Three Days in Salzburg: The Best Sites to See in this Spectacular Musical City

Salzburg will always be a home to me as it is where I studied abroad in college. From delicious eats to picturesque buildings, all visitors will easily fall in love with this charming little town. Three days in Salzburg gives visitors a good overview of the best places to see and enjoy what the city has to offer. If you have even more time, you can spend an endless amount of time exploring the surrounding area. 

Want a guided tour to start out your trip and get acclimated to the city? Then check out Guru Walks for a free guided tour. You can book online to reserve your spot and pay what you wish when you get there. Check out the tours in Salzburg here. 

Disclaimer: Special thanks to the Salzburg Tourism Board for hosting me at several attractions on my trip to Salzburg! As always, all thoughts and opinions remain my own. This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no cost to you! 

History of Salzburg

Salzburg has a rich history dating back to Roman times. It was originally a Celtic settlement. In the 700s, it became an independent area under the rule of Saint Rupert. Later, it became known for its Gothic architecture during the medieval times. 

During the Renaissance period, the city flourished and eventually reached new heights under the rule of Prince-Archbishop Hieronymus Colloredo. It was during this time that Mozart was born. Austria then saw annexation in 1816.

The city is known for being the birthplace of Mozart, its Baroque architecture, and its picturesque Old Town, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today, visitors flock from all over the world, especially to see the sites from the Sound of Music. 

Currency in Salzburg

Austria is part of the European Union and uses the Euro. 

Language in Salzburg

The primary language spoken in Salzburg is German. However, many of the locals, especially at the tourist sites, speak English. I would advise visitors to learn basic words to communicate as that is the best and most polite practice. 

When to Spend Three Days in Salzburg

Salzburg is an amazing time to visit any time of the year. In winter, the city will be freezing and covered in snow, but you can experience the charm of the snow-covered buildings. In spring, the snow will begin to melt, and the city starts to come alive again. 

Summer is the most popular time to visit as the weather is perfect for exploring and hiking the surrounding area. It is also when Salzburg hosts the Salzburg Music Festival. Fall is always a fun time to visit in conjunction with Oktoberfest in Germany. 

How to Get to Salzburg

Salzburg has one small airport that is serviced by flights from all around Europe. Many of the flights are seasonal, so it can be a bit difficult to get a flight directly into Salzburg, and it can be a lot more expensive. 

Alternatively, you can get cheaper flights into both Munich and Vienna and take the train to Salzburg from there. Trains from both places start around $20 if you book them in advance. The trains will arrive at the Salzburg Train Station, which is a short distance from the Old Town. 

I’ve done both options, and it all depends on what you want to spend. When I studied abroad, we flew into Salzburg for convenience. This visit, we were supposed to fly into Salzburg, but the airline canceled our flight, so we ended up flying into Vienna from Egypt and then spent time in Munich before heading home. 

Transportation in Salzburg

Salzburg is a very walkable city, especially around the Old Town area. For sights outside of the Old Town area, you can take the bus around. If you have a Salzburg Card, it includes transportation on the buses. There is also a Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus available.

From the train station, there are a ton of buses that run to the Old Town, and the trip will take 10 minutes. From the airport, you can also catch several buses that run to the Old Town. This trip will take about 20 minutes. Alternatively, you can Uber or use taxis, but it is not really necessary. This is a great airport transfer option if you do not want to take the bus.

Where to Stay in Salzburg

TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Search for the best Salzburg hotels here!

The best place to stay in Salzburg is in the Old Town area. However, some of these hotels can be quite expensive, but so worth the splurge. The  Radisson Blu Hotel Altstadt, Hotel Goldgasse, and Hotel Goldener Hirsch are good options. This post goes over the hotels in more detail.

When I studied abroad, I loved on top of the Monchsberg which I would not recommend if you are only visiting for a short time. 

On this past trip, we opted to stay at Hotel Stein. This hotel was such an amazing location as it is right on the river across from the Old Town and within walking distance of the train station and many of the main sites. Note that it is for adults only, so it is not good for families. 

Alternatively, to save some money, visitors can stay near the Mirabell Gardens at hotels such as the NH Collection Salzburg City, the Holiday Inn Salzburg City, or the Sheraton Grand Salzburg. TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. You can always try searching Priceline Express Deals for a better price or try to price match a hotel. 

