circle the lake at different points with St Wolfgang im Salzkammergut, Strobl, and St Gilgen being the more notable ones.

You can get between these places via the system of ferries that scoot around the lake. Oh, and don’t forget about a ride on the famous Schafberg Cog Railway when you visit!

In the winter, the area doesn’t completely go quiet since there is skiing (both downhill and cross-country) and holiday celebrations to enjoy! And because it’s quite close to Salzburg, this makes the lake a good wintertime destination to explore with kids!

Address for the Main Tourism Office: Au 140, 5360 St. Wolfgang im Salzkammergut, Austria

Salzburg to Wolfgangsee By Car

Driving to the lake from Salzburg is pretty easy because it’s fairly close by. Since the lake is so large, there are many different places around it you could drive to – this changes the driving/direction a bit.

The north end of the lake is located to the west of the city centre of Salzburg – about 30 kilometres and a 30 minutes drive away.

To head around the south end of lake to the main town of St Wolfgang im Salzkammergut/the Main Ferry Terminal, it’s about 50 kilometres and about 50 minutes.

Once you are in any of the smaller towns along the lakeshore, there are plenty of parking lots for you to choose from.

Salzburg to Wolfgangsee By Train/Bus

Surprisingly, given that the lake is so geographically close to Salzburg, there is actually no great direct train connection to the region. It’s much easier to drive yourself there or hop on a tour (an option we outline below).

Salzburg to Wolfgangsee Tour

If you want to make it to the lake, you might consider taking a guided tour there. This way, you can learn about the region from the comforts of your transport – you just sit back and snap photos.

Also, a tour makes logistical sense because if you don’t want to drive there yourself, there are very few options to make to the lake easily. Wolfgangsee is such a popular day trip from Salzburg so there are a number of great tours you can choose from:

• Cruise the Wolfgangsee – Discover the mountains and lakes in the region – and cruise the Wolfgangsee on this day trip!
• Wolfgangsee and Salt Mine – Cruise the famous lake and tour the famous salt mine on this guided tour!
• Wolfgangsee and Hallstatt – Check out the Salzkammergut region on a tour of Hallstatt from Salzburg

The Sound of Music Day Trip

If you’re heading for Salzburg, there’s a good chance you understand the connection to the film, The Sound of Music . In fact, the 1965 movie might be the reason you’re going to the city!

Whatever your level of knowledge about the movie, a trip to Salzburg is a great opportunity to learn about the film and see some beautiful places from Hollywood history.

So, if you are interested in re-living the magic of the iconic movie, you can do a “Sound of Music” themed day trip from Salzburg.

Essentially, you would visit filming sites or other notable locations from the film. We’ve never done this kind of tour but understand the popularity. However, we did visit the Pavillion at Schloss Hellbrunn which was neat to see in person!

As for places to check out, there are many around Salzburg:

• In general, the opening shots were done in the famous lake region, the Salzkammergut. Specifically, you might recognize Kloster Höglwörth.
• There are many sites around Salzburg itself including the Mirabell Gardens, Nonnberg Abbey, and Humboldt Terrace up on Mönchsberg (the hill).
• The “Von Trapp gazebo” is the Music Pavillion located south of the city at Schloss Hellbrunn
• The Sound of Music Trail in Werfen – a scenic spot with a narrow road where you can re-create an iconic scene

The Sound of Music Trip By Car

If you wanted to do your own “Sound of Music Tour” via car and drive it yourself, you could theoretically do so. You would need to pinpoint the filming locations/significant places and then chart a path around the Austrian countryside.

However, you’d lose out on the extra details that come with a guided tour to the same locations. Also, the enthusiasm of visiting these places as a group (and singing as you go) might get lost if you do it on your own.

Another thing to keep in mind if you do this with a car is that you’d likely have to pay for parking at various locations which could add up over the course of a day.

However, you have the freedom to explore the region so that might be a plus for you. Just something to consider!

The Sound of Music Tour from Salzburg

Many travellers to Salzburg have some sort of interest in the famous film. Luckily, there is a whole tour industry centred around providing visitors with a memorable experience as they visit filming locations, discuss the film, and immerse themselves in the countryside that inspired the iconic movie moments.

So, if you’re looking for a Sound of Music tour from Salzburg, check out these top-rated ones. Many are similar but have slightly different itineraries and stops. Be sure to read the details so you find a tour that suits your style/interests perfectly!

• The Original Sound of Music Tour – Explore filming sites and sing along to the memorable music on this classic bus tour!
• Sound of Music & Salt Mines – Relive the film in the Austrian countryside and visit the famous Salt Mines on this combo tour!

Hallein Salt Mine

If you haven’t already noticed, salt was a popular resource to extract from the Salzburg region.

So, it should come as no surprise that there’s one more mine on this list that you can explore: the Hallein Salt Mine! Technically located in Dürrnberg (above Hallein), this mine has been producing salt for over 7,000 years!

These days, visitors can put on protective clothing and – similar to the other mines – ride an underground train, boat, and slide down large wooden slides between the levels while on a guided tour.

Overall, it’s a popular stop not too far from Salzburg where you can have fun with the kids and learn about the history of the region! If you are interested in visiting, you can buy your Hallein Mine entrance ticket in advance here .

Address: Ramsaustraße 3, 5422 Bad Dürrnberg, Austria

Salzburg to Hallein Salt Mine By Car/Bike

Driving to the Hallein Salt Mine by car is pretty easy since it’s close by. The Mine is to the south of the city about 20 kilometres and with a driving time of about 30 minutes. It’s just to the south of the city centre so it’s not hard to get to.

In fact, you could even bike there in around 1 hour and 30 minutes just by basically following the Salzach River.

We biked to Schloss Hellbrunn from the city centre and that was almost halfway to the Mine so we’d imagine the ride to Hallein would continue to be lovely as you followed the river.

Salzburg to Hallein Salt Mine By Train/Bus

You can also take the train and bus to the Hallein Salt Mine. The trains run frequently from Salzburg to Hallein Station (about every 30 minutes) and take about 30 minutes.

From the station, you then hop on a local bus to head up to Dürrnberg (where the Mine is technically located). You can check here for actual bus times.

There is actually a “Combo Ticket” that includes the train, bus transfer, and entrance ticket all sold by the Austrian Train Company (OBB). You can find more information on this ticket here .

Werfen – Hohenwerfen Castle and Ice Caves

If you feel like this list is lacking in ice caves and castles to explore on a day trip from Salzburg, you’d be absolutely correct! Luckily, a quick journey south to the town of Werfen can change all of that.

Located right on the beautiful Salzach River with a train station, too – this small town itself doesn’t have a ton to offer visitors, but the nearby attractions make up for that. High atop a hill close to the town you’ll find Hohenwerfen Castle.

Built back in the year 1000, this medieval castle has been preserved and you can do a guided tour to see many aspects like the courtyard, gardens, weapons, and the seasonal Falconry Centre. There are even a tavern and a shop to check out. You can learn more at the official website here .

Address of Hohenwerfen Castle: Burgstraße 2, 5450 Werfen, Austria

The other incredible attraction close to Werfen is the world-famous Ice Caves or Eisriesenwelt. Found before the year 1900, these caves have been wowing visitors for decades as the largest ice caves in the world.

It’s important to know that the experience is physically taxing. Even though there’s a cable car involved in getting to the entrance, you also need to hike quite a bit – and there are also many steps once inside the ice caves.

Also, be sure to bring warm clothing to put on once inside because the caves are around 0 degrees Celsius! You can only visit the caves on a guided tour so be sure to plan ahead. You can learn all about visiting the famous Ice Caves here .

Address of the Ice Caves: Eishöhlenstraße 30, 5450 Werfen, Austria

Salzburg to Werfen By Car

Driving to Werfen isn’t too strenuous since it’s pretty close. You essentially drive straight south of Salzburg for a driving time of around 40 minutes (1 hour without tolls) with a distance of around 50 kilometres.

The town of Werfen itself is quite small so you’d likely head for the attractions close by such as the Ice Caves or the Castle – both of which are actually located to the north of the town centre.

If you don’t drive right to the attractions, from Werfen you can walk to the Castle and there’s a shuttle/bus pick-up for the Ice Caves by the Salzach River in the middle of Werfen.

Salzburg to Werfen By Train/Bus

Getting to Werfen by train is very easy. The train trip takes around 40 minutes from Salzburg Central Station (on the same trains that head for Zell am See). They are pretty frequent throughout the day so you can plan a day trip knowing you can get there and back easily!

Salzburg to Werfen Tour

Another great way to get out of Salzburg and down to Werfen is on a tour. Specifically, the ice caves (being so incredible) are a popular attraction that you can visit with a guide.

That means you just have to focus on enjoying the experience! Check out this day trip to the Werfen Ice Caves from Salzburg !

Venturing a little further from Salzburg, you might end up in the beautiful city of Innsbruck. This city – tucked away under the shadow of the mountains – is full of history, culture, and beauty. We really loved our visit – and here’s how you can spend a day in Innsbruck .

The city which is also known for winter sports is home to some great attractions in and around its historic Old Town. You have to see the Golden Roof and the Stadtturm (which is a city tower with stairs to climb) for amazing views.

There are also a number of museums and attractions like the Bergisel Ski Jump! Oh, and for even higher views of the region, take the Nordkette train and cable car to the top of Hafelekarspitze.

Of course, there’s also great food to try – like a strudel at Cafe Kroll – and Austrian culture to enjoy. You can walk from the central station to the Old Town and Inn River in minutes so it makes exploring Innsbruck fairly simple!

If you do end up staying over and need advice, we have a guide on Innsbruck accommodations that will help!

Salzburg to Innsbruck By Car

The drive to Innsbruck is doable – but only if you are willing to pay tolls. Located to the southwest of Salzburg (through the mountains), the faster route (with tolls and crossing through Germany) can take a little over 2 hours for a distance of 186 kilometres.

The slower route (with no tolls) can take upwards of 3 hours, which we think is a little long for a day trip.

Salzburg to Innsbruck By Train/Bus

The more likely way to get to Innsbruck on a day trip would be by train. Taking regional trains through the region would be pretty but longer than 3 hours in total travel time so that’s not worth it.

There are two fast trains, however, that you could hop on. They run once an hour between the two cities – this route is actually part of a longer route between Zurich and Vienna Airport/Bratislava. Since they are “fast trains” it might be more expensive but you can get to Innsbruck in about 1 hour 45 minutes.

Zell am See

Back on the topic of lakes to visit on a day trip from Salzburg, maybe Zell am See (the town) beside Lake Zell (literally Zeller See) will interest you? Even though it’s one of the smaller lakes in the area, there is still plenty to draw in visitors each year.

The town of Zell am See offers visitors shops, restaurants, and a train station right at the lakeshore which makes getting there and back simple. You can see the historic St. Hippolyte Church, check out the Stadtpark right on the water, and get out on the lake in various rentable boats.

Aside from the numerous walking trails around the green, hilly region, one of the top things to do is to ride the mountain cable car (Schmittenhöhebahn Zell am See) up for amazing views of the area. This mountain is great because there’s also skiing in the winter.

Salzburg to Zell am See By Car

Driving to Zell am See from Salzburg takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes and is a distance of around 85 kilometres. The fastest route actually has you cutting through Germany for a bit before returning into Austria.

Once you arrive in the town of Zell am See, there are plenty of parking lots to choose from. You’re also in the heart of the area to access the trails, cable cars, the lakefront, and other attractions around.

Salzburg to Zell am See By Train/Bus

Getting to Zell am See from Salzburg by train is also very easy – in fact, it’s probably the best option. There are numerous regional trains (REX or S3) that frequently run throughout the day direct to the Zell am See station.

These trains take anywhere from 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours but they are frequent which makes getting there and back pretty simple. Once you arrive, the train station is right at the lake and south of the town core so you’re in a great spot to jump off and get exploring.

Liechtensteinklamm (Gorge)

If you want a unique experience, head for Liechtensteinklamm. This deep gorge that has been carved into nature is a wonder to explore and hike along.

Known for its winding walkways, gorgeous colours, and waterfalls, the gorge is also a very popular day trip from Salzburg.

It’s only open in the spring/summer months so you’ll have to plan accordingly if you’re travelling outside this season. However, the gorge is something that you have to see and experience with your own eyes to understand. You can learn all about visiting the Gorge here .

Salzburg to Liechtensteinklamm By Car

Located close to the town of Alpendorf, you can get to Liechtensteinklamm by car. If you avoid tolls, the route is about 1 hour 30 minutes driving straight south for around 65 kilometres. Keep in mind you’re heading into the mountains so plan accordingly for seasons/conditions.

Once you get close, you find the road for the gorge near the south end of the town of St Johann im Pongau. Follow that along and there’s a parking lot close to the gorge. From that lot, it’s a short 5 minute walk into the actual gorge entrance.

Address for the Parking Lot: Liechtensteinklammstraße 121/123, 5600 St. Johann im Pongau, Austria

Salzburg to Liechtensteinklamm By Train/Bus

You could also take the train to the gorge. The ride is around 50 minutes and there are semi-frequent trains that run in that direction.

The closest train station (that you should head for) is located in St. Johann im Pongau. From there, you can hike about an hour to the gorge.

Definitely check the full train schedule to make sure you can get there AND back in a single day.

If you’re looking to explore more lakes but want to see what Germany has to offer, then you should check out Chiemsee! Sometimes called “The Bavarian Sea”, this large lake to the west of Salzburg is very popular for summer recreation like swimming, sailing, and more.

One of the features that makes the lake popular is the fact that it has three main islands: Herreninsel, Fraueninsel, and Krautinsel.

A popular attraction is Herrenchiemsee Palace which is located on Herreninsel while Fraueninsel is known for Frauenwörth Abbey.

Once you’re in the main town nearby called Prien am Chiemsee, you can hop on a ferry to explore the islands and the surrounding shoreline around the lake.

Besides that, you’ll find walking trails around the area as well as the famous Chiemsee-Bahn – a small train you can ride to the shoreline from the Central Station.

Address for the Popular Chiemsee-Bahn: Seestraße 108, 83209 Prien am Chiemsee, Germany

Salzburg to Chiemsee By Car

Since Chiemsee is a lake, you should head for a town close to the lake – like Prien am Chiemsee or Gstadt am Chiemsee – to park. To drive to the lake, head to the west for a driving time of about an hour and a distance of around 65 kilometres.

Salzburg to Chiemsee By Train/Bus

If you want to take the train to Chiemsee, it’s pretty easy to do. There’s a train heading for Munich HBF that leaves basically once an hour and takes 50 minutes to get to Prien am Chiemsee. We’ve actually taken this exact train and gone all the way to Munich so we can confirm it’s a lovely ride!

Once you get there, you’re within walking distance to the lake or you can also hop on the famous Chiemsee-Bahn (a popular small train).

If you are looking for a city break but want to explore a bit of Germany, Passau is a city that we can recommend. This historic German city that sits on the border with Austria is unique for the fact that three rivers all meet there: the Ilz, the Inn, and the Danube.

We explored Passau for a few days earlier this year and really liked the city. It’s certainly smaller – but its old town located on a long peninsula/point is neat to wander around and explore. There are loads of shops and cafes to check out, too.

The Old Town features a massive Cathedral (St. Stephan’s Cathedral) as well as a number of museum covering art, history, glassmaking, and even Dachshunds! It’s a popular city for river cruises so it’s common to see many long boats docked along the river.

Above the Old Town to the north across the Danube is the Veste Oberhaus. This fortress from the 1200s features a great hike to get up there as well as a museum, restaurant, and an accommodation.

We had a beer up there overlooking the whole city and it was one of our favourite memories from that whole trip through Germany and Austria!

Salzburg to Passau By Car

Driving to Passau is certainly a doable trip for a day trip. The journey is basically straight north for a driving time of around 1 hour 50 minutes and distance of around 120 kilometres.

You’ll cross the border into Germany but since both countries are in the Schengen Zone there is no formal check. Always bring ID, though. Once you arrive, there’s plenty of parking in the Old Town along the river.

Salzburg to Passau By Train/Bus

If you want to take the train, it’s not as direct as the bus or driving there yourself but it’s still doable. Basically you’ll have to take two trains and depending on the route and time of day you will change in either Wels or Linz (both Austrian cities).

These routes take around 2 hours and 20 minutes not including potential delays so maybe seriously look into the bus option below.

It also might be expensive since the train option from Wels into Germany often includes the ICE (fast train) which can cost more if booked last minute.

You could actually take the Flixbus to and from Passau. The only thing is that buses only run from Thursday to Sunday (so the weekends, basically) and there is ONE bus a day in the morning that heads to Passau and ONE bus that returns in the evening (on those days).

Each bus is about 2 hours and 20 minutes – so for approx. 8 Euro per way that’s definitely doable.

If you’re looking for a city break but want to stay in Austria, then you should consider Linz. This Austrian city was unknown to us until we made a point to explore it on our way through Germany/Austria. We ended up really liking Linz!

The city feels more quiet and residential – but that doesn’t mean it’s boring. It’s a very pretty city to explore with beautiful architecture around every corner in the Old Town. Funny enough, the Danube also runs through the city (like with Passau) making it popular for river cruises, too.

Of course, there are a few highlights like the Linz Castle with its green park, museum, and great views of the river and city. The Linzer Mariendom (New Cathedral) really impressed us. It’s a massive cathedral that has space for 20,000!

We also liked taking the train from the Hauptplatz all the way up to the viewing platform at the top of Pöstlingberg (mountain). There are also numerous museum and churches to check out as well as cafes, restaurants, and shopping you can enjoy.

Salzburg to Linz By Car

Driving to Linz is certainly doable with the city being located to the northeast of Salzburg. However, we’d recommend the train since it’s fast and frequent.

That said, with tolls the trip on the A1 takes about 1 hour 25 minutes and includes a driving distance of about 130 kilometres.

Without tolls, the driving trip can take closer to 2 hours and 30 minutes – and cover roughly the same distance (130 km) on the B1. The difference is the overall speed at which you’ll travel and traffic.

Salzburg to Linz By Train/Bus

There are plenty of great train options to go from Salzburg to Linz. The OBB regional train takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes and they leave every 60 minutes (heading for Vienna and will say Wien HBF). So this is a reasonable option to get there and back in a single day.

The other rail company that runs the route to Linz from Salzburg is Westbahn . Both the green or blue routes (heading for Vienna) stop in Linz. These trains make for a quick ride – only 1 hour 10 minutes – and are frequent (about every 30 minutes).

Fun Fact: You can also buy train tickets for this route on the FlixBus website. The train is still operated by Westbahn though.

It might seem silly to leave one large city only to explore an even larger city – but Munich is worth the trek if you aren’t visiting already while you’re exploring that region of Europe.

As the third-largest city in Germany – and the capital of the state of Bavaria – Munich has LOTS to do and see. In fact, you’d never do it all in one day!

Of course, Munich often requires little introduction. From the annual hosting of Oktoberfest to the Christmas Markets, the city is packed with events year-round that draw visitors from all over.

The city is also packed with top attractions like the Olympic Park, English Gardens, countless museums, churches, and the Neues Rathaus that hangs out at the highly popular and photogenic spot of Marienplatz.

Besides the top attractions, Munich has some great shopping, great food, awesome beer gardens to enjoy, and more. We’ve spent quite a bit of time in Munich and written about it from all different angles – so if you’re thinking about visiting, check out these posts:

• Our Favourite Cafes in Munich
• Munich in a Day – A Full Itinerary
• Where to Stay in Munich (If you decide to stay!)

Salzburg to Munich By Car

You can drive to Munich and take a number of different routes. The city is located to the northwest of Salzburg and the most popular/direct is taking the A8.

Each of the routes takes roughly 2 hours (without tolls) for a driving distance of around 150 kilometres – without any traffic.

Once you get to Munich, you should be able to find parking without too much of a hassle. Just remember, as with lots of bigger cities, the cost for parking can be higher than you might be used to.

Salzburg to Munich By Train/Bus

It’s honestly easier to get from Salzburg to Munich by train. We have done this exact route and the train ride was lovely. There are frequent trains throughout the day that take about 1 hour 30 minutes from Central Station to Central Station.

Because these are two bigger centres, you can also take the Flixbus. The Flixbus from Salzburg to Munich runs multiple times a day, costs as little as 5 Euro, and takes an average time of about 2 hours 15 minutes direct!

Lastly – but certainly not least – we have the capital of Austria. If you aren’t already visiting Vienna on the same trip you’re exploring Salzburg, then you might want to consider it for a day trip. Vienna is a historic city with so much to check out that we’d say it’s worth a shot if you’re keen!

Vienna is likely the farthest day trip we have on here but you can get there and back in a day and still have plenty of hours to explore.

Featuring the Danube River (once again), the city is home to a beautiful Old Town district that is loaded with shopping, food, and the massive St. Stephen’s Cathedral (with a tower to climb for views!)

You can also check out numerous museums like the Museum of Natural History Vienna and gorgeous structures like Belvedere Palace. Of course, you should try a Viennese special – Wiener schnitzel at Figlmueller or apple strudel when you visit for the day!

If you’re thinking about exploring Vienna on more than just a day trip, check out these helpful posts:

• Top Attractions in Vienna
• Where to Stay in Vienna (in case you decide to stay!)

Salzburg to Vienna By Car

Driving to Vienna by car is actually longer than taking the train. If you want to drive, it can be upwards of 3 hours.

For us (and the purpose of this post), we usually say day trips should be a maximum travel time of 2.5 hours away to be worth it. That said, Vienna is basically across the country from Salzburg to the east.

Salzburg to Vienna By Train/Bus

The best way to get to Vienna from Salzburg is by train. The Westbahn routes (green or blue) makes for a pretty quick ride – you can get between the two centres in around 2 hours 20 minutes.

Related Articles

Exploring more of Salzburg or Austria in general? Check out these other Austria travel posts!

• Where to Stay in Salzburg – Areas and Accommodations
• 25+ Things to Do and See in Salzburg
• Things to Do and See in Vienna

And there you have it – 16 of the best day trips from Salzburg! There are some more lakes and villages that we could add but we’ve covered a variety of the top places – and then some!

It’s tough to cater to all interests. If you’ve done a great Salzburg day trip to somewhere, let us know!

As always, Happy Salzburg Day Trip Waddlin’, – L&E

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12 of the Absolute Best Day Trips From Salzburg, Austria

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Home » 12 of the Absolute Best Day Trips From Salzburg, Austria

Do you want to sing your version of Edelweiss?

Salzburg has inspired many things, but, “Sound of Music” has to be one of its crowning jewels.

Coincidentally it’s also the city that Mozart came from which has featured itself in countless travelers’ bucket lists.

Visiting Salzburg, in Austria , can truly be a dream come true.

And if you too are planning a getaway there, you might just find yourself with a few extra days to spare till your vacation ends.

So today we would like to list 12 one day tours from Salzburg that we believe are a must visit for every tourist.

Each spot we list indeed is one of a kind in beauty with breathtaking sights and experiences.

So, let’s get started, shall we?

Top Day Trips from Salzburg in Austria

Find below the best Salzburg day trip ideas.

There is something for everyone, from towns, to lakes, to mountains. A bit of history or something more fun.

We explored the region around Salzburg via a rental car. Whilst there is public transport available to some of these destinations, you will find that a rental car will most life a lot easier and typically cut out a lot of transit time.

The best car rental company in Europe is Auto Europe. Auto Europe is a car rental booking service that quickly compares car rental prices across all the major brands like Hertz, Avis, and Europcar.  Click to see prices for car rentals .

Please have a browse through the day trip options below and let us know which one interested you the most.

1. Day Trip to Hallstatt (about 75 minutes away)

As one of the most picturesque villages in Austria, a Hallstatt day trip from Salzburg is indeed a journey to remember.

From the colorful Market Square to the eerie Bone Chapel of skull paintings, the wonders that Hallstatt provide are endless.

And they have the World’s oldest Salt Mine as well, which lies just above the city and is at least over 7.000 years old. These are the mines that first put Salzburg in the world’s map. For decades, these mines provided most of the revenue that Salzburg earned. You can read more about how to plan your visit to the salt mines here .

And then you have the picturesque skywalk and viewing platform over the area as well!

We highly recommend that you set aside a full day for your day trip from Salzburg to Hallstatt. If you manage to get to Hallstatt by 9 am, you should be able to enjoy a Salt mine tour, see the skywalk and the viewing platform, stroll around the town as well as head out on a 50 min cruise around the lake.

How to Get There

Day trips from Salzburg by train will take you about 2 hours and 15 minutes and then a short 15-minute ferry ride.

By Bus and train:  Take bus 150 from Salzburg to Bad Ischl and from there take the train to Hallstatt. This trip takes from 2 hours to 2 hours 40 minutes.

Traveling by car: The journey from Hallstatt to Salzburg (and vice versa) will only take you 1 hour and 15 minutes by car. Driving to Hallstatt is the easiest way to reach this small town. It is a beautiful drive and with less transit time, you will get to spend more time in the town itself.

Hallstatt tour from Salzburg: Another great option is to simply book a spot on a tour to Hallstatt. Group tours are really affordable ( click to check price here ), and there are even private tour options if you have a bit more money to splurge ( click to check price here ).

2. Dachstein Ice Caves & 5 Fingers (about 75 minutes away)

A short adventure to the Dachstein Ice Caves & the 5 Fingers Lookout is nothing short of amazing. Situated high above Hallstatt, the Dachstein Ice Caves wow’s visitors with its spectacular ice sculptures and frozen waterfalls.

To get to the Ice Caves, you will need to take a cable car and tackle a short uphill walk of 20 minutes. The tour of the Ice Caves lasts for about 50 minutes.

