Quick Summary:

  • Nestled on the border of Germany with spectacular vistas of the Alps, the Austrian city of Salzburg is best known for being the birthplace of the classical composer Mozart and home of The Sound of Music.
  • The town is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its beautifully preserved baroque architecture, particularly in the pedestrian Altstadt (Old City) on the left bank of the Salzach River, with its magnificent hill-top medieval fortress, graceful domes, and tall spires shooting into the sky.
  • The 19th-century Neustadt (New City) is situated on the right bank of the river and features many attractions such as museums, art galleries, and unique sites.


  • Updated with new information since originally published.
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  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. Mozarts Geburtshaus (Mozart’s Birthplace) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Museums & Culture
Mozarts Geburtshaus (Mozart’s Birthplace) | What to See in Salzburg, Austria
© saiko3p/stock.adobe.com

2. Hohensalzburg Fortress ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Activities
Hohensalzburg Fortress | What to See in Salzburg, Austria
© Fabio Lotti/stock.adobe.com

3. Petersfriedhof (St. Peter's Cemetery)

Category: Attractions
Petersfriedhof (St. Peter's Cemetery) | What to See in Salzburg, Austria
© Anze/stock.adobe.com

4. Mirabell Palace and Gardens

Category: Activities
Mirabell Palace and Gardens | What to See in Salzburg, Austria
© saiko3p/stock.adobe.com

5. Museum der Moderne (Museum of Modern Art)

Category: Museums & Culture
Museum der Moderne (Museum of Modern Art) | What to See in Salzburg, Austria
© Supak/stock.adobe.com

6. Salzburg Christkindlmarkt (Salzburg Christmas Market)

Category: Shopping
Salzburg Christkindlmarkt (Salzburg Christmas Market) | What to See in Salzburg, Austria
© cge2010/stock.adobe.com

7. Eisriesenwelt (Ice Caves) in Werfen

Eisriesenwelt (Ice Caves) in Werfen | What to See in Salzburg, Austria
© yy/stock.adobe.com

8. Schloss Leopoldskron (Leopoldskron Palace)

Schloss Leopoldskron (Leopoldskron Palace) | What to See in Salzburg, Austria
© JFL Photography/stock.adobe.com

9. Residenzplatz (Residence Square)

Residenzplatz (Residence Square) | What to See in Salzburg, Austria
© J. Ossorio Castillo/stock.adobe.com

10. Salzburg Museum

Category: Museums & Culture
Salzburg Museum | What to See in Salzburg, Austria
© Salzburg Museum

11. Kapitelplatz (Chapter Square)

Kapitelplatz (Chapter Square) | What to See in Salzburg, Austria
© Martin/stock.adobe.com

12. Nonnberg Abbey

Nonnberg Abbey | What to See in Salzburg, Austria
© Fabio Lotti/stock.adobe.com

13. Salzburg Cathedral

Salzburg Cathedral | What to See in Salzburg, Austria
© INTERPIXELS/stock.adobe.com

14. Grunmarkt (Green Market)

Category: Shopping
Grunmarkt (Green Market) | What to See in Salzburg, Austria
© olinchuk/stock.adobe.com

15. Untersberg Cable Car

Untersberg Cable Car | What to See in Salzburg, Austria
© Mohammed/stock.adobe.com

16. Schloss Hellbrunn (Hellbrunn Palace)

Schloss Hellbrunn (Hellbrunn Palace) | What to See in Salzburg, Austria
© carinthian/stock.adobe.com

17. Getreidegasse

Getreidegasse | What to See in Salzburg, Austria
© Hubert/stock.adobe.com

18. Salzburg Marionette Theatre

Category: Entertainment
Salzburg Marionette Theatre | What to See in Salzburg, Austria
© devnenski/stock.adobe.com

19. BioBurgerMeister

BioBurgerMeister | What to See in Salzburg, Austria
© BioBurgerMeister

20. Ristorante Pasta e Vino

Category: Food & Drink
Ristorante Pasta e Vino | What to See in Salzburg, Austria
© Gregory Lee/stock.adobe.com

21. Die Weisse

Die Weisse | What to See in Salzburg, Austria
© Die Weisse

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