©Jonathon Stokes/Lonely Planet
Salzburg
The joke 'If it ain't baroque, don't fix it' is a perfect maxim for Salzburg: the story-book Altstadt (old town) burrowed below steep hills looks much as it did when Mozart lived here 250 years ago. Beside the fast-flowing Salzach River, your gaze is raised inch by inch to graceful domes and spires, the formidable clifftop fortress and the mountains beyond. It's a backdrop that did the lordly prince-archbishops and Maria proud.
01 / Attractions
Must-see attractions
Salzburg
A prince-archbishop with a wicked sense of humour, Markus Sittikus, built Schloss Hellbrunn in the early 17th century as a summer palace and an escape…
Salzburg
Salzburg's most visible icon is this mighty, 900-year-old clifftop fortress, one of the biggest and best preserved in Europe. It's easy to spend half a…
Salzburg
Housed in the baroque Neue Residenz palace, this flagship museum takes you on a fascinating romp through Salzburg past and present. Ornate rooms showcase…
Salzburg
Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich built this splendid palace in 1606 to impress his beloved mistress, Salome Alt. It must have done the trick because she…
Salzburg
Rising above Salzburg and straddling the German border is the rugged 1853m peak of Untersberg. Spectacular views of the city, the Rositten Valley and the…
Salzburg
A Frankish missionary named Rupert founded this abbey-church and monastery in around 700, making it the oldest in the German-speaking world. Though a…
Salzburg
Straddling Mönchsberg’s cliffs, this contemporary glass-and-marble oblong of a gallery stands in stark contrast to the fortress, and shows first-rate…
02 / Planning Tools
Expert guidance to help you plan your trip
Things to Know
Read these tips on what to pack, how to get around, how to behave, where to find medical help and more before your next trip to beautiful Salzburg.
Read articleBest Neighborhoods
Compact Salzburg is easy to explore on foot or by bike, so fascinating neighbourhoods are all well within range. These are the best.
Read articleDay Trips
One glance at Salzburg’s palaces and mountains and it’s love, but the rest of central Austria is worth exploring too. Try these top day trips from Salzburg.
Read articleMoney and Costs
Get the inside scoop on how to see Salzburg on a budget – from Mozart melodies to mountain heights.
Read articleTransportation
Whether you take the bus, the train or your own two feet, getting around the delightful Austrian city of Salzburg is a breeze.
Read articleFree Things to Do
Get the lowdown on what to see and do in Salzburg for free - from above-the-city strolls to refreshing canal swims.
Read article03 / Articles
Latest stories from Salzburg
Tips & AdviceThe best places to travel between Christmas and New Year’s EveOct 31, 2024 • 9 min read
ActivitiesSalzburg for free: how to live it up in the city of Mozart and Maria for nothingJul 17, 2022 • 7 min read
Hiking8 top day trips from Salzburg to palaces, peaks and the world’s biggest ice cavesJul 10, 2022 • 11 min read
Destination PracticalitiesEssential tips every Salzburg local knows – and that every visitor should, tooJul 9, 2022 • 11 min read
Destination PracticalitiesSalzburg’s 6 best neighborhoods: from baroque domes to beer gardensJul 8, 2022 • 6 min read
Art and CultureThe 11 best museums in Salzburg: from historic palaces to music heritageJul 4, 2022 • 7 min read
ActivitiesThe best parks in Salzburg (not all the hills are alive with the sound of music)Jul 2, 2022 • 5 min read
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