Salzburg is well known as the birthplace of Mozart and the city where many of the outdoor scenes of The Sound of Music were filmed. In fact, you can even take a 4-hour tour to see all the film locations in Salzburg. Side note: I’m a die-hard Sound of Music fan; my brother-in-law even bought me the DVD. But there’s more to do and see than music-related activities. Salzburg has many museums and historic buildings, and the mountains and river, which divide the city in half, all add to Salzburg’s allure. My list of things to do will feature a few highlights.

1. Residenzplatz

The square features a baroque-style horse fountain. The water shimmers and streams out of the sculpted horses’ mouths. The fountain is a popular photo spot and a beautiful piece of art that links the past with the present. 50 mediaeval buildings were torn down to build this square. It’s large, and the view of the mountain cliffs all adds to the square’s beauty. The square is used to screen football matches; it hosts concerts and New Year’s Eve celebrations. Plus, in the Sound of Music scene, where Maria and the Von Trapp Children are riding in the horse-driven carriage, they pass through the square and pass by the fountain.

2. Go see Hohensalzburg castle and the museum exhibits

It was scorching hot on the day I visited Salzburg, so I skipped the hike up to the castle and decided to pay extra for the funicular. The hike isn’t strenuous, though, so you could skip the funicular, save the cash, and buy a beer at the brewery located at Residenzplatz. Hohensalzburg Castle overlooks Salzburg. You can see all the dome spires, buildings, and the ever-flowing Salzch River. The view from the castle is worth visiting. The exhibits inside the castle are also very interesting. There are various objects inside the weapons, plates, and even a chastity belt. There’s so much to see and so much to learn, so don’t miss out on checking out the castle. Hohensalzburg castle is situated on top of Festungsberg Mountain; its summit is 542 meters high and forms part of the Old Town district of Salzburg. The castle was built to serve as a fortress, and the building started in 1077. The castle was only ever under siege in 1592, during the German Peasant War. A few miners, farmers, and townsfolk sought to oust Prince Archbishop Matthaus Lang, but they failed to do so. During World War I, the castle was used to imprison Italian troops. Nazi activists were also held captive at Hohensalzburg Castle before the 1930 Anschluss with Germany.

3. See Getreidegasse (Grain Lane)

The street may possibly be the busiest street in Salzburg. This is because Mozart was born at No. 9 Getreidegasse Street. The house is brightly painted and now houses a museum dedicated to the virtuoso. The street also forms part of Salzburg’s Old Town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It houses many shops, including restaurants, international fashion shops, inns, souvenir stores, etc. There are also houses that can be found on the street. These houses have a front and back that lead out onto different streets. The street also features charming metal guild signs, which are very visible from the front of the stores. I took a stroll down the street and purchased a Salzburg shot glass.

4. Check out Mozart’s house

Mozart was born on January 27, 1756, on the third floor of a house that is now a museum. The museum showcases Mozart’s early life, his first instruments, his friendships, and his passion for opera. It also offers insight into how people lived in Salzburg during that time.

5. Visit the Slazch river

There’s a memorial on the bridge that connects the two parts of the city, honouring the work of prisoners of war and forced labourers who built it between 1941 and 1945. Along the bridge, you’ll also find locks placed by visitors and grassy banks where you can sit and watch the boats go by while enjoying a picnic. There’s a boat trip you can take, and Hotel Sacher is located along the banks of the Salzach River. It’s the perfect spot to stop by for a slice of Sachertorte, a cake the hotel chain is famous for serving.
 

6.Go visit Mozart’s house

The house where Mozart lived from 1773 to 1787 is located on Markartplatz. In 1944, during World War II, it was bombed. The part of the house that survived was purchased by the Mozart Foundation in 1955 and was rebuilt using the original house plans. Today, it houses a museum. Unfortunately, I only got to see the outside. I took a walking tour that lasted about an hour, and my group didn’t have the chance to explore the inside of the building.

7. Mirabell Palace and Gardens

In 1606, Mirabell Palace was built. It was built by Prince Archbishop Wolf Dietrich for the woman he loved, Salome. The marble hall inside the castle was the banquet hall, and today it is used as a wedding reception hall, conference venue, and award ceremony venue. The Palace Garden is known for its lush green lawns, vibrant flowers, intricate sculptures, and distinctive fountains. The sculptures and fountains are inspired by various mythological characters. In The Sound of Music, Maria and the Von Trapp children dance and sing around the Pegasus Fountain in front of Mirabell Palace, performing “Do-Re-Mi,” the song Maria uses to teach the children how to sing. There’s also a Sound of Music puppet show held nearby, so if you’re a big fan, be sure to check it out.

8. Eat up

Try something authentically Austrian, like chicken or veal schnitzel with a side of potatoes. If you have a sweet tooth like I do, don’t miss the Sacher torte—I had it in Vienna and again at the Golden Kugel in Salzburg. The city also has a long history of beer brewing, so if you’re a beer lover, why not grab a Salzburg-brewed beer? Eating and drinking local food adds to the travel experience and helps you connect with the local culture.

9. Salzburg Churches

There are many churches in the city, but for me, Salzburg Cathedral stood out. It’s Baroque-style and was rebuilt in the 17th century, although it was originally founded in 774. The cathedral is dedicated to Saint Rupert and Saint Vergilius and houses the baptismal font where Mozart was baptized.

10. Festspielhauser

In July and August, Salzburg comes alive with music festivals. In January, music lovers flock to the city to celebrate Mozart’s birthday month with enchanting performances. The key venues to visit are The Large Festival House, Mozart’s House, and the Felsenreitschule. Why not treat your ears to some unforgettable tunes? There’s also a guided tour available of these iconic venues. During my walking tour, I had the chance to stop at these spots and learn some fascinating facts about the buildings.

My day trip to Salzburg was fantastic! If you’re curious, you can read more about my experiences in Salzburg in my previous post.

For more information on Salzburg, feel free to contact the tourism office:

Contact information:

Salzburg tourism office

Mozartplatz 5

Salzburg 5020

Email

Website

In my next post, I’ll be sharing a few handy tips to help you get around Salzburg with ease.

Happy travels!

P.S. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this post! If you want to chat or share feedback, I’m all ears. Your visit to my blog means a lot to me, and as I’m still new at this, any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated.