One day in Salzburg gives you plenty of time to soak up the history and heritage of the small city. This Salzburg 1 day itinerary takes you to the top sites, including Old Town, Mozart’s birthplace, and Hohensalzburg Castle.
Salzburg, Austria lies on the country’s northern border with Bavaria, Germany. It’s a small city with a big heritage, famous for Mozart and the Sound of Music. Its rich German, and Austrian-Hungarian cultural influences permeate the town, from the classically Baroque architecture to the winding streets, the dominating fortress, and the quick-flowing Salzach River.
There’re so many things to do in Salzburg, like cathedrals, museums, and elaborate palaces. Read on for a short itinerary for one day in Salzburg, Austria!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. This means that should you click on certain links, and then subsequently purchase a product, I will receive a small commission.
Table of Contents
Is One Day in Salzburg Enough?
Yes, 1 day in Salzburg is plenty of time to see all of the main attractions. It’s actually a very popular day trip from Vienna, so many people who visit do it on a Salzburg day trip.
Of course, if you want to see the city without the crowds and get off the beaten path, spending the night in Salzburg is also a good idea!
Is The Salzburg Card Worth It?
The Salzburg Card, like most city cards, offers free entry into Salzburg museums and tourist attractions, as well as free public transportation. It also offers express entrance at certain attractions and additional discounts at others.
Whether the Salzburg Card will be worth it or not for your one day in Salzburg will depend on how many museums and attractions you want to visit. The card costs 27 euros in the low season and 30 euros in the high season for 24 hours. (You can also get 48 and 72-hour passes.)
The best way to see if the Salzburg card is worth it for you is to add up the entrance fees of all the attractions you’d like to visit, as well as any public transportation you expect to take, and see if it equals 30 euros or higher. If it does, definitely purchase the card!
Salzburg 1-Day Itinerary: What To Do in Salzburg for a Day
With a well-planned itinerary, it is very possible to see Salzburg in one day! Its compact size means it’s easy to see the main sights within the city center.
Some of the main things to see in Salzburg in one day include the famous Hohensalzburg Castle, known as Festung Hohensalzburg, the Mirabell Palace and Gardens, and Mozart’s birthplace.
Walking through the Old Town, which is on the left bank of the river, introduces visitors to the fascinating architecture of Salzburg. The pedestrian-only Altstadt is a great place to stop for a coffee, lunch, or a late afternoon beer. If you plan the day right, you’ll be able to see all of the main attractions and more with this Salzburg one-day itinerary.
Mozart’s Birthplace
Being your day at Mozart’s birthplace, located within the Altstadt. This typical Austrian apartment blends into the street – except for the crowds of people who come to celebrate the life of this famous composer. The museum inside is quite small but offers a variety of exhibits that reveal how his early life shaped his future. Nearby, just across the river and around a corner, is his adult residence, which is also a museum about Mozart’s life. It is known as Mozart’s Wohnhaus in Makartplatz.
Hohensalzburg Castle
From Mozart’s birthplace, head toward the Hohensalzburg Castle. Along the way, you can pass Mozartplatz, a large square with a statue of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. If you don’t see it, it’s relatively easy to find during your wandering of the Old Town. Hohensalzburg Castle – one of the most well-preserved medieval fortresses in Central Europe – dominates the skyline of Salzburg.
To get there, take the funicular railway from just behind the cathedral, which makes the trip to the top of the 506m escarpment in just one minute. It’s possible to walk up as well; it will take about twenty minutes. There’s a lot of history inside these walls, but don’t miss the panoramic views from the castle grounds.
Salzburg Cathedral
After your descent from the castle, stop in at the Salzburg Cathedral. Located in the heart of the Old Town, the Salzburg Cathedral was founded on the remains of a Roman town in 744. It was rebuilt in the 12th century, after a fire, and rebuilt once again in the 17th century into its present Baroque style. The interior of this Roman Catholic church is just as ornate as the exterior and visitors can see the baptismal font where Mozart was baptized.
Selected Tours in Salzburg
Original Sound of Music Tour visit locations used in the filming of “The Sound of Music while seeing beautiful locations in the countryside.
Concert at Mirabell Palace listen to the most famous pieces by Mozart and his contemporaries in a stunning location.
Half-day trip to Hallstatt in this 5-hour trip you will drive through some scenic villages and you will visit Hallstatt.
