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Austria
Things to do in Salzburg
211 attractions · Austria
Photo: C.Stadler/Bwag, CC BY-SA 4.0
Salzburg, Austria · 47.800, 13.033
About Salzburg
Salzburg, the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, is defined by its Baroque architecture and dramatic Alpine setting along the Salzach River. The city skyline is dominated by the medieval Fortress Hohensalzburg, which stands as one of the largest and best-preserved castles in Europe. Visitors frequently explore the manicured Mirabell Gardens and walk through the historic rooms of Mozart's Birthplace. The city serves as a global hub for classical music, notably during its annual summer festival.
Good to know
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Salzburg's historic center was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1996 for its exceptionally preserved townscape.
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The city's name derives from the medieval salt trade, as the 'Salzach' river was the primary route for transporting salt from nearby mines.
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Despite its compact size, the city operates one of the most efficient trolleybus networks in Europe, dating back to 1940.
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Salzburg has officially banned neon signs and modern advertisements in the Altstadt to protect its historical aesthetic.
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The local 'Salzburger Nockerl' is a unique, cloud-like soufflé dessert designed to represent the three major mountains surrounding the city.
Plan your visit to Salzburg
Best time to visit
May to September, when mild weather allows for outdoor exploration and the major music festivals are in full swing.
How many days
2-3 days, providing sufficient time to tour the central historic district and visit nearby mountain lookouts.
Getting around
The city center is highly walkable, supplemented by an extensive trolleybus system and regional trains for mountain access.
Where to stay
Stay in the Altstadt (Old Town) for immediate access to historical sites, or choose the area around the main train station for convenient transit links.
Budget
Mid-to-expensive; costs are comparable to other major Austrian tourist hubs, particularly regarding accommodation and dining.
Highlights of Salzburg
The places our editors single out - and why they're worth your time.
Fortress Hohensalzburg
Take the funicular to reach this massive medieval castle for an aerial perspective of the city.
Mirabell Palace
Admire the Marble Hall, considered one of the most beautiful wedding venues in the world.
Mozart's Birthplace
View original instruments and family artifacts in the house where Mozart was born.
Red Bull Hangar-7
Discover a unique collection of historic flying machines and Formula 1 cars housed in a glass hangar.
Salzburg Cathedral
Experience the early Baroque design and the baptismal font used for Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Untersbergbahn GmbH
Travel by cable car to the Untersberg summit for panoramic views of the Austrian and Bavarian Alps.
Stiegl-Brauwelt
Tour the brewing facility to learn about the long history of Stiegl, Austria’s largest private brewery.
Mirabell Gardens
Walk through the geometric flower beds and fountains that gained international fame from film appearances.
Top things to do in Salzburg
The 211 most popular places in Salzburg.
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91
Museums Hidden gem
Residenzgalerie Salzburg
The Residenzgalerie Salzburg functions as a central component of the DomQuartier, showcasing European painting from the...
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92
Places of interest Hidden gem
Viewpoint of Old Town
The Viewpoint of Old Town, situated on the Mönchsberg ridge, provides the most comprehensive elevated perspective of Sal...
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93
Museums Hidden gem
WasserSpiegel
WasserSpiegel is a specialized museum located inside a historic elevated water reservoir on the Mönchsberg in Salzburg,...
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94
Temples Hidden gem
Russian Orthodox Church "Maria Schutz"
The Russian Orthodox Church of Maria Schutz in Salzburg is a striking religious structure serving the local Orthodox com...
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95
Historical places Hidden gem
Wettersäule Salzburg
The Wettersäule Salzburg is an ornate historical meteorological column located in the heart of Salzburg's old town. Erec...
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96
Places of interest Hidden gem
Sky Space
Sky Space is a permanent light installation by American artist James Turrell located on the Mönchsberg ridge in Salzburg...
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97
Temples Hidden gem
Buddhistischer Stupa
The Buddhist Stupa in Salzburg is a monument dedicated to world peace, inaugurated in 2003 on the Mönchsberg ridge. It w...
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98
Temples Hidden gem
St. Markus Kirche
St. Markus Kirche is a striking Baroque church located along the Salzach riverfront in Salzburg, Austria. Originally bui...
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99
Museums Hidden gem
Verein Freunde Ainringer Moos - ehem. Torfwerk Mühlreit
The Verein Freunde Ainringer Moos maintains the former Mühlreit peat works, an industrial heritage site focused on the h...
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100
Temples Hidden gem
Kajetanerkirche
The Kajetanerkirche is an Italianate Baroque church in Salzburg, officially dedicated to Saints Maximilian and Jakob. Co...
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101
Places of interest Hidden gem
Anna Chromy - Die Pieta
Anna Chromy’s 'Die Pieta' is a modern bronze sculpture located in the Kapitelplatz of Salzburg. The piece is part of the...
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102
Places of interest Hidden gem
Wilhelm-Kaufmann-Steg
The Wilhelm-Kaufmann-Steg is a pedestrian bridge crossing the Salzach River in Salzburg, Austria, specifically linking t...
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103
Historical places Hidden gem
Basteiweg Stadtmauer
The Basteiweg Stadtmauer is a preserved segment of the historical fortifications located on the slopes of the Kapuzinerb...
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104
Museums Hidden gem
Untersbergmuseum Grödig-Fürstenbrunn
The Untersbergmuseum Grödig-Fürstenbrunn is dedicated to the cultural and industrial history of the Untersberg region. I...
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105
Parks Hidden gem
Pflanzerei Schallmoos
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106
Museums Hidden gem
Leica Galerie und Boutique Salzburg
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107
Museums Hidden gem
Folklore Museum
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108
Temples Hidden gem
Kirche St. Georg
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109
Temples Hidden gem
Margarethenkapelle
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110
Historical places Hidden gem
Mozart Memorial
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111
Historical places Hidden gem
Glockenturm
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112
Museums Hidden gem
Dommuseum Salzburg
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113
Places of interest Hidden gem
Marktbrunnen
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114
Venues Hidden gem
Toihaus Theater Salzburg
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115
Places of interest Hidden gem
Kommunalfriedhof der Stadt Salzburg
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116
Historical places Hidden gem
Wilder Mann Brunnen
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117
Temples Hidden gem
Pfarrgemeinde Salzburg-Herrnau Kirche zur Hl.Erentrudis
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118
Temples Hidden gem
Parish of St. Paul
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119
Temples Hidden gem
The Chapel Salzburg
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120
Temples Hidden gem
St. Erhard
Around Salzburg
Worth the short trip out of the city.
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Salzburg on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Frequently asked
How many attractions are there in Salzburg?
Aventuro lists 211 curated attractions in and around Salzburg, sorted by popularity.
What's the top attraction in Salzburg?
Fortress Hohensalzburg is the most popular place to visit in Salzburg right now.
What kind of attractions does Salzburg have?
The largest category is temples, with 52 places to explore.
Which other cities are worth visiting nearby?
Travellers also explore Vienna, Graz, Innsbruck.
Explore more of Austria
Other cities ranked by number of curated places.
