View over Mirabell garden © Tourismus Salzburg GmbH

48 hours in Salzburg

Explore Salzburg in 2 days

Salzburg is a beautiful city in the heart of Austria. It is known for its baroque architecture, its rich musical culture and its breathtaking Alpine landscape. 48 hours is enough time to see the city's main sights and get a taste of what this charming city has to offer. Panorama Tours shows you what not to miss!

Day 1: Overview of the old town & get to know Salzburg cuisine

To get an overview of the city, we recommend a leisurely stroll through the old town. The Mozartsteg and the Markartsteg (now the Marko-Feingold-Steg) can be used to cross the Salzach. During a walk, you can also visit the most important sights such as Salzburg Cathedral, Getreidegasse and the Prince Archbishop Residence on the left-hand side of the Old Town and Linzer Gasse, Mirabell Palace and the magnificent Mirabell Gardens on the right-hand side of the Old Town. Along the alleyways you will find many cafés offering breakfast and coffee to go.

To get an overview of the city, we recommend a leisurely stroll through the old town. The Mozartsteg and the Markartsteg (now the Marko-Feingold-Steg) can be used to cross the Salzach. During a walk, you can also visit the most important sights such as Salzburg Cathedral, Getreidegasse and the Prince Archbishop Residence on the left-hand side of the Old Town and Linzer Gasse, Mirabell Palace and the magnificent Mirabell Gardens on the right-hand side of the Old Town. Along the alleyways you will find many cafés offering breakfast and coffee to go.

Mirabell Gardens © Tourismus Salzburg GmbH
© Tourismus Salzburg GmbH

Hallo 4

The mountains in the city are ideal for an afternoon stroll: Mönchsberg, Festungsberg and Kapuzinerberg can be easily climbed on foot with a little stamina, while those who want to get to the Mönchsberg without breaking a sweat can also use the elevator in Gstättengasse. From the Mönchsberg you have a wonderful view over the city of Salzburg. The Festungsberg with the Fortress Hohensalzburg lets you immerse yourself in the history of Salzburg with knights, witches and castles.

For a traditional dinner with the finest ingredients, we recommend the restaurant "s'Herzl". Built in 1767, the restaurant is located in the heart of Salzburg's historic old town and is part of the famous 5-star "Goldener Hirsch" hotel. The traditional atmosphere of a country inn dating back to the 15th century and the authentic Austrian cuisine served here have made it a popular host in Salzburg over the past centuries. Many artists were regular guests here during their stays in Salzburg, including Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Leonard Bernstein and Herbert von Karajan.

After dinner, the numerous bars in Salzburg are a great place to round off the evening. Those interested in culture can round off the evening with a visit to a concert.

Day 2: Time for an excursion or two

To explore the surrounding area of Salzburg, we recommend a guided bus tour. In addition to Mozart and the Salzburg Festival, Salzburg is also known around the world for the movie "The Sound of Music". On the Original Sound of Music Tour by Panorama Tours, you will visit many of the film's locations and learn exciting information about the filming and the true story of the Trapp family. The tour takes you from the bus terminal at Mirabellplatz to Leopoldskroner Weiher, Hellbrunn Palace and Mondsee in neighboring Upper Austria within 4 hours. Immerse yourself in the movie and feel like a part of the Trapp family!

After the tour, a Sound of Music menu can also be booked for lunch. In addition to the Sound of Music Tour, there are also other Panorama Tours tours to choose from.

Leopoldskron Palace with Fortress in the back © Panorama Tours
© Panorama Tours
Couple posing in front of the Sound of Music gazebo at Hellbrunn on the Sound of Music Tour by Salzburg Panorama Tours
© Salzburg Panorama Tours

In the afternoon, Hellbrunn Park with its palace and water features is the perfect place to cool off and relax. The lovingly landscaped gardens with fish pools are just a short bus ride from the city. Bus route 25 takes you from the city to the "Salzburg Schloss Hellbrunn" bus stop, where you can enjoy the Mannerist flair over coffee and cake. Salzburg Zoo is located next to the palace park. The zoo is part of the historic palace park and covers an area of 14 hectares. Around 1500 animals of 150 species can be admired here. Today, Salzburg Zoo is designed as a near-natural geozoo, meaning that various animal species are kept in one facility. A great experience in a spectacular mountain setting for animal lovers of all ages!

For a cozy end to the evening, there is a special insider tip: the Bräustüberl in the Augustiner Bräu invites you to a cozy get-together. The various local vendors sell regional snacks at their stands. Salzburg beer from the Steinkrug is also available. Especially in summer, the large, shady garden has a charm all of its own - the overall package makes the evening the perfect end to your short trip to Salzburg.

Are you looking for a hotel? We will be happy to help you book a hotel in Salzburg. Enquire now & plan your stay in Salzburg!

Tips from Panorama Tours:

  • Take a tour of the city to get an overview of the most important sights.
  • Visit Salzburg during the Salzburg Festival, which takes place every summer.
  • Take a day trip to the surrounding Alpine landscape. The surrounding regions such as the Salzburg Lake District and Berchtesgadener Land in Germany are also worth a visit!
  • Our packages offer great opportunities to experience as much as possible during your short trip to Salzburg.