Salzburg
Discover the 15 Best Sights in Salzburg
Salzburg enchants visitors with a unique blend of baroque architecture, alpine landscapes and musical heritage. Mozart's city offers countless fascinating sights that bring together history, culture and nature perfectly. Whether you want to follow in the footsteps of the famous composer or explore the majestic buildings of the Old Town, Salzburg has the perfect highlight for every taste.
The most important sights in Salzburg's Old Town
The UNESCO World Heritage Old Town forms the vibrant heart of the city and is home to its most significant historical attractions. Here you'll find an impressive concentration of baroque masterpieces and cultural treasures.
Salzburg Cathedral – a baroque jewel in the city centre
The majestic Salzburg Cathedral sits at the heart of the Old Town as one of Austria's most important sacred buildings. The imposing baroque façade made of Untersberg marble and the mighty dome have shaped the cityscape since the 17th century. Inside, you'll find elaborate frescoes, several organs and the Romanesque baptismal font where Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was baptised.
- Visiting: Open daily, outside of church services
- Admission: Free, donations welcome
- Domquartier: A tour through the Residenz, the cathedral oratories and St Peter's Museum
- Special feature: Mozart's baptismal font
💡 Tip: It's best to visit the cathedral early in the morning or late afternoon to experience the impressive play of light.
Residenzplatz – the heart of the baroque Old Town
The expansive Residenzplatz is considered one of the finest baroque squares north of the Alps. The magnificent Residenzbrunnen fountain from the 17th century – the largest baroque fountain in Central Europe – forms the centrepiece of this architectural ensemble. Surrounding it are the Alte Residenz and Neue Residenz with their glockenspiel, along with other historic buildings.
Sights in Salzburg: experiencing Mozart's legacy
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart still shapes the cultural face of the city today. His birthplace and his residence are among the most visited attractions, offering fascinating insights into the life of the genius.
Mozart's Birthplace on Getreidegasse
At the famous Getreidegasse 9, the world-renowned composer was born in 1756. The yellow townhouse today houses a museum with original instruments – including Mozart's childhood violin – along with documents and personal belongings of the Mozart family. The historic rooms give an authentic impression of life in the 18th century.
Mozart's Residence on Makartplatz
Mozart's Residence on Makartplatz was the centre of the Mozart family's life from 1773 onwards. Many of his famous works were composed here. The museum presents an extensive collection of original scores, letters and period instruments, including Mozart's fortepiano.
- Opening hours: Open daily, longer hours in summer
- Combined ticket: Available for both Mozart museums
- Audio guide: Available in numerous languages
- Family-friendly: Activities for children
💡 Tip: With the Salzburg Card, you get free admission to both Mozart museums and many other attractions.
Hohensalzburg Fortress – a majestic landmark above the city
High above the Old Town, Hohensalzburg Fortress stands as the city's landmark. This fully preserved medieval castle is one of the largest fortresses in Europe and offers spectacular views over the city and the Salzburg region.
Getting up to the fortress
The Festungsbahn funicular, one of the oldest cable railways in the world, takes you comfortably up to the fortress in just a few minutes. Alternatively, you can take the steep footpath up Festungsberg, which takes around 20 minutes and offers wonderful views along the way.
Highlights of the fortress tour
The fortress houses several museums and magnificent rooms:
- The Prince's Chambers, featuring the splendid Golden Room
- The Fortress Museum with medieval weapons and everyday objects
- The Rainer Regiment Museum
- The Salzburg Bull – a historic mechanical organ
- Viewing terraces with panoramic views
- Start with the Fortress Museum
- Visit the magnificent Prince's Chambers
- Enjoy the view from the terrace
- Visit the Rainer Regiment Museum
- Listen to the Salzburg Bull, which sounds daily
Mirabell Palace and its gardens – baroque splendour
The elegant Mirabell Palace with its world-famous gardens is one of the most photographed sights in Salzburg. Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich had the palace built in the early 17th century for his beloved Salome Alt. Today, the Marble Hall is one of the most beautiful wedding venues in the world.
Mirabell Gardens – gardening artistry at its finest
The geometrically designed baroque garden is a masterpiece of garden architecture. Precisely trimmed hedges, elaborate flower beds and elegant statues create a harmonious overall picture. The garden served as a backdrop for the famous film 'The Sound of Music'.
Pegasus Fountain and the Dwarf Garden
At the centre of the garden stands the magnificent Pegasus Fountain. The neighbouring Dwarf Garden, with its baroque dwarf figures made of Untersberg marble, creates a fairy-tale atmosphere.
- Garden: Free to enter all year round
- Best time to visit: Spring to autumn, when the flower beds are in bloom
- Photo spot: The view along the axis towards Hohensalzburg Fortress
- Sound of Music: A popular filming location and stop on many tours
💡 Tip: The Mirabell Gardens are especially dreamy for photographers in the early morning or during the golden hour in the evening.
Sights in Salzburg: cultural highlights
Salzburg boasts a rich cultural landscape with world-class museums, theatres and concert halls. The city is not only Mozart's birthplace but also the setting for the renowned Salzburg Festival. For an overview of the museums, see our article on Salzburg's art museums and galleries.
