The city of Salzburg has much to offer. Whether you’re looking for culture or nature, there is something for everyone!
The Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and if you’re into history, this is a must-see area! It is lined with quaint old merchant houses dating back to the 15th century.
The Old Town
Salzburg is a historic city that is full of museums, churches, palaces and landmarks. Most of these attractions are located in the Old Town (Altstadt).
The Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Here you will find the famous Hohensalzburg Castle, the Cathedral, beautiful squares and St Peter’s cemetery.
The Hohensalzburg Castle
The Hohensalzburg Castle is a must-see attraction in Salzburg. The largest preserved fortified complex in Europe, this majestic building towers over the rooftops of the city and is one of Salzburg's most iconic symbols.
It was built in 1077 and it's been a pillar of the city's defense for centuries. Currently, the castle is home to two museums, a brewery and a restaurant.
You'll find a lot of historical artifacts in the fortress museum, including an excellent collection of weapons and Roman coins. You'll also learn about courtly life in the royal apartments, the fortress's evolving construction and much more.
The Museum of Modern Art
The Museum of Modern Art has two parts: the Rupertinum in the old town and the Monchsberg on a rocky crag overlooking Salzburg. Together they offer 3,000 square meters of exhibition space for 20th- and 21st-century art.
The Rupertinum is located in an early Baroque building, which was commissioned in 1653 by Prince Archbishop Paris Lodron to be used as a seminary. It is decorated with ceramic "tongue beards" designed by Friedensreich Hundertwasser.
The Getreidegasse
The Getreidegasse is a street in the Old Town of Salzburg that draws thousands of visitors every year. It is famous for its wide variety of international fashion chains and traditional shops as well as its array of restaurants.
The Getreidegasse is also home to one of the most popular attractions in the city, Mozart's Birthplace. The ochre-yellow Hagenauerhaus is where the composer was born in 1756.
The Salzburg State Theater
The Salzburg State Theater is the leading and most influential institution for the performing arts in Salzburg. It is home to opera, theatre, dance and the youth division Junges Land with four vivacious and distinguished companies operating under one roof.
The State Theatre presents approximately 400 performances each season, spanning from September to June. Its main building is located next to Mirabell Gardens and seats an audience of 707.
The Spectacular Fountains
One of the most enchanting places to visit in Salzburg is the Spectacular Fountains at Hellbrunn Palace. It is a fun and unique experience that is not to be missed.
Schloss Hellbrunn was built by Archbishop Markus Sittikus as a pleasure palace with Italian influences. Water was an important theme throughout the palace and its gardens.
The Salzburg Cathedral
The Salzburg Cathedral is an impressive and historic landmark in the heart of Salzburg’s old town. It is the seat of the Archbishops of Salzburg and has been a religious institution for more than a thousand years.
The Cathedral is the largest Romanesque cathedral north of the Alps. It was built in 774 and has been damaged several times during its history.
When approaching the Cathedral, you will notice three numbers – one above each entrance. This is because it was rebuilt on three occasions: in 774, 1628 and 1959.
The Mozart Birthplace
Among Salzburg's top-attractions is Mozart's Birthplace, a museum that shows how the virtuoso composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born. The furnished 18th-century middle-class flat displays authentic musical instruments formerly belonging to Mozart and gives visitors a glimpse into his daily life.
It's a pilgrimage for serious Mozart fans. The three floors of paintings, correspondence, personal items and music give a rich evocation of the Mozart family's lives in the mid-18th century.
