How Many Days In Salzburg?

It’s compact, charming, walkable, and yet full of things to see, do and day‑trip from. (See: Austria Travel Guide for more tips).

We spent three incredible days in Salzburg, and honestly, it felt like stepping into a postcard at every turn.

The old town’s narrow lanes are lined with ornate buildings painted in cheerful pastels, the imposing fortress looms majestically over the city, and everywhere you turn there’s either a stunning church, a charming café, or a view that makes you stop in your tracks.

Whether you’re a classical music lover, a Sound of Music fan, a history buff, or simply someone who appreciates beautiful European cities, Salzburg delivers on all fronts.

Three days gives you enough time to explore the historic center, immerse yourself in the city’s musical heritage, and take a memorable day trip to nearby Alpine attractions, all without feeling rushed.

Let me walk you through how we’d spend three days together in Salzburg, getting there, getting around, where to stay, then a full itinerary including major sights, a day of film fun (yes, The Sound of Music era), a big day trip, and a bonus alternative.

I’ll also throw in some evening fun and final thoughts with practical Salzburg travel tips. Let’s go.

Getting to Salzburg is pretty easy.

Salzburg Airport (W.A. Mozart Airport) is just 4km from the city center, making it incredibly convenient. The airport connects to major European cities, though it’s smaller than nearby Munich.

• Bus Line 2: Runs every 10 minutes to the city center (€2.50, 20 minutes)
• Taxi: About €15-20 to city center
• Uber/Bolt: Usually slightly cheaper than taxis

Alternative: Munich Airport Many travelers fly into Munich (120km away) for better international connections. Regular buses and trains run between Munich Airport and Salzburg (2-2.5 hours, €20-30).

Salzburg’s Hauptbahnhof (main train station) connects beautifully with:

• Vienna: 2.5 hours
• Munich: 1.5 hours
• Innsbruck: 2 hours
• Prague: 5.5 hours

We always book our European trains through Omio – it compares all options and makes booking so simple.

If you’re road tripping through Austria, Salzburg is well connected by motorways. However, parking in the old town is limited and expensive, so we recommend staying outside the center if you’re driving.

When you’re ready to hire a car in Salzburg, it’s worth popping over to GetRentacar.com to compare prices from different rental companies. We’ve found it saves both time and money, and you can see all your options in one place.

One of the best things about Salzburg? The compact old town is completely walkable. We covered most major attractions on foot, which meant plenty of time to duck into charming shops and stumble upon hidden courtyards.

The Altstadt (Old Town) is pedestrian friendly with everything within 15-20 minutes’ walk. Comfortable shoes are essential, those cobblestones are beautiful but unforgiving.

This is honestly one of the best tourist cards we’ve used in Europe. The Salzburg Card includes:

• Free admission to all major attractions (fortress, Mozart museums, palaces)
• Free public transportation
• Discounts on tours and concerts

• 24 hours: €30
• 48 hours: €40
• 72 hours: €45

Our Salzburg Travel Tip: If you’re visiting 3-4 attractions, the card pays for itself quickly.

Salzburg’s bus system (Obus) is efficient and clean:

• Single ticket: €2.50
• 24-hour pass: €6.00
• Included free with Salzburg Card

Bikesbooking.com offer bike rentals (€15-20/day). The city has good cycle paths, and biking along the Salzach River is lovely.

We Love staying in the Old Town (Altstadt) of Salzburg. That way you’re close to the action, have cobbled streets, charming cafés, and you can walk everywhere.

Here’s what we look for when you choose accommodation. Pop on over to our post all about choose accommodation that’s right for you.

• Hotel Sacher Salzburg – Elegant, classy and delightful though expensive
• Townhouse Weisses Kreuz Boutiquehotel – The Townhouse is the most unique hotel we’ve stayed in – more like being hosted in a luxury apartment.

• Goldgasse Apartments de Luxe – Absolutely amazing building inside and out, so much history here. It was very close to everything
• Arte Vida Boutique Guesthouse – family-run arte vida boutique guesthouse offers a garden with a seating area

• YOHO Salzburg – Fun hostel with private rooms available
• Appartements Kaserbacher – Great location; Close to Train and very clean.