Salzburg Card

One of the best things to do when spending three days in Salzburg is to buy a Salzburg Card. This pass provides admission to many tourist attractions, museums, and public transportation, including the cable car and Monchsberg lift. It also provides discounts to things like concerts, tours, and other cultural events. 

Visitors can opt to buy a 1 day, 2 day, or 3 day pass. Prices are as follows for 2024:

January to April and November to December

• 1 Day: €28
• 2 Days: €36
• 3 Days: €41

May to October

• 1 Day: €31
• 2 Days: €40
• 3 Days: €46

This pass can save you a ton of money if you are going to visit all of these amazing tourist attractions in Salzburg. You can read more specifics about the Salzburg Card here. 

What to do During Three Days in Salzburg

There are so many amazing things to do in Salzburg, and you will want to see them all! Three days in Salzburg is the perfect amount of time to see all of the main sites in town. You can even book a photo tour if you want some amazing pictures. Alternatively, the Sound of Music Tour is a popular option. This audio tour is also great if you want a self-guided tour of the area.

Day 1

Mozart’s Residence*

Cost: €13.50 or €20 combination ticket

Hours: 9am-5:30pm

Start your first of three days in Salzburg with a visit to Mozart’s Residence. This is the house Mozart lived in from 1773-1787. It housed 8 rooms and was spacious enough to host many social gatherings. Part of the building was destroyed during World War II but was later rebuilt by the International Mozart Foundation. 

Visitors can visit the various rooms which house goods and relics of Mozart, which tell his story of his time in this house. It also has several rotating exhibitions and a multi-vision show. Plan to spend at least an hour exploring the house. 

Mirabell Gardens

Cost: Free

Hours: 6am to dusk

Next, stop at the Mirabell Gardens to take in the gorgeous gardens that were used in the Sound of Music. The Do Re Mi song was filmed here. The best time to visit the gardens is late spring and summer when all of the flowers are in bloom. 

In addition to the gardens, you can also visit the Mirabell Palace. This was the former banquet hall of the prince-archbishops and was used as a place of entertainment. Admission is free to both locations. Sometimes, they even hold Mozart Concerts within the palace!

Mozart’s Birthplace*

Cost: €13.50 or €20 combination ticket

Hours: 9am-5:30pm

Another popular stop during your three days in Salzburg is Mozart’s Birthplace. Mozart was born in this house in 1756, which is located along the Getreidegasse. Now, it houses a museum dedicated to his life and provides information about his upbringing in Salzburg. Visitors can easily spend an hour visiting here. 

DomQuartier Salzburg*

Cost: €13

Hours:

The DomQuartier Salzburg is one of the best places to visit during your three days in Salzburg. This site is located in the middle of Salzburg and combines several district locations. Your ticket includes an audio guide for a self-guided tour through the complex. Plan to spend a minimum of two hours visiting the complex, but you could easily spend half of a day exploring everything there is to offer. 

Visitors will start in the State Rooms of the Residenz. From there, visitors will pass through the Salzburg Cathedral and spaces, through the Cathedral Museum, and to an outdoor observation deck. Continuing through the museum, visitors will also pass through St. Peter’s Museum, which houses sacred treasures. 

Salzburg Cathedral*

Cost: €5 or €3.50 with Salzburg Card

Hours: Varies, but generally 8am-5pm

The Salzburg Cathedral is a 1600 era Baroque Cathedral that is Salzburg’s most important religious building. Visitors can visit the interior to see the main baptistry, visit the crypt, and view the various artworks around the building. A guided tour is available at an additional charge. 

In 1958, a large portion of the cathedral burned down but was rebuilt by 1628. Then, during World War II, bombings damaged the dome and parts of the sanctuary. In 1959, the Cathedral was finally reconstructed to what it is today. 

Salzburg Christmas Museum*

Cost: €9

Hours: Wed-Sun: 10am-6pm

The Salzburg Christmas Museum is a fun stop to visit for those who enjoy Christmas and Christmas decorations. This museum houses a collection of over 50 years worth of items having to do with Christmas. There are 11 different themed rooms and some special exhibits. You can go through the museum in about 30 minutes. 

