Choose from 42 Fun Things to Do in Salzburg
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Museum of Natural History (Haus der Natur)
Located in two buildings on Museumsplatz near the River Salzach, Salzburg’s natural history museum was founded in 1924. It is an offshoot of the Salzburg Museum, which incorporates seven branches including the Toy Museum (Spielzeug Museum) and the Monatsschlössl ethnology museum at Schloss Hellbrunn as well as its main branch at the Neue Residenz. Along with a series of exhibitions focusing on dinosaurs, geology, the natural world and space travel, there’s an aquarium and reptile zoo featuring alligators and poisonous lizards.
The separate and largely interactive science center is wonderfully child friendly and displays across its three floors of hands-on exhibits examine energy, the human body and noise – this being Salzburg, the Audio Lab features the music of Mozart; it also has a science lab where junior experiments can be safely conducted under supervision.
Practical Info
Museumsplatz 5. Open daily 9am–5pm. Admission adults €8, children over 4 €5.50, under 4 go free. Bus number 1 or 10 to Mönchsbergaufzug.
Address: Museumsplatz 5, Salzburg, Austria
Admission: Adults: €8
From $ 11
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
Baroque Museum (Salzburger Barockmuseum)
Set in the lovely Orangery of Mirabell Palace, Salzburg’s Baroque Museum hosts an unusual and rare collection of sketches by legendary artists of the Baroque era.
The only museum to focus solely on preliminary artworks, the collection includes drawings and studies by Rubens, Tiepolo, Guardi and Fragonard.
The sketches provide insights into the artists’ creative processes, and a rare glimpse into the birth of a work of art.
While you’re here, take a stroll around the impressive gardens.
Practical Info
The Baroque Museum is on the northern bank of the River Salzach, in the classically landscaped gardens of Mirabell Palace.
To get here, cross the Staats Bridge and follow your nose west to the gardens.
Address: Orangerie des Mirabellgartens, Mirabellplatz 3, Salzburg 5020, Austria
Hours: Wed - Sun & holidays: 10am - 5pm. Open Tues - Sun on Easter, Jul - Aug and Christmas
Admission: Adults: € 4.50, Children: Free
From $ 52
Georg Trakl Memorial (Traklhouse)
The revered German-language poet Georg Trakl was born in Salzburg in 1887 and spent much of his short life building up a body of literary work that has remained with us long after he died in a military hospital in Krakow at the tender age of 27. He spent his formative years in the city and much of his work shines light on the Salzburg of the early 20th century, although he flitted restlessly around Austria, traveling frequently to Vienna and Innsbruck. Heavily influenced by the works and lifestyles of French symbolist poets like Baudelaire and Rimbaud, Trakl was soon heavily involved with drugs and also suffered from depression; it is suspected he may have committed suicide but this is not known for sure.
Nevertheless his poetry attracted much praise attention and his reputation lives on. Many years after his death in 1914, his birthplace on Salzburg’s Waagplatz was converted to a museum in his memory in 1973. The story of his short life is told through extracts from his diaries, his poetry, photos and a movie based on his formative years.
Practical Info
Located at Waagplatz 1a, the site is open Monday through Friday with guided tours at 2pm (reservations required). Admission costs adults €4 and students €2, while those under 14 enter for free. Take buses 20 or 25 to Mozartsteg.
Address: Waagplatz 1a, Salzburg, Austria
Admission: Adults: €4
From $ 29
Nonnberg Abbey
Nonnberg Abbey is a Benedictine nunnery with a landmark spire in the center of Salzburg and is perhaps best known throughout the world as the home of the troublesome novice nun Maria in The Sound of Music, the magical movie that celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2015. The nunnery sits tucked under the Hohensalzburg Fortress and was founded somewhere around 715 AD; it is the oldest constantly inhabited convent in Europe and its complex of buildings consists of the abbey, convent, chapels, church, cloisters and refectory, all built in a charming jumble of Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque architectural styles.
Nonnberg’s main church of Maria Himmelfahrt is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and is Gothic in style, adorned with gleaming stained-glass windows and a series of biblically themed paintings. Largely rebuilt after a fire in 1423, the church nevertheless retains fragments of its original Byzantine and Romanesque frescoes in the choir.
Practical Info
Nonnberggasse 2. Open daily from 7am to dusk. Take 50-cent coins to operate the lights on the paintings in the church. The nunnery is within walking distance of all central Salzburg sights.
Address: Nonnberggasse 2, Salzburg, Austria
Hours: Open daily from 7am to dusk
From $ 52
Hohenwerfen Fortress
The 900-year-old Hohenwerfen Fortress squats 510 ft (155 m) up on a rocky hilltop, surrounded by swathes of pine trees and the harsh peaks of the Tennengebirge Mountains. From its lofty position the castle dominates the village of Werfen in the Salzach Valley region of the Austrian Alps.