After the Ice Cave tour, head back to the cable car station. Head up further to stop 2 on the Cable Car journey. From there enjoy a beautiful 30-minute hike to The 5 Fingers Lookout where you will be rewarded with a breathtaking view of the valley and mountains below.

By Car: The easiest way to reach the cable car station is by car. The journey will only take you 1 hour and 15 minutes by car.  It is a beautiful drive and with less transit time, you will get to spend more time enjoying the cave and mountains.

By Train and Bus: From Salzburg catch the train ‘Obertraun Dachsteinhöhlen Bahnhof’. From there you will need to catch Bus 543 to the valley cableway station. This journey will take you around 2 hours and 50 minutes.

3. Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest (about 1.5 hours away)

A day trip to Eagle’s Nest from Salzburg is a must. It is a rather educational experience that will take you back to Germany’s dark past. This space was built in celebration of Hitler’s 50th birthday and acted as his second seat of power.

There’s a big Documentation Centre as well that’s one and a half hours away and has the WWII bunker system on display for visitors. The Eagles Nest served as a center for Hitler’s meetings back in the day – now it’s a picturesque restaurant, offering views at above 6000 feet

By Car: From Salzburg drive to Obersalzberg road and leave your car in the Hintereck parking area. The drive is quick and will only take around 30 minutes. From the parking area catch the “Kehlsteinlinie” (line 849) from Berchtesgaden, which should take around 20 min.

By Bus:   Take the Salzburg Hauptbahnhof bus to Berchtesgaden, which will take around 42 minutes. Then catch the RVO-Bus to the Eagle’s Nest parking area (cars aren’t allowed to drive all the way to the Eagle’s Next parking area).

Eagle’s Nest tours from Salzburg: Want to keep things easy? Why not grab a seat on a group tour to Eagle’s Nest, that way you have no-stress and you can simply sit back and enjoy the views. Click here to see prices for the most popular tour .

4. Königssee or King’s Lake (about 35-minutes away)

Bavaria’s deepest lake at 630 feet deep, the emerald fjord of Königssee is lined with a hilly landscape that is sure to take your breath away. This lake is actually the cleanest lake in all of Germany, pretty impressive huh!

There’s also an echo chamber on the way, where your ferryman will sound a trumpet to show off the renowned echo of the Königssee

But what truly makes this trip so exciting is the ferry ride to St. Bartholomä Chapel, which is a the triple-domed structure and was once used by the Bavarian Kings as a hunting lodge.

You will need a full day for this day trip. We combined our boat tour with the Jennerbahn cable cars. Read about our lovely day out at Lake Königssee here .

See our day out at berchtesgaden national park in our video here:.

By Bus: Taking the #840 bus to Berchtesgaden Station will take around 45 minutes. Then transfer to  Bus #841 which will take you directly to Königssee in 20 minutes.

By Car: From Salzburg drive to the Königssee parking lot. The drive will take you around 35 min.

By Tour: You can also book a seat on this oganized Bavarian Mountains Tour that includes a stop at the lake. The tour lasts 9 hours and includes the lake as well as Eagle’s Nest and the Salt Mine. Click here to read more about this popular tour .

5. Dürnstein and Weißenkirchen (about 2.5 hours away)

Driving along the sides of the Danube is an experience that not many words can accurately describe. And on the drive to Melk and Krems, you will find a lot of sweet little villages that are well-renowned for their host wineries that harvest some of the best Austrian wine. Weißenkirchen und Dürnstein being the most prominent.

The Dürnstein village was the place where Richard Lionheart, the English king, was imprisoned almost 800 years ago. And the castle that held him, though now in ruins, is open to public viewing.

Named after the large beautiful fortified church which dominates the town ( Weißenkirchen  = ‘white church’), the town began in the 9th century as a monastic vineyard. We loved strolling the streets of Weißenkirchen Austria and the views from the top of the town is really worth the uphill stroll as well.

We loved stopping in at both of these super sweet towns. Here are our videos to show you what each are like:

Weißenkirchen

By Car: From Salzburg, Dürnstein and Weissenkirchen are about 2.5 hours away by car.

Whilst you can catch a series of trains to reach these two towns, the journey will take you over 3 hours, which in my opinion, together with the waiting times for the trains, simply makes this day trip too long via public transport. So think about hiring a car for the day instead.

6. Day Trip to Munich (about 90 minutes away)

If you’re willing to go on a cultural trip through one of the most hospitable cities, then Munich can be your best bet. Known for its giant beer halls and friendly residents, Munich is home to a lot of amazing sights as well. Some of them include the Mad King Ludwig’s Castles and the brilliantly designed Englischer Gardens.

The Altstadt is filled with beautiful monuments which document the history of Bavaria. And the Englischer Gardens houses one of the most amazing indoor lakes where you can surf.

By Car: A journey to Munich will take you anywhere from 96 minutes by car.  However, the traffic around this large city can be incredibly hectic and often you will find yourself stuck in the slow-moving traffic for a lengthy period of time. So I highly recommend you forego the car and make use of public transport for this day trip instead.

By Train: A day trip to Munich from Salzburg takes only about 90 minutes via train, and it is also covered under the special Bayern Pass. There are on average 23 trains traveling between Salzburg and Munich in a day, so the daytrip via train is super convenient.

Bus from Salzburg to Munich: You can also choose to travel to Munich by bus. Simply catch the FlixBus  towards Munich central bus station. Travel time is anywhere from 2 hours 10 minutes +, depending on the traffic.

7. Gosausee Lake (about 75 minutes away)

If you’re planning to bring your children along during your Salzburg getaway, then visiting Gosau and the Gosausee Lake should really be at the top of your priority list. Gosau is well known to be a site of countless fossils, and your children can explore the Primeval Forest adventure pack, that documents the development of the first life on earth.

Your kids can even visit Bruno’s Mountain World and have a very playful time there with the chubby bear.

A hike around the Gosausee Lake will take you around 1.5 hours and is very stroller-friendly for those with young children.

If you wish to visit the Gosau region, we highly recommend you rent a car for the day. The drive from Salzburg is only a short 1 hour and 15 minutes via the A-10, whilst both the bus and train will take you a whopping 3 hours (with many changeover stops).

8. Day Trip to Royal Castles of Neuschwanstein and Linderhof (about 2 hours 40 minutes away)

These 19th-century castles are located near Hohenschwangau and Füssen in southwest Bavaria, and stepping into them is like exploring a Bavarian fantasy.

Here you can experience the unique art of Bavarian architecture as realized by King Ludwig II himself, which later on became the inspiration for Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle.

Inspired by Versailles itself, the Linderhof Palace has a spectacular Rococo estate with its very own Hall of Mirrors. And a mesmerizing manicured garden that surrounds it has an awe-inspiring brilliance to it.

Reaching the castles by car from Salzburg can take up to 2 hours and 40 minutes. It will be a LONG day, but definitely, one that is worth the early wake-up.

9. Day Trip to Melk Abbey (about 2 hours away)

The river Danube while making its way to Vienna passes through the Wachau Valley which is ornamented exclusively with vineyards and small villages, Melk being one.

Melk is home to the immensely famous, restored Melk Abbey (Benediktinerstift), which is one of Europe’s most magnificent sights.

Initially established as a means of fortification in the 11th century, the Benedictine abbey, though once destroyed by fire, was later restored and opened to tourists.

The Melk Abbey is truly STUNNING and worth a visit.  Whilst we weren’t allowed to visit the beautiful church, library, and hall on the inside of the abbey, you might still enjoy watching our video of our visit here.

We enjoyed a few hours at the Abbey and then went for a stroll through Melk Town as well. Here is our video of our day at Melk.

By Car: Take the A1 towards Melk, the drive will take you around 2 hours. You can head right up to the Melk Abbey Parking Lot.

By Train: Journey time of 2 hours and 23 minutes. From Salzburg grab the  RJ 949   towards Flughafen Wien Bahnhof. Change trains at and take the  REX 1906  towards Amstetten NÖ Bahnhof. Hop off at  Melk Bahnhof and from there you can enjoy an 11 min stroll up to the Melk Abbey. 

10. Wolfgangsee & Schafberg Railroad (about 1 hour away)

Often missed out by tourists, the spectacular Wolfgangsee Lake is one of the most fun attractions near Salzburg.

The famous village Saint Wolfgang is a really picturesque town to visit. With small meandering lanes with interesting souvenir shops and romantic lakeside dining. Make sure to visit the beautiful church and enjoy a horse and carriage ride around town.

The lake cruise from the village is quite relaxing, but for a more thrilling experience, you can take the cog railway up the Schafberg Mountain. There is an Alpine hut restaurant situated at the top which has an exquisite cuisine that is sure to warm you right up.

Important to Note:

The cog railway doesn’t operate all year long, so when the cog railway is shut, we highly recommend a WolfgangseeSchifffahrt ferry ride on the lake from Hallstatt to St.Gilgen where you can hop on an old-school cable car to head up Zwölferhorn Mountain .

From the top, you will find the most beautiful vantage point in the Salzkammergut with views into the distance over the lake as well as the mountains.

There is also a little small restaurant at the top where you can enjoy some lunch or light refreshments.

You can watch our video of our day trip to St. Wolfgang here:

By Car: St. Wolfgang is a short 48-minute drive away from Salzburg. Simply follow the signs from B158.

By Bus: If you take bus #150, you can get off at St. Gilgen where you can head up the cable car before hopping on the ferry to St. Wolfgang. The ferry ride will take about 50 minutes and the bus journey around 1 hour.

11. Berchtesgaden Old Town & Almbachklamm (about 30-minutes away)

With another salt mine and many other spaces to visit, the quaint village of Berchtesgaden has been the runaway home for monks for centuries now. Spend the morning at Berchtesgaden and learn more about the history of the Old Town.

After a delicious lunch, head off to refresh your mind in some truly stunning natural scenery. The Almbachklamm offers thunderous waterfalls and cliff-hugging high walkways. It is one of the most beautiful gorges in the Bavarian Alps.

The Kugelmühle, Germany’s oldest marble mill, at its entrance is truly a sight to admire as well.

By Bus: Taking the #840 bus to Berchtesgaden Station will take around 45 minutes. After strolling around town, I highly recommend grabbing a taxi to make your way to Almbachklamm.

By Car: From Salzburg drive to the town of Berchtesgaden. The drive will take you around 30 min.

12. Vienna (about 2.5 hours away)

A day trip to Vienna from Salzburg will most definitely be a pretty massive and tiring day. But if you can’t afford to spend a few days in Vienna itself, then it will most definitely be a rewarding one.

There are loads of things to keep you busy in Vienna. The challenge is to figure out what you would like to see in the day trip, as you won’t be able to tick all the attractions and sights off your list in one day.

We highly recommend that you either focus your attention on visiting the Imperial palaces, including Schönbrunn, and the Habsburgs’ summer residence, or alternatively basing yourself in the Altstadt instead.

By Train:  This day trip will take you over 3 hours by car, so we highly recommend that you leave the car behind and hop on a fast train instead. From Salzburg, hop on the RJ 949 train that heads straight to Vienna Central Station. The train journey will take you around 2 hours and 22 minutes.

There you have it, our top 12 list on the best one-day trips from Salzburg. So when you visit Salzburg and find yourself with a few extra days in hand, take a few days trips from Salzburg by trains, buses or cars. We promise that they won’t disappoint.

Till next time!

Disclaimer:

•   Schafbergbahn for hosting us on their WolfgangseeSchifffahrt ferry service.
• To Salzkammergut for providing us with tickets for the Cable Cars.
• To Dachstein-Salzkammergut for organizing our Hallstatt Salt Mine Tour, as well as our boat tour on Lake Hallstatt.
• And to  Berchtesgaden Land Tourism  for organizing our tickets for a boat tour on Lake Königssee, as well as the Jennerbahn Cable Car tickets.

As always opinions expressed here are our own.

Jolene Ejmont

2 thoughts on “12 of the absolute best day trips from salzburg, austria”.

I really enjoyed renting a car and visiting Hallstatt and Wolfgangsee. Beyond picturesque in the winter with the snow-covered mountains.

We didn’t have the snow, but definitely much prefer Hallstatt and Wolfgangsee above the cities in Austria 🙂 Just so beautiful there!

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9 Top-Rated Day Trips from Salzburg

Written by Bryan Dearsley Updated May 2, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

The beautiful city of Salzburg , one of Austria's most beautiful historic cities, makes a wonderful base for day trips into the equally picturesque surrounding countryside.

Popular day trips from the birthplace of Mozart include taking a riverboat cruise along the wide River Salzach; driving through the Salzburg Alps while enjoying the stunning city views from the 1,853-meter-tall Untersberg mountain; or visiting the pretty village of Werfen, home to Eisriesenwelt, the world's largest network of ice caves.

While it's one of the best cities to visit in Austria , Salzburg is also a great place from which to explore other Austrian cities, as well as a number of the most scenic parts of neighboring Germany . And, thanks to the country's excellent rail network, cities such as Vienna and Innsbruck, each less than a couple of hours away, are also fun day trip options worth considering.

Whatever time of year you plan on visiting Austria, you'll find some of the very best places to visit in Austria by reading through our list of the top day trips from Salzburg.

1. Explore Werfen and the World's Largest Ice Caves

2. ah, vienna take a day trip to austria's beautiful capital city, 3. pop across the border to obersalzberg and berchtesgaden, germany, 4. visit austria's most picturesque lake: hallstatt and the hallstätter see, 5. take a trip to innsbruck: austria's olympic city, 6. climb every mountain: kitzbühel, 7. lovely linz, 8. historic villach, 9. take a walking tour of the old market town of klagenfurt.

An easy half-hour commute south of Salzburg is the picturesque village of Werfen, home to the incredible World of the Ice Giants (Eisriesenwelt). Billed as the world's largest system of ice caves, this vast network of caverns covers an area of more than 30,000 square meters, with a total of 45 kilometers of underground tunnels so far discovered.

Also worth a visit is nearby Abtenau . This picturesque little market town serves as a good jumping-off point for hiking adventures and scenic drives, so be sure to include it in your day trip sightseeing plans.

By far the best way to get the most from your visit to this stunning natural attraction is to join a professionally led guided tour of the caverns. One of the best options is on a private tour of the ice caves, waterfalls, and salt mines from Salzburg . In addition to including tours of three of the top-rated tourist sites in Werfen, including the massive Eisriesenwelt ice caves, the 75-meter-tall Golling waterfalls, and the historic Salzwelten salt mines, you'll have a personal English-language guide providing fascinating commentary along the way.

This highly recommended tour also includes transportation to and from your hotel. Other highlights of these nine-hour adventures include a stop at famous Hohenwerfen Castle and a cable car ride.

Although a three-hour drive east of Salzburg or a scenic 2.5 hours by train, Austria's capital city of Vienna is a must-visit, whether for a day trip or an overnight stay. Long the seat of the Austro-Hungarian Habsburg monarchy, Vienna offers many memorable tourist attractions as well as some of the very best things to do in Austria .

Topping most lists is visiting the spectacular Hofburg Palace , home to every Austrian ruler and now the country's President since 1275. This stunning and very large palace covers nearly 60 acres in the heart of the city, and boasts an impressive 19 courtyards and 2,600 rooms. The palace is where you'll find highlights such as the Sisi Museum and the Imperial Apartments, with their fine collections of furniture, personal artifacts, and artworks.

If you've time to squeeze other imperial residences into your Vienna, plan on visiting Belvedere Palace . Built in the early 1700s, it's every inch the rival of the Hofburg Palace and features stunning architecture, impressive art collections, and vast gardens and grounds to explore. The Schönbrunn Palace complex is also worth visiting, too.

Another Vienna must-see is the famous Spanish Riding School . This attraction has been home to the country's magnificent Lipizzaner horses since 1562. Be aware, however, that tickets for this attraction's popular demonstrations and events sell out far in advance, so be sure to book early.

Finally, no trip to Vienna is complete without stopping at the Demel Café . Perhaps the world's most famous café and bakery, Demel is known for its mouthwatering cakes and pastries, each a work of art. Founded in 1786, the ambience of this superb "food palace" doesn't fail to impress, nor do its wonderful strudels and decadent cream-filled pastries.

Read more: Top-Rated Museums and Art Galleries in Vienna

An easy and extremely scenic 40-minute drive south of Salzburg will take you through the Bavarian Alps and into Germany , where you'll find the Obersalzberg.

This wonderful outing takes you to the infamous WWII-era community in the district of Berchtesgaden that was once favored by the leaders of the Nazi party. It's here you'll find the infamous Eagle's Nest, Hitler's favorite place of rest and relaxation .

While little is left of the original structures built to house the Nazi elite and the Obersalzberg's notorious past, historians and war buffs will find it fascinating. In addition, some of the most popular things to do here involve hiking and biking, or simply kicking back and enjoying the magnificent views of the beautiful Bavarian Alps.

If you enjoy letting others do the work while you're on vacation, consider visiting the area by participating in the fascinating Eagles Nest in Berchtesgaden Tour from Salzburg . Included in this fun half-day experience is transportation along the scenic route to Eagle's Nest, the services of a dedicated English-speaking guide, as well as priority admission. In addition to the unforgettable views, your adventure includes a chance to see Hellbrunn Castle and the magnificent Königsee River Valley along the way.

Another reason to visit is the splendid 450-year-old salt mine at the base of the Obersalzberg. Now a popular museum and visitor attraction, Salt Mine Berchtesgaden takes you deep under the mountain through numerous caverns and grottos and includes a ride on a refurbished underground railway, a raft ride, and a fun slide.

Read More: Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Bavaria

An easy hour's drive southeast of Salzburg is the beautiful Hallstätter See, Austria's most visited lake , and the postcard-perfect lakeside town of Hallstatt. It's long been a favorite location for artists and photographers due to its quaint, traditional buildings and romantic setting. It's so quaint, in fact, that a complete replica of the town is being built in China.

These two must-see Austrian attractions together form the Hallstatt-Dachstein/Salzkammergut Alpine UNESCO World Heritage Site . Stretching some eight kilometers end-to-end and up to two kilometers wide in places, the Hallstätter See is an ideal place to enjoy water sports such as diving, swimming, and boating in traditional flat-bottomed watercraft called Salzkammergut.

The fishing is great, here, too, and fun charter trips can be booked. The area's walking trails are also lovely and offer a great opportunity to view diverse flora, including native orchids.

Named after its nearby salt mine, Hallstatt itself is home to a number of attractions worth visiting. Of these, the most notable are its fine old market square and churches, one of which boasts a Bone House with a vast collection of skeletal remains. Another must-do is to visit the always-popular Photo Point in the Römisches district.

A great way to see the highlights of this beautiful region of Austria is to join the popular five-hour Hallstatt Tour from Salzburg . Highlights of this half-day tour include a visit to the spectacular Muhlbach Waterfall, an optional cable car ride to the 380-meter-tall Hallstatt World Heritage Skywalk, the Hallstatt Ossuary with its unusual collection of more than 1,200 human skulls, along with endless great photo opportunities on your way to and from Hallstatt.

In addition to the services of an English-speaking guide and transportation, you'll also have 2.5 hours on your own to explore this historic town.

• Read More: Top Tourist Attractions in Hallstatt and along the Hallstätter See

A pleasant two-hour train (or car) ride southwest of Salzburg, the former Winter Olympic city of Innsbruck is one of the best places to visit in Austria and is well worth exploring. Idyllically located in the wide Inn Valley, Innsbruck has long been one of Austria's most visited tourist destinations, whatever the season.

Much of the city's popularity is undoubtedly due to its distinctive medieval architecture, most notably in the pedestrian-friendly Old Town Innsbruck . Here, you'll find the city's wonderful-to-wander narrow, twisting streets and lovely old buildings, including the Helblinghaus, with its fine decorative ornamentation.

Another must-see architectural highlight, and perhaps the city's most iconic piece of architecture, is the famous Golden Roof (Goldenes Dachl). Built in 1496 and made up of 2,657 gilded copper tiles, it makes for an idyllic selfie spot. Other buildings of note include Innsbruck Cathedral (Innsbruck Dom), with its imposing twin towers and magnificent ceiling paintings, and the spectacular Hofkirche, built in 1563 and home to the Tomb and Museum of Emperor Maximilian I.

And, of course, no trip to Innsbruck would be complete without spending a little time admiring the views from the many mountains surrounding the city. The highest of these is the 2,403-meter Saile and the Serles group, along with the 2,247-meter Patscherkofel, where some of the country's best skiing lies.

The best way to get there is via a fun " Top of Innsbruck " cable car round-trip. These stunning 20-minute rides will take you all the from Innsbruck to Nordkette where you can take your time exploring and soaking in the incredible views.

• Read More: Top Tourist Attractions & Things to Do in Innsbruck

A little under 90 minutes' drive southwest of Salzburg is one of Austria's largest and most popular ski resorts , Kitzbühel.

Often referred to simply as "Kitz," Kitzbühel is as popular in summer as it is in winter , thanks to fun things to do such as hiking, biking, and golf. Perched on a long ridge of hills, this picturesque medieval town is a treat to explore, with its narrow streets and centuries-old gabled houses.

This town also makes a great base from which to explore the mountains of the Kitzbühel Alps , the closest of which is the 1,655-meter-tall Hahnenkamm. Getting to the top is surprisingly easy, thanks to the many chairlifts and cable cars available.

It's a journey that's well worth fitting into your Austria travel itinerary, as the views of the surrounding countryside are wonderful, as are the many excellent walking trails leading back down. And, even if you only go part of the way, it's a worthwhile experience.

Alternatively, the 1,772-meter-tall Hornköpfli, also reached by cable car, offers equally stunning views. Some of the best views are from the Gipfelhaus, a unique mountaintop complex with a chapel, restaurant, and garden.

• Read More: Top Tourist Attractions & Things to Do in Kitzbühel

A pleasant 75-minute drive northeast of Salzburg, the beautiful city of Linz is located on the banks of the mighty Danube River . Linz can trace its roots all the way back to Roman times, when in the 2nd century CE, it served as a camp for the empire's troops.

Today, lovely Linz is famed for its many museums and cultural activities, with numerous attractions and festivals focusing on such luminaries as Mozart and Bruckner , both of whom once called the city home.

One of the city's most famous landmarks is majestic Linz Castle (Linz Schloss) . Standing high above the Danube, this historic site has acted as a fort since the early 9th century, with the original walls still to be seen. Much of the present structure was built in the 16th century. History buffs will also want to wander through the Schlossmuseum, with its artwork and displays of artifacts from the prehistoric, Roman, and medieval periods, including arms and armor.

In addition to its splendid cathedral, Linz is home to the country's oldest church , St. Martin's Church (Martinskirche). This amazingly well-preserved 8th-century structure is equally famous for its fine 15th-century frescos. And if time allows, be sure to pick up a Danube river cruise, whether a short sightseeing cruise or a longer lunch or dinner option.

• Read More: Top Tourist Attractions & Things to Do in Linz

About two hours south of Salzburg, near Austria's mountainous borders with Italy and Slovenia, Villach is surrounded by some of the country's loveliest alpine scenery. Famous for its many fine thermal springs and spas, Villach is an ideal base from which to explore the country's spectacular Alpe-Adria area, widely regarded as one of Europe's most important bioregions.

If possible, do your exploring on foot, starting in the Hauptplatz, or Main Square. Here, you'll find the tall 18th-century Trinity Column and numerous old merchants' homes, some dating back as far as the 16th century. Other sights worth seeing are the town's many fine churches, including the Heiligenkreuzkirche, or Holy Cross Church. This splendid 18th-century building stands out not just because it's pink, but because of its exquisite twin towers and impressive frescos.

Another must-see Villach attraction to visit is the 180-square-meter Carinthia Relief Model (Relief von Kärnten), a scale model of this region of Europe that was made in 1913. Also check out the 800-year-old Parish Church of St. Jakob, with its narrow choir and tall tower.

• Read More: Top Tourist Attractions & Things to Do in Villach

Situated in southern Austria near the border with Slovenia some 2.5 hours from Salzburg, pretty Klagenfurt can trace its roots as far back as 1161, when it was already an important market town. These days, Klagenfurt is famous across Europe for its historic Old Town quarter.

Here, you can wander around quaint medieval laneways and streets as you admire the town's many old buildings and pleasant arcades and Renaissance courtyards. Gone, though, are the former merchants of old. In their place are countless shops, art galleries, restaurants, and cafés.

Other highlights of a walking tour include the town's old moat, a still-busy canal, and well-preserved fortifications. Be sure to also visit Neuer Platz for a chance to see the city's famous Lindwurmbrunnen or Dragon Fountain. Built in 1590, this massive statue is based on the legendary dragon that once supposedly terrorized locals.

And, if time permits, visit nearby Minimundus , a miniature town made up of models of some of the most recognizable buildings from around the globe.

• Read More: Top Tourist Attractions & Things to Do in Klagenfurt

More on Austria

7 Best Day Trips from Salzburg: A Local’s Guide to Top Spots

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You can explore the essentials of Salzburg in a day or two. If you are a curious traveler, you could keep going and won’t run out of new discoveries in the old town. However. If you have more than a day or two, I strongly advise you to take a day trip from Salzburg.

May it be for your Instagram or for your inner peace. In Salzburg, at the foot of the Alps and surrounded by lakes, you don’t want to miss out on the chance to explore beautiful nature, if you have some spare time.

Here are the 7 best day trips from Salzburg, why visit these destinations, and how to get there.

Each of them is unique and worth visiting. This makes Salzburg not only the ideal travel destination for a short stay but also ideal for stays of a week or longer.

Most of these destinations are easy to reach, as public transport developed, even to remote locations. Tours are unnecessary, and the costs to do these day trips on your own are manageable.

1. Berchtesgaden and Kingslake (Königssee)

Let’s start with my favorite destination. It may surprise you that this day trip is not even in Austria. The city of Salzburg borders on Germany. To get to Berchtesgaden, we drive south and cross the German border. The journey takes only 50 minutes.

