Choose from 151 Fun Things to Do in Austria
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Museum of Modern Art (MUMOK)
The Museum of Modern Art (MUMOK) is one of the largest museums of modern and post-modern art in Central Europe. Founded in 1962, the museum features 10,000 pieces by 1,600 different artists, including some of the biggest names in 20th- and 21st-century art, like Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, Gergard Richter and Yoko Ono. Classical modernism, nouveau realism, Vienna Actionism, photorealism and pop art are all represented.
The museum’s Wednesday evening film program screens thematic film series and films related to the works of art on display. Visitors inspired by the art on display have the chance to participate in hands-on workshops to experiment with various artistic techniques. Once per month, Art on Thursdays invites guests to enjoy a glass of sparkling wine before taking a gallery tour.
Practical Info
Free tours of the Museum of Modern Art collection are included in the cost of admission. Visitors up to the age of 19 get in for free.
Address: Museumsplatz 1, Wien 1070, Austria
Hours: Tue-Sun 10am-7pm
Admission: Adults € 10, Students & Military € 7, Visitors Age 19 & Younger Free
From $ 24
Mozarthaus Vienna
Mozart had multiple residences in Vienna, but only one survived to the present day. The Mozarthaus Vienna at Domgasse 5 served as the composer’s home from 1784 to 1787, during the height of his musical success. Within his first-floor apartment, Mozart penned some of his most iconic works, like the opera The Marriage of Figaro.
Audio-guided tours of the house begin on the building’s top floor, where exhibits explain the lifestyle and prominent figures of society life in eighteenth century Vienna. Heading down a floor, visitors are immersed in all things music; a highlight is a holographic performance of a portion of The Magic Flute. On the ground floor, visitors enter Mozart’s bedroom, furnished with pieces from the time to give a sense of what his living quarters might have looked like.
Practical Info
Mozart House Vienna is open daily, and the indispensable audio guide is included in the price of admission.
Address: Domgasse 5, Wien 1010, Austria
Hours: Daily 10am-7pm
Admission: Adult € 10, Children 14 years & younger € 3
From $ 13
Mozarteum
Salzburg is the city of Mozart and music festivals and is also home to several Baroque orchestras. Most prestigious is the Mozarteum Orchestra, which was founded in 1841 with the help of Mozart’s widow and their sons; today it is one of Austria's leading symphony orchestras under the leadership of English conductor Ivor Bolton. It plays a leading role in the annual Salzburg Festival and has a permanent home at the Mozarteum, a complex of two concert halls built between 1910 and 1914. The grand and glittering neo-classical Great Hall (Grosser Saal) has seating for 800 and is regarded as Salzburg’s most beautiful concert venue, while the Viennese Hall is a smaller auditorium perfectly proportioned for chamber-music concerts, with an audience capacity of 200.
As well as performing around the world and hosting weekly concerts at their home base, the Mozarteum Orchestra also performs at the annual Mozart Week every January. In June 2015 Salzburg celebrates The Sound of Music’s 50th anniversary; kicking off on Monday June 22, the festivities will culminate on Friday June 26 with a concert at the Mozarteum, where much-adored song tunes from the movie will get a rousing airing. There are free organ concerts in the Great Hall most days at 12.30pm.
Practical Info
The Mozarteum is located at Schwarzstrasse, and its ticket office is open Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm5pm, and on Saturday from 9am to noon. Prices vary by event.
Address: Schwarzstraße 24, 26, Salzburg, Austria
Admission: Varies
From $ 38
Madame Tussauds Vienna
As the world's most famous waxworks museum, Madame Tussauds needs no introduction. And where better to rub shoulders with movie stars, music icons, and historic figures than Vienna? Snap a selfie with everyone from Brad Pitt to Barack Obama, take a walk through Austrian history, and entertain the whole family with fun, interactive exhibitions.
The Basics
Pre-booking a Madame Tussauds Vienna priority entrance ticket means you can skip the line and head straight inside. If you're sightseeing in the city, most Vienna hop-on hop-off tours stop at the wax museum, while the Vienna Card includes entrance to Madame Tussauds, along with that to top attractions such as the Schönbrunn Palace, Schonbrunn Zoo, and Hofburg Imperial Palace.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Don't forget your camera and wear comfortable shoes for walking around the many exhibitions.
