Top 12 attractions in Salzburg

Salzburg resembles a cinematic backdrop. Nestled at the base of lush cliffs alongside a shimmering turquoise river, its baroque-style Altstadt immerses you in a millennium of history, featuring a stunning array of churches, abbeys, and domes. As you wander, you can't help but gaze in awe: at the imposing hilltop fortress, the extravagantly adorned palaces and concert halls where Mozart once played, and the mountains on the horizon where Maria (Julie Andrews) made her iconic twirl in The Sound of Music.

You can pinch yourself, but it’s all splendidly real. Just don’t expect to have these streets to yourself – word has spread that Salzburg is bursting with charm. Nevertheless, there are serene spots to discover in this city – whether it’s listening to Gregorian chants at dawn or enjoying a gentle cable car ride up a mountain, where the Alps unfold like a storybook. Continue reading for our top recommendations in Salzburg.

1. Experience nuns singing at dawn

As the sun rises over the Alps, make your way up the steep Nonnbergstiege steps to reach Stift Nonnberg by 6:45am and immerse yourself in the spine-tingling sound of nuns chanting Gregorian chorales at one of Europe’s oldest functioning abbeys. Established by St. Rupert, the patron saint of Salzburg in 715 CE, this Benedictine abbey is largely restricted, except for its rib-vaulted church where you can admire Romanesque frescoes.

If this feels familiar, it’s likely because you’ve seen nuns gliding to mass at this abbey in The Sound of Music. If you’re not an early bird, you can catch their uplifting melodies again at 5:15pm on weekdays, 5pm on Saturdays, and 4:30pm on Sundays.

2. View the city from above

The brief yet breathtaking walk from Nonnberg to Festung Hohensalzburg along the Hohe Weg (Festungsgasse) instantly lifts your spirits and offers a magnificent panorama of the city, showcasing baroque Altstadt rooftops, spires, and domes against the backdrop of wooded mountains. Ascending here, away from the city's buzz and church bells, is truly remarkable. Complete your stroll with an exploration of the fortress's ramparts, opulent staterooms, and museums at this 900-year-old clifftop landmark.

3. Enjoy a drink at the Augustiner Bräüstübl

At the Augustiner Bräüstübl, it’s Oktoberfest every day! This branch of Germany’s oldest brewery, established in 1328, features vaulted taverns and a spacious 1400-seat beer garden shaded by chestnut trees. Since 1621, this monk-founded brewery at the base of Mönchsberg has been a hub of lively enjoyment in Salzburg. Fill your tankard at the foyer pump and check out the Schmankerlgang (deli stands) for hearty bites like Stelze (ham hock), pork belly, and massive pretzels. The beer selection ranges from subtly hoppy lagers to rich amber wheat brews. Here, you’ll experience a more genuine atmosphere with fewer tourists than in other Altstadt beer halls.

4. Sing along to The Sound of Music

Come on, you know you want to! You don’t have to be a devoted fan of The Sound of Music or able to reach those high notes like Julie Andrews to enjoy cycling between filming locations with Fräulein Maria’s Bicycle Tours. Classics like Do-Re-Mi, Sixteen Going on Seventeen, So Long, Farewell are featured on this half-day bike tour that meanders from palace to plaza, park to abbey. Tours are available from April to October, so be sure to book early in the summer as they are extremely popular.

5. Ascend every mountain

Or perhaps just the one. Nestled along the German border, the 1973m (6473ft) Untersberg offers a stunning dose of mountain scenery right at the city's edge. Adorned with wildflowers, its rugged summit features hiking trails that unveil breathtaking views of Salzburg, the Rositten Valley, and the Tyrolean, Salzburg, and Bavarian Alpine ranges. In summer, paragliders soar from the peak (listen for the rush), while winter brings gentle skiing options.

From the cable car's top station, you can stroll along easy trails to lookouts such as Geiereck (1805m; 5922ft) and Salzburg Hochthron (1853m; 6079ft), or embark on a couple of hours of trekking across a karst plateau to the Schellenberger Ice Cave in Bavaria. Either way, make sure to wear sturdy boots and bring a fleece or jacket, as temperatures are much cooler here than in the valley below.

6. Immerse yourself in art at Mönchsberg

Towering above Salzburg like a dramatic stage curtain, Mönchsberg – Monk Mountain – rises to 504m (1654ft) and is named after the Benedictine monks of St Peter's Abbey. And the views? Absolutely stunning, showcasing the fortress-crowned Altstadt. Embark on foot along trails that meander through meadows and woodlands toward Augustiner Bräustübl, where, on clear days, you can see all the way to the Austrian and Bavarian Alps.

