Things to do in Salzburg, Austria
Where is Salzburg anyway?
Are you visiting Salzburg/Austria for the first time? Never too late!
Salzburg is the fourth largest city in Austria, is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe located in between Innsbruck and Linz, Styria and Tirol, Carinthia and Upper Austria, seemingly the centre of Austria yet beside the border of Bavaria and in line between Munich and Vienna.
The city population is about 150 000 and lies at over 420 meters above sea level. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996.
Salzburg “Mozart city” has many faces. It has the baroque Old Town with its medieval fortress towering over it, picturesque landscape surrounded by majestic mountains and crystal clear lakes. It is a centre for culture, music and festivals of music. It has the birth place of the composer, W A Mozart. It was the source, inspiration and shooting location of the renowned “The Sound of Music” film and is simply a beautiful historical city.
It naturally makes you feel romantic, relaxed, magical and adventurous: an absolute fun place!
Things to do in Salzburg:
There are many things to do in Salzburg and its surroundings. It is a paradise for sightseeing tours and “hike & bike” you really have to be here to see and enjoy it.
Hiking Trails on your own: “Like a local in the nature and history of the city”
Take a walk on Mönchsberg: (The history around you)
The Old Town is wedged between the Mönchsberg and the river Salzach. The Mönchsberg (540m) has the fortress and Nonnberg Abbey (historic convent & “The Sound of Music” film location) at the south end, of the other buildings many are interesting, some old, some very old. At the north end is the Mülln church and monastery with its famous Augustinian Brewery and beer hall. There are many view points. The walk can start or end from many different points, you can easily be side tracked by little detours to check out a house, garden or view point, but can be considered a 2 hour walk.
Take a hike on Kapuzinerberg: (The nature near you)
The opposite side of the river is New Town, it is just newer than Old Town. From beside the Salzach the Kapuzinerberg(640m) rises steeply and once past the Capuchin Monastery you are surrounded by nature, occasional interesting buildings, old walls and many view points. This can be considered a 2 hour walk.
The highest point is by the “Franziskischlossl” (a 17th century defence tower) that operates now as a restaurant.
Access to the Kapuzinerberg at the west end gives a choice of a route from Linzergasse 14 up Kapuzinerberg, a steep narrow road with some steps, and from Steingasse 9 there is the Imbergstiege staircase with more steps. These two routes join just below the monastery.
At the east end in Schallmoos opposite Schallmoos Hauptstr. 97 is the Doblerweg which leads into the Kapuzinerberg path.
Take an adventure on Untersberg: (The power and mystery mountain with water, rock and the intertwined nature)
This mountain is often seen as backdrop in the 1965 film “The Sound of Music“.
The table mountain to the south side of Salzburg with a summit in Austria(1853m) and a summit in Bavaria(1972m). Accessed by a challenging steep climb or the assistance of a modern cable car ride. Once up high the hiking is much easier.
The Untersbergbahn cable car takes you up high in just 10 minutes (for a fee!) from the village of St Leonhard, the end station of bus 5, 25 and 28. The hiking trails start from the Rosittenbrucke bridge near the village of Glanegg (accessible with bus 21, bus stop named Ortsmitte). By the Rositten bridge you can choose between the Dopplersteig or Reitsteig routes, they meet on the high ridge. Hiking time to the summit, recommended to allow 4 hours up! There are other longer hiking routes up the mountain from the Bavarian sides. From the cable car top station it would be a further 30 minutes hike to reach the summit. The wildlife viewing on the mountain is not guaranteed, but there are often viewings of chamois and salamander, occasionally mouflon. The mountain is renowned for its caves, ice caves and others if you care to research. They say the Emperor Karl never died but he sleeps in a cave on the Untersberg…!
Things to see in Salzburg: (History with fun & pleasure)
Mirabell Palace and gardens , Hellbrunn Palace and gardens and it’s fun Trick Fountains, Hangar 7, Hohensalzburg Fortress, Mozart’s Birth Place & Residence museums, Marionettentheater (Puppet Theater), Salzburg Cathedral,
Nonnberg Abbey, Music Festival halls and the popular and fashionable shopping street Getreidegasse and more…
Must visit places around Salzburg: (Classic Tours)
Once you are in Salzburg, worth a visit unique places are one of the Austria’s most beloved areas the Salzkammergut Lake district, UNESCO World Heritage Site Hallstatt village with its salt mine, the oldest in the world, The largest ice caves in the world “Eisriesenwelt” Werfen Ice Caves & Fortress Burg Werfen, Dürrnberg Saltmines near Hallein, King’s Lake & Eagle’s Nest in Berchtesgadenerland, Bavaria.
Things to Enjoy in Salzburg: (Cultural & Musical)
A perfect city for classical music lovers Salzburg is famous for Cultural and Music festivals (Concerts & Operas) especially the 100 year old (100th anniversary in the year 2020) the Summer Festival of Music held in the halls “Salzburger Festspielhaus”.
Salzburg’s traditional and tasty cuisine mainly made with locally available high quality meat from the mountains and fish from fresh water lakes. When it comes to beer it could be a good choice to begin with 15th century established brewery “Stiegl” but there are also many other local breweries to be enjoyed.
Don‘t forget to taste the Salzburg’s famous chocolate “Mozartkugel” with the choice to try both the one wrapped with Blue/Silver and the other Red/Gold… so what is the difference…? A culinary speciality and the most famous desserts are Salzburger Knockerl & Apple Strudel.
Important Sights & Attractions in Salzburg: (Memorable moments)
The main sights and atrractions in”Salzburg Altstadt” old town area can be accessible easily on foot, to begin with Mirabell Gardens, visiting Mozart’s birth place & residence houses located each side of the Salzach river. Taking a leisurely walk on the famous shopping street Getreidegasse and further continous walk to the Salzburger Dom (Cathedral),New & Old Residenz palaces and the fortress Hohensalzburg. For some it’s fun to discover “The Sound of Music” film locations such as “Pferdeschwemme” (the horse wash pond), “Felsenreitschule” (one of Salzburg’s Festival Halls, formerly the riding school), “Petersfriedhof” St. Peter’s Cemetery and end with “Stiftskeller St. Peter” the oldest restaurant in Europe for dinner?
Day Trips/Tours and Excursions from Salzburg: (Real Austrian countryside)
Famous alpine town and ski resort Zell am See, Kitzsteinhorn Glacier near Kaprun, Krimml Waterfalls in the National Park Hohe Tauern, Historic High Alpine Road & Austria‘s highest mountain Grossglockner, Swarovski Crystal World at Wattens and Alpine City Innsbruck.
Salzburg in a Day: (Do your best !)
It is too little time but can be done: the first part of the day book your wish of sightseeing tour and second part of the day explore and experience Salzburg city on your own two feet visiting above mentioned places on your own. Sure you would like to come back again and keep some sights for your next visit!
The above written text is just for your information only!