When to go to Salzburg?
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Best time: May to September and December
At a glance
Why go to Salzburg?
Nestled between the wooded Mönchsberg hill and the banks of the Salzach, Salzburg unfolds one of the most beautiful Baroque old towns in Europe, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Long ruled by prince-archbishops who drew their wealth from the salt trade, the city owes its domes, paved squares and harmonious façades to these building prelates, who conceived it as a little Rome north of the Alps. In the tight weave of its lanes and the majesty of its cathedral, you can still read the ambition of an ecclesiastical capital that sought to rival the great Italian courts.
Salzburg remains above all the city of Mozart, born in 1756 in a house on the Getreidegasse. This musical lineage permeates the whole centre: concerts in churches and palaces, sheet-music shops, the famous chocolates bearing his likeness, and of course the Salzburg Festival which, every summer, draws music lovers and great orchestras from all over the world. Music here is not a backdrop but a living part of the city's identity, nurtured for more than two centuries.
Finally, the city is a gateway to the landscapes of the Salzkammergut. Within a few dozen minutes, you leave the Baroque façades behind for Alpine lakes, villages clinging to the mountainside and the panoramas that served as the backdrop to the film The Sound of Music. This closeness between urban heritage and wide open spaces gives Salzburg a double identity, where you move effortlessly from concert halls to hiking trails.
Map of Salzburg: what is where?
The map shows the 5 places covered in this guide, to picture the distances and plan your route.
- Salzburg old town
- Hohensalzburg Fortress
- Mozart's birthplace
- Mirabell Gardens
- Salzburg Cathedral
How much does a trip to Salzburg cost?
Salzburg has a high cost of living, with accommodation and dining making up the bulk of the budget, especially in summer. The prices below are per person per day, excluding long-distance flights or trains, to give a rough idea depending on your travel style.
| Style | Per day | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Backpacker | €60-90 | A night in a youth hostel or a simple guesthouse on the right bank, meals at Imbiss stands and markets, getting around on foot and by bus, a few entry tickets. |
| Comfort | €120-200 | A room in a good-quality hotel near the centre, a mix of traditional restaurants and cafés, the fortress funicular, a concert or an excursion in the region. |
| Luxury | €280 and up | A boutique hotel in the old town, refined restaurants, a seat at the Salzburg Festival, private excursions and tailor-made musical experiences. |
The euro is the only currency used and card payments are widespread, even for small amounts. It's still useful to keep a little cash for markets, some cafés and tips, which are modest (round up the bill or leave about 5 to 10 per cent). ATMs are plentiful in the centre.
Is Salzburg safe?
Salzburg is a very safe destination, where petty crime is rare and city life peaceful. The usual precautions are enough: watch your belongings in crowded tourist spots, especially during the Festival, and keep an eye out for bike traffic in the centre. The euro is the currency and bank cards are accepted almost everywhere, although a little cash is still useful for markets and small shops. Mountain excursions, on the other hand, require you to check the weather and dress appropriately, as conditions can change quickly at altitude.
What to see and do in Salzburg
- the Baroque old town
- Hohensalzburg Fortress
- Mozart's birthplace
- Mirabell Gardens
- the summer music festival
The Baroque old town
Tucked into a bend of the Salzach, the old town packs most of Salzburg's heritage into a few hundred metres. You wander between the Residenzplatz and its monumental fountain, the cathedral square and the inner courtyards that discreetly link one street to the next. Pastel façades, domes and bell towers form a remarkably coherent ensemble, inherited from the golden age of the prince-archbishops. Largely pedestrianised, the area is made for strolling, between craft workshops, historic cafés and old-fashioned shops. Its UNESCO listing recognises this rare architectural unity, spared from modern rebuilding. It's the natural starting point for any visit to the city.
Hohensalzburg Fortress
Perched on its rocky spur, Hohensalzburg Fortress is one of the largest fully preserved medieval castles in Europe. Built from the 11th century onwards and constantly enlarged by the archbishops, it was never taken, which explains its exceptional state of preservation. You can reach it on foot by a path or, more conveniently, by a funicular that climbs up in a few minutes. Inside, you visit the princely apartments, the chapel, the armouries and a small museum tracing the military history of the site. But the highlight of the climb is the panorama: the old town at your feet, the Salzach and, in the distance, the wall of the Alps. On a clear day, the view takes in the whole valley.
Mozart's birthplace
In the heart of the Getreidegasse, the famous shopping street bristling with wrought-iron signs, number 9 sports a yellow façade known the world over. This is where Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in 1756, and where the family lived for many years. Now a museum, the house displays period instruments, letters, portraits and personal belongings that shed light on the prodigy's childhood and training. The reconstructed rooms give an idea of the daily life of a family of musicians in the 18th century. The visit naturally continues at the Mozart Residence, on the other side of the river. Together, these two places form an essential pilgrimage for music lovers.
Mirabell Gardens
Laid out in the 17th century in Baroque style, Mirabell Gardens offer one of the finest views of the city. Their geometric flower beds, mythological statues and fountains are arranged along a perfect axis that frames Hohensalzburg Fortress in the background. Mirabell Palace, now home to the city council, closes off the ensemble and hosts concerts in its Marble Hall. You'll meet film fans who have come to find the setting of a now legendary musical number. A rose garden, a dwarf garden and flower-covered pergolas complete the walk, which is free and open to all. It's the ideal place for a green break, a stone's throw from the historic centre.
