Top 5 things to do in Salzburg
Aside from being the filming location for the iconic musical The Sound of Music and the birthplace of world-renowned composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, I didn’t know much about Salzburg so I visited with little expectation and ended up staying 3 days and catching some serious feelings for this city. Below I have included my top 5 favorite things which I hope you will also enjoy during your stay in Salzburg.
1. sound of music
Bicycle Tour - highly recommend!
One of my favorite memories was a bicycle tour with Fräulein Maria’s Bicycle Tours. The guide created a fun experience by providing film trivia while riding our bikes to iconic film locations. We also cycled along fields of flowers while listening to the soundtrack from a speaker on her bike.
I must admit that I had never watched The Sound of Music in its entirety before my trip. It wasn’t until I visited Salzburg that I became a fan of the movie which is why I recommend the tour regardless if you have seen it once or ten times. A bicycle tour is a great way to spend a sunny afternoon, however, if you prefer to go about it on your own, below are the sites included in the tour and definitely worth visiting.
2. VISIT the home of mozart
Two of his homes are now museums that you can explore
These museums invite you to take a tour through original rooms to discover items of everyday life as well as furniture from the 18th century. Here you will also find original certificates, letters, and memorabilia documenting Mozart’s life in Salzburg. Single entrance tickets are available as well as combo tickets for both his birthplace and residence.
3. hohensalzburg
Fortress
The Old Town of Salzburg (also called Historic Centre of the City of Salzburg or simply Altstadt) is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. It consists of Medieval and Baroque buildings and draws millions of visitors every year. While exploring Old Town you will immediately notice Hohensalzburg fortress which sits on a hill above. It’s remarkable to think it was built in 1077 and was once a real functioning fortress, one of the largest in Europe.
I suggest taking the funicular to the top and spending a few hours exploring the fortress. The exterior is spectacular as well as the views overlooking Old Town, the interior is also beautiful and just as interesting (be sure to visit the torture chamber). I purchased the all-inclusive ticket online which includes the funicular, audio tour, and a few extra exhibits, I also avoided the crowd and saved a few euros with the early bird discount. Be sure to check the box that reads Early Bird Rabatt and arrive before 10am.
4. salzburg marionette theatre
Add this to your list, it's a must see show!
I learned about this theater from a puppet exhibit at Hohensalzburg fortress. I found the puppetry fascinating and was beyond excited when I saw a booth with information about the Marionette Theatre where I could watch a real-life puppet show later that evening.
The theater is beautiful and the performance itself was the highlight of my time in Salzburg. The show begins with a screen displaying “behind the scenes” of the puppeteers prepping the puppets, putting on their clothes, etc. I thought it was a clever way to begin the show since you will soon forget that the “performers” on stage are actually puppets as they gracefully glide across the stage.
I attended The Magic Flute which included music from Mozart and was performed entirely in German which added to the experience. If you don’t speak German, subtitles are displayed on each side of the stage in English and various languages which is helpful for keeping up with the story.
- If you’re a student be sure to ask about their student discount.
- Ticket pricing depends on the seat section you choose, however, since the venue is small I suggest going with the least expensive ticket since there isn’t a bad seat in the house.
- Arrive 5-10 minutes early to view the puppet displays in the lobby.
get your tickets!
salzburg marionette theatre
5. try a brezel & Austrian apple strudel
Der 1. Original Brezlstand: Located in the center of Old Town, offers brezel (German word for pretzel) in a variety of flavors. Some have cheese on top while others are filled with jam or covered with chocolate. I tried the original (salt) pretzel as well as the sugar pretzel which was more like a donut but both were delicious. Be warned they are the size of your head so you’re welcome to share or you can do as one does while solo traveling, and eat TWO during a three-day trip.
Cafe Fingerlos: Apple strudel is a popular pastry originating in Austria which means you should definitely order a slice to accompany your cappuccino.
Heart of Joy Cafe: This cafe serves organic, fair-trade, and local produce with a selection of delicious vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free dishes and cakes. With so many options this Cafe became my go-to each day. The inspirational cards were a nice touch and it didn’t go unnoticed when my last card was in German instead of English like days prior, I took this as a sign that I was officially considered a local haha.
