Salzburg is the perfect base to explore the Salzkummergut region. Although people use this as a base there are plenty of things to do in Salzburg which are worth mentioning and exploring.
This picturesque Austrian city is nestled near the German border and is a dream destination for history buffs, music lovers, and nature seekers. It is best known as the birthplace of Mozart and the setting for the famous musical “The Sound of Music.”
Salzburg is surprisingly very budget friendly with incentives like free public transport as well as free entrance to some attractions. In this blog post, you’ll find a comprehensive guide to enjoying Salzburg affordably, my thoughts on each place and which attractions are worth paying for. Also in this post I include everything from scenic hikes to budget meals to make sure you are well prepared on your visit to Salzburg.
Things to Do in Salzburg
Let us kick things off by listing my top 10 things to do in Salzburg. These are a must visit at least their corresponding free version. This list will keep you busy for 1 day and 2 if you include the visit to Hellbrunn Palace. Keep reading for other day trips as well as a complete guide on everything you need to know for your visit in Salzburg.
1.Hohensalzburg Fortress
One of Europe’s largest and best-preserved medieval castles, Hohensalzburg Fortress offers panoramic views of Salzburg. It is definitely a must visit just for the views over Salzburg alone. I was visiting with family and took the funicular up top. However if you want to save on some money then there is a 20 minute hike uphill as an option which is for free!
The castle itself houses several museums, chapels, and towers with sweeping vistas that are well worth the modest entry fee. Personally, the vistas alone makes the entry fee worthwhile with towering views over Salzburg, the river, gardens and more. If you are into history then you get even more value for money.
2. Mirabell Gardens and Palace
The next must visit on the list of things to do in Salzburg is definitely Mirabell Gardens. This iconic location is completely free to enter making it even more ideal for us looking to save our well earned money!
These gardens are especially famous because of “The Sound of Music”. I am really really not into musicals but thanks to my mother I can’t avoid this iconic one. While you are roaming around the flowerbeds, don’t miss the Pegasus Fountain and vine tunnel, which were both made famous by this film. It is a great place to sit down and relax before continuing on exploring Salzburg.
If you are visiting Salzburg as a day trip then this is definitely your first stop only a 5 minute walk from the train station. Then continue over and hop across the bridge to visit the next place on our list.
3. Salzburg Old Town (Altstadt)
On the other side of the river you will find Salzburg’s Old Town which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is a cobblestone maze full of Baroque architecture, boutique shops, and charming squares. There are no shortage of shops and restaurants. It is the place to go to especially in the evenings for dinner. It is mainly 2 roads one by the river and the other inside the town parallel to it. Make sure to stop and visit the churches of St.Sebastian and Salzburg Cathedral.
4. Mozart’s Birthplace and Legacy
While walking around the old town we stumbled upon Mozart’s birthplace as it was marked on Google Maps. There is a museum which charges a small entrance fee and it hosts musical relics and have some immersive exhibits. If you are looking for more Mozart memorabilia then visit the Mozartplatz and the Mozartsteg bridge like I did as they are both free and linked to the composer’s history.
5. St. Peter’s Abbey and Cemetery
Tucked beneath the cliffs of the Mönchsberg, St. Peter’s Abbey (Stift St. Peter) is one of the oldest monasteries in Central Europe founded in 696 AD. It’s completely free to visit and offers a quiet escape right in Salzburg’s Old Town. The cemetery, with its wrought-iron headstones and colorful flowers, is one of the most beautiful in Europe. It is especially famous as many notable Salzburgers are buried here including Mozart’s sister, Nannerl.
This place stands out because of its catacombs, small caves and chapels carved directly into the rock face. For a small fee (€2), you can climb into these early Christian hermit dwellings and enjoy unique views over the cemetery and city.
6. Hellbrunn Palace and Trick Fountains
Hellbrunn Palace (Schloss Hellbrunn) isn’t your average royal residence. It was built in the early 1600s as a summer retreat for Prince-Archbishop Markus Sittikus. Hellbrunn Palace is most famous for its trick fountains clever water-powered surprises designed to soak unsuspecting guests.
Entry fees include a guided tour of the founrains, the palace and the folklore museum and are:
- Adults: €15.00
- Students (19–26 years): €9.50
- Children/pupils (4–18 years): €6.50
- Family ticket (2 adults + 1 child): €33.50
- Groups (20+): €13.50 each
More information can be found at the Hellbrunn official website.
During your visit you’ll see water jets hidden under stone benches, mechanical theater figures powered by water, and secret nozzles everywhere. Take a poncho if you don’t want to get wet but it is part of the experience so it is up to you!
Hellbrunn Zoo
If you buy a ticket for the palace then you can also visit the zoo at reduced rates. Although the difference is minimal it is still worth noting. The Palace combined with the zoo makes it a fantastic option for a day trip especially for families with young kids.
7. Hike up the Kapuzinerberg
If you read some of my other blog posts, you know I love a good hike. Salzburg has got a fantastic one which gives you stunning panoramic views of the city completely for free. It is a great alternative if you absolutely dont want to pay for Hohensalzburg Fortress.
Several trails start from Steingasse or Linzergasse and wind their way up through forested paths. Along the way, you’ll pass small shrines, WWII-era bunkers, and maybe even a few goats. At the top sits the Kapuzinerkloster, a still-functioning Capuchin monastery. The views from up here are among the best in the city especially at sunset.