The Sound of Music locations
Released in 1965, The Sound of Music turned Salzburg and its surroundings into one of the most recognisable film settings of all. Guided tours, on foot, by bike or by coach, take visitors to the filming locations: Mirabell Gardens, Leopoldskron Palace and its lake, the church in Mondsee where the wedding takes place, and the Alpine meadows of the surrounding hills. These excursions mix behind-the-scenes anecdotes, songs from the film and the landscapes of the Salzkammergut. Hugely popular with English-speaking visitors, they offer a playful way to discover the region beyond the city centre. Even if you don't know the film, you'll enjoy the views over the lakes and mountains. It's a lighter but firmly rooted side of local culture.
How many days, and which itinerary?
Salzburg is easily explored in two to three days: one day for the old town, the cathedral and the fortress, a second for Mozart's house, Mirabell Gardens and the right bank, then possibly a third for an excursion into the Salzkammergut or to Hallstatt. Music lovers coming for the Festival, like keen hikers, will do well to extend their stay accordingly.
🗺️ Day-by-day itinerary · 📓 Free printable Salzburg guide (PDF) · 🌍 All of Austria
2 days (the essentials)
Day 1: dive into the old town with the Getreidegasse, Mozart's birthplace, the Residenzplatz and the cathedral, before taking the funicular up to Hohensalzburg Fortress for sunset. Day 2: cross the Salzach to the right bank for Mirabell Gardens and Palace and the Mozart Residence, then stroll along the riverside and catch a concert in the evening.
3 days (in depth)
Follow the two-day programme, then devote a day to an excursion: a tour of The Sound of Music locations around the lakes, or a trip by train to Hallstatt and the Salzkammergut. The evening is perfect for a chamber music concert in a palace or church in the centre.
Getting there and getting around
From Salzburg airport, a few kilometres from the centre, a city bus or taxi reaches the old town in about fifteen minutes. The largely pedestrianised historic centre can be explored entirely on foot: the main sights are grouped within a very small radius on either side of the Salzach, crossed by several bridges. The dense and punctual bus network efficiently serves outlying districts and the starting points for excursions.
To explore the Salzkammergut, the train remains the simplest and most pleasant option: regular services link Salzburg to Hallstatt, Sankt Gilgen or Bad Ischl in one to two hours. Hiring a car mainly makes sense for exploring the lakes and mountain villages freely, at your own pace. In town it offers little advantage, as parking is limited and expensive in the listed centre.
Where to stay in Salzburg?
Staying in the old town lets you experience Salzburg right next to its heritage, a few steps from the cathedral and the fortress. Hotels here often occupy old mansions with real charm, but prices climb fast, especially during the summer Festival, when you need to book several months ahead. The calm of the pedestrian lanes and the proximity of the sights more than make up for the price on a short stay.
The right bank of the Salzach, around Mirabell Gardens and the station, offers a more affordable and well-connected alternative, ideal for those arriving by train. Districts a little further from the centre, as well as the surrounding villages, suit travellers with a car looking for peace and quiet and gentler prices. In high season, book well ahead whatever your budget.
Our places to stay, stop by stop, at three budgets →
What to eat in Salzburg?
Salzburg cooking draws on Austrian and Alpine traditions: golden Wiener schnitzel, slow-cooked goulash, bread dumplings (knödel) and seasonal specialities set the rhythm of meals. The city's emblematic dessert, the Salzburger Nockerl, is an airy soufflé whose three peaks evoke the hills surrounding the city. Beer gardens and traditional inns serve these hearty dishes in a convivial atmosphere, often with a local beer.
The centre also has many historic cafés where you can enjoy a pastry and a coffee in true Viennese style, as well as more contemporary restaurants. The famous Mozartkugeln, balls of chocolate, nougat and marzipan, are the must-have edible souvenir. At the markets and in the streets of the old town, people happily snack on a sausage or a pretzel between visits.
Entry requirements
Schengen area: an ID card or passport for EU citizens, 90 days visa-free for UK, US, Canadian and Australian passports.
Rules change: check your own government's travel advice before you go.
Frequently asked questions about Salzburg
When is the best time to visit Salzburg?
Spring and early autumn offer pleasant weather and reasonable crowds. Summer, livelier thanks to the Festival, is also the busiest and most expensive. Winter has its charm with the Christmas markets, but the days are short and chilly.
How many days do you need to visit Salzburg?
Two days let you discover the old town, the fortress and the main Mozart sites. A third day is well worth it for an excursion to Hallstatt or the lakes of the Salzkammergut.
Do you need to book for the Salzburg Festival?
Yes, the Festival draws an international audience and both tickets and hotels go very early. It's best to plan several months ahead for the most popular performances and for accommodation in the centre.
How do you get to Hallstatt from Salzburg?
The simplest way is the train, with one change, for a journey of about two and a half hours combining rail and a lake ferry. Organised day trips by coach also exist for those who would rather not deal with connections.
Is the fortress worth the climb?
Yes, Hohensalzburg Fortress offers the finest panorama over the city and the Alps, as well as its historic rooms. The funicular makes access easy, but you can also walk up in about twenty minutes.
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