We love kicking off the day, especially in a new city, by finding a cozy little café with outdoor seating. It’s the perfect spot to sip coffee, people watch, and get a feel for the place.

Now you’ve had your caffeine fix it’s time to start your Salzburg adventure at the stunning Mirabell Palace and Gardens and yes, this is where the “Do-Re-Mi” scene from The Sound of Music was filmed.

Even if you’re not a movie fan, these baroque gardens are absolutely gorgeous.

We arrived right when it opened at 9 AM and had the gardens almost to ourselves for that perfect golden morning light.

The Pegasus Fountain, the rose garden, and those perfectly manicured hedges are Instagram gold.

Don’t miss the Marble Hall inside the palace (if it’s open), it’s where Mozart himself performed.

Entry: Gardens are free; Marble Hall €4 (free with Salzburg Card)

Salzburg Travel Tip: The gardens can get crowded by 10 AM, especially in summer, so early morning is best.

Cross the Salzach River and dive into Salzburg’s most famous street,  Getreidegasse. This narrow lane is lined with tall townhouses, ornate wrought iron signs hanging from every shop, and enough charm to make you forget about time.

Pop into traditional shops, admire the architecture, and work up an appetite for lunch. This is also where you’ll find Mozart’s Birthplace (more on that later).

• Our Pick: Stiftskeller St. Peter – Austria’s oldest restaurant (founded 803 AD!) serving traditional schnitzel in a historic setting.
• Budget Alternative: Fischkrieg – Excellent fish sandwiches from a tiny stand near the river

This is THE must see attraction in Salzburg.  The massive fortress sits 120 meters above the city and offers jaw dropping panoramic views across Salzburg and the Alps beyond.

We took the funicular up (included with Salzburg Card, otherwise €18.00 return) , the steep walk is possible but save your energy for exploring the fortress itself.

Inside, you’ll spend hours wandering around the museums. Exploring the medieval life, weapons collections, the Golden Room, and the fortress chambers.

The views alone are worth the visit. We spent a good hour just sitting on the fortress walls, soaking in the scenery and watching the city below. On clear days, you can see for miles across the Austrian countryside.

Entry: Fortress + Funicular: €18.00 (free with Salzburg Card) Hours: 9 AM – 7 PM (summer); 9:30 AM – 5 PM (winter)

Before everything closes, visit Mozart’s Birthplace (Mozarts Geburtshaus) on Getreidegasse. This is the actual apartment where Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in 1756 and lived until he was 17.

The museum displays his childhood violin, original letters, portraits, and recreated rooms from the 18th century. Even if you’re not a huge classical music fan, it’s fascinating to see where one of history’s greatest composers grew up.

Entry: €12 (free with Salzburg Card) Hours: 9 AM – 5:30 PM

Wander the atmospheric streets as they light up for the evening and choose from dozens of cozy restaurants. We loved the vibe of the squares around the cathedral as the sun set.

When we last visited Salzburg, it was just days before Christmas, and the whole city felt like a festive fairytale.

We spent hours wandering through the twinkling Christmas markets, indulging in one too many Käsekrainers, and warming up with mugs of mulled wine.

. In the main square, we watched as kids, both young and young at heart, glided across the ice rink, laughter echoing through the crisp winter air.

Salzburg Travel Tip: Make dinner reservations if visiting in peak season (June-September)

If you’re even remotely a fan of The Sound of Music, this day is pure magic. Even if you’ve never seen the movie, the tour takes you to some of Salzburg’s most beautiful locations. We ran through the hills (among the cows with bells on), sing “how do you solve a problem like Maria? “

We booked the original Sound of Music Tour and absolutely loved it. The 4 hour tour takes you around Salzburg and into the gorgeous Lake District, visiting actual filming locations.

• Mirabell Gardens (you saw it yesterday, but they’ll explain the movie scenes)
• Leopoldskron Palace (the von Trapp family house exterior, the lake view is stunning)
• Nonnberg Abbey (where Maria was a nun)
• St. Gilgen and Lake Wolfgang (breathtaking Alpine scenery)
• Mondsee Church (where Maria and the Captain got married)

Our guide played songs from the movie soundtrack as we drove through the countryside, and yes, we absolutely sang along.

The Alpine scenery around the lakes is spectacular, even if you don’t care about the movie, the landscapes alone are worth the trip

Cost: Around €55 per person

Important Salzburg Travel Tip: Book this tour before you leave home, you don’t want to miss out, especially in summer. They sell out quickly.

Lunch by the river or in Getreidegasse (the pretty shopping street).

Afternoon: maybe take a boat ride or short drive to a lakeside spot used in the film (if time allows).

The city is so pretty, it’s easy just to get lost in the back street and find the local Eisdiele (gelato shop), some of their gelato is to die for (even in winter).

We mapped out what turned out to be the most scenic day trip from Salzburg imaginable. Starting early, we caught the 150 bus from just outside the Hofwirt hotel. It took just under an hour to St. Gilgen, a charming lakeside town on the Wolfgangsee.

From there, we hopped aboard the ferry for a stunning 35-minute cruise to St. Wolfgang. The boat ride itself felt like a highlight, gliding across crystal clear waters with mountain reflections shimmering below.

Arriving in St. Wolfgang by water made the perfect introduction to this storybook village. Moreover, the ferry dock sits conveniently close to the Schafbergbahn station, making the connection seamless.

After our incredible cog railway adventure up the mountain, we reversed the journey back. However, this time we lingered in St. Wolfgang for lunch, savoring traditional Austrian dishes by the lakeside.

The entire loop from Salzburg takes about 8-10 hours, depending on your pace. Consequently, we recommend starting early to maximize your time exploring both the railway and villages.

This route combines three amazing experiences: historic railways, alpine scenery, and picturesque lake towns. Indeed, it’s become one of our absolute favorite things to do in Salzburg Austria.

Whenever we travel, we love to do something that feels quintessentially local. In Austria, that can only mean one thing, music.

There’s nothing quite like an evening at the opera or soaking up the magic of a live classical concert. One of our favourites is the Mozart concert at the elegant Mirabell Palace, it’s pure Salzburg charm.

Or, if you’d prefer something a little more relaxed, the Mozart dinner concert up at the Fortress is a wonderful way to enjoy great food, breathtaking views, and beautiful music all in one night.

Important Salzburg Travel Tip: Book these concert before you leave home, you don’t want to miss out, especially in summer. They sell out quickly.

Today, we venture across the border into Germany for a fascinating and fun experience,

The Berchtesgaden Salt Mines are about 30km from Salzburg, nestled in the Bavarian Alps.

• Bus 840: Departs from Salzburg Hauptbahnhof, 45 minutes to Berchtesgaden (€4-10)
• Organized tour: Super easy tour to Bavarian Salt Mine Tour and Berchtesgaden
• Car rental: Easy drive if you have a vehicle

Salzburg Travel Tip: Check the bus schedule in advance, they don’t run super frequently.

This has to be one of the coolest tours we’ve done in Europe,  hands down. The Berchtesgaden Salt Mines have been in operation for over 500 years, and the guided tour somehow manages to be both fascinating and ridiculously fun.

You don’t just learn about salt mining,  you slide into history (literally). I even have a hilarious photo of myself mid-slide, pulling a face that perfectly says, “I wasn’t ready for this!”

• You’ll wear traditional miner outfits, are part of the fun
• Ride a mining train deep into the mountain
• Slide down wooden miners’ slides (this is the highlight, so fun)
• Take a boat ride across an underground salt lake with dramatic lighting
• Learn about salt mining history and geology

The whole experience takes about 1.5 hours, and the temperature underground stays around 12°C (54°F) year-round, so bring a light jacket.

Option 1: Berchtesgaden Town This charming Bavarian town is worth a wander. Grab lunch at a traditional restaurant, explore the pretty town square, and browse local shops. The mountain scenery surrounding the town is absolutely stunning.

If you’ve got the time, energy, and the season on your side (it’s usually open May to October), the Eagle’s Nest is well worth the climb or rather, the bus ride.

