Salzburg is one of the most visited cities in Austria, and boasts one of the most well-preserved historic town centers which is now listed as a UNESCO heritage site due to the fact that it is filled with stunning Baroque architecture. Of course, the town is also known as the birthplace of the renowned composer, Mozart, but the city itself has a lot to offer, from history and gardens, to museums and nearby mountains. We’ve put together the perfect list of things to do on your trip to Salzburg and have a wide range of hostels and hotels for you to stay in whilst you are there!
Altstadt (The Old Town)
This part of the city contains many tourist attractions, from Mozart’s birthplace to the Salzburg museum, so it is a must for any backpacker visiting Salzburg! Along with visiting these attractions you can wander through the area itself, admire the medieval architecture, the old 13th century marketplace and the St. Florian Fountain. Get lost down the quaint little streets, and discovering forgotten corners, and stop to have a bite to eat or a coffee. You could even have a traditional Austrian breakfast here, complete with cheese and cold meets, croissants and pastries, muesli and yoghurt. Once you are full, you can walk off the breakfast by visiting the Mozartplatz, a peaceful square right in the center of the Old Town that has a bronze statue of Mozart himself. If you are a fan of Mozart, this is surely the first part if the city that you need to visit! Or, you can walk up the hill nearby and visit the Hohensalzburg Castle.
Mirabell Palace and Gardens
If you feel like getting away from the hustle and bustle of the city, head towards the Mirabell Palace and gardens. The palace was built in 1606 on the request of the Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich Raitenau. He has suffered various illnesses the year before and requested the pleasure palace be constructed to get away from the narrow streets of the city. You can visit the Marble Hall inside (which is often used for concerts and weddings!), and take a stroll through the geometrically arranged gardens, full of mythological sculptures, flowers, fountains and perfectly manicured lawns. Some of the scenes from the famous musical, The Sound of Music, were filmed here (specifically the ‘Doe, a deer’ scene, for those of you who are fans), and you can even book coach tours on this specific subject, although these can be a little costly.
Take part in a Festival
The city often holds various festivals and events throughout the year, so it’s a good idea to check what's going on before you arrive. Some highlights on the calendar is the Krampuslauf, where men dressed as monsters run through the streets or for perhaps a more family-friendly, Rupertikirtag, a three day celebration for the patron saint of Salzburg in late September. Or the traditional Maibaumfest at the beginning of May, where you can welcome in the spring by drinking beer and dancing around Maypoles.
The Salzburg Cathedral
An excellent example of 17th century Baroque architecture, the Salzburg Cathedral proudly stands in the center of the city, and is dedicated to St. Rupert and St. Vergilius. It was originally built in 774, but had to be rebuilt in 1181 after a fire, and again rebuilt again in the 17th century. It even still contains the baptismal font where Mozart himself was baptised! The Cathedral is also free to enter, and you can leave a donation if you wish. The interior, like the exterior is very bright and plain, but manages to still be striking, with towers, arcades, and an organ and frescos on the interior.
The Toy Museum
If you want to make a changed from the tradition architecture and more serious parts of the city, then you can always visit the Toy museum! Don’t worry, the museum isn’t just for children, as you may think! Located not far from Mirabell Palace and Mozartplatz, the museum is divided into two parts- a more traditional museum still area, where you can see traditional old toys and games, and a ‘hands on’ area, with rides, games and activities. You can ride on the Carrera Track, a mini race-circuit, a shadow room, and watch miniature trains go along a 12 meter long railway. A visit here is sure to bring out your inner child!
The Surrounding area
You can visit the mountains in the surrounding area of Salzburg, especially the Gaisberg Mountain to the east of the city. You can get a bus from outside Mirabell palace to get there, so no need to have a car! Here you can go hiking or biking on over 20 km worth of trails that vary in difficult in length. You can get fantastic views of the city, breathe some fresh air and explore the countryside!
Feel inspired? Have a look at our wide range of hostels and hotels in Salzburg here.
