Most things to do in Salzburg sit within a short walk of each other. The old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996, holds the cathedral, Residenzplatz and Getreidegasse with Mozart's birthplace. Hohensalzburg Fortress looks down on it, and Mirabell Palace and Gardens are just across the river Salzach. One full day covers the core; two if you want the museums.
With more time, take bus 25 to Hellbrunn Palace and its trick fountains, carry on to the Untersberg cable car at 1,776 metres, or book a day trip to Hallstatt, the Eagle's Nest above Berchtesgaden or the Sound of Music locations. In winter there is the Christmas market on the cathedral and Residenz squares, and the ski areas of the Salzburg region are close by.
We checked the prices and opening hours below on the official websites in October 2026. They change by season, so check again before you go.
Below are Viator experiences in and around Salzburg, such as old town walks, Mozart concerts and day trips to Hallstatt or the Eagle's Nest, each with its price and reviews. Viator shows availability and the final price when you book.
Salzburg's historic centre was added to UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1996. It is best seen on foot: Residenzplatz to Domplatz, along Getreidegasse and over the Salzach to Mirabell Gardens.
Salzburg Cathedral was consecrated in 1628. Mozart was baptised in its bronze font, which dates from 1311, and he played its main organ. Visitors pay a maintenance contribution of €7 for adults and €3.50 for teenagers, while children up to 13 go in without charge (October 2026).
On Getreidegasse, look up at the wrought-iron shop signs, still made by hand by a metalworking business on the street. The through-houses (Durchhäuser) lead into side streets, such as the passage from number 3 to Universitätsplatz.
Archbishop Gebhard began the fortress around 1077. Salzburg's tourist board describes it as the largest fully preserved castle in Central Europe, and the complex covers about 32,000 square metres. The views take in the whole old town and the mountains beyond.
You can walk up or take the FestungsBahn, running since 1892 and covering its 198.5 metres in 54 seconds. The fortress opens 8.30am to 8pm from May to September and 9.30am to 5pm for the rest of the year. The funicular closes for maintenance from 2 to 6 November 2026. Ticket prices vary by option (with or without the funicular, with or without the museums), so check the current rates on festung-hohensalzburg.at.
In the evenings the fortress hosts Mozart concerts, which also appear in the listings further down.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born on 27 January 1756 at Getreidegasse 9. The house is now a museum about his family, his training and his life. It opens daily from 9am to 5.30pm, with last entry 30 minutes before closing.
Admission is €18, or €25 for a combined ticket with Mozart's Residence on Makartplatz (October 2026, Mozarteum Foundation). Both are included in the Salzburg Card.
Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau had the palace built in 1606 for Salome Alt and their children. Entry to the gardens is free, daily from around 6am until dusk. The Marble Hall is used for weddings and concerts and can be seen at set times on weekdays.
If you know The Sound of Music, you will recognise the Pegasus Fountain and the steps where Maria and the children sing Do-Re-Mi.
Hellbrunn Palace was built between 1613 and 1615 as a pleasure palace for Prince-Archbishop Markus Sittikus. In 2026 the trick fountains run daily from 28 March to 1 November. The ticket covers the fountains (about 50 minutes with an audio guide), the palace exhibition and the folk museum in the Monatsschlössl, and costs €16.50 for adults, €6.50 for children aged 4 to 18 and €36.50 for a family. The palace gardens are open daily from 6.30am to 9pm, and the Sound of Music gazebo stands in the park.
Bus 25 (towards Untersbergbahn) takes about 25 minutes from the centre. Stay on the same line for the Untersberg cable car, which climbs to Geiereck at 1,776 metres in eight and a half minutes. A return costs €34 for adults. It is closed for maintenance from 2 November to 13 December 2026 and from 30 March to 16 April 2027.
The Salzburg Card gives one entry to each of the city's attractions and museums plus public transport (not the S-Bahn). It includes the fortress with the funicular, Mozart's Birthplace and Residence, Hellbrunn with the trick fountains, and a return trip on the Untersberg cable car.
2026 prices: in low season (1 January to 31 March and 1 November to 31 December) it costs €35 for 24 hours, €41 for 48 and €44 for 72. In high season (1 April to 31 October) it is €38, €45 and €49. Children aged 6 to 15 pay half.
A quick sum: the Untersberg cable car (€34) and Mozart's Birthplace (€18) together already cost more than the 24-hour card.
Three names come up again and again among day trips from Salzburg: Hallstatt, the Eagle's Nest and the Sound of Music locations.
Hallstatt is part of the Hallstatt-Dachstein/Salzkammergut cultural landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. The Eagle's Nest (Kehlsteinhaus) sits at 1,834 metres above Berchtesgaden on the German side and was built in 1937–38. Buses leave from the Obersalzberg Documentation Centre for a 15-minute climb through five tunnels; then a 124-metre tunnel and a brass-panelled lift take you to the top. The season starts in early or mid-May and ends in late October or early November, depending on the year.
The Sound of Music was filmed in spring 1964 and released in 1965. Locations include Mirabell Gardens, Nonnberg Abbey, Leopoldskron Palace, the Hellbrunn gazebo and the parish church in Mondsee. The Salzwelten salt mine at Bad Dürrnberg, near Hallein, is another half-day option.
The Salzburg Christkindlmarkt on Domplatz and Residenzplatz runs from 19 November 2026 to 1 January 2027. Hours are 10am to 8.30pm Monday to Thursday, 10am to 9pm on Friday, 9am to 9pm on Saturday and 9am to 8.30pm on Sundays and holidays; on 24 December, 9am to 3pm.
If you want to pair the city with a ski trip, Zell am See-Kaprun, Saalbach Hinterglemm and Obertauern are in the Salzburg region, and Berchtesgaden is just over the border in Bavaria. The links below cover slopes, webcams and places to stay.
Mozart, who was born on Getreidegasse in 1756, its baroque old town listed by UNESCO, Hohensalzburg Fortress and the film The Sound of Music, much of which was shot in and around the city.
One full day covers the old town, the fortress and Mirabell. Two days lets you add museums, Hellbrunn and Untersberg; add a third for a day trip to Hallstatt or Berchtesgaden.
In low season €35 (24 h), €41 (48 h) and €44 (72 h); in high season, 1 April to 31 October, €38, €45 and €49. Children aged 6 to 15 pay half.
Yes. According to Salzburg's tourist board, entry to the gardens is free. They open daily from around 6am until dusk, with some areas closed in winter.
In 2026, from 28 March to 1 November, daily from 9.30am. Closing time depends on the month, between 5.30pm and 7pm.
From 19 November 2026 to 1 January 2027 on Domplatz and Residenzplatz. It stays open until 8.30pm on weekdays and 9pm on Friday and Saturday.
Yes. Zell am See-Kaprun, Saalbach Hinterglemm and Obertauern are in the Salzburg region, and Berchtesgaden is on the Bavarian side. That makes it easy to pair a city break with a few days on the slopes.