free walking tour of salzburg

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Free Salzburg Walking Tour:

Walking Tour Location :  Old Town Salzburg ( Altstadt ) Cost :  Free, Self-Guided ( Museum costs listed below ) Style :  Do-It-Yourself Walking Tour ( Self Guided )  Start :  Mirabell Palace Gardens End :  Mönchsberg Winkler Terrace Walking Distance :  3 Miles ( +0.3 inside Salzburg Castle,  +0.75 to follow Mönchsberg to Augustiner Beer Hall; +0.50 roundtrip for Nonnberg Abbey ) Time :  2 Hours For Walk ( with attractions 5-6 hours ) Fun Scale :  10 out of 10

Salzburg Walking Tour Overview:

Our free Salzburg walking tour focuses on beautiful Old Town ( Altstadt ), which is well known as the home of Mozart and the setting for the hit movie The Sound of Music.  From its Alpine surroundings to its robust history, and rich architecture, it is no wonder that so many visitors flock to Salzburg’s Old Town each year.  The city center is very compact, and you will be able to breeze through the main sights thanks to our free Salzburg walking tour map.

We like to start this Salzburg walking tour early in the morning, sometimes even right dawn when the Mirabell Palace Gardens are opening.  Starting early in the day is a great way to avoid feeling rushed and will give you plenty of extra time to explore the walking tour sights, shop on Getreidegasse, or to just stop and relax.  We hope you enjoy our free Salzburg walking tour!

Brief History Of Old Town Salzburg:

The core of Old Town Salzburg’s history started as a Celtic settlement which the Romans developed into a formal town of Luvaum ( controlled from 15BC-488AD ) complete with a large forum.  Luvaum ( pronounced U-Va-Voom ) sat right at the intersection of two trades routes, and because of an abundance of nearby white gold ( salt ), the town was gradually renamed Salzburg ( meaning Salt Fortress ) during post-Roman redevelopment.  Our free Salzburg walking tour will cover the in-depth history of the town.

Throughout its almost 500 years of independent rule by Prince-Archbishops ( 1213–1803 ), medieval Salzburg grew quite wealthy and full of elegant Baroque architecture. The city grew especially powerful in the 1500s which led to a lot of Italianate redevelopment in Old Town.  A vibrant local culture also sprung up in Salzburg, and as the home of the famous composer, it became known as the city of Mozart.  Salzburg’s city center was lucky enough to retain its beautiful by avoiding The 30 Years War and by suffering relatively minor damage during WW2.  Because Salzburg’s Old Town has kept much of its original charm, the hills are very much still alive with The Sound of Music.

1. Sacher Cafe :

About Sacher Cafe :  The Sacher Café is known for having the best slice of chocolate cake you can find anywhere.  Their  world-famous cake , known as the Original Sacher-Torte, was the creation of Austrian chef Franz Sacher who was asked to make a dessert for a  Royal party in 1832  while only 16 years old.  Word of the Sacher’s amazing cake spread and he quickly became a household name.  Forever known as the family of rich cake, Sacher’s son opened the Sacher Hotel and Café in Vienna in 1876 and spared no expense decorating every elegant detail.

With over a century of success, the Sacher business expanded to Salzburg in 1988 with their  riverfront location  and has become a local staple ever since.  The fancy sit down area is wonderful, but they also have outdoor umbrella tables facing the river and a takeout shop where you can even have desserts shipped back home.  They actually have a wide range of food and can be a good breakfast option.  If you are confused and which coffee goes best with the cake, the traditional drink in Vienna is hot black coffee with foamed milk and whipped cream.  If Sacher is too busy for some reason, you can also great a great bite to eat next door at the Cafe Bazar.  Coffeehouse culture is an essential part of Austrian culture and stopping at one while on this free Salzburg walking tour is a must.

Hours :  Daily 7:30am-11pm.   Website :   Here .

2. “ Love Lock ” Footbridge ( Makartsteg ):

About The Love Lock Bridge :  While other tourist destinations around Europe like Paris have crackdown down and banned love locks, the romantic city of Salzburg has embraced it.  Every day the long pedestrian & bike-only Makart Footbridge ( Makartsteg ) is lined with tourists leaving paddle locks in hope for good luck .  Some wish for lasting romance with the person they love while others memorialize someone they have lost, but all do it in the hopes of returning to Salzburg someday.  Many of the locks have custom messages or initials written on them and once locked you throw away the key to make your wish come true.

The first bridge here was completed in 1905 and named after  19th-Century painter Hans Makart .  It had to be rebuilt in 1967 following damage in WW2, but the bridge would sway so much with the ever increasing foot traffic that it had to be re-designed for its grand opening in 2000.  While admiring the love locks, or leaving one yourself, make sure to take in the beautiful panoramic views of Old Town.  Many of the interesting things you see from the Love Lock Bridge we will see later on this free Salzburg walking tour.  You can also see the boat docks on the Southern bank of the bridge where Salzburg’s river cruises leave from.

3. Mozart’s Residence ( Wohnhaus ):

About Mozart’s Residence :  Welcome to the house that Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart lived in with his family from age 17 to 25.  We will cover the more popular home where Mozart was born later in this free Salzburg walking tour, but we love this building which is often overlooked by tourists.  After returning from a European music tour in 1773, the Mozart family realized they had  outgrown their original Salzburg home  and needed to upgrade.  Mozart’s dad Leopold decided to move the growing family to the sizeable Dance Master House ( Tanzmeisterhaus ) building you see before you.  They rented half of the building, complete with 8 spacious rooms, which later became known as the Mozart Residence ( Wohnhaus ) .

Amadeus produced many famous works in their apartments in Dance Master House ( Tanzmeisterhaus ), and the family thrived in their new social environment.  After 8 years in the Wohnhaus, Amadeus was ultimately driven from Salzburg in 1781 after an argument with the Archbishop and moved to Vienna.  Mozart had long felt he was under the thumb of the Archbishop and wanted more personal and creative freedom outside of Salzburg, although his father was upset by the move.  Two years later, Mozart’s beloved sister Nannerl moved to nearby Saint Gilgen Austria after marrying the city’s administrator, but oddly left her newborn baby here at the Wohnhaus with her dad Leopold.  After Leopold died in 1787, the home changed hands many times over the years and was later heavily damaged by WWII bombings.

Decades after the WWII, with Salzburg’s tourism on the upswing, the Mozarts’ Residence was faithfully reconstructed and opened to the public as a museum in 1996.  Exhibits include original documents and portraits showing the history of the Wohnhaus building, Mozart’s compositions during his Salzburg years, and of the large social gatherings of the family.  Special attractions include Mozart’s  original fortepiano  and the famous family portrait in the  Dance-Master’s Salon Room .  Separate areas in the museum are dedicated to topics such as the women in Mozart’s life, especially his sister Nannerl, and even sports shooting ( Bölzlschießen ) which was a popular pastime among the family, as well as info on the family’s extensive European travels.

Make note of the white and yellow house ( Makartplatz 1 ) on your right as you approach the Mozart Residence from the river.  Local physicist Christian Doppler was born in 1803, who later went on to pioneer the “Doppler effect” which led to modern radar.

Visiting Hours :  Daily 9am-5:30pm; in July & August 8:30am-7pm; last entry an hour before close.   Cost :  Adults are 11€, or 18€ for a ticket that also includes Mozart’s Birth Place.  Children are only 3.50€, and a family ticket is 23€.   Website :   Here .

Featured On : Self-Guided Mozart Tour

4. Mirabell Palace Gardens :

About Mirabell Palace Gardens :  The Mirabell Palace Gardens ( laid out in 1715-30 ) is one of the most playful areas of Salzburg and offers some of the best views of Old Town.  The name Mirabell literally means beautiful view, so you know you’re in for a treat.  The palace grounds are very famous for being laced with scenes from the hit movie The Sound of Music – especially from the song ‘ Do Re Mo ’.

A visit to the Mirabell Gardens begins at the Southern entrance where two large pairs of Greek fencing statutes can be found leaping toward each other with their triumphant fists in the air.  The figures were inspired by the ancient Borghese gladiator statues are among many carved pieces of art in the park.  As you walk through the grounds, you’ll encounter several fountains, elegant statues, and plenty of colorful flowers.  Make sure to turn around and check out the amazing views of  Hohensalzburg Fortress  towering over Old Town Salzburg.  We’ll visit the fortress later on this free Salzburg walking tour.

You’ll find one of the most iconic spots in the Mirabell Gardens, the  Pegasus Statue Fountain , sitting in the Northwest corner of the grounds.  This horse statue was moved here in 1913 after previously sitting in front of the Mozart Residence in Hannibalplatz ( now Makartplatz ).  In the movie The Sound of Music, the Von Trapp children dance around this Pegasus Fountain ( added in 1913 ) while singing Do Re Mi and using the nearby terrace steps as a  musical scale .  After inspecting their unicorn guards, climb the terrace steps just like Maria did in the movie for an epic view of Salzburg.

Make sure to also follow the other set of steps near the Pegasus Fountain guarded by lions ( Westside opposite the palace ) across a small footbridge to the  Dwarf Gnome Park ( Zwergerlgarten ) .  Commissioned in 1715, the statues were meant to caricatures making fun of Salzburg’s common people who weren’t even allowed in the park ( became public in 1854) .  These statues helped to upper class to feel big while also creating an ugly balance to the large triumphant statues in the center of the park.

15 of the original 28 gnome statues in the park, and they are all said to have been modeled after real royal court dwarfs.  All of the dwarfs are carved out of local marble ( actually chalky limestone ) from Untersberg Mountain whose small ice cave is fabled to hold the resting spirit of Charlemagne The Great.  Each sculpture is fun and unique, but the dwarf with the glasses on was the one all the Von Trapp kids patted on the head during The Sound of Music movie.  Near the Dwarf Garden is a long pergola vine tunnel and hedge maze  which was also featured in the film.  To learn more about the nearby movie sights see our  Sound Of Music Movie Tour .

Getting Here :  You can easily walk from the main city center or take the bus, pretty much every bus line will have a Mirabell stop.   Cost :  The Gardens & Palace are free.   Garden Hours :  Main gardens open all year from Dawn to Dusk; the Hedge Maze and Dwarf Garden close each Winter.    Photos :  ( Pegasus Fountain  |  Entrance  |  Garden View  |  Pergola  |  SOM Gnome ).

Featured On : Sound of Music Movie Tour

5. Mirabell Palace :

About Mirabell Palace :  Overshadowed by the sprawling gardens, the Mirabell Palace itself was built in 1606 by Archbishop Wolf Dietrich Raitenau  for his mistress Salome Alt  whom he had 12 children with.  Originally called Altenau Palace in her honor, the mansion was outside of the original city walls at the time and was considered a country escape for the not-so-secret couple.  The Archbishop was expelled from office in 1612 his replacement tried to erase his memory by renaming the palace Mirabell  after its beautiful views  of Old Town.  It is one of the top five viewpoints on our free Salzburg walking tour map.

If you go inside Mirabell Palace, make sure to check out the 3-level staircase  adorned with angel statues , in addition to the historic Marble Ball Room.  In the Marble Ball Room, which is now used for weddings,  Mozart performed piano concerts as a child.  During Salzburg’s short modern stint as part of Bavaria ( 1810-15, was also Bavaria in the 700s ), Prince Otto was born in Mirabell Palace in 1815 and later went on to become the King of Greece.  The Palace has been owned by the city since 1866 and is used as offices including the Mayor of Salzburg.

Palace Angel Staircase Hours :  Daily 8am-6pm.   Palace Marble Hall Hours :  Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 8am-4pm; Tuesday & Friday 1-4pm.   Photos :  ( Front of Palace  |  Palace Interior – Staircase Angels ).

6. Saint Sebastian Church & Cemetery :

About The Cemetery :  The Saint Sebastian Cemetery ( Sebastianskirche Friedhof ) is home to the graves of  Mozart’s wife Constanze  and his father, Leopold.  While the family graves are small, it is easy to find them near the giant Mausoleum.  We love the outdoor corridors lined with statues and headstones.  The entrance to Saint Sebastian Church ( built in 1505 ) is a favorite among photographers as it has a very photogenic group of playful angel statues on a gate added in 1752.  The church was also the parish that the Mozart family attended for most of Wolfgang’s time in Salzburg.

If you aren’t into Mozart or are short on time feel free to skip the cemetery and go right to the next stop, but if you’re a history or classical music lover it’s only a block or so out of your way to get here.  Visitors often say that this cemetery is one of the most peaceful places on our free Salzburg walking tour.

Visiting Hours :  Daily 9am-4pm; Summer stays open until 6:30pm.   Photos :  ( Grave of Mozart’s Wife & Father  |  Mausoleum  |  Church Interior  |  Church Exterior  |  Angels ).   Church Website :   Here .

7. Capuchin Monastery ( Kapuzinerkloster ):

About Kapuzinerberg Monastery :  Isolated on the Northside of the Salzach River, the Capuchin Hill ( Kapuzinerberg ) is the  highest point in Salzburg  and has some very rewarding views of Old Town.  In 1594 the Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg established a monastery here for devoted Capuchin Order of Franciscan Monks inside the remains of the former Trumpeter Castle ( Trompeterschlössel ) .  The original building dates back to the 1200s ( Fortified in 1405 ) to protect what was the town’s only bridge below and has almost eye-level views of the mighty Salzburg High Fortress perched above Old Town.

