My Salzburg sights list of the top 10 sights in Austria comes from my frequent trips to Austria and this beautiful city of Mozart. Salzburg has many sights that you can quickly reach and experience on foot. Whether you just stroll through the old alleyways in Salzburg or head specifically for the top Salzburg sights is of course up to each traveler.
Getting there, facts and travel tips
Salzburg can be reached from Munich in 90 minutes by car. If you want to drive to Salzburg without a vignette (buy at the latest at the Walserberg at the “border” – after that there are electronic controls), you should leave the highway in the direction of Freilassing and head towards Freilassing/Salzburg. Avoid the highway after that – in some navigation systems you can set the avoidance of tolls directly.
Salzburg can also be reached from Munich in approx. 2 hours by train (EUR 39.00) or by long-distance bus. Salzburg airport is very well laid out and has a great view of the mountains. There are bus connections to the city (EUR 2.30 for a 25-minute ride). A cab to the city (e.g. to Getreidegasse) costs around EUR 15.00.
Important facts about the city of Salzburg in Austria. The river that runs through Salzburg is called “Salzach”. Salzburg was founded in 696 as the successor city to Luvavum. Salzburg is the fourth largest city in Austria after Vienna, Graz and Linz.
The most famous Salzburg native is Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (born 1756), as you can already see when you land at W.A. Mozart Airport Salzburg. Since 1996, the historic center (including the Festungsberg) of Salzburg has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Salzburg top 10 sights
Hohensalzburg Fortress and Festungsberg
If you cross one of the bridges over the Salzach, your gaze immediately falls on Salzburg’s landmark, the Hohensalzburg Fortress, which is located on the 540-metre-high Festungsberg. To the right is the Mönchsberg – behind it is the Rainberg. Opposite, on the other side of the Salzach, is the Kapuzinerberg with the Capuchin monastery.
Hohensalzburg Fortress is one of the top sights in Austria with one million visitors a year, just behind Schönbrunn Palace and Schönbrunn Zoo in Vienna. Europe’s largest castle complex, which was built in the 11th century, can be easily reached by train since 1900.
For EUR 11.30, you can take the now modern Festungsbahn up the mountain – the valley station is located in Festungsgasse. The price includes the ascent and descent, admission to the castle grounds, marionette museum and alpine pasture passage.
While the interior of Hohensalzburg Castle can be explored with an audio guide, you don’t need a guided tour for the outer fortress complex and can explore and experience the area for yourself. Not only because of the wonderful view and top selfie photo spot, the most important Salzburg attraction.
Mönchsberg – Salzburg sights
The name comes from the monks of the nearby Benedictine monastery of St. Peter. There are many villas and small castles on the Mönchberg, such as the Johannesschlössl, Marketenderschlössl, Schloss Mönchstein, Kupelwieser-Schlössl, Grasmayr-Villa, Freyschlössl and the Edmundsburg.
You can walk around here for hours. The Mönchsberg can also be reached by elevator. It takes just 30 seconds to get up and down from the valley station at Gstättengasse 13 for EUR 3.40. Since 2004, you can also visit the new Rupertinum building at the Festival Hall of the Museum der Moderne on the Mönchsberg (total price EUR 9.70).
Alternatively, you can also enjoy a panoramic breakfast at m32 at the museum on the mountain with a view of Hohensalzburg (total price EUR 9.90). A nice alternative to the Festungsberg and therefore without doubt one of my top 10 sights in Salzburg.
Mozart’s birthplace and residence
The yellow house at Getreidegasse 9 would also stand out if it wasn’t the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. For an entrance fee of EUR 10.00 (EUR 17.00 if you also want to visit the house where he lived), you can see the birthplace from the inside.
Nowhere else in the world will you feel so close to Mozart, his life and his music. Mozart was born here in 1756 and lived on the second floor at Makartplatz 8 for eight years from 1773 before moving to Vienna.
