How to Spend 3 Days In Salzburg

A city steeped in history and music, Salzburg stole my heart immediately upon arrival. From the charming Old Town, to the fortress towering over the city, to the music around every corner, Salzburg has it all. Located in northeast Austria close to the German border, it’s is an easy addition to your European travels and is definitely worth the visit. In this post I will give details about how we spent 3 days in Salzburg while backpacking Europe in 2018.

Day 1

Walk the streets of the Altstadt

One of the things I loved most about Salzburg was how walkable it is. There are 2 main sections, the Altstadt (Old City) and Neustadt (New City) separated by the Salzach River. The Altstadt is so spectacular and full of art and culture that it became a UNESCO World Heritage sight in 1997. Plazas, quaint shops, bustling alleyways, historic architecture and stunning fountains are sprinkled throughout this part of the city, bringing something intriguing around every corner. You will most likely encounter plenty of live music around the streets as you walk (my favorite part).

Part of the charm of Altstadt are the squares found throughout the area where many artisans sell souvenirs. There was a man I bought a painting from who painted it on the spot and then drew a picture of my eye too (not sure if that’s creepy or not). My point is, there’s wonders around every corner.

Also found in the Altstadt is the birthplace of Mozart, which is now a museum. Admission is 12 Euros, more info can be found here.

Shop along Getreidegasse

The street at the heart of Old Town is filled with shops and cafes that you could spend hours exploring. The charm of these shops will draw you in and the music will make you stay.

Visit Hohensalzburg Fortress

Towering over the city is Hohensalzburg Fortress, a wonderfully preserved castle that gives you unparalleled views of the city and surrounding East Alps. Seeing this fortress up close is an absolute must!

You can either walk on a lovely path all the way up to the fortress entrance, or you can take a tram. Taking the tram costs an extra 3 Euros. We didn’t know the tram was an option, so we walked. It really is a nice walk but took us awhile. If you have a time crunch I think taking the tram is worth the extra 3 Euros. Admission to the fortress is 10.30 Euros. Ticket information can be found here.

There are restaurants located in the fortress that offer a beautiful view while you eat! (If you walked up to the fortress, I’m sure you’ll need the carbs).

Pro Tip: Try to be up at the fortress around 6pm. This is when all the church bells in the city ring and listening to it from the fortress is one of the best memories I have from my time in Salzburg!

Watch the sunset from the Salzach River

Watching the light slowly fade from the crisp buildings is a sight you won’t forget.

Day 2

Explore the Neustadt

From the Neustadt, you get a great view of the Altstadt. One of the bridges connecting the two parts of the city is full of locks. There are lots of cute shops and more museums in this area.

Mirabell Palace and Gardens

Originally built by a prince for his lovely lady, Mirabell Palace and Gardens still stand wonderfully preserved and exquisite. This spot is also well known for being featured in The Sounds of Music – the famed Do-Re-Mi steps, where you get a beautiful view of the gardens with Hohensalzburg Fortress visible in the distance.

The gardens are free to walk around. You can also go inside the palace to see the Marble room where they host concerts and events. More info can be found here.

Walk through old churches and cathedrals

There is so much history in this city and a lot of that revolves around religion. Some of the most beautiful buildings we saw were churches. Please be respectful when inside.

Hunt to find the cutest doors in the city

The architecture in this city is so intricate and intriguing. It seems like every building has it’s own charm and that can start with just the door.

Here are my finds!

Day 3

**Go on The Sound of Music Tour**

One of the reasons I wanted to see Salzburg was because I grew up admiring it while watching The Sound of Music. Much of the shooting took place throughout Salzburg which means you can actually visit the iconic Do-Re-Mi steps, the lover’s gazebo, and the trellis covered walkway they biked down! I had dreamed of seeing these places with my own eyes for a long time and honestly, it was even better in person! The bus tour will take you to the shooting locations that are outside of the city center, like the Von Trapp Family house, gazebo, and the cathedral where they were married. While on the bus they play the movie and there’s typically a sing-along to get you hyped for what you’ll be seeing next.

I will say that unless you’re a die-hard fan of the movie, taking the bus tour to all these locations probably isn’t worth the money. BUT, although cheesy, it was a fun experience if you love the movie like I do!

This is the tour we went with. It was $50ish per person and lasted about 4 hours.

Read more about our experience on The Sound of Music tour here!

Visit one of the many museums Salzburg offers

We didn’t do this when we were there, but if you have some extra time to fill, here are some museums in the area:

Where to Stay

We stayed at Yoho International Youth Hostel Salzburg and we loved it there! It’s very close to the train station and it’s not far from the city center so it’s super easy to walk wherever you want to go. It was very clean and the staff was super friendly. They even play The Sound of Music I think every night for anyone who wants to watch it, which we definitely took advantage of.

I hope this helps you plan your own trip to the wonderful city of Salzburg! It’s truly a must see.

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