Once Hitler’s mountain retreat, it’s now a restaurant with jaw dropping alpine views and a side of heavy history. Even the drive up the mountain feels like an adventure.

Sadly, we missed out , we were there in December, and the whole place was buried under a thick blanket of snow. Next time, though, we’re not letting it slip away.

Cost: About €30 for bus + entry Note: This adds 3-4 hours to your day

Time to relax after a big day. You can go past a good beer garden. I would recommend StieglKeller, nestled in the old town, which offers wonderful views and good hearty food. And of course followed by Gelato and a nighttime stroll.

If salt mines aren’t your thing (or you’ve been before), consider visiting Hallstatt , Austria’s most photographed village and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Coming from Salzburg is quite straight forward:

• CliTake bus Line 150 from Salzburg’s main station (Südtirolerplatz) heading toward Bad Ischl
• At Bad Ischl, change to bus 541 toward Hallstatt/Gosaumühle (about 45 min) then hop onto bus 543 which brings you to the “Hallstatt Lahn” stop.
• The train option also exists, but because the station for Hallstatt is across the lake (you’ll still need a ferry), the bus route is often simpler for a day trip.
• Just remember the buses back to Salzburg are limited after dark.  So double check the timetable or leave earlier. 
• The easier way to visit Hallstatt is via a tour. Discover Hallstatt on this day trip from Salzburg. Take a lakeside walk, enjoy scenic views of the region including the Mullbach Waterfall, visit the Bone House, and do the skywalk if you wish.

From Salzburg, you’ve got two lovely ways to reach Hallstatt, and honestly, both have their perks.

• The Quick Route – Hop on the A10 Tauern Autobahn, then switch to the B162/B166, and you’ll be there in about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Perfect if you’re eager to dive straight into exploring this fairytale village.
• The Scenic Route – Now, if you’ve got an extra 15 minutes to spare (and trust me, it’s worth it), take the B150/B158 lakeside road instead. You’ll wind along gorgeous alpine lakes with mountain views that’ll have you pulling over for photos every few minutes. This route takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes, but the views are absolutely stunning, it’s less of a drive and more of an experience. with unbeatable bay views.

My advice? If it’s your first time and the weather’s nice, go scenic. You’re already heading to one of Austria’s most beautiful spots, so why not make the journey part of the adventure?

Important parking note: Hallstatt’s main village is quite compact with limited parking. You might have to park in a lot outside the main centre and walk in. Some travellers suggest that arriving early helps.

Once you arrive in this storybook village, start with a leisurely stroll along the Lake Hallstatt promenade, that first glimpse of calm water, charming boathouses, and dramatic mountains is pure magic.

Make your way to the Market Square at the heart of the village and grab a coffee while you soak it all in.

From here, walk just north to capture that famous postcard view: the tall steeple of the Evangelical Church, dreamy pastel lakeside houses, and mountains towering behind. Go early morning or later afternoon when the crowds thin out and the light is gorgeous.

Take the funicular up to the World Heritage Skywalk, hovering 360 meters above the village, the panoramic views are absolutely breathtaking.

For something more unusual, visit St. Michael’s Chapel and its Bone House, an ossuary filled with hundreds of intricately painted skulls from centuries past. It sounds macabre, but it’s actually a fascinating glimpse into local history.

As your day ends, head back to the water for a peaceful boat ride or short ferry trip, the village reflections are simply serene. Or just plop down on a lakeside bench and do nothing for ten minutes. Sometimes the best travel moments are the quiet ones.

Before you leave, treat yourself to local food, try traditional schnitzel or fresh fish from the lake. And don’t skip dessert. The local bakeries serve incredible cakes and cream filled “schaumrollen” that are absolutely divine.

Start early if you’re day tripping, you’ll want maximum daylight for viewpoints and photos. Wear comfortable shoes for steps and uneven paths, especially heading to the Skywalk or Bone House. Pack a light jacket since lake and mountain weather can surprise you.

If driving, budget extra time for parking and walking into town. Using public transport? Check return schedules so you’re not scrambling for the last bus.

Here’s an insider secret: linger into late afternoon when day trippers leave. That quiet, golden hour Hallstatt? Absolutely magical.

Bis bald!