Townscape of Salzburg © Tourismus Salzburg GmbH

Discover the Highlights, Attractions & Sights of Salzburg

Things to see in the city of Mozart & Sound of Music

Things to see in Salzburg

Besides first-class events like the World-Famous Salzburg Festival, the City of Mozart has a great variety of sights and attraction to offer. Explore the historic old town with its multiple significant buildings, such as castles, churches and monasteries. Museums like the Museum of Modern Art, the House of Nature or the Stiegl Brauwelt – a brewery dating back to 1492 – will amaze you. There are many things to do in Salzburg, the city of Mozart.

Be inspired by the numerous baroque, renaissance and gothic buildings and most impressive churches. Here we show you the most important highlights of the city of Mozart, such as Salzburg Dome, Fortress Hohensalzburg, Mirabell Palace with its beautiful Mirabell Gardens, Getreidegasse or Mozart’s Birthplace. During your visit in Salzburg, don’t miss the breathtaking views of this incredible city – nestled between the Mönchsberg and Kapuzinerberg – Salzburg’s city mountains offer incredible views of the historic old town as well as of the spectacular surrounding Alpine Mountain Range!

Highlights for Young & Old

Visit Salzburg and experience the sights around Salzburg. These include the city's impressive churches, the zoo and the Kapuzinerberg with the Capuchin monastery. Enjoy the breathtaking view from there of the city of Salzburg and the Salzach river flowing past. An insider tip for anyone who wants to get up high is the cable car, which takes you to Hohensalzburg Fortress in under a minute. From the fortress hill in particular, you can enjoy a fantastic view over beautiful Salzburg. The churches, the Mozartsteg and many other remnants of the prince archbishop's time can be seen from above. A visit to the DomQuartier is an absolute must to experience the history and art of the prince archbishops up close. The Mönchsberg also offers fantastic views and invites you to take a walk.

Our Guides look forward to showing you the wonderful old town on various guided tours and sharing local stories and special insider tips with you. Book your Sightseeing Tour in Salzburg in a few clicks now and don't miss any of the places worth seeing in Salzburg. Taste the famous chocolate Mozartkugeln, take a Private City Tour or visit the filming locations of Sound of Music, such as Leopoldskron Palace! For families and children, there are numerous exciting discovery opportunities and activities that make a visit to Salzburg an experience for all ages.

Our Guides are more than happy arranging customized tours through the old town sharing great insider story and background information and will make sure you do not miss any local specialties .. indulge into the famous Mozartkugeln chocolate or any other desserts like Salzburger Nockerl – Salzburg is definitely a sweet place to be 

overview map for salzburg sights from panorama tours

Winter in Salzburg

In wintertime, the city of Salzburg shines in Christmas splendor, the Christmas Market on Residenzplatz invites visitors to linger. The buildings are festively decorated and the sights are adorned with snow. A city tour in winter has a special charm. The Christmas season not only brings a lot of snow to Austria, but also a pleasantly cozy feeling, small punch huts invite you to take a break and the city of Salzburg becomes a winter wonderland.

FAQS Top Attractions in Salzburg

The City of Salzburg and its breathtaking surroundings offer a variation of great attractions and top destinations embedded in an UNESCO World Heritage Region:  

To see all the beautiful spots in Salzburg in a short time, it is a good idea to take a guided tour of the city. Not only will you learn lots of exciting background information about the sights, but you can also enjoy a few insider tips from the Salzburg guides. 
In neighboring Bavaria / Berchtesgaden, we also recommend the Eagle's Nest Tour.

Most of the top sights in Salzburg are within easy walking distance and can be visited as part of a city tour. However, if you would like to visit sights outside the city, such as Leopoldskron Palace or Hellbrunn Palace, a city tour is a better option.

Yes, Salzburg is an excellent destination for a day trip, as the most important sights in the compact old town are within easy walking distance. However, for an even more intense experience and to discover the city in all its facets, we gladly recommend a longer stay. A 48-hour stay in Salzburg is ideal to make the most of the seasonal highlights in spring, fall or winter!

Salzburg offers a delicious variety of culinary specialties that you should definitely try:

  • Salzburger Nockerl: This airy, sweet soufflé made from egg whites is probably the city's most famous dessert and symbolizes the city's mountains with its three peaks. An absolute delight that is often freshly prepared.
  • Original Mozartkugel: Although there are many imitations, you should treat yourself to the original from Paul Fürst (recognizable by the blue aluminium foil). These handmade balls of pistachio marzipan, nougat and dark chocolate are a sweet masterpiece.
  • Bosna: A popular and hearty snack that is often described as the Salzburg version of a hot dog. A sausage coated in onions and a special hot spice mix, served in a crispy white bread. Ideal for a quick snack between meals.
  • Kasnocken or Kaspressknödel: These hearty dishes are part of traditional Austrian home cooking. Kasnocken are a type of cheese spaetzle, while Kaspressknödel are pressed dumplings made from bread and cheese, often served in a soup or with salad.
  • Original Wiener Schnitzel: Although the name may give Vienna away, the classic Wiener Schnitzel made from veal is a staple on every menu in Salzburg and should definitely be tried.
  • Apple strudel: A timeless classic of Austrian pastry cuisine. The puff pastry is filled with juicy apples, cinnamon and raisins, often served warm with vanilla sauce or whipped cream. 

Don't miss out on these culinary delights during your visit to Salzburg!

In addition to the well-known attractions, Salzburg also offers some special insider tips that provide a more authentic and often quieter insight into the city: 

  • Hangar-7: For fans of technology, design and unusual architecture, Hangar-7 at the airport is a highlight. Marvel at the collection of historic aircraft and Formula 1 racing cars, changing art exhibitions and exquisite gastronomy - admission is free. 
  • Walks on the Mönchsberg (away from the fortress): Discover less frequented paths on the Mönchsberg that are off the direct route to Hohensalzburg Fortress and always offer you new, breathtaking perspectives of the city. 
  • Local markets: immerse yourself in local life. The daily green market on Universitätsplatz in particular offers fresh regional products and invites you to enjoy the authentic Salzburg atmosphere.