Salzburg Museum*

Cost: €9

Hours: Currently Closed for Renovations

The Salzburg Museum is located in the Neue Residenz and contains various art and cultural items that tell the history of Salzburg and the surrounding region. Visitors will want to spend around an hour here exploring the various exhibits. 

Grab a Beer at the Augustinerbrau 

Cost: €3.60

One of the best things to do during three days in Salzburg is to grab a beer at the Aug. This local beer hall is the place to spend some time, especially with a group of friends. There is plenty of beer to be had, and there are also many food vendors, so it is a great place to grab some food! 

Day 2

Hohensalzburg Fortress*

Cost: €14.50

Hours: Oct-April: 9:30am-5pm, May-Sept: 8:30am-8pm

Start your second of three days in Salzburg with a visit to the Hohensalzburg Fortress. This massive complex lies on the Monchsberg. This fortress is the largest preserved castle in central Europe and offers some of the best views of Salzburg. 

The fortress came to be in 1077 when the archbishop had the fortress built. It defended the people from the hostile attacks of the time. Today, there are many museums to visit in the fortress, a panorama tour to check out the best views in the complex and grab a bite to eat if you choose. Plan to take a couple hours exploring the fortress.  

St. Peter’s Abbey*

Cost: €2 for Catacombs

Hours: Oct-April: 10am-12:30pm, 1pm-5pm, May-Sept: 10am-12:30pm, 1pm-6pm

This abbey was founded in the 600s and is one of the oldest monasteries. Along with the monastery, there is a cemetery and catacombs that you can visit. The cemetery is free and has some awesome views of the fortress. 

The catacombs cost €2 and will take maybe 15 minutes to check out. However, you can get some pretty views of the cemetery while climbing the stairs to the catacombs. 

Il Sole

Cost: €

Hours: Mon-Thurs: 11am-9pm, Fri-Sat: 11am-10pm, Sun: 10am-9pm

For lunch on your second of three days in Salzburg, grab lunch at Il Sole, one of my favorite places to eat in Salzburg. I have fond memories of grabbing dinner here during my study abroad time. The owner is from Italy and makes delicious Italian-style pizzas. 

Visit the Stiegel Factory*

Cost: €13.90

For any beer lover, you will want to take the time to visit the Stiegel Factory during your three days in Salzburg. Stiegel is a popular beer made in Austria. With the Salzburg card, you can go on a free self-guided tour of the museum, or you can pay XX to take a guided tour with samples. 

They also have an on site restaurant that has yummy food and tasting flights. In the shop you can buy all types of Stiegel beer to go. You will want to spend at least an hour in the museum and more if you opt to do a tasting flight at the restaurant. You can easily get here by bus

Getreidegasse

Cost: Free

This evening, spend some time strolling around the Getreidegasse and checking out the different shops. You can easily spend several hours wandering around the streets. I recommend stopping at the Manner shop to grab some wafer bars. There is also a cute shop along the Goldgasse that sells chimney cakes. 

Eat a Kaisekriner from the Salzburger Würstelkönigin

Cost: €

Hours: Mon-Thurs: 6pm-2am, Fri-Sat: 7pm-4am, Sun: 6om-12am

One of the best quick meals you can grab in Salzburg is a kaisekriner (€5.10) from the Salzburger Würstelkönigin. This cart is only open in the evenings but it has the best sausages you will ever have. We ate so many kaisekriners from here during my study abroad days. 

O’Malleys

Cost: €

Hours: 

After dinner at the Salzburger Würstelkönigin, head to O’Malleys for an after dinner drink. If you get there early enough, it will be a happy hour, where they have beers for under €3. This is a great place to chill after spending time exploring during your second of three days in Salzburg.

Day 3

Untersbergbahn*

Cost: €32

Hours: 9am-4pm or 5pm

On your last of three days in Salzburg, start out with a trip to the Untersberg. The Untersbergbahn takes visitors up to the top of the Salzburg Mountain which offers amazing views of Salzburg and the surrounding area. A ride to the top lasts about 8.5 minutes on the cable car. The Salzburg Card gets you a round trip ticket. 