Accessed by either steep climb or funicular from the car parks, Hohenwerfen Fortress has its beginnings in the 11th century; it was built in tandem with the Hohensalzburg Fortress in Salzburg as a refuge for the ruling prince-bishops. Parts of the fortified medieval walls can still be seen but the castle’s history has been turbulent and it was razed to the ground during the Peasants’ Rebellion of 1525.
Much of what you see today is the result of subsequent 16th-century restyling in Baroque style, when the castle was extended and heavily fortified to protect the prince-bishops from further attack. It was also used to house military prisoners before falling into disuse in the late 18th century; more refurbishment followed by then-owner Archduke Eugen of Austria before parts of the fortress was destroyed yet again by fire in 1931.
Restored once more to its present pristine whitewashed majesty, Hohenwerfen featured as Schloss Adler in the 1968 WWII movie Where Eagles Dare.
Today an audio-guide leads visitors around the landscaped gardens and battlements, into the kitchens and Romanesque chapel, around the prince-bishops’ apartments, and up the bell tower for far-reaching Alpine views. There are also small museums detailing the history of the castle and displaying weapons used in its protection as well as Austria’s only falconry museum – the summer months see daily flight demonstrations with birds of prey. Tours of Hohenwerfen Fortress are often combined with a trip through the world’s largest ice caves at Eisriesenwelt near Werfen.
Practical Info
Hohenwerfen Fortress is 25 miles (40 km) south of Salzburg along the Salzach River valley. It is open Mar 29-Nov 3 and hours vary: Apr Tue-Sun 9am-4pm; May-Jul 21, Aug 18-end Sept 9am-5pm; Jul 22-Aug 16 9am-6pm; Oct 9.30am-4pm. Admission by cable car: €14.50, children €8, family €33; by footpath €11, children €6, family €25. Guided tours roughly on the hour. Falconry displays Mar 29-Nov 3 11.15am, 3.15pm; Jul 22-Aug 16 11am, 2.15pm, 4.30pm.
Address: Burgstrasse 2, Weren 5450, Austria
Admission: Cable car: €14.50; Footpath €11
From $ 114
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
Hellbrunn Castle (Schloss Hellbrun)
Built in the early 17th century, Hellbrunn Castle served as a summer retreat for the Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg. Its baroque exterior conceals an exuberant interior made for entertaining, though the real draws are the whimsical trick fountains (Wasserspiele) in the gardens, which spew water from unexpected places.
The Basics
Admission to Hellbrunn Castle includes a 40-minute guided tour of the gardens, a 40-minute audio tour of the palace itself, and access to the Folklore Museum, which houses a collection of objects and costumes associated with Austria’s Salzburg valley region.
Because of its location just a short hop south of Salzburg, Hellbrunn is often included on hop-on hop-off city tours. Some sightseeing passes include free admission to the castle as well as other top attractions such as Salzburg Zoo. The castle can also be visited as part of organized tours, which may combine a trip to the palace with a boat cruise along the Salzach River. The gazebo at Hellbrunn Castle served as the filming location for the “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” scene in The Sound of Music, so the castle is commonly included on Sound of Music tours.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Hellbrunn Castle is a must for families; kids love the trick fountains.
- You will get wet, so be sure your smartphone and any other gear is protected.
- The park and trick fountains are wheelchair accessible, though the castle is not.
How to Get There
Hellbrunn Castle is 3 miles (4.5 kilometers) south of central Salzburg. To get here, ride the 25 bus from Salzburg’s main train station to Hellbrunn. Cycling from central Salzburg will take 25 minutes.
When to Get There
The castle and trick fountains are open from late March to early November. The best time to explore is in summer, as it’s easier to dry off under the warm sun. Summer is also, however, the busiest time. Try arriving first thing to get in ahead of the crowds.
The Trick Fountains
Designed to amuse and surprise, the trick fountains at Hellbrunn Castle are a lot of fun. In addition to a series of grottoes and water-driven figures, the palace grounds also feature some hidden fountains that spout when guests least expect it. Another highlight is the mechanical theater, where you can see 200 water-powered figures going about life in a typical Austrian city.
Address: Fürstenweg 37, Salzburg 5020, Austria
Admission: Varies
From $ 16
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
Alter Markt
Salzburg’s Old Market Square (or Alter Markt) dates way back to 1280. The medieval buildings have long since gone, replaced by grand Baroque townhouses that line the square.
Take a seat at an outdoor cafe, or pick up some handmade chocolate Mozartkugeln balls at Fürst chocolatiers.
You’ll want to take a photo of one of the buildings lining the square at number 10a; you might miss it as it’s the smallest house in Salzburg.
Practical Info
The Alter Markt is in the Old Town on the southern bank of the River Salzach. The old market square is hidden away between the medieval Getreidegasse and the Cathedral.
