Choose from 42 Fun Things to Do in Salzburg
ShowingFilter 21-40 of 42 listings.
Silent Night Chapel
Silent Night is arguably one of the world’s best-loved Christmas carols and its words were written in 1816 by a priest called Josef Mohr, who lived locally to Salzburg in the rural village of Oberndorf. Its sentimental but catchy tune was composed two years later by Franz Xaver Gruber and the carol was performed for the first time on Christmas Eve 1818 in the village’s St Nicholas Church. This church destroyed by heavy flooding at the end of the 19th century, only to be replaced by the white-washed, many-sided neo-Baroque Silent Night Chapel in 1937. Since then a whole local industry has grown up around the carol, which has been translated into more than 300 languages, and life in Oberndorf has changed forever.
Although a visit to this idyllic little village is a joy any time, and it has a small museum where there are copies of the original manuscript and score, Oberndorf really comes into its own at Christmas. A traditional market takes over its main square and hundreds of visitors from across the world come to hear Silent Night being sung at Midnight Mass in the chapel on Christmas Eve.
Practical Info
Oberndorf is a 20-km (12.5-mile) drive from Salzburg along the A1 and B156. In summer cyclists can follow the Tauern bike path along the River Salzach directly to Oberndorf.
Address: Stille Nacht-Platz 2, Oberndorf, Austria
From $ 52
Panorama Museum
The Salzburg Museum incorporates seven branches, including the Toy Museum (Spielzeug Museum) and Museum of Natural History (Haus der Natur), but its main branch is at the Neue Residenz and is connected by subterranean tunnel to the adjacent Panorama Museum. The underground passage itself features a section of Roman wall covered with murals and models of the city at important points in its development but the main attraction of the Panorama Museum is the cyclorama of the city. Painted in 1829 by Johann Michael Sattler, the masterpiece painting-in-the-round is supremely impressive for its fine architectural and topographical detail and is 26 meters (85 feet) in diameter. Visitors stand on a central platform, from here telescopes and computer screens highlight various areas of the city, providing detailed descriptions of 19th-century Salzburg.
Practical Info
Residenzplatz 9. Open daily 9am"“5pm; single admission adults €3, seniors €1.7, students €1.60, under 16 €1. The Panorama is in the city center close to many major attractions and is easily accessible on foot.
Address: Residenzplatz 9, Salzburg, Austria
Hours: Open daily 9am"“5pm
Admission: Adults: €3
From $ 29
Salzburg Cathedral (Dom)
Salzburg’s Cathedral, or Dom, is a restrained exercise in classic Italian Baroque, topped with green bronze domes. Mozart was baptized here, and the building was completed in 1628.
Highlights include the light-filled atrium and dome, the crypt with its Romanesque foundations and tombs, and the statues of angels surrounding the altar.
The Cathedral Museum tells the history of the Cathedral’s construction and artworks.
Practical Info
The Cathedral is in the Old Town on the southern bank of the River Salzach. The Domplatz is the site of Salzburg’s famous Christmas Market.
Address: Domplatz, Salzburg 5010, Austria
Hours: Opens Mon - Sat at 8am (Sundays and holidays opens at 1pm). Closes 5pm - 8pm depending on the month.
Admission: Free; donations welcomed. Museum admission: Adults: € 6, Youths (6-18yrs): € 2
From $ 22
Mönchsberg Lift
Zipping up to one of Salzburg’s most impressive viewpoints, the Mönchsberg Lift makes easy work of the 60-meter climb to the top of the Mönchsberg plateau. From the 523-meter-high viewing terrace, the views span Salzburg’s Old Town, with its hilltop Hohensalzburg Fortress, striking cathedral and scenic riverside, and it’s a perfect spot for photos.
Hop on the lift from Anton-Neumayr-Platz in the Old Town, then jump out at the top of the hill, where you can visit the Museum of Modern Art or hike along the plateau’s woodland trails all the way to the Hohensalzburg Fortress.
Practical Info
The Mönchsberg Lift is located on Anton-Neumayr-Platz in Salzburg Old Town and is open daily in July and August from 8am-11pm, and the rest of the year, Mondays from 8am-7pm, and Tuesday to Sunday from 8am-9pm. An adult return ticket costs €3.60.
