Salzburg

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Looking out from Mönchsberg over central Salzburg – the city on the Salzach river and at the foot of the Hohensalzburg Fortress.

©Jonathon Stokes/Lonely Planet

Overview

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.

01 / Attractions

Must-see attractions

Schloss Hellbrunn
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…
Festung Hohensalzburg
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…
Residenz
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 Museum
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…
Schloss Mirabell
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…
Untersberg
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…
Erzabtei St Peter
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…
Museum der Moderne
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…

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02 / Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip

Best Things to Do

Discover the best things to do in Salzburg – from Mozart concerts to Sound of Music bike rides and Alpine hikes to Habsburg palaces.

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Best Time to Visit

With a singer on every street corner, Salzburg really is filled with the sound of music. Here are the best times to come for every kind of traveler.

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Things to Know

Make the most of your trip to the vibrant city of Salzburg with tips on what to pack, how to get around, where to find medical help and more.

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Transportation

Whether you take the bus, the train or your own two feet, getting around the delightful Austrian city of Salzburg is a breeze.

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Free 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.

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Best Neighborhoods

Compact Salzburg is easy to explore on foot or by bike, so fascinating neighbourhoods are all well within range. These are the best.

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Day 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.

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Money and Costs

Get the inside scoop on how to see Salzburg on a budget – from Mozart melodies to mountain heights.

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