Address: Alter Markt, Salzburg 5020, Austria
Hours: Open daily
Admission: Free
From $ 405
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
Cathedral Museum
Salzburg’s cathedral (Dom) is on the south side of the River Salzach and has Romanesque foundations, although today its appearance is exuberantly Baroque as it was rebuilt after a fire in 1598. Mozart was baptized here in 1756 and held the post of court organist from 1779, writing much of his early music to be performed in the cathedral.
The museum is found on the upper floors of the cathedral, vaulted and stuccoed galleries with patterned marble floors all lavishly decorated with stags’ heads and exquisite furniture. It is dedicated to telling the story of the cathedral’s 1,300-year history and exhibiting religious art from the 15th to 18th centuries. Treasures in the collection include cabinets of curiosities squirreled away over centuries by Salzburg’s former ruling archbishop princes, glittering gold icons and relics, the priceless 8th-century Cross of St Rupert and a gold-and-purple enamel peace dove made in the early 13th century in Limoges. The cathedral and museum may now also be visited during a tour of the newly conceived DomQuartier Salzburg, which showcases the city’s Baroque charms and includes entry into several other museums.
Practical Info
Located at Domplatz 1a, the museum is open Wednesday through Monday from 10am to 5pm. Individual admission costs adults €5. The site is in central Salzburg and easily accessible on foot.
Address: Domplatz 1a, Salzburg, Austria
Admission: Adults: €5
From $ 29
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
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
Austrian Lake District
Stretching east of Salzburg into the foothills of the Swiss Alps, the Austrian Lake District—the Salzkammergut—is home to some of Austria’s most stunning scenery. This is an idyllic spot for a summer vacation, with picturesque alpine villages, lush green valleys framed by snow-dusted peaks, and dozens of glittering lakes.
The Basics
Salzburg is the gateway to the Lake District, and day trips might include a tour of the Dachstein Ice caves, a boat cruise across Lake Wolfgang, or a visit to the town of St Gilgen, where Mozart's mother was born. Many visitors combine a scenic drive through the Lake District with a sightseeing tour of Salzburg’s UNESCO-listed Old Town or a visit to the Obersalzberg salt mines.
Things to Know Before You Go
- It’s easy to get around in the Lake District; pick one town as your base and explore the others on day trips.
- Most towns have their own Visitor Information centers where you can purchase hiking maps, access free Wi-Fi, and learn more about the region.
- Bring comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, and a swimsuit—you can take a dip in many of the lakes.
How to Get There
Buses and trains link Salzburg with larger towns such as Mondsee, Bad Ischl, and St. Wolfgang, but the most convenient way to explore is with your own transport or on a guided tour. Boats and passenger ferries also link the towns and villages around the Attersee, Traunsee, Mondsee, Hallstätter See, and Wolfgangsee lakes, but most run only in summer.
When to Get There
The most popular time to visit the Lake District is in summer; book tours and hotels in advance if you’re visiting during the busiest months of July and August. At this time of year, you can get your fill of outdoor activities like hiking, sailing, and water sports; in winter, meanwhile, you can hit the ski slopes on the surrounding mountains.
The Sound of Music tours
The Austrian Lake District is perhaps most famous for its starring role in the musical “The Sound of Music” and visitors still come from all around the world to visit the film’s scenic locations. Sound of Music tours typically visit the magnificent Schloss Leopoldskron and Schloss Hellbrunn; the gazebo at Schloss Hellbrunn, where Liesl von Trapp sang “Sixteen Going on Seventeen”; the Mondsee church where Captain Von Trapp married Maria; and, of course, the green meadows where the iconic opening scene, starring Julie Andrews, was shot.
Address: Austria
From $ 52
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
Museum of Modern Art Rupertinum
Salzburg’s modern art museum consists of two parts; the MDM Rupertinum is housed in an elegant medieval palace in the Altstadt (Old Town) while the MDM Mönchsberg sits on a rocky crag above the city. Together the MdM Salzburg buildings offer over 3,000 meters of exhibition space for 20th- and 21st-century Austrian art and began life in 1983, when local art collector Friedrich Welz donated his entire collection of works by Oskar Kokoschka to the city. Displays include temporary exhibits along with paintings drawn from the museums’ core collection, including Austrian favorites Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele, a scattering of French Impressionists and an 18,000-strong collection of contemporary Austrian photography.
Practical Info
Wiener-Philharmoniker-Gasse 9. Open Tue, Thur–Sun 10am–6pm; Wed 10am–8pm. Admission combined with the MDM Mönchsberg: adults €12, seniors & students €8. Single ticket: adults €8, seniors & students €6. Buses 8, 10, 20 and 25 can be taken to the Rathaus (Town Hall).
