How to see Salzburg in one day

The idea of Salzburg rakes up images of castles and cathedrals, with the Alps in the backdrop. What you probably don’t know (I didn’t!) is that Salzburg, indeed, is just that – a quaint heritage city straight out of a movie! It was the shoot location for the iconic movie “Sound of Music”.

I actually sat down and watched the entire movie before visiting Salzburg. The last time I saw it was as a kid. You should do that too! It’s like carrying little pieces of nostalgia so you can admire the gorgeousness of the city from a vantage point of sorts.

Another fun fact about Salzburg is that this was where Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born and brought up. No wonder the city is so musical!

Salzburg is a fairly compact city with 150,000 residents. The Salzach River runs through the city and divides it into the Old and the New. The city center is in the Old Town, which houses nearly all the charm and attractions for tourists. The New Town has the train station, a couple of sights and good accommodations.

Covering all the main spots in one day in Salzburg is easy and comfortable, as it is largely a walking city. Below is a rough itinerary outlining how to make the most of your day there!

Protip: If you are driving, it is advisable to park in the New Town. The Old Town area is largely pedestrianized, and you might have some trouble finding a spot for your vehicle.

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Salzburg in One Day: Itinerary

MORNING

Start your day by visiting Mozart’s Birthplace (Gebartshaus) which is a distinct yellow building in the heart of the Old Town. This was where Mozart was born, following which his family moved over to the other side of the river at what is now called Mozart’s Residence (Wohnhaus).

At the Gebartshaus there is a museum where you can find a piano and other exhibits of Mozart, and it’s interesting because it was in this cramped apartment that the music legend first starting playing and composing.

Next, head to the Hohensalzburg Castle. If you look up Salzburg on Google, chances are a lot of images of this gorgeous piece of architecture will pop up in your feed.

The Salzburg Castle is one of the prettiest fortresses in Europe, and was opened in 1077. To get there, you can take the funicular that will transport you up the hill in just a minute. From here, you can get a panoramic glimpse of the city, so be sure to click a lot of photos. You can take the stairs further up to see the Marionette Museum and the Castle Museum where an animated film takes you through the history of the fortress. The fee for entering the castle is 12.2 EUR and includes all museum visits and other activities inside.

After the castle, make your way down to the Dom zu Salzburg or the Salzburg Cathedral. This was where little Mozart was baptized in 1756. The cathedral came to be his home church for the next 35 years.

Built in ornate Roman architecture, the cathedral is as breathtakingly beautiful inside as it is on the outside. Bright, airy, unique décor – you can spend hours admiring the grandeur. The cathedral sure tops the list of places to visit in Salzburg.

Right outside the Salzburg Cathedral is one of the most famous squares in the Old Town, called Residenzplatz. It is hard to miss the Residenz Fountain right in the center which is gorgeous and elaborate in Baroque architecture, with its characteristic four water-spouting horses.

The Residenzplatz is a popular venue for sports airings and live concerts. It also serves as a setting for St. Rupert’s Fair in September and Salzburg’s Christmas Market at the end of the year.

Fun fact:

In “The Sound Of Music” if you cut to the scene where Maria and the kids are singing and riding in their carriage through the city, you can spot the Residenz Fountain as they pass through it.

AFTERNOON

By this time you’ll probably be starving, so get lunch next.

BIG TIP: There are tons of street markets across the Old Town where you can get amazing food and at a third of the price. I’m a big advocate for local eats. You could also pick a restaurant serving Austrian cuisine and have a schnitzel or some spaetzle (for vegetarians). Oh, and cake. Definitely have cake.

As you wander around the Old Town, you’ll notice how Mozart is inextricably linked to everything in Salzburg. There are music instruments, souvenirs, even chocolates selling in his name. Most of the street performers can be seen playing his symphonies. If only Mozart knew how indispensable he was going to be to the city’s PR efforts!

After fuelling up, head to the Makartsteg a.k.a. Love Locks Bridge atop the Salzach River. This gorgeous footbridge has a sea of padlocks in myriad shapes and sizes and makes. I’m certain there are over a thousand. For real.

From a distance, the bridge looks like it’s been painted in a bunch of shiny, glitzy metallic colours. Love locks are huge in Europe, but Salzburg takes the fetish a notch further.

Just the little things that reinforce your faith in love, don’t they?

EVENING

The Makartsteg Bridge spans the Salzach River, so you can walk through to cross over to the newer part of town.

Very close to the river is Mozart’s Residence or Wohnhaus, which was where Mozart spent the most of his years growing up. There is a museum with displays and audio tours are available.

Personally, I felt that the Gebartshaus had a lot more to offer vis-à-vis Wohnhaus, in terms of historical and cultural relevance.

Next, stroll down to the Mirabell Palace and Gardens. Walking into this beautiful quarter feels like you’re walking into a postcard.

“Mirabell” is a woman’s name from Italy, and it is derived from the words Mirabile ( meaning admirable) and Bella (meaning beautiful). The palace was built in the 16^th century by Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich for his mistress, Salome Alt.

Mirabell Palace has a gorgeous marble hall, which is used for weddings and concerts today.

The Mirabell Gardens have a quintessential geometrical arrangement, and are dotted with fountains and flower beds. You’ll also realize that the sequence in “The Sound of Music”, where Maria and the children sing Do-Re-Mi while prancing around the fountains and using the steps as a musical scale, was shot at this very spot.

Cross back over the river and end your day with Austrian beer at the Müllner Bräu Beer Garden. formally called the Augustiner Bräustübland, the brewery is popular among tourists and locals alike. Oh, and make sure ‘The Magic Flute’ by Mozart is cued in the background!