The Salzburg Festival and festival houses
The Salzburg Festival is considered one of the most important cultural festivals in the world. Every summer, the city transforms into a stage for opera, concerts and theatre – with 'Jedermann' on Domplatz as its centrepiece. The festival venues – the Großes Festspielhaus, Haus für Mozart and the Felsenreitschule – are architectural masterpieces and can be visited on guided tours.
Museum der Moderne on Mönchsberg
The Museum der Moderne sits spectacularly atop Mönchsberg, offering contemporary art alongside breathtaking panoramic views over the Old Town. The modern architecture creates an appealing contrast to the historic surroundings.
- Getting there: The Mönchsberg lift from Gstättengasse at Anton-Neumayr-Platz
- Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, closed on Mondays
- Second location: Museum der Moderne Rupertinum in the Old Town
- Restaurant: M32 with a panoramic terrace
Salzburg Museum in the Neue Residenz
The Salzburg Museum presents the history of the city and the Salzburg region. Interactive exhibitions, historic objects and multimedia presentations bring history to life. The collection on Salzburg's cultural history is particularly worth seeing – as is the Panorama Museum with the Sattler Panorama depicting the city around 1829.
Nature experiences and sights around Salzburg
Salzburg delights not only with cultural treasures but also with stunning nature. Its location between the Alps and the Alpine foothills creates unique landscape experiences right on the city's doorstep.
Kapuzinerberg – a green oasis with a view
Kapuzinerberg rises on the right bank of the Salzach and offers wonderful walking trails through dense woodland. Several viewpoints provide spectacular views over the Old Town and the surrounding mountains. The Capuchin monastery crowns the hill, and chamois are not an uncommon sight here.
The Salzach riverside path – relaxation by the river
The Salzach riverside path invites you to enjoy relaxed walks along the river. From here, you'll enjoy wonderful views of the Old Town, Hohensalzburg Fortress and the surrounding mountains. Numerous cafés and restaurants line the path – you'll find our favourites in our overview of the best cafés in Salzburg.
- Length: Around 5 kilometres through the city
- Difficulty: Easy, suitable for all ages
- Highlights: Makartsteg with its love locks, Mozartsteg, views of the Old Town
- Places to stop: Numerous eateries along the riverbank
💡 Tip: A cycling tour along the Salzach – for example on the Tauern Cycle Path – perfectly combines nature with sightseeing.
Hellbrunn – palace and trick fountains
Hellbrunn Palace with its famous trick fountains lies around 6 kilometres south of the Old Town. This baroque pleasure palace delights visitors with surprising water jets, magnificent gardens and the Steintheater, the oldest open-air theatre north of the Alps.
The trick fountains at Hellbrunn are unique in the world. Hidden nozzles and ingenious 17th-century mechanics create surprising water features. Guided tours of the trick fountains are great fun for the whole family – running from spring to autumn, with the site closed during winter.
📍 Discover more: Explore further recommendations for Salzburg on our city page – for example, our tips on boutique hotels in Salzburg for your stay.
Conclusion – discovering the sights of Salzburg
Salzburg brings together history, culture and nature in a uniquely unforgettable experience. The city offers an impressive variety of sights, ranging from baroque architecture and Mozart's legacy to spectacular natural experiences.
The key highlights for your visit to Salzburg:
- Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Old Town on foot
- Visit Mozart's Birthplace and his Residence
- Head up to Hohensalzburg Fortress
- Take a stroll through the Mirabell Gardens
- Enjoy the view from Kapuzinerberg or Mönchsberg
Plan at least two to three days for your visit to Salzburg to explore the main attractions at a relaxed pace. The Salzburg Card makes it easier to access many sights and public transport.
Discover the city of Mozart and let yourself be enchanted by Salzburg's unique atmosphere!
Frequently Asked Questions about sights in Salzburg
Which sights in Salzburg should you definitely visit?
The absolute must-sees include the Old Town with the cathedral, Mozart's Birthplace, Hohensalzburg Fortress and the Mirabell Gardens. These highlights give you a perfect impression of Salzburg's history and culture.
How many days do you need for the main sights in Salzburg?
You should plan at least two to three days for the main attractions: one day for the Old Town with the Mozart museums, one day for the fortress and Mirabell, and one day for excursions such as Hellbrunn or Kapuzinerberg.
Is the Salzburg Card worth it for tourists?
Yes, the Salzburg Card is highly recommended. It offers free admission to numerous sights including the Festungsbahn funicular, free use of public transport, and discounts on many attractions. The card pays for itself after just two to three museum visits.
Are Salzburg's sights worth visiting in the rain?
Absolutely! Many of the main attractions, such as the Mozart museums, the cathedral, the Domquartier, the fortress and the Museum der Moderne, are all indoors. The Old Town's covered passageways also allow for relaxed strolling even in bad weather.
Which sights in Salzburg are especially suitable for families?
Families particularly love the trick fountains at Hellbrunn, the neighbouring Salzburg Zoo, the Haus der Natur with its science centre, and Hohensalzburg Fortress. The Mirabell Gardens with the Dwarf Garden also delight children.
When does the Salzburg Festival take place?
The Salzburg Festival takes place every year from late July to late August. During this time, accommodation is scarce and expensive – it's worth booking early.
Tim Schäfer
