Top Things To Do In Salzburg – A Traveller’s Guide

Nestled in northwest Austria, Salzburg is a beautiful and vibrant city in one of the wealthiest countries in Europe. It is a city of well-preserved historical architecture and striking landscape. Eminently called the charming setting of the classic movie, The Sound of Music, Salzburg offers tourists a perfect setting to enjoy a memorable vacation while experiencing rich history and vibrant culture.

The city is also known as the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, one of the greatest music composers of the classic era. The traditional music and art scenes of Salzburg are still strong, with many live music events, concerts, and performances held annually. With rich architectural heritage and magnificent palaces and castles, Salzburg made its way to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1997. The city has become a prominent part of several Austria tour packages, serving as a base for exploring many different sightseeing attractions nearby.

From scenic locations in the Alps mountain range to stunning architecture and scrumptious foods, Salzburg offers everything for all types of travellers.

Top Things To Do in Salzburg

Here is a comprehensive overview of some of the best things to do in Salzburg.

• Explore Altstadt Salzburg for old-world Charm
• Visit St. Peter's Abbey Church
• Enjoy the relaxing Vibe of Mirabell Gardens
• Visit Hellbrunn Palace and Fountain
• Witness the Best of European Music and Drama in Festival Theaters
• Enjoy a Scenic Drive to Hallein and the Celtic Museum
• Appreciate the Spectacular Scenery of Untersberg

Explore Altstadt Salzburg for old-world Charm

The tour of Salzburg city begins with its old town, home to some of the most popular attractions like Traklhaus (Georg Trakl Memorial), Mozartplatz Square, etc. Located on the left bank of the Salzach River, Altstadt is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, attracting tourists with its pastel-hued buildings, lively ambience, and winding narrow streets. You can spend hours in this old town, admiring its medieval architectural gems. Here, you can also enjoy a sightseeing cruise along the river and visit nearby highlights like Leopoldskron Palace (Schloss Leopoldskron), local cafes and restaurants.

Visit St. Peter's Abbey Church

Founded in the 7th century, St. Peter's Abbey is a prime attraction in Salzburg. With an amalgamation of swirling baroque detailing and Romanesque architecture, St. Peter's Abbey Church makes one of the best things to see in Salzburg. It is a former cathedral and Benedictine monastery, a must-visit attraction for history lovers and Sound of Music fans. The building's tall onion-shaped tower is known to be the first of its kind in Europe. It is recommended to have a guided tour of the architectural marvel so that you do not miss the history and important information about this impressive building complex.

Enjoy the Relaxing Vibe of Mirabell Gardens

The next on the list of the best things to do in Salzburg is enjoying the relaxing vibe of Mirabell Palace and Gardens. Also called the jewel of Salzburg, this striking garden was filmed in the movie The Sound of Music. One of the best examples of Baroque landscape design, the palace was designed between 1721 and 1727, having marble statues, fountains, and terraces in the gardens. However, after a fire breakout in 1818, the palace was restored in the simpler Neoclassical style. Highlights of this palace visit include the marble hall, still used for events and concerts, the Schloss Mirabell Baroque Museum, and a small open-air theatre in the south-western corner of the gardens. Visiting this striking historical attraction will be undoubtedly an overwhelming experience.

Visit Hellbrunn Palace and Fountain

The next on the list of best things to see in Salzburg, Hellbrunn Palace is famous for its trick fountains.  Constructed by Markus Sittikus, the Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg, between 1613 and 1619, this palace is over 400 years old, astonishing visitors with a sense of wonder with its Hellbrunn Wasserspiele (Water Games). Located near Morzg, a southern district in Salzburg, Hellbrunn Palace gives visitors a glimpse of a lifestyle led by powerful rulers of both church and state. The prince, Sittikus thought about offering unique entertainment for his guests. This concept included a garden of trick water fountains, where a statue along the pavement unexpectedly turns into a shower, and benches around the table start sprinkling water all over guests. In addition, the park is an interesting spot with a grand alley of trees and a gazebo used for filming the Sound of Music.

Witness the Best of European Music and Drama

Enjoying European Music and Drama is one of the best things to do in Salzburg if you like operas, ballets, and Shakespeare classics. Salzburg is famous for its music festivals, organised in the city’s popular concert halls and historical theatres. The Large Festival Hall Salzburg can accommodate an audience of 2,177 with a clear view of the stage. The hall is also used for receptions and exhibitions. Decorated by marvellous 17th-century murals and sculptures, this striking theatre hall is the best place for art and entertainment in Salzburg. Moreover, you can also visit the Salzburg Marionette Theatre for a completely different experience. Founded in 1913, this venue is one of the oldest theatres in the world.

Enjoy a Scenic Drive to Hallein and the Celtic Museum

Nothing is like enjoying the twists and turns of long drives on scenic routes! So, if you are fascinated by road trips, do enjoy a drive from the Salzburg city center to the old Celtic town of Hallein by the River Salzach. The old Celtic town is known for its beautiful narrow streets, typical Salzach-styled historic homes, and statues. The birthplace of Franz Xaver Gruber, the composer of Silent Night, Hallein is also known for one of the oldest salt mines in the world. Here, you can visit Keltenmuseum Hallein (the Celtic Museum), one of the largest museums in Europe, showcasing Celtic art and history. Some other highlights in and around this town include Lake Hallstatt, Hofbrau Kaltenhausen Brewery, Wallfahrts Church, etc. A trip to Salzburg would be incomplete without visiting this iconic destination.

Appreciate the Spectacular Scenery of Untersberg

One of the most exciting things to see and do in Salzburg is taking a cable car ride to Untersberg, a popular recreation area with a rugged peak. Located around 10 km south of Salzburg, Untersberg has been taking nature lovers, winter sports enthusiasts, and trekkers up the striking mountains and back to the valley since 1961. A few minute's ride in cable cars is an absolute delight, offering incredible sights of the Rositten Valley, Salzburg, and the entire Berchtesgaden region. It must be a part of your travel list to enjoy nature and witness the striking sights of the Mountain range.

Best Time to Visit Salzburg

Salzburg is one of the most beautiful cities in Austria and can be visited in any season or month. However, the perfect time to visit this picturesque town is between September and November, when the weather is perfect for exploration. Also, this is the time when countryside villages are decorated for festivals to celebrate the year’s plentiful harvest. For those who want to enjoy outdoor activities such as boating and hiking during summer, the best time to visit Austria is between June and August.

As we conclude our exploration of the best things to see and do in Salzburg, it is clear that the historical city of Salzburg has a lot to offer for all kinds of tourists. When planning your list of what to do in Salzburg, ensure to include all these things to make the most of your trip. You can select one of the Salzburg tour packages from Veena World and cover all the major highlights of this city.