The hike is moderately steep but manageable, taking about 30–45 minutes depending on your route. Bring good shoes and water, and your camera. This is relatively a hidden gem that you shouldn’t be missing out on!
8. Love Bridge
Well… this is becoming quite the occurrence all over Europe where you will find that one bridge filled with love locks. If you want to make singles even more miserable about themselves and drag your partner to do a lock with you then there is an overpriced shop nearby selling locks for €10-15. Moving on from this as I really don’t want to talk about it any more, if you are a couple then you should also go on the next thing on our list of things to do in Salzburg.
9. Take A River Cruise
River cruises offer a different perspective of the city and cost around €9 for a one-hour ride. They’re included in the Salzburg Card and usually run from April through October. Onboard commentary and views of the fortress make this a nice relaxing addition to round off your day.
10. Hangar 7
This is truly a hidden gem in Salzburg. It is a 5 minute drive from Salzburg Airport and around 30 minutes from the city. It stands out as inside you will find a vintage and stunning collection of historic aircraft, fighter jets, vintage Formula 1 cars, and motorcycles. Personally I went for the formula 1 cars they have on show here but I stayed admiring the jets as well.
The best thing about it is that it is totally Free. It is open every day from 9am till 10pm! No pre booking is required for the museum. It is truly worth a stop over especially if you have a car rental. It could be your final visit before heading to the airport to fly back home. For all up to date information this is the Hangar 7 official website.
Bonus: Shopping in Salzburg
Don’t even think about buying anything from the old town. Everything is way too excruciatingly expensive in the narrow streets of Salzburg. Instead hop on bus line number 2 or 10 and stop at McArthur Glen Outlet Village. This was my first experience in one of these outlet stores and very few other outlets lived to the discounts offered in Salzburg.
This open-air shopping center hosts over 90 designer brands, including Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, BOSS, Polo Ralph Lauren, Adidas, and Puma. Discounts reach up to 70% off outlet prices and while not one to go crazy for shopping, it was the first time I truly splashed the cash on these types of brands.
The outlet is open from 9 am until 7 pm on weekdays (and until 6 pm Saturdays). You’ll also find cafés like Rossopomodoro and Asia Cocos, plus fast-food spots and an outdoor dining area to pause and refuel.
If you are not heading here by car instead of bus, then free parking is available for the first 2 hours. If you spend more than €150 then parking is free for 24h. While it might seem a lot, trust me the bill racks up and before you know it you will hit that amount in no time. This is truly a dangerous place for your wallet!
Salzburg Card: Worth It?
The Salzburg Card can be a money-saver depending on how many attractions you plan to visit. It includes free access to most major sites, free public transport, and discounts on tours. It comes in 24h, 48h, and 72h versions. I would compare the entry fees of your itinerary to decide if it’s right for you.
Personally, it was not worth it. Salzburg was my base accommodation and as such I had free transport in the Salzburg area because of this. This scheme was introduced in 2025. I would say that the Salzburg card becomes worth it if you cram every attraction in 24h and you are visiting Salzburg as a day trip from somewhere else.
The card is priced at at €29 for 24 hours, it includes free entry to over 30 attractions including:
- River cruise
- Hohensalzburg Fortress
- Mozart museums
- Hellbrunn Palace
For a full list of attractions see the official Salzburg Card website
Schrannenmarkt – Affordable Food & Drink Spots
Dining out in Salzburg doesn’t have to be expensive. Visit markets like Schrannenmarkt for local produce and snacks. Try wurst stands for authentic Austrian sausages or pick up pastries at a bakery. Stieglkeller offers views and affordable beer, and Augustiner Bräu is a personal favorite for a beer garden without the tourist traps.
While you’re here though, make sure to try out their famous schnitzel! You will not be disappointed.
Day Trips from Salzburg
As you can see this city is worth spending a day or two exploring all of its attractions as there are plenty of things to do in Salzburg. The fun really starts however when you venture outside of Salzburg as there are plenty of fantastic day trips you can do from Salzburg.
If you are in Salzburg then you must visit the picturesque town of Hallstatt. It is easily reachable from Salzburg and it is a perfect opportunity to visit this unique UNESCO world heritage site. Read our in depth post on How to Get To Hallstatt and make it a point that you include it in your itinerary one way or another.
For a full list of day trip ideas, I have written a post about the best lakes in Austria you can visit as a day trip from Salzburg. It includes Hallstatt and Konigsee and many more as well as in depth guide on how to get to each one of them via public transport.
Another fantastic day trip is a visit to the deepest ice caves in Europe. Go to Werfen where you will find ice caves the likes of which you never seen before. It is a once in a lifetime experience and you should definitely go check it out.
Conclusion – Ideal Itinerary for Salzburg
While Salzburg might be just a base for onwards travel, it truly is worth spending a day or two here and really explore. If you are here for only one day, then you can fit everything in this itinerary with the exception of Hellbrunn Palace as it is a bit further out and it truly takes half a day to explore it properly.
Other than that relive the famous Sound of music and step into Mozart’s shoes and with a bit of planning ahead you are ready to explore and tick off all the things to do in Salzburg! When you are tired, make sure to visit some lakes as day trips from Salzburg