- For security reasons, only small bags or handbags are allowed in the building.
- Madame Tussauds Vienna is wheelchair accessible, and concession tickets are available.
How to Get to Madame Tussauds
Madame Tussauds is located in the Prater Amusement Park on Riesenradplatz in central Vienna. The closest U-Bahn stop is Praterstern, and it's about three minutes' walk from the station.
When to Get There
Madame Tussauds is open all year round, but those hoping to avoid the crowds should visit outside of peak summer season or opt for an early morning visit on a weekday.
Photo Opportunities at Madame Tussauds
There are over 80 wax figures to pose for photos with, so you can cozy up with film stars like Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman, and Johnny Depp; "meet" icons such as Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga, and Freddie Mercury; or spot global politicians like Nelson Mandela. Don't miss the many notable Austrian personalities, including Emperor Franz Joseph, his wife Sisi, Mozart, Maria Theresia, and Gustav Klimt.
Practical Info
Madame Tussauds Vienna is on Riesenradplatz in Prater amusement park and is open daily from 10am to 8pm. Take the U Bahn, S Bahn or Bus No 80A to Praterstern.
Address: Im Wiener Prater, Riesenradplatz 5, Vienna 1022, Austria
Hours: Daily 10am–6pm
Admission: Varies
From $ 27
Kursalon Vienna
Vienna’s most beautiful concert hall was completed in 1867 on the edge of the Stadtpark (City Park), close to the gilded statue of composer Johann Strauss, whose music is enjoyed there nightly. The Kursalon was designed by Austrian architect Johann Garben in Neo-Renaissance style and its original use was as a spa; just a year after it opened it was given over to music and became the meeting place of choice for Viennese high society.
Recently given a facelift, the Kursalon is now returned to its gleaming, romantic best and its halls once more drip with chandeliers and elegant stucco decoration. It is known for its nightly repertoire of favorites from Strauss, Schubert, Mozart and other Baroque musicians, played by the Salonorchestra Alt Wien, which was founded in 1994. Its concerts – all performed in traditional smock coats and crinolines – are smart affairs and offer a romp through the golden age of Vienna’s classical music tradition in the early 19th century, with waltzes by Strauss accompanied by opera singers and ballet dancers as they perform to much-loved classics such as The Blue Danube.
A choice of night-time entertainment packages at the Kursalon includes cocktails or a gastronomic blow-out at the concert hall’s Restaurant Johann before the music starts; in summer open-air concerts take place on the Terrace overlooking the Stadtpark.
Practical Info
The Kursalon music hall is at Johannesgasse 33 in Vienna’s Stadtpark (City Park) and opens every night at 7:45pm for concerts starting at 8:15pm. Concert ticket prices range from €40 to to €120 according to package and the dress code is smart. Get there by Metro U4 to Stadtpark or tram Lines 1 or 2 to Weihburggasse.
Address: Johannesgasse 33, Vienna, Austria
From $ 52
Melk Abbey
With its ornate golden-colored façade and grand baroque church towers set against an idyllic backdrop of the Wachau Valley and the Danube River, Melk Abbey looks more like a palace than a monastery. Founded in 1089, the Benedictine abbey underwent a dramatic makeover in the 18th century and is now regarded as one of Europe’s most beautiful baroque churches.
The Basics
The town of Melk lies at the western end of Austria’s Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and full-day tours from Vienna often combine an abbey visit with wine tastings in the valley, a boat cruise along the Danube River, or even a trip to Salzburg or across the Czech border to Cesky Krumlov. The castle is open to visitors with or without a guided tour from April to October.
How to Get There
Perched on a hilltop overlooking the town, the Melk Monastery can be reached on foot from the Melk train station (a 10-minute walk) or by a short taxi ride. Most visitors opt to visit on a day trip from Vienna, 50 miles (90 km) east, but it’s equally accessible from Salzburg, 70 miles (115 km) west, or Spitz, 12 miles (20 km) north.
When to Get There
The Melk Abbey is open all year round, but from November through March, visits are only possible by guided tour and must be booked in advance. The abbey can get busy in July and August, so plan an early morning or late afternoon start to avoid the crowds.