Address: Gstättengasse 13, Salzburg 5020, Austria
Hours: July-Aug daily 8am-11pm; rest of the year Mon 8am-7pm, Tues-Sun 8am-9pm
Admission: Adult single €2.30, return €3.60; Child single €1.20, return €1.80
From $ 3
Werfen Ice Caves (Eisriesenwelt)
One of the world’s largest ice caves, this network of frosty caverns and tunnels extends for more than 25 miles (40 kilometers) through the Tennen Mountains in the Austrian Alps. Discovered in 1879, this subterranean wonderland encompasses vast blue-tinged chambers, sculptural ice formations, and frozen waterfalls.
The Basics
Access to the Werfen Ice Caves (Eisriesenwelt), nicknamed the World of Ice Giants, is by guided tour only. During the cave tour, visitors are led through the interior to sights including the gigantic Eispalast (Ice Palace) chamber and the sculpture Frigga's Veil, also known as the Ice Organ, formed by rows of icicles.
Visitors often explore the ice caves as part of organized excursions from Salzburg, which typically include transfers as well as entrance to the cave. Some full-day tours combine a visit to the caves with a trip to Golling Waterfall (Gollinger Wasserfall), the Salzwelten Hallstatt salt mines, and the medieval-era Hohenwerfen Castle.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Werfen Ice Caves is a must for nature lovers and the adventurous.
- Though the tour takes just 1 hours 15 minutes, allow at least 3 hours for your visit as the journey to the cave’s entrance takes additional time.
- Wear sturdy hiking shoes and warm clothes. The temperature inside the caves will be below freezing.
- Getting to the ice caves involves an uphill hike, and tours include ascents up many steps, so this attraction is best suited to reasonably fit travelers.
- Leave your camera behind—photography is not allowed inside the caves.
How to Get There
To get to the caves, drive or take the train to the town of Werfen, Austria, situated about 24 miles (40 kilometers) south of Salzburg. From there, follow the 3.5-mile (6-kilometer) signposted access road to the parking lot near the visitor center. If you don’t have a car, buses are available, departing from Werfen Station and more frequently from the Gries parking lot, a 5-minute signposted walk from Werfen Station. From the visitor center, it’s a 20-minute uphill hike to the cable car. Once you disembark, it’s a further 20-minute climb to the cave entrance.
When to Get There
The caves are open May–October and are busiest during July and August. To avoid the busiest times, go in early morning (8am–9am) or later in the afternoon (3pm–4pm).
The History of the Caves
Because of their remote setting, the caves remained largely unknown to outsiders up until the late 19th century when explorer Anton von Posselt-Czorich entered them. Posselt-Czorich only got about 650 feet (200 meters) into the caves, but his research inspired further exploration in the early 20th century. The addition of wooden planks, climbing aids, and an access road—followed by an aerial cable car in 1955—granted access to more and more visitors.
Address: Eishohlenstrasse 30, Werfen 5450, Austria
Admission: Varies
From $ 31
Salzburg Salt Mines (Salzkammergut)
Beneath the glittering lakes and snow-dusted mountains of Austria’s Lake District, the subterranean world of the Salzburg salt mines spreads out in a network of underground mines and tunnels. Used to mine “white gold” since the Bronze Age, the historic salt mines at Hallstatt and Berchtesgaden are now popular attractions. Here you’ll find fascinating insights into the region’s salt-mining heritage, as well as fun activities such as slides, train rides, and boat cruises.
The Basics
The Berchtesgaden salt mines can only be visited as part of a guided tour. Exploring the salt mines is a blast for the whole family. At Berchtesgaden, visitors can tour the mines by train, brave a 118-foot-long (36-meter-long) miners’ slide, cruise across a subterranean salt lake (the “Mirror Lake”), and marvel at the Salt Cathedral. At the Hallstatt salt mines, visitors can walk through underground tunnels, learn about the science of salt in a subterranean classroom, see a prehistoric wooden staircase (the oldest of its kind in the world!), and shop for innovative salt products in the gift shop. Journey to the mines on a half- or full-day tour from Salzburg, Austria, or Munich, Germany.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The salt mines can only be visited on guided tours, and it’s best to book in advance, especially during high season in July and August.