In the summertime, this area is a popular hiking destination. In the wintertime, it is home to a few winter sports. You can easily reach the Cable Car Station by taking bus 25 or 28 from Salzburg. 

Schloss Helburn*

Cost: €15

Hours: 9am-4:30pm, 5:30pm, or 6:30pm

If you are visiting during the spring/summer season, you will want to add Schloss Helbrun to your three days in Salzburg. It is open from the end of March until the beginning of October and is known for its trick fountains and being a filming location for the Sound of Music. 

Built from 1612-1615, this area became a residence for the prince-archbishop. Its main attraction is the fountains as many of the nozzles and sprouts are hidden from sight. People also love visiting the grounds and wandering through the gardens when the weather is nice. During the Holiday season, there is a wintermarket in the courtyard. 

Museum Moderne Salzburg Monchsberg*

Cost: €14-€16 (with lift)

Hours: Tues-Sun: 10am-6pm, 

Another fun stop to add to your three days in Salzburg is the Museum Moderne Salzburg Monchsberg. There are actually two modern art museum locations in Salzburg, but the one on the Monchsberg offers the spectacular views of Salzburg. 

There are five exhibitions between the two buildings of the museum. All the art in the museum has been created in the 20th and 21st centuries. Some of the exhibits contain multimedia and many of them will rotate. Plan to spend at least an hour at the museum. 

Felleis Knittelfelder

Cost: €€

Hours: 11am-11pm

Tonight, grab dinner at a traditional Austrian restaurant: Felleis Knittelfelder. This restaurant is very popular, so you will need to make a reservation prior to visiting. I recommend getting a schnitzel, beer soup, and kaiserschmarrn for dessert! Also, plan to spend at least two hours at dinner here as the service is laid back and you will want to take your time eating. 

Stiegl-Keller Salzburg

Cost: €

Hours: Thus-Fri: 11:30am-10pm, Sat-Sun: 11am-10pm

After a delicious Austrian dinner, head back into the Old Town of Salzburg for a nightcap at the Stiegl-Keller. While this is a restaurant, they also have a bar area where you can try all types of Stiegl beers! They have a lot of unique editions as well as many options on tap. It is the perfect place to end your three days in Salzburg.

More Than Three Days in Salzburg

If you have more than three days in Salzburg, opt to add some of these activities to your Salzburg itinerary. You could also take a Panoramic Cruise in the summer months, or a walking tour.

Sound of Music Tour

Cost: €60+

Hours: Varies by Tour

If you are a huge Sound of Music fan, I recommend taking a Sound of Music tour if you have more than three days in Salzburg. This is a fun way to see all of the Sound of Music sites without having to travel to them by yourself. The tours also include a guide to teach you about the history and provide fun facts about the filming locations. 

Salt Mines*

Cost: €24.50 -10% discount with Salzburg Card

Hours: 9am-5pm, 3pm in the winter

Another popular option in Salzburg is to take a day trip to the Salt Mines. These mines lie about an hour by bus from Salzburg. You get a 10% discounted admission with your Salzburg Card. Visitors will get to go on a guided tour that lasts about an hour. During the tour, you get to ride on a train, go down a miners’ slide, ride across a lake, see the Salt Cathedral, and the Magic Salt Room. Overall, it is a fun excursion for the entire family. 

FC Red Bulls Soccer Game

Cost: €35+

Hours: Varies

One of the best things to do if you have more than three days in Salzburg and you are there in the spring or summer is to head to a Red Bulls soccer game. The Red Bulls are the local soccer team, so this makes for such a fun experience. The stadium is an easy bus ride away from the city center and you sometimes get free transportation with your ticket. 

EC Red Bulls Hockey Game

Cost: €24+

Hours: Varies

If you are visiting Salzburg in the late fall/wintertime, you will want to see a Red Bull Hockey game. This again makes for a fun and exciting evening. You can easily walk to the arena from the Old Town. 

Final Tips for Three Days in Salzburg

Three days in Salzburg is the perfect amount of time to spend exploring this gorgeous city. If you have more time, add in some day trips from Salzburg, head to Vienna, or Munich, or even further into Eastern Europe.

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