A mild, winding stroll ( or steep steps ) will bring you up to the Capuchin Monastery ( Kapuzinerkloster ), located 1/4 of the way up the 2081 foot tall Kapuzinerberg Hill.  During your hike up you’ll pass by a lot of interesting parts of the Medieval city wall and even scenes from the Passion of Christ in a small chapel built into the wall.  During normal daytime hours, you are free to check out the monastery and learn more about the Monks’ way of life.  As you can imagine being up so high, the  stunning views of Old Town  and the colorful buildings lining the Salzach River make it worth the short hike up.  Sadly most tourists don’t go through the effort to get up the Hill and miss out and an unbelievable experience which is one of the best on our free Salzburg walking tour.  In addition to the great views, and peaceful brown cloaked monks, you’ll love the decorative Gothic oak door at the monastery, which is a relic old Salzburg Cathedral after it was rebuilt in the early-1600s.

The monastery is a good jump-off point if you are hiking further up the hill ( 0.8 miles ) to Saint Francis Fortress ( Franziskischlössl ) .  In the 1600s, Franziskischlössl was built as a watchtower for the city wall and is now a restaurant.  On your wooded hike to the top of the Kapuzinerberg Hill, you will cross multiple parts of the old Medieval city wall and hidden city viewpoints.  The walls were re-enforced for protection following The 30 Years War which Salzburg managed to stay out of by basically paying their way out of the conflict.  If you hike even closer to the top of the hill they have discovered two settlements from the Neolithic Period that date back to around 1,000 BC.  These settlements are far older than even the Celtic findings and the Roman village of Luvaum ( 15BC-488 AD ) which once covered Old Town Salzburg below.

Terrace Hours :  Daily from Dawn-Dusk.   Monastery Hours :  Monday-Saturday 6am-6pm;  Sunday 8am-6 pm; Closed during Mass.   Photos :  ( Monastery on Hillside  |  View From Monastery  |  Wall Carving ).   Monastery Website :   Here .

Featured On : Best Viewpoints In Salzburg

8. Stone Alley ( Steingasse ):

About Steingasse :  Although it is a block off the water today, the Salzach River once butted up again the cobbled Stone Alley ( Steingasse ) until its flow was redirected in 1862-66.  From Roman times through the Middle Ages, this created a natural fortification  for the narrow roadway wedged between the river and the cliff of Kapuzinerberg Hill.  The protection was vital as Steingasse was the main road into Salzburg from the South including the salt mines in Hallein.  This route continued through Werfen and over the Alps onto Italy which helped Salzburg ( Salt Castle ) become very a dominant trading center.  Wagons full of salt would pour into Salzburg following the river along the regulated Stone Alley before turning into Old Town along the Roman Bridge.  This also made it easy to charge tolls along the way.

As you stroll down the cobblestone lane, it almost feels like you are walking inside of a city wall.  Our favorite feature of the Steingasse is the fortified  Inner Stone Gate ( Innere Steintor ) which dates to 1280 ( rebuilt in 1634 ) and had a drawbridge all the way until 1900.  No wider than an alleyway, through Medieval times the street was home to many of Salzburg’s craftsmen whos trade required water access like potters, dyers, and tanners.

The most notable people to live on the cobblestone Steingasse was the Joseph Mohr  ( #31 ) who wrote the lyrics to the timeless holiday song  ‘Silent Night’  which premiered on Christmas Eve in 1818.  You’ll see a plaque near the door in Mohr’s honor which is important for a city that prides itself on its Christmas traditions.  The marker for Mohr’s home had been incorrectly placed at house #9 in 1968 due to an error in the 1794 Census, but was later moved to the correct house #31 in 2017.

Across the street from Mohr’s home, you’ll notice a large chunk of stone is missing from the corner of another building.  Local folklore says that this gash happened when a drunken American soldier  tried to drive his tank  down the narrow Steingasse on his way a brothel in WWII and got stuck.  The historic House of Pleasure Brothel ( Maison de Plaisir, #24 ) dates back to 1513 ( same name since 1794 ) and is still open today.  There is no doorknob, just a buzzer, a peephole, plus an eerie green light at night.

The Violin Maker’s House ( Geigenmacher, #25 ) across the street from the brothel was once a shop where Andreas Ferdinand Mayr made Mozart’s childhood violin in 1746, six years before the musician was even born.  This violin can be seen on display at Mozart’s birth house later on this free Salzburg walking tour.

As you wander through the pedestrian street, you’ll come across a lot of unusual doorways that are fun to photograph.  Some of the doors have Medieval armor-like embellishments, a few have a door within a door, and others like house #2 have a charming coat of aged blue paint.

You’ll also notice that many entries will also have chalk markings on them saying  20+C+M+B+18 .  These markings are a Catholic tradition usually put above one’s door to bless visitors on the 12th night of Christmas, also known as the Feast of the Epiphany.  In Salzburg, they take this spirit to a new level and use the chalk marks to bless visitors all year.  The 20 & 18 represent the current year, and the C, M, & B are the initials of the traditional names of the three wise men from the Bible known as Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar.  The initials also have a second meaning as they represent the Latin phrase Christus Mansionem Benedicat which translates to May Christ Bless This Home.  The + signs are meant to be crosses that represent the protection of Christ.

Photos :  ( Narrow Streets  |  Joseph Mohr’s Home Sign ).

9. Mozart Footbridge ( Mozartsteg ):

About The Mozart Footbridge :  The pedestrian-only Mozart Footbridge ( Mozartsteg ) is named after Salzburg’s most famous resident and opened in 1903.  From the Northern bank of the Salzach River, you will great some of High Fortress gleaming over the steel arches of the Mozart footbridge.  The riverbank near the bridge is also a popular place both either fish or relax in the grass.

The Mozart Bridge was only the third built over the river into the heart of Old Town which is remarkable since Salzburg was started as the Roman village of Juvavum ( 15BC-488AD ).  From 15BC, the old Roman Bridge ( römische brücke ) was the only one to span the river and became covered in Medieval market stalls until it was replaced by the State Bridge ( staatbrücke ) in 1599AD.  A second bridge wasn’t opened until 1859 when the first Caroline Bridge ( Karolinenbrücke ) was completed and was followed later in 1903 by the Mozart Footbridge.  The Love Lock Bridge from earlier in this free Salzburg walking tour was the fourth to open in 1905.

In the movie The Sound of Music, the Mozart Footbridge is where Maria and the kids skip across the river while pointing during the instrumental end to the song  ‘My Favorite Things’ .  Along the bridge’s grassy riverbank, the children also skip along during the film scene.  To learn more about the nearby film sights see our  Sound Of Music Movie Tour .

10. Mozart Square ( Mozartplatz ):

About Mozartplatz :  With a giant statue of the city’s number one son, Mozart Square is the coolest place to enter Old Town Salzburg.  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart made Salzburg his home for the first 25 years of his life ( 1756-1781 ) before moving to Vienna, and the  Mozart statue  dominates the center of the square.

When the statue was being added in 1841, the city found the foundations of two Roman Villas complete with 3 magnificent mosaic floors below the square.  The top layer of mosaics had an inscription that read “Here lives the luck, nothing evil should be allowed” in Latin.  Due to poor initial preservation, only 9 sections of the floors and an original color drawing of the findings remain today and can be viewed at the Salzburg Museum.

The real highlight of Mozartplatz may be the exterior of the beautiful pink  Church of Saint Michael  which dates back almost 1,000 years before Mozart to 813AD.  The inside of the church is a little bland to be worth your time, but the outside pop of color is excellent.  During WWII, an air raid bomb blasted a hole just steps from the Mozart statue, but luckily both it and the church were unharmed.

If you need to refuel for the rest of the free Salzburg walking tour, we suggest stopping for a coffee and pastries at the sprawling  Café Glockenspiel .   The cafe has a nice outdoor seating in the square plus a covered balcony area which are perfect both for people watching.  From the balcony, we especially love watching all of the  horse carriages  that line up in Mozartplatz.

11. New Residenz & Panorama 1829 :

About The New Residenz :  Starting in 1587, the Archbishop started began opening up a new main square for Salzburg including the building of  New Residenz ( Neugebäude )  on the square’s Eastside. The mansion-sized New Residenz replaced a tight grouping of Medieval homes, served as the Archbishop’s guest house, and today holds museum space.  Notice the huge  Glockenspiel Bell Tower  sitting on top of the New Residenz.  If you are lucky enough to be there when it chimes ( 7am, 11am, & 6pm ) you will hear the Glockenspiel’s 35 bells from the 1600s ring out a tune set to match the current month.  At the top of the Tower is a depiction of an upside down flaming heart surrounding the solar system is meant to symbolize God’s love for all of creation.

Inside the New Residenz, there are a few different things to do that make it worth a stop.  If you are looking for great local knickknacks and handcrafted items make sure to stop by the  New Residenz’s Heimatwerk Shop .  If it is a rainy day, consider checking out both the workshop and the Salzburg Museum of History and Art ( website ) inside the complex. There you can find many of the  Roman artifacts that have been discovered from Salzburg’s early days at the as the settlement of Luvaum ( 15BC-488AD ).

The one thing you really shouldn’t miss, which is attached to the New Residenz, is the  Salzburg Panorama 1929  ( website ) painted by Johann Michael Sattler.   The Panorama boasts a series of stunning 360-degree panoramic paintings of how many European cities looked in the early 1800s.  The mural of Salzburg is pretty straightforward, however, figuring out what European cities are in the others paintings is set up as a fun game.  They even give you a cheat sheet so you can verify your answers after you’ve investigated the murals.

Salzburg Museum Hours :  Tuesday-Sunday 9am-5pm; Closed Mondays.   Salzburg Museum Cost :  Adults 8.50€; Kids 4€; Family pass 17€.   Panorama Hours :  Daily 9am-5pm.   Panorama Cost :  Adults 3€; Kids 1€.    Glockenspiel Tower Hours :  Carillon plays music Daily at 7 am, 11 am and 6 pm.   Glockenspiel Tower Tours :  March-October Thursday 5:30 pm, Friday 10:30 am and by prior arrangement.   Glockenspiel Tower Cost :  Adults 4€; Kids 2€.  Panorama Website :   Here .   Museum Website :   Here .

12. Residenz Square & Fountain :

About Residenz Square :  Before modern Salzburg, the Residenz Square was once  part of an ancient Roman Forum  with an altar to Jupiter and a Pantheon Temple dedicated to all the gods.  While the Forum was largely built over in the centuries after the Romans left in 488, modern excavations of Residenz Square have revealed a lot.  Beneath the square, they found blocks from the time of Emperor Septimius Severus ( 193-211 ), ruins of Roman buildings, walls, a road, and a Weihealtar with inscriptions of the river god Iuvavus.  A 4-foot-tall part of the Jupiter Altar ( 2nd or 3rd century AD ) was found during renovations of the square in 2008.

In 1587, the Archbishop of Salzburg leveled many Medieval homes that had been built over the Forum as well as a cemetery so he could expand his palace and open the area up into a large square with  Italian style architecture .  Originally called Main Square ( Hauptplatz ), this new space was lined with Baroque buildings as it became the heart of town and today still shows off the Archbishop’s Italian ambitions.  Circling the square clockwise is pink Saint Micheal’s Church to the North, the  New Residenz  ( Neugebäude )  to the East, the  Salzburg Cathedral ( Dom )  to the South, and the  Old Residenz ( Alte Residenz )  to the West.

The vast Residenz Square is well known to movie lovers as the place where the Von Trapp family performs  ‘I Have Confidence in Me’  in the movie The Sound of Music.  Maria enters through the Domplatz arches on the Southwest corner of the Residenz Square and splashes in the 45 foot tall  Horse Fountain ( Residenzbrunnen ) .  The Horse Fountain is the focal point of the busy Square and is complete with a Triton which matches Bernini’s famous Triton Fountain in Rome.  Completed in 1661, the Horse Fountain is considered the largest Baroque fountain located outside of Italy.

The people watching in Residenz Square is fantastic as it if the center of everything Salzburg.  There have been local painters setting up in Residenzplatz forever, and many of them even take on fake Italian last names so they can charge higher rates for their work.

13. Gold Lane ( Goldgasse ):

About Goldgasse :  The curved and narrow Goldgasse alleyway gains its name from the goldsmiths that once had their shops here in Medieval times.  While the prestigious shops along Goldgasse are still a little upscale today, this will be your first look at Salzburg’s picture perfect back lanes.  For us, the highlight of the alley is the beautiful  Gasthof Goldgasse Restaurant  ( website ) which resembles an Alpine lodge inside.  The restaurant has excellent meals and is one of our favorite place of this free Salzburg walking tour to get traditional Austrian food.  They have lunch specials daily ranging from 11-19€ including a meal and dessert.

Gasthof Restaurant Hours :  Daily Noon-11pm; kitchen open until 10 pm; reservations suggested during lunch and dinner.   Gasthof Restaurant Website :   Here .

14. Old Market Square ( Alter Markt ):

About Old Market :  The city gained grain market rights in 996AD ( when Austria was formed ), but it wasn’t until after Salzburg was granted political sovereignty from Bavaria in 1297AD that the Old Market Square really took shape.  While it may seem tucked away today, the long Old Market ( Alter Markt ) served as  Medieval Salzburg’s main marketplace .  The location of the square was a vital gateway going back to Roman times as it directly lined up with the only bridge crossing the river into town from 15AD until 1859AD.  We love the square’s Saint Florian Fountain which goes back to 1488 and has a statue of the Saint added in the 1700s.

The weekly fresh produce market moved to University Square in 1857, but the Old Market ( Alter Markt ) is still great to visit as there are tons of shops and stands selling  excellent tourist souvenirs .  Some buildings of note around the square are Salzburg’s smallest house ( #10a ), and the  old Royal pharmacy  called the Hofapotheke ( #6,  website ).  The former Royal pharmacy dates back to 1591, has a beautiful Rococo facade which as added in 1777, and is fun to photograph.

You will also want to check out the Café Konditorei Fürst (#13,  website ) where confectioner Paul Furst created the now world-famous  Mozart Chocolate Balls  known as Mozartkugel in 1890.  We like to sit down at Cafe Furst for a coffee with our chocolate, but they have perfect sized mini-gift boxes of Mozartkugel available for sale if you are on the go.  You can wash your chocolate down with an uplifting cup of coffee or a fancy ice cream drink from Cafe Tomaselli ( #7,  website ) which is the  oldest cafe in Austria .  Frenchmen Johann Fontaine opened the first cafe in Salzburg on nearby Goldgasse in the year 1700, which was moved to the present location in 1764 and acquired by Carl Tomaselli in 1852.  Cafe Tomaselli was a favorite of Mozart who would come here for their almond milk.

Just off the Northwest corner of the Old Market is the slightly hidden  Old Town Hall ( Alter Rathaus ) .  Built in the 1300s as a Citizen’s Hall, the city bought the building to use as the Town Hall in 1407 and added the bell/clock tower.  The tower served as the lookout for the nightwatchman in Medieval times, and its clock also has a timeless moon dial.  In 1618, the marble statue of Justinian was added above the door to represent the justice of the court inside.  The Old Town Hall was given a Rocco-style facade in 1772, and the government offices later moved to Mirabell Palace in 1947.

15. Old Residenz Palace :

About Old Residenz Palace :  When they call it the Old Residenz Palace, they aren’t kidding.  There has been a mansion here for Salzburg’s Archbishop  since 1120AD  including the current one which was rebuilt in 1596 as part of an Italianate makeover.  To enlarge the Old Residenz Palace and open up a new town square, the Archbishop had to tear down a bunch of Medieval homes and a cemetery which themselves had been built over an ancient Roman forum.

Today you can tour 15 of the Palace’s  elegant staterooms  which are lavishly decorated plus a classic art gallery that has Rembrandt and Ruben paintings.  Film lovers may remember that in the Sound of Music movie, the palace had a giant Nazi flag draped on the facade of the Old Residenz Palace facing the square.

Hours :  Wednesday-Monday 10am-5pm; Closed Tuesdays.   Time Required :  It takes about 30 minutes for the Staterooms and 45 minutes for the art gallery.   Cost :  Adults 12€; Kids 5€; Family Pass 22€.   Guided Tours :  90-120 minute guided tours for large groups; audio guides are also available for smaller groups and individuals.   Website :   Here .

16. Salzburg Cathedral ( Salzburger Dom ):

About Salzburg Cathedral :  The Salzburg Cathedral ( Dom ) is by far the  biggest church in Old Town , faces 3 town squares at once, and is where Mozart was baptized.  The original Christian parish on the grounds was completed by Saint Virgil ( Bishop from 767-84 ) and was about half the size of the current Cathedral.  This first parish was consecrated on September 24th, 774 when the remains of  Saint Rupert  were moved here and an annual festival still marks the day.  Saint Rupert was the Bishop of Worms who came here in 696 to establish a new center to spread Christianity in the region.  Rupert spent the next 20 years building churches and a convent in what remained from the then sparsely occupied Roman town of Juvavum which once filled all of today’s Old Town.  While Saint Rupert’s work is considered the  founding of modern town , the name Salzburg wasn’t used until after Bishop Virgil ( from Ireland ) took over the church building work of his predecessors and was in honor of the ancient fort that was on the site of Nonnberg Abbey.

Bishop Virgil’s parish was subject many fires and expansions over the centuries and grew into a large complex including a choir, clergy house, a crypt, and cemetery.  After a 10 year rebuild from a fire in 1167, the Virgil Dom become the  mightiest Romanesque Cathedral  North of the Alps.  Another huge fire in 1598 led to church’s 8th re-build and the magnificent Baroque style Salzburg Cathedral you see today.  The new cathedral was planned by Archbishop Wolf Dietrich Raitenau who was already in the midst of revamping the neighboring Residenz Palace and new square with help from an Italian architect.  Some say he may have even been involved in the fire as an excuse to clear more room for his other building projects.  Although he was anti-Protestant, Bishop Raitenau was expelled by Bavarian forces and imprisoned for life after refusing to join the Reformation’s Catholic League.  The next Bishop was both a relative and nemesis of Raitenau, but also stayed out of the Catholic League and laid the cornerstone for the Cathedral in 1614 ( opened 1628 ).  It is a miracle that the new Salzburg Cathedral was built at all as most of Austria got swept up in Europe’s Catholic versus Protestant  30 Years’ War  during the construction.  While other cities were in the middle of this turmoil, Salzburg was able to rely on its rich salt production to have enough money to  remain independent  from the War.  Because of their independence, Salzburg was able to build this massive Church while most other cities had to scale back on their building projects.

Before entering the Salzburg Cathedral it is hard to miss the beautiful  Virgin Mary ( Madonna ) Statue  in Dom Square in front of the doors.  While it appears odd that the Mary statue is looking away from the church, further inspection reviles that the statue is actually interacting with the Church’s facade.  The two angels on the front of the Church are holding a crown and as you walk closer their relation to the Mary Statue give the appearance that they are actually placing the crown on her head.  Moving closer to the Cathedral’s entrance you’ll notice large scene with the  Statues of Four Saints  ( 1600s ) and three towering bronze gates ( 1900s ).  The 4 statues are of Saint Rupert holding a salt barrel, Saint Virgil with a church, Saint Peter with keys, and Saint Paul holding a sword.  Statues of apostles as well as Moses and Elijah are further up the facade.  The three gates are made to represent the  Three Virtues  ( Göttliche Tugenden ) and go from left to right: The  Gate of Faith  ( Tor des Glaubens ) the  Gate of Love  ( Tor der Liebe ), and the  Gate of Hope  ( Tor der Hoffnung ).

Inside the entrance look for the bronze baptismal font ( 1311 ) with lion statues ( 1200 )  where Mozart was baptized .  The most impressive part of the interior is the  huge 233 foot tall dome  which is painted into two eight piece sections depicting scenes from the Old Testament to go with murals of Passion of the Christ along the nave.  During WWII a bomb crashed right through the dome, but luckily didn’t explode.  Also awaiting the curious traveler is the working organ from 1703 that Mozart played during two years as the Church’s organist, an old tomb filled crypt with exposed pieces of the old Romanesques foundations from both 774 and 1167, plus an interesting Cathedral museum ( website ) covering 1300 years of history.  While the modern 4,000-pipe organs impressive, the 7 huge tower bells ( 2 from the 1600s ) are a real treat.  The group of bells is considered the finest sounding in Austria and among them, the  Salvator Bell , is the second largest in Austria weighing 14 tons.

Hours : Monday-Saturday 8am-6pm & Sundays 1pm-6pm; Summer months open until 7pm; Winter Mondays closes at 5pm.   Cost : Free, however donations requested.   Mass : Sunday 10am.   Organ Performance : June-Sept Wed & Sat 11:15am for one hour.   Museum Hours : Wednesday-Monday 10am-5pm ( last entrance 4pm, closed Tuesdays ); Open daily in December; July & August also open daily until 8pm.   Museum Cost :  Adults 10€, Kids Free.

17. Chapter Square ( Kapitelplatz ):

About Kapitelplatz :  The vast Chapter Square ( Kapitelplatz ) is named after the high clergy of Salzburg Cathedral who lived here in the Cathedral Monastery ( Domkloster ) through Medieval times.  When the monastery was disbanded in 1803, it and the rest of the square was opened up revealing glorious wide-angle views of the High Fortress above .  Today Chapter square is very festive hosting music and artist events, a huge beer tent during some holidays, outdoor movies in the Summer, and has a number of very interesting sights.  The Chapter Square is also where Maria catches the bus from Salzburg to visit the Von Trapp Family for the first time during the hit 1965 film The Sound of Music  while singing “I Have Confidence”.

The first two things to check out in Chapter Square are the giant  over-sized chess board  with two-foot-tall pieces and a 30-foot-tall yellow orb sculpture topped with a man standing on top.  Called Sphaera, the orb was made in 2007 by artist Stephan Balkenhol as part of a series of works with the same male figure across Europe ( Mann on Giraffe ,  Mann on Stump ,  Mann on Elk ).  If you’ve been to Munich Germany’s city center, you may have noticed the same male figure from this Salzburg sculpture walking off a steel beam in another of the Balkenhol’s works.  Locally the work is called Mann auf Mozartkugel after the famous round local treats made out of chocolate you may remember from earlier in this free Salzburg walking tour.

Continuing through Kapitelplatz Square, you’ll run into a medieval  Horse Bath Fountain ( Kapitelschwemme )  from 1732 AD which is framed by two lovely trees.  Nowadays the Horse Bath is more of a well and pond, but back in the 1700s it served as the equivalent of a full-blown car wash for your horse.  The area around the fountain is also an excellent spot for photos of the High Fortress on the hilltop above you.

If you have been looking for a bathroom, there is a public restroom under the archways separating Kapitelplatz from Cathedral Square.  Also under the archways, opposite the bathrooms, is the  Coat of Peace copper statue by artist Anna Chromý which is one of our favorite hidden gems of Salzburg.

Photos : ( Chess Board  |  Horse Bath ).

18. Stieglkeller Beer Hall & Restaurant :

About Stieglkeller :  The Beer Hall that locals recommend the most to us is the historic  Stieglkeller  which is elevated 1/4 the way up the side of Mönchstein Hill.  Partially shaded by trees, the multi-leveled beer garden has room for over 1000 guests and almost every outdoor table has a great view of Old Town Salzburg.  It is a perfect place to rest your feet and grab a beer on a warm summer afternoon.  The inside of the Beer Hall is decorated to look like an old hunting lodge and has good traditional food.

One of the main reason locals love Stiegl so much is that they opened their brewery in Salzburg in 1492 and are the largest brewery in Austria that is still privately owned.  Located on the South of Mönchstein Hill, you can visit the Stiegl Brewery and museum for daily tours.  There are two other very popular beer halls and beer gardens in Salzburg.  The  Sternbraeu  off of Getreidegasse Street, but it does not have the same commanding view as StiegKeller.  There is also the classic 1,000 seat  Bräustübl Tavern  attached to a monk’s brewery from 1621, which is our overall favorite and where we will end this Old Town Salzburg walking tour.

StieglKeller Hours :  Daily 11am-10pm; open until 11pm in Summer.   Website :   Here .

19. Fortress Funicular ( Festungsbahn ):

About The Funicular : There has been a lift up Mönchsberg Mountain to Hohensalzburg Fortress since at least two decades before 1515AD and a modern funicular since 1892.  It is by far the easiest way to get up the cliff side as it turns a very steep hike into an easy 54 second ride.  The glass enclosed cars can carry 55 people per trip and service 1.7 million visitors a year.

Hours : Varies but usually 8am-Midnight.   Cost : 2-4€.  Your ride will be added onto your ticket for Hohensalzburg Fortress.   Website :   Here .

20. High Salzburg Fortress ( Hohensalzburg ):

About High Salzburg Fortress :  Since 1077 AD, this castle-like High Salzburg Fortress ( Hohensalzburg ) has been towering over Salzburg from Mönchstein Hill offering an ever steady sense of protection. Thanks to an expansion around 1500 AD, Hohensalzburg is one of the largest fortifications in Europe and one of the only ones never over taken by force.

With views grand enough to match The High Fortress’ massive scale, the castle has easily become Salzburg’s number one tourist attraction.  Hohensalzburg holds a decent  Fortress Museum and  Medieval Prince Apartments  which are worth a visit, but the best room is the gilded,  Golden Fortress Room .  Even if you are short on time at least stop to take in the 360 degree views which let you see all over Salzburg and even all the way to the Alps toward the South.

Hours : May-September 9am-7pm; October-April 9:30am-5pm; last admission 30 minutes before close.   Cost : With Staterooms and funicular Adults are 15.50€ and Kids 8.70€.  You can save a couple euros by hiking up and a couple more by visiting by 10am during peak season.   Website :   Here .

21. Saint Peter’s Cemetery ( Petersfriedhof ):

About Saint Peter’s Cemetery :  The beautiful Saint Peter’s Cemetery has been in use since before 700 AD, and its cliff-side catacombs go back even  further to 215 AD .  With wrought -iron headstones, this beautiful flower-filled cemetery may be the most peaceful stop on our free Salzburg walking tour.  You can even get some get vantage points in of the Salzburg castle high above you as you stroll among the tombs.

In the beginning, Saint Peter’s Cemetery was reserved only for the burials of monks living in the neighboring monastery until it was opened to the public in 1454.  The oldest surviving headstone is from 1288 AD, and the cemetery is also where Mozart’s sister Maria Anna and composer Michael Haydn are buried.  You can find their graves in the entrance to the catacombs explained next on their free Salzburg walking tour map.  There is even an American buried in the cemetery as Major General Harry Collins, who was the commander that liberated Dachau Concentration Camp in 1945, met his second wife in Salzburg and moved here after the war.

Our favorite graves are the 7 tightly clustered iron cross headstones from the 1700s for the Stumpfegger family.  Local folklore save that Sebastian Stumpfegger murdered his 6 wives and they are all buried there together.  In reality, the graves are for the stonemason Stumpfegger, his parents, and his 4 wives.  None of the wives were murdered and 3 of the 4 died in childbirth which was very common at the time, even more so since Stumpfegger had 21 kids.

The most interesting thing about Saint Peter’s, unlike most cemeteries around the world, is that you do not buy the plots but instead rent them.  Relatives of the dead must pay rent for each plot every 10 years and must also be the caretakers.  If your family doesn’t pay your rent, the church tosses your body out.

