Things to Do in Salzburg: Best Tips from a Local

Tips and Info for a Vacation in Salzburg

Before we get to our interview, here’s the most important info you need before heading to Salzburg.

Where is Salzburg located?

Salzburg sits on the northern edge of the Alps, right in the heart of Austria.

The three next-largest cities in Austria are Innsbruck, Graz, and Vienna. Innsbruck is about a two-hour drive away. Graz and Vienna are each around three hours.

Because Salzburg is so close to the German border, you can also reach German destinations super quickly.

The Bavarian capital Munich, for example, is less than two hours away by car. And the Chiemsee is only 50 kilometers from Salzburg as the crow flies.

Our Hotel Recommendations for Salzburg

Salzburg has great options for every budget — from exclusive luxury stays to stylish boutique picks to solid, affordable places. To make your search easier, here are a few suggestions:

Looking for something truly special in Salzburg?

Check out our personal picks for the best boutique hotels in the city:

11 Special Boutique Hotels in Salzburg

Attractions Where You Should Buy Tickets in Advance

Salzburg is a heavily visited city, and long lines at the top attractions are not uncommon.

To avoid waiting forever at the entrance — or worse, missing out entirely — it’s worth booking tickets online for certain sights. Here’s what we recommend reserving in advance:

Interview with a Local: The Best Insider Tips for Salzburg

#1 Who are you and why are you an expert on Salzburg?

I’m Julia and I live in the beautiful city of Salzburg, Austria. I love my hometown and I’m the perfect person to introduce you to the city.

Since early 2019, I’ve been getting into photography — first with a borrowed mirrorless camera, and more recently with my first DSLR, a Canon EOS 90d.

Photography has become my biggest and most beloved hobby, and through it I’ve also discovered my creative side.

#2 If you had to describe Salzburg in three words, what would they be?

Small, beautiful, unique.

#3 Why should everyone visit Salzburg at least once?

Because Salzburg has so incredibly much to offer. City break, hiking vacation, or even a beach getaway — Salzburg works for all of it.

#4 What does Salzburg have that you can't find anywhere else?

Salzburg packs a huge number of sights into a very small area, and all of them are reachable on foot.

Our tip: A guided walk through Salzburg with a local

Away from the tourist hotspots, Salzburg’s old town has a lot of charm and character — and a genuinely slowing-down effect on people. Honestly, I can’t think of another city that has all of that.

Sights and Activities in Salzburg

#5 Which things to do in Salzburg are absolute must-sees?

Definitely the Cathedral at Residenzplatz. For me, the cathedral is Salzburg’s centerpiece and one of my favorite subjects to photograph.

Beyond that, you have to see the fortress, the Getreidegasse, and the Mirabell Gardens. Those are also seriously beautiful spots for photos.

#6 What can you do in Salzburg when it rains?

Enjoy a nice cup of coffee and a slice of cake in one of Salzburg’s many coffeehouses.

I’d highly recommend Café 220 Grad in Nonntal, just a few minutes’ walk from the city center.

#7 What can you do with kids in Salzburg?

Salzburg has two absolutely wonderful museums for kids — and adults too, honestly.

First, the House of Nature, and then the Toy Museum.

The House of Nature has a huge variety of exhibits: from dinosaurs to a Science Center — there’s really something for every age.

The Toy Museum is all about toys, as the name suggests, with the spirit of “Play, Experience, and Wonder” running through everything.

#8 When you feel the urge to get out of the city, where do you go?

When I need a break, I usually head to Fuschlsee. It’s about a 20-minute drive from the city, and once you’re there you can enjoy a scoop of ice cream while watching the ducks on the lake.

#9 Where do you recommend going to unwind and just let your mind wander?

The best way to truly unwind is a long stroll through the historic district, with good friends and good conversation.

#10 Where is the most beautiful viewpoint in Salzburg?

There are actually two great answers to that.

Salzburg has two hills you can easily reach from the city center in just a few minutes. There’s the Mönchsberg — which also has a restaurant, but more on that later — and the Kapuzinerberg. The panoramas from both are absolutely incredible.

#11 A hobby photographer asks you about cool spots to photograph in your city that they'd never find in a travel guide. Where do you send them?

It really depends on what you want to shoot — since I mostly specialize in architecture and cool backdrops for fashion photos, here are the spots I’d highly recommend:

Unipark Nonntal: The outside of the university is covered in blue glass panels, which looks absolutely stunning in the sunshine thanks to the reflections they create.

