There are some things in life that enthuse me an irregular amount – schnitzel, castles & the Sound of Music being among them… so little surprise that Salzburg, Austria is truly one of my favourite places in the world.

And luckily for me, I’ve had the chance to visit several times, living just over the border in Munich, Germany for 5+ years… and more recently returning for the ultimate Salzburg Christmas jaunt.

But I admit it’s a destination lots of first timers can get wrong! So today, my mission is to make sure you don’t.

So, read on for a list of my top Salzburg travel tips for first timers, after wayyyyy too many frolicky visits of my own… from how to save money on attractions and the best ways to get around to the tourist traps you should avoid.

1. Salzburg is a popular day trip destination, but do try to stay 1-2 nights if you can

First things first: while many travelers treat Salzburg as just a quick day trip, I’d strongly recommend staying at least one or two nights if your itinerary allows. There’s more to see than you might think, and rushing through it in a single afternoon doesn’t do the city justice.

This is something I’m irrationally passionate about, so let me explain: staying overnight lets you experience a completely different side of Salzburg. In the early morning, the streets are calm and peaceful, perfect for wandering through the Old Town without the tourist masses.

And in the evening, once the day-trippers have cleared out, the city takes on a magical feel, with golden light bouncing off the baroque buildings and plenty of cozy spots to unwind with a drink or seven.

It’s in those quieter moments that Salzburg really shines. So yes, pencil in a little extra time – I promise you won’t regret it.

2. Prioritize visiting in the off-season and during weekends to minimize crowds

In terms of when to visit, I’m a huge advocate for off-season visits to Salzburg, though to be honest it is a fairly popular destination year round, so you’ll never be able to dodge the crowds completely. 

While summer means the best chance at nice weather, it also means biiiig crowds. In my personal opinion, the appeal of Salzburg is largely in its historic Old Town and beautiful surrounding mountains, both of which can be appreciated in every season and weather, so I don’t think it’s necessary for a bright sunny day to enjoy it. I’d even say that summer is too hot to go because you do a lot of walking and it can get uncomfortably sweaty.

So, when is good?

Crowds-wise you’ll probably experience the fewest in January and February, though weather will likely be questionable. To get the best of both worlds, shoulder seasons like April – May and September – October can be great.

A special highlight to note though is, of course, during the festive period. The Christmas markets in Salzburg are stunning and they do a very famous Krampus run in the first week of December if you’re into that. This is another peak season for visitors, so it’s very busy but in my opinion worth braving the crowds for.

And there are some other big events and festivals to have on your radar as well because Salzburg is, of course, the birthplace of Mozart and they take their musical and cultural heritage very seriously. So some dates to take note of include the…

• Salzburg festival in July and August
• Mozart festival in late January

All to say: there isn’t a bad time to visit Salzburg – it just depends on what you want to prioritize.

3. Salzburg is a very compact city so you don’t need to stay in the Altstadt

Regarding where to stay, Salzburg is a pretty compact city so you don’t necessarily need to stay in the Old Town to be close to the sights.

But I will say that the Salzburg you imagine and see in all the photos is largely the Old Town, with the more modern parts of the city being much less aesthetically pleasing…

So if you want to feel immersed in the magic, somewhere in the Altstsdt is the way to go. If you want to save money though, anywhere in the area between the main train station and the Old Town will still be close to the sights and much more affordable.

NOTE: If you are staying the night, something unique I haven’t seen in many places is the city does offer some hotel and Salzburg card packages that includes both your stay and also activities so that might be worth looking into as a cost saver. 

4. Try to explore more of Austria beyond Salzburg

If you have more time, I do strongly recommend you explore more of Austria beyond just Salzburg.

Honestly, there are countless amazing destinations in Austria to visit and the country is SO well connected by public transport that there’s loads of opportunities for you to see more of the country if you want to. 

Within 2.5 hours on the train, you can get to cities like stunning Innsbruck and Vienna. 

Hallstatt is also wonderful but I’d advise against doing it as a day trip because that’s what everyone does so it gets crazy busy. Staying overnight is definitely the way to go if you want to appreciate it properly.  

Andddd maybe even better than the cities is the incredible nature all around.

