With its enchanting old town, dramatic Alpine backdrop, and rich musical heritage, Salzburg is a must-visit destination for backpackers exploring Austria. Whether you love history, culture, hiking, food or photography, there’s something in Salzburg for every kind of traveller. This guide will cover everything you should know, such as how many days to spend in Salzburg, how to get there from destination within Austria and internationally and how to get around. I’ll also include my tips for what to see (with prices), where to eat (and what dishes you should try), the best hostels and where to go for nightlife.
How many days to spend in Salzburg
Depending on your interests, you could stay anywhere between 2-4 days in Salzburg. If you’re a fast-paced traveller, you could easily see all the sights in and around Salzburg Old Town in one day. However, most people will spend a second day doing a day trip or tour from Salzburg. Popular day trips include Hallstatt (a stunning village on which the movie Frozen is based on) a Sound of Music tour (one of the most popular activities in Salzburg) or visiting Schloss Hellbrunn (a famous Austrian palace outside the city).
If you plan on doing all of these day trips and tours and seeing all the main sights of Salzburg Old Town, you will need a full four days. If you’re not a fan of the Sound of Music and are short on time, at minimum, you should spend a day exploring Salzburg Old Town and take another day to visit Hallstatt.
How to get to Salzburg
Well-connected and easily accessible, Salzburg is a prime destination for backpackers exploring Austria or travelling across Europe. Salzburg is linked by trains and buses from major cities such as Vienna, Graz, and Innsbruck for travellers within Austria. It’s also a convenient destination to visit from neighbouring countries, such as Germany, Hungary and Switzerland, with efficient train and bus links from cities outside Austria.
How to get to Salzburg from Vienna
Coming from Vienna, the train is a popular option; ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways) offers frequent Railjet services that connect Vienna to Salzburg in just about 2.5 hours. These trains are fast, comfortable, and provide stunning views of the Austrian countryside as they zip through the heart of the country. For a more budget-friendly option, several bus companies operate daily routes from Vienna to Salzburg, with the journey taking approximately 3 hours. Buses can be cheaper than trains but still provide comfortable seating and WiFi, making the journey pleasant and efficient.
How to get to Salzburg from Graz
From Graz, travellers can reach Salzburg by direct trains, which take about four hours. This route crosses diverse landscapes, from rolling hills to mountainous terrains, showcasing the natural beauty of Austria. Buses also serve this route, providing an economical alternative to trains with comparable travel times and comfort.
How to get to Salzburg from Innsbruck
Innsbruck to Salzburg is another well-trodden path for visitors, with direct trains running between these two cities multiple times daily. The journey lasts about 1.5 to 2 hours by Railjet, offering a swift and scenic trip through Austria’s alpine scenery. This route is particularly picturesque, featuring rugged mountains and lush valleys that are a treat to the eyes. Likewise, direct buses are available and provide a cost-effective means to traverse this route, although the journey is slightly longer than the train.
Other destinations with direct connections to Salzburg
Salzburg is easily accessible from neighbouring countries such as Germany, Hungary and Switzerland. Salzburg is just a short train ride from Munich, Germany, with frequent services that take about 1.5 hours. This makes Salzburg an excellent addition to a European travel itinerary that includes southern Germany. Trains from Munich to Salzburg cross the beautiful Bavarian countryside and enter Austria through scenic routes that are as memorable as the destination.
Travelers coming from further afield, like Zurich, Switzerland, can take advantage of direct train services to Salzburg. The journey lasts about five hours but is highly enjoyable, with trains passing through some of the most picturesque parts of Switzerland and Austria. For those coming from Budapest, Hungary, direct trains also take around five hours, providing another seamless link for backpackers exploring Central Europe.
How to get around Salzburg
Salzburg is super easy to get around, whether navigating the compact city centre on foot, hopping on a bus to reach further attractions, or using Uber and taxis for convenience. If you’re on a budget and don’t want to splash out on transport costs, you could easily get around on foot to 90% of attractions, restaurants and bars. The other 10% are located outside the city, but the journey can be made by bus, which is relatively affordable and easy to organise.
Getting around Salzburg on foot
Getting around Salzburg on foot is not super easy, but the best way to explore the city. The city’s historical centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is predominantly pedestrian-friendly and compact enough to explore by walking. Major attractions like the Salzburg Cathedral, Mozart’s birthplace, and the Hohensalzburg Fortress are conveniently clustered within walking distance. Walking lets you absorb the city’s rich history and get lost down cobblestone laneways. You can stop at one of the many cafés or picturesque spots for a quick rest or photo opportunity.
