Salzburg is always worth a visit, but especially in spring, the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart shows its most beautiful and unique side. Discover a colorful mixture of nature, culture and tradition that makes this time of year so special. When the scent of spring fills the air and the first rays of sunshine warm our hearts and souls, the city awakens to new life. Salzburg is perfect for a weekend getaway; the city on the Salzach River is easily accessible by train from Vienna. Plus, Salzburg is located on the border with Germany, just a short drive away for a weekend in Austria. 

48 hours in Salzburg: discover the city in 2 days 

Planning a short trip to Salzburg? We’ve put together a wonderful springtime itinerary for the whole family. From culture and adventure to events, Salzburg has more to offer than just the festival. Let us inspire you:

Spring offers numerous traditions in the city of Salzburg and the villages throughout the country, which are particularly interesting for guests to discover. At Easter, for example, there are Easter customs such as painting or dyeing Easter eggs, tying palm bushes or visiting the colorful Easter markets. A little later, around May 1st, the traditional maypole erecting takes place. Here, colorfully decorated trees are raised in a special, festively framed ceremony. They are a visible symbol of love, fertility, life and growth. Musical performances such as the Easter Festival, concerts and events round off the offerings in Salzburg. Enjoy your short break or weekend trip to Salzburg - Panorama Tours reveals the best tips for a successful day in the city of Mozart! 

Start your Salzburg vacation with a stroll through the beautiful old town and discover the world-famous sights such as Salzburg Cathedral, the Old and New Residence, Hohensalzburg Fortress and much more. On the other side of the Salzach is Mirabell Palace and its Mirabell Gardens, which welcome visitors with a wonderful variety of flowers, especially in spring. If you are lucky enough to be in Salzburg when the magnolias are in bloom, you should definitely visit the neighboring Makartplatz. Surrounded by historic buildings, you can take great pictures of the blooming magnolia trees. On your walk through the city, you can also visit the weekly markets and taste the regional specialities and fresh, seasonal products. You can also explore the movie locations The Sound of Music!

A tip from us: hire a bike and discover the beautiful cycle paths along the Salzach river 

But it's not just the old town that blossoms in spring. Hellbrunn Palace, located just outside, also comes to life at this time of year. The extensive parks and majestic gardens enchant visitors with a special splendor of blossoms. Not to forget, the famous Hellbrunn trick fountains open their gates in March and promise wet and cheerful fun for young and old. If the weather is fine, you can also plan a picnic in Hellbrunn Park, and children will love the huge playground in the middle of the park. 

In the evening, we recommend visiting one of the many cultural events in Salzburg. The Salzburg Easter Festival takes place every year around Easter. During Whitsun, the Salzburg Festival Whitsun enchants visitors from all over the world. The renowned and world-famous music festival, which was founded by Herbert von Karajan in 1967, brings top-class artists to Salzburg every year. In the evening, enjoy one of the magnificent performances in the Large Festival Hall (Grosses Festspielhaus) and be enchanted by the wonderful musical sounds. Salzburg also offers cultural performances for everyone. Visit one of the many other concerts and theater performances - there is something for every taste. Panorama Tours will be happy to help you get tickets for the Easter Festival. 

But there are also great concerts and events outside of the festival: “Mozart in Spring” is the Mozarteum’s spring concert and a must-see for all classical music fans. Those who enjoy culinary experiences can look forward to the Winegrowers’ Market. The Winegrowers’ Market takes place on select weekends in April and May at Mirabellplatz. Austrian winemakers present their wines here.

Our tip: Grab a glass of your favorite wine and sit in the Mirabell Gardens to enjoy the sun. The Winegrowers’ Market is located directly across from the Panorama Tours bus terminal, making it the perfect activity after your tour!

After exploring the city on your own yesterday, we recommend that you sit back and relax today and discover Salzburg and its surroundings on one of the sightseeing tours offered by Salzburg Panorama Tours. The tour to Hallstatt is particularly recommended at this time of year. On the way to the Salzkammergut, you can marvel at the beautiful landscape before arriving at Lake Hallstatt and taking in this magical place with its fairytale and idyllic atmosphere. 

Every year in mid-May, the Eagle's Nest tour starts again and takes you to a historic viewpoint high above Berchtesgaden in Bavaria. The breathtaking view of the Alps will inspire you and you will learn exciting information about this original representative building of the National Socialists. 

After an exciting day, we recommend that you review the impressions of the day over a delicious dinner in Salzburg. Let Salzburg's restaurants treat you to culinary heralds of spring such as asparagus, wild garlic, spring salads, rhubarb and strawberries and, with a little luck, the sun god will be merciful and present you with fantastic spring weather so that you can enjoy the delicacies on one of the beautiful terraces or in one of the cozy outdoor dining areas in the city center. If you’d like to end the evening on a high note, be sure to watch the sunset from the banks of the Salzach river. In spring, the evening sky turns beautiful pastel colors as the sun sets behind the mountain backdrop.
 

• End of March: Magnolia blossom on Salzburg’s Makart Square 

• Early April: Spring awakening at Mirabell Gardens  

• Easter Festival 2026: from March 27

• For the May 1st holiday: "Maibaumaufstellen" a classic tradition in the Alpine region, where a decorated tree is being put up bit by bit. We suggest visiting this special event in Elsbethen, Aigen, Anif, at the Open-Air Museum and many other places around Salzburg 

• Our packages offer great opportunities to experience as much as possible during your short trip to Salzburg. 

• Take a tour of the city to get an overview of the most important sights. The old town of Salzburg can easily be explored on foot. 

• Take a tour to the surrounding Alpine landscape. The surrounding regions such as the Salzburg Lake District and Berchtesgadener Land are also worth a visit! 

• With the Salzburg Card you enjoy free admission to many sights and the use of public transportation is free.