Excursion destinations & Culture in Salzburg

Salzburg's most famous landmark is located on the Festungsberg hill above the city. The Hohen Salzburg Fortress is one of the largest surviving castle complexes in Europe from the 11th century. It is a must-see for every visitor to Salzburg and one of the most popular destinations for excursions. Enjoy a fantastic view of the city and explore the castle complex. Don't miss the magnificent Prince's Room, the torture chamber and the fortress museum.

Below the Hohensalzburg Fortress on the left bank of the Old Town is the cathedral, the Roman Catholic cathedral and centre of Salzburg's Old Town. With its bright, two-towered façade made of white-pink Untersberg marble, it is one of Salzburg's most important Baroque buildings. The 71-metre-high dome of the UNESCO World Heritage Site is also particularly worth seeing, with a total of 16 frescoes depicting scenes from the Old Testament. The cathedral bell is also worth mentioning. It consists of seven bells, two of which are only rung on high feast days, when the archbishop enters the cathedral, and on Sundays and public holidays. You should also be sure to visit the cathedral crypt, the burial place of the deceased (prince) archbishops of Salzburg.

Also known as the ‘pleasure palace of Salzburg’. Pleasure palaces were once places for entertainment, celebrations and relaxation. Hellbrunn was a prestigious holiday residence with beautiful grounds and water features, built for Prince Archbishop Markus Sittikus, among others. Today, Hellbrunn is open to the public. Experience the water features, take time to relax and stroll through the palace gardens.

Mirabell Palace, with its beautiful gardens, is one of the most famous tourist attractions in the city of Salzburg. Don't miss a visit to the world-famous Marble Hall with its ornate marble imitations and gilded stucco. It is not without reason that it is considered one of the ‘most beautiful wedding halls in the world’. From the Mirabell Gardens, you have a wonderful view of Salzburg Cathedral and the fortress. Take time for a stroll through the palace gardens, which also feature the ‘Hedge Theatre’, where performances are held during the festival season. A small staircase leads from the Mirabell Gardens to the Dwarf Garden, where you can still admire 16 of the original 28 figures.

One of Salzburg's most famous museums, consisting of two different buildings in two very interesting locations. The Museum der Moderne Rupertinum is a Baroque building in the middle of the old town between the Franciscan Church and the Collegiate Church, focusing on new artistic concepts. The Museum der Moderne Mönchsberg is located on the Mönchsberg above the old town. It is an architecturally modern building with exhibition rooms on four levels. Both the museum's own collection and international contemporary art are presented in temporary exhibitions. Both buildings of the Museum der Moderne Salzburg have around 3,000 m2 of exhibition space for thematic and monographic exhibitions of 20th and 21st century art, which are also available for presentations of graphic art and photography. The museum also offers special highlights for young visitors under the theme ‘Young Museum’, from mini studios to a museum for teens, there is plenty to experience.

The historic Getreidegasse is the centrepiece of Salzburg's old town and one of the most famous shopping streets in Europe. Narrow passageways, ornate guild signs and traditional shops characterise the picture. Mozart's birthplace is also located here, one of the most visited museums in Austria - a must-see for culture and music lovers.

Of course, Salzburg has much more to offer: from the famous Salzburg Festival / Festival Halls to the architecturally unique Hangar-7, to the family-friendly Haus der Natur or the Untersberg cable car with its spectacular views. Numerous museums, historic squares and charming corners of the old town are waiting to be discovered by you.

Beer lovers should definitely visit the traditional Augustiner Bräu or the historic Stiegl cellar.

Gmunden, home to the famous Gmunden ceramics, is picturesquely situated on the northern shore of Lake Traunsee and offers a wonderful blend of culture, history and lakeside idyll. On a stroll through the town, you will discover highlights such as the Millennium Trail, which tells the geological and cultural history of Gmunden on 14 display boards and can be easily completed in around 90 minutes.