Getting around Salzburg by bus
You will need to catch a bus for destinations a bit further away, such as the Hellbrunn Palace, Hallstatt or the Salzburg Zoo. Salzburg’s public transportation network is robust, with buses that cover virtually every part of the city and its outskirts. These buses are frequent, reliable, and cost-effective for quickly covering longer distances. Most buses are well-integrated with other public transport modes, such as trains, meaning you can easily get public transport to your hostel from bus and train stations when you arrive and depart Salzburg. A 24-hour pass is the best choice for backpackers on a budget and planning extensive exploration across the city.
Getting around Salzburg by Uber/Taxi
When travelling late in the evening or with luggage, Uber or a taxi may be a better option than walking. Although, Salzburg feels incredibly safe to walk around at night, even as a solo female traveller. Salzburg is not a large city, but there are still a fair few Uber drivers around, so you shouldn’t wait too long for a ride on the app. You can easily avoid using taxis or rideshare services if you’re on a budget. Salzburg is a very walkable city with super accessible public transport to get you between locations.
Where to stay in Salzburg
Salzburg is a major tourist location with lots of hostels to choose from. Among these, Yoho International Youth Hostel and Meininger Salzburg City Center stand out as top choices in terms of location, amenities, social atmosphere and comfort level of dorms. You can book both of these hostels here on Hostelworld or here on Booking.
If you’re looking for a hostel with a great social atmosphere, I highly recommend Yoho Hostel. Located just a few minutes from the city centre, Yoho is a large hostel with a bar, large kitchen, common area and laundry facilities. The beds are comfortable (no curtains, though), and the bathroom amenities are clean. The hostel runs many events, such as nightly “The Sound of Music” screenings and trivia nights.
Another great hostel in Salzburg is Meininger Hostel. Located right near the central train station in Salzburg, Meininger hostel feels more like a hotel than a backpacker’s hostel. The hostel beds are comfortable being pod-style (no curtains, though), and the bathroom facilities are clean. Meininger has a lot of great amenities, such as a game zone, bar, and guest kitchen. However, they don’t run any social events, so making friends can be harder if you’re a solo traveller.
What to do in Salzburg
Nestled amid the Alps, Salzburg is the birthplace of Mozart and a hub of architectural marvels, historical sites, and picturesque settings that seem straight out of a fairy tale. There’s a lot to do and see around Salzburg Old Town and many day trips and tours from Salzburg to neighbouring sights.
Explore the Old Town of Salzburg
Every traveller should spend at least one full day experiencing all the sights in and around Salzburg Old Town. One of the most popular sights is Mirabell Palace and Gardens, an example of Baroque architecture. This historical site, featured in “The Sound of Music,” is free to enter and is perfect for a stroll, enjoying the floral arrangements and mythological statues and fountains. Most people will only spend 30 minutes here enjoying the gardens and taking photos.
A visit to Mozart’s Birthplace in Old Town is essential for music lovers and history enthusiasts. This museum, housed in the building where Mozart was born, provides information about the composer’s early life and family. If you want to visit the museum, there is an entrance fee of € 15.00 Euro. However, you can also just see the house from the outside if you’re not too interested in learning more about Mozart. If you enter the museum, allow around 30 minutes to see and read all the exhibits.
Another nearby sight worth seeing is St. Peter’s Abbey. This Benedictine monastery is home to the oldest library in Austria and is architecturally very impressive. The adjoining cemetery, with its catacombs carved into the rock, is also well worth a visit. The Abbey is free to visit; you only need 30 minutes to walk around and admire the architecture.
Some other sights worth seeing
You should also visit Salzburg Cathedral, which has an impressive dome and stunning facade. This 17th-century Baroque cathedral is a major landmark with no entrance fee required for visitors seeking to admire its architecture and artworks. You only need around 30 minutes inside the Salzburg Cathedral.
Another must-visit sight is Stift Nonnberg, the oldest continually operating women’s monastery in the German-speaking world. Fans of “The Sound of Music” will recognise it as the backdrop for many scenes from the film. The abbey is free to visit, and it takes around 30-60 minutes to explore the abbey and grounds.
Visit Fortress Hohensalzburg
No trip to Salzburg would be complete without visiting the Fortress Hohensalzburg, one of Europe’s largest and best-preserved medieval castles. Perched atop a hill, the fortress offers panoramic views of the city and the surrounding Alps. You can walk to the top of the fortress to see the view and view the fortress from the outside for free. However, there is an entrance fee to visit the interior and the museums and learn about the history. It costs € 13.60 Euros to enter, which includes access to multiple museums, the theatre, royal chambers and a cable car back to Salzburg Old Town. You should allow around 1-3 hours here, with the time being dependent on how many of the museums you visit.
