During our road trip across Austria, we spent two nights in Salzburg. This gave us one full day in the city, and allowed us a feel for how the city is during each part of the day. From the morning before the tour buses arrive, to the evenings when many tourists have left, Salzburg is a fantastically walkable city with great Konditorei (coffee and cake houses). Here’s my guide for one day in Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart, a Baroque delight on the Salzach River in Austria.
Things to do in One Day in Salzburg
Start your day with the thing you want to do the most, because by late morning the day-trippers have arrived and you’ll be overrun with crowds. We chose to visit the Hohensalzburg Fortress in the morning, and it was considerably busier by the time we left, so choose wisely!
Hohensalzburg Fortress
Your eye gets drawn up towards the fortress wherever you are in Salzburg – it is that imposing.
Hohensalzburg Fortress sits above the city on the Festungsberg and is the pinnacle of the old town. This medieval fortress was begun in 1077 and expanded over the following centuries. Nowadays, you can take a funicular up to the fortress and explore the medieval rooms, a museum, courtyards and a church.
You can buy different kinds of tickets:
- A full complex ticket, including the funicular ride and all interior areas
- A basic ticket, including the funicular and some parts of the fortress
- A panorama ticket, which just includes the funicular and access to the outside terrace views
Fortress Views & FestungsBahn Funicular
The views are a major part of visiting the fortress – looking across the rooftops of the Old Town towards the surrounding mountains. Seeing the layout of the town, gardens and fortifications provides so much context to the city below.
We honestly stayed out on the viewing terraces for so long – there are different levels along the ramparts to see all around you, and the views are incredible.
You can walk up to the fortress, but the funicular makes it considerably easier if you are trying to fit several sights into one day. The entrance to the FestungsBahn Funicular is pretty nondescript, it’s kind of just in amongst some shops at the base of the hill (Festungsgasse 4).
Originally built in 1892, it has been modernised and is only available to ride if buying a ticket to the fortress. Although, you can buy standalone ride-only tickets for after the fortress closes (after 8:00 PM from May to September, or after 5:00 PM from October to April) – if you miss the Fortress opening hours.
Salzburg Cathedral
The beautiful Baroque Salzburg Cathedral is the centre of the old town below the Fortress. Built in the 17th century, it is on the more demure side of the Baroque style (unlike the flamboyant architecture in Prague).
Salzburg Cathedral suffered some serious damage during WWII – the dome was hit by a bomb on 16 October 1944 and collapsed. The cathedral was rebuilt after the war, with the exterior reconstruction completed in 1949 and the interior work continuing for many years. It finally reopened in 1959.
Mozart was baptised here in 1756. Tickets are only 7€, and are more of a maintenance donation. You can also buy tickets for lunchtime concerts at the cathedral!
I loved the view of the Cathedral from above – the green copper dome roof looks fantastic from above.
Mozart’s Birthplace
There is evidence of Mozart everywhere here in Salzburg, he is their most famous son. There are two main museums dedicated to him – his birthplace and his residence. We did not go to both, so I can’t do a comparison, however, I have heard that his birthplace is better.
Mozart was born in Salzburg in 1756, and the family home is a bright yellow beacon on Getreidegasse – you won’t miss it! The apartment has been preserved with family portraits, documents, instruments and information about Mozart’s childhood and career.
If you’re interested in classical music, it’s a good stop (as is seeing a classical concert in Salzburg or Vienna), but if it’s not your cup of tea, then there are other options in Salzburg (Mirabell Palace and Museum of Modern Art – see below). We were travelling with our friend Michele from Endless Family Travels, and her daughter Payton loved all the Mozart stuff in Salzburg and Vienna – she’s a proper fan!
Old Town & Squares
We always enjoy wandering historic old towns, and Salzburg has some lovely pedestrian areas. It’s not a huge centre, so it is an approachable size for a day trip.
As for squares – Residenzplatz is the grandest, surrounded by the Salzburg Cathedral, the Old Residence and rows of historic buildings, while nearby Mozartplatz has its statue of Mozart and Domplatz sits directly in front of the cathedral.
Unlike Italy, the squares aren’t as lively on the restaurant front (more tour groups than cafes), but there are plenty of options. The old town is the tourist area; so if you want better value, head north on Linzer Gasse.
Walk Along the Salzach
The Salzach River divides Salzburg’s Old Town from the newer part of the city, and its banks offer some of the best views of the historic centre. The pedestrian Makartsteg bridge connects the two sides and has become a popular for love locks (although I always discourage love locks because the weight of them can cause issues on bridges)!
A walk along the river is also a lovely way to see Salzburg away from the main sightseeing streets. Looking back towards the Old Town, you get a good view of the cathedral domes and Hohensalzburg Fortress rising above the rooftops.
Mirabell Gardens
Mirabell Palace and its formal gardens sit just across the Salzach from the Old Town. The gardens were laid out in the Baroque style and have views towards Hohensalzburg Fortress, with fountains, sculptures and carefully arranged flower beds.
The gardens were used in The Sound of Music, in the ‘Do-Re-Mi’ sequence. Even if you’re not interested in the film, this is one of the easiest places in Salzburg to combine the city’s gardens, architecture and mountain views.
Sadly, there was a storm when we were there, so we didn’t get to walk around the gardens, only see them from afar.
Alternative: Museum der Moderne Salzburg
The Museum der Moderne Salzburg is a contemporary art museum built high on Mönchsberg hill, about 60 metres above the Old Town, with excellent views over Salzburg. The current building opened in 2004 and houses exhibitions covering 20th- and 21st-century art. It’s the perfect afternoon activity if the weather is bad (as it was for us).
You can either walk up in about 15 minutes from Toscaninihof or take the MönchsbergAufzug (lift) from the Old Town.
There’s also a café/restaurant, m32, with a terrace overlooking the city – so it’s worth considering even if you’re not particularly interested in the art.
If You Have Extra Time: Stiegl Brewery
If you have time for something a little different, head to Stiegl Brewery just outside the centre. Salzburg’s Stiegl beer has been brewed here since 1492, and the brewery has a museum explaining the history and production of the beer, as well as tastings. It is an easy way to see a different side of Salzburg and can be combined with a walk through the surrounding Maxglan neighbourhood.
What to Eat in Salzburg
Austria is famous for its schnitzel and its dumplings… and I definitely recommend you have some of those while you are there. Hearty and filling dishes for cold weather is what Austria does best.
But, for us, Salzburg delivered some of the most perfect sweet treats ever encountered. My favourite, the Topfenstrudel (Quark Strudel) was the perfect balance of slightly sour filling and sweet delicate pastry. Not too sweet, not too rich, but so satisfying.
The other sweet item that we loved was kaiserschmarrn – a chopped up sweet pancake, covered in powdered sugar!
Where to Stay in Salzburg
If you choose to stay longer than one day in Salzburg, here are a few hotels I would personally recommend.
- Hotel Jedermann – A traditional-looking hotel on the outside, but renovated and modern inside, we enjoyed two nights here. There is onsite parking, perfect for those who arrive by car.
- The Cloud One Hotel Salzburg – A stylish hotel near both the Mirabell Palace and the train station – ideal for rail arrivals.
- Hotel Bristol Salzburg – If you want to stay at a beautiful historic hotel, the Hotel Bristol is a gorgeous 5-star opposite Mozart’s Residence, with a cosy piano bar.
Be inspired by my array of European trip inspiration!
All photos & content © Hannah Henderson and may not be used without permission (sharing this blog post is fine, though!). Images shot with a Canon DSLR T3i Rebel + Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM; and an iPhone.