In the center of the cemetery is the Gothic-style stone chapel which was dedicated to Saint Margaret in 1170.  Now used as a mausoleum, the church was originally built as Amandus Chapel around 700AD by Saint Rupert before being rebuilt in 1170 and again in 1491.

In the mid-1600s, iron-gated arcades holding private family tombs were added ringing the cemetery.   In the 1965 movie ( and 1959 play ) The Sound of Music, these archways and headstones were depicted as where the Von Trapps hid from Nazis  during their escape, although the actual scene was filmed in Hollywood.  Behind the arcades on the Eastern side of the cemetery is the Saint Peter’s Bakery which is the oldest in town going back to 700 and is famous for its sweetbread.

Cemetery Hours : April-September 6:30am-7pm; October-March 6:30am-5:30pm.   Cemetery Cost : Free.

22. Saint Peter’s Catacombs :

About The Catacombs :  While touring the cemetery, you may also notice a number of window-like holes along the Southern cliffside in the cemetery which are the now empty catacombs.  As the Roman’s carved away stone to build their city of Luvaum ( 15BC-488AD ) part of the cliff-side started to be used by early-Christians for assembly and hermitage as early as 215AD.  Because the Pagan Romans used cremation and didn’t allow burials inside of town ( except for Emperors ), the catacombs likely weren’t used for the dead much or at all until after the Empire adopted Christianity in the 300s.

Near the entrance to the catacombs are the graves of Mozart’s sister Nannerl and composer Michael Haydn.  After climbing stone 48 steps you find chapel of Saint Gertrude ( died 659 ) dating back to 1178 and 36 steps further up is the chapel for Christian martyr Maximus ( died 250 ).  both of the cliffside chapels were dedicated by Archbishop Conrad of Wittelsbach in the 1170s.  Seeing the mainly bare underground catacombs requires hiking up a lot of stone steps carved inside the cliff, but the views of the cemetery below are stunning.

Catacombs Hours : May-September Daily 10am-6pm; October-April Daily 10am-5pm; Closed on holidays.   Catacombs Cost : Adults 2€; Kids 1.50€.

23. Saint Peter’s Abbey :

About Saint Peter’s Abbey :  Saint Peter’s Abbey was established by Saint Rupert, who is considered the founder of modern Salzburg , in 696AD.  Saint Rupert ( Frankish missionary & Bishop of Worms ) was given this control of this former Roman town of Juvavum ( 15BC-476AD ) by the Duke of Bavaria ( Theodo ) to revive it into a Christian stronghold.  This spot was chosen for his church as there had already been an abbey for monks established here by  Severinus of Noricum ( 410-482 ) in as early as 450AD.

Officially established in 696, Saint Peter’s Abbey is the  oldest church in Salzburg and is also the oldest continuous monastery in the German-speaking world.  Before his death in 710, Saint Rupert also started a second small abbey on the site of today’s Salzburg Cathedral ( Dom, established in 774 ), Amandus chapel ( now called Saint Margaret s) in the Saint Peter Cemetery, and other churches in the region which earned him the title of Patron Saint of the Salt Miners.  Rupert’s own sister Erentrudis was inspired to build Nonnberg nunnery on the towns original fort in 711 which is world’s oldest continuous Christian women convent.  Two of the sons of the Duke of Bavaria ( Theodo ) who sent Rupert to establish churches ruled Bavaria out of Salzburg ( 702-725 ) instead of Regensburg to see the work be sustained.  From 739- 987, the abbot of Saint Peter’s Church was automatically Bishop of Salzburg and even after that changed the monastery remained the residence of the Bishop until 1110.

Today’s Romanesque version of Saint Peter’s Church was built in 1130 ( dedicated in 1147 ) before getting its iconic steeple onion dome and Rococo-style interior in the mid-1700s.  The interior is the real treat of any visit to Saint Peter’s and the narrow nave is lined with Goliath-sized painted canvases under a muraled ceiling.  There is also a painting museum area from the 1600s known as the Long Gallery, but the impressive walls of the main nave are more interesting.  Next to the altar where Saint Rupert is entombed are the tombs of Mozart’s sister Maria Anna Mozart and famous composer Johann Michael Haydn.  The monastery’s 10,000 book library is the oldest in Austria including over the 800 old-world manuscripts with the most precious being the  Verbrüderungsbuch , brought here in 784 by Bishop Virgil.

In the square facing the entrance to the abbey is a central statue of Saint Peter looking up to the steeple while praying.  Along the north side of Saint Peter’s Square, you can see an excellent vertical sundial on the archway leading to the Franciscan Church which we will visit soon on our free Salzburg walking tour.

360 Degree Tour :  Amazing virtual tour  here .   Church Hours :  Daily 8am-Noon and 2:30-6:30pm; No visits during mass.   Church Website :   Here .

24. Saint Peter’s Restaurant ( Stiftskulinarium ):

About Saint Peter’s Restaurant :  In addition to the historic bakery from 700AD, Saint Peter’s Abbey is also a destination for food lovers with their Stiftskulinarium Restaurant.  Widely considered  Europe’s oldest restaurant ,  Alcuin of York, an English scholar attendant ( liegeman ) of Emperor Charlemagne ate here first documenting the restaurant in 803AD.  The restaurant was later heavily written about starting in the 1300s and began extremely popular with nobility, the bourgeoisie, and the clergy by the 1700s.  Over time Saint Peter’s Restaurant has grown to have multiple dining rooms throughout numerous rooms of the former Benedictine monastery.

There are 11 dining rooms inside Saint Peter’s Restaurant and we have three favorite spaces.  The amazing Felsenstube Room is one of the oldest in the restaurant, is chiseled out of the cliffside hundreds of years ago, and is used for wine tastings.  Our other favorites are the exposed brick vaulted Rardstube Hall which was the wine cellar 1200 years ago and the Gothic-arched Innenhof Courtyard is one of the most timeless spaces you’ll find in Salzburg.  During the Christmas season, the Innenhof Courtyard is beautifully decorated like a wonderland to celebrate Advent complete with a gluhwein ( hot mulled wine ) stand.

Micheal Haydn, who was one Mozarts friends, the creator of the modern string quartet, and the little brother of famous composer Joseph Haydn also lived on the restaurant’s second floor ( 1760-63 ).   A dining hall named after him now takes up Haydn’s former room.  In 1809 French troops were even housed in the restaurant during Napoleon’s invasion.

The Saint Peter’s Restaurant is world-renowned for its nightly  Mozart Dinner Concerts  ( more info ) in their Baroque Ballroom which have been taking place since 1996.  Having seen the wonderful concert ourselves, we feel that it’s a splurge that is easy to justify with the highly talented singers & musicians, authentic 1700s-style costumes, and the perfect ballroom setting.  It’s hard to come to the city of Mozart and not want to hear some authentic performers doing his music.

Restaurant Hours :  Daily 11:30am-11pm ( reservations highly recommended ).  Restaurant Website :   Here .   Mozart Concert Time :  Night at 7:30pm; lasts 2.5 hours; doors open one hour early.   Mozart Concert Cost :   63-73€ with a 3-course meal ( drinks not included ).   Mozart Concert Website :   Here .

25. Franciscan Church ( Franziskanerkirche‎ ):

About Franziskanerkirche‎ :  There has been a church here since 1139, but it is the current Gothic-style one that will make your jaw drop.  You’ll enjoy trying to wrap your head around the scale of the forest of columns holding up the uniquely designed  vaulted canopy of a ceiling .  The breathtaking beauty is impossible to get into one photo unless you have a fish eye lens.  The interior is pretty bare as all of the color and attention is meant to be drawn to the gilded Virgin Mary alter in the center of the Church which dates back to 1709.

In addition to the goliath-sized pillars and stunning interior, you’ll also want to pay attention to the front door of the Franciscan Church.  There is a special element at the entrance known as the Asylum Hand which you should touch as you enter.  It is said that anyone who touches the hand is granted entrance regardless if they are guilty or pure.  This is significant as historically the Franciscan Church has been considered modest the church of the people while the mighty Salzburg Cathedral was the showpiece of the Prince-Archbishop.

Church Hours :  Daily 6:30am-7:30pm; No visits during mass.   Church Website : Here .

26. Festival Hall Complex :

About The Festival Hall :  The three-block-long Festival Hall complex is home to three performance theater and was the site of some of the best scenes filmed for The Sound of Music.  After the Saint Peter’s Benedictine Convent was closed ( 1125-1583 ) the Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg, Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau, had the Royal Horse Stables ( Hofmarstall ) built on the Western end of today’s complex over ten years starting in 1599.  The stables held over 150 horses and were later expanded Eastward with an indoor Winter Riding School in 1662 and an open-air Summer Riding School carved into the cliffside in 1693.  The riding school quickly became important to Salzburg’s upper class for horse training and riding competitions similar to the Spanish Riding School in Vienna.

For the 5th annual Salzburg Festival in 1925, a section of the former horse stables complex was re-built as the  Small Festival Hall Theater ( Kleines Festspielhaus ) and became the new home for the event.  The following year the former open-air Summer Riding School area was turned into a second performance space for the Salzburg Festival.  Originally carved out of the stone cliffside in 1693 in a former quarry, the space has an impressive 3-level, 96-box viewing gallery and is well-nicknamed the  Rock Riding School ( Felsenreitschule ).   We love how the arched portal stone wall looks like a gladiator arena especially since Salzburg was originally a Roman town called Luvaum ( u-va-voom ) established in 15BC.  Now serving as the lobby for the Rock Riding School Theater, the massive Karl Böhm Hall was the original indoor winter riding school built in 1662.  This vast space is highlighted by a 600 square meter ceiling mural painted in 1690 depicting Turkish military exercises on horseback.

The open-air Rock Riding School theater gained a partial roof ( now fully retractable ) in the 1930s and is where the real-life Von Trapp Family Choir won the singing competition in 1936.  Although the family had left Salzburg before the first Salzburg Festival under Nazi occupation in 1938, the Festival Hall was used in the filming of some key scenes in the 1965 movie The Sound of Music.  In the film, the Von Trapps perform a melody mashup on the stage before then Captain sings  ‘Edelweiss’  with help from the audience followed by the family joining in  ‘So Long, Farewell’  before they exit and make their escape.

During their conversion into theaters, the Small Festival Hall and the Rock Riding School were connected with a large foyer completed  covered in beautiful frescoes .  While the Nazis covered up the frescoes during their WW2 occupation of Salzburg, they were thankfully brought back to life in 1956.  After a lot of work, the painted lobby and original indoor theater ( Small Festival Hall ) were renovated as the new House for Mozart ( Haus für Mozart ) in 2006, celebrating  250 years since Mozart was born  in Salzburg.

A third theater was added onto the complex in 1960 known as the Large Festival Hall ( Großes Festspielhaus ) which has one of the largest stages in the world at 100 meters wide with steel plate backdrop.  You can still see some of the original entrance arches on the outer walls in the foyer leading to the Large Festival Hall Theater as well as on the Western exterior of the complex.

Address :  Hofstallgasse 1.   Guided Tour Cost :  Adults 7€; Kids 4€.   Guided Tour Hours :  50 minute guided tours are at 2pm daily ( also 9:30am, 2pm & 3:30pm in July & August ).   Photo :  ( Exterior from the West ).   Website :   Here .

Featured On : Sound of Music Movie Tour .

27. University Square ( Universitätsplatz ):

About University Square :  Salzburg’s main open-air market sits in the vast University Square with growers from all over the region selling delicious produce.  Known as the Green Market ( Grünmarkt ), it was established in 1857 and is still open daily.  We recommend recharging here by buying some fruit and taking a short break to do some people watching.

On the Southside of University Square is the massive Collegiate Church which was started in 1694, but took over 70 years to fully complete as the original  builder went blind  a few years into the project.  This cathedral was where Mozart premiered “Mass in D minor” on February 5th, 1769 which is one of his prettiest arrangements.  While the size of the white Church is awesome, the interior is fairly bland.

Tucked away along the West side of the Church is a large grassy square called Prince′s Park ( Furtwänglerpark ) which was once part of a Franciscan Monastery then by the 1600s the University of Salzburg.  With most of Salzburg’s squares paved over since Medieval times, there aren’t many huge green spaces like this in the heart of Old Town.

Turning around to the Northside of University Square, you’ll see numerous windows on the backside of Mozart’s Birth Place House ( Universitätspl #14 ).  We will visit Mozart’s house next on this free Salzburg walking tour and it gives you some great elevated vantage points to admire the scale of Collegiate Church towering over the square.  We love to exit University Square toward Grain Lane ( Getreidegasse ) through the narrow Medieval pathways connecting the two streets called Through House Alleys ( Durchaus ).  There are more than ten covered alleyways all filled with shops, but our favorite is Roittner-Passage which connects Universitätsplatz #15 through to Getreidegasse #7 via a gorgeous courtyard.

Outdoor Market Hours : Monday-Friday 7am-7pm; Saturday 6am-3pm; Sunday Closed.   Church Website :   Here .

28. Mozart’s Birthplace ( Geburtshaus ):

About Mozart’s Birth Place :  On January 27th, 1756 one of the true pioneers of Classical music was  born in this very home , Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.  You simply can’t miss the home with its bright yellow facade and large groups of tourists milling around the entrance.  This museum is by far the most visited Mozart landmark in Salzburg.