- Wear warm clothes and comfortable shoes, as it can be chilly underground. Overalls and protective clothing are provided for most tours.
- Some parts of the salt mine tours are wheelchair accessible, but it’s best to check with your tour operator in advance.
How to Get There
The main salt mines are located in Berchtesgaden and Hallstatt, about 16 miles (25 kilometers) and 43 miles (70 kilometers) by road from Salzburg, respectively. It’s easiest to visit as part of a guided tour, but buses also run from Salzburg to Berchtesgaden and Hallstatt, as well as other locations in the Salzkammergut region.
When to Get There
Most salt mines are open year-round, but fewer tour times are usually available in low season. July and August are the most popular months to visit; during this time it’s a good idea to book an early time slot to avoid crowds.
Combo Tours with the Salzburg Salt Mines
Salt mine excursions are often combined with a trip to Adolf Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest atop a sub-peak of Hoher Göll mountain, or a boat cruise around Lake Königssee in Germany. Alternatively, opt for a private tour to Hallstatt and discover the underground world of the Hallstatt salt mines, ride the funicular—a steep cable railway—to the Five Fingers Viewing Platform at Krippenstein, or take a boat tour of Hallstatt Lake.
Address: Salzwelten Hallstatt, Salzbergstrasse 21, Hallstatt 4830, Austria
Hours: Varies
Admission: Adults: € 17
From $ 61
Stiegl Brauwelt (Stiegl World of Beer)
The number-one destination of beer lovers, Austria’s most popular brewing exhibition is found Salzburg’s oldest brewery, which was built in 1863, although Stiegl has actually been brewing ever since 1492 and the company remains independent to this day. In medieval times the production of beer was as vital to the growth of Salzburg’ wealth as the mining of salt in the region; a visit to the Stiegl Brauwelt encompasses a whistle-stop tour of the brewing process and the bottling plant as well as highlighting the social impact of brewing on the city. Although guided tours are currently only available in German, all the exhibits in the museum are clearly labeled in other languages, including English, so it is easy to understand the displays.
Tastings following the brewery tour give the chance to sample three of the ales produced here, and soft options are offered for non-drinkers. Time your visit correctly and stay on in the restaurant for lunch or supper to savor traditional Austrian restaurant – spicy sausages, pickles and plenty of horseradish sauce – and try out some of Stiegl’s brews of the month. On sunny days the Stiegl garden is one of the most popular spots in Salzburg, with beer served in clunky gray-and-red steins. There’s also the chance to buy your favorite bottled beer in the museum store at the end of your visit.
Practical Info
The brewery is 1.5 km west of the Aldstadt; take bus No 1 or 8 to Bräuhausstrasse. Open daily 10am-5pm (Jul-Aug 7pm). Admission for adults is €9, and for children aged 6-16 it is €4. Ticket includes beer tasting (for adults) and souvenir. Guided tours Mon-Thur 11am. Entry is free with the Salzburg Card.
Address: Bräuhausstrasse 9, Salzburg, Austria
Admission: Adults: €9; Children: €4
From $ 29
Michael Haydn Museum
The museum featuring the work of Michael Haydn, younger brother of the much-more-famous Baroque composer Joseph Haydn, is found in the Benedictine Abbey of St Peter, parts of which date back to 696 AD, making it the oldest abbey in Austria.
Johann Michael Haydn lived between 1737 and 1806; arriving in Salzburg in 1763 he was a close contemporary of Mozart but rather than leaving Salzburg for the bright lights of Vienna, he forged a successful career as a court musician by remaining in the city. He was incredibly prolific, composing more than 350 pieces of work, including 40 symphonies and 37 masses as well as 19 operettas and during his lifetime he was considered as bright a talent as both his brother and Mozart. Samples of Hadyn's melodies can be heard in the museum, which is a must-see museum for devotees of Baroque music and showcases manuscripts, sheet music and paintings reflecting his life and times. Chamber music performances of Hadyn's works take place in the evening at the abbey between July and September (daily except Wednesday) and he is buried in the Stiftskirche (abbey church).