The Baroque Gems of Melk Abbey
The abbey is famous for its exquisite baroque architecture, the work of architect Jakob Prandtauer. Highlights include the Marble Hall, with its magnificent ceiling frescoes by Johann Michael Rottmayr; the opulent library, filled with priceless manuscripts; and the Abbey Church, with its dazzling gold altar.
The Basics
The town of Melk lies at the western end of Austria’s Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and full-day tours from Vienna often combine an abbey visit with wine tastings in the valley, a boat cruise along the Danube River, or even a trip to Salzburg or across the Czech border to Cesky Krumlov. The castle is open to visitors with or without a guided tour from April to October.
- A visit to this monastery is a must for history buffs and architecture lovers.
- Guided tours of the abbey last about an hour.
- Melk Abbey tours from Vienna include roundtrip transportation (about a 1.5-hour drive each way).
- A restaurant, gift shop, and restrooms can be found on-site.
- The abbey is accessible for wheelchair users.
How to Get There
Perched on a hilltop overlooking the town, the Melk Monastery can be reached on foot from the Melk train station (a 10-minute walk) or by a short taxi ride. Most visitors opt to visit on a day trip from Vienna, 50 miles (90 km) east, but it’s equally accessible from Salzburg, 70 miles (115 km) west, or Spitz, 12 miles (20 km) north.
When to Get There
The Melk Abbey is open all year round, but from November through March, visits are only possible by guided tour and must be booked in advance. The abbey can get busy in July and August, so plan an early morning or late afternoon start to avoid the crowds.
The Baroque Gems of Melk Abbey
The abbey is famous for its exquisite baroque architecture, the work of architect Jakob Prandtauer. Highlights include the Marble Hall, with its magnificent ceiling frescoes by Johann Michael Rottmayr; the opulent library, filled with priceless manuscripts; and the Abbey Church, with its dazzling gold altar.
Address: Abt-Berthold-Dietmayr-Strasse 1, Melk 3390, Austria
Hours: May–Sep: 9am–5:30pm (last admission at 5pm); Apr & Oct: 9am–4:30pm (last admission at 4pm)
From $ 91
Museum of Military History (Heeresgeschichtliches Museum)
Located in the middle of the Arsenal and designed by Ludwig Foerster and Theophil Hansen in the 1850s, the Museum of Military History (Heeresgeschichtliches Museum) is the oldest museum in Vienna and one of the most important military history museums in the world. The museum’s five sections take visitors through the history of the Habsburg empire and Austria, beginning in the late 16th century and continuing through the dissolution of the Austrian monarchy in 1945.
Much of the gallery space features pre-Turkish conquest weaponry, but various medals, military uniforms, flags and artwork depicting battles are also on display. A “tank garden” behind the museum exhibits several armored battle vehicles from Austria and around the world. Rotating special exhibitions focus on more recent international conflicts.
Practical Info
The Museum of Military History is open seven days a week from 9am to 5pm. Admission is free for visitors under the age of 19 and for everyone on the first Sunday of every month.
Address: Arsenal Objekt 1, Wien 1030, Austria
Hours: Daily 9am-5pm
Admission: Adults: € 6, Visitors 19 years & younger: Free
From $ 139
Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Fine Arts)
The Museum of Fine Arts, or Kunsthistorisches Museum, houses the fabulous art collection of the Habsburgs, the royal dynasty of Austria for over 600 years. Emperor Franz Joseph I commissioned the building as part of his expansion of Vienna in 1858, and it took 20 years to build, opening in 1891.
Inside you'll find amazing art treasures including Greek, Roman and Egyptian antiquities, European paintings and sculptures, a coin collection named one of the five best in the world, and a library specializing in Austrian theater history of around 90,000 items. The building itself is also worth seeing with its sweeping staircases and murals.
Practical Info
Take metro line U3 to Volktheater station, or tram D to the Kunsthistorisches stop.