The Doll and Toy Museum is a charming experience for children and adults alike – a little journey through time to the toys of past decades. And, of course, a visit to Ort Castle, one of the most famous photo motifs in the Salzkammergut, is a must. Gmunden is a destination that can be enjoyed in a relaxed and curious manner – artistic, historical and nestled in a wonderful lake and mountain landscape.

Bad Ischl was the summer residence of Emperor Franz Joseph I and Empress Elisabeth, making it the social centre of the monarchy. The imperial villa, the imperial park and elegant town houses still characterise the townscape today. A stroll through the old town centre shows impressively why Bad Ischl is considered the "heart of the Salzkammergut".

The traditional confectionery Zauner is known far beyond the region. It has stood for classic Austrian pastry culture for over 180 years. Whether Zaunerstollen, Kaiserschmarren or Salzburger Nockerl - a visit to Zauner is a must for every guest in Bad Ischl.

The Lehár Festival, named after the composer Franz Lehár, is one of the most important operetta festivals in Europe. Since 1961, it has been delighting visitors with high-quality performances in the Bad Ischl Congress and Theatre House, where many of Lehár's most famous works were created in his summer residence.

The Katrin cable car takes you up Bad Ischl's 1,400 metre high local mountain in just a few minutes. An impressive panorama of the entire Salzkammergut and the popular 7-lake view circuit await you at the top - a highlight for hikers and nature lovers.

In addition to the well-known sights, Bad Ischl offers numerous other highlights: the Salzkammergut thermal spa with saltwater pool and sauna area, the unspoilt Rettenbach wilderness, the town museum or the Hand.Werk.Haus with traditional regional craftsmanship. The combination of culture, history and nature makes Bad Ischl a varied destination for every taste.

Hallstatt is one of the most famous places in Austria and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. The picturesque village is nestled between steep rock faces and Lake Hallstatt and impresses with its traditional wooden houses, narrow alleyways and unrivalled atmosphere. A stroll through Hallstatt feels like a journey through the history of the Salzkammergut.

The oldest salt mines in the world are located directly above Hallstatt. The funicular railway takes you to the spectacular panoramic platform "Hallstatt Skywalk" and into the Salt Worlds, where 7,000 years of salt mining can be experienced in an exciting way. One highlight is the underground slide, which has been used by miners since time immemorial.

A round trip on the clear, deep blue Lake Hallstatt shows Hallstatt from its most beautiful side. The impressive mountain scenery and the tranquillity of the lake make the boat trip a very special experience. Walking paths along the shore also offer marvellous views of the village and the Alpine panorama.

The ossuary of Hallstatt is particularly well-known, where skulls painted in an artistic manner document a centuries-old tradition. Right next to it is the Catholic parish church, which impresses with its location high above the village and the view over the lake.

Hallstatt also offers numerous other sights, such as the World Heritage Museum, the idyllic Echern Gorge, the historic market square or the "5fingers" viewing platform on the Krippenstein (with a short onward journey). Each of these places tells a piece of Hallstatt's history and makes the visit even more varied.

The Salzkammergut is a region where living tradition and customs still have a firm place in everyday life. Throughout the year, you can look forward to events such as the May tree-raising, the alpine summer, the colourful farmers' autumn, Rupertikirtag, music festivals with traditional music bands, lively weekly markets and atmospheric Advent traditions. Highlights such as the famous daffodil festival in Ausseerland show how strong the connection to nature and culture is. Whether it's craftsmanship, lederhosen, dirndls or regional delicacies - here you can experience tradition unadulterated and up close.

In the alpine summer, the huts in the Salzkammergut open their doors and invite you to savour fresh alpine delicacies, magnificent views and a genuine mountain idyll. Here you can experience the pleasures of nature and living tradition in a particularly authentic way.

From the end of August to October, the Harvest Festival brings colourful festivals, regional specialities, crafts and music to the villages of the Salzkammergut. An atmospheric harvest festival that is deeply rooted in regional culture.

In the summer months, traditional music concerts are regularly held in Fuschl am See - a special experience for guests who appreciate traditional sounds and an Alpine atmosphere. Accompanied by the local band, you can feel the original charm of the region.