Salzburg Museum
Make your way back through the Old Town, perhaps stopping for lunch at a local coffeehouse, to the Mozartplatz. The Salzburg Museum is located in a historic residence, but today houses an expansive collection of artwork and rich displays of Salzburg’s history and culture. You can access the nearby Panorama Museum via a subterranean passage that doubles as an exhibition space for archaeological artifacts.
Mirabell Palace and Gardens
Across the Salzach River, in the 19th century Neustadt, or New Town, is the Mirabell Palace and Gardens. The beautiful Baroque gardens are most famous for the musical The Sound of Music, specifically the scene in which Maria and the children sing Do Re Mi.
While they were redesigned in the 17th century, the geometric layout is still clearly visible. Of the various fountains and sculptures in the gardens, the Pegasus Fountain is one of the most famous.
The Mirabell Palace, once the medieval home of Prince Archbishop Wolf Dietrich’s wife Salome Alt, is home to the current municipal offices and mayor’s office, as well as playing host to modern weddings. The gardens are the perfect backdrop for romance.
As Salzburg is a city of music, visitors will discover that there are events nearly daily, all year round. The Mirabell Palace does host concerts throughout the year, harking back to the times when Mozart performed here with his sister.
Müllner Bräu Beer Garden
After the Mirabell Palace and Gardens, cross back over the river and end the day by enjoying a pitcher of beer at the Müllner Bräu beer garden. Known formally as the Augustiner Bräustübl, the Biergarten is a popular spot for locals and visitors alike!
A liter of beer is known as a Maß, and you get it by purchasing a token, which you exchange for a stein. Then, you get to fill your stein up and relax under the chestnut trees! The brewery is a short walk from the Altstadt, along the river.
You might also want to check out: Things to do in Salzburg recommended by locals.
Where to Stay in Salzburg
If you decide to spend the night in Salzburg I recommend the following hotels:
Radisson Blu Hotel Altstadt This 5-star hotel dates back to 1377 and is perfectly located in the heart of Salzburg’s Old Town. The hotel was recently renovated and it’s centrally located to the sights.
Click here for more information and to check the latest prices.
Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Salzburg This traditional hotel is conveniently located near the Mirabell Palace. The Vier Jahreszeiten is within walking distance of the train station and Old Town.
Click here for more information and to check the latest prices.
How to Get Around Salzburg
Most of this 1 day Salzburg itinerary can be done on foot, thanks to Salzburg’s compact size. However, a few things, like the Hohensalzburg Fortress, are perched on the top of steep hills. The easiest way to get there is via the funicular that runs from Old Town to the fortress.
As far as public transportation goes, buses are available. You can find more info here.
How to Get to Salzburg
By Air
Salzburg does have an airport (SZG) that receives flights from cities like Frankfurt, Vienna, London, Berlin, and Istanbul.
However, if you are coming from outside of Europe, you will likely fly into Munich (MUC) which is 112km away or Innsbruck (INN) which is just over 140km away.
By Car
Most people visiting Salzburg are on a larger trip through Bavaria or Austria and a roadtrip is a great way to see it all. Via car, Salzburg is 3 hours from Vienna and 2 hours from Munich.
You will need to park your car outside of Old Town, such as at Linzer Gasse Parking Garage, then walk down the pedestrian street to town.
By Bus
If you’re on a budget, bus travel to Salzburg is a great option. Flixbus offers frequent routes from Vienna and Munich, as well as other cities.
By Train
The train is likely the most popular and easiest way to get to Salzburg for this 1 day Salzburg itinerary, especially if you need to return in one day. There are regular routes from Vienna (2.5 hours), Munich (1.5 hours), Innsbruck (1.75 hours), and Budapest (5.5 hours).
When Is The Best Time to Visit Salzburg?
This 1 day Salzburg itinerary can be completed year-round. Keep in mind that the summer months of June to August are the hottest and busiest months while the shoulder season months of May and September/October tend to have mild weather.
Winter in Salzburg is also beautiful, especially around Christmas. (It’s actually one of my favorite European cities to visit in December!) The Salzburg Christmas market is said to be one of the oldest in the country.
As you can see, there are plenty of places to see in Salzburg in one day, but with a little planning, you’ll be able to visit everything on this list and have time to enjoy the rest of the day! Salzburg, with its stunning Baroque architecture, friendly locals, compact Old Town, and rich heritage, has a lot to offer its visitors. Even if you only have one day in Salzburg, you will be able to see the major attractions.