Berchtesgaden

Berchtesgaden is the typical Bavarian village as you know it from postcards. It lies in the middle of the mountains, at the foot of the impressive mountain Watzmann and Berchtesgaden alone would be worth a trip. However, the real reason to go to Berchtesgaden is either Kingslake or the Eagles Nest.

At Kingslake you will get the feeling that you are in Norway. Walking around the lake is impossible because the mountains are too close to the shore. Therefore, you take a boat to the other side, to the St. Bartholomä. These boat trips are famous for the trumpet that is played and whose sound echoes on the mountain walls. The boats themselves are silent out of respect for nature.

If you don’t want to spend the money on the boat trip, you can go the Malerwinkel circular route and get a glimpse of the other side of the lake. The name Malerwinkel came from the fact that the painters used to paint the lake from this bay. The walk to Malerwinkel and back would take you about 1,5 hours from where the bus drops you and is very easy.

However, I would recommend the boat to get to the other side and if you take the boat, take it to Salet until the last stop! Take it all the way to Salet and walk to Obersee! Kingslake is very touristy, but fewer tourists go all the way to Obersee. There you will find untouched nature at its finest. After a short hike from Salet and past the Obersee, you also reach the highest waterfall in Germany.

How to get to Kingslake from Salzburg?

To reach Kingslake from Salzburg, take bus number 840 from the main station or from Mirabellplatz to Berchtesgaden. You get a day ticket for bus 840 and for the onward journey to Königssee with bus 841 from the bus driver. Just ask for a day ticket. This ticket is valid for both buses. In Berchtesgaden, you get off and wait in the same location for bus 841, which takes you to “Schönau am Königssee”. Also read this article, if you decide to take the day trip to Berchtesgaden and Königssee .

What else is there to do in Berchtesgaden and at Königssee?

Berchtesgaden is the perfect destination for hikers. The possibilities are countless. The Jennerbahn cable car at Kingslake would also offer the possibility to reach a summit without hiking, Berchtesgaden has a salt mine (although I recommend another one) and the Eagles nest is just as worth seeing as the Königssee and an alternative in the area.

2. Berchtesgaden and the Eagles Nest

As with Königssee, you reach the Kehlsteinhaus via Berchtesgaden. On either of those day trips, you have time to explore Berchtesgaden before or after your final destination. I highly recommend it.

Unlike Kingslake, the Eagles Nest (Kehlsteinhaus), is not in between the mountains but on the peak of the mount Kehlstein.

Although the Eagle’s Nest is 1700 meters above sea level, you reach it by bus. That’s because Hitler had his summer residence in the area, they completed the Kehlsteinhaus in 1938 and the Nazis made it accessible by road and elevator. Tourist buses still take the same road today to reach the Kehlsteinhaus.

What to do at the Eagles Nest?

The Kehlsteinhaus is not only interesting because of its history. In fact, there is nothing at the top except for the building. The visit to the Eagles Nest is worthwhile because of the view of the surrounding Berchtesgaden mountains.

Where you can and should deal intensively with history is at the Documentation Center on Obersalzberg, where you change from the public bus to the shuttle bus.

How to reach the Eagles Nest from Salzburg?

To get to the Kehlsteinhaus by bus , just like on the way to Königssee, take the 840 bus from Salzburg to Berchtesgaden. You get the day ticket from the bus driver for €10.40 (2019). In Berchtesgaden, you change to bus 838, which takes you to the documentation center. I recommend you visit the documentation center and then continue with a shuttle bus that costs another €17.10.

Read this article for the complete guide on how to get to the Eagles Nest.

Can you hike the Eagles Nest?

An excellent alternative is a hike from the documentation center. The hike is easy yet strenuous because it’s long. Hiking, however, makes the Eagles Nest the least expensive day trip because there is no entrance fee. Only the cost of the shuttle bus.

Here you find my guide on hiking the Eagles Nest .

ATTENTION: In theory, you could visit Kingslake and the Eagles Nest in one day. In practice, it’s risky because you shouldn’t miss the last bus.

There is also a salt mine in front of Berchtesgaden. I prefer the salt mine in Hallein, maybe because it is the salt mine that I always visited as a child. The salt mine in Berchtesgaden offers almost the same thing. It’s just more touristy.

3. Hallein and the Salt Mines

As mentioned before, I prefer the salt mines on Dürrnberg in Hallein because they are less touristy. These are the salt mines Austrian families visit with their children on the weekends. At least when I was a kid, it was like that.

When should you visit the Salt Mines in Hallein?

Berchtesgaden is where the tour buses go and the salt mines in Hallstatt are almost twice as expensive and even more touristy.

If you have limited time and you are going to Berchtesgaden or to Hallstatt anyway, these are valid options. If you have a day to spare for a salt mine, I would recommend Hallein and Bad Dürrenberg.

Why you should visit Hallein?

The word “Hall” in old German meant salt. Therefore, Hallein, the same as Salzburg, is named after the salt. Hallein is where the archbishops of Salzburg were actually mining their salt. Berchtesgaden belonged to the Bavarians and Hallstatt (also named after the salt) to the Habsburg empire, while Hallein was a part of independent Salzburg.

Even today you can still feel in Hallein that the working class is more at home there. Even after salt mining ceased in 1986, Hallein always had large factories such as a paper mill, Bosch and Johnson and Johnson. If you come to Hallein, I would highly recommend taking a stroll through the old town and up to the church. There is nothing of particular interest there. Compared to Salzburg and the other day trips, however, Hallein allows a different view of authentic Austria.

The Salt Mines on Dürrnberg Mountain

The salt mine in Hallein is located in Bad Dürrenberg on the mountain. So you actually only have to change trains in Hallein, but you can visit the old town before or after the salt mines.

The salt mine itself is like the other salt mines in the area. There is a salt lake, a light show, and several slides. There is also a Celtic village in front of the salt mine where you can see how the Celts used to live. This is especially exciting for children.

Below, in the city of Hallein, there is also a Celtic Museum on the history of salt, the city of Hallein, and the Celts. In the past, they included the ticket to the Celtic Museum in the price for the Salt mines. Today you only get a 20% discount, so I don’t see the museum as a must, even if it is great.

How do you get to the Hallein Salz Mines?

Hallein and the salt mine on Dürrnberg can be reached by the S3 train from Salzburg’s train station to Hallein. You get the ticket from the machine at the station. From the train station in Hallein, you take bus 41 to Dürrnberg and to the salt mine. The mine is just before the village and the stop is called “Bad Dürrenberg Salzbergwerk”. If you are up for an easy hike, I would recommend walking back down to Hallein. It’s easy because it’s all downhill.

4. Hallstatt in the Lake District

Hallstatt is the most popular day trip from Salzburg. With good reason, because Hallstatt is beautiful and unique. Its popularity, however, has also made Hallstatt an overcrowded tourist destination. You can be sure not to have an authentic experience there. Locals are either annoyed or make money from tourism. In 2019 discussions about “Over-tourism” and what they can do about it have reached their peak.

Is Hallstatt worth visiting?

You should go to Hallstatt if this picture book village is on your bucket list or if it has to be in your Instagram feed. It is without a doubt one of the most beautiful places in Austria, if not worldwide. It is not without reason that the Chinese rebuilt Hallstatt in Luoyang. It’s also not without reason that almost a million tourists come to the original Hallstatt each year while Hallstatt has less than 800 inhabitants.

Most tourists visit Hallstatt in the summer. Therefore, you can expect to visit this 800-soul village together with 10.000 other people if you go there in high season.

Hallstatt is mainly about cute buildings. There are two churches, a Catholic and a Protestant church. Next to the Catholic Church, there is an ossuary in which they keep painted skulls. This ossuary exists because there was not enough space for graves in Hallstatt in the past catholic church that didn’t permit cremation yet.

Should you visit the Hallstatt Salt Mines?

The salt mines are opposite the entrance to the village and you reach them via a funicular. As mentioned before, I would only recommend the salt mines in Hallstatt if you definitely want to see a salt mine, have enough time in Hallstatt, and no time to visit another mine. The Hallstatt salt mine costs almost twice as much as other salt mines and offers the same.

How to get to Hallstatt?

What is the best way to reach Hallstatt? The best way to go to Hallstatt is by bus 150 from the Salzburg train station or from Mirabellplatz. After a 1.5-hour bus ride, you change in Bad Ischl to a train to Obertraun. From Obertraun you take the ferry to Hallstatt. You get the combined bus and train ticket from the bus driver and the ferry ticket on the ferry. In total it will cost you about €30,- both ways. The whole journey takes about three hours, but the bus ride takes you across the lake district (Salzkammergut) and is exquisite. In this article, you find a more detailed guide on how to get to Hallstatt from Salzburg.

5. Sankt Wolfgang in the Lake District

Sankt Wolfgang would be my recommendation as an alternative to Hallstatt and is my favorite place in the Lake District (Salzkammergut). Sankt Wolfgang is located at the foot of the 1800-meter-high Schafberg mountain. The steepest steam locomotive in the world drives up the slope of this mountain. Sankt Wolfgang is also touristy but different from Hallstatt. Here you find out more about Sankt Wolfgang and the things to do in Sankt Wolfgang .

How to get to Sankt Wolfgang?

To go to the Wolfgangsee lake you, just like for Hallstatt, take bus 150. The final destination of bus 150 is Bad Ischl, where you would have to change to get to Hallstatt. To reach Sankt Wolfgang, however, you get off in Sankt Gilgen at the beginning of Wolfgangsee lake. In Sankt Gilgen, you are in the right place to take the boat to the town of Sankt Wolfgang.

Know that a return ticket for the boat is €22, – (in 2020) and the return ticket for the steam train is €40.80 (in 2020). Yes. It’s ridiculously expensive but if you don’t mind spending the money, taking the boat and the Schafbergbahn is worth the experience.

The Inexpensive Way to reach Sankt Wolfgang

The alternative and a way of saving money without skipping Sankt Wolfgang is to take bus 150 to Strobl instead of Sankt Gilgen. Then change in Strobl to bus 546 which takes you to Sankt Wolfgang. That would be cheaper, but more complicated and less exciting than the boat. In addition, you would only visit Sankt Gilgen if you put in the extra stop.

What to do in Sankt Gilgen?

Have a look around Sankt Gilgen first! Mozart’s mother lived in Sankt Gilgen and later also his sister. Cafe Dallmann is known as one of the best pastry shops, but also for its rudeness. The cable car to the Zwölferhorn mountain in Sankt Gilgen is being rebuilt in 2020 and would, by the time you read this, be an alternative to Sankt Wolfgang and the steam train. Otherwise, you only take the boat to the other side of the lake.

Here you find more information on the things to do in Sankt Gilgen before taking the boat.

Assure yourself that the Schafbergbahn, the steam train, operates in while you are there. You could also hike mount Schafberg instead of taking the Schafbergbahn. The hike is not challenging, but it takes a few hours to reach the top. The hike is particularly recommended when the steam train is out of season, but the weather is good enough for hiking. There are far fewer people when the train is not operating.

6. Fuschlsee in the Lake District

Fuschlsee is the lake you want to go to if you would like to be with locals and can do without tourist attractions. There is nothing to see in Fuschl except the Red Bull headquarters next to the main road opposite the village. What there is in Fuschl is a lake that you can hike around and in which you can swim in summer. Fuschl is the place if you want to relax.

The Fuschlsee lake is ideal for cooling off on hot days but is also great for ambitious water sports enthusiasts. The water quality is one of the best in Austria. Every spring the Fuschlsee crossing takes place with the 200 swimmers covering the distance of either 4.2 kilometers or 2.1 kilometers.

Crossing on your own is only recommended for experienced swimmers and not if you are alone but if you are unsure, you can swim along the shore. Stand-up paddle, kayak or various types of boats can be borrowed from Fuschlsee to explore the lake in this way.

Hiking at Lake Fuschlsee

The hike around the lake takes about 3 hours and is very easy. It’s flat. Alternatively, you could also hike from Fuschl to Sankt Gilgen and further into the lake district. This hike would be just as easy, except for the descent to Sankt Gilgen, and it is very unpopular.

If you are interested in an unpopular hike and in being alone, here you find an article on the hike from Fuschl to Sankt Gilgen .

Fuschl also offers itself to climb the 1300-meter-high Schober. A mountain hike that takes no longer than 2-3 hours and is neither too difficult nor too easy.

How to get to Lake Fuschlsee?

To reach Lake Fuschl you also take bus 150, as with the two previous destinations and with most places in the lake district. Of all the day trips listed here, Lake Fuschl is not only the most untouristic but also the easiest and cheapest to get to. It’s the closest lake district lake from the city of Salzburg. You can get the ticket for a single trip directly from the bus driver for €5.90 and the journey takes 40 minutes.

ATTENTION: You will want to get off at Fuschlsee at the stop “Fuschl am See Brunnerwirt”. This stop is in front of Red Bull headquarters which is definitely worth a look. From there you only have to cross the street to reach the town of “Fuschl am See” and the lake itself.

For more information on the Hike around Fuschlsee, read this article.

7. The Ice Caves in Werfen

Werfen is home to the biggest ice caves in the world. These ice caves are in the south of Salzburg and are considered the biggest Ice Caves in the world. To reach Werfen you will have to go further into the Alps, which deserves a trip even without Ice Caves. It will take you a while by train, shuttle bus, hiking, and cable car, but every step along the way is worth it due to the stunning surroundings.

Furthermore, Werfen, where the Ice Caves are, is a place that remains authentic despite the masses of people visiting. That’s just my opinion, but I was very delighted by the shuttle bus driver who went out of his way to take us to the fortress of Werfen because we were the last tourists on the bus. That’s usually not happening in touristy places in Austria.

The Ice Caves itself are an adventure. Once you reach the caves after two 20-minute hikes, you get some 19th-century lamps. Inside the caves, it would be dark without these lamps. The mandatory tour takes about an hour. While receiving lots of information about the history and the conditions of the caves, you climb almost 1500 slippery steps along ice sculptures and lakes.

Read this article, if you want to know more about the Werfen Ice Caves .

What else can you do in Werfen?

There is also a fortress you could visit in Werfen after the Ice Caves but, to be honest, I prefer the fortress in Salzburg over the Hohenwerfen fortress. The Hohenwerfen fortress looks amazing from the outside and the falcon’s show is worth seeing, but there is not much to do inside. If you visit the fortress for the falcon’s show, ask at the entrance if it’s happening! There is no reduction in price when the falcons are off.

How to reach the Ice Caves in Werfen?

To get to the Werfen Ice Caves, you take a train from the Salzburg train station to Werfen. You get the ticket from the ticket machine. Trains run every half an hour. From the station in Werfen, you take the shuttle bus. You get off the bus at the visitor’s center where you buy a ticket for the cable car and the caves. After a 20-minute walk, you are at the cable car which will take you up to 1600 meters where, after another short hike, you reach the entrance of the caves and wait for a group to gather around your guide.

Read this article for more details on how to reach the Werfen Ice Caves from Salzburg !

If you have enough time, go on a day trip from Salzburg! Choose a destination according to your interests. Each of them is equally worth visiting. Basically, it’s three areas you can visit. The Eagles Nest or Kingslake in Berchtesgaden, one of the places in the lake district or the Werfen Ice Caves.

You can also visit Hallein and Bad Dürrenberg to see my hometown and for my favorite salt mines, but you would also find salt mines in Hallstatt in the lake district, or in Berchtesgaden.

These are the best day trip destinations from Salzburg. If you are looking for less popular, less touristy destinations, check this article on my favorite off-the-beaten-path day trips from Salzburg!

My name is Gerhard, Founder of Free Walking Tour Salzburg. I am an intrepid traveler myself and understand the passion for adventure that independent travelers feel. I love to interact with travelers, share stories, answer questions, recommend places to eat, and offer ideas of things to see and do.

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The Salzkammergut, also known as Austria’s Lake District, is a region located in the northeastern part of the country, known for its picturesque lakes, mountains, and charming towns. It stretches over two Austrian federal states,…

What to Expect from a Visit to the Werfen Ice Caves?

The Ice Caves in Werfen, Austria are the largest Ice Caves in the world. They are convenient to reach from Salzburg, and besides the Lake district and Berchtesgaden, the Werfen Ice Caves in summer are…

Dachstein Krippenstein: Five Fingers, Two Buses, a Train and the Cable Cars

Let me tell you about my experience visiting Dachstein Krippenstein. The Dachstein mountain range in the Austrian Alps is breathtaking, with Dachstein Krippenstein in the Salzkammergut Lake District as the crown jewel. It’s located near…

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18+ Spectacular Day Trips from Salzburg, Austria

• January 23, 2024
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Salzburg, Austria is a charming little town in Austria that is most well known as the filming location for the Sound of Music and being the birthplace of Mozart. While there are a ton of things to do in Salzburg , it is also a great place to base yourself for exploring the surrounding area. There are so many amazing and best day trips from Salzburg, you could easily spend a week or two in the area. 

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Where to Stay in Salzburg

Salzburg is a fantastic place to base yourself to take many amazing day trips. Thus, you will want a convenient and affordable hotel. This post will cover some of the various options, but the Holiday Inn Salzburg City is a good location for day trips. It is close to the train station and has affordable parking options.

Best Day Trips from Salzburg: Less Than One Hour

Gosausee, austria.

By Angie of We’re Not in Kansas Anymore

Travel Time: 15 minutes

If you are visiting Salzburg and want to get out of the city and back to nature, you are in luck because one of Austria’s prettiest and most easily accessible lakes is an easy day trip away! Gosausee is an emerald green alpine lake surrounded by the Dachstein Mountain range. 

The glasslike surface of the lake reflects the surrounding mountains creating a picture-perfect landscape! Gosausee Lake is a one hour and 15-minute drive (50 miles) south of Salzburg and is best done by car. 

Don’t have a car? The trip can also be done by bus since buses stop just steps from the lake. However, expect a very long day if you take this trip by bus. It’s a 3.5-hour bus ride from Salzburg. No matter how you arrive at this magical lake, it’s well worth the effort! 

There are many ways to spend your time on Gosausee , one of the most popular being the forested trail that circles the lake. Laze the day away on the shores of the lake swimming and sunbathing or take a rowboat out on the lake itself. 

Another popular activity is to make your way up the Gosaukamm Cable Car for panoramic views of the surrounding area. While you’re in the area don’t miss the famous lake-hugging storybook town of Hallstatt, which is located just 13 miles down the road! Hallstatt is one of the best day trips from Salzburg.

Gaisberg, Austria

By Audrey of That Backpacker

Travel Time: 30 minutes

If you’re craving time out in nature but don’t want to venture too far outside Salzburg, I recommend a hiking day trip to Gaisberg . Gaisberg is a local mountain east of Salzburg that stands 1,287 meters above sea level. It forms part of the Salzkammergut Mountains, a range in the Northern Limestone Alps.

Getting to Gaisberg from Salzburg is super easy since it’s only 9 miles away. You can catch bus #151 at Mirabellplatz right in the center of town and it’s a 30-minute ride to Gaisberg Gaisbergspitze at the peak. If you plan to hike, you can get off even sooner at Gaisberg Zistelalm, where you’ll find several trailheads. 

The beauty of Gaisberg is that you can enjoy a variety of forest trails ranging in level of difficulty, go tandem paragliding, or even perch yourself at one of the mountaintop restaurants and enjoy a pint of beer with Marend , a snacking board with assorted meats, cheeses and bread. It’s the perfect day out in the mountains and it feels worlds away from the city!

As a tip, be sure to double-check the bus schedule so you don’t miss the last #151 bus down the mountain. Otherwise, it’ll be a long walk down to Koppl Guggenthal before you can catch another bus back into the city. No matter what, it is one of the best day trips from Salzburg.

Lake Wolfgangsee, Austria

By Martina of PlacesofJuma

One of the best day trips from Salzburg is to Lake Wolfgangsee , undeniably a beautiful experience and a recommendation for those looking to explore one of the most stunning lakes in Austria. Situated approximately 20 miles east of Salzburg, the car journey takes about half an hour, making it easily accessible for a day excursion. Alternatively, you can opt for public transportation, such as the bus, to enjoy a scenic route through the Austrian countryside.

Lake Wolfgangsee, a breathtaking lake surrounded by mountains, charming villages, and lush greenery, boasts a picturesque setting straight from a storybook. It serves as a serene and charming contrast to the hustle and bustle of Salzburg. 

The lake is also renowned for its association with Mozart, who composed several pieces during his visit to the region. A must-visit is St. Wolfgang, one of the most beautiful villages along the lakeshore, where you’ll find the White Horse Inn, a historic 15th-century hotel offering delightful dining options.

During a trip to Lake Wolfgangsee, you can engage in a variety of activities, from boat rides on the crystal-clear water to exploring charming lakeside villages like St. Gilgen and Strobl. For the adventurous, there are hiking trails that provide panoramic views of the lake and the surrounding mountains.

A true highlight is the journey on the Red Train up to Schafberg. In just about 30 minutes, covering a distance of 4.2 km, the SchafbergBahn reaches the Schafbergalm station at an elevation of 1,364 meters. From this vantage point, you’ll enjoy arguably the most spectacular panorama of the Salzburg region, with its many beautiful lakes.

Mondsee, Austria

By Melissa of Parenthood and Passports

Mondsee, Austria is a delightful lakeside community just 17 miles, or a 30-minute drive outside the city of Salzburg. 

Mondsee is best known for the stately centuries-old basilica that stands at the center of the village. The Mondsee Abbey, or Basilica St. Michael as it is formally known, was the filming location for the wedding of Maria and Baron Von Trapp in the iconic movie The Sound of Music . Although the pale yellow exterior of the church was never actually shown in the movie, it is a must-visit for cinema lovers and fans of the classic film. 

Aside from touring the basilica, the alpine lake, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, is a popular place to spend a day. During the warm summer months, you can swim, windsurf, or rent a paddle boat to explore the crescent-shaped lake. 

You’ll also find plenty of beautiful hiking trails around the lake that range from leisure strolls to more intense mountaineering terrain. 

The easiest way to get to Mondsee is to rent a car and drive from Salzburg, however, you can also take a bus, or join the popular The Sound of Music tour, which makes a brief stop in Mondsee. Mondsee is one of the best day trips from Salzburg. 

St. Gilgen, Austria

By Joanna of the World in My Pocket

Travel Time: 45 minutes

St. Gilgen is a beautiful mountain town that makes for one of the best day trips from Salzburg. The direct bus takes 44 minutes to reach St Gilgen, from Salzburg’s main train station. You can also drive to St Gilgen in about half an hour and because the village is located on the Romantic Road of Austria, you will have a very scenic drive. The distance between Salzburg and St Gilgen is 17 miles.

There are plenty of things to do in St Gilgen , no matter which season you are visiting. In summer, you must take the Zwölferhorn cable car up to the top of the mountain with the same name. There are several easy hiking trails starting from the cable car station, as well as several alpine restaurants serving typical mountain dishes such as Käsespäetzle or the Schmalz platter. The views from the trail are spectacular.

If you are into adrenaline sports, you can take a paragliding lesson. The office is located in the same building as the cable car, and the experience includes the equipment and the ride up the mountain. In winter, the slopes of the mountain become ski pistes.

Because St Gilgen is located on the shores of the Wolfgangsee Lake, you can also go swimming at the Lido, or hire an electric boat for a relaxing one-hour sail with stunning mountain views.

The village of St Gilgen itself is very charming. You can easily spend one hour just strolling around, taking photos of the wooden buildings with balconies decorated with flowers.

Lake Königssee, Austria

By Adri of Traveltipzone

Lake Königssee, a natural lake in the enchanting Bavarian Alps, is a great destination for nature lovers. Located near the German-Austrian border, within the Berchtesgaden National Park, the lake is known as one of the most beautiful places in the Bavarian Alps .

The Königssee is easily accessible by car from Salzburg, with a distance of only 30 km (19 mi), reachable in just over half an hour. It makes it a perfect choice for day trips from Salzburg.

While the Königssee can be reached by train from Salzburg, there is no direct train to the lake since the nearest train station is in Berchtesgaden. From Berchtesgaden, you can take a bus to the lake, which is only 5 km away.

The Königssee is navigable only by electric boats, rowboats, and pedal boats. Unfortunately, hiking around the lake is quite challenging as there is no road circling the lake. The more distant parts of the lake can be reached by hiking trails or by boat. Boat tours depart from the northwest side of the lake, offering a chance to experience the lake’s echo with an interesting trumpet performance.

With its crystal-clear water, lush forests, and majestic mountains, the Königssee is an ideal destination for a summer excursion, whether you enjoy hiking, photography, or swimming.

During the boat tour, you have the opportunity to visit the famous Saint Bartholomew’s Church, located on the western shore of the lake, known for its spectacular red onion domes. Another must-see near the Königssee is Obersee, situated to the south, offering an ideal place for hiking and relaxation.

If you have more time to explore the area, Königssee offers several other interesting attractions, including waterfalls like Königsbach, Schrainbach, and Rötbach waterfalls.

In conclusion, at Königssee, you can enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities by the lake. Therefore, Königssee is an excellent destination for day trips from Salzburg if you’re looking for outdoor adventures.

Berchtesgaden National Park, Germany

by Susanna of Curiosity Saves Travel

Travel Time: 30 minutes-1 hour

Visiting Berchtesgaden National Park makes for one of the most incredible day trips from Salzburg filled with nature, history, and culture. The stunning national park, adorned with snow-capped mountains, beautiful lakes, and charming alms (farms), lies just across the border in the German Alps. 

Several transportation options are available to reach Berchtesgaden. For those on a road trip through the region, a scenic 16-mile drive takes just over 30 minutes. Alternatively, mass transit options include bus 840 for a 1-hour ride from Salzburg Hbf to Berchtesgaden Hbf, or train travel involving the S3 from Salzburg Hbf to Freilassing, followed by a transfer to the BRB train to Berchtesgaden Hbf.

