5 Amazing Things to See in Salzburg

Author:
Eng Kheng
Updated date:
Nov 6, 2018

This author is a university graduate from the UK, a traveller and an explorer. He has been to 25 European countries.

Read on to discover five must-see places in the charming city of Salzburg.
Photo by Simona Todorova on Unsplash

Salzburg is known as the city of Mozart because this is where the famous classical music composer was born. It is also the city where The Sound of Music was filmed. But those aren't the only things the city is famous for. Read on to discover the top five sights in Salzburg.

Note: Before you arrive, I encourage you to get a Salzburg card online. After paying, you can choose to collect it at Salzburg airport. If you are not comfortable with buying it online, you can also buy it from your hotel reception. With a Salzburg card, you are able to enter all attractions and use public transportation for free. Trust me, it's well worth it!

1. Hohensalzburg Fortress

The most famous landmark of Salzburg is Hohensalzburg Fortress because it offers a fantastic view of the city. You can only get to the hilltop by taking funiculars. Your Salzburg card gives you a free ride on the funicular as well as admission to the fortress.

The bird's-eye view from the top of the fortress.
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A silhouette shot from the fortress.
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A shot of the Hohensalzburg fortress from the ground. Spectacular.

2. Residenzplatz and Mozartplatz

Residenzplatz is a large square located at the foot of the hill below the Hohensalzburg fortress. It is bordered by the Salzburg cathedral, Alte Residenz and Neue Residenz (the building with a bell tower shown in the picture below). There is an eye-catching fountain at the center of the Residenzplatz.

Mozartplatz is situated adjacent to the Residenzplatz. Standing in the centre of the square is a monument of Mozart cast in bronze. You can't miss it.

The water fountain at Residenzplatz.
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The Mozart monument located in Mozartplatz.
Ben Snooks, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Flickr

3. Mirabell Palace

Mirabell Palace is a very old building in the city of Salzburg and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Marble Hall and the "Angel Staircase" in the palace are open to visitors. The other rooms are used to house the municipal council, so they are not open to the public. Admission is free.

Surrounding the palace is the Mirabell garden. During springtime, flowers start to bloom, treating all those who pass through to a truly beautiful sight.

The historic Mirabell Palace featuring the Pegasus Fountain.
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The Mirabell Palace and the garden. Spot the Hohensalzburg Fortress!
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4. Hellbrunn Palace

Hellbrunn Palace is considered far from the city centre, and normally people would not walk there. However, it is still easy to get there; bus 25 goes to the palace from the city centre and only takes about 15–20 minutes.

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Hellbrunn Palace is situated at the foot of Hellbrunn mountain, on a huge and spacious plot of land replete with lakes, parks and playgrounds. People often go there for sports and picnics. It is also popular for its trick fountains (open from 1 April to 30 November). Admission is free with the Salzburg card.

Bonus: If you are someone who loves animals, there is a mini zoo there. Your Salzburg card provides one-time free admission.

Playground for outdoor activities.
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5. Untersberg Cable Car Station

Tired of palaces? Here is a suggestion if you are a nature-lover or a hiker. There is a cable car station situated at the outskirts of Salzburg that can be reached by taking bus 25. Hop on the bus from the city centre and get off at the last stop.

The cable car will bring you to the top of the mountain, offering absolutely breathtaking views of the scenery below. I personally prefer to visit in spring or summer when the weather on the mountaintop is cool.

If you have a Salzburg card, it offers you one free round trip on the cable car and a quick-access feature that allows you to skip long queues! The cable car service is closed from October to December.

Tip: Bring your coats just in case there is strong, chilly wind, and make sure you wear good snow boots. The top is covered by snow and is extremely slippery!

Standing at the highest point. A view to be remember. This was taken in March.
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View from the Untersberg Cable Car Station.
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Some Extra Tips for Visiting Salzburg

Get a Salzburg card because it makes your journey so much easier. It offers free admission to attractions and public transport.
Plan your itinerary ahead so that you make full use of your time in Salzburg.
The locals speak English, so do not worry too much if you can only speak English. However, if you can speak German, it is a bonus for you.
Apart from Hellbrunn palace and Untersberg cable car station, which require you to take public transport, most of the city's attractions are within walking distance.
Buses 2 and 10 connect Salzburg airport and the city centre.
In my humble opinion, I would suggest the best time to visit is April–June or September because the city will be overcrowded with tourists during July and August and the weather is not so friendly during the winter months.