Top 10 Things to Do in Salzburg

Looming over the city from its rocky perch 120 meters above the Salzach, Hohensalzburg is one of the largest and best-preserved medieval castles in Europe, continuously occupied since its construction in 1077. The views of the city, the Alps, and the surrounding lakes from its ramparts are extraordinary.

Laid out in 1690 for Archbishop Wolf Dietrich's mistress, the formal Mirabell Gardens are an exuberant Baroque composition of geometric parterres, fountains, marble statues, and the famous staircase where the Von Trapp children sang "Do-Re-Mi" in The Sound of Music. In summer they bloom with extraordinary color.

Whether a devotee or a skeptic, the guided tour connecting filming locations across Salzburg and its surrounding Salzkammergut lakes is a genuinely wonderful way to see the city and its alpine environs. The real Von Trapp family villa and the Nonnberg Abbey are highlights that stand on their own considerable merits.

Salzburg's most famous shopping street is a narrow medieval lane of painted wrought-iron guild signs, elegant boutiques, and hidden courtyards leading to the old city's baroque churches. McDonald's here is famously forced to display only a modest wrought-iron sign like every other business.

The imposing Baroque cathedral in Domplatz was where Mozart was baptized and later served as organist, and its twin-towered white marble facade dominates the old town. The cathedral's interior is a lavish explosion of frescoes, marble altars, and the famous baptismal font that has stood here since the 14th century.

Founded in 1920, the Salzburg Festival is the world's most prestigious classical music and opera event, transforming the city every July and August into a magnet for the finest performers and audiences from across the globe. Even without tickets, the festival atmosphere permeates every café and square.

Built in 1615 as a summer residence for the Prince-Archbishop, Hellbrunn Palace is famous above all for its elaborate trick fountains — concealed jets designed to ambush unsuspecting guests that still work perfectly and still ambush unsuspecting visitors today. The Advent market here in December is among the most magical in Austria.

Founded in 714, Nonnberg is the oldest continuously operating convent in the German-speaking world, its Romanesque church perched dramatically on the cliff below Hohensalzburg. Maria von Trapp was a novice here before the events of The Sound of Music, though the real story was rather less musical than the film.

Salzburg's old town is dotted with historic coffeehouses maintaining the grand Central European café tradition — marble-topped tables, newspapers on bamboo poles, Einspänner coffee, and Mozartkugel chocolate. Café Tomaselli, founded in 1703, claims to be Austria's oldest café still in operation.

Looming over the city from its rocky perch 120 meters above the Salzach, Hohensalzburg is one of the largest and best-preserved medieval castles in Europe, continuously occupied since its construction in 1077. The views of the city, the Alps, and the surrounding lakes from its ramparts are extraordinary.

Laid out in 1690 for Archbishop Wolf Dietrich's mistress, the formal Mirabell Gardens are an exuberant Baroque composition of geometric parterres, fountains, marble statues, and the famous staircase where the Von Trapp children sang "Do-Re-Mi" in The Sound of Music. In summer they bloom with extraordinary color.

Whether a devotee or a skeptic, the guided tour connecting filming locations across Salzburg and its surrounding Salzkammergut lakes is a genuinely wonderful way to see the city and its alpine environs. The real Von Trapp family villa and the Nonnberg Abbey are highlights that stand on their own considerable merits.

Salzburg's most famous shopping street is a narrow medieval lane of painted wrought-iron guild signs, elegant boutiques, and hidden courtyards leading to the old city's baroque churches. McDonald's here is famously forced to display only a modest wrought-iron sign like every other business.

The imposing Baroque cathedral in Domplatz was where Mozart was baptized and later served as organist, and its twin-towered white marble facade dominates the old town. The cathedral's interior is a lavish explosion of frescoes, marble altars, and the famous baptismal font that has stood here since the 14th century.

Founded in 1920, the Salzburg Festival is the world's most prestigious classical music and opera event, transforming the city every July and August into a magnet for the finest performers and audiences from across the globe. Even without tickets, the festival atmosphere permeates every café and square.

Built in 1615 as a summer residence for the Prince-Archbishop, Hellbrunn Palace is famous above all for its elaborate trick fountains — concealed jets designed to ambush unsuspecting guests that still work perfectly and still ambush unsuspecting visitors today. The Advent market here in December is among the most magical in Austria.

Founded in 714, Nonnberg is the oldest continuously operating convent in the German-speaking world, its Romanesque church perched dramatically on the cliff below Hohensalzburg. Maria von Trapp was a novice here before the events of The Sound of Music, though the real story was rather less musical than the film.

Salzburg's old town is dotted with historic coffeehouses maintaining the grand Central European café tradition — marble-topped tables, newspapers on bamboo poles, Einspänner coffee, and Mozartkugel chocolate. Café Tomaselli, founded in 1703, claims to be Austria's oldest café still in operation.