Once in Berchtesgaden, visitors can enjoy numerous experiences, making it hard to choose how to spend the day. A recommended starting point is the House of the Mountains Visitor Center to gain familiarity with the national park and its ecology. 

For active outdoor enthusiasts, numerous hikes are available, ranging from a challenging full-day trek to Gotzenalm to a more leisurely walk along the Wimbach River. Alternatively, a ride up the Jennerbahn to the top of a mountain offers scenic views and an opportunity to relax with a beer. 

Berchtesgaden is also an excellent place for renting mountain bikes or trying activities such as canyoneering or Klettersteig with a guide. Culture and history enthusiasts may find interest in visiting the Eagle’s Nest or the Dokumentation Museum, exploring the WWII history in the park.

While there are buses that can take visitors to popular areas of the park, navigating Berchtesgaden itself can be challenging. Planning ahead, or booking a tour or excursion with a guide is advisable, especially for those who do not drive a personal vehicle.

Best Day Trips from Salzburg: 1-2 Hours

Hallstatt, austria.

By Sabrina of Shades of Summr

Travel Time: 1 hour

Hallstatt is one of the most iconic destinations and one of the best day trips from Salzburg. The historic little village is located next to a lake, and nestled in between some impressive mountains. It is definitely a sight to see. 

Hallstatt is about 49 miles away from Salzburg. The easiest way to get there is by car. There is enough parking, and the drive is pretty scenic. It takes about an hour to get there. You can also take the train or book a guided day tour.  When taking the train from Salzburg or Vienna to Hallstatt, you need to switch trains in Attnang Puchheim, so it takes a bit longer.

The cute city of Hallstatt is protected as a World Heritage Site. But that is not the only reason you should visit. You can take a furnace up the mountain and will be rewarded with a one of a kind view over the lake and the village. 

Adventurers can check out the Hallstatt Salt Mines, some of the oldest in Europe. You can visit an interesting museum and even go down the mines yourself. Another cool but slightly creepy place to visit is the Charnel house, where old and painted skulls are stored.  But my favorite thing to do in Hallstatt is explore the cute town center. Take a walk and make sure to have your camera ready for some great snapshots. 

The best time to visit Hallstatt is in winter. With some snow, the village looks extra scenic. Hallstatt even has its own Christmas market. But the village is popular year-round, so make sure to avoid the high season in summer, since it can get pretty crowded.

Zell Am See, Austria

By Kami of My Wanderlust

Travel Time: 1.5 hours

One of the most popular places to visit in Austria and an easy and one of the best day trips from Salzburg is Zell am See (55 miles away), a town located picturesquely right on the Zeller lake shore, surrounded by magnificent mountains. The best way to get there is by train, there are connections from Salzburg every hour, either direct or with a convenient change in Schwarzach-St. Veit. The journey time is a bit over an hour and a half. 

Once you are there, you can enjoy all the great things to do in Zell am See . Right outside the train station, you can find a pleasant promenade along the lake – one of the highlights of the town. 

Don’t miss the boat ride on Zeller Lake – the views from that perspective are simply stunning. You can choose between panorama tours or regular boats crossing the lake – either way, you are in for a treat. Since Zell am See is one of the oldest settlements in the area, there is a nice yet small old town, with the Church of St. Hippolyt dominating the area. 

For the best views of the surrounding mountains, you can take one of the cable cars up and enjoy a beautiful panorama of the Alps. The one that can take you the highest, up to 2000 meters above sea level, is Schmittenhöhebahn. From the top, you can admire the vista of over thirty peaks with an altitude of 3000 meters and more. There are also panorama platforms, photo points, and more. You can even do a bit of hiking there before returning to Salzburg.

Bad Gastein, Austria

 By Ashley of Jetset Jansen

Just a short drive away from Salzburg is a charming town tucked into the Alps. Bad Gastein is surrounded by mountains and the town is staggered on the slopes so there are stunning views all over. It is one of the best day trips from Salzburg.

The winding roads take you through town where there’s a waterfall that runs right through the middle and a beautiful church in the center. If you want a bird’s eye view of the town, there’s even a zipline to take you from one side to the other.

It’s located about an hour and fifty minutes directly south of Salzburg and has some great mountain activities whether you visit in the winter or summer. Winter is a great time to visit when the town is cozy and snowy, but if you visit in the summer, you’ll get beautiful, green views of the mountains and can do some hiking in the Alps. 

 It’s located at the foot of the Stubnerkogel mountain–a ski resort with a gondola at the top of Bad Gastein. You can spend the day skiing or go up the mountain to take in the views from the suspension bridge across the Alps or the viewpoint platforms. When you come off the mountain, you can hit the bars for après skiing or relax at a theme–a thermal spa with saunas and hot water pools.

Mauthausen, Austria

By Taylor from Traverse With Taylor

A popular day trip from Salzburg is a visit to what remains of the Nazi Concentration Camp, Mauthausen. Located about an hour and a half from Salzburg (just over 140km),  this may be one of the more difficult trips to make from Salzburg- simply because visiting a site that is steeped in so much tragedy is mind-blowingly overwhelming. Nonetheless, it is important to visit Holocaust sites to learn from them. 

Although not as well-known as concentration camps such as Auschwitz , Mauthausen is still incredibly well-preserved and worth your time.  It is a tough place to visit but one of the best day trips from Salzburg.

If you have rented a car in Salzburg, the drive to Mauthausen is a straight shot up the A1. If not, I recommend you book a guided day trip tour. Tours leave from Salzburg to Mauthausen every day, and they often include hotel pickup, a local guide, and sometimes even lunch or other stops along the way.

The majority of the concentration camp site is still intact, meaning that a tour around the grounds will show visitors barracks, guard towers, many perimeter walls, crematoriums, and numerous museum and memorial exhibitions. Visitors will also see the stairs of death, though you cannot walk down them.

There is no charge to visit Mauthausen. A free electronic guide is available for smartphones, or you can purchase an audio guide at the site for €3.00. Guided tours are also available at the memorial for € 5.00. It is worth noting that children under the age of 14 are not recommended to visit.

Kitzbühel, Germany

By Marina of Paulmarina

Located in the Tyrol region, Kitzbühel is about 1 hour, or 50 miles, away from Salzburg city by car. The best way to get there is to hire a car and drive across the scenic small German corner, Berchtesgaden, from Salzburg via Bad Reichenhall and Lofer to the Kitzbühel Alps. 

The Kitzbühel ski resort is also a popular hiking destination in the warmer months of the year and offers also some easily accessible panoramic view points, such as the one on the Kitzbühlerhorn mountain. The small colorful city is a popular hangout for jet-setters and famous people and therefore, you will find a few luxury stores such as Louis Vuitton and Bogner there. 

Two major international sporting events are held in Kitzbühel every year, the Hahnenkamm downhill skiing race in January and the Generali Open Tennis competition in the summer months. 

The black lake, near the old town, is a great place to unwind any time of the year. The lake is freely accessible for a swim in the summer, and electronic boats can be hired to go out on the lake. From there you get a fantastic view of the Kaiser mountain range. 

On a day trip, visit some other authentic Tyrolean villages nearby, such as St. Johann in Tirol, Going am Wilden Kaiser or Hopfgarten to immerse yourself in rural Austrian mountain village life. A few unique boutiques selling local specialties can be found hidden in these villages. No matter what, Kizbuhel is one of the best day trips from Salzburg.

Munich, Germany

By Jenelle of Happy Little Rover

If you’re searching for one of the best day trips from Salzburg, look no further than the ancient city of Munich, just over the border in Germany. Easily reached on public transportation, admire scenic villages as you travel the 1.5 hours to the Bavarian capital. Alternatively, it will take a similar amount of time to drive the 89 miles to Munich. 

Boasting an impressive array of enormous churches and fairytale town halls to marvel at, you simply can’t miss seeing these beauties up close. Stop by the delightful Neues Rathaus in time for the Glockenspiel show at 11am and 12pm each day. Life sized figurines twirl and joust high above visitors and locals alike, accompanied by classical music. 

You can also climb the bell tower of Alter Peter (Old Peter) for an incredible view over the Old Town, the vista stretches off to the Bavarian Alps if the weather is good. For lunch, stop by one of Munich’s famous beer halls for a taste of Bavarian hospitality. The Hofbräuhaus is famous for its live oompah music and hearty meals, make sure to order a stein of golden beer to wash down your schnitzel! It’s about as close as you can get to experiencing Oktoberfest if you won’t be visiting in time for the famous folk festival. 

It goes without saying that if you’ll be here in time for the celebrations, it’s well worth popping over to the beer tents to join in the fun. If you’re searching for more ideas on what to see on your trip to Munich, I have the perfect walking tour all written up for you to help you make the most of your time in this stunning city.  

Werfen Ice Caves

By Anna of Big World Short Stories

The whole area surrounding Salzburg is very scenic and there are many great day trips available from Salzburg. One of the best day trips is visiting the largest ice caves in the world, the Werfen Ice Caves . The caves are located in the town called Werfen less than an hour’s drive from Salzburg. Distance between Werfen town and Salzburg is about 55 km (35 miles), plus an additional 5 km (3 miles) from the train station to hike to the ice caves.

Several trains are going from Salzburg main train station to Werfen. You can take either the S3 or REX train line. One way ticket costs 9,30 euros, and you can buy it at OBB ticket vending machines directly at the train station or online. Austrian trains are very modern and comfortable, equipped with all the basic amenities. After you arrive at Werfen train station, you will find a shuttle bus which will take you directly to the visitor center of the ice caves where you can buy your entrance tickets.

You need at least 3-4 hours for visiting the ice caves including a short but very scenic hike to the entrance. If you start your day trip from Salzburg very early, you can also visit Hohenweren Castle which is also located in Werfen town very close to the ice caves. The Werfen ice caves are one of the best day trips from Salzburg.

Linz, Austria

By Viktoria of Chronic Wanderlust

The capital of Upper Austria, Linz , is only a little over an hour away by train from Salzburg. Connections run several times an hour by ÖBB (Austrian national railways) and Westbahn (a private railway company). It’s a high-speed train that connects the two cities, and the distance is 82 miles. Do yourself a favor and avoid driving to Linz, as the traffic is unpredictable, and it will take you a lot longer than the train ride.

Linz is a great place for a day trip from Salzburg, and while it doesn’t quite compare to Mozart’s birthplace, there’s still plenty to explore. Once you arrive in Linz, hop on the tram or enjoy the short walk to the city center. Stroll along Landstraße, which is the main street with plenty of shops. One of my favorite alleys is called Bischofsstraße, and this is where you’ll find cute little shops selling home decor, stationary, and other things you might not need but definitely want.

For grand views of Linz either join a tour of Mariendom (New Cathedral) and head up to the roof (this option is for those who don’t mind heights), or walk up to Schlossmuseum (castle museum) and enjoy the views from the terrace. Another option is to take the tram up to Pöstlingsberg and see all of Linz and its surroundings from up there.

Linz is also known for its art and especially for its Ars Electronica Center. It’s a futuristic museum with lots of interactive parts. When there, make sure to check the schedule for their Deep Space and plan your trip accordingly.

Best Day Trips from Salzburg: 2+ Hours

Mayrhofen, austria.

By Morgan of Crave the Planet

Travel Time: 2 hours

The alpine mountain town of Mayrhofen is one of the best day trips from Salzburg to soak in impressive and awe inspiring glaciers, mountains and hiking paths for the adventurous at heart.

Mayrhofen is at the end of the famous Zillertal Valley and only a 2-hour car ride at 110 miles away.  The train is fairly direct but takes on average 2:45 min depending on the time of day.

It’s worth a day trip because this range of mountains is mightier than near Salzburg and gives you a real opportunity to feel the Alpine lifestyle, from festivals bringing home the cows in September to rafting underground inside the Hintertux glacier at Nature’s Ice Palace.

The absolute most incredible views can be had at the nearby Olperer Hutte bridge sitting at 7,837 ft of elevation over the cerulean blue Schegeisspeicher lake.  You can ride the flying fox off the dam itself, or even hike a total of 8 miles to cross over the peaks of the Alps and into Italy for lunch at the lovely Pfitzerjochhaus rifugio. 

The town itself has a variety of lovely restaurants and shops for alpine gifts if you want your adventure to be a bit more mellow.

Innsbruck, Austria

By Lavina D’Souza of Continent Hop

The Austrian Alps hide a paradise called Innsbruck, which is just waiting to be found. It is also very convenient to get here from Salzburg. It is about 190 kilometers (or 120 miles) away from Innsbruck. It will take two hours to drive or ride a train and the place is one of the best day trips from Salzburg.

This quaint town provides a mix of urban and alpine in an enjoyable setting. It is famous for its breathtaking mountain background, vibrant cultural life, and historical monuments. Old Town is indeed fascinating with its medieval architecture which can be witnessed in the famous Golden Roof (Goldenes Dachl) and Imperial Palace (Hofburg).

Adding Innsbruck to your 10-day Europe itinerary is a wonderful idea because this lovely city’s combination of nature, history, and culture in addition to its proximity to Salzburg makes it one of the best places for day trips with memorable scenes.

On the other hand, for lovers of nature pursuits, skiing at Nordkette mountains – belonging to Austria’s biggest national park- can be done by cable car. The spectacular views available from Seegrube Station at 1905 meters are highly recommended. Winter transforms these slopes into a skier’s delight. Summer provides good hiking trails for nature lovers.

The Tyrolean Folk Art Museum and Ambras Castle, which represents the local culture in terms of history and art would be appreciated by cultural fans. As a modern highlight, the architectural spectacle of Bergisel Ski Jump features a panoramic restaurant at its peak which offers culinary delights like no other.

Begin your day early and wear comfortable walking shoes, also make sure that you enjoy authentic Tyrolean delicacies. Innsbruck has a superb public transport system that enables you to travel within the area effortlessly.

Final Thoughts on the Best Day Trips from Salzburg

It is not hard to fall in love with the charming town of Salzburg. It is a great place to base yourself to take some of the best day trips from Salzburg. If you have more time, spend time in Vienna or Munich to round out an amazing trip to Bavaria. 

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Hi! I’m Francesca, a native Californian and history teacher who loves to travel. I’ve been to 66 countries across 7 continents and all 50 United States.

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THE 10 BEST Day Trips from Salzburg

Day trips from salzburg.

• Salzburg to Hallstatt
• Salzburg to Berchtesgaden
• Salzburg to Vienna
• Salzburg to Werfenweng
• Private Day Trips
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
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• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
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• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Hallstatt and Salt Mines Small-Group Tour from Salzburg

2. Hallstatt Half-Day Tour from Salzburg

3. Salzburg Super Saver: Hallstatt & Original Sound of Music Tour

4. Private Day Tour of Salzburg, Hallstatt and Melk from Vienna

5. Skip-The-Line Salt-Mines and Bavarian Mountains Tour from Salzburg

6. Private Day Tour of Hallstatt and Salzburg from Vienna

7. Private Full-Day Tour of Hallstatt and Salzkammergut from Salzburg with Options

8. Full Day Tour from Vienna: Wachau, Melk, Hallstatt & Salzburg

9. The Hills Are Alive

10. Sound of Music / Hallstatt Tour

11. Original Sound of Music Tour Salzburg With Schnitzel and Noodle

12. Salzburg Small-Group Day Trip from Vienna

13. Full-Day Minivan Tour From Salzburg to Hallstatt with 5 Fingers,Lakes&Mountains

14. Eagle's Nest and Hallstatt Private Tour from Salzburg

15. Salzburg Super Saver: Original Sound of Music and Salt Mines Day Trip

16. Eagle's Nest, Lake Königssee and 'Fuehrer Headquarters' Private Tour from Munich

17. Private Customized Tour of Salzburg

18. Sound of Music Tour with Edelweiss Cooking Class in Salzburg

19. Private Half-Day Eagle's Nest Tour from Salzburg

20. DAY TRIP Salzburg to Hallstatt Via St.Gilgen, Wolfgang See & Bad Ischl

21. Ice Caves, Waterfalls, and Salt Mines Private Tour from Salzburg

22. Herrenchiemsee Palace EXCLUSIVE Lake Chiemsee Tour with Salzburg or EAGLE'S NEST from Munich

23. Private Eagles Nest and Salt Mines Tour from Salzburg

24. Sound of Music Private Tour including do-re-mi hiking trail

25. Original Sound of Music and Eagle's Nest Private Full-Day Tour from Salzburg

26. Private Werfen Ice Cave and Golling Waterfall from Salzburg

27. Private Sound-of-Music and Historic Salzburg Tour from Munich

28. Private tour of Melk, Hallstatt and Salzburg from Vienna

29. Private Tour: Salzburg Lake District and Hallstatt from Salzburg

30. Salzburg and Hallstatt Private Day Trip from Vienna

What travellers are saying.

• Salzburg Sightseeing Day Trip from Munich by Rail
• Hallstatt Half-Day Tour from Salzburg
• Hallstatt and Salt Mines Small-Group Tour from Salzburg
• Salzburg Super Saver: Hallstatt & Original Sound of Music Tour
• Private Day Tour of Salzburg, Hallstatt and Melk from Vienna
• Edelweiss Tours
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11 Amazing Day Trips From Salzburg, Austria [2024]

• Post author: Nicoletta
• Reading time: 45 mins read
• Post last modified: January 26, 2024
• Post comments: 1 Comment

Salzburg and its surroundings offer some of the most beautiful places in Austria and Europe. So they definitely can’t be missing on your itinerary. I lived in Salzburg for 3 years while studying at the University and visited all the places multiple times. Even now, I love coming back as I love them and feel at home there.

In this article, I’ve compiled a list of the 11 best day trips from Salzburg so you can enjoy the region and its beauties from a local’s perspective .

Whether you want to make a more  relaxing boat tour  or have some  adrenaline  and  experience adventure  in salt mines, I’ve covered it all for you.

Let’s explore one of the most beautiful parts of Austria together.

✈ Travel Resources For Your Trip ✈

Here are some of my favorite travel resources I use for my travel adventures.

List Of The Best Day Trips From Salzburg

Here is a quick list of the 11 day trips from Salzburg for you to better navigate through the article:

• Werfen Castle
• Giant Ice Caves
• Hallstatt & Sky Walk & Salt Mines
• St. Wolfgang Lake
• Schafberg Mountain
• Berchtesgaden & Salt Mines
• Eagle’s Nest
• Könnigsee (King’s Lake)
• Hallein Salt Mines & Celtic Village
• Mondsee – Sound Of Music Tour
• Oberndorf Bei Salzburg & Bridge To Germany

Map Of The Places For Excursions From Salzburg

Below is a map of all the places for excursions from Salzburg. Save it and use it when visiting some of them.

Travel Itinerary Planning Services

How to get around the salzburg region.

You can take local trains or buses or rent a car to make these excursions from Salzburg.

Local buses and trains will take you everywhere you want. The only disadvantage is that you won’t have as much flexibility and will have to stick to the timetable.

If you decide to take public transportation to any place, check the connections via the official website of Salzburg’s transportation .

Renting a car is the best and most convenient way to make these trips. This way, you’ll have enough time to explore each spot, the flexibility to stop wherever you want, and even visit several places within one day.

RENT A CAR FOR YOUR ITINERARY

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1. Werfen Castle

Explore the history of Werfen Castle (Sound Of Music spot).

The first place for a day trip takes us to a nearby town called Werfen. You’ll spot its stunning castle already from the highway.

Prince Archibishop built this castle to protect his holdings from King Henry IV of Germany. It sits  above the River Salzach , an important trade route in the past. 

Werfen Castle has also been  featured in many movies  and TV shows, such as Clint Eastwood’s Where Eagles Dare to the Call of Duty and the famous Sound of Music. 

You can buy entrance tickets to the castle on the spot.

The  meadow  near Werfen castle was where  Von Trap’s children ran down with Maria,  singing  Do-Re-Mi . You can take time to walk through after you visit the castle.

2. Giant Ice Caves

Walk through the largest ice cave complex in the world .

Not too far away from Werfen, you can explore the largest ice cave complex in the world – Eisriesenwelt . So if you want, you can visit it together with Werfen and its castle in a day.

Enjoy the 70-minute exploration of  Giant Ice Caves . Take a cable car near  Dr. Oedl-Haus  and let yourself be blown away by the ice cave world up in the mountains. 

On a sunny day, you’ll also get amazing views of the Salzach Valley.

Don’t forget to bring  extra layers of clothes  for this excursion. You’ll be walking through the ice walls.

💡 NOTE: You have to book entrance tickets in advance online . The ice caves are closed in the winter.

👉 READ ALSO: Epic Austria Road Trip: 7, 10, 14 Days In Austria

3. Hallstatt & Sky Walk & Salt Mines

Explore the picturesque Hallstatt town, see stunning panorama of the Salzkammergut region, and have fun in the oldest salt mines in the world.

Hallstatt, the little  Celtic village , became a UNESCO WORLD Heritage Site in 1997.

It’s more than 7000 years old and is one of the highlights of Austria’s famous  Salzkammergut region . Many say it’s one of Europe’s  oldest still inhabited places . 

It’s also home to the  oldest salt mine  in the world. You can do several activities in the town, so keep reading to learn about the best things to do here.

Best Things To Do In Hallstatt

1. Walk through Hallstatt town without using Google Maps 2. Cruise On Lake Hallstat t 3. Enjoy panoramic views from Hallstatt Skywalk 4. Have fun in Hallstatt Salt Mines

Hallstatt is a tiny village worth walking around and simply enjoying the atmosphere. Try to  stroll through  its tiny streets  without using Google Maps .

Just walk anywhere your legs take you. It’s so much fun, and you’ll explore many interesting things in this charming village.

Also, check out the  Instagram Spot  for photos: Gosaumühlstrasse , which is only 5 minutes from the town center.

Cruise On The Hallstatt Lake

Take a boat cruise on Lake Hallstatt. You can do a large tour of three lake villages:  Hallstatt ,  Obertraun , and  Bad Goisern .

Find out how the lake was created and what villages are on it, learn about  fish habitats  in the lake, and enjoy the unique atmosphere of the Salzkammergut region.

You’ll most probably see  swans on Lake Hallstatt . However, they weren’t always here. The  Austrian Empress Sisi  imported them here while she was vacationing in Hallstatt. She loved swans and couldn’t imagine the stunning views of the Lake without them.

Hallstatt Skywalk

Afterward, go to the Hallstatt Skywalk, located on  Salzberg Hill . This viewing platform will give you  panoramic views  of the Hallstatt village, Lake Hallstatt, and the entire Salzkammergut area, which will blow your mind. 

Take a  panorama funicular , which will get you up just within 10 minutes. Be aware that you have to be at the station  30 minutes before  the funicular departure. Also, don’t forget to ask for an  audio guide . 

You can also hike up to the mountain , which takes about an hour. I walked and enjoyed the whole experience even more.

Enjoy the spectacular scenery of Lake Hallstatt , surrounded by beautiful mountains and Austria’s entire Dachstein region .

Hallstatt Salt Mines

Once you’re on Salzberg Hill (Salt hill), you should also visit salt mines nearby. These are the oldest ones in the entire world .

During your tour through the salt mines, you’ll explore more about its 7000 years of history, slide down the mines, and walk through the oldest wooden staircase in Europe .  

You’ll get more information about these salt mines directly with Hallstatt Salt Mines . I recommend booking entrance tickets on the website in advance.

Guided Tour To Hallstatt From Salzburg

If you don’t want to organize anything and prefer joining a guided excursion, book this guided tour to Hallstatt from Salzburg and explore its beauties with a guide.

4. St. Wolfgang Lake

Relax on a cruise on Lake Wolfgang and explore St. Wolfgang Im Salzkammergut.

Let’s go back to the Salzkammergut region of Austria. Salzkammergut is famous for its beautiful mountains rising from  crystal-clear lakes , small towns on the shores, and  panoramic mountain views .

St. Wolfgang Im Salzkammergut  is one of the most charming towns in this region, and you can visit it as an excursion from Salzburg.

Take  bus n. 150 from Salzburg  or rent a car and drive there by yourself.

Things To Do In St. Wolfgang Im Salzkammergut

1. Walk through St. Wolfgang streets, enjoy a coffee and taste local specialties 2. Hope on a Wolfgangsee cruise

First, once you arrive, take some time and walk through the town and its tiny little street. Again, just do it without Google maps and see where your legs take you.

The best way you can experience Wolfgang Lake is by boat . Get on the boat in the center of St. Wolfgang town. It has two stops: St. Wolfgang Markt and St. Wolfgang Schafberg .

The boat cruises around other villages on the Lake, so you can either get off in one of the villages or make it around and get back to St. Wolfgang Town.

You can book the ticket on the spot. Check the timetable of the cruise on the official website.

PRO TIP:  Get on the boat in the afternoon from St. Wolfgang to St. Gilgen and have dinner in the restaurant at Hotel & Gasthof Fürberg with a pleasant atmosphere next to the Lake.

5. Schafberg Mountain

Take the steepest cogwheel train in Austria .

When visiting St. Wolfgang Lake , one of the mountain excursions you can’t miss is the majestic Schafberg. It’s known for having the steepest cog-railway in Austria .

You can  hike to the Schafberg mountain  or take the steep cogwheel train. If you decide to walk up there, it’ll take you  3 hours  from St. Wolfgang town.

The cogwheel train can get crowded, so  book your tickets in advance  and secure your spot. It’ll take you around 35 minutes to get there.

Schafberg Mountain has a restaurant and a hotel where you can sleep. Walk around and enjoy the stunning views of the Salzkammergut region and the crystal-clear lakes, including St. Wolfgang Lake.