Address: Maria Theresien-Platz, Vienna 1010, Austria
Hours: June - August: Daily 10:00am - 6:00pm; Thursdays 10:00am - 9:00pm
Sept - May: Not open Mondays
Admission: Adult: € 15; Children 19 and under: Free
From $ 10
Maria Theresa Square
As the sole female ruler of the Habsburg Empire and one of the most revered of Austria’s royals, it seems only fitting that Empress Maria Theresa should have a public square named in her honor. Located along the famous Ringstrasse, at the heart of historic Vienna, Maria Theresa Square (Maria Theresien Platz) is surrounded by many of the capital’s most prominent landmarks, with the Museum Quarter to the south and the magnificent Hofburg Palace to the north.
Laid out in the 19th century, the square centers around an enormous statue of Maria Theresa by Kaspar Zumbusch, encircled by a series of formal gardens, dotted with monumental fountains and sculptures. Maria Theresa Square is also home to two of the city’s most notable museums – the Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Fine Arts) and the Naturhistorisches Museum (Museum of Natural History), whose grand neo-Renaissance facades were created as part of the grand imperial Kaiserforum, the masterwork of German architect Gottfried Semper.
Laid out in the 19th century, the square centers around an enormous statue of Maria Theresa by Kaspar Zumbusch, encircled by a series of formal gardens, dotted with monumental fountains and sculptures. Maria Theresa Square is also home to two of the city’s most notable museums – the Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Fine Arts) and the Naturhistorisches Museum (Museum of Natural History), whose grand neo-Renaissance facades were created as part of the grand imperial Kaiserforum, the masterwork of German architect Gottfried Semper.
Address: Maria-Theresien-Platz, Vienna, Austria
From $ 36
Mondsee Cathedral
Mondsee is a little town in Upper Austria located on the shore of the lake Mondsee. In the year 748, the Bavarian Duke Odilo II founded the monastery on the site of a former Roman settlement. You might better know the Mondsee Cathedral as St. Michael’s Basilica, where the wedding scene in the iconic film ‘The Sound of Music’ took place. Home to the Mondsee Abbey, the cloister church was cemented in popular culture forever when Maria and the Baron Georg von Trapp walked down the aisle in the 1965 movie musical. The Mondsee Cathedral is located directly in the middle of the town center, next door to the monastery building and courtyards (which are open to the public). The abbey is one of the oldest (and the most picturesque!) in Austria. Inside, the most famous ‘resident’ of the Mondsee Cathedral is the skeleton of Abbot Konrad II, who was killed in 1145 defending the monastery from noblemen who wanted to repossess the land.
Practical Info
The cathedral is easy to spot – the former Benedictine abbey church’s two towers are visible from almost anywhere in town, and the basilica is painted a distinctive bright yellow. Admission is free, and the cathedral is open every day from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Address: Kirchengasse 1, Mondsee, Oberösterreich, Austria A - 5310, Austria
Hours: Open daily 9am-7pm
From $ 52
Mozart Geburtshaus (Mozart's Birthplace)
Two museums in Salzburg celebrate the life of genius composer and child prodigy Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Born in the city on January 27, 1756, he grew up in two different houses before turning his back on the city in preference for the bright lights of Vienna and beyond. Both are now museums.
The Mozart Geburtshaus (Mozart’s Birthplace) is located on Getreidegasse, the smartest street in Salzburg’s enticing Aldstadt. The massive townhouse itself dates from the 12th century, but by the 1750s it was divided into apartment and the Mozart family were crammed onto one floor. Mozart’s family lived in this surprisingly humble abode for 26 years before their precocious son hit the big time and started earning good money. This museum has recently has something of an overhaul and is much improved; the exhibition highlighting Mozart’s early life stretches over three floors and incorporates period furniture as well as the clavichord on which he composed The Magic Flute, family portraits – including one of Mozart at his piano painted by his brother-on-law Joseph Lange – his first, diminutive violin, strands of his hair and many of his original opera scores.
On the top floor of the townhouse, other members of Mozart’s family are featured, including his wife and family. Audio-guides are available in several different languages, including English.
Practical Info
The Mozart Geburtshaus is at Getreidegasse 9, easily accessible on foot. There are parking facilities nearby. Opening hours daily 9am-5pm (Jul-Aug 8pm). Tickets €10, aged 15-18 €4, children €3.50, families €21. Entrance is free with the Salzburg Card. Unfortunately the museum is not wheelchair accessible.