Practical Info
Located at St-Peter-Hof, the museum is open Thursday through Tuesday from 10am to noon and from 2 to 4pm. Admission costs €2.50 for adults, while those under 18 can enter for €1. Buses 8 and 10 can be taken to the Rathaus (Town Hall).
Address: Salzburg, Austria
Admission: Adults: €2.50
From $ 29
Salzburg Residence Gallery (Residenzgalerie Salzburg)
Set within the lavish halls of the Salzburg Residence, the Salzburg Residence Gallery (Residenzgalerie Salzburg) is among the highlights of a visit to the 16th-century palace. The gallery is home to the State of Salzburg's painting collection and boasts an impressive array of 16th to 19th century art from all over Europe.
Notable highlights include works by Dutch masters such as Rembrandt, Rubens and Brueghel; 18th-century paintings from Austrian artists including Waldmüller, Amerling, Makart and Ender; and a magnificent series of paintings portraying Salzburg through the ages.
Practical Info
Salzburg Residence Gallery is located on the 3rd floor of the Salzburg Residence, found on Residenzplatz in the heart of the Old Town. The Gallery is open daily (except Tuesday) from 10am-5pm, and combined entrance to the palace and gallery is €12.
Address: Residenzpl. 1, Salzburg, 5020, Austria
Hours: Open Wed-Mon 10am-5pm; July-Aug: daily 10am-8pm
Admission: Adults: €12; Children: €5
From $ 29
St Gilgen
Much of the lakeland landscape around the gloriously Baroque village of St Gilgen found its way into the opening shots of The Sound of Music, the iconic movie that marks its 50th anniversary in 2015. Although the town’s outskirts have bowed to modern development, the heart of St Gilgen is still one of chocolate-box perfection, where wooden chalets with steeply pitched roofs stand side by side with softly colored Baroque townhouses overlooking Wolfgansee lake.
In winter St Gilgen holds one of the Salzburg area’s most famous Christmas markets, with wooden stalls selling handmade jewelry, traditional wooden toys and fragrant local gingerbread alongside plenty of warming glühwein. A cable car travels up to Zwölferhorn for skiing, and between May and September this becomes a jumping off point for hiking, cycling and climbing adventures in the Salzkammergut (Austrian Lake District). By summer Wolfgansee lake is given over to water sports and cruiser trips to the equally cute lakeside towns of Stobl and St Wolfgang.
St Gilgen is 45 minutes from Salzburg by road and the tourist office is found on Mozartplatz.
Address: St Gilgen 5340, Austria
From $ 52
St Wolfgang
The historic spa town of St Wolfgang is quite simply one of the prettiest villages in the Salzkammergut (Austrian Lake District). It perches on the northern shore of the Wolfgangsee lake and is backed by the alpine foothills of Mount Schafberg – a cog railway goes right to the summit. The village was founded way back in the 10th century when Wolfgang – then the Bishop of Regensburg in Germany – built a church on the lakeside, which became a pilgrimage point after his canonization in 1052. Today the church and its distinctive white bell tower still draw in visitors in the thousands to enjoy the spectacular lakeside setting amid snow-topped alpine peaks. The architecture of the village is largely traditional, with painted chalets adorned with wrought-iron balconies peeping out from steeply pitched wooden roofs; a tangle of lanes creep uphill from the lakeside and are a joy to explore for their many restaurants and classy souvenir stores.
In the winter St Wolfgang morphs into a popular ski resort, with 18 pistes and a modern network of lifts, while in summer it is popular for water sports on the lake and as a jump-off point for walking, cycling and climbing in the Austrian Alps as well as boat trips across the lake to St Gilgen and Strobl.
Practical Info
St Wolfgang is just under an hour by road from Salzburg and the town’s tourist office is in the market square at the center of the village.