6. Eagle’s Nest

Discover Hitler’s summer residence with spectacular views of Bavaria and Salzburg region.

Eagle’s Nest is a mountain with a house on the top of  Mount Kehlstein in Germany. It used to be   Hitler’s summer residence , also called Kehlsteinhaus.

The residence was built in 1938 . In 1960, private stakeholders took over and made a restaurant out of it.

Hitler got it as a present   from Martin Bormann, the head of the Nazi Party Chancellery. Surprisingly, he  only went there 14 times  during his entire life as he didn’t like it as he was scared of heights. 

Enjoy the breathtaking views of Bavaria and the entire area, even Austria and the Alps. Can you spot Salzburg and its Fortress from up there? Find out yourself.

How To Get To Eagle’s Nest

You can’t get to the Eagle’s Nest by car (only to the parking spot). From there, you can  take a bus or walk . 

The bus departs every 25 minutes. Afterward, you’ll get to the tunnel and take a  124m elevator  to the Eagle’s Nest restaurant. 

You can also  hike up  the mountain, which will take around  2 hours and 30 minutes . Don’t get scared because the signs show a 4-hour hike, but it takes way less. 

NOTE: Eagle’s Nest is closed in the winter .

Eagle’s Nest Organized Tour From Salzburg

If you don’t want to plan your trip and prefer a guided tour, join this organized tour to the Eagle’s Nest from Salzburg . Everything is included, from transportation, professional services of a local guide, and tickets to the lift and the mountain.

7. Berchtesgaden & Salt Mines

Explore the salt mines and enjoy a boat ride inside .

Another day trip I highly recommend you make is to the small German town of Berchtesgaden , just across the border from Austria. 

It’s famous for the salt mines . This is one of my favorite excursions from the list. You’ll get to explore the history of salt mining and slide down the mines. But with this one specifically, you’ll also  take a boat inside the mine , which is spectacular. 

If you plan to visit Berchtesgaden, you can visit Eagle’s Nest and the salt mines in one day. If you have time, you can also include a short  stop at Könnigsee  (King’s Lake) afterward.

Guided Tour To Salt Mines In Berchtesgaden

Join this guided tour to the salt mines and Berchtesgaden from Salzburg . You’ll have a comfortable coach with a professional guide, learn about the history and culture, and learn interesting stories on the way.

8. Könnigsee – King’s Lake

Take a boat cruise on one of the most picturesque lakes in the Berchtesgadener Alps.

Another excursion you can make, a rather  relaxing one , is visiting Könnigsee – King’s Lake. 

It’s also located in Germany, only  40 minutes away  from Salzburg. These are the perks of Europ e; you can cross borders whenever you want without further issues, so let’s make the most out of it.

The highlight of the lake is a boat trip on  electric boats . It has two stops –  St. Bartholomä  and  Salet.

After 30 minutes of the boat ride, you’ll reach the first stop, St. Bartholomä , a unique church. I highly recommend you climb 6 km up to the  Ice Chapel (Eiskapelle)  and see its natural beauty. 

After, hop on the boat again, and in 30 minutes, you’ll get to the second stop – Salet. You can get off and  enjoy beautiful hikes around . The most popular is hiking up to  Obersee Lake . It only takes 15 minutes, and it pays off with the Alps reflecting in the lake and the  Roethbach waterfall . 

You can combine visiting the lake with the salt mines in Berchtesgaden or the Eagle’s Nest. 

9. Hallein Salt Mines & Celtic Village

Cross the border between Austria and Germany while you’re underground, slide inside salt mines, and explore the Celtic village, which is more than 7000 years old. 

The German word  ‘Salz’  means  salt . Salt used to be very important for the entire Salzburg region. The River Salzach was the  main trade route between Salzburg and Venice , Italy.

One of the locations where  salt is produced  in this region is Dürnberg mountain near Hallein. It has amazing salt mines; you can’t miss visiting them on this itinerary. Let’s learn the  history of salt mining  in the Salzburg region and how much importance is brought to this place.

Walk through the  64 km-long tunnels  inside the mines. Explore the history of salt mining and the importance it brought to the entire Salzburg region. You’ll also have a lot of fun sledding inside the salt mines .

Once you come out of the salt mines, take some time to walk through the Celtic village and see how they used to live there in the past.

10. Mondsee – Sound Of Music Tour

Lake Mondsee and 76 other  lakes  belong to the beautiful  Salzkammergut region . Mondsee is a picturesque village and a  popular wedding destination  on the shores of  Lake Mondsee .

You might already know why it’s such a famous wedding venue.  Maria and Captain Trapp got married  in the local  Basilica St. Michael , which was featured in the  Sound of Music  musical.

Many people come here to explore the places where the movie was shot and reflect on it.

Even if you aren’t a fan of Sound of Music (locals actually don’t like it),  Mondsee Village  is still much worth seeing thanks to its  colorful houses .

Walk around and get a nice coffee on the streets. You might be lucky to spot a local performance with people dressed in  Austrian folk costumes  (dirndl).

In wintertime, Mondsee hosts  beautiful Christmas markets .

Original Sound Of Music Tour From Salzburg

This original Sound of Music tour will take you to the main spots where the movie was shot. It also included Mondsee. So hop on the bus and see the sights with a local guide.

11. Oberndorf Bei Salzburg

Stand on the birthplace of the famous Christman Carol – The Silent Night. 

Oberndorf bei Salzburg is mainly famous for its  Chapel.  You might ask, why a chapel? That’s because a young priest, Joseph Mohr, wrote the text for the popular Christmas Carol ‘Silent Night’ inside back in 1818. 

Nowadays, you can visit the  Silent Night Memorial Chapel  to commemorate the history of the famous Christmas carol.

Every year on 24th December at 5 pm, a  ceremony  in honor of the creators of Silent Night Carol takes place in the Memorial and the Chapel.

Until today, it has been  translated into 300 languages , and the carol is a significant part of  Christmas celebrations in Austria .

Laufen – Cross The Border To Germany

When you’re in Oberndorf bei Salzburg, you must get to the bridge over the River Salzach, where you can stand with  one leg in Austria and another already in Germany .

Once you cross the bridge, continue to a small town called  Laufen . It’s a charming town, where you can get lunch and enjoy a coffee in one of the small cafeterias.

You might also be lucky to spot some  Austrian beer party  next to the river as my friend and I did. So keep an eye on it, and you can be part of it in the evening.

Which Excursion Should You Make?

If you can’t decide which day trip from Salzburg you should do, let me help you.

👉 HALLSTATT:  If you want to experience salt mines, beautiful lakes, and charming villages, visit Hallstatt. Although it is a very tourist spot, you will still like it.

👉 HALLEIN SALT MINES:  If you don’t like tourist spots and still want to see salt mines, explore the Hallein Salt Mines with its Celtic village. It won’t be so crowded.

👉 WERFEN + GIANT ICE CAVES:  If you are more into ice caves and history, go to Werfen and the Giant Ice Cave Complex.

👉 BERCHTESGADEN + KÖNNIGSEE:  If you want to step foot into Germany, visit Berchtesgaden with its salt mines – remember these are special as you will also take a boat inside the mines. Then, walk up to Eagle’s Nest and enjoy breathtaking views.

👉 LAKES:  If you just fancy a relaxing trip, go to St. Wolfgang, Könnigsee, and Mondsee.

👉 OBERSDORF BEI SALZBURG + MONDSEE:  Finally, if you want a relaxing excursion with some religious influence, go to Oberdorf bei Salzburg. You can, for instance, do Oberdorf bei Salzburg and after visit Mondsee.

👉 READ ALSO: Switzerland Vs. Austria: Which Is Better To Visit?

BONUS: Best Of Salzburg Itinerary

Salzburg is a stunning city on its own. So spend at least 1 or 2 days exploring its beauties.

Take my Salzburg itinerary , which has a detailed description of the sights I recommend you visit. I’ve designed it based on my experience living in the city for 3 years. So you’ll see all the highlights.

Also, check out where to stay in Salzburg and choose the best hotel for your stay and area.

FAQs: Exploring The Salzburg Region

I’ve also answered some frequently asked questions about Salzburg and its surroundings. Check my answers below:

Can You Do A Day Trip From Salzburg To Vienna?

Yes , you can make a day trip from Salzburg to Vienna, but I don’t recommend it . Vienna is a big city, and I would spend at least 2 days to enjoy it fully. Also, the train ride takes 2.5 hours, so you’ll spend 5 hours on a train overall. It’s manageable, though.

Can You Do A Day Trip To Hallstatt From Salzburg?

Yes , you can make a day trip to Hallstatt from Salzburg. It’s one of the best trips you can make from the city. You can take a local train or bus, rent a car, or join an organized excursion with a guide.

How To See The Alps From Salzburg?

The best way to see the Alps from Salzburg is to visit the following places : Fortress in Salzburg (its tower), Untersberg Mountain, Gaisberg Mountain, Werfen Castle, or Eagle’s Nest.

How Many Days In Salzburg Is Enough?

5 days is the perfect time to visit Salzburg. You only need one or two days to explore the city center. After, leave an extra three days to make some excursions in the region and enjoy the spectacular Alps and beautiful lakes.

WRAP-UP: Day Trips From Salzburg

These are the best excursions from Salzburg. I highly recommend you choose at least one of them and explore the stunning surroundings of Salzburg. These are truly  some of the most beautiful places  in Austria (and even Europe). Spend an extra day or two and take your time to have fun in salt mines or walk up to Hitler’s residence.

If you have questions or need a customized travel itinerary for this area, contact me at info(at)voicesoftravel.com . I’ll gladly help you.

Happy Travels!

More Tips For Austria Travel

Looking to visit more places in Austria? Check out my related articles:

Epic Austria Road Trip: 7, 10, 14 Days In Austria

Best Of Salzburg Itinerary: 2 – 3 Days In Salzburg

Where To Stay In Salzburg: Best Areas & Hotels

Switzerland Vs. Austria: Which Is Better To Visit?

Christmas In Austria: Full Guide With Traditions & Best Places

Magical European Christmas Markets In Europe By Train: Full Itinerary

About the author: Nicoletta  is a travel enthusiast and passionate language learner. While traveling, she loves to connect with locals using her language skills to learn about new cultures. Look for her skiing, hiking in the mountains, or exploring new destinations as she designs travel itineraries for her clients.

AUSTRIA : Interested in more articles for Austria? Check out my Austria Travel Page :

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Austria travel blog, 8 best day trips from salzburg to suit everyone’s taste, berchtesgaden or hallstatt, vienna or innsbruck.

Salzburg is ideally located for day trips to some of the prettiest cities, villages, and natural attractions in Austria and neighbouring Germany. Here are 10 of the best day trips from Salzburg to consider when you’re using the city as a base when visiting Austria.

Visiting the picturesque village on the shores of Lake Hallstatt is probably one of the most popular day trips from Salzburg. A bonus is that you pass some beautiful scenery in Austria’s Salzkammergut lake district on the way there.

We took the bus and train on our day trip from Salzburg to Hallstatt . What I love about the train option is that it drops you across the lake from the village. The short ferry ride is a great opportunity to take pictures of the village with the lake in front and mountains behind.

While every corner of Hallstatt seems to be picture-perfect, make sure to walk to the Catholic church and adjacent St Michael’s chapel where the bones of departed villagers are held. Also, make time to take the Salzberg cable car to enjoy the World Heritage View from the Hallstatt Skywalk.

Berchtesgaden and Eagle’s Nest

This corner of Germany that cuts into Austria close to Salzburg was Hitler’s favourite place to spend time during WWII. You’ll learn all about this at the Dokumentation Obersalzberg on the way to Eagle’s Nest outside Berchtesgaden.

If you’re visiting between May and October, it’s definitely worth taking the tour up to Eagle’s Nest where the Nazis entertained important guests during WWII. The journey up (think 24 % incline and only one hairpin bend plus a 124-metre lift ride inside a rock) and the view from the top is a bigger attraction than the historic facts. Of the latter, you’ll learn more at Salzburg Dokumentation which is housed in the underground bunkers built to protect the Nazi leaders.

The Berchtesgaden old is small enough to see in half an hour. If you have more time, a tour through the local salt mine is great to do with kids. It even includes a boat ride in an underground lake. Or drive the few kilometres to Lake Königssee for ice cream or a boat ride.

Werfen and Werfen Ice Caves

Visiting the world’s largest ice caves in a mountain above the town of Werfen is a real adventure for nature lovers. The journey to the mouth of the cave involves two short but spectacular hikes as well as Austria’s steepest cable car ride.

The Eisriesenwelt as the Werfen Ice Caves are called is a cave system totalling 42 km of which you walk the first 2 km on the cave tour. To see the wonderful ice formations you must brave an average temperature of 0 °C and walk up and down 700 steps. The only lighting is provided by carbide lamps.

The town of Werfen is also home to the medieval Werfen Castle which is seen from the picnic meadow in The Sound of Music. You can even go on a themed hike to the meadow from the centre of Werfen.

Salzkammergut Lake District

The Salzkammergut is an Austrian lake district and number one for scenic day trips from Salzburg. While Hallstatt is technically part of the Salzkammergut lake district, I don’t recommend going there and seeing the rest of the district both on one day. They are definitely worth two separate day trips.

The closest lakes and lake towns from Salzburg are the Wolfgangsee (St Wolfgang), Lake Fuschl (Bad Fuschl), Mondsee , and Attersee . One way to experience a part of it is to join a Sound of Music tour from Salzburg. The bus stops for views of St Wolfgang before continuing to the Mondsee where the Von Trapps got married. It’s a fun trip filled with music and singing.

Zell am See

Zell am See is conveniently located for a day trip from Salzburg by train . The train, with connections as fast as 1,5 hours, drops you almost in the centre of town right next to the lake. From here, you can walk around the lake, take a boat ride , explore the old town, or go up the Schmittenhöhe mountain.

If you manage your time in Zell am See well, there may even be time to take a bus to Kaprun 5 km away. From here, you can take the cable cars to the Kitzsteinhorn , the highest mountain peak in Austria’s Salzburgerland province.

The capital of Bavaria is within easy reach for a day trip from Salzburg. An early start will enable you to explore the historic centre in the morning and visit the Dachau Concentration Camp in the afternoon. Or you could omit the concentration camp for a tour of the beer halls and breweries .

I included Dachau because if you’re only ever going to have one day to spend in and around Munich, this is a life-changing experience. Some things are hard to see and read about, but being confronted with the atrocities of war in this way sends a powerful message.

Innsbruck is the capital of the Austrian Tyrol and one of the best day trips from Salzburg if you want to get into the mountains. The Nordkette cable cars leave from the city centre and whisk you to the top of a mountain in three stages in under an hour.

A self-guided walking tour of the Innsbruck old town with the famous Gold Roof at its centre doesn’t take longer than an hour or two. That leaves enough time for the mountain excursion and to visit the Swarovski Crystal Worlds in the nearby town of Wattens on your way back to Salzburg.

Visiting Vienna is not the closest day trip from Salzburg, but more than doable with the train taking just under 2,5 hours. However, with only one day in Vienna, you’ll have to prioritize what you want to see.

My advice for spending one day in Vienna would be to take a walking tour through the historic centre (self-guided or organized). Highlights to see include the Hofburg, St Stephen’s Cathedral, St Peter’s Church, and the Plague Column. Walking down Graben and Kärtner Streets will take you past or very close to all of these.

Then I’d recommend taking one of the hop-on-hop-off bus tours and get off at one or two attractions you are most interested in. It can be one of the Viennese palaces like Schönbrunn or Belvedere or even the Prater amusement park to ride the famous Riesenrad (Ferris Wheel).

*Disclosure*

Having fun in Austria, and then writing about it is hard work 😆 . That’s why some links in this article are affiliate links. I may earn a small commission, at no additional cost to you, if you use any of them to make a purchase. It’s totally cool if you don’t. I love to help anyway. If you do, it will help us discover another part of Austria to write about.

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What a great selection. I love Salzburg and the Salzkammergut. Lovely ideas for day trips to take from the city.

I love this blog! I have been to all these places except Zell am See. I never thougt of approaching it from Salzburg. I think from Munich it could be the easiest way to get to Zell am See by public transport.

Thanks for the idea! Diana

These day trips all sound amazing. I don’t know what one I would want to do the most! Every one of those places looks so beautiful and historical. The Werfen ice caves look incredible, I’ve never seen anything like that before. Thanks for sharing.

I totally agree with the fact that Salzburg is perfect for day trips! I remember when I went to Munich and I think it was only a bit more than an hour with the bus. Would love to visit Berchtesgarden too 🙂

All of these options seem incredible but I love caves so would definitely head to Werfen Caves. What an adventure!

I love Austria and Salzburg and, yes, because of the location is great to visiting places in Germany too. From your list I would love to visit The Salzkammergut lake district. Thanks for sharing!

Love all the day trip ideas! Had no idea Salzburg is located ideally for so many trips to all these beautiful places!

Loved this post! Austria is high on my bucket list, and I hope to visit once things calm down enough for travel 🙂

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10 Best Day trips from Salzburg, Austria: Mountain adventures, Lakes and Epic drives

Posted on June 29, 2019 January 14, 2021 Author Priya Leave a comment

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A charming city in Austria with spectacular views of the Eastern Alps, Salzburg is perfectly located for some of the  top day trips in Austria .  While the Altstadt (Old Town) is renowned for its baroque architecture, its UNESCO World Heritage site, and breathtaking squares, palaces and gardens it is the perfect base for some amazing road trips in Austria within close distance from Salzburg.  There are at least two dozen excellent day trips from Salzburg that fall between 1 to 3 hours by either car, bus or train.

We had a car and after a few days visiting museums and cafes in Vienna, we drove to Salzburg.  Our family loved the drives and hikes in nature and the adventures in Austria and can’t wait to go back and spend more time. We stopped more than a few times during our drives to take in the view and snap some photos – who can resist these pretty wooden houses with the window boxes full of blooms.  A couple of these side trips turned out to be excellent driving trips to some of the best places to visit near Salzburg .  Mountain adventures, emerald lakes, ancient gorges, and epic drives – some a little of the beaten path, these turned out to be some of our favorite places in all of Europe.  Here are 10 best day trips from Salzburg that you should consider adding to your itinerary .

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10 Best Day trips from Salzburg, Austria

Marvel at the baroque architecture at melk abbey.

Don’t miss Melk Abbey’s beautiful European Baroque architecture when visiting Salzburg.   Since 1089, the Benedictine monks have been living and working here at the Melk Abbey.  Following the rules laid down by St. Benedict, they pray and work and learn and glorify God in all things, not only through their prayer but also through their work and their daily willingness to learn every day.

Completed in 1732 this towering red-roofed bright yellow monastery is quite intimidating sitting on the bluff above Melk.  Although elegant looking with its gold paint, the monastery was not painted this color to look fancy. The Abbey was painted this color for the same reason Schönbrunn Palace was, gold was just the cheapest paint available at the time.  The inside of the Abbey is just as impressive with its Imperial Corridor, the Imperial Staircase, the abbey museum, the Marble Hall with a beautiful ceiling fresco, the library that holds about 16,000 ancient books some of which are 500 years old and the abbey church with its 200-foot-tall dome, gilded pulpits and marble columns.

It is about two-hour drive from Salzburg to Melk. You can visit as a day trip from Salzburg or from Vienna. If you don’t want to drive there are plenty of group tours available which I will link at the bottom.

Drive Grossglockner High Alpine Road to the highest mountain in Austria

Considered to be one of the top 3 attractions in the Austrian Alps, a  drive on the Grossglockner High Alpine Road is a must for anyone who loves thrilling road trips and nature.  Add it to your itinerary of day trips from Salzburg if you like challenging and scenic drives. Curvy switchbacks (there are 36 of them) opening to grand vistas filled with open spaces and snow-capped mountain tops make driving on Grossglockner Mountain, the highest peak in Austria, a dream for car enthusiasts.  Whether you get there with group tours, car, or motorcycle, it is really popular for visitors to get in some mountain hiking while visiting the High Alpine Road.  We enjoyed driving here and checking out the views points and seeing the Pasterze glacier from the Wilhelm Swarovski observation tower at the Grossglockner.

It took us 2 hours to drive from Salzburg to Grossglockner High Alpine Road and we spent the whole day there.

Walk on Stubnerkogel, the highest suspension bridge in Austria 

Don’t miss a chance to go Skywalking on the highest suspension bridge in Austria at Stubnerkogel, Bad Gastein .  Take the cable car up and hike the trails and then walked up to the summit of the Stubnerkogel to enjoy breath-taking views of Bad Gastein below and the surrounding mountain peaks!  You can visit Gastein valley as a day trip from Salzburg or if you have time, spend a night or town here.

While we were there the clouds were closing in as there was some rain in the forecast.  If not for the cloud veil you can see the peak of Großglockner – Austria’s highest mountain at a height of 3798 meters from here.  The viewing platform Glocknerblick is seven meters in diameter and mainly constructed out of steel and wood.  The platform Glocknerblick is easily accessible by the 140 meters-long suspension bridge.  If you don’t want to walk the suspension bridge, the platform is accessible by a nice walkway that gently climbs up through an alternate pathway.  There are wire-mesh fences around the platform that provide safety for all visitors, while the views of the surrounding mountain peaks are not obstructed. 

While it is only one and a half hours from Salzburg to Bad Gastein, you can easily spend the entire day in the area .

Skywalking on the highest suspension bridge in Austria at Stubnerkogel

Explore Kaprun & Kitzsteinhorn Mountain in Zell Am See

The small town of Karpun has one of the most diverse collections of activities in the Austrian Alps.  From hiking in the beautiful mountains in the summer to impressive gorges with wooden walkways, and man-made dam lakes that are beyond gorgeous – the region basically is for nature hikers what the nearby Grossglockner High Road is for thrill drivers.  One of our favorite activities in Kaprun is the Maisiflitzer Alpine Coaster  very similar to the coaster ride in Vail, where you can ride down a metal track year round.  If you plan your day early enough you can even get some beach time on the way on the sandy shore of Lake Zell. See their website for more detail about the mountain and adventures in the area. 

We ended up staying a night here and could easily spend a week but easy to do as a day trip from Salzburg.   It is about an hour and 15 minutes away.  

Visit the picturesque town of Hallstatt and the oldest Salt Mine

Did you know that the names of the city of Salzburg and the region of Salzkammergut come from Salt – which is one of the most important raw materials in Austria?  Dubbed as the “white gold”, it plays such an important part in the history of the region.   Hallstatt is more than a pretty lakeshore village although it has become a favorite destination for people from all over because of its extremely striking position right on lake Hallstatter. Home to less than 1000 people, Hallstatt has been inhabited for thousands of years because it has bountiful deposits of natural salt that people living there always mined. It is the world’s oldest  Salt Mine  at about 7,000 years old.  There was a Hallstatt even before there was a Rome!

Hallstatt is compact, full of history, and an absolutely beautiful lakeside village.  Just walking around the pretty village streets with the houses stacked on each other itself can be amazing.  Plan for an afternoon to see all the main highlights in town that include the colorful  Market Square , the creepy painted skulls of the  Bone Chapel , and a boat ride on the lake.

Plan for a full day for your day trip from Salzburg to Hallstatt. If you manage to get to Hallstatt early by 9 am, you should be able to enjoy a Salt mine tour at Saltzwelten  (we loved riding the miner’s slide, pictured below) in the morning, see the skywalk and the viewing platform, stroll around the pretty town of Hallstatt as well as head out on a 50 min cruise around the lake.  Getting To Hallstatt From Salzburg takes about an hour by car and it is  2 hours and 15 minutes or so by train. For a truly magical experience spend a night in town. This town is probably on everyone’s list of best Day trips from Salzburg, Austria

If you have some go see the Dachstein Ice Caves & 5 Fingers Lookout which is nearby (we skipped it since we ran out of time). You can tour a huge Ice Cave which is below freezing no matter how warm it is outside. There are even a few different frozen waterfalls and depending on how you are doing for the time you can take a cable car lift and hike over to the 5 Fingers Lookout where a glass bottom walkway juts you out thousands of feet above the valley floor. The views and photos I have are awesome and on our list to get there to see the Dachstein sights next time.

Do a boat ride on King’s Lakes ( Königssee)

Lake Königssee with its emerald green color and nestled at the foot of the imposing eastern wall of Mount Watzmann in the heart of the Berchtesgaden National Park is one of nature’s true masterpieces. Königssee is Bavaria’s deepest lake at 630 feet deep, the emerald fjord is lined with a hilly landscape that takes your breath away. This lake is actually the cleanest lake in all of Germany which makes it all the more reason to add it to your list of day trips from Salzburg! You can’t miss taking a ferry ride to St. Bartholomä Chapel, which is a the triple-domed structure and was once used by the Bavarian Kings as a hunting lodge. Königssee is only 30 to 40 minutes from Salzburg.

As soon as you board one of the attractive electric passenger boats on Kings Lake all the noise, hustle and bustle is left behind. During the crossing to St. Bartholomew the boatman plays his trumpet to lure out the world-famous Königssee echo from the steep rock face. St. Bartholomä the lovely pilgrimage church is world-renowned for its wine-red onion domes. Shortly after St. Bartholomä you enter the echo chamber where your driver will sound his trumpet to show off the world-famous echo of the Königssee.  Near the end of the lake are the waters of Obersee which are unbelievably clear.  Hiking to the end of Obersee will bring you through a postcard-perfect cattle grazing pasture and to the spectacular Röthbach Waterfall at the end of the valley. There is also some nice Alpine hiking available near King’s Lake on the iconic twin-peaked Watzmann Mountain.

