Must-Dos in the City of Mozart
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Set along the Salzach River and framed by the Alps, Salzburg is a stunning, compact city with the perfect blend of history, architecture, and alpine scenery. The well-preserved Old Town is easy to explore on foot, while the nearby mountains and lakes are only a short drive or train ride away, making the city an ideal base for day trips. Here’s a bucket list to make sure you experience all that Salzburg has to offer!
Fortress Hohensalzburg
Sitting atop Festungsberg is Fortress Hohensalzburg, the most iconic landmark in Salzburg and one of the largest intact castle complexes in Europe. Visitors can take in the incredible views of the city and surrounding areas from one of the fortress’s many lookouts as well as wander through the museums. Our favorite was the Marionette Museum, which displays a variety of string puppets. Fortress Hohensalzburg can be reached either on foot or by taking the funicular. Information on opening hours and tickets can be found at this link.
Mirabell Palace and Gardens
Located on the east side of the Salzach River is Mirabell Palace and Gardens. The palace was built in 1606 at the request of Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich Raitenau, with work on the gardens starting around 1690. Today, the palace serves as the offices of the mayor of Salzburg and the city administration. Within the beautiful gardens you’ll find the Pegasus Fountain and the Hedge Theater. For fans of The Sound of Music, you’ll recognize Mirabell Gardens as the filming location for the Do-Re-Mi song. You can visit Mirabell on your own for free, or go with a guided Sound of Music group tour.
Mozart’s Birthplace
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born on January 27, 1756 at Getreidegasse 9 in Salzburg. Today, you can visit the house to take a tour of the original rooms and see memorabilia from Mozart’s childhood. This is one of the most popular attractions in Salzburg, so we recommend getting your tickets in advance.
Salzburg Cathedral
Rising above Salzburg’s skyline are the two towers and dome of the Salzburg Cathedral. It has quite a history – the church was originally built in 767 and then rebuilt after it was destroyed by a fire in 1167. After it was damaged by yet another fire in 1598, Prince-Bishop Wolf Dietrich Raitenau ordered it to be demolished and rebuilt in the Italian Baroque style. It became the first Early Baroque building north of the Alps. The cathedral was also damaged during World War II after a bomb crashed through the dome, and was restored in 1959. Visitors to the Salzburg Cathedral can see a variety of displays and exhibits, including the bronze baptismal font used for Mozart’s christening. As you enter, make sure to look for the three gates representing the divine virtues of Faith, Hope, and Love. Visitors will need to pay a conservation fee to enter.
St Peter’s Abbey
Founded in 696 by Saint Rupert, St. Peter’s Abbey is one of the oldest monasteries in the German-speaking world. It’s been remodeled several times and combines the Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo styles. St. Peter’s Abbey is also home to the oldest library in Austria, with over 100,000 volumes covering topics such as art, church history, and monasticism. As part of your visit to the Abbey, make sure to wander through the attached cemetery and famous catacombs.
Residenzplatz
Residenplatz is one of the most beautiful squares in Salzburg’s Old Town. It’s surrounded by the Salzburg Cathedral, the Old Residence, the New Residence, and townhomes. In the center, you’ll find a large fountain engraved with horses and dolphins. Grab a bite to eat at one of the nearby restaurants, or just take some time to enjoy the scenery!
Try Salzburger Nockerl
Salzburger Nockerl is a meringue dessert usually served with a raspberry sauce. The dish traditionally has three peaks to represent the three mountains surrounding Salzburg. You can find Salzburger Nockerl at most restaurants in the city, with Gasthof Goldgasse and Cafe Mozart being popular choices. Fair warning: The dish definitely has an interesting egg taste that we weren’t fans of, but it was worth a try!
Stiegl-Keller
The Stiegl-Keller restaurant is located just below Fortress Hohensalzburg. This is a great spot to have some Austrian cuisine and enjoy Stiegl beer, brewed in Salzburg. The building originally served as a storage cellar for the Stiegl Brewery before transforming into the restaurant it is today. If the weather is good, try to sit outside and take in the views of Salzburg’s Old Town. If you’re interested in a tour of the Stiegl brewery, check out this link.
Stiftsbäckerei St. Peter
Stiftsbäckerei St. Peter (St. Peter’s Abbey Bakery) is the oldest bakery in Salzburg, dating back to the 12th century. The bakery uses natural sourdough baked in an original wood-fired oven. Make sure to get there earlier in the day, as they usually sell out by mid afternoon. Cash only!
Love Lock Bridge
Spanning the Salzach River is Marko-Feingold-Steg, also known as the Love Lock Bridge. The initial footbridge was built in 1904 in the Art Nouveau style and offers stunning views of the Old Town and surrounding mountains. Now, countless locks adorn the bridge’s railings. We bought our lock from the Heart of Mozart Souvenir Shop.
Hellbrunn Palace
Located south of Salzburg’s Old Town is Hellbrunn Palace, a Baroque palace built in the early 1600s. It was originally designed to serve as a day residence during the summertime, with the occupants returning to Salzburg in the evening. One of the highlights of the palace grounds is the trick fountains built to play jokes on guests. The fountains are still in operation, working just as they did over 400 years ago. Hellbrunn Palace can be reached by car, bus, or river cruise.
Try Mozartkugel
Mozartkugel is a delicious chocolate ball with marzipan, nougat, and pistachio in the center. This Austrian treat originated in Salzburg in the late 1800s. Today, you’ll find them in many shops in Salzburg, including Café-Konditorei Fürst and Josef Holzermayr. They make for a great souvenir or gift!
Day Trip to Hallstatt
Located about two hours from Salzburg is the picturesque town of Hallstatt, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its beautiful lakeside setting. Hallstatt is home to a variety of attractions including the world’s oldest salt mine and a skywalk viewing platform. Make sure to spend some time wandering through the quaint alleyways and admiring the alpine buildings!
Disclaimer: All information presented in this post was accurate at the time of our trip. Attractions, availability, circumstances, operating hours, prices, etc. are subject to change and this post may not reflect the most up-to-date information. Readers are advised to do their due diligence in researching the location prior to travel. Hyperlink content may be out-of-date and is not sponsored by or affiliated with Scenic Sites unless otherwise noted.
Visited May 2025 | Posted December 2025
