There are many European cities that look like a “postcard” and Salzburg in Austria could top the list, without a doubt. The little streets of Mozart’s hometown, Salzburg, have changed little since the artist walked there, seeking the preservation of the most important buildings and achieving this more than picturesque postcard made up of palaces, flower-filled gardens, churches, pedestrian streets and hills in the background that culminate in photographic perfection.
Austria is a country with much to visit and for those who have a few days of itinerary, in this post we will present 10 places to see in Salzburg in 24 hours, which, although we know that it is a A somewhat complicated task, the variety means that each traveler can choose which ones they prefer to do in one day and, if any modification is possible, take at least half a day more to continue photographing this charming city.
Where is Salzburg?
Salzburg is a city in Austria on the border with Germany, overlooking the eastern Alps. The city is divided by the river Salzach and is located about 72 km from Hallstatt, the famous town located on the west coast of Lake Hallstatt, in the mountainous region of Salzkammergut.
20 years ago Salzburg was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, making it one of the most visited tourist destinations in Europe. Much of its splendor and beauty is due to the unique artistic and architectural legacy of the Prince-Archbishops. We could also say that its location close to the main destinations in Germany (it is only 145 km from Munich) make it an unmissable place to visit in a short time and continue taking advantage of the stay in the region.
What to do in Salzburg in 24 hours?
10 places to see in Salzburg to get to know the essence of the city
As we told you at the beginning, the city is charming, super instagrammable and photogenic, so the best advice is to spend more than one day visiting it but, Without discouraging travelers who already have an organized trip, we also want to encourage them, even if they have 24 hours in Salzburg, to visit the most important attractions.
For organized travelers: to better locate yourself in the city, it is important to know that in addition to everything picturesque that makes this city postcard, Salzburg is crossed by the river (the makes it even more photographic? Absolutely) and on one side is the “old city” and on the other the more modern part.
Did you know that Salzburg bears his name because across the river they transported salt (salz in German means salt) ?
- First of all, traveling recommendation: for those who stay in the city for 24 hours, a good option is to buy the Salzburg Card for 24 hours which, in addition to including a discount on most of city attractions, includes the Salzburg panoramic bus ticket so you don’t have to worry about public transport.
1. Hohensalzburg Fortress, one of the must see in Salzburg in one day
To begin the tour of Salzburg, one of the best options is to visit the Hohensalzburg Fortress, ideal for lovers of palaces and castles but, especially, distinguished for being the best preserved fortress in all of Europe. & nbsp;
The Hohensalzburg Fortress was built in 1077, with some renovations in 1500, but keeping the facade and its interior almost intact until today. A visit to the Salzburg fortress not only allows you to “travel back in time” but, being on a high hill, delights travelers with views of the entire city, a great plan to enjoy when they start 24 hours in Salzburg.
The entrance to the Hohensalzburg Fortress is priced at € 12.90, which also includes the ascent and descent by funicular (although there are also other options for those who prefer to walk up and down by funicular).
2. Salzburg Cathedral
Already moving towards the center of the “old city”, the Cathedral of Salzburg forms the heart of the World Heritage Site, the old town of Salzburg, more than recognizable with its visible sky blue domes from almost anywhere in the city.
In addition to located above the main square of the city, & nbsp; Residenzplatz, the Salzburg Cathedral is surrounded by 10 interconnected buildings, called the DomQuartier. This arrangement is due to the fact that these are the places that the prince-archbishops of Salzburg used to exercise their power, such as the St. Peter’s Monastery, the Cathedral Museum and the terrace with panoramic views.
Did you know that Mozart played the organ in the Salzburg Cathedral for several years?
Entrance to the Cathedral is free but, if you want to visit the adjacent buildings, you can buy a ticket to include them all in the visit. Of course, it takes a considerable time so you should take it into account if your stay in the city is limited.
3. Take a walk around the Residenzplatz square
As we told you before, the main and largest square in Salzburg is Residenzplatz, located in the center of the old town and surrounded by the most important buildings. Everything happens in the square and, as always We say, sitting somewhere in the main square of the city and seeing how “life moves in Salzburg” is highly recommended.
Also, if you visit Salzburg at Christmas, a Christmas market is held in the square which should be within best christmas-markets in the world .
At Residenzplatz there is a giant chess board, a large golden sphere, integrated into the list of modern art works distributed throughout the city, and, a few meters away, the famous Stiftsbackerei bakery, with more than 700 years in operation.
Travel advice: For those looking to make a purchase, visit the shops or photograph medieval houses, a few meters from the square is Getreidegasse street, the most touristy street in the city. city, another of the must see things in Salzburg.
