What are the best things to do in Salzburg?

Are you thinking of taking a short trip to Austria, but don’t yet know which city to choose? In general, tourists opt for the mythical city of Vienna, which is certainly a beautiful and majestic place to visit. But you should know that Salzburg, on the border with Germany, is one of the most popular destinations for visitors? As well as being THE region with the most Michelin-starred restaurants in Austria, it is also the birthplace of Mozart and other Austrian personalities who have left their mark on world history. That’s why we’ve put together a brief description of why Salzburg is well worth a visit!

What to do in Salzburg

1. Hohensalzburg Fortress

Category: €€/Cultural

Description: Head to “Mönchsberg 34” for a visit to a place of honour in every respect, designated as the largest and best-preserved fortress in central Europe. The history of the Hohensalzburg fortress captivates visitors every year. It was built in 1077 on the orders of Archbishop Gebhard. Over time, it was used as protection against attacking troops. Legend has it that it was never taken by foreign troops. When you enter, you can discover the architecture of this spectacular place: and of course enter its famous museums. Among them, the Fortress Museum offers a splendid exhibition of historical objects that were part of the daily life of the archiepiscopal princes. Your guide will be delighted to tell you some fascinating anecdotes about times gone by, to help you better understand the present. Next, why not take a trip to the Puppet Museum? This is typically the kind of activity that children love. Open every day from 9.30am to 5pm, the museum also offers a magnificent view of the city.

2. Go on an Excursion

Category: €€/Sporty/Insolite

Description: For all nature lovers and sports enthusiasts looking for a thrill, we’ve got just what you need. After all, holidays aren’t just about visiting museums and eating out: they’re also about adventure and exploring new places. And it’s all in the great outdoors. Here’s a trip you’ll never forget: to the Bavarian mountains and salt mines. Departing from the city, and lasting around 4 hours, let yourself be guided by an experienced guide, who will take you on an extraordinary adventure. The one-day tour covers the famous Bavarian mountains and the Berchtesgaden salt mines. Put on your miner’s outfit and embark on a cruise to the bottom of an underground lake. This activity (although a little intimidating, we grant you) is a big hit with families. There’s nothing too difficult, and the little ones come away with stars in their eyes. What’s more, the views are breathtaking!

3. Visit the Old Town

Category: €€/Cultural/Gastronomic

Description: After something as exciting as a nature excursion, why not opt for something a little more mellow, but where you can still learn more about Salzburg? A visit to the old town will take you to “Getreidegasse”, a shopping street and also the street where the prodigious Mozart was born (house number 9!). It’s the perfect place to indulge in your little shopping spree, with plenty of traditional businesses as well as small boutiques with architecture straight out of a doll’s house. The pedestrian walkways have been embellished with arcades and works of art, making it a pleasant place to visit. It’s a great place to take a stroll, and now’s the time to get out your camera and snap some pretty shots! At the end of the day, take a seat on a terrace and sample one of the city’s secret sweet local specialities.

4. The Château Mirabelle and its gardens

Category: Cultural

Description: Yes, another château, but not just any château. Today, it’s known as the romantic setting par excellence where many weddings take place. So it’s a must-see for couples! Many visitors even say that the castle is the scene of marriage proposals… It was built a very long time ago, in 1606, on the orders of Prince-Archbishop Wolf, for his belle, none other than Salome Alt. Isn’t that romantic? The castle is a real eye-catcher, not only for its exterior architecture but also (as you may have guessed from the title) for its gardens, straight out of a fairytale. As the château is located right in the middle of the city, it is now designated as a veritable green lung. If there are any connoisseurs among our readers, you will recognise the Baroque style of the place just by the geometric shape of the gardens: there is a ‘Pegasus fountain’, with a beautiful sculpture of horses, as well as a work by Kaspar Gras from Innsbruck; also, the rose garden and its parterres de roses usually leave visitors speechless. It’s amazing what the beauty of nature can reveal… From Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm, the castle is open free of charge.

5. Chocolate tasting course

Category: €€/Gastronomic

Description: Did you know? Salzburg is THE Austrian chocolate city par excellence! You’ll find a whole host of sweets here, but the one that’s undoubtedly the most popular is the famous “Mozart Ball”, made with pistachio and praline marzipan. We’re crazy about them! That’s precisely why we thought you couldn’t visit Salzburg without trying a chocolate tasting workshop. We did a little research among the best chocolatiers in the region, and our search led us to “Tasting Atelier”, for a tasting experience like no other. In this workshop, you’ll mix the traditional side of chocolate making with the innovative side that can be brought to it. This journey of taste exploration will allow you to learn more about the history of chocolate, particularly in the city of Salzburg, thanks to a fun and somewhat educational approach to a new culinary horizon, never explored before.

6. Hangar-7

Category: €€/Cultural

Description: Open from 9am to 10pm every day and located at Salzburg airport, Hangar-7 is one of the city’s best attractions to visit. Why should you visit it? Its unusual architecture alone is sure to arouse the curiosity of travellers! Described as “one of a kind”, it boasts a vast and beautiful collection of historic aircraft, which aviation enthusiasts will surely be familiar with: the Flying Bulls. What’s particularly interesting about the layout of Hangar-7 is that the exhibits have been cleverly and elegantly integrated into the building as a whole, making it an “overall architectural work of art”. An added bonus: the light that illuminates the works in question changes according to the position of the sun, which is directed towards them. So, depending on the time of day you visit Hangar-7, you’ll never be able to admire the same exhibition!