Address: Mönchsberg 32, Salzburg, Austria
Admission: Varies
From $ 29
Berchtesgaden & Eagle's Nest
Just an hour’s drive outside of Salzburg lies the alpine town of Berchtesgaden and the historic Eagle’s Nest (Kehlsteinhaus), Adolf Hitler’s mountaintop chalet and the former southern headquarters of the Nazi party. Perched atop Mt. Kehlstein, Eagle’s Nest offers a dark history and panoramic views of Germany’s Bavarian Alps.
The Basics
To reach the chalet, an opulent elevator decorated with brass, leather, and Venetian glass rises through solid rock to the summit. At the top, visitors can explore almost-untouched rooms, visit underground bunkers, and dine at the site’s cozy panoramic restaurant and beer garden. Take a day trip from Salzburg or Munich to relax and enjoy the scenery on your way to Eagle’s Nest, and learn about the site’s history from an expert tour guide. Visitors who want to get an overview of the region can opt for a combo tour to see Eagle’s Nest along with nearby highlights such as King’s Lake and the 450-year-old Salzburg Salt Mines.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Bring comfortable shoes, sun protection, and dress in layers; weather can change quickly at high altitudes.
- The Eagle’s Nest restaurant and beer garden is open to the general public. Reservations are not required for individuals, but groups should book in advance.
- The restaurant and parts of the garden terrace are wheelchair accessible; accessible ticket options are also available.
How to Get There
Berchtesgaden and the Eagle’s Nest are located on the Austria–Germany border, roughly one hour from Salzburg and two hours from Munich by road. Parking is available at the Hintereck parking area near Obersalzberg; from there, visitors can hike two hours to the summit or take a paid shuttle bus.
When to Get There
Due to the region’s harsh winters, the Eagle’s Nest is only open from May through October. The site can be quite crowded in the summer, so make sure to book your tour in advance.
The Eagle’s Nest, Then & Now
The lodge was built in 1939 to celebrate Hitler’s 50th birthday, and was originally intended to serve as a retreat and meeting house for the Nazi Party. It was seldom used for its intended purpose, however, due to the outbreak of World War II. Today, visitors come from all over the world to learn about German history and enjoy summer weather at the on-site restaurant and beer garden (biergarten).
Address: Kehlstein Busabfahrt Hintereck, Berchtesgaden 83471, Austria
Hours: Open daily May through October
Admission: Free
From $ 52
Festival Hall (Festpielhaus)
Building started in 1956 on Salzburg’s Large Festival Hall, which was designed by Austrian architect and stage designer Clemens Holzmeister specifically to host the annual Salzburg Festival. The grand green-and white theater is neo-baroque in style and the main auditorium can seat an audience of 2,170; it opened to great fanfare in 1960 with a performance of Richard Strauss’s Der Rosenkavalier conducted by Herbert von Karajan and is renowned for its acoustics; the circular stage has a width of 100 meters (328 feet) and is one of the largest in the world. The interior decor is a monument to 1960s design, with marble statues by sculptor Wander Bertoni, as well as installations by Anton von Webern and notorious Austrian artist Oskar Kokoschka.
As well as hosting the Salzburg Festival, the venue has a full repertoire of year-round performances and also holds concerts during the city’s Easter and Whitsun Festivals as well as carol services at Christmas. It stands next door to another of Salzburg’s great musical venues, the Haus für Mozart (House for Mozart), which was completed in 1925 and was also designed by Clemens Holzmeister.
Practical Info
Located at Hofstallgasse 1, guided tours are available. The Salzburg Festival 2015 runs between July 18 and August 13. Many buses stop outside the hall.
Address: Hofstallgasse 1, Salzburg, Austria
Admission: Varies
From $ 173
Obersalzberg
The lovely town of Berchtesgaden is in the Bavarian Alps, much visited for its wildly decorative Baroque architecture. High above perches Obersalzberg, an enclave that is world-known as the location of the country retreats of Nazi party leaders Adolf Hitler, Martin Bormann and Hermann Göring. On the site of the former Nazi stronghold is the Dokumentation Obersalzberg, a peace center-cum-museum designed to deal with the horrors of National Socialism and examine the history of World War II; it also incorporates sections of a Nazi underground bunker system.
From Obersalzberg transport runs up to Hitler’s infamous guesthouse, the Kehlsteinhaus (Eagle’s Nest), which sits even higher at 6,600 feet (2,011 m) above the spectacular Berchtesgaden valley; it has been open since 1952 as a restaurant with views across to the peak of Untersberg.
Practical Info
Eagle’s Nest is only open during summer and is accessible via a complicated combination of tunnel and elevator up the steep rocky sides of Kehlstein or by a switchback road carved out of the hillside. Berchtesgaden is over the Austrian border in Germany but passports are not needed as both countries are members of the EU.
Address: Berchtesgaden, Germany
From $ 52