Salzburg in Austria is the ideal city trip destination for those who love history and architecture. Find out how to spend one day in Salzburg.
This city is easily my favorite ‘big’ city in Austria, even though I can only compare it to Graz and Linz. Vienna and Innsbruck will have to wait until a non-coronavirus year.
But back to Salzburg. I loved the grandeur of the Dom, the Hohensalzburg Castle on top of the hill, and the buildings that house the museums and the university. Everything combined screams the status of the city in earlier ages. This is where it happened. From being the location of a Roman settlement, to becoming the seat of the archbishop and the centre of the counter-reformation. Salzburg’s historic centrum is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is where Mozart was born. Now if the above doesn’t count as inspiring, then I don’t know what does.
Nowadays, Salzburg is only the fourth biggest city in Austria, but it is thriving. Tourists love the city. Do you recognize that feeling that you get when visiting a new place? Within a few seconds you know whether this is a city you like, dislike or feel neutral about. Salzburg was an instant like for me. It simply felt pleasant, interesting, and fun.
How to spend one day in Salzburg
Let’s take a closer look at the must-see sights in Salzburg. One day is enough to see the most interesting buildings from the outside and a selection of them from within.
Linzer Gasse, Mozart House and Maribell Palace
On the northeast side of the river, you can visit Mozart House and Maribell Palace. In this area you can visit many interesting shops and unique cafes in the side streets of the Linzer Gasse. I preferred the shops and cafes on this side of the river over the ones around the Getreidegasse on the other side of the river.
Location Maribell Palace: Mirabellplatz, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
Location Mozart House: Makartplatz 8, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
Capuchin Monastery
Take a narrow alley up the Kapuzinerberg to the Capuchin Monastery. While the monastery itself is not the most interesting building in the city, your visit is all about the way there and the view from the top.
When you start your climb from the Linzer Gasse, you see more of the area on this side of the river. The path leads you past six baroque chapels. If you think the snaking alley is very picturesque, wait until you see the way down on the other side when you take the stairs to Imbergstiege past the St. John’s Chapel. From these stairs, you keep getting great glimpses of Hohensalzburg Castle.
But first head to the viewpoint on top of the Kapuzinerberg (called ‘Pulpit’). From here you have a panoramic view of Salzburg. You can see several castles, the Dom, and many other interesting buildings on both sides of the river. For instance, can you see the building with the copper roof?
Location Capuchin Monastery: Kapuzinerberg 6, 5020 Salzburg, Austria.Â
Getreidegasse
After crossing the bridge to the southwest side of the river, you reach this tourist and high-end shopping area. Aside from some Christmas stores lightening my mood, this area is not much fun as the Linzer Gasse on the other side of the river.
Location: Getreidegasse, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
Dom of Salzburg
A magnificent building, both from the inside and the outside (though nothing beats the Almudena Cathedral in Madrid). The square lined with tall buildings and the fountain complement the view.
The Dom is surrounded by three squares with stately statues in the middle. Follow the Franziskanergasse and the Max-Reinhardt-Platz to see the Franciscan Monastery and the University of Salzburg.
Location: Domplatz 1a, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
Hohensalzburg Castle
Take the fortress railway up to Hohensalzburg Castle for another panoramic view of the city. Stroll around in the castle town on top of the hill with buildings that look smalltown and medieval compared to the buildings surrounding the Dom. Do take notice of the architecture, the colors of the walls, and the painting on the church.
Location: Mönchsberg 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
Oldest bakery ‘Stiftsbäckerei St Peter’
Buy some bread at the oldest bakery of Salzburg situated right next to an old water wheel.
Location: Kapitelpl. 8, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
Petersfriedhof Graveyard and Catacombs
Last but not least: my highlight of the day. You can get a glimpse of the catacombs when taking the fortress railway to and from Hohensalzburg Castle. The windows in the rocks simply demand exploration.
From the graveyard – a very colorful place thanks to all the flowers left at the graves – you spy many more windows. For a small entrance fee (2 EUR) you can enter the caves that were carved out and taken into use many years ago. An impressive feat by all means.
Even more interesting is the view you get from the balustrade halfway: from here you can see the Dom, the Margarethenkapelle (church) within the graveyard, and Hohensalzburg Castle all at once. This is the view I loved the most (check out the pinterest picture below). If you are planning to visit Salzburg, don’t miss out on Petersfriedhof.
Location: you can enter the graveyard and catacombs from Festungsgasse 5, 5020 Salzburg, Austria.
Also explore: Sankt Wolfgang im Salzkammergut, Hallstatt, and Dachstein Krippenstein