Just above the lake,  Jennerbahn Mountain  has the best view anywhere in the Alps.  You’ll see Königssee Lake below you, hang-gliders flying by you, the Alpine beauty in every direction.  In the Summer months, the mountain has unbelievable hiking on mountain top trails, and in the Winter there is a ton of thrilling skiing opportunities.  If you don’t want to hike you can still enjoy the views – stop by  Berggaststätte Jennerbann  which is one of the highest rated restaurants in all of Germany and has a great public terrace overlooking the sea.

Wander around Wolfgangsee and take the Schafberg Railroad

The elegant  Wolfgangsee Lake sits right in between Salzburg and Hallstatt and is very popular with Austrians but is often missed by international tourists.  It is one of the best day trips from Salzburg! You can get to Wolfgangsee from Salzburg in 30 minutes and can spend at least a half of a day there.  There are many beautiful resorts in the area as well.  The lake make not be as impressive as Kings Lake in Berchtesgaden or nearby Lake Hallstatt which are both surrounded by huge mountain peaks, but Woflgangsee is pretty cool.

Sitting in the center of the lake, the most visited town is the quaint village of Saint Wolfgang which is packed with beautiful homes and romantic lakeside dining.  While the relaxing lake cruise to get to Saint Wolfgang is awesome, the best thing to do is the cog railway up Schafberg Mountain which has an Alpine hut restaurant at the top.  The Schafberg Railway has been in operation since 1893 the journey is quite fun in addition to the wonderful views.  Modern trains run April-October with the historic coal-powered trains running on Sundays in July and August.

If you want to explore the other villages around the lake along with a little longer ferry cruise, consider  Saint Gilgen  which is a cozy authentic Austria village free of the tourist crowds.  The highlights are the adorable City Hall ( Rathaus ), the lakefront, and 15 minute Alpine Lift Zwölferhorn Gondola that brings you to the 1,600-meter summit of the neighboring  Zwölferhorn Mountain . The mountain provides great views over the lake, hang gliding, and skiing in the winter.  Classical music lovers will love Saint Gilgen’s tie to Mozart as it’s the town where Amadeus’ sister Nannerl lived after leaving Salzburg.  You may also want to consider a slide down the Strobl Alpine Luge if you are taking the short route to Saint Wolfgang as it is right by the bus stop.   Consider doing the luge route on the way there from Salzburg and the Saint Gilgen route on the way back.

Explore the Gorge at Lammerklamm

The Lammerklamm demonstrates the imposing power of nature. The narrow valley was carved out by glaciers during the Ice Age (that is approximately 15,000 to 30,000 years ago), while the water released by the melting ice left behind a narrow gorge flanked by steep cliffs. The Lammer river gorge is one of the most impressive natural wonders in all of Salzburger Land. The gorge has been accessible to visitors since 1884 and can be explored from May until the end of October.

The secured walkways running alongside the rocky walls of the gorge make visits as safe as can be. The path leads down to the torrential waters and to some absolutely beautiful lookout points. A bridge located at a narrow point also allows you to cross over to the far side of the gorge. We spent about 2 hours exploring the gorge and the trail.   It is 35 minutes away and you can easily add it to your trip to Bad Gastein . This ended up being one of our favorite stops during our day trips from Salzburg, Austria!

See the Golden Roof and colorful town of Innsbruck

Known as the city of the Golden Roof, and the Tirolean capital, Innsbruck is the only major European city located in the heart of the Alps. Innsbruck hosted the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympic Games, which is best known for its winter sports and downhill skiing.  Even if you didn’t come to ski, the views and sights of Old Town Innsbruck along with a ride to up the mountain cable car are pretty fun.  There are many other year-round attractions including a lot of gorgeous lakes and the world’s largest crystal at  Swarovski’s Crystal World and the gardens of the famous Swarovski Crystal Headquarters.  The Swarovski property also serves as their underground factory with a giant sod entrance shaped like a face with crystal eyes and a waterfall coming out of its mouth.  The factory is located just a couple miles East of Innsbruck in the village of Wattens, right on the main train line.

Get some culture and visit cafes in Vienna

You can hardly plan a trip to Austria without a stop at its picturesque capital, Vienna.  We started our trip here, after a few days of visiting the many museums and cafes, rented a car and drove to Salzburg and it took about 3 hours by car . 

Many people visit Vienna as a day trip from Salzburg and it is easily doable. If you are planning on visiting Vienna as a day trip from Salzburg, I highly recommend that you hop on a fast train instead. From Salzburg, get on a train that heads straight to Vienna Central Station. The train journey will take you around 2 hours and 22 minutes. If you can spend at least 3 days in Vienna as there are plenty of excellent museums and art galleries and parks to visit .

See our 3-day Vienna Itinerary here .  We saw a Mozart concert, Klimt, got lost in Schonbrunn Palace maze and ate as many Sacher Torte and Apple Strudel as possible.

Best Day Tours from Salzburg

While we had a car and drove to these places near Salzburg if you rather not drive you can get there by arranging for tours.  Here are some that you might like.

While we didn’t get to it, Eagles Nest is another popular day trip from Salzburg . For a taste of the more unsavory side of history, Eagle’s Nest is an intriguing place to visit, known for being the place where Adolf Hitler spent his summers.  It is beautiful, despite this unfortunate claim to fame. You’ll be treated to spectacular views over the peaks of the Bavarian Alps and the drive to get there is stunning too, with the road hugging the Konigsee River.

The Germany city of Munich is another town that is easily accessible from Salzburg, only an hour and a half by train. As the former capital of Bavaria, Munich has a very particular feel to it, led by the beer hall culture. There are plenty of sites to wander around, including a couple of castles a little way outside the city. With a choice of many international flights into Munich, it is easy to make that your point of entry and visit Munich first before traveling to Salzburg .  There are many day tours to Salzburg available from Munich.

I hope you find this Guide for day trips from Salzburg useful when planning your trip to Austria.

You might also like:  Family-Friendly Guide to Vienna 2 week Road trip Itinerary through Austria and Switzerland

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The 3 Best Day Trips from Salzburg: to Hallstatt or not to Hallstatt

The city of Salzburg can be explored in a day or two, but its surroundings are beautiful and worth taking the time to see. In this article, I will therefore introduce you to the 3 best day trips from Salzburg. You can take many more day trips from Salzburg, but these are the three most popular, and they are all very different, so taking them all would be worthwhile.

1. Day Trip from Salzburg to Hallstatt

You have probably heard about Hallstatt. Due to social media, Hallstatt became one of Austria’s most popular places. Many travelers’ bucket lists include taking a selfie with Hallstatt in the background of a selfie, a tiny village on the shores of the Hallstättersee lake. During your day trip from Salzburg, you might want to take a boat ride, take a tour of the Hallstatt salt mines, or see the ossuary. But is it really worth taking a day trip from Salzburg to Hallstatt and what is it like?

Is Hallstatt worth seeing?

Hallstatt is not only the most popular day trip from Salzburg but one of the most popular places in Austria overall. As a result, it is extremely touristy. In high season, the one street that makes up the village center is just packed with people. That’s not just edgy for visitors. It’s no secret that some locals are incredibly annoyed by the crowds, while others have figured out how to make a profit and that’s what Hallstatt is about.

In spite of that, Hallstatt is worth a visit if it’s on your bucket list. It’s similar to other places in Austria and especially in the Salzkammergut lake district. Hallstatt is a cute lakeside village with mountains in the background, but just a bit more. A little bit cutesier, a little bit quainter, a little bit more impressive and picturesque. Hallstatt has the oldest salt mine in the world and unique architecture. If you can live with the fact that it is also an overcrowded tourist trap, it is absolutely worth visiting Hallstatt.

 How to get to Hallstatt on a Day Trip from Salzburg

If you have a car at your disposal, you can greatly enhance your trip to Hallstatt? Why is that? Because Hallstatt is located on the other end of the lake district from Salzburg and you pass one cute lakeside town after the other. Traveling by car allows you to stop in places like St. Gilgen, St. Wolfgang, and Bad Ischl which are almost as nice as Hallstatt.

Most travelers, however, arrive in Hallstatt by public transport from Salzburg. Public transport from Salzburg to Hallstatt is also convenient for a day trip but it almost takes you 3 hours to get there. As you ride the number 150 bus from Salzburg to Bad Ischl, you are passing the beautiful Lake District scenery before you either change to the train to Hallstatt station where you will take a boat to the village of Hallstatt, or change to a direct bus from Bad Ischl to Hallstatt. Here is an article on the Free Tour Blog that gives you detailed instructions on how to get from Salzburg to Hallstatt on a day trip .

2. Day Trip from Salzburg to Berchtesgaden

Berchtesgaden is located across the border in Bavaria, Germany. The German border is only 5 kilometers from Salzburg. Berchtesgaden is my favorite day trip destination from Salzburg. But it’s not only one of the best day trips from Salzburg and in Austria but Germans have been telling me, that it’s known as one of the most beautiful places in all of Germany. On a day trip to Berchtesgaden, there are two major things to do. One is visiting Königssee (kings lake) and the other is visiting Hitlers Eagles Nest.

Visiting Lake Königssee on a Day Trip from Salzburg

A Twitter user once called King’s Lake the Bavarian Fjord, and I think that’s the best possible nickname for it. A day visit to King’s Lake from Salzburg might leave you thinking you’re in Norway. It is impossible to walk around the lake because the mountains are too close to the shore. Therefore, you take a boat across to St. Bartholomä. On these boat trips, trumpets are played, whose sound resonates off the mountain walls.

For those who don’t want to spend money on a boat trip, you could go on a circular route around Malerwinkel. The name translates to “Malerwinkel” meaning “painter’s point.” This point gives you a glimpse of the lake without taking the boat but I would recommend the boat to get to the other side. Read this article, for detailed instructions on how to take a day trip from Salzburg to kings lake.

Visiting the Eagles Nest on a Day Trip from Salzburg

Hitler’s Kehlsteinhaus was built in 1938 for Hitlers 50th birthday. Atop the mountain Kehlstein, 1700 meters above sea level, overlooks Berchtesgaden. The only way to get to this historic artifact of the second world war is by shuttle bus and an elevator or a three-hour hike. The Eagles Nest is a great day trip idea from Salzburg when the weather is nice because the views are mindblowing. When the weather is bad, I would go for the aforementioned Königssee instead. In case you are into hiking, here is an article on how to hike the Eagle’s Nest instead of taking the shuttle bus .

How to get to Berchtesgaden from Salzburg

Berchtesgaden is one of the cheaper day trips from Salzburg, despite crossing the border into Germany. That’s because you can buy a day-ticket from the bus drivers of bus 840, which includes the 840 bus from Salzburg to Berchtesgaden, the 838 bus from Berchtesgaden to the shuttle bus station for the Eagles Nest, and the 842 bus from Berchtesgaden to Königssee for as little as around 12 Euros. Thus, these 12 Euros could pay for your entire trip to Königssee if you don’t take the boat but only hike to Malerwinkel and your day trip to Eagles Nest if you hike the Eagles Nest instead of taking the shuttle bus.

If you take the day trip from Salzburg to Berchtesgaden, make sure to also check out the village of Berchtesgaden where you change buses to either Königssee or the Eagle’s Nest. You can visit either Königssee or the Eagles Nest during your day trip from Salzburg by public transportation. If you would like to fit both, you would have to travel by car or take an organized tour like this Super Saver tour one by Panorama tours. Here are detailed instructions on how to get to the Eagles Nest from Salzburg and how to get to Kings Lake from Salzburg on your own on day trips from Salzburg.

3. Day Trip from Salzburg to the Werfen Ice Caves

The Ice Caves in Werfen, located about an hour south of Salzburg, in the middle of the Alps, are the largest Ice Caves in the world. The Ice Caves are at an altitude of 1700 meters above sea level and can be reached on a day trip from Salzburg by train or car. To get to the Ice Caves, you take the direct train to Werfen, from the Werfen train station you take a shuttle bus to the visitors center, from the visitors center you hike for 20 minutes, take a cable car and hike for another 20 minutes to the entrance of the caves.

Werfen Ice Caves are therefore not only an impressive indoor activity when exploring the caves on a guided tour, but also a great way to experience nature and get an impression of the Austrian Alps on the way there.

What else is there to do on a Day Trip from Salzburg to Werfen

In addition to the Ice Caves, there is the Hohenwerfen fortress in Werfen and a meadow which has been advertised as the Sound of Music Meadow in recent years because it’s the meadow that was used at the beginning of the movie and at the beginning of the Do-Re-Mi song.

There is no need to visit the meadow or the fortress during a  day trip from Salzburg, but if you are interested in fortresses or the Sound of Music, go for it! If the latter is true to you, read this article for more Sound of Music locations in and around Salzburg.

Other than that, there is nothing to see or do in the town of Werfen. That’s what makes the day trip to Werfen different from Berchtesgaden or the Salzkammergut Lake District where Hallstatt is located. There are lots of things to do and places to see around Berchtesgaden and in the Lake District but the main reason to visit Werfen is a visit to the largest Ice Cave in the world. Here is another article explaining in detail how to reach the Ice Caves on a day trip from Salzburg .

More great Day Trips from Salzburg

This list of day trips from Salzburg is far from complete but these are just the 3 best day trips from a popularity standpoint. The 3-day trips in this post are wildly popular and touristy, therefore, you would also have to look for other places, if you would prefer an off-the-beaten-path place. There are numerous other destinations, and even I, as a local and tour guide, haven’t been to them all. Here are just a few more suggestions for great day trips from Salzburg:

• Sankt Wolfgang : Wolfgangsee Lake is located in the lake district, just like Hallstatt. St. Wolfgang resembles Hallstatt in that it is a pleasant lakeside village with a mountain in the background. One of the greatest things about St. Wolfgang is that it has the Schafbergbahn, a cog railway that goes up the mountain to 1800 meters above sea level. This is one of my favorite things to do in the lake area. Furthermore, you can take a Boat Cruise to St Gilgen on Wolfgangsee Lake.
• Sankt Gilgen : Sankt Gilgen in the Lake District might be interesting since Sankt Gilgen is the first place on Wolfgangsee Lake when coming from Salzburg. At the Boat Dock in Sankt Gilgen, a Boat Ride is available to cross the lake to Sankt Wolfgang.
• Bad Ischl : Bad Ischl was the summer residence of the Habsburg emperor from the 19th century until the first world war. It’s located in the Lake District as well but there is no lake in Bad Ischl but rather interesting architecture, great pastries at Konditorei Zauner, and the emperor’s residence. Here is an article on all the best things to do in Bad Ischl .
• Munich: You may think that a day trip from Munich to Salzburg would be more appropriate, but in fact, Munich makes an excellent day trip destination from Salzburg. Munich is ten times bigger than Salzburg, but the old town in Munich is almost as compact as Salzburg’s old town, and I’ve taken a day trip to Munich myself several times. A day trip from Salzburg to Munich is best done in a group with the Bayernticket and alone with the Flixbus.
• Places in the Surroundings: Since Salzburg is small there are also many places in the surroundings that can be visited without taking a full-blown day trip. Places like the Stiegl Brewery, Hellbrunn Palace and the Hellbrunn Trick Fountains, Untersberg mountain, or Maria Plain where one of the best views in the surroundings of Salzburg would await you. In this article, you can read about the 7 best places to visit in the surroundings of Salzburg .

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Salzburg Austria has extraordinary views of the snowcapped Alps, charming cobblestone streets, art museums, and more. On a day trip to Salzburg, you can learn about Mozart, eat some famous Mozart chocolates, explore a fortress, and explore sites from the famous film The Sound of Music.

With its picturesque Residenzplatz, the Hohensalzburg Fortress looming over the old town, and the jagged peaks of the Alps to the south, Salzburg is full of dramatic views. The city is so beautiful, it has sometimes been called “The German Rome”.

We visited Salzburg as part of our Family Gap Year ( what is a Family Gap Year? ) when we spent a month in Vienna in December . We loved the small-town feel of Salzburg, with a ton of family-friendly activities and wonderful traditional food.

Salzburg is a great destination to spend a few days or a weekend, but you can easily visit on a day trip from Munich or Vienna. In this post, we’ll cover what to see in Salzburg in one day, where to eat, how to get to Salzburg, and where to stay in Salzburg. At the end of this Salzburg itinerary, we’ll also cover additional activities in Salzburg to include if you have more time.

Seeing the highlights of Salzburg in a day is absolutely possible, but plan to stay a little longer if you can!

This article may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if a reader clicks through and makes a purchase.   As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. All our recommendations are our own and are in no way influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative.

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Table of Contents

What is Salzburg, Austria Known for?

Salzburg Austria is known for its majestic mountain views, for being the birthplace and home of Mozart, and for being the setting of the 1965 Movie The Sound of Music starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer.

Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Salzburg Austria was once known more for its salt mines than its famous citizens. Once a Roman town, St. Peter’s Abbey and the Nonnberg Nunnery were built around 700. In 798, Salzburg became an archbishopric, meaning its archbishops were considered princes of the Holy Roman Empire. These archbishops were responsible for much of the public building that occurred over the next few centuries, from the cathedral to the city university.

🏅 Editors Top Picks 🏅 Best Salzburg Tour: Sound of Music Half Day Bus Tour Includes Hellbrunn Palace (with the famous gazebo) Best Central Hotel: Star Inn Hotel Premium Salzburg

Consider a Salzburg Card

Consider getting a Salzburg Card for your one day in Salzburg. You can buy this card in various increments, but for a Salzburg day trip, the 24-hour card is what you’ll need. It covers the entrance fees to almost every attraction in Salzburg, including the tram up to the fortress. It also includes public transportation around town.

This card begins the 24-hour clock when you first use it. Since many of the first things you will do on your day trip are free, you probably won’t activate the card until mid-day. That means that the 24-hour card is also the right choice if you choose to stay one night in Salzburg- you’ll have an activated card through mid-day on your second day.

The only activity that we recommend that is not included on the Salzburg Card is the concert at the Salzburg Cathedral, which is 6€ for adults, and free for kids under 18.

You can buy the card online and use it via your smartphone. The 24-hour card for adults starts at 27€ in low season and goes up to 30€ on May 1st. Kids ages 6-15 start at 13.50€. Since kids under 6 are free at most attractions and on public transport, they do not need a Salzburg Card.

One Day Itinerary for Salzburg, Austria

When visiting Salzburg in a day, you will need to follow an efficient itinerary or you will run out of time, as there is a lot to see and do. Of course, it’s not possible to do it all in one day!

We’ve outlined below what we found to be the best one day itinerary for Salzburg that includes the top historical and pop culture sites in the city.

However, you may prefer a day trip from Vienna or a day trip from Munich with a tour guide to take the pressure off of navigating around the city yourself. We’ve included details about each tour option below the itinerary.

Arriving in Salzburg via Train

For the purpose of this Salzburg itinerary, we’ll assume that you will be arriving by train. If you prefer to take the bus or rent a car, we’ve included details on those options below.

When you first arrive in Salzburg, (and for the last few minutes of the train ride), you’ll be greeted by stunning views of the mountains. Depending on the season, you may have more or less snow, but for us, after spending most of our time in Vienna with no mountains in sight, these views were breathtaking.

From the train station in the city center, Mirabell Palace Gardens are only about a ten-minute walk. From the main exit, head left, and follow the main road, which curves under the train tracks in a short tunnel. You’ll find a series of casual restaurants- from sushi to afghan, to pizza, keep these in mind in case you need a quick dinner on your way back to the train.

The train station itself is quite large and has everything you might need- snacks, takeaway food, ATMs, etc.

Walk to Mirabell Palace Gardens

Mirabell Palace was built in 1606, its gardens were redesigned in 1690, and much of the original garden plan is still in place, though some of the statues are from a later date.

The Mirabell Gardens are famous for being heavily featured in The Sound of Music- you’ll find many recognizable sights from the song “Do Re Mi”. I assumed that the garden would be quite large, but it’s really not- there are just a lot of pieces of it shown in the film!

When you reach Mirabell Palace, head into the park area behind the main building, you’ll be approaching it from the back. The first thing you’ll see is the famous steps where Maria and the kids finish the song “Do Re Mi”.

When we visited the ornate gates to the Mirabell Gardens were closed (look through to the unicorn statues), and most of the garden area was roped off. The grass is ornately decorated with small flowers, so visitors are restricted to the main pebbled path. We visited in Winter, and at least one section was closed off due to weather, so you may have better access during the spring and summer months.

Continue past these steps (after you’ve sung a few high notes of course, and taken photos), and you’ll find the stone dwarfs that are also featured in the song (closed in winter). The kids in the movie run past and each taps the stone dwarf on the head.

Double back past the closed gates and walk on the dirt path close to the palace to enter the gardens. You’ll get a second view of the stairs from the inside (but can’t get very close). You’ll also see the Pegasus Fountain in the middle that the von Trapp kids run around. Just down the garden, you’ll see the hedge tunnel that they run through as well.

At the end of the Mirabellgarten, you’ll find the formal entrance, with the Greek fencing statues that are also featured in the video. It’s a lot of Sound of Music imagery in a very small area.

If you watch the song video before your visit, these images will resonate a bit better. We watched Do Re Mi before visiting Salzburg, then rewatched the full movie the day after our visit. The kids loved spotting the main Salzburg square, fountains, and even cupolas that they recognized from our visit.

You can also visit the main marble staircase known as “the Angel Staircase” and the concert hall of Mirabel Palace on weekdays. This concert hall was once the banquet hall of the prince-archbishops. Mozart and his family are known to have performed here.

Quick Food Stop: Dean and David Cafe

If you need a snack, coffee, or breakfast depending on how early you arrived, you’ll find Dean and David Café and Wine Bar right past the main entrance to the gardens. They have coffee, pastries, interesting sandwiches, and healthy kid’s meals like a kid’s mini falafel plate. We warmed up, had a coffee, and shared a brownie with raspberry, pumpkin seeds, and hazelnuts.

Alternate Food Option: Cafe Bazaar

If you are looking for a sit-down breakfast, or a more traditional, formal café experience , head to Café Bazaar before you cross the river. This cafe dates back to 1909, starting in 1927 they kept a guest book that details all the famous poets, writers, and actors who have visited the cafe. They have an extensive breakfast menu, and a few things for lunch- usually one soup of the day and two or three other things to choose from.

This is an old-school Austrian café, full of ambiance, with views of the river, and a lovely terrace. This is the kind of place where you will not see laptops, rather there are newspapers hung on rods, and you are welcome to get a cup of coffee and slowly sip and you read the paper.

Cross the River at Marko-Feingold-Steg

Head across the river toward the historic center. Take the Marko-Fiengold-Steg, a pedestrian bridge covered with padlocks.  You’ll have some of your first views of the fortress high on the hill above Salzburg, as well as some of the beautiful buildings around town.

The Horse Baths- Herbert von Karajan Platz

After you cross the river, take a right on Griesgasse. The streets are lined with holly berry trees here, you’ll see the Museum of Modern Art towering above you on top of the sheer rock face. Warning- there’s also a large Klexx toy shop on this street that our kids were asking to go into.

Head uphill and through the Gstättentor Gate, passing Gettreidegasse, to find the Horse Baths. The bath was used to wash and groom the Prince-Archbishop’s parade horses.

This bath was also featured in the Sound of Music near the end of the song “Favorite Things”- not the main version of the song, but the reprise when they are wearing their dresses made from curtains.

Take Photos with the Gurken

The statues of five human-sized pickles in Furtwänglerpark are by Austrian modern artist Erwin Wurm. They went viral, and are now a strange symbol of Salzburg. These are part of the work of the Salzburg Foundation which has been placing modern art around Salzburg since 2002. Check them out for yourself!

Hear the Organs at Salzburg Dom

Each day at noon, there is an organ concert at the main Salzburg Cathedral . Lasting about 40 minutes, you’ll hear 4 of the church’s 7 organs played while learning a bit about the cathedral. The concert starts with a duet using the two Baroque organs nearest the altar of the cathedral, then moves to the Italian organ a bit farther back and ends with a few pieces on the large back organ, above where you enter.

Explanations are in both German and English. You can buy tickets at the booth by the entrance, kids under 18 are free, and adults are 6€. This is one of the only activities not included in the Salzburg card, but we highly recommend trying to time your visit to include the concert.

If you need to skip any of the above sites in order to get to the cathedral by noon, we recommend you do it- all of these places are a quick walk from each other, so you can easily double back and catch anything you missed.

The Salzburg Cathedral sits on the Residenzplatz, but the entrance is through the arches and in the smaller courtyard to the right. Originally built in 767, the cathedral was twice destroyed by fire and rebuilt.

The current Salzburg Dom was opened in 1628, though it was damaged again during WWII. This church is where Mozart was baptized, as well as Joseph Mohr who wrote “Silent Night”. The three iron gates at the entrance represent Faith, Love, and Hope.

Explore the Residenzplatz

In Residenzplatz, the main square in historic Salzburg, you’ll find the four snorting horses of the Residence Fountain , which are clearly featured in the Sound of Music.

You’ll also find the Salzburg Dom, (the main cathedral) with horses and carriages waiting outside for visitors; the Museum of Salzburg with a clock tower with a special glockenspiel bell tower (listen for familiar songs); and the Dom Quartier , the residence of the prince-archbishops of the cathedral.

Window Shop down Getreidegasse

Getreidegasse is the main pedestrian walkway leading to and from the Residenzplatz. You’ll find all sorts of stores here, from souvenir stores to high-end boutiques. Notice the wrought-iron signs high above doorways- these are traditional, ornamental guild signs. You can play “guess the business” though not all of them are still the original type. Some of these signs are newer than others!

Try the Original Mozart Chocolates

On one corner of the Residenzplatz, you’ll find the original Café Konditorei Fürst , known for making the original MozartKuglen, which you see sold all over town in their distinctive silver and blue foil. First made in 1890, these chocolates have a marzipan and pistachio core covered in dark chocolate.

