View through the Mirabelle Garden in Salzburg

Salzburg tips: The Top 10 highlights for your romantic weekend

Update: 26.12.2023 | city trip, Germany | Von Matthias |
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  • Salzburg, the picturesque Austrian city, is not only the birthplace of Mozart and a world-famous festival site, it can also delight visitors with its special location on the banks of the Salzach in the basin between the city mountains. In Salzburg you will find everything you need for a successful city trip. And since Salzburg is also located directly on the German border in the Alps, it is a perfect destination for your romantic weekend trip.

    In this article I will give you lots of Salzburg tips for your weekend in the Austrian model city and also tell you in which hotel you can stay overnight.

    The first Salzburg tip right at the beginning: Get the Salzburg Card.

    Because with this you get:

    • One-time free admission to all sights and museums
    • Free use of transportation (incl. fortress railroad, Untersberg railroad, Mönchsberg elevator, Salzach boat trip Tour I)
    • numerous discounts for various destinations
    • Discounts for cultural events and concerts

    You can buy the Salzburg Card for different hours (24 hours: 29 €; 48 hours: 38 €; 72 hours: 44 €).

    Due to its history and the many cultural influences, Salzburg can also offer some interesting tours. Here you can find some examples:

     

    But if you want to explore Salzburg on your own, you will find below and also on the map my Salzburg tips for a weekend:


    View map in full screen

    1. Hike along the Mönchsberg

    The Mönchsberg dominates the cityscape because it is located in the middle of the old town and stretches about 1.7 km through Salzburg. From up here you have a perfect view over the whole of Salzburg and its surroundings from many vantage points. The many hiking trails along woods and meadows also invite you to take long walks.

    Hiking trail on the Mönchsberg
    In the middle of the city on the Mönchsberg: Idyllic paths invite you to go hiking

    Wo im Schatten herbstlicher Ulmen der verfallene Pfad hinabsinkt,
    Ferne den Hütten von Laub, schlafenden Hirten,
    Immer folgt dem Wandrer die dunkle Gestalt der Kühle

    Über knöchernen Steg, die hyazinthene Stimme des Knaben,
    Leise sagend die vergessene Legende des Walds,
    Sanfter ein Krankes nun die wilde Klage des Bruders.

    Also rührt ein spärliches Grün das Knie des Fremdlings,
    Das versteinerte Haupt;
    Näher rauscht der blaue Quell die Klage der Frauen.
    (Georg Trakl, 1913)

    Folklore Museum in Salzburg near Hellbrunn Palace.
    From Mönchsberg you can also see the Folklore Museum near Hellbrunn Palace.

    2. Stop for a bite to eat in the Zirkelwirt

    The Zirkelwirt is a traditional house in a quiet location a little away from the center at Papagenoplatz and belongs to the culinary Salzburg tips in this list.

    There is a very nice beer garden here. From the menu I can recommend the spinach dumplings – this is a good vegetarian option to the plain, rather hearty and meat-centered food in Austria.

    3. Stroll through the mirabelle plum garden

    The Mirabelle Garden is one of the most beautiful urban gardens in Europe. It is aligned exactly with the castle and is decorated with many impressive statues and sculptures. That is why it is also a listed building.

    The Mirabelle Garden and the Castle in Salzburg
    The Mirabell Castle is also worth a visit.

    Once you are in the garden, you should also take a look at the Marble Hall in Mirabell Palace. Mozart already played music in this magnificent room. The hall is also a very popular place for weddings. The entrance is free of charge.

    Marble hall in the castle Mirabell in Salzburg
    The pompous marble hall.

    Also very beautiful, but somewhat hidden in the southern part of the castle, is the orangery. Here you can relax away from all the hustle and bustle in the garden.

    Orangery in Mirabell Castle in Salzburg
    The orangery: There is a large birdcage and a small fountain with fish.

    4. Drink a “Verlängerter” in the Café Bazar

    A “Verlängerter” is the Austrian word for a cup of coffee. And in Salzburg it is probably best to drink it in the historic Café Bazar. Celebrities such as Marlene Dietrich, Romy Schneider and Tomas Mann have been guests here.

    Café Baltasar in Salzburg
    The interior of the café has the special Austrian coffee house atmosphere that reminds of a bygone era.

    On the seats outside by the river you have a great view of the bustling activity along the shore.

    5. Walk across the Love Lock bridge

    The bridge with the many locks is a popular photo spot – not only for Instagram. Because from here you have a great view over the bank along the Salzach.

    love lock bridge in salzburg
    Better than the locks: The view over Salzburg.

    6. Read the stories in the St. Petersfriedhof

    Right next to the cable car at the foot of the fortress mountain you will find the somewhat hidden and inconspicuous entrance to Petersfriedhof.

    Petersfriedhof in Salzburg
    The Petersfriedhof lies directly below the Hohensalzburg.

    In this cemetery some centuries old stories are buried. Maybe that is why it radiates such a special atmosphere.

    As I stroll through the cemetery and read the gravestones, the same questions come to my mind again and again: “How did these inhabitants once live here in Salzburg? What did they once do to make it to this cemetery in the middle of the city?” Matthias

    Some of the stories can be guessed at least in part from the sayings on the boards.