A monument to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart has stood on Mozartplatz since 1842. When I think of Mozart, I quickly think of the delicious chocolate Mozartkugeln (I like the ones from Mirabell best). Master confectioner Paul Fürst (Brodgasse 13) was the first to introduce his Mozart bonbon in 1890.
Even today, you can only find his handmade Mozartkugeln in local stores and not in stores – yummy! In my opinion, the Mozart Houses are a must-see sight in Salzburg – at least from the outside.
Salzburg Cathedral and St. Peter’s Abbey
The baroque Salzburg Cathedral, opened in 1628, is located at Domplatz 1a. From the outside, the 81-metre-high towers are striking – from the inside, the baroque style, the dome and the alignment of the side chapels are impressive. St. Peter’s Abbey, the oldest monastery in the German-speaking world, is located in the immediate vicinity of Salzburg Cathedral. The monks here live according to the Benedictine rule.
The interior of the abbey church is decorated with remarkable rococo stucco. The red St. Michael’s Church is the oldest church in Salzburg from the Carolingian period. In the immediate vicinity of Salzburg Cathedral is the Kapitelplatz with the Pferdeschwemme fountain with Neptune wearing a trident and crown and a horse with a fish tail from the 17th century.
The winged horse (Pegasus), which can now be found in Mirabell Gardens, used to stand here. Since 2007, the Sphaera has been clearly visible on Kapitelplatz thanks to German sculptor Stephan Balkenhol. A man on a golden sphere and a woman in a rock niche in Toscanini-Hof – modern art as a must-see attraction in Salzburg.
Residenzplatz and Salzburg Residence
The Residenzplatz has only existed since the city of Salzburg was transformed from a medieval town into a baroque royal residence. In 1587, the old cathedral monastery and 55 town houses, as well as the Domfiredhof, were demolished.
The largest baroque fountain in Central Europe, the Residenzbrunnen (Court Fountain), has stood on the square since 1661. In 1938, the book burnings took place on this square. The Salzburg Residence has existed as a prince-archbishop’s palace complex since 1120. The residence consists of over 180 rooms and halls, including the large Carabinieri Hall.
It was in these very rooms that Mozart performed in front of the Prince Archbishop and premiered his Violin Concerto in A major in 1775. The Residence Gallery is located on the second floor of the building.
Salzburg Old Town
Salzburg’s Old Town is divided by the Salzach river. The older part lies to the left of the Salzach (following the course of the river). This is where you will find the main shopping street, Getreidegasse. Many well-known and high-quality brands have settled here. The Red Bull Store can also be found here.
The wrought-iron signs on this street make a unique impression. It used to be an important traffic route to Bavaria and was regularly washed for cleaning. From the Getreidegasse, many small alleys and passageways lead to the Griesgasse.
Other important streets and squares were Sigmund-Haffner-Gasse, Kranzlmarkt, Rathausplatz, Judengasse and Goldgasse. The right side of the Salzach looks much more modern compared to Getreidegasse. For me, the Old Town is one of the top 10 Salzburg sights and is a place I always visit when I’m in Salzburg – just like Mirabell Gardens.
Mirabell Palace and Mirabell Gardens
Mirabell Palace and its gardens are a listed building and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you walk from the Sheraton Hotel into Mirabell Gardens, you have a wonderful view of the entire complex from a hill, all the way to Hohensalzburg Castle on the horizon.
Altenau Palace was built in 1606 for the secret wife and 15 children of Archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau. In 1616, they were expelled by his successor Markus Sittikus von Hohenems and the palace was renamed Mirabell.
Today, the Pegasus Fountain from Kapitelplatz stands in Mirabell Gardens and is a must for every wedding photo. Many different subdivisions enliven Mirabell Gardens. The statues of deities such as Chronos, Bacchus, Jupiter, Mars, Hercules, Vulcanus, Mercury and Apollo, as well as goddesses such as Diana, Flora, Athena, Ceres, Pomona, Venus, Vesta and Juno, which have stood here since 1689, are striking. The palace and palace gardens are worth a visit for me. Mirabell Park in particular is one of the most important Salzburg sights for me.