The three stories of interesting exhibits are labeled in multiple languages and take about 90 minutes to get through.  Everything starts on the 3rd floor where you are introduced to the different members of the family and even get to check out the room Mozart for born in.  The 2nd floor primarily focuses on Mozart as a composer of operas.  There are a ton of set models and costumes from his operas, plus excerpts from Mozart’s most famous operas for you to listen to.  We especially love the different  musical instruments  that are on display including one of the famous violins Mozart performed with.  The 1st floor and final floor is dedicated to everyday life of the family both while at home and while traveling.  The collections included 18th-century travel utensils, original documents, and paintings telling the Mozart family’s story in Salzburg and abroad.  A few of the rooms are staged with period furniture to help give you the atmosphere of the age.

Hours :  Daily 9am-5:30pm; in July & August open until 7pm; last entry 30 minutes before closing.   Cost : 10€ for Adults; 3.50€ for kids; 21€ for a family ticket.  Combo ticket available with his adult home.   Guided Tours :  While the Museum is mainly self-guided and takes 90 minutes, you can book a staff-guided tour as well for 66€ per group.  All staff tours must be booked at least 2 weeks in advance.   Website :   Here .

29. Grain Lane ( Getreidegasse ):

About Getreidegassee :  Grain Lane, or Getreidegasse ( pronounced Ga-try-Da-gah-sa ), is the main shopping street in Salzburg since Medieval times.  It is complete with high-end stores like Louis Vuitton, many jewelry stores ( schmuck ), and even a very  fancy McDonald’s  which has silverware and outdoor seating.  You can really see the Medieval roots of this compact pedestrian street by the signage that hangs above each shop.  In the Middle Ages  almost no one could read  so instead of having signs with business names on them, the shops would hang an icon for their trade or craft.  Notice how the signs for the hat maker, locksmith, umbrella shop and many more have kept this signage tradition alive.  One of the best parts of this free Salzburg walking tour is getting lost among the shops on Getreidegasse for a good hour and it’s even better if you stop by any of the roadside gelato stands for a delicious treat.

At the beginning of Getreidegasse Street is a very inviting bar known for its schnapps drinks called the  Sporer Schnapps Pit Stop  ( No 39,  website ).  Sporer has located in the building since 1905 and their staff very English-language friendly.  If you like what they have to offer you can even buy an eighth of a liter ( achtel ) of schnapps to bring with you.  It’s crazy to think that there have been homes documented on the site of the Sporer shop going back to Roman times in 174AD with the current house dating to 1407.

Even if you aren’t shopping make sure to stop into the  active Wieber Blacksmith Shop  ( No 28,  Facebook )   to get a real life look into the trade as local craftsmen hammer their red-hot creations into an anvil.  They make everything from custom keys, modern works, and the decorative outdoor signs that adorn the street’s shops.  There has been a blacksmith here  since 1415AD  and the current shop is on its 4th generation of owners.  Make sure to also check out the Sound of Music World Museum at the western end of the lane ( No 47, website ) which is run by the same group that manages the Von Trapps family’s real-life home in Salzburg.

Sporer Shop Hours :  Monday-Friday 9:30am-7pm; Saturday 8:30am-5pm; Closed Sundays.   Blacksmith Hours :  Monday-Friday 7:30am-5:30pm; Closed Saturday & Sundays.   Sound Of Music World Hours :  Daily 10am-6pm.

30. Horse Bath ( Pferdeschwemme ):

About The Horse Bath : Hugging the side of Mönchsberg Hill is Salzburg’s largest Medieval horse bath ( Pferdeschwemme ) which in the Middle Ages were like car washes for horses.  Because this horse bath was part of the neighboring Royal Stables ( Hofmarstall ), the Prince-Archbishop had the mural backdrop and statue of a horse being tamed added to the sprawling fountain in 1693.  In the movie The Sound of Music this was where Maria and the kids danced around while singing  ‘My Favorite Things’ .

There are actually two of these Medieval horse baths remaining in old town Salzburg with the larger painted one located here which was part of the Royal Stables ( Marstallschwemme ) and a smaller one in Chapter Square ( Kapitelschwemme ) from earlier in this free Salzburg walking tour with a beautiful fountain drooping trees.  Like all of the fountains in Salzburg, this one is fed by a series of underground water canals said to go back to Roman times which were later revamped in both the 700s and the 1200s, long before most of today’s Baroque structures were built.

31. Winkler Terrace :

About Winkler Terrace :  High above the West side of Salzburg on Monks’ Hill ( Mönchsberg ), the breath-taking Winkler Terrace has stunning panoramic views of Old Town.  The amazing view from the stone terrace was highlighted in the movie The Sound of Music during a number of scenes including the song  Do Re Mi .  The neighboring M32 Cafe ( website ) was once Cafe Winkler before the Modern Art Museum ( website ) was built here, but the terrace has been preserved.

Overall our experience visiting the cafe has been very negative as it is the only place in Salzburg we have ever got really bad service and it has happened to us three times here.  That being said, we suggest going up for the city views on the sprawling terrace which is free but if you want coffee or food then visit either the nearby Stadt Cafe next to the Militia Wall which also has amazing views or check out the fancy Schloss Mönchstein Hotel.  Both of these alternatives are explained next on our free Salzburg walking tour.

Getting Up To Winkler Terrace :  The most accessible way up is the  Mönchsberg Elevator  which sits behind the Salzburg Museum and takes you directly to Winkler Terrace.  Look for the pink row house along the cliff with a large MdM above the entrance.  The elevator is fully inside the cliff while the tube-like tower on the side is actually the Gstätten Tower.  Alternatively, can take a taxi to up the backside of the cliff to M32 Cafe or the stairs at Toscaninihof ( behind the Festival Hall ) to the top of Mönchsberg and reach the terrace with a 15-minute walk.

Elevator Hours :  Tuesday-Sunday 8am-9pm; Monday 8am-7pm.  July & August Daily 8am-11pm.   Elevator Cost :  Adults 2.30€ one way or 3.60€ round trip; kids half off.   Modern Art Museum Hours :  Tuesday-Sunday 10am-6pm; Wednesday 10am-8pm; Closed Mondays.   Museum Cost :  8€.   Photos : ( View From Terrace  |  View From Cafe at Night  |  Schloss Mönchstein  |  Johannesschlössl ).

Other Nearby Sights:

32. militia city wall ( bürgerwehr ):.

About Bürgerwehr :  Near the Winkler Terrace is the amazing the timeless fortified Militia Wall ( Bürgerwehr ) which was built on the hilltop from 1465-80 to protect the West side of Salzburg.  This is the only place in Salzburg with the remnants of the Medieval city wall really feels mighty as it is over forty feet tall .  Other defensive structures on top of the cliff top include the Mülleggertor Gate ( 1280 ), Frey Palace red tower ( Roter Turm-1278 ), and eventually wraps around to the High Fortress from earlier on this free Salzburg walking tour.

While you stroll along the ramparts of the Burgerwehr wall, the small Stadt Alm Cafe ( website ) is one of our favorite places to get coffee in Salzburg.  Located inside a small hostel, Stadt Alm still has decent views with plenty of seating, but less crowded and less expensive than the M32 Cafe ( horrible service ) on Winkler Terrace.

33. Castle Mönchstein Hotel :

About Castle Mönchstein Hotel :  The beautiful Castle Mönchstein ( Schloss Mönchstein ) was first documented 1350AD as the Tetelheimer Tower ( Tetelheimer Turm ).  For the most part, the tower served as a home and fort until Saint Peter’s Monastery acquired the property in 1654 as a retreat for its professors.  During this period the tower was expanded and called the  Professors Castle .  What is now the tower room on the castle was then used as an astronomical observatory. Castle Mönchstein was turned into a luxury hotel in 1948 and has gone on to win countless castle hotel and restaurant awards.  It is one of our favorite castle hotels in the world and a great place to stay in Salzburg.  Even if you can’t stay here, walking past the castle and the grounds are pretty impressive.

Hotel Website :   Here .

34. Augustiner Monks Beer Hall :

About The Augustiner Beer Hall :  There is no better place to end a long Salzburg walking tour than an amazing Augustiner Beer Hall ( Bräustübl ) that has been open since 1621 AD.  The  beer is even older  as before coming to Salzburg, the Augustiner monks opened a brewery in Munich in 1328.  Over the centuries the monks perfected brewing and their light beer ( Helles ) is our favorite.  Out of the beer hall’s 1500 seats, we like hanging out in the outdoor beer garden section the most.

When choosing where to sit there  two types of service , Waiter Service ( bedienung ) and Self-service ( schank ) where you wash your own cup at the cleaning fountain ( krüglwasch brunnen ) before getting your beer.  The mugs themselves are a great throw back as it is one of the only places still serving beer in traditional  ceramic beer steins .  Waiters do not serve food, but as long as you purchase a drink mug you can bring any food you want with you.  You can either bring your own food with you picnic-style or hit up the deli upstairs for a great selection of pizza, deli meat, and cheese.

Depending on how early arrive, consider  touring the brewery  to see what happens behind the scenes and get an exclusive tasting.  Tours run Monday-Friday afternoons with advanced booking for 13.90€ per person.  They require a minimum of 10 people, but you may be able to join an existing group, online booking here .  From the tavern you can easily walk up the back side of the Monchsberg Cliff to get a great night time view of Salzburg.  The Mönchstein elevator closes after midnight, so if you are trying to get into Old Town from the cliff viewpoint late at night you will need to back track to the Bräustübl Tavern and follow the river back.

Hours :  Monday-Friday 3-11pm; Saturdays-Sundays and public holiday 2:30-11pm.   Photos :  ( Traditional Stein  |  Wooden Kegs  |  Slideshow from Brewery ).   Website :   Here .

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Disclaimer: Information on this page and in our walking tours were deemed accurate when published, however, details such as opening hours, rates, transportation, visa requirements, and safety can change without notice. Please check with any destinations directly before traveling.

Free Walking Tour Salzburg

With the Free Walking Tour, we coordinate introductions to Salzburg intended for you and other travelers who are also independent, and eager to not only learn about Salzburg from historic and cultural perspectives but from a local perspective.

Like most places in the old town, the Free Walking Tour’s meeting point is within walking distance from everywhere in the old town. That’s because Salzburg is small. In 1,5 hours we cover the must-see sights but we also love to answer questions, recommend places to eat, and offer ideas of things to see and do.

Sights We Discover on the Free Walking Tour

We meet next to the Staatsbrücke bridge, a central location in the old town. After taking a look at Mozart’s residence and Mirabell Palace, we cross the river and enter Getreidegasse, the most famous street in Salzburg and the place where Mozart was born.

We cross University Square and the University, take a look at the Concert Hall, where we learn about the Salzburg Festival, visit the monastery of St. Peter, take a look at the Cathedral, admire the fortress from below and pass Residenzplatz square, before ending our walk in front of the statue of Mozart, where you will learn how the Mozart cult began.

The Free Walking Tour Meeting Point?

The meeting point for the Free Tour is an artwork by Marina Abramovic called the “Spirit of Mozart”. It consists of   a  15-meter-high metal chair facing eight normal-sized chairs  next to Staatsbrücke, the main bridge. Sometimes guests assume that the tour’s focus is Mozart. It’s not. Mozart is one of the topics, but the “Spirit of Mozart” is the meeting point.

At times we were also asked to change the meeting point. The chairs are hard to find, not because they are hidden, but because they are not obvious. You also can’t sit on them because they are often full of pigeon droppings, and sometimes it’s noisy. But we love this place. Next to Salzburg’s main bridge, it feels like the lifeline of the city.

The Free Tour covers the following Topics

• Why are there so many Churches in Salzburg?
• Why was Mozart not Austrian?
• Why have most German speakers never heard about the Trapp Family?
• What happened in Salzburg during the Second World War?
• What’s the Salzburg Festival about and does it matter to you?
• Where was Salzburg founded and why?
• Why are there pickles next to a statue of Friedrich Schiller?

More Information

• Meeting Point

Spirit of Mozart, Schwarzstraße 1, Salzburg, Austria

• 15 Must-See Sights of Salzburg
• 25 > Wonderful People like Yourself
• 1 x City Map with Things to See, Do and Eat after the Tour
• Unlimited Postcards with our own Photography
• 1 x Licensed Local Austria Guide
• When to book?

We schedule tours in the first week of the previous month based on season and guide availability. If your preferred time isn’t available, check back later or inquire about a private tour.

• Accessibility

Wheelchair accessible, no pre-notice needed.

Pets allowed

Payment: Your Choice

We often experienced kindness on our journey and want to participate in that way. We want to enable everyone to get to know our city regardless of their budget.

How do Free Walking Tours work? You partake in a tour that doesn’t have a fixed price and no payment upfront. At the end of the tour, you decide how much to pay based on your satisfaction and your budget.

Tips are appreciated and a way to thank your guide, but there is no obligation to pay a certain amount. Consider the tip a way to say thank you to your guide. Free Walking Tours are a part of the shared economy and alternative ways of travel. The concept was not invented by us but resonates with us.

Reviews of the Free Walking Tour

Important : before you book.

Book your Free Walking Tour by clicking your desired date in the calendar below!

• Reservation

Because we guarantee a personal experience and we like to get to know our guests, free tours are limited to 25 participants. Therefore, reservations are required. You find upcoming tours in the calendar below.

• Cancellation

In case you can’t participate, please cancel your booking as soon as possible by clicking the cancellation link in your booking confirmation to release your spots for other travelers.

• Fully Booked

In the event that the tours are fully booked, you are still welcome to show up at the meeting point. We cannot guarantee a spot in that case, but we will do our best to accommodate you, and you can at least grab a printed city map, and a free postcard, and get some personal recommendations.

Free Walking Tour Schedule

Frequently asked questions.

Welcome to the Frequently Asked Questions of the Free Walking Tour Salzburg. You can use this page to inform yourself. If you have a question that is not answered here, please don’t hesitate to  contact us .

