Best Things to do in Salzburg, Austria
Herzliche Willkommen, Ich heisse James and thanks for watching this Viatravelers list
of the best things to do in Salzburg, Austria. Salzburg, is the namesake capital city of
the northwestern Austrian state of Salzburg. Even at first glance, it’s easy to see why
this 1,300 year old town is considered one of the most attractive cities in all Europe.
In this magnificent city, there are a plethora of exciting and entertaining things to do
as well as man-made and natural eye candy for days. You can visit the Mozart Birthplace
Museum, take a walk over the Love Lock Bridge, or take a bike ride around Old Town Salzburg
to soak in your astounding surroundings. If you are looking for the escape of a lifetime
to a town famous for its history, beauty, shopping, music, sports, food, and world class
accommodation Salzburg is about the greatest place to be!
Check out this list of the most incredible things to do in Salzburg that you might want
to include in your Austrian adventure.
1. Take a walking tour of the city, and learn about its history
This beautiful historic city, with its rich cultural heritage and dynamic history has
been listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1997. Rightfully so!
On entering Salzburg, your history lesson begins, as you’ll instantly be greeted with
the magnificent historic architecture Salzburg is known for. Most of the surviving architecture
is from the Baroque period, making Salzburg one of the best preserved Baroque towns on
Earth. Salzburg has a long and rich history as an
artistic and cultural center. It’s also home to a number of significant landmarks
that help tell the tale of this beautiful city and the Austrian nation as a whole. A
walking tour will provide you with plenty of opportunities to learn more about the city's
role in Austrian and European history.
2. Go to Mirabell Palace and Gardens
Among the beautiful attractions not to miss in Salzburg is the picturesque Mirabell Palace
and gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The palace was built in 1606 under the orders
of Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau for his mistress and their fifteen (illegitimate)
children. Imagine what he’d have built if he married her!
Its original name"Altenau" was changed to "Mirabell" by Markus Sitticus von Hohenems,
von Raitenau’s successor. The palace was later remodeled into a regal baroque palace
complex, and today it is now used as the official office for Salzburg's mayor.
Mirabell Palace is famous for spectacular interior furnishing and its glorious gardens.
The garden is among the palace highlights, and is a fantastic place to explore, unwind
and bask in the magnificence of the Mirabell Palace on a sunny day. The gardens feature
various attractions including the Hedge Theater, the Dwarf Garden, an Orangery, the Palm House,
and its captivating rose garden. You may recognize this place already, as this
outstanding attraction was famously used in The Sound of Music. Among the sights in the
palace featured in the film are Rose Hill, and the Pegasus Fountain, a majestic water
feature installed in 1913, located in front of the palace.
3. Visit Mozart's Birthplace Museum, where he was born in 1756
When you're done exploring the magnificent Mirabell Palace, you should pay a visit to
a museum dedicated to one of music’s most brilliant figures; Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Visiting Mozart's Birthplace and following the composer's steps from his birth and to
the years of his prime is among the best things to do ever, let alone just in Salzburg!
The legendary composer's birthplace is among the most notable landmarks in Salzburg. The
museum is located on the third floor of the No. 9 Getreidegasse, where the Mozart family
resided. Anna Maria Pertl Mozart and Leopold Mozart, a composer and musician who had found
popularity in the Salzburg Royal Chamber, would try to have 7 children, but sadly only
2 would survive infancy - the youngest being little Wolfgang Amadeus.
This museum is an ideal stop for art and history enthusiasts as well as any Mozart fan. A visit
involves about an hour-long tour through the Mozarts’ dwelling, displaying magnificently
restored furniture and items that the family-owned from the 18th century, including priceless
collections of letters, portraits, musical instruments, and other memorabilia from Mozart's
life in Salzburg.
4. Walk over the Love Lock Bridge and relax along the Salzach River
If you’re looking for the ideal scenic destination to indulge in some romantic ambience, look
no further than the Love Lock Bridge over the beautiful Salzach River. Enjoying a lazy
lovers’ stroll over the Makartsteg Bridge, popularly known as Love Lock Bridge, is among
the best romantic experiences to enjoy during your visit to Austria.
One of 13 city bridges crossing the river, this particular bridge is among the most notable
attractions in Salzburg for romantic minded folks looking to express their adoration.
Like several other bridges around the world, the Makartsteg Bridge earned the nickname
"Love Lock", for the thousands of different padlocks are attached to the bridge, each
one locked there by locals and tourists alike, commemorating and celebrating their love for
their special someone. It’s also pretty popular for people to propose here!
If you're traveling with loved ones or have a significant other in tow, you may also want
to attach a lock on the bridge with your initials. Once you’ve attached the lock, tradition
dictates that you throw the keys into the Salzach river, thus permanently “locking
in” your bond. Aside from enjoying this romantic distraction,
you can also unwind for a bit on a river cruise, as well as taste mouthwatering delicacies
as you enjoy the views of the Salzach River from one of the nearby restaurants.
5. Check out Augustiner Brau Kloster
If you’ve worked up a thirst while touring Salzburg, you should definitely indulge in
a rejuvinating beer at the Augustiner Brau Kloster. It is a great, historic brewery established
in 1621, and is a real gem that should not be missed.
Brewing bevs since the early 17th Century, the brewery crafts its beers using traditional
open fermentation, whilst always adhering to the strict beer purity regulations.