Address: St Wolfgang im Salzkammergut 5360, Austria
From $ 52
St. Peter's Abbey (Stift Sankt Peter)
In the heart of Salzburg’s Old Town, St. Peter’s Abbey (or Stift Sankt Peter) is known for its cemetery and ancient lineage, dating back to the 800s. The Benedictine monastery’s abbey church has a Romanesque structure and lavish rococo interior.
The abbey library is a treasure trove of musical manuscripts, and the abbey also houses a prized collection of artworks, musical instruments and treasures. In the abbey cemetery lie the tombs of Mozart’s beloved sister and the brother of Haydn.
While you’re here, visit the Stiftskeller St. Peter restaurant, in the abbey cellars. Mentioned in a document from the year 803, it is thought to be one of the oldest hostelries in Europe and is an atmospheric choice for a night out in Salzburg.
Practical Info
St. Peter’s is a 10 minute walk from the River Salzach, on the southern edge of the Old Town.
Come along to hear choral vespers on Sundays, musical concerts on Saturdays or services in the Marienkapelle on weekdays.
Address: Sankt Peter Bezirk 1, Salzburg 5010, Austria
Hours: Open daily 6:30am - 7pm (until 6pm Oct - Mar)
Admission: Free
From $ 22
Marionette Theatre
Salzburg's acclaimed Marionette Theatre was founded back in 1913 and its debut performance Bastien and Bastienne "“ the comic opera by Mozart "“ proved an instant hit with audiences. As its fan base expanded, so the theatre's repertoire increased, taking in operas by Rossini and Strauss, Shakespearian plays and also developing shows especially adapted for children, including Alice in Wonderland and Peter the Wolf; The Sound of Music was also added to theater's body of work in 2007.
The theater was awarded its own base in 1971, an ornate Baroque theater with a seating capacity of 350 that is tucked between the Mozarteum and the Landestheater. An extraordinary level of detail goes into the crafting of the puppets "“ each head is hand-carved in wood "“ and costumes and stage sets are individually designed for each show, while the characters are sung by some of the world's greatest opera stars.
Practical Info
Schwarzstrasse 24. Ticket office open Mon"“Sat 9am"“1pm and two hours before performance; prices vary according to performance but average around €18"“35.
Address: Schwarzstrasse 24, Salzburg, Austria
Admission: Varies
From $ 29
Salzburg Zoo
Allow at least three hours to explore Salzburg Zoo, opened in 1962 in a dramatic setting adjacent to the Schloss Hellbrunn estate. While not the biggest zoo in Europe, there’s still a lot to pack in: rare white rhinos, hippos and sleek antelopes in the African Savannah enclosure; great scavenging birds of prey, pink flamingos, brown bears, lynx kittens and mischievous monkeys.
There are more than 1,200 animals at the zoo, consisting of some 140 species, including endangered animals. The zoo covers 34.5 acres (14 hectares) and there has been considerable expansion and improvement in the standard of its facilities since 2006, with new enclosures built for wolves, alpacas and rheas, the completion of a petting zoo for kids and the opening of the South America House, featuring tapirs who recently had a baby. Other additions include a new lion house as well as cheetah and jaguar enclosures. Conditions have upgraded for human visitors too; the Mahlzeit im Zoo restaurant has had a facelift and offers typical Austrian cuisine – schnitzels and strudels – along with comfort for children.
Salzburg Zoo takes advantage of the light summer nights to open late between the end of July and the beginning of September, with the last admission at 9.30pm.
Practical Info
There is free parking outside the zoo and bus No 4 stops a five-minute walk away. Opening hours are daily 9am-4.30pm, with later closing in summer. Admission is €10.10, aged 15-19 €7, aged 4-14 €4, family €23. Entrance is free with the Salzburg Card.
Address: Anifer Landesstrasse 1, Salzburg 5081, Austria
Admission: Adults: €10.10; Youth 15-19: €7
From $ 29
Salzburg Museum
Located in the gloriously ornate Neue Residenz in Mozartplatz, the Salzburg Museum opened in 2007 to great acclaim and won European Museum of the Year two years later. It serves as an informative and educational museum of art and history, scanning aspects of the development of Salzburg as a city.
