![Looking out from Mönchsberg over central Salzburg – the city on the Salzach river and at the foot of the Hohensalzburg Fortress.](https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/2021-05/LPT1219_006.jpg?auto=format&w=1920&h=640&fit=crop&crop=faces,edges&q=75)
©Jonathon Stokes/Lonely Planet
Salzburg
The joke 'If it ain't baroque, don't fix it' is a perfect maxim for Salzburg: the story-book Altstadt (old town) burrowed below steep hills looks much as it did when Mozart lived here 250 years ago. Beside the fast-flowing Salzach River, your gaze is raised inch by inch to graceful domes and spires, the formidable clifftop fortress and the mountains beyond. It's a backdrop that did the lordly prince-archbishops and Maria proud.
Attractions
Must-see attractions
Salzburg
A prince-archbishop with a wicked sense of humour, Markus Sittikus, built Schloss Hellbrunn in the early 17th century as a summer palace and an escape…
Salzburg
Salzburg's most visible icon is this mighty, 900-year-old clifftop fortress, one of the biggest and best preserved in Europe. It's easy to spend half a…
Salzburg
The crowning glory of Salzburg's DomQuartier, the Residenz is where the prince-archbishops held court until Salzburg became part of the Habsburg Empire in…
Salzburg
Housed in the baroque Neue Residenz palace, this flagship museum takes you on a fascinating romp through Salzburg past and present. Ornate rooms showcase…
Salzburg
Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich built this splendid palace in 1606 to impress his beloved mistress, Salome Alt. It must have done the trick because she…
Salzburg
Rising above Salzburg and straddling the German border is the rugged 1853m peak of Untersberg. Spectacular views of the city, the Rositten Valley and the…
Salzburg
A Frankish missionary named Rupert founded this abbey-church and monastery in around 700, making it the oldest in the German-speaking world. Though a…
Salzburg
Straddling Mönchsberg’s cliffs, this contemporary glass-and-marble oblong of a gallery stands in stark contrast to the fortress, and shows first-rate…
Attractions
Top picks from our travel experts
Salzburg
Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich built this splendid palace in 1606 to impress his beloved mistress, Salome Alt. It must have done the trick because she…
Salzburg
A fantasy of coloured marble, stucco and frescos, the baroque Marmorsaal (Marble Hall) at Schloss Mirabell is the exquisite setting for these chamber…
Salzburg
Salzburg's most visible icon is this mighty, 900-year-old clifftop fortress, one of the biggest and best preserved in Europe. It's easy to spend half a…
Salzburg
A short climb up the Nonnbergstiege staircase from Kaigasse or along Festungsgasse brings you to this Benedictine convent, founded 1300 years ago and made…
Salzburg
On the right bank of the Salzach River, this narrow, cobbled lane was, incredibly, the main trade route to Italy in medieval times. Look out for the 13th…
Salzburg
Straddling Mönchsberg’s cliffs, this contemporary glass-and-marble oblong of a gallery stands in stark contrast to the fortress, and shows first-rate…
Salzburg
The red curtain goes up on a miniature stage at this marionette theatre, a lavish stucco, cherub and chandelier-lit affair founded in 1913. The repertoire…
Salzburg
Who says monks can’t enjoy themselves? Since 1621, this cheery, monastery-run brewery has served potent home brews in beer steins, in the vaulted hall and…
Salzburg
A prince-archbishop with a wicked sense of humour, Markus Sittikus, built Schloss Hellbrunn in the early 17th century as a summer palace and an escape…
Salzburg
Rising above Salzburg and straddling the German border is the rugged 1853m peak of Untersberg. Spectacular views of the city, the Rositten Valley and the…
Salzburg
Sizzling and stirring since 1663, Bärenwirt is Austrian through and through. Go for hearty Bierbraten (beer roast) with dumplings, locally caught trout or…
Salzburg for free: how to live it up in the city of Mozart and Maria for nothing
Salzburg
A prince-archbishop with a wicked sense of humour, Markus Sittikus, built Schloss Hellbrunn in the early 17th century as a summer palace and an escape…
Salzburg
Hosts regular concerts, with performances ranging from tango to electro, as well as workshops and club nights. Don’t miss the free Tuesday-night jam…
Salzburg
A Frankish missionary named Rupert founded this abbey-church and monastery in around 700, making it the oldest in the German-speaking world. Though a…
Salzburg