When you visit the Augustiner Brau Kloster, you'll get plenty of opportunities to sample
some of their tasty beers. The brewery also has one of the most extensive beer gardens
in Austria. It is one of the most enjoyable and memorable
experiences to be had while sipping fresh, delicious beer in this vast beer garden, surrounded
by the beauty of Salzburg and under the shade of the large chestnut trees.
6. Tour the Hohensalzburg Castle
Hohensalzburg Castle, also known as the Fortress Hohensalzburg, is an important Austrian landmark
worth visiting. This monumental castle sitting majestically above the rooftops of Vienna's
Baroque old town is often regarded as the most significant fully intact castle in Central
Europe. While touring the castle, you will have the
option to admire the castle halls, explore the salt magazine as you pass through the
castle dungeon, and take in beautiful views of Old Town Salzburg from the viewing platform
the Reckturm tower. From atop the castle, you'll find otherworldly panoramic views of
the town and surrounding countryside to make for some insane photos.
As well as the castle’s medieval chapel, which at over 900 years old is the oldest
part of the fortress still standing, Hohensalzburg houses 3 fantastic museums. The Fortress Museum
highlights the history and life of the prince archbishops that ruled over the region, the
Marionette Museum exhibits marionette dolls from Salzburg’s famous Marionette theater,
and the Rainer Regiment Museum displays armour, uniforms and weapons from one of Austria’s
most storied historical infantry regiments.
7. Follow the footsteps of the Sound of Music and stay at the Hotel Schloss Leopoldskron,
where key scenes of the movie were filmed.
The well known and much beloved 1965 musical film The Sound of Music, has a ton of roots
in Salzburg. If you're a fan of the movie or curious about the film’s history, you
can trace these roots in this magical town. Aside from the aforementioned Mirabell Palace,
The Sound of Music had several crucial scenes shot at Hotel Schloss Leopoldskron, a prominent,
historical castle hotel in Salzburg. Hotel Schloss Leopoldskron’s park and gardens
played an essential role in the movie’s romantic scenes. The Venetian Room, the palace
balcony, and the picturesque lake are also among Schloss Leopoldskron's contributions
to the Oscar winning movie. If you want to learn about this grand old
castle’s role in the movie, The Sound of Music tour is a beautiful way to not only
to follow the steps of the film but also to appreciate one of the most stunning historical
attractions in Salzburg. Also, if you’re searching for a place to
stay in town, and looking for a bit of royal treatment, Hotel Schloss Leopoldskron is just
the place for you to spend a few nights in the lap of luxury!
8. Bike through Old Town Salzburg and its stunning parks
As an alternative to exploring the city on foot, you can also enjoy a bicycle tour through
Salzburg's lovely Old Town to take in the sights and sounds of the city.
Exploring the ancient city is like going on a treasure hunt for hidden gems, since the
Old Town is brimming with incredible unique sights for you to discover. Bathing in the
splendor of Salzburg's Old Town from a bike saddle is one of the most enjoyable ways to
absorb the city quickly and independently. In addition to the Old Town Hall, Mozart's
Birthplace, and the lively shopping district of The Getreidegasse, there are several other
places worth visiting while riding around Salzburg.
Take a beautiful tour of St Peter's Abbey, see the magnificence of Hohensalzburg Fortress,
explore Kapitelplatz, and discover additional travel opportunities in the surrounding area.
You can also enjoy biking in Hans Donnenberg Park if you are tired of biking around Old
Town. Cycling along the park's pathways will leave you breathless as you will no doubt
be awed by the beauty of these immaculate public gardens and their tranquil atmosphere.
For keen bikers, Bikepark Leogang and Park Wagrain are two of several fantastic parks
to visit in Salzburg if you're interested in getting some pedaling done on vacation.
9. Shop until you drop along Getreidegasse
We can all agree that vacations are far more memorable if you have some memorabilia to
take home. For that, there’s no better place in town than shopping at Getreidegasse, Salzburg’s
premier retail district. From its beginnings, the Getreidegasse has
always been a hub of commerce and wealth, and runs alongside the northern bank of the
Salzach River. It is also the street where you can find Mozart’s birthplace. This shopping
center has historically been an important trade location as part of the trade route
through the city of Salzburg towards Bavaria. Spend some time doing some window shopping,
indulge in some serious retail therapy, or buy a marionette puppet from the street’s
famous Marionettenfrau or “Puppet Woman” for the ultimate Salzburg souvenir.
10. Visit one of the many majestic churches
Among the many beautiful old structures found in Salzburg are a legion of stunning churches
and magnificent cathedrals to admire. Salzburg Cathedral is one of many such cathedrals
to visit. The cathedral, built in the Baroque style, is often regarded as one of the most
important Christian structures in the country. Salzburg Cathedral is surrounded by four monuments
that stand guard outside on the grounds of the building. These monuments depict Rupert
and Virgil, the two patrons of Salzburg, and the Apostles Peter and Paul, each carrying
a key and a sword. Along with this, a statue of the Virgin Mary is located in the Cathedral
Square. If you gaze at the rooftop, you’ll notice
2 decorative escutcheons, commemorating Markus Sittikus and Paris Lodron, the two men behind
the building of this majestic church. As you walk through the cathedral, you'll
be spellbound by this majestic untersberg marble structure. You can also see the original
font in which baby Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was baptized.
The fascinating city of Salzburg in Austria is a wonderful place surrounded by natural
beauty and filled with unique tourist attractions, making it a remarkable travel destination
for anyone visiting the country. For travelers looking for a town with buckets of character
and oodles of charm, don’t pass on a trip to the extraordinary town of Salzburg.
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