A museum of several parts housed in fine marble apartments, it features temporary art exhibitions, highlights the lives of prominent Salzburg movers and shakers, and examines the history of the city through a series of artwork in the permanent exhibition "˜The Myth of Salzburg'. A one-man exhibition on the third floor spotlights the mesmeric paintings of famous contemporary Austrian artist Gottfried Salzmann.
The Salzburg Museum is partnered to the adjacent Panorama Museum and they are connected by the subterranean Panorama Passage, which reveals a section of Roman wall covered with murals and four models of Salzburg at pertinent points in its development. The undoubted star of the Panorama Museum is the 85-foot (26-m) cyclorama of the city painted in 1829 by Johann Michael Sattler; it is supremely impressive in its fine architectural and topographical detail.
Practical Info
Salzburg Museum is in Mozartplatz, easily accessible on foot. There are parking facilities close by. Opening hours are Tue-Sun 9am-5pm. Admission is €8.5, 16-26 €4.5, children 6-15 €3.5. There are free guided tours on Thur 6pm. Admission free with Salzburg Card.
Address: Mozartplatz 1, Salzburg 5010, Austria
Admission: General: €8.5, 16-26 year olds: €4.5
From $ 29
Hangar-7
Located at the Salzburg Airport, Hangar-7 is a one of-a-kind aircraft hangar and transport museum that comes in at 44,130 square feet and offers ever-changing exhibitions in addition to upwards of five restaurant and lounge options. In addition to the aircraft and cars on display, there are also contemporary art exhibitions and air shows on occasion.
Though its main attractions are Flying Bulls historical aircraft and fleet of Formula 1 cars, many visitors come to the hangar simply to admire its architecture, the work of Salzburg architect Volkmar Burgstaller. The landmark's exterior can look like a glass aircraft wing when admired from the outside, and Hangar-7 also has a sweeping 131-foot (40-meter) entrance with two cylindrical towers. There are 1,754 panes of glass of different sizes, providing a view of the nearby mountain panorama.
Practical Info
Hangar-7 is open daily from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m., but opening hours for the gift shop, restaurant and bars may vary. Admission to the hangar is free. It is easy to reach both by public transport and car, using bus line 2 or by taking the highway toward the airport and turning left on Wilhelm-Spazier-Str.
Address: Salzburg Airport, Wilhelm-Spazier-Str. 7A, Salzburg 5020, Austria
Hours: Open daily from 9 am-10 pm
From $ 463
Salzburg Fortress (Festung Hohensalzburg)
Perched on its craggy mountain lookout, Salzburg’s famous castle, Festung Hohensalzburg, dominates the city and its Old Town. Surrounded by walls and dotted with towers and battlements, Festung Hohensalzburg is one of the largest and best preserved castles in Europe.
The fortified castle was built in 1077, from its lofty position protecting Salzburg, with cracking views of the surrounding countryside.
Take a guided tour around the palatial state rooms, Gothic torture chambers, lookouts and museum collections. Keep an eye out for more than 50 examples of the castle’s symbol, a regal lion holding a beetroot – or is it a turnip?
Practical Info
The Hohensalzburg Fortress is a 15-minute walk south of Salzburg’s Old Town, or a quick trip on the funicular railway.
Address: Austria
Admission: Varies
From $ 17
Salzburg Old Town (Aldstadt)
Salzburg’s Old Town is the historical and navigational heart of the city, a maze of medieval streets stretching along the banks of the Salzach River. The birthplace of Austrian composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Salzburg’s atmospheric Altstadt is preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage site and overlooked by the hilltop Hohensalzburg Fortress.
The Basics
A Salzburg city tour typically begins in the Old Town to explore the city’s baroque architecture and rich cultural heritage. A popular choice is to combine a walking tour of the Old Town with a sightseeing cruise along the Salzach River or a visit to nearby attractions such as Hellbrunn Palace (Schloss Hellbrunn), Leopoldskron Palace (Schloss Leopoldskron), or the Mirabell Garden (Mirabellgarten).
Day trips to Salzburg are also possible from Vienna or Munich, Germany, often including a drive through the scenic Austrian lakes region, famous as a filming location for The Sound of Music.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Most of Salzburg’s Old Town is pedestrianized.