The cafe is still run by the same family, five generations later. You can get a coffee or cake and sit down to eat here or get some chocolates to go. 

Visit Mozart Square

This smaller square, adjacent to the Residenzplatz features a statue of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Salzburg’s most famous resident. Mozart was born in Salzburg, baptized here, and lived with his family in two different houses here.

In the winter you will find an ice skating rink here, with a place to rent skates. Any time of year, you can visit the Wienachtsmarkt Museum, which has an extensive collection of Christmas memorabilia from the years 1840-1940.

Take a Break for Lunch

If you’re looking for a casual lunch stop, the Grünmarkt in Universitätsplatz may be just what you need. You’ll find stalls selling pretzels, cheese, sausage, and more. Closed Sundays, and only open until 3 pm on Saturdays.

If you’re looking for amazing Austrian food in a sit-down restaurant, head to Pauli Stubm on Herrengasse. It’s only a 4-minute walk from the Salzburg Cathedral, so you can easily sneak this into your itinerary whenever you are ready.

Choose the indoor parlor, or the outdoor beer garden for your meal. You’ll find freshly baked pretzels, pancake soup, schnitzel, baked potatoes, and more, at prices that won’t break the bank.

Side Note: If you haven’t tried pancake soup in Austria yet, we highly recommend it. It’s a beef broth with strips of cut-up crepe in it. Both our kids loved it!

If you are visiting during a busy time, you may want to make a reservation online to avoid spending time waiting for a table.

Alternate Lunch: If you aren’t looking for traditional food, head to 220Grad for excellent coffee and brunch. The menu includes things like eggs benedict, and avocado toast. This also makes a great coffee and cake stop later in the afternoon if you need a break from sightseeing. Located at Wienter-Philharmoniker Gasse 9.

Check out Kollegienkirche

Stop into this unique church – the altar is decorated all in white, with blue uplighting. This church was disparaged when it was built in 1707 as being too modern. Architect Johann Fischer von Erlach put the center of the building directly under the dome, and choose white as the color of divinity. A lengthy restoration process was finished in 2013.

Take the Azwanger Passage

From the Kollegienkirche, cross the plaza to take Azwanger Passage through to Getreidegasse. You’ll find several of these passages connecting the streets with stores on either side and stairways leading to the levels above.

Visit Mozart’s House

There are two houses in Salzburg where Mozart lived- the first is at No. 9 Getreidegasse where he was born in 1756 and lived in his childhood years. The second is on Makartplatz Square where the family moved in 1773 when they had more money, called the Mozart Residence.

We recommend visiting Mozart’s birth house, or Geburthaus , though if you have extra time you can get a combined ticket for both. Look for the bright yellow exterior of Mozart’s birth house.

Start by going up to the third floor where the family actually lived. You’ll see the kitchen, then enter the rest of the house which is set up more as a museum than a residence. You will also see Mozart’s childhood violin, read about his family, and see paintings, and other memorabilia throughout the museum. The rest of the museum winds back down through the other floors, including the last floor where you’ll see costumes from his operas, as well as a series of set design models.

Our kids got a bit tired of the museum by the end, but it was a good introduction to Mozart, especially after seeing the Schonbrunn Palace in Vienna, where he performed one of his first concerts at age 6.

Tickets to Mozart’s Birth House are included in the Salzburg Pass or are 12€ for adults, 3.50 for kids 6-14, and free for those under 6. 

Gold Sphere

In Kapitelplatz square, just behind the Dom Cathedral, you’ll find a sculpture of a large golden sphere. This 2007 sculpture by Stephan Balkenhol is part of the same Modern Art Walk that led you to the pickles! Called “Sphera”, the golden orb has an “everyman” standing on top with a neutral expression.

Friedhof of St Peters

Just pass “Sphera”, head up the cobblestone street Festungsgasse, and you’ll quickly see the entrance to the Friedhof (cemetery) of St. Peters. Google Maps was trying to tell us it was a long walk up and around, but the entrance is very close to Kapitalplatz.

This cemetery is beautiful. It’s the cemetery that’s featured in the Sound of Music when the family is hiding behind tombstones near the end. You’ll see the gated plots running along the side. Many of the graves here are planted, so you’ll see all sorts of colors, flowers, and textures decorating the plots. Peek into the chapel, it’s usually open.

Up to Hohensalzburg Fortress

The next stop on this one day Salzburg itinerary is a visit to the imposing Hohensalzburg Fortress.

This 11th-century fortress sits atop the rock, looking down over Salzburg. Its massive walls are visible from many places around town. This is the largest preserved fortress in Central Europe and has served as a barracks and also as the temporary residence of the prince archbishops.

There are two ways to get up to the fortress- you can walk, which takes about 20 minutes, (and is not as difficult as it might seem from down below) or you can take the tram, called the FestungsBahn .

The tram has been running since 1892 but was just renovated in 2011. You’ll find the entrance just uphill from the Friedhof, the tram runs every ten minutes and takes you up to the Salzburg Fortress in about one minute.

Prices for the tram are 3.50€ for adults each way, and 2.10€ for children , though the tram up is included in many of the fortress tickets, and all tickets include the descending tram.

If you have the Salzburg card both the fortress and the tram in both directions are included in your pass. We recommend taking the tram up to the fortress, and then walking down the hill to visit the Nunnberg Abbey on your way back to town.

Once at the fortress, you’ll find mostly stark stone walls. Inside the fortress, you’ll find Royal Apartments, a castle museum, a puppet museum, and the Rainier Regiment Museum which is focused on military history. Most visitors remark more on the views than on any content within the fortress itself.

Tickets for the fortress start with a basic family pass for 26€, and go up to an all-inclusive pass that is 42€ for a family.

Nonnberg Abbey

Down the hill from the fortress is the Nonnberg Abbey. You can’t enter the Abbey itself, only the church, you’ll see the sign for the Stiftskirche Nonnberg. Take a seat in the church and listen to the nuns singing. This is the actual Abby where the “real Maria” who inspired the Sound of Music character lived and worshipped.

We visited at the end of the day and found ourselves in a completely dark church. There should be boxes to deposit a 50-cent euro piece to light up the altar and another for the back frescos. Your coin will turn on the lights for five minutes at a time. Come during daylight and you’ll have an easier time finding them!

You may recognize the walls of the abbey and the road leading up the hill from some of the scenes in The Sound of Music – they drive “away from the cemetery” here. You may also recognize the cupola of the abbey from the movie, so be sure to look up. It’s easy to miss the cupola as you’ll be so distracted by the amazing mountain views! Even if you skip the fortress, make sure to walk up here, if only for the views.

Leaving the Abbey, head back down towards town, taking the steps down to Kaigasse. Take this back to Mozartplatz , then take the Mozart Bridge across the river, and back to the train station. This bridge was also featured in The Sound of Music.

Sound of Music Tours in Salzburg

One of the most popular things to do in Salzburg is to take a Sound of Music Tour. Many places in the town of Salzburg are featured in the classic film. There are also several locations just outside the city that a tour will help you visit.

Sound of Music Half-Day Tour

This half-day Sound of Music tour takes you via bus not only to the sites in Salzburg but also to sites around the outskirts of the city including Hellbrunn Palace where you’ll see the original gazebo that was used in the movie, and up into the Alps where you’ll see where some of the mountain views were shot. A lovely half day on a bus with the soundtrack playing in the background.

Book Now: Sound of Music 4 Hr Bus Tour

Sound of Music Bike Tour

You can also take Fraulein Maria’s Bike Tour , which takes you around Salzburg on bikes! This is a great tour for all ages and takes about four hours.

If you plan to visit some of the Sound of Music highlights on your own, this list of movie locations and where they are featured in the film is quite helpful.

Salzburg Christmas Markets

Salzburg is known for its Christmas markets, and for being a festive holiday destination. The main Christmas market is set up in the Residenzplatz . There has been a market here going back to the 15th Century. You’ll also find an ice rink and food huts in Mozartplatz .

You’ll also find Christmas markets in the Hohensalzburg Fortress Courtyard , as well as in Mirabell Square .

Because Salzburg is a popular holiday destination, you’ll find lots of Christmas ornaments, from blown eggs to glass, as well as nutcrackers and other Christmas decor on Judengasse . The holidays are a fantastic time to visit Salzburg- you will find festive holiday magic, though you will also find the town quite crowded.

Additional Things to Do in Salzburg

If you have more time, there are many more things to do in Salzburg. When just visiting Salzburg for a day, you’ll have to pick and choose a bit and decide how much you want to rush around versus taking your time to wander and window shop through the charming historic center. Here are a few more options for your Salzburg itinerary.

The DomQuartier

We tried to squeeze in a visit to the Museum DomQuartier Salzburg , not realizing how extensive it is. You will need several hours to do this well. Despite the fact that there are several sections to the DomQuartier, it is a one-way path, so if you don’t want to spend a lot of time there, it’s hard to cut it short.

The DomQuartier is the residence of the prince archbishops of the Salzburg Cathedral . These people controlled the secular and religious life of the town. There are several sections to the DomQuartier including the State Rooms, the Residenz Gallery, the Cathedral Museum, the Long Gallery, and St. Peter’s Museum.

The highlights for our family were seeing how the residence is connected to the Cathedral itself, via a terrace with great views over the Residenzplatz, entering the cathedral from the balcony that holds the grand organ, and seeing the church we had visited earlier from this new perspective.

The second highlight for us was the Archbishop’s Mitre. This hat is covered in more jewels than most of the crowns of Europe. There is also a large diamond clasp and an intricate gold staff.

Music lovers will enjoy seeing the room of instruments, including Haydn’s glasses and handwritten sheet music. 

The DomQuartier does a good job of including interactive elements for the kids, from places to listen to bits of music or operas, to a space to play with cathedral-shaped building blocks, to a wall where they could draw with crayons. We had to rush them through all of these activities, as the tour itself is quite long.

Entrance to the DomQuartier is included in the Salzburg Card or costs 13€ for adults, 8€ for Children. Audio guides are included in the price. They have a special audio path for kids- they follow the numbers shown with a ghost figure.

Augustiner Brau Brewery

This brewery is Austria’s largest beer garden , and has been serving beer and snacks since 1621! With lots of seating indoors and out, it’s a great place to take a break and sample some regional food from an arcade of specialty producers.

Salzburg Toy Museum

The Salzburg Toy Museum is a great indoor activity if you’ve got a rainy day, or need a break from cold weather. There are lots of interactive areas for kids to play in, with everything from marble runs to building blocks. There is a portion of the museum that takes kids back in time- from a knight’s castle to a Viking ship, to the land of dinosaurs! Be prepared to spend a few hours here.

Museum of Modern Art Salzburg

The Museum of Modern Art Salzburg has two locations. The first is the Mönchsberg which sits high atop the rock shelf looking over the city (Monk’s Hill). Take the Mönchsberg lift from Anton-Neumayr-Platz, you’ll be at the top in 30 seconds. The terrace of the restaurant here has wonderful views, while the collection is focused on 20th and 21st-century artworks.

The second location is the Rupertinum, closer to the center of the old town. Located in a building from 1653, this building holds the contemporary and modern collections.

Both locations are included with the Salzburg Card.

Ride the Cable Car to Untersberg

This 8 1/2 minute long Untersberg cable car ride rises over 1300 meters and has views that on a clear day stretch for miles over Salzburg and the surrounding lake district. The base of the cable car is a 20-minute drive from the center of Salzburg, so you’ll need some extra time to fit this into your Salzburg itinerary.

The cable car departs every half hour, on the hour and half past. Tickets are 28€ round trip for an adult. You can reach the base via taxi, rental car , or buses 25, 28, or 5 from the center of town to Valleystation Untersbergbahn.

How to Get to Salzburg from Munich

Planning your Salzburg day trip from Munich? Here are all the ways to get to Salzburg from Munich.

Yes, you can rent a car in Germany, and drive it to Austria! Just make sure to tell the rental company so there are no surprises. A car is a great way to get from Munich to Salzburg, the drive is about 2 hours.

We trust Discover Cars to provide a clear, easy rental experience.

Book Now: Discover Cars Rental

If you rent a car, make sure you have the best road trip activities , and road trip snacks to make the journey fun!

Take a Day Tour from Munich

Ready to have someone else do some of the planning? On this full-day tour from Munich, you’ll travel with your group via train to Salzburg, then have a 1 1/2 hour walking tour of the city, then have an additional three hours to explore on your own before taking the train back to Munich. This is a great tour for people looking for a bit of history and guidance, but who also want to time to explore at their own pace.

Book Now: Day Tour from Munich with Free Time

Take the Train from Munich

Taking the train from Munich to Salzburg is a great way to see the countryside and enjoy your 1 1/2 to 2-hour journey between these cities. Make sure to book in advance for the best prices- the closer you are to your travel date, the higher the prices. Planning ahead is one of our top travel tips , you’ll find that train prices double or even triple if you wait too long!

Trains leave from the Munich Hauptbahnhof and arrive at the Salzburg Hauptbahnhof.

Book Now: Train Tickets from Munich to Salzburg

Take the Bus from Munich

Buses from Munich to Salzburg are infrequent- sometimes leaving 6-8 times a day. Leaving from the Central Bus Station in Munich, the ride is between 2 and 2 1/2 hours to Salzburg, usually to the Salzburg South station, often called Salzburg P+R Sud. This station is 5 km south of the Old Town, making this an inconvenient way to visit the city.

How to Get to Salzburg from Vienna

Planning your Salzburg day trip from Vienna? Here are all the ways to get to Salzburg from Vienna. We love Vienna for its amazing architecture, wide boulevards, and of course, it’s the famous Viennese Christmas markets . (Over-rated? We think Vienna is worth it )!

If you’re staying in Vienna, be sure to check out our posts on whether Vienna is safe , and whether Vienna is walkable for details about getting around the city.

A rental car is a great way to get to Salzburg from Vienna on your own time and explore some villages along the way. The drive is about three hours from Vienna to Salzburg. You won’t need your car in the center of Salzburg, but having a car will allow you to visit some other sites on the outskirts of the city such as Hellbrunn Palace.

We use Discover Cars to book our car rentals- they show you different rental companies to choose from and are always upfront about their pricing. No surprises!

Take a Day Tour from Vienna

If you’d prefer to have all the logistics handled for you, check out this small group tour of Salzburg from Vienna . Limited to 8 people, with a minimum age of 5, this tour includes stops at the Basilica of St. Michel where the wedding scene in Sound of Music was filmed, Lake Wolfgang, and Old Town Salzburg. It also includes time for you to explore Salzburg on your own before heading back to Vienna.

Book Now: Day Tour of Salzburg from Vienna

Take the Train from Vienna

The train is a great way to get from Vienna to Salzburg. Trains leave from the main Hauptbahnhof in Vienna and arrive at the main station in Salzburg , an easy 20-minute walk from the historic center.

The train from Vienna to Salzburg takes 2 ½ hours each way on most trains, though there are also regional trains that take over 4 hours for the same journey.

The trains are clean and comfortable, have wifi, and usually do not include seat reservations. Book your journey online with Trainline then activate a mobile ticket on your phone right before you board the train.

Make sure to book tickets in advance! We waited until a few days before we wanted to visit and found that the tickets were really expensive. Book 7-10 out and the prices are much more reasonable. These are not changeable tickets, so you’ll need to stick to the train times you choose when you book the ticket.

Book Now: Train Ticket from Vienna to Salzburg

Take the Bus from Vienna to Salzburg

Buses between Vienna and Salzburg leave about twice per hour. The total travel time is 2 1/2 hours. Buses depart from either Westbanhof or Hutteldorf and arrive in Salzburg at the corner of Lastenstrasse at the backside of the main train station. Unlike train prices, the bus prices are rather fixed, so you won’t need to book far in advance to get the best deal. The bus is also a great alternative if you find that last-minute train tickets are expensive.

Book Now: Bus Ticket from Vienna to Salzburg

How Long Do I Need in Salzburg?

While you can see a lot in Salzburg in one day, you’ll have to pick and choose activities, and you can’t do everything in one day. We recommend having at least one overnight in Salzburg so that you feel less rushed during your visit.

If you choose to visit Salzburg on a day trip, try to get as early a train as you can so that you can maximize your time. We visited from Vienna, so the long train times made it difficult to fit in as many activities as we would have liked.

While Salzburg makes a great day trip destination, we would love to return to Salzburg and stay a week, perhaps incorporating trips to the surrounding towns, including picturesque Hallstatt.

Where to Stay in Salzburg

While we love a day trip to Salzburg, If you have time to spend the night, you’ll take the pressure off your itinerary, and be able to wander the streets at a slower pace, soaking up the atmosphere.

Because the old town of Salzburg is so compact and walkable, there are a limited number of hotels available, and they can get quite expensive. Book as far ahead as possible to have the best selection.

Best Budget Hotel: JUFA Hotel Salzburg City

The JUFA hotel is on the same side of the river as Old Town but about a 15-minute walk from the Residenzplatz. You’ll find modern decor with a pop of color, comfortable beds, and a cafe on site. A great hearty breakfast, easy parking, and a play area for the kids are some of the things reviewers love most about this hotel. Rooms are spacious, some family rooms include bunk beds.

Check Availability: JUFA Hotel

Best Central Hotel: Star Inn Hotel Premium Salzburg Gablerbräu

If being right in the center of all the action is important to you, we recommend the Star Inn Hotel . The Star Inn has a fantastic location just off Linzergasse, the main pedestrian shopping street on the north side of the river. There are tons of cafes and restaurants here, plus you are a four-minute walk across the river to Mozart’s birth house. Due to its location in the old town, the rooms here are smaller- their largest room is two double beds. Location is the main attraction here.

Check Availability: Star Inn Hotel

FAO: Day Trip to Salzburg

One day is barely enough! We recommend at least two days, though it makes a great day trip if you get an early train and are willing to pick which activities interest you most.

The best time to visit Salzburg, Austria is in the Spring, when everything is green, and the weather is good for wandering around, but the summer crowds haven’t arrived. The other best time to visit Salzburg is during the holiday season, to explore the Christmas markets and enjoy Salzburg with all the holiday lights. We visited in January when it was cold, the fountains were turned off, the tram to the fortress wasn’t running and the Christmas markets had been taken down. The upside to this time of year is that it wasn’t at all crowded, and the ice skating was still open! We didn’t have to wait for any attractions or wait to sit down at any restaurants.

Salzburg is in Austria, very close to the German border. The best place to stay if you’re planning to take a day trip to Salzburg is Munich, which is only a 1 1/2-hour train ride away.

Yes! Mozart was born, baptized, and lived in Salzburg with his family for much of his life. You can visit two of the houses he lived in, as well as the famous Mozart statue in Mozartplatz. Don’t forget to eat a few famous Mozart Chocolates as well!

The castle in Salzburg, Austria is called the Fortress Hohensalzburg. It towers above the city of Salzburg, you can see it from the river, and from many locations in town. It is the largest fully preserved castle in Central Europe.

Yes, Salzburg is very walkable. There are buses and trams that run throughout town, but we found everything we were interested in was an easy walk. From the train station to the center of town is about a 20-minute walk. The center of Salzburg is flat, then the walk up to the fortress is quite steep, but you can take a tram if you wish.

The oldest restaurant in Salzburg is St. Peter Stiftskulinarium , located in St, Peters Abby, which is believed to have been in operation since 803, making in the oldest restaurant in the world. Both Christopher Colombus and Mozart are said to have eaten here.

Yes! Many of the scenes from The Sound of Music were filmed in Salzburg. From Mirabel Palace Gardens to the fountain in the Residenzplatz, you’ll see a lot of Salzburg in the film.

The river that runs through Salzburg is called the Salzach River.

German is spoken in Salzburg, Austria, which is located very close to the German border. The currency is the Euro, and credit cards are accepted almost everywhere.

The mountains around Salzburg are the Salzkammergut Mountains, part of the northern Alps.

There You Have It: One Day in Salzburg

Salzburg makes a wonderful day trip from Munich or Vienna. We’ve covered what to see in Salzburg in one day, as well as things to do in Salzburg if you have more time. You’ll experience the old town with its picturesque buildings and guild signs, see many of the Sound of Music film locations, and explore an old fortress, all while strolling delightful cobblestone streets. A day trip to Salzburg will leave you wanting to spend more time in this delightful Austrian town!

Cynthia Matthews von Berg is the founder of Sharing the Wander. She is a passionate traveler, mom, and travel coach specializing in long-term travel and family travel. She and her family embarked on a Family Gap Year in 2021, and haven't looked back.

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9 Best Day Trips from Salzburg

The city of Salzburg, Austria, is located close to the border with Southern Germany. Salzburg is perhaps best known for its musical ties, since it is the birthplace of Mozart as well as the backdrop for the iconic film The Sound of Music.

The Austrian city is also home to stunning architecture, which includes the castle called Schloss Hellbrunn and the impressive Hohensalzburg Castle. In order to fully appreciate the Austrian culture, scenery and history, try to add a few of these day trips from Salzburg to your itinerary.

Map of day trips from Salzburg

9. Herrenchiemsee

A 45-minute drive west of Salzburg will bring you across the German border, into Bavaria and straight to the lake known as Chiemsee. Within the lake itself are three major islands, one of which is called Herreninsel. On this island, you’ll find a complex of royal structures known collectively as Herrenchiemsee.

These buildings were built under the orders of King Ludwig II, and they are among the most important architectural features in Bavaria. You won’t want to miss a tour of the Neues Schloss, which was modeled after the Palace of Versailles in France. Surrounding the castle there are beautiful gardens as well as an impressive sculpture collection.

Getting to Herrenchiemsee

• To get to Herrenchiemsee by public transport, you first want to take the train from Salzburg to Prien am Chiemsee railway station. Once you arrive, take a wonderful 15-minute boat trip to Herrenchiemsee itself. All in all, the journey should take you around an hour and 15 minutes.
• Driving to Herrenchiemsee is just as easy and saves you around 15 minutes journey time, although it may take you some time to find a parking space in Prien am Chiemsee. From Salzburg, take bundesautobahn 1 until the German border, where you then continue on the 8 until you get to Lake Chiemsee. After parking, you again need to hop on a boat which will take you to the glorious Herrenchiemsee.

8. Zell am See

Zell am See is a popular health and tourism resort located south of Salzburg. The biggest attraction is the lake, which the entire town is built around. The waters of the lake come from the surrounding glaciers, and snow-capped mountains create a stunning visual backdrop.

You may want to visit Zell am See if you’re into outdoor sports, because recreation is a big part of the location’s appeal. In the summer, boating, cycling and hiking are common, and in the winter people head to the nearby Schmittenhöhe for skiing.

Getting to Zell am See

• As direct trains run quite frequently from Zell am See, it is very easy to get from one to the other. The journey usually takes between 90-120 minutes. On the way, you’ll pass through some spellbindingly beautiful scenery, and once you arrive, everything is within walking distance.
• By car, the journey to Zell am See takes about an hour and a half, although you may find yourself frequently stopping to take pictures of the lovely mountains you pass by. From the center of Salzburg, take bundesautobahn 1 west to the border with Germany. Once you cross over, follow bundesstrasse 21 until you find yourself back at the Austrian border on the other side of Berchtesgaden National Park. After continuing along 178 for a while, turn off onto the 311; this will take you all the way to Zell am See.

7. Liechtensteinklamm

One of the most breathtaking natural attractions in Austria is Liechtensteinklamm. Located 70 km (45 miles) south of Salzburg, Liechtensteinklamm is an extensive gorge, or ravine, with tall, high sides. Waterfalls and flowing water eroded the gorge into what it is today, and you can walk right through it along a series of paths and bridges.

As you walk, you’ll hear the roaring sound of water rushing through the gorge, you’ll see waterfalls and you’ll be able to admire the lush greenery thanks to constant precipitation. A visit to Liechtensteinklamm can truly feel like an otherworldly experience you won’t ever forget.

Getting to Liechtensteinklamm

• By public transport, it is straightforward to get to Liechtensteinklamm, although you will have to take a train and then a bus. First of all, hop on a direct train from Salzburg Hbf to St. Johann im Pongau station. These run very frequently, and the journey takes around an hour. From the station, take bus 540 for the last ten-minute stretch of the trip. Once you get off at St. Johann im Pongau Steglehen stop, you’ll see signs telling you where to go. For this last stretch, you could also take a taxi if it is more convenient.
• Another option is to drive there; this then means you can stop off at incredible sights such as Hohenwerfen Castle, Eisriesenwelt Cave, and Salzwelten salt mine on your way back to Salzburg. To get to Liechtensteinklamm, merely loop around Salzburg city center on bundesautobahn 1 until you get to the 10, then follow this south until Elmauthal. Here, continue on bundesstrasse 311. Around St. Johann im Pongau, you’ll see signs pointing you to Liechtensteinklamm.

6. Hohenwerfen Castle

Above the city of Werfen, located just 40 minutes south of Salzburg, stands a majestic castle and fortress. Hohenwerfen, which literally means “Above Werfen”, was constructed in the 11th century. Surrounded by the beautiful Berchtesgaden Alps as well as the Tennengebirge Mountains, Hohenwerfen looks like something out of a fairy tale.

The history of the castle includes many wars and even a brief stint serving as a prison, but today the structure is primarily a museum. If you visit, you can view many of the refurbished rooms as well as interesting features like the weapons collection and the falconry, which boasts a number of beautiful birds of prey.

Getting to Hohenwerfen Castle

• Overlooking the city of Werfen, Hohenwerfen Castle couldn’t be simpler to visit from Salzburg. Just hop on a train at Salzburg Hbf and alight at Werfen railway station around 45 minutes later. From here, you can either hike a scenic pathway up to the castle or take a short taxi ride. While in Werfen, it is well worth visiting the impressive Eisriesenwelt Cave at the same time, as it lies nearby.
• It is also very easy to drive to the castle from Salzburg. Just jump on bundesstrasse 150 heading south out of the city center. Once you come to bundesautobahn 10, simply follow it to Werfen, where you’ll see signs pointing you to the castle’s car park. While you’re in the area, make sure to check out the delightful Liechtensteinklamm, which is just 15 minutes from Werfen. Or stop by the world’s oldest salt mine at Hallein on the way back to Salzburg.