We are the first and only free walking tour in Salzburg. Our tours on foot provide a historic, cultural, and local overview of the city. It’s our way to welcome you, connect to you, and share information with open-minded travelers from all over the world. This project grew out of the love for engaging with Salzburgs visitors and with fellow travelers.

To guarantee small groups and high quality, we have a limit of 20-25 participants. To book your spot, click here. If you would like to join last minute or if the tour is full you can contact us. In case you can’t take part in the tours you booked, please cancel as soon as possible to give other travelers the chance to join.

There can be 8 people in your group joining the free walking tour. If you are a group of 9 people or more, you need to book a private tour. That is because there are only 25 spots on the free tours and otherwise a private group could book the entire tour. Private tours have fixed prices, are flexible in time, and are more tailored to your wishes.

You are welcome to show up without a ticket or when tickets are sold out. We can, however, not guarantee a spot under these circumstances. You will be on a waiting list and we will do our best to get you a spot but we also try to stay within our limitations to provide the most pleasant experience for everyone.

In case you want to change or reschedule we ask you to do it as early as possible. The spots on the tour are limited to 25 persons. By canceling early you make your ticket available to someone else. The link to cancel your reservation can be found in the booking confirmation and you can also contact us to cancel your reservation.

Ask at the reception or search the address from your booking confirmation on Google Maps. Walking is the best mode of transport in Salzburg. Except for some hotels on the outskirts, everything in Salzburg is within walking distance. Google enabled offline maps so I recommend downloading the map of Salzburg and follow their lead.

Every tour starts on time so please try to be punctual. We leave the meeting point a few minutes after the starting time. In case you are late or you can’t find the meeting point, please inform us via the WhatsApp number provided in the booking confirmation before the tour starts. That way, we are able to share our live location with you and you will be able to track the group. In case you inform us after the start of the tour, our phones are on mute and we can’t be reached anymore.

We walk a kilometer and a half, which is a mile. The sights of Salzburg are close to each other with no more than 3 minutes walking from one to the other. There are no bumps on the streets of Salzburg and the walk is as easy as it could be.

That is not a problem. But please let your guide know so he or she doesn’t wait for you.

The tour ends at Mozart square in front of the Mozart statue and next to the tourist information of Salzburg. That’s right in the heart of the city and a perfect place for further explorations. Mozart square is about 5 minutes walking from the meeting point at the Spirit of Mozart.

There is no break scheduled during the tour because we are walking for less than two hours. In case of emergency, you can ask for a toilet anytime and we will find one for you. In summer you should bring water. If you forgot we will also find a solution. Tap water is drinkable and there are several drinking fountains in Salzburg. If you get a sudden hunger attack, there are lots of food places along the way.

We will walk with you under any circumstances as long as they are not dangerous. In fact, freezing temperatures and rain are typical for Salzburg and we will embrace it as special. Salzburgs rain even has a name. It’s called “string rain” because it’s raining small drops and can last for days. That is because of its geographic location. More about it on the tour.

We have no photo stops scheduled, but it doesn’t bother us if you take pictures while we walk and talk. In fact, we like to be photographed and shared on social media or wherever you share pictures. Please tag us and send us links or emails. We are happy to see and share your content. To protect the copyright that goes into the tours we do not allow video and audio recordings. Copyright protects the tours, same as other forms of art.  The stories we share were collected and crafted over time. They result from hard work, study, and research and you can show your appreciation by listening.

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Free Walking Tour Salzburg

Take a free tour of salzburg. the city of mozart and stunning architecture, free  salzburg walking tour.

Gerhard, a native Salzburger, founded the first Free Walking Tour Company in his hometown in 2018 after working there as a Rikscha driver and in Hostels for many years. Because the license for walking tours in Austria requires three semesters of education, the Free Walking Tour Salzburg is mostly a one-person show but tries to run at least a tour a day.

The Free Tour of Salzburg is designed to introduce you to the city. Salzburg is small. Therefore, we pass by the most famous sights on a 1,5 hours walk. During these 1,5 hours, I love to share stories, answer questions, recommend places to eat, and offer ideas of things to see and do.

Furthermore, I provide a custom printed city map, including essential information for the rest of your stay in Salzburg and postcards you can send home to your loved ones.

Pictures from our walks

What visitors think about Free  Salzburg Walking Tour?

Frequently asked questions about the tour

What will we see during the free walking tour salzburg, how do i find the free tour meeting point and the guide, do i have to book the free walking tour salzburg in advance, how many people can i bring on the free tour of salzburg, do tours get canceled due to bad weather, get inspired by the free tour community blog.

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Free Self-Guided Salzburg Walking Tour: Highlights & Overlooked Gems (With Map!)

• August 23, 2024

Salzburg, the enchanting city of Mozart, is a symphony of baroque architecture, musical heritage, and alpine scenery. Straddling the Salzach River, Salzburg is a city where history and culture converge amidst a stunning natural landscape. Known for its well-preserved city center, a UNESCO World Heritage site, its narrow cobblestone streets lead to expansive squares, historic landmarks, and vibrant gardens. This post includes a map for a self-guided free walking tour of Salzburg. Enjoy exploring the city’s timeless elegance and charm! 🙂

Please note that this article contains affiliate links. Learn more about it on our Disclosure page. We use ads to support our small business – we hope you don’t mind them too much.

Table of Contents

• 1 Why Choose This Free Self-Guided Salzburg Walking Tour?
• 2 Salzburg Walking Tour Itinerary
• 3 Guided Salzburg Walking Tour
• 4 What Else to See in Salzburg
• 5 Where to Stay in Salzburg
• 6 More Self-Guided Walking Tours in Europe

Why Choose This Free Self-Guided Salzburg Walking Tour?

First of all, Salzburg is exceptionally walkable, inviting visitors to explore its baroque cityscape, historic landmarks, and picturesque gardens on foot. Compact and elegantly arranged, the city’s major attractions are easily accessible within a short stroll, making it an ideal destination for a leisurely walking tour amidst its enchanting alpine setting. 

Choosing our free self-guided Salzburg walking tour offers several compelling advantages for travelers seeking an immersive experience at their own pace. Firstly, it allows flexibility which means visitors can spend as much time as they desire at each site, soaking in the atmosphere without the constraints of a scheduled group tour.

Secondly, walking through Salzburg on your own facilitates a deeper connection with the city. Additionally, a self-guided tour is cost-effective, removing the expense of hiring a guide or paying for group tour packages.

Salzburg Walking Tour Itinerary

The free self-guided Salzburg walking tour covers a total distance of approximately 4.55 kilometers (2.83 miles). The tour starts at the Mirabell Palace and terminates at St. Peter’s Abbey. Of course, you can do this walking tour the other way around if it suits you better.

The tour will take you past most of the city’s major attractions, landmark public buildings, places of worship, cultural venues, restaurants, and cafes. You’ll also learn a few lesser-known facts about Salzburg along the way.

Depending on how fast you go, you could even make a full day of sightseeing out of it. Feel free to take a break if you feel jaded along the way.

Feel free to take a break if you feel tired along the way. I have included some cafés and restaurants on the map where you can take a breather and grab a bite. On this Salzburg walking tour, you will see:

• Mirabell Palace & Gardens
• Holy Trinity Church
• Mozart Residence
• Salzburg State Theater
• Makartsteg Bridge
• Linzer Gasse & Platzl
• Mozartsteg Bridge
• Mozartplatz
• Residenzplatz
• Neue Residenz (Salzburg Museum)
• Salzburg Cathedral
• Kapitelplatz
• Water Wheel
• St. Peter’s Cemetery
• St. Peter’s Abbey
• Franciscan Church
• Museum of Modern Art Rupertinum
• Large Festival House
• Siegmundstor
• Pferdeschwemme
• Collegiate Church
• Alter Markt
• Old Town Hall
• Getreidegasse
• Mozart’s Birthplace
• St. Blaise’s Church
• Haus der Natur

1. Mirabell Palace & Gardens

Start your Salzburg walking tour at the Mirabell Palace (Schloss Mirabell), one of the must-visit sights in the city. Originally constructed in 1606 by Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau, the palace was designed as a grand gesture of love for his mistress Salome Alt, with whom the vigorous prelate fathered at least a dozen children. 

The palace was revamped under the guidance of Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt in the early 18th century, who infused the palace with the ornate and expressive characteristics typical of the high baroque period. Sadly, not much remains of the grand structure and it was modified after a great fire in 1818.

Mirabell Palace’s façade is adorned with pilasters, cornices, and a subdued but elegant decorative scheme that gives way to more lavish interiors. 

Inside, the Marble Hall stands out as a prime example of baroque opulence, with elaborate stucco work, marble floors, and frescoed ceilings that depict mythological scenes. The stunning Baroque Hall is celebrated for its architectural beauty and superb acoustics and was a venue where Mozart himself performed. 

Today, Mirabell Palace houses the offices of Salzburg’s mayor and municipal administration. Beyond its administrative role, the palace is a favored venue for various events, including concerts, exhibitions, and conferences.

• Click here to book a ticket to a highly worthwhile Mozart Concert at the Mirabell Palace

The surrounding Mirabell Gardens are a testament to the splendor of baroque landscape design and an absolute delight to stroll around.  These meticulously landscaped gardens feature geometrically arranged flower beds, ornate sculptures, and elegant water features.

With its majestic winged steed, the Pegasus Fountain forms the centerpiece of this horticultural wonderland, casting a spell of timeless grace upon the surrounding blooms. The Dwarf Garden, populated with a series of grotesque statues of dwarfs, adds a touch of playful mystery.

Finally, take a moment to pause at the top of the steps guarded by a pair of unusually goat-faced unicorns. This spot offers one of the most splendid and iconic views of the Hohensalzburg Fortress in the distance.

If you’re a film buff like me, you will also recognize this spot as the place where Julie Andrews and the von Trapp children joyfully leap from one step to another while singing “Do-Re-Mi” in The Sound of Music .

2. Holy Trinity Church

The Holy Trinity Church, or Dreifaltigkeitskirche, is one of the more overlooked churches in Salzburg. It stands as a remarkable example of Baroque architecture, a testament to the city’s rich historical and cultural fabric. 

Constructed between 1694 and 1702 under the patronage of Archbishop Johann Ernst von Thun, the church was designed by the renowned architect Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach, one of the most prominent architects of the Baroque era.

The Holy Trinity Church’s façade is a magnificent display of Baroque splendor, characterized by its dynamic shapes, intricate stucco work, and the striking use of light and shadow. Its towering structure is crowned by a distinctive onion dome, adding a unique silhouette to Salzburg’s skyline.

Inside, visitors are greeted by an airy and light-filled interior, where Fischer von Erlach’s mastery of space and form is evident. The interior’s grandeur is amplified by the elaborate frescoes that adorn the ceiling, depicting scenes from the Holy Trinity.

A masterpiece of marble, the main altar is an impressive sight, adorned with figures representing the Holy Trinity, and framed by dramatic columns and gilded elements.

3. Mozart Residence

The Mozart Residence, or ‘Mozart Wohnhaus, is a significant landmark dedicated to the life and legacy of one of the most prodigious talents in classical music, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. 

Fed up with the confined living quarters on Getreidegasse, the Mozart family relocated to this more spacious residence in 1773, and it played a crucial role in his life and career until 1781 when he moved to Vienna.

Having incurred substantial damage from air raids during World War II, the house was restored and reopened in 1996, coinciding with the 240th anniversary of Mozart’s birth. Today, it houses a museum dedicated to Mozart’s life, offering visitors a deep dive into his personal and professional world.

The museum’s exhibits include a remarkable collection of original documents, letters, memorabilia, and instruments belonging to Mozart, providing insights into his creative process, family life, and extensive network of contacts across Europe. 

One of the highlights of the Mozart Residence is the fortepiano, an instrument closely associated with Mozart’s compositional genius.

History 101: Salzburg & Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

It’s ironic how Salzburg’s tourism sector heavily depends on a man who was so constrained by his hometown that he was eager to depart. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in Salzburg on January 27, 1756. He was a musical prodigy, composing music by age 4, even before mastering writing. By age 6, he was performing for royalty and aristocrats at the Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna. However, he found the local audiences in Salzburg unenthusiastic, likening their responsiveness to that of “tables and chairs,” which left him disenchanted. Mozart’s discontent with Salzburg primarily stemmed from several factors related to his personal and professional aspirations, which he felt were constrained by the city’s environment and his employment under the Archbishop of Salzburg. Although “The Magic Flute” achieved success in 1791, Mozart’s career concluded in relative anonymity; he died without money and was laid to rest in a pauper’s grave at St. Marx Cemetery in Vienna. Nowadays, Salzburg capitalizes on the legacy of a musician it once largely ignored during his life, with Mozart’s image prevalent throughout the city.

4. Salzburg State Theater

The Salzburg State Theater, a cornerstone of cultural life in Salzburg, is a distinctive landmark in Salzburg’s urban landscape. It has a storied history and over the years, has evolved into a premier venue for the performing arts, showcasing a rich array of theatrical productions. 

This prestigious institution has played a significant role in nurturing local talent and presenting a diverse repertoire, including classic plays, modern dramas, operas, ballets, and musicals.

The present building dates from the late-19th century and is Neo-Baroque in style. Its classic structure is adorned with contemporary touches, creating a visually striking appearance.

5. Makartsteg Bridge

Makartsteg Bridge is one of several bridges spanning the Salzach River in Salzburg. Named after the 19th-century Austrian painter Hans Makart, the pedestrian bridge opened in 2001 replacing an earlier version of the bridge to accommodate Salzburg’s increasing foot traffic.

