Explore Salzburg, Austria: Mozart’s Hometown and Baroque Beauty

Legendary classical composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born at No. 9 Getreidegasse in Salzburg, which is one of the visited museums in the world today. Based in the heart of the Altstadt (Old City), the museum details everything about Mozart’s life from childhood and the musical instruments to the famous symphonies he composed. Visitors can take guided tours through the living room, the kitchen, and his bedroom and explore the original documents chronicling his life and see a replica of his own piano.

Mozarts Geburtshaus, Getreidegasse 9, 5020 Salzburg, Austria, Phone: +43-662-84-43-13

The Hohensalzburg Fortress, also known as the Hohensalzburg Castle, rests on the top of Festungsberg Hill with once strategic and now spectacular views over the city. Built in 1077 by the Prince-Archbishops of Salzburg to protect the principality and the archbishops from hostile attack, the fortress has been expanded and transformed over the following years and is the largest, fully preserved fortress in Central Europe today. The imposing behemoth has a striking white exterior, round spire-topped turrets, and is accessed by a funicular from the Altstadt (Old City) below. The fortress is home to several museums, including the Fortress Museum and the Marionette Museum.

Mönchsberg 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria, Phone: +43-662-84-24-30-11

Located at the foot of the Festungsberg near the Hohensalzburg Fortress, the Petersfriedhof or St. Peter's Cemetery is the oldest cemetery in Salzburg. Established in the 7th century by Saint Rupert of Salzburg as part of the St. Peter's Abbey, the cemetery is famous for its catacombs, which are hewn out of the rock of the Festungsberg. These Early Christian catacombs served both as hermitages as well as burial sites and are the final resting place of many well-known people, including the sister of Mozart.

Petersfriedhof (St. Peter's Cemetery), Sankt-Peter-Bezirk 1, 5020 Salzburg, Austria, Phone: +43-66-28-44-57-60

Recommended Activities for Families

The Mirabell Palace and Gardens is a beautiful baroque palace surrounded by exquisitely manicured gardens that has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of Salzburg’s top tourist attractions. The Mirabell Palace was built in 1606 by Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau to impress his beloved mistress and named after a compilation of the Italian words ‘Mirabile’ (admirable) and ‘Bella’ (beautiful). Notable features of the palace include the magnificent Marble Hall, a grand banquet hall of the prince-archbishops with stunning stucco work and angel statues, and the Donnerstiege (staircase of thunder) lined with paintings and sculptures. The gardens geometrically arranged and beautifully manicured and a sight to behold.

Mirabellplatz, 5020 Salzburg, Austria

Set on the Mönchsberg high above the rooftops of Salzburg’s Old City, the Museum der Moderne (Museum of Modern Art) showcases internationally acclaimed modern and contemporary art. Housed in an architectural gem designed by Munich architecture team Friedrich Hoff und Zwink, the museum spans 7,500 square meters over four levels and exhibits a variety of international art treasures from the 20th and 21st centuries. The museum also hosts a series of rotating exhibitions throughout the year, and distinctive architectural features of the building include exterior marble cladding and glassed-in staircases with spectacular views of the 19th-century water tower.

Mönchsberg 32, 5020 Salzburg, Phone: +43-66-28-42-22-04-03

The Salzburg Christkindlmarkt at the Dom and Residenzplatz is a historical Christmas market and one of the oldest Advent markets in the world. Dating back to the 15th century, the market was held on Cathedral Square in the heart of the city and featured a wide variety of locally made goods and food. The market became known as ‘Nikolaimarkt’ (Saint Nicholas’ Market) in the 17th century and was held two weeks before and two weeks after St. Nicholas’ Day (6 December). Today, the market is a popular attraction for locals and visitors alike, selling all kinds of delectable treats from mulled wine and hot punch to Austrian specialties and boasts a warm and welcoming, festive atmosphere.

Residenzpl., 5020 Salzburg, Austria, Phone: +43-66-41-09-14-91

Attractions for Couples

The Eisriesenwelt (Ice Caves) in Werfen is a massive ice cave that is part of a system of natural limestone and ice caves in Werfen. Based on the Hochkogel mountain in the Tennengebirge region of the Alps, the network of ice caverns was formed by tectonic plate movements over 100 million years ago and stretches for over 26 miles. The mighty entrance to the caves is 65 feet high, and the first mile of the system features breathtaking gigantic ice formations, which can be explored on guided ice cave tours.

5450 Werfen, Austria

Schloss Leopoldskron (Leopoldskron Palace) is a spectacular palace built in the Rococo style and a national historical monument. Situated in the southern district of Leopoldskron-Moos, the palace is set on the shores of lake Leopoldskroner Weiher and is surrounded by seven hectares of natural parklands. Built by Salzburg prince-archbishop Leopold Anton Freiherr von Firmian in 1736, the palace was once the seat of one of the prince-archbishops, however, today, the palace has been converted into a luxury hotel and is only open to hotel guests. Schloss Leopoldskron is famous for being the shooting location for the world-renowned film, The Sound of Music.

Leopoldskronstraße 56-58, 5020 Salzburg, Austria, Phone: +43-662-83-98-30

Residenzplatz (Residence Square) is a large, stately square in the heart of Salzburg's Old City. The square is named after the Residenz building of the Prince-Archbishops of Salzburg and is bordered by the Salzburg Cathedral, the Old Residence, and row of townhouses. Built by Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau, the square is home to a beautifully decorated baroque fountain known as the Residence Fountain. The spectacular water feature boasts four snorting horses springing forth from the spouting rock, and Triton in his conch-shell trumpet surrounded by dolphins and giants rooted in the rock. Residence Square is a popular venue for celebrations and events such as live concerts, music events, and football games.

5020 Salzburg, Austria

Housed in the magnificently restored Neue Residenz, the Salzburg Museum is dedicated to the artistic and cultural history of the city and the region. Previously known as the Museum Carolino-Augusteum and the Provincialmuseum, the museum’s collections take visitors on a journey back in time to when the Salzburg prince-archbishops shaped the city and province. The museum features collections that focus on arts and crafts, architecture, music, literature, photography, and science, and several multimedia installations. The Salzburg Museum is connected to the Panorama Museum via a subterranean walkway known as the Panorama Passage, where visitors can view archaeological excavations and models of the city along the way.

Mozartplatz 1, 5020 Salzburg, Phone: +43-66-26-20-80-87-00