There’s genuinely too many places to list and unfortunately, I haven’t explored nearly as much as I would like as I lived in Munich for several years so kind of stuck to the nature closer to there. But there are tons of lakes close to Salzburg like Wolfgangsee and Mondsee, great mountain hikes, everything you could want! Salzburg is commonly seen as the gateway to the Salzkammergut region so if you have time, add some nature stops to your itinerary.

5. Salzburg Airport is very close to the Old Town, with convenient transport options

Now in terms of arrivals, Salzburg Airport is located fairly close to the Old Town, just under 10km away so there’s lots of easy options for getting into town.

The cheapest is the bus, which is about 3 euros one way. There’s two main options – the Number 2 bus which takes just over 20 minutes or the Number 10 Bus which takes about 15 minutes. Both are frequent though and you can get tickets for both of these either at the bus stop, on board the bus or through the SalzburgMobil app. 

You can, of course, also take a taxi and the ride will be about 15 minutes but then you can go straight to the hotel and not have to worry about your bags. The cost for this is about 20-25 euros depending on traffic. 

6. The main Salzburg train station is a 20ish minute walk to the Old Town

If you’re arriving in Salzburg by train, just a heads-up: the Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) isn’t exactly in the thick of the action. The Old Town – where all the iconic sights like the fortress, Mozart’s birthplace, and Mirabell Palace are – is about a 20-minute walk away. And while walkable, the route isn’t exactly the most scenic introduction to the city; think more tram tracks and traffic lights than charming cobblestone alleys.

To save time and energy (especially if you’re dragging luggage or arriving late), hopping on a bus is a much better option. Buses run frequently and drop you off right at the edge of the Old Town in under 10 minutes. The easiest way to navigate this is with the SalzburgMobil app – it lets you check routes and timetables in real time, and you can buy your ticket directly through the app to avoid fussing with cash or machines.

7. Exploring Salzburg on foot is the way to go, but public transport is easy

To be honest, Salzburg is a very small city, so it makes sense to walk most places once you’re in the Old Town and then use public transport if you need to get farther out. 

And unless you’re planning on doing some remote naturey day trips outside of the city, you will definitely not need a car. Even then, a car isn’t 100% essential because the local public transport system can take you to some very nice hikes and places… so be sure to do a little extra research before you commit to a car rental. 

NOTE: If you do need a taxi at some point, know that both Uber and Bolt do work well for ordering rides so that might be a more convenient option and one that lets you preview the fare in advance as well. 

8. Do the big attractions earlier in the day to avoid crowds

Now, a big tip in terms of attractions is to hit Salzburg’s big-ticket attractions as early in the morning as possible – ideally right after they open.

Spots like Mirabell Gardens, Mozart’s Geburtshaus, and the lanes of the Old Town are staples on every guided tour and group itinerary, which means from around 10am onward, things start to feel less “Baroque fairytale” and more “tour group traffic jam.”

Wandering the Old Town when it’s quiet is a completely different experience to peak hour chaos – you can actually admire the facades, soak in the church bells, and maybe even get a photo on the Getreidegasse without someone’s selfie stick in your eye.

So, be sure to use that calm morning window to soak in the highlights, then save your afternoon for the lesser-known gems, museum visits, or even a relaxing riverside coffee while the crowds are frolicking elsewhere.

9. Don’t forget about the many free views and attractions in Salzburg 

Next, I do want to say that there’s a few free spots that I feel like many tourists miss because they just stick to the main guidebook sights, but there are some great freebies worth doing, so be sure to have these on your radar:

• The view from the Museum der Moderne Mönchsberg – one of the best views in the city! You can take an elevator up, but I walked and it was quite a lovely, peaceful mini-hike. There’s also a restaurant/bar up here called M32 with a great outdoor terrace, and the museum is also pretty cool if you’re into modern art (though entry here is paid)
• The St Peter’s Monastery and Cemetery – a peaceful and beautiful corner of the city that many tourists miss, right by the funicular up to Hohensalzburg Fortress and the world’s oldest bakery
• The big pickle statues in Furtwänglerpark – Salzburg’s quirkiest piece of modern art. Maybe not worth going out of your way to see, but fun if you’re in the area.
• Hangar-7 – located out of the city centre by the airport, with a collection of historical airplanes, helicopters, Formula One cars and just a general celebration of bro-ey gadgets from the founder of Red Bull, which has its headquarters close by.