Beyond its functionality, the Makartsteg Bridge is renowned for its unique and visually striking feature: it is adorned with countless love locks. Couples worldwide come to this pedestrian bridge to leave padlocks attached to its railings as a symbol of their everlasting love and commitment to each other. 

Each lock, often inscribed with initials or messages, represents a personal story, making the bridge a mosaic of human connections and affections. Due to this tradition, the Makartsteg Bridge is often affectionately called the “Love Lock Bridge.” 

6. Linzer Gasse & Platzl

The Platzl is a charming, vibrant square on the right bank of the Salzach River. Known for its quaint atmosphere and picturesque setting, this area serves as a bustling hub of activity and culture. 

It’s a perfect spot for enjoying a cup of coffee, or simply soaking in the architectural beauty and lively street scenes that epitomize Salzburg’s rich heritage and lively contemporary culture. The Platzl is framed by a mix of medieval and baroque buildings, showcasing the architectural evolution of the city.

One of my favorite streets in Salzburg, Linzer Gasse is the main commercial artery on the city’s right bank. This vibrant thoroughfare dates back to medieval times, serving as a vital link between the Salzach River and the northern parts of the city. 

This picturesque street is lined with beautifully preserved buildings that house a variety of shops, cafes, restaurants, and boutique hotels. One of my favorites is the Denkstein House at number 1 which features a striking sgraffito façade that compares life and playing cards.

Another highlight of Linger Gasse is St. Sebastian’s Cemetery, the final resting place for notable figures such as Paracelsus, the pioneering physician and alchemist, and members of the Mozart family, including Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s father, Leopold, and his wife, Constanze.  

7. Steingasse

Believe it or not, there are still some hidden gems in Salzburg away from the usual tourist trails. One such place is Steingasse, one of my favorite places in Salzburg. It is a picturesque, narrow lane paved with cobblestones and lined with charming, pastel-colored buildings along the Salzach River’s edge.

Incredibly, this small alley was once the chief trade route to Italy in medieval times. The street was then home to workshops of tanners, potters, dyers, and other craftsmen, drawn by the nearby river. 

In the Middle Ages and into the early modern period, brothels were known to operate here as well. Today, there are only a few shops left on Steingasse, and the houses in the alley are now primarily used as residential dwellings.

Noteworthy sights on Steingasse include the 13th-century Inneres Steintor gate and the Engelwirtsbrunnen – a Baroque marble fountain. Look out for the assortment of unique doors, each showcasing its distinctive style and personality.

Steingasse is perhaps most famous for being the birthplace of Joseph Mohr, the lyricist of the world-famous Christmas carol “Silent Night.” For a long time, it was thought that Joseph Mohr was born at Steingasse 9. However, recent historical research has revealed he was born in the house at Steingasse 31.

8. Mozartsteg Bridge

One of the most well-known landmarks in Salzburg, the Mozartsteg Bridge is a pedestrian bridge that spans the milky-green Salzach River. Named in honor of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Salzburg’s most famous son, this iron bridge opened in 1903 and was initially a private venture for the Mozartstegverein.

In 1921, the bridge opened to the public and it has been a popular thoroughfare since. The bridge’s slender, ornate Art Nouveau design complements the baroque and medieval architecture that defines Salzburg. 

9. Mozartplatz

Mozartplatz is a historic square in the Old Town (Altstadt) dedicated to the city’s most famous son, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The square is surrounded by an array of ornate buildings and townhouses, primarily Baroque and Rococo in style, which are characteristic of Salzburg’s development during its most prosperous periods.

Dominating the square is the Mozart Statue, which has become a symbolic centerpiece and a must-see for visitors. The statue is crafted from bronze and I like how it presents Mozart in a poised and dignified stance in a toga-like overcoat, exuding the elegance and grace that also characterizes his music. 

Mozart is depicted holding a music score, symbolizing his profound contributions to classical music. The statue is mounted on a tall, ornate marble pedestal, which bears inscriptions and decorations that further celebrate his legacy.

The statue was erected in 1842 (soon after the 50th anniversary of Mozart’s death), as Salzburg started to leverage its connection with the composer to attract visitors. The statue’s funding came from both public contributions and significant support from the royal family, notably King Ludwig I of Bavaria, who was a great admirer of Mozart’s work.

10. Residenzplatz

The expansive Residenzplatz is steeped in a rich tapestry of historical significance, directly tied to the architectural and cultural evolution of Salzburg. 

Residenzplatz was laid out in the 16th century under the auspices of Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau, one of Salzburg’s most influential and visionary rulers. Intent on transforming Salzburg into “Rome of the North” Wolf Dietrich embarked on an ambitious urban renewal project in 1587. 

The creation of Residenzplatz was a key component of this vision, necessitating the demolition of over 50 medieval burgher houses, several streets, and even a cemetery to make space for the square. One of my favorite features of the grand square is the Residenzbrunnen, a masterpiece of Baroque sculpture.

The fountain is one of the largest Baroque fountains north of the Alps, completed in 1661 under Prince-Archbishop Guidobald von Thun. It was intricately crafted from Untersberg marble, and features sculptures of mythological figures and animals, emphasizing the wealth and artistic ambition of Salzburg’s archbishops.

Over the centuries, Residenzplatz has played host to numerous public events, ecclesiastical ceremonies, markets, and gatherings, remaining a focal point of social and cultural life in Salzburg.

11. Residenz

Dominating the western side of Residenzplatz is the Residenz, a magnificent palace that stands as a testament to the power and cultural patronage of the prince-archbishops who ruled Salzburg for centuries. 

This grand edifice, with origins dating back to the Middle Ages, underwent significant transformations, especially under Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau in the late 16th century, who aimed to rival the splendor of Italian Renaissance palaces.

The impressive exterior of the Residenz showcases a blend of styles, with its core being Renaissance, enriched with Baroque and Rococo elements added by subsequent archbishops. The building is organized around three courtyards.

Presently, a section of the building is utilized by central government offices and university administrative departments, whereas the upper floors are home to the Residenz Gallery, showcasing art pieces dating from the 16th to the 19th centuries, including works by Rembrandt, Rubens, and Brueghel.

Highlights include the lavishly decorated state rooms (Prunkräume), used for official functions and displaying fine examples of stucco work, frescoes, and period furniture. Additionally, the palace contains a collection of historical musical instruments and porcelain.

12. Neue Residenz (Salzburg Museum)

The Neue Residenz was built in the early 17th century under the reign of Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau to accommodate the growing needs of the archiepiscopal court. 

The Neue Residenz exemplifies the transition from Renaissance to Baroque architecture and is distinguished by its ornate façade. The building’s Glockenspiel (Carillon), an ornate musical clock featuring 35 bells, remains one of the most beloved attractions in Salzburg. 

It functions as a large barrel with customizable tabs that rotate similarly to an oversized music box, engaging the correct bells in the appropriate rhythm. Crafted in Antwerp in the late 17th century, it enchants the city with melodies three times daily. 

Today, the Neue Residenz hosts the Salzburg Museum , celebrated for its comprehensive exhibits on the city’s art, culture, and history. Highlights include elaborate ceremonial rooms, historical musical instruments, and rotating art exhibitions.

I like how the permanent exhibitions here offer a journey through Salzburg’s past, showcasing everything from medieval artifacts and baroque art to pieces reflecting the city’s modern cultural life.

13. Salzburg Cathedral

The Salzburg Cathedral is one of the city’s must-see sights. Originally founded in 774 on the remnants of a Roman town, the cathedral has undergone several reconstructions, with the most significant undertaken by Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau in the early 17th century. 

The Salzburg Cathedral has been heralded by several critics as the epitome of Renaissance architecture in the German-speaking countries and you’ll find it hard to disagree. The current structure, completed in 1628 under Archbishop Paris Lodron, showcases the height of Baroque artistry, characterized by its grand façade, twin towers, and a magnificent dome.

The windows are bordered by classical demi-columns and crowned with substantial pediments. I love how there is a Baroque balustrade surrounding the façade, adorned with garlands and masks, and embellished with statues.

The white interior of the cathedral features intricate stucco work, and awe-inspiring frescoes that cover the vaulted ceilings, depicting scenes from the Old and New Testaments. Notably, the cathedral holds a special place in music history as the baptismal site of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and it continues to be a pivotal center for ecclesiastical music.

Organ concerts at the Salzburg Cathedral offer a unique auditory experience, featuring a repertoire that spans from classical Baroque compositions to contemporary pieces. The cathedral’s exceptional acoustics amplify the organ’s majestic sounds, creating an immersive atmosphere.

• Click here to book an organ concert ticket at the Salzburg Cathedral

14. Kapitelplatz

Of the several picturesque squares in Salzburg, Kapitelplatz is probably my favorite one. This expansive space is characterized by its open, cobblestone expanse and is surrounded by historic buildings that reflect the architectural splendor of the city. 

With the Hohensalzburg Fortress looming overhead, Kapitelplatz offers breathtaking views and serves as a popular gathering spot for locals and tourists alike, offering a unique blend of contemporary art, historical architecture, and vibrant street life.

A notable feature of Kapitelplatz is the striking “Sphaera” sculpture, a striking piece of contemporary art by German artist Stephan Balkenhol. It features a nine-meter-high golden sphere with a neutral-faced man standing atop 

I love the presence of the large interactive chessboard, which adds a unique and interactive element to Kapitelplatz’s beauty. This oversized chessboard, set directly on the square’s paving, invites both locals and tourists to engage in chess games with larger-than-life pieces. 

Another notable feature is the Kapitelschwemme, an 18th-century Baroque horse trough. This ornamental pond is known for its elaborate design featuring a large basin and a striking sculpture of a trident-wielding Neptune. 

15. Water Wheel

Nestled within the enchanting maze of the Old Town, the Water Wheel (Wasserrad) harks back to Salzburg’s early era, a period when such wheels were central to the city’s industrial lifeblood. It stands as a testament to the creativity and resourcefulness that have long defined this city nestled in the Alps.

The water wheel is overlooked by a statue of St. Peter and is integrated into an ingenious canal system that channels water to Salzburg from the Alpine foothills.

It was historically used to grind grain into flour for baking bread for the monks residing at St. Peter’s Abbey and today generates electricity used to grind the flour for the adjacent bakery.

The name Salzburg derives from the German words “Salz” meaning salt, and “Burg” meaning castle or fortress, reflecting the city’s historical significance in the salt trade. Salt, once as valuable as gold, played a pivotal role in Salzburg’s development and wealth. The “Salt Castle” refers to the Hohensalzburg Fortress, which looms over the city and the Salzach River—named for its role in transporting salt.

16. St. Peter’s Cemetery

Established around 700 AD, St. Peter’s Cemetery is not only the oldest Christian burial site in the city but also one of the most serene and picturesque landmarks in Salzburg. The cemetery’s layout showcases a unique blend of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architectural elements, evident in the ornate mausoleums and chapels that dot its grounds. 

Among its notable features are the catacombs carved into the rock of the Mönchsberg, accessible via a series of steps. These early Christian burial sites offer a fascinating glimpse into Salzburg’s religious history.

St. Peter’s Cemetery is the final resting place for many of Salzburg’s notable citizens, including artists, musicians, and scholars.  The cemetery contains the graves of Mozart’s older sister Nannerl and father Leopold. 

The meticulously crafted gravestones, adorned with wrought-iron crosses are surrounded by lush greenery, creating a peaceful atmosphere that invites reflection.

St. Peter’s Cemetery plays a role in the iconic 1965 film The Sound of Music when the von Trapp family hides behind tombstones in a cemetery to evade the Nazis. However, none of the film was shot within the cemetery, and the scene was shot on a Hollywood set modeled after St. Peter’s Cemetery.

17. St. Peter’s Abbey

Founded in 696 AD by Saint Rupert at the behest of the Bavarian Duke Theodo, St. Peter’s Abbey is one of the oldest and most significant monastic foundations in the German-speaking world. Over the centuries, it has been a center of religion, scholarship, and artistry, playing a pivotal role in the spread of Christianity and culture throughout the region.

Architecturally, St. Peter’s Abbey is a blend of Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque styles. The abbey’s church, with its imposing façade and elegant Rococo interiors, features stunning frescoes, intricate stucco work, and a remarkable altar. St. Rupert’s gold statue hangs in the church’s main altar while his tomb is midway up the right aisle.

The abbey also houses a renowned library containing medieval manuscripts and incunabula, underscoring its historical importance as a center of learning and spirituality.

18. Franciscan Church

The Franciscan Church (Franziskanerkirche) is a remarkable architectural and spiritual landmark in Salzburg with a history that stretches back to the 8th century, making it one of the city’s oldest churches.

The church’s façade is a modest yet elegant representation of Romanesque and Gothic elements, reflecting the periods of its major constructions and renovations. 

The most striking feature of the Franciscan Church’s exterior is its slender, pointed tower, which pierces the skyline with its Gothic grace. The tower, though never completed to its planned height, adds a distinctive silhouette to Salzburg’s cityscape.

The church’s interior features a Romanesque nave, characterized by stark simplicity, which transitions into a breathtaking Gothic choir, featuring slender columns and intricate ribbed vaulting. Stained-glass windows cast ethereal light across various side altars and artworks, culminating at the exquisite Gothic high altar.

19. Museum of Modern Art Rupertinum

Housed in a lovely Baroque building that dates back to the 17th century, the Museum of Modern Art Rupertinum is the more compact counterpart to the Museum of Modern Art Mönchsberg. Nonetheless, the museum seamlessly blends its historic architecture with the avant-garde, presenting a diverse range of modern and contemporary artworks. 

Since its inauguration in 1983, the Rupertinum has been celebrated for its diverse range of temporary exhibitions, alongside a standing collection featuring creations by Klimt, Kokoschka, and other less familiar artists. Additionally, it boasts an array of graphic works, photographs, and multimedia installations.