Address: Getreidegasse 9, Salzburg 5020, Austria
Admission: Adults: €10; Youth 15-18: €4
From $ 14
Museum of Modern Art Monchsberg
Salzburg’s superb museum of modern Austrian art comes as a contemporary change after the city’s relentless Baroque charm. It has two branches: the MDM Rupertinum and the MDM Mönchsberg. The latter perches above the city on the rocky crag of Mönchsberg, one of five steep hills that form part of the city’s skyline; it was designed by Munich architects Friedrich Hoff Zwink following a competition launched in 1998 and has a series of light-filled, airy galleries tucked behind its ultra-modern white-marble façade. The four-floor museum opened in 2004 and holds exhibitions of contemporary painting, installations and temporary exhibitions from contemporary Austrian artists as well as open-air displays on the surrounding terraces. The neo-Gothic 19th-century Amalie Redlich Water Tower that stands next to MDM Mönchsberg has been incorporated into the gallery and hosts workshops and other events. The museum’s award-winning M32 restaurant has a panoramic terrace for views across Salzburg and the River Salzach; it is one of the city’s most popular summer dining spots.
Practical Info
Located at Mönchsberg 32, the museum is open on Tuesdays and from Thursday to Sunday. Hours are 10am to 6pm regularly, and until 8pm on Wednesdays. Admission combined with the MDM Rupertinum costs adults €12, and seniors and students €8. Single tickets cost adults €8, and seniors and students €6. The Mönchsberg funicular goes up the hill to the museum from Anton-Neumayr-Platz and runs daily between 8am and 7pm (later in summer); return fares are €3.50 for adults and €1.80 for those under 14.
Address: Mönchsberg 32, Salzburg, Austria
Admission: Varies
From $ 29
Leopold Museum
Filled to bursting with Austrian art from the early 20th century, the Leopold Museum has an appropriately contemporary design. Constructed in Vienna’s innovative MuseumsQuartier by design partnership Ortner & Ortner, the museum opened in 2001 and is essentially a gleaming white, limestone cube that contrasts neatly with the flamboyant Baroque architecture of Imperial Vienna.
Named after philanthropist and art collector Rudolf Leopold, who died in 2010, the museum holds around 5,200 works of art; the permanent exhibitions displayed around the vast atrium and open galleries range from masterly silverware and ceramic decorative arts from the Wiener Werkstätte (Vienna Workshops) of 1903–32, to stylish Art Nouveau furniture designed by Kolomon Moser, and some rather brutal portraits by Expressionist Oskar Kokoschkar.
However, the standout pieces in the Leopold’s collections are by two world-famous artists who bring in the crowds in their thousands: portraits swathed in gilt and landscapes by Gustav Klimt – including his peerless Death and Life – and the world’s most important collection of portraits and nudes by the enfant terrible of Austrian Expressionism, Egon Schiele, who was mentored by Rudolf Leopold throughout his career.
Practical Info
The Leopold Museum is located in MuseumsQuartier at Museumsplatz 1. The site is open September through May on Wednesday and Friday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., as well as on Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. In June through August, it is open Friday through Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Admission costs adults €12, seniors €9, students €8 and children under 18 €7. Tram Lines 1, 2 or D can be taken to Dr-Karl-Renner-Ring, or U-bahn line U2 to MuseumsQuartier, U3 to Volkstheater.
Address: Museumsplatz 1, Wien 1070, Austria
Hours: Daily 10am-6pm, Thursdays 10am-9pm, Closed Tuesdays
Admission: Adults €12, children under 7 free
From $ 15
Mozart Residence (Mozart Wohnhaus)
The 17th-century Tanzmeisterhaus, where Mozart lived from 1773 to 1780 and composed many of his masterpieces, is now a museum devoted to Salzburg’s most famous resident. Beautifully restored in period style, the Mozart Residence takes visitors on a journey through Mozart’s life and works.
The Basics
Visitors to Mozart Residence can explore the museum’s eight exhibition rooms, including family portraits, personal items, and musical instruments, as well as multimedia presentations and interactive displays. Most visitors opt to explore independently, but the museum is also a popular inclusion on Mozart tours of Salzburg, as well as a stop on Salzburg hop-on hop-off bus tours.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Audio guides are available in multiple languages and included in the entrance fee.
