What to do with a day off in Linz, Austria? I landed in Linz for a day, but wanted to do something different! So I decided to spend the day in nearby Salzburg! It takes a good hour to get from Linz to Salzburg by train, so it’s perfect for a day trip. And I’ve always wanted to visit Salzburg. History. Culture. Mozart. Mountains. And anyway. Millions of tourists who are visiting Salzburg every year can’t be wrong. Besides, Salzburg is really good to explore in one day! In this article, I’ll show you what you can see in one day in Salzburg and share some helpful tips!
Discover Salzburg in one day: Start in the Old Town
The nice thing about Salzburg for a day trip: everything is within walking distance. Perfect if you are traveling without a car and by train like me! The main train station is outside the old town on the other side of the Salzach River, but you’ll in the middle of town by bus in just 10 minutes . Right in the middle of this lovely old town dream in pastel colors. The alleys of the old town are small and narrow, sometimes crowded, sometimes surprisingly empty, but always neat and pretty to look at.
Tip: With the 24-hour Salzburg Card, you’ll save on admission to most attractions and can use public transportation, the Mönchsberg funicular, and the Festungsbahn (both of which take you to the best viewpoints over Salzburg) for free.
In the middle of the old town: Salzburg Cathedral
In the Old Town, you’ll find magnificent buildings like Salzburg Cathedral —which even if you’re not a fan of churches, you should see from the inside. The restored ceiling paintings are truly impressive.
Mozart and Salzburg: The Birthplace
Mozart. Mozart. Mozart everywhere. For those who have zero knowledge of classical music, Salzburg is perhaps only half as interesting. Salzburg lives from the most famous son of the city, the composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and at every corner you’ll see something with his name on it. There are Mozartkugeln, Mozart fridge magnets, Mozart postcards and all kind of Mozart souvenirs in every store, every pub, every supermarket.
So I also had to include a little bit of Mozart into my day as well. In Salzburg, both Mozart’s birthplace and his later home can be visited, and I opted for the former. Although I was worried I’d end up in a small museum with numerous tour groups, because Mozart’s birthplace is one of the must-sees in Salzburg and often very crowded.
More places in Salzburg for Mozart fans can be found here: Mozart in Salzburg
But it wasn’t like that in the end. The house/museum is quite spacious (the Mozart’s were a wealthy family) and it wasn’t as crowded as expected. With 11 euros, the entrance fee is also pretty expensive. But it’s a must-see in Salzburg. And the exhibition is really worth it.
Looking for more tips for Salzburg? Click here for the Salzburg Blog
With the Salzburg Card, however, you get free admission there, just like at many other attractions—unfortunately, I didn’t find that out until afterward. It’s worth taking the time to compare options—you can save a lot of money that way!
Salzburg from above: Is the view better from the Mönchsberg or the Fortress Hohensalzburg?
“You absolutely have to go up the Mönchsberg,” another friend gave me as the ultimate advice. It would probably be nicer than on top of the fortress Hohensalzburg, which is always well attended. Crowds are not my thing anyway, so I decided to up to the Mönchsberg. How convenient: To get to the top, you can just take an elevator. Which in my case was a good time saver, since I had to slowly make my way back to Linz.
But the view from Mönchsberg of the old town, the fortress and snow-capped mountains in the background is really worth it. In addition, there is a museum of modern art up there, the Museum der Moderne Salzburg, which is very impressive!
If you want to do both: Then it’s definitely worth buying the Salzburg Card—with it, you can ride the Festungsbahn up to Hohensalzburg Fortress for free, and you can use the elevator up the Mönchsberg for free!
Cafés in Salzburg
I still haven’t figured out how to order coffee in Austria. Kleiner Brauner, Einspänner, Verlängerter, Kapuziner, Fiaker… it’s a whole science! And I never get which one is which! I But I found a cozy café to satisfy my sudden hunger for original Austrian cuisine: Café Würfelzucker serves handmade apple strudel! You can also enjoy the perfect view of the Salzach in alpine flair.
Fnd more great spots in my comprehensive Salzburg Food Guide.
Is Salzburg worth it?
Salzburg is really pretty. I couldn’t say otherwise. And I would definitely come back again if I get the chance. The surrounding countryside is also worth a visit! The alleys of Salzburg are really photogenic and the overall vibe is really one of kind. It definitely feels like being in a fairytale!
Where to stay in Salzburg
Do you want to spend more than just a day in Salzburg? Find the best hotels deals here:
Best hotels in Salzburg
In Salzburg, there are also 6 accomodations operated by religious institutions. These places are often cheaper than others (Salzburg is otherwise rather expensive). You can learn more about these accommodations in my article Salzburg and its churches.
More Tips for Salzburg
Do you have more time in Salzburg? If so, there’s plenty more to see. Here you’ll find the most beautiful sights in Salzburg as well as some mystical hidden gems.
Tip: Admission fees in Salzburg can be quite steep. Save money with the Salzburg Card and get free admission to many attractions.
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