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Why is Salzburg a great base for exploring the region?
- Salzburg’s location on Germany’s border in the eastern Alps makes it an ideal location
from which to explore the surrounding Austrian and German countryside.
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What do day trips from Salzburg offer?
- Day trips from Salzburg offer a cultural experience, a history that dates back to the
Middle Ages and Austria’s Imperial years, and endless outdoor recreation opportunities.
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What outdoor activities can visitors enjoy near Salzburg?
- Explore the region’s alpine lakes, enjoy hiking in the summer months, and
Nordic or Alpine skiing once snow falls.
Best Time for Day Trips from Salzburg, Austria:
- March to May – Spring brings alpine blooms, mild weather, and ideal conditions for lakes and castles.
- June to August – Summer is perfect for mountain hikes, music festivals, and lakeside villages.
- September to October – Enjoy golden foliage, harvest festivals, and scenic countryside drives.
- November – Quieter travel season ideal for historic towns, cozy cafés, and museum visits.
- December to February – Winter offers snow-covered landscapes, festive markets, and alpine day trips.
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1. Werfen Ice Cave - 50 minutes
Explore the world’s largest ice cave and admire stunning frozen formations in winter.
© Scirocco340/stock.adobe.com
Werfen Ice Cave is the world’s largest ice cave, and among Salzburg’s most popular destinations.
The cave was unknown until the late 19th century when it was first explored by Anton von Posselt-Czorich. Although he wrote about his findings, the cave was forgotten again until after World War I.
In the 1920’s a lodge was built in the region making in-depth exploration possible.
The cave is accessed by cable car and tours are made easier by railings, stairways and planks. Visitors should still expect to climb an altitude of approximately 500 feet once inside the cave. Ice inside the alpine limestone cave is formed as water seeps through cracks and freezes into unique shapes.
Werfen Ice Cave, Eishöhlenstraße 30, A-5450 Werfen, Austria, Phone: +43-0-64-68-52-48
2. Liechtensteinklamm - 1 hour 15 minutes
Walk along towering rock walls and see breathtaking waterfalls in a dramatic gorge.
© serkat Photography/stock.adobe.com
The Lichtenstein gorge (Lichtensteinklamm) is among the longest and deepest gorges in the Austrian Alps. Located in the province of Salzburg, the gorge has been open to visitors since 1875 with several wooden footpaths and bridges aiding accessibility.
Boardwalks take visitors between the 1,000-foot high cliff walls alongside the water which has slowly carved this ravine over 10 million years. Enjoy breathtaking waterfalls, lush moss-covered stones, and rainbows created by the mix of sunlight and mist.
After a rock fall in the summer of 2017, the gorge boardwalks were reconstructed to provide for a sustainable and safe experience. It reopens in the fall of 2019.
Lichtensteinklamm, St. Johann im Pongau, Austria
3. Hohenwerfen Castle - 45 minutes
Visit a medieval fortress and admire stunning alpine views from its towers.
© saiko3p/stock.adobe.com
The medieval Hohenwerfen Castle is located in Salzburg’s Pongau region. At the peak of a hill overlooking the Salzach valley is the castle, built between 1075 and 1078 for the Archbishop Gebhard of Salzburg as a strategic military base. Over the years it has been used as a residence, hunting retreat, prison and military training camp. The castle is currently open to the public as a museum, and offers an extensive collection of weapons among other historical displays. Visitors can enjoy an on-site tavern, and tour the adjacent museum of falconry at the attached regional falconry center. The historic center offers daily flight shows with falcons, eagles, vultures and other local birds of prey.
Hohenwerfen Castle, Burgstraße 2, 5450 Werfen, Austria, Phone: +43-64-68-76-03
4. Hallein Salt Mine - 30 minutes
Discover ancient mining tunnels and slide down wooden chutes on a fascinating underground tour.
© LevT/stock.adobe.com
A visit to the Hallein Salt Mine is a journey into a thousands year old history of geology, mining, and culture. The natural resource of salt altered the history of Austria significantly, as it was mined and traded like gold, particularly in the Salzburg region, which is named in honor of this “white gold.” Travel underground aboard a mining train, explore miles of subterranean tunnels, and learn of the history of salt and the miners from your professional guide. The Hallein Salt Mine was the first in Salzburg to open to the public and offers an unparalleled underground adventure.
Hallein Salt Mine, Ramsaustraße 3, 5422 Bad Dürrnberg, Austria, Phone: +43-0-6-13-22-00-85-11
5. Berchtesgaden Old Town - 30 minutes
Walk along charming cobblestone streets and explore historic Bavarian architecture.
© PROMA/stock.adobe.com
Located in the Bavarian Alps on the German side of the Austrian border, Berchtesgaden is a rural town with a history dating back 500 years to salt mining in the region.
Strolling through Old Town one can see the Rococo city center, 12th century monastery, royal palace and aristocratic homes. Enjoy local Bavarian music and dance at any of the outdoor cafes. Stroll through the market in the town square, and visit the local salt mines, which began operating in the 16th century.
Berchtesgaden Old Town, 83471 Berchtesgaden, Germany
6. Dachstein Ice Caves - 1 hour 30 minutes
See incredible ice sculptures and explore deep glacial caverns inside this natural wonder.
© Jrg/stock.adobe.com
Austria’s Dachstein Ice Caves have been thoroughly modernized with a light show, rope bridge and giant animated cave bears, yet offer one of the most accessible looks at the thousands year old natural cave structure, formed as water seeped through limestone cracks and froze. Tours begin above ground with a twenty minute walk to the cave’s entrance, and continue underground with a 50 minute guided journey. Keep in mind that cave temperatures stay steady below freezing at approximately 29 degrees. Warm up after the tour by browsing the exhibits at the adjacent museum, where you’ll learn about the area’s geological history and the impact of climate change.
Dachstein Ice Caves
, Winkl 34, 4831 Obertraun am Hallstättersee, Austria, Phone: +43-5-01-40
7. Gosau Lake - 1 hour 15 minutes
Hike scenic mountain trails and admire crystal-clear reflections of the Dachstein peaks.
© shaiith/stock.adobe.com
Gosau Lake is a small alpine lake at the foot of the Dachstein, the second tallest mountain the Northern Limestone Alps. From the lake’s shores are spectacular views of the Dachstein glacier, rising high above the valley. The mountain lake is the perfect place to cool down after a summer or autumn hike, and itself a popular destination for sight seeing, mountain and valley views. In addition to swimming, visitors can rent a boat to explore the glacial Gosau Lake, dive in its crystal clear waters, or adventure through the fixed rope rock climb at the water’s edge. The World Heritage Region is easily accessed from the nearby town of Hallstatt.
Vorderer Gosausee, 4825, Austria
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