For lovers of contemporary art, the Museum der Moderne is a perfect fit. This strikingly minimalist building, crafted from locally sourced Untersberg marble, sits majestically atop the hill. You can zip up in the lift or enjoy a leisurely walk from Festung Hohensalzburg. The gallery features an impressive lineup of 20th- and 21st-century art exhibitions. Outside, marvel at sculptures like James Turrell’s Blue Pearl – Skyspace, an elliptical cylinder that opens to the sky, reflecting the ever-changing weather, moods, light, and colors of the mountains.

7. Experience the Mozart magic at Schloss Mirabell

If you adore Mozart but want to avoid the crowded touristy dinners, skip the kitsch and head to Schloss Mirabell. This enchanting 17th-century palace hosts intimate chamber music concerts in its lavish Marmorsaal (Marble Hall), adorned with stucco, marble, and frescoes. Renowned ensembles and soloists perform masterpieces by Mozart and other celebrated composers, including Vivaldi, Haydn, and Beethoven. Concerts take place daily at 8pm (except Fridays and Mondays). Tickets are in high demand during the summer, so be sure to book early.

8. Be enchanted by the magic of puppetry at Salzburger Marionettentheater

You don’t need to be a child to be captivated by the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Salzburger Marionettentheater, where the red curtain has been rising on a charming miniature stage since 1913. This theater is just as lavish as its full-sized counterparts, adorned with stucco details and sparkling chandeliers. The costumes and backdrops are incredibly intricate, and the puppeteers are some of the most talented, making the strings nearly invisible as the marionettes dance, swoop, and soar through the air.

The star of the repertoire is The Sound of Music, featuring a life-sized Mother Superior and a finale filled with marionettes. Other delightful productions include Mozart's The Magic Flute and Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker, all equipped with multilingual subtitles for a broader audience.

9. Stroll through the enchanting gardens of Schloss Mirabell

Schloss Mirabell is the highlight of the baroque era in Salzburg, constructed by Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich to charm his mistress Salome Alt in 1606. However, it's the gardens that truly astonish. Archbishop Johann Ernst von Thun transformed them in 1690, creating an extravagant display of fountains, muses, parterres, and rose gardens, all designed to draw the eye to the majestic Festung Hohensalzburg perched on the hill.

As you explore, look for the Tänzerin (dancer) sculpture – a fantastic spot to capture the gardens with the fortress in the backdrop. The Sound of Music enthusiasts will surely recognize the Pegasus statue, the steps, and the charming gnomes of the Zwerglgarten (Dwarf Garden), where the von Trapp children learned to sing Do-Re-Mi.

10. Pedal along the banks of the Salzach

Stretching from the city to meadows and mountains, the banks of the Salzach River offer a delightful cycling experience, especially during the bustling summer months. Rent a bike and head south, watching the vibrant domes and spires of the Altstadt gradually fade as you glide past the Volksgarten park.

Cycling here provides a perfect escape from the city's crowds for a while. Pack a picnic and enjoy a leisurely afternoon, perhaps stopping to admire the grand summer palace and its trick fountains at Schloss Hellbrunn, or, on sunny days, continue to Waldbad Anif. Swimming, canoeing, or wakeboarding in the crystal-clear turquoise waters of this forest-bordered lake makes for a tranquil way to spend a summer day.

11. Stroll along Steingasse

While the baroque Altstadt on the left bank of the Salzach River garners most of the attention—and rightfully so, as it is stunning—it can become overwhelming when summer tourists flood in. For our money, the most charming lane in Salzburg is Steingasse on the quieter side of the milky-green river. Hard to believe today, this narrow passage once served as the primary north-south route connecting the city to Italy in the Middle Ages, its cobblestones smoothed by the passage of countless horses and wagons. Salt from nearby mines was transported from this very lane to destinations across Europe and beyond.

Today, this picturesque lane delights Instagram enthusiasts, with its gently curving medieval townhouses adorned in soft pastel hues, looking particularly enchanting in the morning light or illuminated by lanterns at dusk. Don’t miss the plaque at No.9 commemorating Joseph Mohr, a notable past resident who wrote the lyrics to the carol Silent Night shortly after the Napoleonic Wars.

12. Savor traditional Austrian fare at Bärenwirt

Salzburg boasts numerous upscale restaurants with hefty price tags, but sometimes what you crave is a schnitzel the size of a boot, perfectly fried, accompanied by a side of history. You’ll find just that at Bärenwirt, a cozy, rustic tavern with a hunting lodge vibe that has been serving patrons since 1663. This inn shuns trendy culinary fads in favor of hearty, traditional dishes like Bierbraten (beer roast) paired with generous dumplings and sauerkraut, beef goulash, and Kasnocken (mini cheese dumplings topped with fried onions). If the weather is pleasant, grab a table on the terrace for a lovely view of the Salzach River.