- Entrance is included to holders of a Salzburg pass that combines entrance to multiple attractions onto one card.
- Mozart’s Residence is wheelchair accessible, via the Theatergasse entrance.
How to Get to There
Mozart Residence is located on Makartplatz, on the north bank of the River Salzach in Salzburg’s historic center. The easiest way to get there is on foot, and it’s around a 10-minute walk from central attractions such as Salzburg Cathedral, across the Staats Bridge.
When to Get There
The Mozart Residence is open daily year–round. The busiest time to visit is during the peak summer months of July and August, when it can get crowded—opt for an early morning visit for the fewest crowds.
Mozart in Salzburg
The iconic composer is everywhere in Salzburg. Mozart’s face adorns postcards, souvenirs, and restaurant menus—you can even buy Mozart ice cream. After visiting Mozart Residence, fans can also tour Mozart’s Birthplace—now a museum that offers insight into his humble beginnings; pose for photos by Mozart Monument in Mozart Square; take a walking tour of the many sites associated with Mozart; or visit during the annual Mozart Week, hosted by Mozarteum Foundation. Another unforgettable experience is attending a Mozart concert, and there are options for orchestral recitals and dinner concerts held in intimate venues around the city.
Address: Makartplatz 8, Salzburg 5020, Austria
Admission: Varies
From $ 14
Lake Mondsee
Crescent-shaped Lake Mondsee is often regarded as the gateway to the spectacular alpine scenery of the Salzkammergut (Austrian Lake District) west of Salzburg, and is surrounded by the snow-topped peaks of the Austrian Alps; it is a perfect summer base for hiking, biking, sailing, fishing and kayaking.
The lake is edged by the lovely Baroque lakeside town of the same name, famous for its lemon-and-white, twin-spired St Michael’s Church, which is where Maria and Captain von Trapp were married in The Sound of Music. Apart from the Julie Andrews connection, Mondsee is a riot of gaily painted townhouses bordering its main square, with a lakeside promenade lined with elegant restaurants and a stunning backdrop formed by the craggy rock face of Drachenwand. Thanks to its proximity to Salzburg, Mondsee gets rammed with visitors every weekend; it is likely to be even busier in 2015 as the 50th anniversary of The Sound of Music brings more visitors into town.
Practical Info
Mondsee lake is 11 km (6.75 miles) in length and two km (1.25 miles) at its widest, one of the biggest of the Salzkammergut lakes. It is a half-hour drive from Salzburg and the main tourist office is on Dr Franz Müller Strasse in Mondsee town.
Address: Austria
From $ 367
Kunsthalle Wien
In the Museumquarter, between the Leopold and MUMOK is the Kunsthalle, or Art Hall, a collection of exhibition halls showcasing local and international contemporary art. Its high ceilings, open space and pure functionality have seen the venue rated among the top institutions for exhibitions in Europe. Programs, which run for 3 to 6 months, tend to focus on photography, video, film, installations and new media.
The concept behind the gallery is to foster new and exciting trends and experiments in contemporary art so expect the unexpected..
Practical Info
The metro takes you straight there: lines U2 or U3, stop Volstheater or Museumsquarter.
Address: Museumsplatz 1, Vienna 1070, Austria
Hours: Open daily 10am - 7pm, Thurs 10am - 9pm
Admission: €7-11.50
From $ 24
Kunst Haus Wien
Kunst Haus Wien in Vienna is home to the only permanent collection of the work of Friedensreich Hundertwasser in the world. The building itself, a former furniture factory, was designed by the eccentric artist, along with the neighboring apartment building. The wild facade, with its irregular glass, brick, wood, ceramic and metal features, bright colors and trees sprouting from the windows, reflect the spirit of the art displayed within.
Two floors of the modern art museum are dedicated to the works of Hundertwasser, while two more feature changing exhibitions. The ground floor houses a cafe and a museum shop, while the museum also offers audio guides.
Practical Info
Kunst Haus Wien is open daily, and admission is free for children under 10 years of age.