Visit Schloss Hellbrunn
Schloss Hellbrunn, a short distance from the city centre, is famed for its trick fountains and expansive park. This Renaissance palace was built as a summer retreat for the Archbishops of Salzburg and is a great way to spend an afternoon in Salzburg. There is an entrance charge of €15 Euro, and you’ll need at least 2 hours to explore the palace and grounds. You’ll need to catch a bus from Salzburg Old Town or the train station to get here. It takes around 30 minutes to catch the number #25 bus and get off at the “Schloss Hellbrunn” stop.
Take a day trip to Hallstatt
A day trip to Hallstatt, the village on which the town in the movie Frozen is based, is highly recommended. This idyllic village, nestled between a serene lake and towering mountains, is often called one of the most beautiful places on earth. In Hallstatt, you can wander through Hallstatt’s charming streets, visit the oldest salt mine in the world, take a dip in the lake, visit the Skywalk for views, go for a hike and visit some museums and the Ossuary.
The trip involves a bus and train journey but is manageable on a backpacker’s budget. First, you’ll need to catch the #150 bus from Mirabellplatz in the centre of Salzburg to Bad Ischl Bahnhof. Then, you’ll need to board a train from Bad Ischl Bahnhof towards Stainach-Irdning, getting off at the stop for Hallstatt. It will take around 2 hours one way and costs between €15-22 Euro for the bus and train ticket.
Take a Sound of Music Tour
If you’re a Sound of Music Movie fan, you should consider taking a Sound of Music tour. Depending on your budget and interest level, you could do this for free (self-guided) or book a paid tour. Many backpackers self-guided tours to explore various locations where the movie was filmed, such as Mirabell Gardens, Nonnberg Abbey, and Schloss Leopoldskron, all accessible for free or for a nominal fee. You can find many self-guided tour routes online. You should allow between 3-5 hours for a self-guided tour. If you prefer a guided tour, expect to pay around €50 Euro and allow 4-6 hours for the tour, which will include all entrance fees and a tour guide.
Where to eat in Salzburg
Salzburg, a city famous for Mozart and the Sound of Music, also has a great foodie culture. From traditional beer halls to popular cafes, there are a lot of different food options around the Old Town of Salzburg.
Die Weisse
Die Weiße, known as the home of Salzburg’s white beer, is an absolute must-visit for anyone looking to dive into the local brewery scene. More than just a brewery, Die Weiße is a full-scale restaurant offering traditional Austrian dishes such as schnitzel, knödel (dumplings), and sauerkraut. The atmosphere here is casual and comfortable, with indoor and outdoor seating.
Fuxn
Located in the scenic area of Salzburg, this restaurant is popular for its local cuisine, such as tafelspitz (boiled beef) and goulash. They also have a good selection of wines and beers to try with your meal.
Cafe Tomaselli
Cafe Tomaselli, a historic cafe dating back to 1705, is an institution in Salzburg. Located in the bustling Old Town, it claims the title of Austria’s oldest coffee house and has been a favourite for many historical figures, including Mozart himself. Must-try pastries, including the Salzburger Nockerl and Apfelstrudel! Be warned, it is jam-packed with tourists, but trying the famous pastries in a historically relevant setting is well worth the stop.
Augustiner Bräu Mülln
Augustiner Bräu Mülln, an iconic brewery founded by Augustinian monks in 1621, is another cultural and foodie landmark. This brewery is renowned for its traditional brewing methods and serves some of the best beer in Austria straight from wooden barrels. The Bräustübl, the tavern of Augustiner Bräu, is a massive beer hall where you can grab a stein, fill it with your choice of beer, and choose from traditional Austrian foods from the various food stalls inside. The communal seating and bustling atmosphere make it a must-try spot, even if you just come by for a beer.
Salzburg Nightlife
Salzburg, a city famed for its architecture and musical heritage, isn’t where you would expect much of a nightlife scene. However, given the city is a popular tourist destination with a student population, you can find things to do in the evening.
A quintessential stop in Salzburg’s nightlife scene is the Augustiner Bräu Mülln, Austria’s largest beer hall, housed in a monastery dating back to 1621. It sounds weird to get a beer in a monastery, but honestly, it’s a tourist experience. The monastery is super cool and usually very busy with locals and tourists in the evening. They also offer different traditional Austrian foods here at reasonable prices, so you should consider coming for dinner and a drink. One thing to note is that the whole venue is cash only, and there is no ATM on site. If you want somewhere to dance in Salzburg, head to City Beats. This popular club is known among students and backpackers, with a large dancefloor open fairly late.