10. Consider getting a Salzburg Card to save money on paid attractions

Now onto paid attractions… 

Though it’s small, Salzburg has a fair few attractions to visit. And funnily enough, many of them actually aren’t that busy inside because as I said before, Salzburg is a massively popular day trip destination, especially with big bus tours, and those ones often don’t have time for much beyond a quick walk through the city center and maybe a visit up to the fortress. 

So if you have the time, definitely consider checking a few of these spots out to make the most of your time. 

In terms of saving money on sightseeing, I will once again mention the Salzburg Card because it’s probably one of the more affordable city cards I’ve encountered – at only 31 euros in peak season for 24 hours so definitely worth considering if you plan on doing the main sights because it includes public transport as well as entry to the fortress and a bunch of other places. 

11. Not all paid attractions in Salzburg are worth it, so be sure to do your research

Having been to Salzburg many times now I’ve pretty much covered all the main tourist attractions so I will say some of them are kinda ehhh and not worth it for me…. 

In terms of what is definitely worth it, I think the iconic Hohensalzburg Fortress is of course a must – it has truly amazing views and there’s quite a lot to see up there, including some museums and different chambers. The hike up is doable but the funicular is way more comfortable and a ride is included with a Salzburg card so I’d recommend that for sure. The views you get on the walk are amazing though, so maybe worth saving for the way down. 

The DomQuartier is a very unique and special attraction worth checking out as well – it’s a surprisingly large complex right in the middle of the city with several interesting parts like various grand rooms, museums, and galleries, plus you get a unique view from the terrace and overlooking the cathedral from the organ gallery.

If you’re in the area, the noon time organ concert is also quite a special experience I can recommend that’s well worth the cost. 

And ones I wouldn’t necessarily prioritize unless you take a special interest include Mozart’s birth house, which is fairly ordinary-looking and focuses a lot on his family, rather than just him. I didn’t find the displays to be very cohesive or well-organized, and none of the objects on display really blew me away. Add on the crowds and it’s just an okay experience for me. 

And there’s also the Christmas museum which is just a few small rooms with festive artifacts on display – this one is well organized but the entry fee is quite expensive for what it is. Unless you’re a Christmas enthusiast I probably wouldn’t go out of my way to see it.

12. Consider visiting attractions shortly before closing time to avoid crowds

When it comes to avoiding crowds in Salzburg, one of the simplest yet most effective tricks is to time your visit to major attractions just before closing.

While most people flock in during the late morning or early afternoon, the last hour tends to be noticeably quieter. You’ll not only dodge the tour groups and school trips, but also have a better chance at snapping those postcard-worthy photos without a sea of strangers in the background.

Just make sure to check the actual closing times in advance—some places start clearing out early, and you don’t want to be the person politely herded out halfway through.

13. Sound of Music superfans should definitely book a full tour

In terms of Sound of Music locations, which I know is a huge draw for many people, do know that there’s many nice filming locations in the Old Town that are super iconic, like the…

• Mirabell Gardens – where Maria and the children frolicked while singing “Do-Re-Mi”
• Residenzplatz – the fountain where Julie Andrews splashed while singing “I Have Confidence”
• Nonnberg Abbey – the nunnery Maria lived in at the beginning of the film

BUT if you really want the full Sound of Music experience, you should probably just book a tour, as cheesy as that sounds… just because many of the locations are quite spread apart, like the hills from the opening scene and the actual Von Trapp house, so booking a tour will generally be much easier than trying to navigate from place to place on your own. 

14. Consider booking a concert while in town – or catch a free one

As you’ve probably guessed, Salzburg is seriously into its music – unsurprising, given it’s Mozart’s birthplace and all.

If you want to lean into the city’s cultural roots, booking a concert is a great way to do it. One of the most popular options is the Mozart concerts held at Mirabell Palace. These are set in an ornate baroque hall and combine candlelight, period costumes, and live classical music – yes, it’s a little theatrical, but it’s also a genuinely beautiful experience.

That said, you don’t need to splurge to enjoy live music in Salzburg. The Mozarteum University regularly hosts “study concerts,” which are essentially performances by incredibly talented music students, and they’re completely free to attend. These low-key concerts are open to the public and can be an amazing way to enjoy high-quality classical music in a more casual setting. Just check the university’s website to see what’s on during your visit.