Address: Untere Weißgerberstraße 13, Wien 1030, Austria
Hours: Daily 10am-7pm
Admission: Adults: €10, Youth (11-18): €5, Children 10 & under free
From $ 12
Mirabell Palace and Gardens (Schloss Mirabell und Mirabellgarten)
Part of Salzburg’s UNESCO World Heritage–listed historic center, Mirabell Palace (Schloss Mirabell) enjoys a rich royal history, as well as a place in movie legend: it was one of the filming sites for The Sound of Music. Built by Prince Archbishop Wolf Dietrich in 1606, the palace is most famous for its magnificent baroque gardens.
The Basics
Both Salzburg city tours and The Sound of Music tours often include a stop at Mirabell Palace and Gardens, where visitors can explore the lavish palace interiors, stroll the landscaped gardens, and admire the grand marble Donnerstiege stairway. The palace’s ornate Marble Hall hosts regular concerts of music by Salzburg’s favorite son, Mozart.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Admission to the palace and gardens is free.
- The Dwarf Garden (Zwergelgarten) is a must-see for families with kids.
- The palace and its gardens are wheelchair accessible.
How to Get There
Mirabell Palace is located on the northern bank of the River Salzach in central Salzburg. The easiest way to reach the palace is on foot—it’s about a 10-minute walk from the Old Town, across the State Bridge (Staatsbrücke).
When to Get There
The palace and gardens are open daily year-round, but the gardens are at their most impressive during spring and summer, when the flowers are in full bloom. During peak summer months, an early morning visit is best to avoid the crowds. In the winter, the Dwarf Garden and Hedge Theater are closed.
Exploring the Mirabell Gardens
Originally designed by Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach in the 17th century, the Mirabell Garden is among the most impressive baroque gardens in Europe. The grand centerpiece is the Pegasus Fountain, around which the Von Trapp children danced during their rendition of “Do-Re-Mi” in The Sound of Music. Other highlights include the Rose Garden, the Grand Fountain, the Hedge Theater, and the unique Dwarf Garden filled with knee-high marble garden gnomes.
Address: Mirabellplatz, Salzburg 5020, Austria
Admission: Free
From $ 22
Mozartplatz
Salzburg is immensely proud of its most famous son, and Mozartplatz is just one of the city’s many tributes.
The square, with its elegant statue of a youthful Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, dates back to 1842 and was partly funded by Mad King Ludwig of Bavaria, who was a big fan.
One of Salzburg’s most famous squares, it is a popular spot for a photo stop and a stroll.
Practical Info
Mozartplatz is in the Old Town on the south bank of the River Salzach, at the eastern end of the pedestrianized Getreidegasse.
Address: Mozartplatz, Salzburg 5020, Austria
Hours: Open daily
Admission: Free
From $ 326
Mauthausen
Mauthausen was at the center of a group of German concentration camps, operating from 1938 to the end of World War II in 1945. Starting with a single camp at Mauthausen, the complex eventually expanded to be one of the largest labor camps in the German-controlled part of Europe. Prisoners forced to work in quarries, munitions factories, mines, arms factories and plants assembling aircraft. The last concentration camp to be liberated by the Allies, it is estimated that up to 300,000 people died at Mauthausen.
The main camp at Mauthausen has served as a museum since 1975. While much of the site is still intact, information and photographs provide background about buildings that no longer exist. An audio guide provides information about history of Mauthausen, conditions of prisoners and general structures of the concentration camp. Explanations are supplemented by quotes from former inmates.
Practical Info
Located 20 kilometers from the city of Linz, Austria, Mauthausen is accessible by bus to the Mauthausen Linzerstraße/Hauptschule station or the Mauthausen Linzerstraße/Wasserwerk station, both 1-2 kilometers from the site. Visitors might also take the train to the Mauthausen OO station, from where they can continue by bus or taxi. Mauthausen is open March 1 to July 10, daily 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m; July 11 to October 31, Tuesday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; and November 1 to February 28, Tuesday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. It is closed December 24-26, December 31 and January 1. Admission is free, but visits are not recommended for those under 14 years of age.
Address: Erinnerungsstraße 1, Mauthausen, Austria
From $ 171