Hellbrunn Palace and Salzburg Zoo
Hellbrunn Palace is located at the southern end of the city – about 8 km from the old town. a yellow pleasure palace dating back to the 17th century. In addition to the magnificent banqueting hall, you will find the best-preserved late Renaissance trick fountains in the world.
The entrance fee for the area is EUR 10.90. Salzburg Zoo is directly adjacent to the palace and is located on the 14-hectare grounds of the palace park. A colorful animal world awaits visitors here at an admission price of EUR 10.10.
Hangar-7 and Red Bull Arena Salzburg
Hangar 7, which is well-known among sports fans and airplane fans, is located directly at Salzburg Airport. Despite its location at Salzburg Airport, this is one of the most popular excursion destinations in Salzburg. Under the eye-catching roof construction is a collection of Red Bull.
Formerly home to the Flying Bulls, it is now home to a free museum that attracts over 200,000 visitors a year. Here you can find everything Red Bull has to offer. Historic airplanes, helicopters and Formula 1 racing cars, along with lots of additional information, including Felix Baumgartner’s space jump.
There are also popular restaurants and bars. Anyone interested in Red Bull Sport and airplanes will find their favorite of the Salzburg sights here.
The Red Bull Arena has also been located nearby in Wals-Siezenheim since 2003. A soccer stadium and home stadium of FC Red Bull Salzburg. 30,188 seats can be viewed on a stadium tour (approx. every 14 days at 10.00 am) for EUR 4.00.
Salzburg Festival
The Salzburg Festival was founded in 1920 and is the most important festival in the world. In summer, the Salzburg Festival takes place over six weeks in July and August. Traditionally, the Jedermann performance takes place on the Cathedral Square, but works by Mozart and Strauss also find their place in the concert program alongside opera performances and plays.
Over 200 events attract more than 250,000 guests to Salzburg. Collaborations with the largest opera houses are no exception for the festival. The Bayreuth Festival, which has existed in Germany since 1876, aroused ambition.
In addition to the Cathedral Square, there are the following venues in Salzburg: Mozarteum, Residenzhof, Landestheater, Cathedral, Kollegienkirche, St. Peter’s Collegiate Church, Haus für Mozart, Felsenreitschule, Großes Festspielhaus, Alte Saline, republic (city cinema), Schauspielhaus Salzburg and occasionally the Eisarena Salzburg. In 2014, the Salzburg Festival took place from 18.07. to 31.08.
As a normal tourist, the hotel costs at this time might seem a little overpriced. For music fans, this is the top 1 Salzburg attraction.
Conclusion – Top 10 Salzburg sights
For me, Salzburg is one of the most beautiful cities in Austria – worth seeing in both summer and winter. A city that quickly takes you back in time. The narrow old streets and Mirabell Gardens in particular have a great romantic factor.
Even if you have found a hotel a little out of town, it is worth going into the city to visit the sights and stores in Salzburg. Just be careful with the opening hours – stores in the old town close at 6pm during the week and at 5pm on Saturdays. Salzburg is just as interesting for backpackers as it is for luxury travelers.
If you want to explore the surrounding area away from the Salzburg Top 10 sights, I can recommend a trip to the Fuschlsee, Wolfgangsee and Mondsee lakes. On Lake Fuschl lies the former yellow hunting lodge Schloss Fuschl, which is now a hotel.
The Sissi Museum is located in the courtyard; the hotel was the location for the Sissi films (with Romy Schneider and Karlheinz Böhm) in 1957-1958 and was chosen as a replacement for Possenhofen Castle on Lake Starnberg. It’s a really pretty place and a lovely hotel where you can enjoy a coffee on the terrace even if you’re just a visitor.
Salzburg is often on my travel list only because of its proximity to Munich. The many beautiful sights and the opportunities in Salzburg always entice me to relax in this city. Salzburg is always a nice stopover on the way from Munich to Vienna. I look forward to hearing your insider tips about this Austrian city.