- There are free Wi-Fi spots located around the Altstadt.
- Most of the attractions in Salzburg’s Old Town are wheelchair accessible, but some of the narrow cobbled streets might be tricky to navigate.
How to Get There
Salzburg’s Old Town is just south of the main train station, about a 20-minute walk or a 10-minute taxi ride away. The Altstadt spans the Salzach River, and though city buses are available, the district itself is best explored on foot. Most of Salzburg’s main attractions, hotels, and restaurants are located here.
When to Get There
Lively at all times of the day, Salzburg’s historical center is busiest during the peak summer months of July and August. During that time, attractions such as the Hohensalzburg Fortress can feel crowded, and it’s best to make an early start. Alternatively, visit during the festive season, when Salzburg’s Cathedral Square (Domplatz) hosts one of Austria’s best Christmas markets.
Highlights of Salzburg Old Town
The hilltop Hohensalzburg Fortress offers a spectacular view over Salzburg. Many other Altstadt highlights are close together, including lively Kapitelplatz, the baroque Prince-Bishops’ Palace (Salzburg Residenz), Salzburg Cathedral, the Benedictine monastery of St. Peter’s Abbey, and the University Church (Kollegienkirche). Among the Old Town’s most popular sights is the Mozart Geburtshaus (Mozart’s Birthplace), a museum of the composer’s early life. It’s on Getreidegasse, the Altstadt’s elegant main shopping street, where many storefronts retain their original hanging wrought-iron signs.
Address: Salzburg, Austria
From $ 17
Toy Museum (Spielzeugmuseum)
Housed in the elegant Renaissance Bürgerspital, which was once a hospital, the Toy Museum was founded in 1978 and surrounds one of the most beautiful cloistered courtyards in Salzburg. It is an offshoot of the Salzburg Museum, which incorporates seven branches, including the Museum of Natural History (Haus der Natur) and the Monatsschlössl ethnology museum at Schloss Hellbrunn as well as its main branch at the Neue Residenz. Exhibits include antique dolls’ houses and puppet theaters among its collection of historic toys, but the museum is largely given over to interactive displays for children. It is a joy to visit for families with young kids as there are many games to play and puzzles to solve as well as Teddy bears to cuddle, dolls to dress up and a maze to get lost in. Model trains and racetracks are found on the second floor along with lots of costumes to dress up in and possibly the world’s biggest collection of Barbie dolls.
Practical Info
Bürgerspitalgasse 2. Open Tue–Sun 9am–5pm. Admission is adults €4, seniors €3.50, students €2, aged 4–15 €1.50. Take the bus 1, 4, 10 or 22 to Herbert von Karajan Platz.
Address: Bürgerspitalgasse 2, Salzburg, Austria
Admission: Adults: €4
From $ 29
Schloss Leopoldskron
A short stroll from the historic center of Salzburg, the lakeside palace of Schloss Leopoldskron is one of Austria’s most acclaimed works of architecture, built in 1736 by the Prince Archbishop of Salzburg, Leopold Anton Freiherr von Firmian. The masterwork of architect Pater Bernhard Stuart, the Rococo-style palace is renowned for its elaborate stucco works, the handiwork of Johann Kleber, and a series of striking interior paintings, including Andreas Rensi’s Four Seasons in the Festsaal hall and Franz Anton Ebner’s Wedding of Atalante, which adorns the ceiling of the chapel.
Changing hands several times throughout its over 200-year history, Schloss Leopoldskron has amassed a fascinating history, once belonging to King Louis I of Bavaria, hosting the engagement ceremony of Emperor Franz Josef of Austria and Empress Sissi, and being purchased by Max Reinhardt, co-founder of the Salzburg Festival, who used the dramatic setting as a backdrop for the festival’s main events. Perhaps most famous though, is the palace’s starring role in the iconic ‘The Sound of Music’ – the lakeside gardens were one of several original filming locations dotted around Salzburg.
Address: LeopoldskronstraBe 56-58, Salzburg 5020, Austria
From $ 38