4. Visit Mozart’s Birthplace, an unmissable tour to do in Salzburg
This is, without a doubt, an unmissable stop. Salzburg was the place where saw the birth of one of the most recognized and important classical artists of all time: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. In the Austrian city, it is possible to know the place where he was born and raised, in the bosom of a family of artists and seeking the perfection that led him to success, both in Salzburg and elsewhere European cities to visit to follow in Mozart’s footsteps .
In the Museum you can admire documents, objects and instruments that belonged to the artist, allowing to know his history and works, being one of the most visited house-museums in the world .
Entering the Mozart’s Birthplace costs € 12 and is open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with one-hour guided tours.
Travel fact: such were the footprints left by the musician in Salzburg that in concert halls and even on the streets, there is almost always someone performing some of his works.
5. San Pedro Cemetery
A few streets from the main square of Salzburg is a more than curious site, with an important historical degree. Although it may seem strange to appreciate, the St. Peter’s Cemetery is one of the unmissable things to do in Salzburg in 24 hours . This is one of the oldest cemeteries in the world, being able to “check” the data with a tombstone dating from the year 1288.
The cemetery is more like a flower garden, so a fleeting visit is highly recommended, not because it is a cemetery, but because of the history, the arrangement of the tombstones, the catacombs excavated in the mountain and the decoration of the garden.
Travel fact: one of the most visited tombstones is that of Nannerlm, Mozart’s sister.
Admission is free.
Did you know that the catacombs excavated in the mountain were the setting for filming the movie La Novicia Rebelde (O The Sound of Music, in English)?
6. Cycling along the Salzach River
In cities like Salzburg, renting a bicycle to visit its attractions is not only part of one of the best ways to visit the city, but especially ideal for those who are traveling it for 24 hours . As we told you at the beginning, the Salzach River is the river that crosses the city and on its banks there are paths where you can ride a bicycle, mentally photographing or making stops to admire the views of the city.
In addition, since you are walking along the banks of the river, a good recommendation is to go down the bridges of Salzburg which also have incredible views at each of their points.
- Travel fact: of the 13 bridges that make up the city, the best known and most visited is Makartsteg, photographed by the amount of love locks, similar to what it happens in Rome or Paris.
7. Visit Hellbrunn Palace
Hellbrunn Palace is located 7 kilometers from the city center, but (and this is where we put together a perfect itinerary through Salzburg for 24 hours ) On the banks of the Salzach River there is a path that takes you directly through these 7 kilometers to the palace, ideal to enjoy if it is a second visit to the city, if there is enough time in the day or if the Travelers have fallen so much in love with the city (which is more than likely to happen) that they can dedicate a few more hours to it.
The palace was completed in 1615 as a summer residence for the prince-archbishop Markus Sittikus. Today it is a great place to visit not only for its interesting interior, but for its gardens and water sources.
The entrance price to the Hellbrunn Palace is € 13.50 and the hours depend on the time of year, generally they receive visitors between 9 and 10 in the morning until 5.30 in the afternoon. For greater precision, you can check all the information by click here.
8. Mirabell Palace and Gardens, one of the sites to see in Salzburg in 24 hours
Travelers who prefer to stay in the center of Salzburg also have the opportunity to admire the gardens and palaces of the city. Mirabell Palace is another of the World Heritage Sites that make up the city and, like the fortress, a visit takes travelers to travel back in time to the seventeenth century, the time of its detailed construction. To take into account: your gardens, they attract all eyes.
Did you know that this palace was also the filming location of The Rebel Novice ?
9. Take a tour of Salzburg’s movie scenes
Surely there is more than one fan of The Rebel Novice (also translated as ‘ Smiles and Tears ‘ in some parts of the world) and that is Salzburg is a gigantic film set for the film, since most of the sites used in the film exist in real life and are part of the physiognomy of the city.
Such is the importance of The Sound of Music in Salzburg that, in addition to the places we have mentioned, there are tours to the different locations of the film which, despite being of long duration for For those who stay 24 hours in Salzburg, is a great option for those who have already seen the most essential things to do in the city.
10. A sunset at the Mönchsberg Viewpoint, ideal to finish visiting Salzburg in 24 hours
Located 485 meters high, the Mönchsberg viewpoint is a great place, like the fortress, to contemplate the city. You can ascend it via one of the many trails in Salzburg or with the Mönchsberg-Aufzug lift for € 3.80 per person. The best option is to arrive a few minutes before the city lights start to turn on to see everything . Really a great recommendation to do in Salzburg.
Visiting Salzburg in 24 hours can be a somewhat fleeting journey although, as we told you at the beginning, it is not our intention to discourage those who are going to spend at least a day walking through its streets, since they are truly worth it. A most picturesque city, a postcard, a wallpaper: Salzburg is one of the most beautiful cities in Austria in particular and in Europe in general. Do not miss it!