    From the cemetery you get access to the catacombs carved into the mountain for 2 €. There are two chapels in the catacombs - shown here in the picture by the windows in the rock.
    From the cemetery you get access to the catacombs carved into the mountain for 2 €. There are two chapels in the catacombs – shown here in the picture by the windows in the rock.

    7. Taste some Salzburger Nockerl

    To visit Salzburg without tasting the Salzburger Nockerl is not really possible. So it’s best to find a restaurant that offers the traditional dessert and treat yourself to this Austrian dessert classic.

    Salzburger Nockerl
    I myself was in the restaurant at the Hotel Elefant and got these delicious Salzburger Nockerl for 14,90 €.

    8. Dine Europes oldest restaurant

    The St.Peter Stiftskulinarium is the oldest restaurant in Europe. It was first mentioned in a document in 803. So guests have been served here for about 1200 years. The restaurant consists of 11 rooms, some of which are built into the rock of the Mönchsberg.

    Admission to the St. Peter Stiftskulinarium in Salzburg, the oldest restaurant in Europe
    The entrance to the St. Peter Stiftskulinarium.

    You will be served upscale food that cost accordingly, but which has also been awarded two hoods by Gault&Millau, for example. So a dinner here is a special experience.

    9. Visit the Domquartier

    The Domquartier is a museum complex and a cultural highlight on a Salzburg city trip. You follow a predetermined path which leads you through the following areas:

    • the state rooms of the Residenz
    • the Residenzgalerie
    • the cathedral museum
    • the Museum St. Peter
    State rooms of the Residenz in the cathedral quarter in Salzburg
    I found the state rooms of the Residenz in Domquartier particularly impressive.

    It is the perfect place to visit in bad weather. But you shouldn’t miss it even in sunshine. Admission costs 13 €. There is also an audio guide. Here you can get your tickets for the Domquartier already online.

    I also found the view over the city from the rooms or the Dombogenterrasse especially cool.

    corridor in Domquartier in Salzburg
    Even the corridors from one room to the next are extremely pompous.

    10. Explore the Hohensalzburg

    The fortress Hohensalzburg is the landmark of the city and you should not miss it, not only because of the fantastic 360-degree panorama of the city that awaits you on the top.

    The Hohensalzburg in Salzburg
    The landmark of Salzburg.

    The castle became particularly famous during the time of Leonard von Keutschach, who was archbishop of Salzburg from 1495 to 1519. Keutschach also lived at the castle. You can still visit his rooms (the Fürstenzimmer) today and learn some exciting stories about that time.

    Prince's room in the Hohensalzburg in Salzburg
    Well preserved princely rooms: At one of the columns you can still find the remains of a long past battle.

    There are also several museums inside the complex:

    • The Fortress Museum – gives an insight into the history of the fortress
    • The Regiment Museum – a military museum with many exhibited war utensils
    • A Marinet Museum

    With the All Inclusive Ticket for 16,30 € you get…

    • Ascent and descent with the fortress railroad
    • Access to the Prince’s Room
    • A presentation of the history of the castle in the Magic Theater
    • A guided tour with audio guide
    • Access to all museums
    • Access to the Almpassage exhibition

    Hotel-Tipp in Salzburg

    A great hotel in the middle of the city is the Altstadthotel Amadeus. The boutique hotel has 4 stars and is located directly on Linzer Gasse – a promenade with many stores and restaurants. From here you can easily reach all the highlights of Salzburg on foot.

    Linzer Gasse in Salzburg
    The Linzer Gasse.

    I especially liked the sun terrace in the hotel where you can enjoy your breakfast or a glass of wine with a view into the greenery.

    Sun terrace directly next to the Sebastian cemetery in the Hotel Amadeus
    Right next to the hotel is the quiet Sebastian’s cemetery, which you can view from the sun terrace.

    The rooms were absolutely first class with many small details, such as the paintings on the walls.

    room in Hotel Amadeus in Salzburg
    The furnishing of the rooms: lots of space and well thought-out details.

    Extra excursion tip

    Only about 40 minutes by car from Salzburg is the fantastic Königssee. Here you can go on numerous hikes in the national park, take a boat to the other side or swim in the clearest water in Germany.

    The best Koenigssee sights: 10 tips for the dream lake in Germany

    Other Salzburg sights

    The highlights in Salzburg mentioned here can all be explored in one weekend. But there is much more.

    Here is an overview:

    • Mozart’s birthplace: See where Mozart was born and learn all about his life and work. Tickets are available here.
    • Hellbrunn Palace: The pleasure palace, built in the early 17th century, is located a little further away, south of the city center. It is famous for its water features and the castle garden. Here you get a tour to Hellbrunn by boat along the Salzach river.
    • Sound of Music Tour: One of the most popular tours to the locations of the musical of the same name. Here you can get tickets for it.
    • Getreidegasse: This is probably the most historic street in Salzburg. It is also the place where Mozart was born.
    • Kapuzinerberg: This mountain is opposite the Mönchsberg. You can walk along the old fortress walls. The entrance to the mountain is on Linzer Gasse. On top of the mountain, at the Fransziski-Schlössl, there is also a beer garden.
    Mozart birth house facade in Salzburg
    A classic in Salzburg: The birthplace of Mozart.

    Which other sights in Salzburg should be on the to-do list? How was your visit in Salzburg? Looking forward to get your comment.

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