15. Try some delicious local Salzburg specialties

And of course, when in Salzburg, make sure you try local specialties.

And I don’t just mean the typical Austrian dishes like schnitzel, which is a thin slab of fried meat, and Tafelspitz which is boiled beef in broth. These are plentiful in the city, but I’d recommend also trying some specialties that are specific to Salzburg and the region, like… 

• Kasnocken – amazing small dumplings served with cheese and caramelized onion, typically prepared in a cast iron pan. “Pinzgauer” Kasnocken which is made with cheese from the nearby Pinzgau region is especially popular.
• Salzburger Nockerl – a famous soufflé sort of dessert that’s shaped to represent the surrounding mountain peaks. 
• The ubiquitous Salzburger Mozartkugel – sold in pretty much every souvenir shop – consisting of marzipan and pistachio, wrapped in nougat and dipped in chocolate. There are lots of different brands that make them now, but the original comes from Fürst, who wrap theirs in silver foil with a blue Mozart portrait.
• And for a local street food, a unique Salzburg invention is the Bosna, which dates back to 1949 and is a sandwich consisting of two thin sausages served with raw onions, curry powder, and usually mustard. 

16. Don’t miss some of Salzburg’s more unique food & drink experiences

And speaking of food, there are some really unique experiences in Salzburg that you shouldn’t miss out on either!

I definitely recommend you check out the oldest bakery in the city – the Stiftsbäckerei St. Peter. This bakery is almost 1000 years old – and if you go in the morning, the whole courtyard it’s in smells like fresh bread. You then head into this little cellar where there’s only a handful of things to choose from, either sourdough or brioche bread, and it’s so, so good, and a really unique experience. 

Another one of my favourite finds from my most recent trip was the awesome Augustiner Bräustübl Mülln, which is this massive Austrian beer tavern that’s home to eight beautiful rooms and halls, where the beer they’ve been brewing here for over 400 years is freshly poured from wooden barrels and served in proper stoneware.

The experience is super fun – it’s self serve so you grab a Stein, rinse it out at a communal fountain, then pay and bring the stein to the front where it’s freshly poured. There’s even a small marketplace on site for you to buy snacks if you get nibbly.

17. Bring cash (especially coins) and be prepared to pay for public bathrooms

Next: efinitely bring a bit of cash with you when visiting Salzburg. While most restaurants, shops, and even museums do accept cards these days, there are still plenty of small situations where having cash – especially coins – makes life a lot easier. Think luggage lockers, market stalls, and the occasional café or bakery that’s a bit old-school.

Public toilets, in particular, are almost never free. You can usually expect to pay around 50 cents per use, and many of them are coin-operated or have attendants who don’t accept cards. It’s a small thing, but when nature calls and you’re scrambling to find change, it becomes a very real problem very quickly. Having a few euros in coins on hand will save you the hassle, and possibly some awkward moments.

18. You can usually just round up for tips

In terms of tipping, rounding up and doing around 10% is the most common – you definitely don’t need to tip by North American standards.

What’s a bit different, though, is how you tip. Unlike in some countries where you leave cash on the table and walk away, in Austria, tipping is usually done directly when you’re settling the bill. If you’re paying in cash, you’d tell the server the total amount you want to pay (including the tip) as you hand over the money

If you’re paying by card, let them know the total you want charged before they process the payment, and they’ll enter it directly on the machine. Subtle, straightforward, and no awkward tipping math at the table.

19. Most locals have not seen the Sound of Music, or do not care very much about it

Finally, don’t be surprised if your Sound of Music enthusiasm isn’t exactly shared by the locals. While the movie has become a cult favorite among international visitors – especially Americans – it’s really not that big of a deal in Austria, and many Salzburg residents have either never seen it or simply don’t care much about it. It’s not part of the cultural fabric the way it is elsewhere.

So if you stop a local on the street to ask where the “Do-Re-Mi” steps are or how to find the Von Trapp house, don’t be shocked if you’re met with a blank stare. It’s nothing personal, they’re just not obsessed with it like you might be.

That said, Salzburg has fully embraced the tourist side of the phenomenon, so if you want to dive into the filming locations, themed tours, or sing your heart out at a dinner show, there are plenty of options… just don’t expect the average Salzburger to join in.

I hope this list of Salzburg travel tips was helpful!

Let me know in the comments if you have any more to add.