Salzburg Austria: what to see and do
Salzburg is the capital of the Austrian federal state of Salzburg and occupies 65.64 square kilometres. The hills surrounding the city include the Kapuzinerberg, the Mönchsberg and the Gaisberg.
Things to do in Salzburg
The Hagenauer Haus in Salzburg was the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart on 27 January 1756. From 1747, the Mozart family occupied a third-floor apartment in the house for 26 years. In 1880, the International Mozarteum Foundation established a museum in the building where he was born. The family later made their home in the Tanzmeisterhaus on what is now Makartplatz, living there between 1773 and 1787.
A self-guided Mozart mystery walk through Salzburg Old Town lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes and includes an interactive quest in the Questo app, a narrative across 10 stops and a story featuring Mozart, Constanze and Salieri.
The guided small-group day trip to Salzburg from Vienna lasts 12 hours and 30 minutes, with return minivan transport, stops at Mondsee and St. Gilgen, a guided Old Town walk, visits to Mirabell Gardens, the Do-Re-Mi steps, Salzburg Cathedral and St. Peter's Abbey, and a stop outside Mozart's birthplace.
Hohensalzburg Fortress
On the Festungsberg, Hohensalzburg Fortress rises above the roofs of Salzburg's Baroque historic district. Archbishop Gebhard started work on the fortress complex in 1077. Its appearance today dates to changes made around 1500 under Archbishop Leonhard von Keutschach. Its purpose was to defend the principality and its archbishops against attack, and it was never taken by force.
Rail access to the fortress has been available since 1892. The funicular journey takes 54 seconds over approximately 200 metres.
Mirabell Palace and gardens
Built for Salome Alt in 1606, Mirabell Palace initially bore the name Schloss Altenau. The gardens follow designs by Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach, a Baroque architect. Caspar Gras made the copper Pegasus sculpture in 1661, and it was installed in the gardens in 1913. Of the Dwarf Garden's original 28 figures in white Untersberg marble, 17 survive. The palace's Marble Hall was a performance venue for Leopold Mozart and his children Wolfgang and Nannerl.
The cathedral and the DomQuartier
Archbishop Paris Lodron consecrated Salzburg Cathedral in 1628. Mozart and Joseph Mohr, who wrote the words to Silent Night, were both baptised there. The DomQuartier's Long Gallery extends for 70 metres. Its Residence Gallery dates from 1923, while the Cathedral Museum opened its doors in 1974.
Hellbrunn Palace
Hellbrunn was constructed between 1612 and 1615 as a summer residence for Archbishop Markus Sittikus. Mannerist water games form the focus of Hellbrunn.
The Mönchsberg
The Mönchsberg rises to 508 metres above sea level at its highest point. The lift to the Museum der Moderne on the Mönchsberg climbs about 60 metres in 30 seconds.
Christmas markets
Between 1903 and the early 1930s, Salzburg's Christmas market occupied only the space beside the cathedral arches.
A guided day trip to Salzburg Christmas markets from Vienna lasts 13 hours and 30 minutes and includes return transport, a local guide, an Old Town walking tour, Sound of Music filming locations, three Christmas markets in Salzburg, St. Gilgen and St. Wolfgang, and the exterior of Mozart's birthplace.
Frequently asked questions
Where was Mozart born?
The Hagenauer Haus in Salzburg was the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart on 27 January 1756.
When did construction of Hohensalzburg Fortress begin?
Archbishop Gebhard started work on the fortress complex in 1077.
How long is the fortress funicular journey?
The funicular journey takes 54 seconds over approximately 200 metres.
Who designed the Mirabell Gardens?
The gardens follow designs by Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach, a Baroque architect.
What are the water games at Hellbrunn?
Mannerist water games form the focus of Hellbrunn.