5. Eisriesenwelt Cave

Also in the town of Werfen are the Eisriesenwelt Ice Caves. These are naturally formed ice and limestone caves in the Hochkogel Mountain. Eisriesenwelt, which translates into English as World of the Ice Giants, is considered to be the largest ice cave in the entire world. The cave is only open from May to October each year, but don’t let the summer climate aboveground fool you.

In the cave, temperatures are often below freezing. Some of the top attractions on a tour of the cave include Alexander von Mörk Cathedral, which is the largest room in the cave, and the enormous stalactite called Posselt Tower.

Getting to Eisriesenwelt Cave

• By public transport, Eisriesenwelt Cave is very easy to get to from Salzburg; direct trains run regularly to Werfen – the nearest railway station. From Salzburg Hbf, it takes about 45 minutes to get there. Once you arrive, you’ll find shuttle buses that will take you to the spectacular cave in no time at all. Once you’ve visited the caves, make sure to check out the fantastic Hohenwerfen Castle before taking the train back to Salzburg.
• It is just as easy to drive to Eisriesenwelt Cave from Salzburg, although you will have to pay some tolls if you want to take the quickest route. Head south out of the city on bundesstrasse 150. Once you get to Neu-Anif, turn onto bundesautobahn 10 and follow it south until you see signs for the caves around Werfen. All in all, it takes about an hour. With a car, you can easily visit Hohenwerfen Castle or the nearby Liechtensteinklamm, which lies just 15 minutes south of Werfen.
• A great way to see the Eisriesenwelt Cave is to take a guided tour. Not only will you get to see all of its amazing sights and learn about its fascinating history, but you’ll also get to visit the beautiful Golling Waterfalls and the spectacular Salzwelten – the oldest salt mines in the world.

Direct train links connect Salzburg and Munich , making the Bavarian capital a great day trip destination for visitors. Munich is an incredible city with lots to see. In the city center, or Altstadt, you will definitely want to check out the New City Hall built on the Marienplatz. Listen for the sounds of the Glockenspiel, which goes off regularly all day.

There are dozens of museums to explore in Munich, so pick the subject that appeals to you most: BMW cars, antiques, Bavarian history and so much more. Even if you’re not in Munich during Oktoberfest, join the crowds of tourists at beer halls like Hofbräuhaus for a pint.

Getting to Munich

• To get to Munich by train from Salzburg usually takes between an hour and a half to two hours, and trains run very regularly. While some are direct trains to Munchen Central Station, others stop at Munchen Ost, from which you can take a short metro journey into the center. Although a lot of the trains are direct, with some, you need to change trains at Rosenheim, so make sure to check before buying your tickets.
• Driving takes roughly the same amount of time, depending on traffic and whether you take toll roads. From the center of Salzburg, head southwest out of the city on A1 and follow it across the border into Germany. Here, it turns into bundesautobahn 8. All you need to do is follow it directly to Munich. If you have time on the way back, stop off at the wonderful Chiemsee Lake to see the beautiful royal palace there.

3. Wolfgangsee

Less than 30 km (20 miles) east of Salzburg is Wolfgangsee, a lake in the resort region known as Salzkammergut. On the banks of the Wolfgangsee, there are lots of charming restaurants and small towns with a rich, historic appeal. One such town, St. Gilgen, boasts so-called “chocolate box houses” with visible exterior timbers and a classic Austrian style.

The Wolfgangsee is a place for outdoor adventure, and pastimes like hiking and boating are a big draw to the area. Don’t leave without trying the local culinary specialty, Steckerlfisch, which is a local fish grilled on a skewer over an open flame.

Getting to Wolfgangsee

• By public transport, it only takes an hour and a half to get to Sankt Wolfgang. Just hop on bus 150 from Salzburg Hbf and get off at Strobl Busbahnhof, where you’ll then need to take bus 546 for the last 15 minutes of the journey.
• Driving to Wolfgangsee is also very easy. This then means that you can explore some of the other lovely lakeside towns that lie nearby. To St. Gilgen, for instance, only takes half-an-hour; all you have to do is stick to bundesstrasse 158, which will take you all the way there from Salzburg. From here, you could then drive to the nearby Sankt Wolfgang, Hallstatt, or Bad Ischl – all of which are lovely to visit.
• To fit as much into their day at the Wolfgangsee as possible, lots of people decide to take a sightseeing tour to Austria’s Lake District. As well as exploring both St. Gilgen and Sankt Wolfgang, tours include a scenic boat ride on the lake and a trip to Castle Fuschl.

2. Hallstatt

Southeast of Salzburg is Hallstatt, a small town that overlooks the gorgeous blue waters of Lake Hallstatt. The history of this town dates back for more than 4,000 years, with the region being used primarily because of its available salt mines.

Today, most visitors arrive for the picturesque views and the charming town itself. During the summer, cars aren’t allowed in Hallstatt, making it a completely pedestrian-friendly spot to explore on foot.

You can tour the original salt mines, if you wish, or you could explore a very unusual attraction called the Beinhaus. The Beinhaus, or Bone House, is where the stacked bones of previous residents are dried and stacked because of limited burial space in the town.

Getting to Hallstatt

• Hallstatt is about two and a half hours away by public transport. The scenery you pass through on the way there and back is absolutely stunning. From Salzburg Hbf, you first want to take bus 150 to Bad Ischl, where you then take bus 542 or a train to Hallstatt station. After that, you still have one more leg of the journey to complete: a beautiful ferry ride across the lake to the town itself.
• A slightly longer route which is a bit more comfortable is to take the train from Salzburg to Hallstatt. You will, however, have to get off and change around half-way there at Attnang-Puchheim station. This option still includes a ferry ride from Hallstatt stop to the charming lakeside town.
• By car, it only takes an hour and 15 minutes to get to Hallstatt from Salzburg. You will pass by glorious, glimmering lakes and towering mountains. Just head east out of the city center on bundesstrasse 158 and follow it all the way to Bad Ischl. From here, hop on the 145. After Bad Goisern, all you need to do is follow signs directing you to Hallstatt. On the way back to Salzburg, make sure to stop by the beautiful Wolfgangsee to explore the charming town of St. Gilgen.
• Another option for visiting Hallstatt is to take a guided tour to the scenic little town. This also includes a stop at the impressive Muhlbach Waterfall and the chilling but fascinating Hallstatt Bone House. In addition to this, guests have the chance to explore the town at their leisure and take a cable car up to a fantastic viewpoint.

1. Berchtesgaden

Just over the German border, is Berchtesgaden. This charming, postcard-perfect town is beautiful in its own right, and its backdrop is made up of stunning mountain peaks and salt mines. These salt grottoes look like they are made from diamonds, not to mention the surreal subterranean lake.

However, what makes Berchtesgaden so popular is that it houses the Eagle’s Nest, or Kehlsteinhaus. From this vantage point, you can admire spectacular vistas, and it was created as a gift for Adolf Hitler. Even after the end of World War II, Kehlsteinhaus was preserved. It is, today, a poignant reminder of the past.

Getting to Berchtesgaden

• By public transport, it is very easy to get from the center of Salzburg to the stunning Berchtesgaden just over the border in Germany. Simply hop on bus 840 from Salzburg Hbf, and you’ll find yourself in Berchtesgaden roughly 50 minutes later after having passed through some lovely scenery. Once you alight, you’ll find all the town’s sights are within walking distance, although you will need to take a short bus ride on the 838 if you want to visit the Eagle’s Nest.
• It is even quicker to drive to Berchtesgaden yourself. This affords you the opportunity to explore the surrounding countryside at your leisure. From Salzburg, head south out of the city center on bundesstrasse 150 and merely follow it over the border into Germany. Here, it turns into the 305 – that will take you directly to Berchtesgaden. As it only takes 30 minutes to get there, you can always continue further into Berchtesgaden National Park if you want to explore more of the pristine alpine scenery. Alternatively, you could stop by Hellbrunn Castle on the way back to Salzburg.
• To make the most of their time in Berchtesgaden, many people opt to take a guided tour to the famous Eagle’s Nest, which offers up breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. After learning about its interesting history from your guide, you’ll have free time to explore the picturesque Berchtesgaden before embarking on the scenic coach ride home.

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Reader interactions.

October 28, 2019 at 8:35 pm

It was all together great experience in Austria.we were there in Saalfelden n then roamed around the Scenic Spots like Cable car ride on one of the Highest Mountain, Konigssee Lake, Hallstatt, Mirabell Garden n Palace, Eagles nest, Hochkoing, Zell am See lake,Mozart birth place, n many other spots.

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10 Best Salzburg Day Trips

Looking for the best Salzburg day trips? Here are 10 great places to visit near Salzburg, all within an hour or two drive from the city. 

Salzburg is a charming Austrian city renowned for its rich history, musical heritage, and stunning architecture. However, while there is plenty to see and do in the city, it’s also a great base to explore the nearby area.

From the serene Salzkammergut Lakes to the rugged Berchtesgaden National Park or the impressive ice caves in Werfen, each destination offers a unique blend of history, nature and culture.

Wherever you choose to visit, these are all excellent Salzburg day trips to add to your Austrian itinerary.

Best Salzburg Day Trips

While it’s possible to take most of these day trips from Salzburg by train, or on a guided tour, we suggest renting a car if possible.

We rented a car through Discover Cars and found it much easier to explore the area around Salzburg at our own pace. Discover Cars is a service that compares car rental prices across major companies and finds the best deal for you. Check here for car rental rates and availability .

1. Hallstatt

One of the most popular day trips from Salzburg, Hallstatt is a picturesque village just over an hour’s drive from the city.

The postcard-worthy town is one of the best places to visit in Austria, and well worth the trip from Salzburg. 

Wander around the lake, take a tour of the oldest salt mine in the world , and then see the skywalk and viewing platform , where you’ll be treated to stunning views.

A ride on one of the traditional wooden boats across the lake is also a must, and similar to the pletna ride across Lake Bled in Slovenia.

How to get there: Hallstatt is 1 hour 15 minutes drive from Salzburg, 2 hours 15 by train, or opt to take a half-day tour to Hallstatt from Salzburg . 

2. Königsee

Königsee, or King’s Lake, is actually across the border in Bavaria, Germany but it’s still close to Salzburg.

This emerald-green lake is the deepest lake in Bavaria and one of the cleanest in Germany.

Take a ferry ride across the lake to the triple-domed St. Bartholomä Chapel , which was a former hunting lodge of Bavarian kings.

Königsee is also known for its famous echo, and the ferryman will sound a trumpet to show off the echo.

Königsee is one of the best places to visit near Salzburg and a visit there can be combined with a tour to Berchtesgaden or Eagle’s Nest for a full-day trip.

How to get there: Königsee is just over an hour from Salzburg if visiting by bus, or a 35-minute drive from Salzburg.

3. Eagles’ Nest

The Eagles’ Nest is a perfect Salzburg day trip for anyone interested in history.

The former command centre was built as a gift for Hitler’s 50 th birthday, although rumour has it that he was afraid of heights and didn’t really enjoy visiting.

The Eagle’s Nest, also known as Kehlsteinhaus , is situated 6017 feet above sea level and offers stunning views of the Bavarian Alps.

I’m an avid reader and first heard about the Eagle’s Nest in a book I read called The German Midwife , but it was actually my 8-year-old son who insisted we take this day trip.

His knowledge of WWII is a touch limited due to his age, but he is fascinated with Hitler, and once he learned about his “mountaintop house”, he was really interested in seeing it.

Unfortunately, a tour of the building and rooms isn’t possible, but the experience of just getting to the Eagle’s Nest is something.

It’s not possible to drive right to the top; instead, you park in the lot, buy your ticket and then take a bus to get to the entrance.

Once there, you cross through a long tunnel and take the infamous gold elevator to reach the mountaintop restaurant.

If you’re not up for a snack, wander along the trails to several lookouts with absolutely stunning panoramic views of the Alps.

Whether you have an interest in history, or you’re just going for the views, it’s a great Salzburg day trip. 

How to get there: The Eagle’s Nest is possible to reach by car, or you can take a half-day tour from Salzburg, which includes all guides and transfers.  By bus, is possible, as well as driving by car, but honestly, if we did it again, I’d take the tour from Salzburg to Eagle’s Nest ! Enjoy the views along the way and save the drive up the very steep and winding roads.

4. Wolfgangsee

One of the most beautiful lakes in the Salzkammergut, Wolfgangsee is an easy day trip from Salzburg.

The picturesque lake has a few villages and towns dotting the shores, among those, St. Gilgen, the birthplace of Mozart’s mother.

St. Wolfgang is another picturesque town, right at the centre of the lake, with narrow, winding lanes, interesting shops and cozy cafes, as well as lakeside restaurants with views of the water.

After wandering through the quaint town, take the Wolfgangseeschifffarhrt Cruise along the lake to visit the towns of St. Gilgen or Strobl and see the beauty of the Wolfgangsee from the water.

Or hop on the Schafbergbahn railway , Austria’s steepest cog railway, which has been taking people up the Schafberg since 1893.

This historic cog railway takes you over 1,000 meters above sea level, where you’ll have panoramic views of the Austrian mountains and Lake Wolfgangsee below.

The Schafberg railroad trip is expensive, but it’s worth it for the breathtaking views as you climb the mountain, past rock walls and through tunnels, as well as the stunning views from the top.

How to get there: A day trip to Wolfgangsee from Salzburg is an easy 35-minute drive, or the bus takes just over an hour.

5. Dachstein Ice Caves

These impressive caves began forming 500 years ago and are a must-see when considering Salzburg day trips, no matter what time of year you are visiting.

The 50-minute tour takes you past glaciers, ice sculptures and frozen waterfalls.

There’s also the Mammut Cave , one of the world’s largest karst caves, similar to Postojna Cave in Slovenia, which is spectacular.

After seeing the Dachstein Ice Caves, you can continue on to the 5 Fingers viewing platform for stunning views of the surrounding area.

As it’s an ice cave, it is cold inside, so dress appropriately.

How to get there: Driving time is 1 hour 30 by car, and the train and bus combo takes just under 3 hours. 

6. Werfen Castle

Burg Hohenwerfen, or Werfen Castle is one of the most beautiful fortresses in Austria.

The 900-year-old medieval castle sits high on a hill overlooking the Salzach Valley and is a truly impressive sight from below.

It’s also well-known for being the main location in the film, Where Eagles Dare.

Take a tour of the historic castle to see the extensive weapons collection, climb the bell tower for fantastic views of the surrounding area, or see a falconry show. The historic Falconry Centre offers daily flight demonstrations with using various birds of prey, including eagles, falcons, hawks and vultures.

How to get there: Werfen Castle is about 35 minutes from Salzburg, just off the A10 highway on the way to Ljubljana or 45 minutes from Salzburg by train. 

7. Werfen Ice Caves

Similar to the ice caves at Dachstein, the Werfen Ice Caves are just as impressive and a must-see when visiting Salzburg.

The cave system, known as Eisriesenwelt , which means World of Ice Giants, extends over 40km into the mountain and is actually the biggest ice cave in the world.

From the visitor centre and ticket office, it’s a 20-minute walk uphill, then a short cable car ride before walking another 20 minutes to the cave entrance, where there are still 700 stairs up within the caves, but it’s not too challenging if you take your time. 

Just be sure to dress appropriately and wear a warm sweater, as it will be cold in the ice caves.

A visit to Eisriesenwelt can be combined with a visit to Werfen Castle , as they’re not far from each other. 

How to get there: Eisriesenwelt is a 50-minute drive from Salzburg, or the train leaves every 30 minutes and takes one hour. 

8. Hallein Salt Mine

Also known as Salzwelten Salzburg , the Hallein Salt Mine is one of the oldest salt mines in the world, and an easy day trip from Salzburg.

The salt mined here was known as ‘white gold’, and was what made the Salzkammergut region rich, essentially creating the city of Salzburg.

Take a train ride into the mountain, where you’ll learn about the mining process, ride across an underground lake and then slide down the mining slide, which is one of the best parts of the tour, especially for kids.

How to get there: The Hallein Salt Mine is a 25-minute drive from Salzburg, and slightly longer by train, depending on which time of day you are visiting. It’s also included as a stop on the Hop On, Hop Off Bus in Salzburg , or you can opt to take a guided tour from Salzburg .

Only 90 minutes away from Salzburg is Munich, the capital city of Bavaria.

The third largest city in Germany, Munich is well known for its beer halls and Oktoberfest celebration, but there are also many interesting sights to see as well.

From the Marienplatz , which features the Glockenspiel , a medieval clock with life-size characters that perform twice daily, to the 18 th century Nymphenburg Palace or the modern BMW Museum , there’s no shortage of things to see in Munich.

How to get there: Both driving or taking the train from Salzburg to Munich takes approximately 90 minutes, but the train is much more convenient. There’s less hassle with the traffic, especially as you enter Munich and no worries about parking in downtown Munich. 

While it is possible to visit Vienna on a day trip from Salzburg, honestly, we’d recommend spending a night or two there, as there is so much to do in Vienna .

But if you’re short on time, a day trip from Salzburg to Vienna is possible, and better than not seeing the remarkable city at all!

Visit the City of Music , marvel at the Opera , wander through one of the many parks and explore the Imperial Palace , before heading back to Salzburg.

How to get there: It’s about 2.5 hours from Salzburg to Vienna by train, and trains run frequently throughout the day right to Vienna Central Station. From there, it’s an easy walk to Belvedere Palace and Karlsplatz, or hop on the metro to the Inner Stadt and explore the Hofburg and Vienna’s Old Town . By car, it’s just over 3 hours and as you won’t need a car in Vienna, we recommend taking the train.

Where to Stay in Salzburg

When it comes to accommodations in Salzburg, there are a range of options that will suit different preferences and budgets. Each of the options listed below is located in the city centre, making it easy to access these day trips no matter whether you have your own car, or are arranging transportation with a guided tour. 

Budget: MEININGER Hotel Salzburg City Center

3⭐  7.6/10 on Booking

For budget-conscious travellers, MEININGER hotels are a great choice, and the MEININGER Hotel Salzburg is no exception. Situated within easy reach of major attractions, this hotel offers a comfortable stay with modern amenities.

With both private and shared room options, MEININGER Hotel Salzburg caters to both solo travellers and families. The communal spaces provide a bit more room than a traditional hotel room, which is great for families with young kids. Plus, the kitchen facilities are ideal for families or those on a budget looking to make some of their own meals.

MEININGER Hotel Salzburg offers cost-effective accommodations and a comfortable stay so you can enjoy exploring the area around Salzburg. 

Mid-Range: Hotel am Mirabellplatz

4⭐  8.5/10 on Booking

Nestled near Mirabell Palace and Gardens, Hotel am Mirabellplatz is a mid-range hotel that offers a blend of quality and affordability.

With well-appointed rooms and a convenient location for exploring Salzburg’s sites, it’s also convenient for anyone looking to arrange transportation for day trips from Salzburg.

Private parking is also available nearby for an additional fee. The comfortable accommodations, friendly staff and great location make it a great option for those seeking a comfortable and convenient stay without breaking the bank. 

Luxury: Hotel Sacher Salzburg

5⭐  8.9/10 on Booking

For an indulgent and luxurious experience, the grand and historic Hotel Sacher Salzburg is a fantastic choice.

With its stunning riverside location and unique views of the Hohensalzburg Fortress, this five-star hotel offers impeccable service and lavish rooms personally decorated by the owner.

Private parking is available nearby and child care is available at an additional cost, which is always a bonus for families while travelling.

There are several restaurants and a bar onsite, as well as the famous Café Sacher Salzburg, which serves the original Sachertorte, a Viennese chocolate cake, which is a perfect treat after a day of exploring.  

FAQs : Salzburg Day Trips

While everyone’s preferences vary, the best day trips in Salzburg according to both Viator travellers as well as our own recommendations are the Hallstatt Half-Day Tour from Salzburg and the Eagle’s Nest and Salt Mines Day Trip , but if you’ve already visited the Hallein Salt Mine, a day trip to the Eagle’s Nest is still worthwhile. 

While Salzburg is an easily walkable city, it’s a good idea to have a car to explore the area around Salzburg. Many areas can be visited on guided tours if you don’t have a car.

While it’s possible to visit this iconic castle on a day trip from Salzburg, it will be a long day. It’s just over 200km and takes approximately 2.5 hours to drive one way.

Final Thoughts: Best Salzburg Day Trips

While Salzburg is a fascinating city, and there is much to see and do, there is also so much to explore nearby. The surrounding area is filled with gems like the picturesque town of Hallstatt, the imposing Eagle’s Nest or the impressive ice caves at Dachstein or Werfen. Whether you’re interested in history, nature or culture, one of these Salzburg day trips is perfect for you and promises a memorable time in Austria

For more tips and inspiration on visiting Austria and Central Europe, be sure to check out these posts:

• Best Things to Do in Vienna with Kids
• 17 of the Best Playgrounds in Vienna & Parks for Families
• Best Playgrounds in Prague
• 21 Fun and Unique Things to Do in Ulm, Germany
• Best Christmas Markets in Vienna

Erin Martin is the founder and sole writer for Wanderlust with Kids. Together with her twin boys, they have travelled to over 20 countries and five provinces within Canada. Erin is responsible for planning and facilitating all of her family's travel itineraries and adventures, whether locally or internationally. An explorer at heart, Erin aims to make any travel adventure kid-friendly and shares all her favourite family-friendly things to do, both in Canada and abroad.

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Last minute check : Bus 150 to Hallstatt on Saturday ? - Salzburg Forum

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Last minute check : Bus 150 to Hallstatt on Saturday ?

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We plan to visit Halstatt on Saturday, plan to take bus 150 from Salzburg Hbf at 8.15. Which means we need to take a bus from our hotel around 7.30 and to queue to buy Day Tickets from the bus driver, or if possible, to buy from a machine

Alternatively, we could wait the bus 150 at Sterneckstrasse (near our hotel) with possibility to leave earlier and dont have to take needless route to Salzburg Hbf. The risk is: the seats may not be available at Sterneckstrasse

Considering mid April on Saturday, what is the likeliness that the seats are full on Bus 150 ?

Is there ticket machine to buy Day Ticket at Sterneckstrasse ? we prefer to buy from a machine so we dont need to prepare fixed amount of cash (and coins) to the bus driver

What is the fare for Day Ticket for Salzburg - Hallstatt approximately ?

We are considering to take train between Bad Ischl - Hallstatt train station, for the reason that we want to try the ferry (and the scenery). This will be additional cost on top of Day Ticket

On the way back to Salzburg we will stop at St Gilgen using the bus 150 again from Bad Ischl

10 replies to this topic

on a Saturday, seats should not be a problem. no queue to purchase day ticket. just pay as you board. ask for day ticket to Hallstatt....this INCLUDES the train trip to and from bad ischl. but you do have to pay a couple of euro on the ferry from station to village.

Thanks Nakagoli, relieved that you say that the seats wll not be a problem if we take the bus from Sterneckstrasse

Found another info on the timetable, seems it is different than what is showed on Google map

https://fahrplan.salzburg-verkehr.at/

The Full Day ticket is shown here 31.8 euros, I guess we will need to prepare cash for the bus driver

You alreaady asked a similar question, the related thread could have been used for your follow-up questions on that matter. Sticking to one thread makes it easier for everyone.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g190441-i391-k14675015-3_nights_in_Salzburg_transport-Salzburg_Austrian_Alps.html#120028311

I would not assume that buses running on Saturdays, when locals have time for a day trip, are weakly occupied, it is rather the opposite I suppose. But I would not assume that you won't get any seats, they simply may not be located next to each other.

Tickets can also be bought in advance, so if you get close to Hauptbahnhof Station the day before, you could buy it from a ticket vending machine. Just ensure that you correctly adjust the date it can be used for.

Hi Michael, thanks for reminding. I asked so many questions in the past 3 months covering 5 cities , so I guess I missed later responses ..lol

I consider this relevant to be asked as we will save more than 1 hour from bus waiting times if we were able to just wait at the bus stop. You and Nakagoli have different opinions.. but maybe we could just observe the previous day at the bus stop, how high the traffic mid April...

I know public transport very well, and because of that I am aware that on weekdays most people commute into the cities, in this case Salzburg, not out of the cities. On weekends it is rather reverse, or more "balanced", because residents of cities may take a day trip they can only do on the weekend.

"....and locals do not suddenly decide to take the bus to bad ischl or Hallstatt on a Saturday."

Of course they do, because most people plan their weekends rather on short-notice, not weeks in advance, also because weather plays a role.

Anyway, you will be able to get on the bus, but it could be that only a few seats are left, and that you may not be able to have adjacent seats. On the other hand 08:15a is rather early, most day visitors will take later buses.

The forecsst for Hallstatt this Saturday looks rainy. So we may opt to take on Friday

Regarding the ticket purchase, if you're 100% sure you're going, you may get it from a ticket machine in advance. Just make sure you select the correct day of the validity. This solves your problem with purchase on board and cash payment, without having to rely on a ticket machine being on your bus stop.

I have taken the bus several times and have never been without a seat, I usually take it from the stop you need (Streneckstrasse) as it's an easy walk down Linzer Gasse even if you are staying over the bridge. It is advisable to avoid school hours though. The entire route has more than 50 stops (as they are request stops, the bus doesn't stop at each) so there will be passengers coming and going so even if you have to stand at the beginning, a seat will more than likely be made available along the route.

Good info, thanks. But yes, just preparing the cash with changes

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