The grand rococo palace of Schloss Leopoldskron is where the lake scene was filmed in The Sound of Music. Its Venetian Room was the blueprint for the…
Salzburg
Salzburg's most visible icon is this mighty, 900-year-old clifftop fortress, one of the biggest and best preserved in Europe. It's easy to spend half a…
Salzburg
A short climb up the Nonnbergstiege staircase from Kaigasse or along Festungsgasse brings you to this Benedictine convent, founded 1300 years ago and made…
Salzburg
The crowning glory of Salzburg's DomQuartier, the Residenz is where the prince-archbishops held court until Salzburg became part of the Habsburg Empire in…
Salzburg
On the right bank of the Salzach River, this narrow, cobbled lane was, incredibly, the main trade route to Italy in medieval times. Look out for the 13th…
Salzburg
Presiding over the city, the serene, thickly wooded 640m peak of Kapuzinerberg is criss-crossed by walking trails up to a viewpoint that gazes across the…
Salzburg
On this stately baroque square, Mozart is literally and metaphorically put on a pedestal. The square hums with street entertainers and the clip-clop of…
Salzburg
Who says monks can’t enjoy themselves? Since 1621, this cheery, monastery-run brewery has served potent home brews in beer steins, in the vaulted hall and…
Salzburg
Salzburg's urban beach – complete with sand, potted palms and Strandkörbe (wicker-basket chairs) – sprouts up in the Volksgarten each summer. Besides…
Salzburg
This park has decent-sized pools and plenty of space for sunbathing, plus a children’s splash pool, table tennis and volleyball. Buses 6, 7 and 20 stop at…
Salzburg
With its horse-drawn carriages, palace and street entertainers, this stately baroque square is the Salzburg of a thousand postcards. Its centrepiece is…
Salzburg
Gracefully crowned by a bulbous copper dome and twin spires, the Dom stands out as a masterpiece of baroque art. Bronze portals symbolising faith, hope…
Salzburg
Rising sheer and rugged above the city, 540m Mönchsberg commands photogenic views over the domes and spires of the Altstadt on one side, and of the…
Salzburg
Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich built this splendid palace in 1606 to impress his beloved mistress, Salome Alt. It must have done the trick because she…
Planning Tools
Expert guidance to help you plan your trip
Things to Know
Read these tips on what to pack, how to get around, how to behave, where to find medical help and more before your next trip to beautiful Salzburg.
Read articleBest Neighborhoods
Compact Salzburg is easy to explore on foot or by bike, so fascinating neighbourhoods are all well within range. These are the best.
Read articleDay Trips
One glance at Salzburg’s palaces and mountains and it’s love, but the rest of central Austria is worth exploring too. Try these top day trips from Salzburg.
Read articleMoney and Costs
Get the inside scoop on how to see Salzburg on a budget – from Mozart melodies to mountain heights.
Read articleTransportation
Whether you take the bus, the train or your own two feet, getting around the delightful Austrian city of Salzburg is a breeze.
Read articleFree Things to Do
Get the lowdown on what to see and do in Salzburg for free - from above-the-city strolls to refreshing canal swims.
Read articleArticles
Latest stories from Salzburg
![Beautiful view of famous Mirabell Gardens with the old historic Fortress Hohensalzburg in the background in Salzburg, Austria](https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/2021-05/shutterstockRF_309226133.jpg?auto=format&w=780&h=425&fit=crop&q=75)
- ActivitiesSalzburg for free: how to live it up in the city of Mozart and Maria for nothing
Jul 17, 2022 • 7 min read
Hiking8 top day trips from Salzburg to palaces, peaks and the world’s biggest ice cavesJul 10, 2022 • 12 min read
Destination PracticalitiesEssential tips every Salzburg local knows – and that every visitor should, tooJul 9, 2022 • 11 min read
- Destination PracticalitiesSalzburg’s 6 best neighborhoods: from baroque domes to beer gardens
Jul 8, 2022 • 7 min read
Art and CultureThe 11 best museums in Salzburg: from historic palaces to music heritageJul 4, 2022 • 8 min read
ActivitiesThe best parks in Salzburg (not all the hills are alive with the sound of music)Jul 2, 2022 • 5 min read
Festivals & EventsThe best times to visit Salzburg for sumptuous skiing, fun festivals and cheap hotel dealsJun 13, 2022 • 6 min read
- Destination PracticalitiesGetting around Salzburg: how to navigate Mozart’s hometown with ease
Jun 12, 2022 • 8 min read
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