Salzburg’s alleyways: It might not sound spectacular at first, but Salzburg is full of alleyways — and they’re literally everywhere in the city center.

Panzerhalle: A little outside the center, in the Maxglan neighborhood, you’ll find the Panzerhalle, with its really cool interior architecture.

Museum der Moderne: As I mentioned, the Mönchsberg isn’t just home to an incredible vista and a restaurant — there’s also a museum of modern art. The exhibitions make for a great backdrop or interesting subjects in their own right.

#12 What's the craziest activity you can do in your city?

A little outside the city center, in the Gneis neighborhood, there’s an artificially created surf wave on the Almkanal — Salzburg’s local creek.

This project, initiated by the city itself, has become a summer destination not just for surf enthusiasts but also for plenty of spectators. Anyone who dares can give it a try.

#13 What's the best event of the year? What's worth coming to Salzburg for?

Every year in July, the three-day Electric Love Festival takes place in Salzburg. Around 180,000 electronic music fans from all over the world come each year. The opening ceremony alone is absolutely mind-blowing. If you’re curious, search YouTube for the “ELF” channel, where you can find all the opening ceremonies from recent years.

#14 Is there a museum in Salzburg that you absolutely can't miss?

The word “museum” might not quite fit, but the Fotohof Salzburg is a gallery that has a lot to offer. You can also take photography courses there.

#15 Which neighborhood do you love strolling through most, and why?

I love spending time in the city center most. Even when I go out to take photos, I always find the perfect neutral backdrops there.

Food and Drink in Salzburg

#16 What culinary specialty do you absolutely have to try in Salzburg?

You have to eat a Bosna at the Balkan Grill on Getreidegasse. Similar to a hot dog, a Bosna is two grilled sausages in a white bread roll with mustard, curry powder, and onions. At lunchtime the line is seriously long — but the wait is absolutely worth it.

If you’d prefer something sweet, head to Café Fürst and pick up an original Mozartkugel. It’s a small chocolate ball filled with marzipan, nougat, and pistachio cream — honestly delicious.

#17 What are your three favorite restaurants and what should you definitely try there?

La Cantinetta: Located a little outside the center in the Herrnau district, but very easy to get to. La Cantinetta is an Italian restaurant serving what Julia considers the best pizzas in Salzburg, plus other Italian specialties.

Highly recommended: the antipasti misti, the cozze al vino bianco, and definitely the Pizza Ischia.

Pur:isst: Just a few hundred meters from La Cantinetta, Pur:isst serves creative, healthy dishes from around the world. Breakfast here is really worth it, as are the various burgers and the yellow Thai curry.

Pur:isst has plenty of vegan options and makes a point of supporting local Salzburg businesses.

Indigo: A small chain with four locations in Salzburg. From sushi to curry to noodles — it covers a lot of ground. The sushi and the chicken curry are the standouts.

#18 Where can you find the best burger in the city?

Hands down at Bioburgermeister on Linzer Gasse. They serve the absolute best cheeseburger and sweet potato fries, with vegan options too.

Really good burgers and fries are also available at Daimler’s Food Truck — though it only appears at certain locations at certain times, which makes it tricky for visitors to track down.

#19 Where can you find the best ice cream in the city?

The best frozen treat is at Fabi’s Frozen Bio Yoghurt. You choose from three sizes of frozen yogurt and then load up on toppings — everything from peanut butter and pistachio paste to fresh fruit and chocolate.

If you can’t decide, just order one of the house creations. The owner Fabi and the staff are super friendly too.

#20 Where is the best place to have breakfast?

As mentioned earlier, there’s a restaurant on the Mönchsberg — the M32. You can enjoy a wonderful, lovingly prepared breakfast paired with a stunning view over the city. And there’s a Mönchsberg elevator that whisks you up to the hill and the restaurant in just seconds.

#21 Where is the best place to go out in the evening?

For great drinks with a fantastic view, head to the Hotel Stein. From there you get roughly the same panorama as from the Kapuzinerberg — seriously impressive.

Staying Overnight in Salzburg

#22 Which hotel do you recommend for visitors to Salzburg?

Hands down the Imlauer Hotel Pitter. It’s very centrally located and offers a stunning view of the fortress from its rooftop Skybar. The food and drinks are seriously impressive — especially the breakfast — and the rooms are beautiful.