The museum’s interior spaces, characterized by their adaptability, are ideal for the dynamic exhibitions it hosts, ranging from solo artist showcases to thematic group displays. 

While it is a relatively small attraction, it offers an appealing visit for enthusiasts of 20th-century art.

20. Large Festival House

The Large Festival House (Großes Festspielhaus) is an iconic cultural landmark renowned for its superb acoustics and grandiose architecture. Designed by the distinguished architect Clemens Holzmeister, the hall was inaugurated in 1960 to accommodate the growing needs of the prestigious Salzburg Festival. 

The Salzburg Festival is arguably the most important opera and theater festival in the world. The event is celebrated for its high-caliber performances of opera, theater, and classical music. 

The Large Festival House’s construction involved expanding into the Mönchsberg mountain. Its façade, a harmonious blend of natural stone and large, inviting glass panels, subtly complements the surrounding Baroque architecture without overshadowing it. The interior is famed for its including a vast stage and an expansive foyer adorned with frescoes by Oskar Kokoschka.

In addition to its elegant architecture, the Large Festival House boasts exceptional acoustics, making it one of the premier concert halls in the world. Its stage has seen the likes of Herbert von Karajan, Leonard Bernstein, Anne-Sophie Mutter, and many other legendary artists.

21. Siegmundstor

The Siegmundstor, also known as Sigmund’s Gate or Neutor, is an iconic tunnel that pierces through the Mönchsberg mountain. Commissioned by Prince-Archbishop Sigismund von Schrattenbach and completed in 1767, it represents a significant engineering achievement of its time. 

The tunnel was designed to connect the Salzburg Old Town with the Nonntal area and to facilitate vital communication and trade routes within the city. Today, it remains one of the most important historical landmarks in Salzburg.

22. Pferdeschwemme

The Pferdeschwemme, or Horse Pond, is a famous Baroque horse trough located at the base of the steep rock face of the Mönchsberg. Originating from the 17th century, this ornamental pond was used for the washing and watering of horses, particularly those belonging to the prince-archbishops’ cavalry. 

The highlight of the Pferdeschwemme is its elaborate sculpture centerpiece, which prominently features a loincloth-clad horse tamer tussling with a rowdy horse. I think it’s possibly a reference to the story of Alexander the Great taming the wild horse Bucephalus.

Flanked by intricate equine frescoes and statues, the horse trough is a testament to the lavish lifestyle of Salzburg’s historical elite. Today, the Pferdeschwemme ranks as one of the most popular photo spots in Salzburg.

23. Collegiate Church

Dominating the elongated Universitätsplatz square, the Collegiate Church (Kollegienkirche) is yet another masterpiece of Baroque architecture in Salzburg. It was designed by the renowned architect Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach and completed in 1707 for the University of Salzburg.

The church’s exterior is marked by a magnificent frontispiece, flanked by two towering bell towers that gracefully ascend into the sky, capped with onion domes that add a distinctive silhouette to Salzburg’s skyline. I love how the church’s façade sort of protrudes like a big bay window!

The façade is embellished with sculptural elements, including statues of saints and angels, intricate stucco work, and robust pilasters. All these elements showcase Fischer von Erlach’s architectural genius.

The interior of the Collegiate Church is equally impressive, with a cavernous, light-filled nave that is adorned with elaborate frescoes and stucco work. The high altar, side chapels, and pulpit are beautifully crafted, displaying the opulence and artistic richness of the Baroque era.

24. Alter Markt

Nestled in the heart of Salzburg’s historic Old Town, the Alter Markt is a quaint square that has retained its charming character since its establishment in the 13th century., This square exudes an atmosphere reminiscent of medieval times and is surrounded by traditional burgher houses and quaint cafés. 

Notable for its well-preserved architecture and cobblestone streets, the Alter Markt is home to a variety of shops offering local crafts, and antiques. You’ll be happy to know that the original Fürst Confectionery, famous for its iconic Mozartkugeln, can be found here.

One of the attractions in Alter Markt is the glorious St. Florian Fountain. Crafted from marble, it features a statue of St. Florian (the patron saint of firefighters) pouring water from a bucket, a symbol of his role in protecting against fire.

25. Old Town Hall

The Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus) is one of the notable points of interest in Salzburg. Erected in the 14th century, the building has played a pivotal role in the administrative life of Salzburg for centuries, witnessing countless decisions that have shaped the city’s destiny.

The building is one of the prettiest ones you will encounter in Salzburg. Its predominantly Rococo façade is famous for its clock tower, a distinctive landmark that rises above the surrounding rooftops. 

Also present on the facade is a seated representation of Lady Justice, signifying the building’s historical function as a courthouse. While the Old Town Hall no longer serves as Salzburg’s main administrative building, it now hosts a variety of cultural events, exhibitions, and meetings. 

26. Getreidegasse

Taking a stroll on Getreidegasse is one of the must-have experiences in Salzburg. Though Getreidegasse is Salzburg’s busiest thoroughfare and is thronged with visitors at any time of the year, the pedestrianized narrow street is renowned for its historical charm and architectural beauty.

Its architecture is characterized by tall, narrow medieval townhouses with intricately decorated façades.

Don’t miss the beautiful wrought-iron guild signs hanging above the entrances, showcasing the craftsmanship of bygone eras. These signs, once indicating the trade of the shopkeepers, are now an idiosyncratic feature.

Getreidegasse offers a picturesque glimpse into Salzburg’s past and still looks like it did in medieval times—except now many of the townhouses themselves are inhabited by chain outlets and high-end boutiques.

27. Mozart’s Birthplace

A Salzburg bucket-list favorite, the famous Mozart’s Birthplace (Mozarts Geburtshaus) is situated at Getreidegasse 9. This bright yellow-colored townhouse holds a special place in the annals of music history and cultural heritage as this is where Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born on January 27, 1756. 

Mozart resided here until the age of 17—that is the time he was actually in Salzburg and not traveling to cities like Prague, Milan, or Vienna. The historic building is now a museum dedicated to Mozart’s life and work. 

The museum spans three floors of exhibition rooms, which include the Mozart family apartment. The museum houses an extensive collection of personal items, including Mozart’s childhood violin, his clavichord, original scores, letters, and portraits, providing an intimate glimpse into the composer’s world.

Though Mozart’s Birthplace is under constant siege from visitors, I reckon it has an air of authenticity that is lacking in the renovated Mozart Residence.

28. St. Blaise’s Church

The St. Blaise’s Church (Bürgerspitalkirche St. Blasius) is one of the more overlooked churches in Salzburg. This church has a rich history dating back to the 14th century. 

Originally serving as part of the Bürgerspital (citizens’ hospital), the church is dedicated to Saint Blaise, the patron saint of wool combers and throat illnesses. Its architecture presents a modest yet captivating facade, leading to an interior that showcases a blend of Gothic and Baroque elements. 

The interior of St. Blaise’s Church is renowned for its serene atmosphere, ribbed vaults, lavish altarpieces, and ornamental stucco work.

29. Haus der Natur

We’ve now come to the final stop of our free self-guided Salzburg walking tour. In my opinion. The Haus der Natur is one of the best museums in Salzburg and one of the most fun places to visit in the city.

Established in 1924, this dynamic museum and aquarium has grown into one of Austria’s largest and most visited museums, attracting over half a million visitors annually. It spans over 7,000 square meters and boasts a diverse array of exhibits that include interactive displays on zoology, geology, and human biology, alongside engaging sections dedicated to dinosaurs, space exploration, and the physics of music.

One of its most captivating attractions at the Haus der Natur is the Dinosaur Hall, where visitors can marvel at life-size models and authentic fossils that bring the prehistoric world to life. The Science Center is also particularly engaging, with hands-on experiments that allow visitors to experiment with and understand scientific principles firsthand. 

Additionally, the Human Body Exhibit and the Prehistoric and Ice Age Exhibits delve into human biology and Earth’s geological past.

Guided Salzburg Walking Tour

If you are very short on time or simply don’t want to deal with the hassle of a self-guided Salzburg walking tour, you can also opt to take a guided tour instead.

Salzburg 2.5-Hour Walking Tour: Embark on a guided walking tour of Salzburg and discover the city’s rich history, stunning architecture, and musical heritage. Experience the charm of this UNESCO World Heritage site with an expert guide leading the way.

What Else to See in Salzburg

There are a few more things to see and do in Salzburg than what we have covered in our walking tour.

Places like the majestic Hohensazburg Fortress, Hellbrunn Castle , St. Sebastian’s Cemetery, and the Kapuzinerberg all deserve to be seen. 

Hohensalzburg Fortress, perched atop Festungsberg hill is particularly one of Salzburg’s must-see sights. Dating back to 1077,  it is one of Europe’s largest medieval castles and features historical rooms, museums, and the famous medieval princely chambers. It also offers breathtaking panoramic views of Salzburg and the Alps.

• Click here to book a ticket to the Hohensalzburg Fortress

Another wildly popular activity in Salzburg is naturally the original Sound of Music Tour which takes visitors through the iconic locations featured in the beloved 1965 film. Visitors can relive the Von Trapp family’s story, visiting sites like the Mirabell Gardens, Leopoldskron Palace, Nonnberg Abbey, and Mondsee Church, all while enjoying the movie’s memorable songs and scenic Austrian landscapes.

• Click here to book a ticket for the Original Sound of Music Tour

Salzburg is also conveniently located to take a day trip to Hallstatt, offering a glimpse into one of Austria’s most picturesque villages. Nestled between the Dachstein mountains and the tranquil shores of Lake Hallstatt, this postcard-perfect UNESCO World Heritage site is famed for its charming 16th-century Alpine houses, narrow alleyways, and the historic Hallstatt Salt Mine.

• Click here to book a wildly popular half-day tour from Salzburg to Hallstatt

Where to Stay in Salzburg

In Salzburg, accommodation options suit all budgets across various neighborhoods. For luxury, the Altstadt (Old Town) offers historic charm with boutique hotels near landmarks like Salzburg Cathedral and Getreidegasse. 

Mid-range travelers can find comfort in the Neustadt area, with easy access to Mirabell Palace and modern amenities. Budget-conscious visitors might prefer staying in the Schallmoos or Elisabeth-Vorstadt districts, where affordable hostels and guesthouses are plentiful, and public transport is readily available.

Hostel: YoHo Youth Hostel , offers affordable, comfortable accommodation ideal for budget travelers and backpackers. The property is situated just a 10-minute stroll away from Salzburg Main train station and is located 500 meters from Mirabell Palace.

Budget: Hotel Max 70 , an excellent choice if you’re on the lookout for a comfortable stay with stylish rooms, located conveniently close to public transport links. 

Mid-range: arte Hotel Salzburg , located near Salzburg Main train station, this contemporary establishment offers stylish rooms, a rooftop bar, and easy access to Salzburg’s attractions.

Splurge: Hotel Bristol , located just steps away from Mozart’s Birthplace in the Old Town, this luxury establishment offers opulent rooms and suites, exquisite dining, and personalized service.

More Self-Guided Walking Tours in Europe

In case you enjoyed our self-guided Salzburg walking tour, do check out our other self-guided walking tours of major European cities.

• Free Self-Guided Helsinki Walking Tour
• Free Self-Guided Copenhagen Walking Tour
• Free Self-Guided Stockholm Walking Tour
• Free Self-Guided Oslo Walking Tour
• Free Self-Guided Hamburg Walking Tour
• Free Self-Guided Vienna Walking Tour
• Free Self-Guided Munich Walking Tour
• Free Self-Guided Budapest Walking Tour
• Free Self-Guided Prague Walking Tour
• Free Self-Guided Bratislava Walking Tour
• Free Self-Guided Zagreb Walking Tour
• Free Self-Guided Tallinn Walking Tour
• Free Self-Guided Riga Walking Tour
• Free Self-Guided Vilnius Walking Tour
• Free Self-Guided Edinburgh Walking Tour
• Free Self-Guided Madrid Walking Tour
• Fre e Self-Guided Florence Waking Tour

Hello there, fellow globetrotters! I’m Mihir, a passionate travel blogger with an insatiable wanderlust. My journey across the world is fueled by curiosity and a hunger for unique experiences. As a travel writer, photographer, and adventurer, I’ve explored more than 35 countries, aiming to provide readers with a distinctive glimpse of our diverse world. Join me as I blend captivating storytelling with stunning visuals, guiding you through hidden gems and cultural treasures. Besides traveling, my other loves are my beloved cats, architecture, art, craft beer, classic movies, history, and Australian Rules Football (Go Dons!).

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Free Walking Tour Salzburg

General information.

Starting time

Tip only basis

Passionate about Salzburg? Join our team as a tour guide and share the magic of this beautiful city with visitors from around the world!

Free walking tour Salzburg is one of the best ways to visit the beautiful city of Salzburg in Austria, known for its baroque architecture, stunning mountain views, and rich musical heritage. The city was the birthplace of Mozart and is home to numerous historical landmarks, including the Salzburg Cathedral and the Mirabell Palace. Visitors can also enjoy the charming narrow streets and quaint coffeehouses, as well as the lively local markets and street performers. Whether you are a history buff, a music lover, or just looking for a peaceful escape, Salzburg has something for everyone.

Meet your guide at the Mirabell Palace.

Tip only basis. You must tip your guide at the end of the tour. It is recommended to tip from 10 to 20 euros per person.

Free walking tour Salzburg will start at the Mirabell Palace, where you can admire its beautiful gardens and fountains.

From there, you will continue to the impressive St. Peter’s Abbey, a medieval monastery that was once a center of learning and culture.

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You will also see the iconic Salzburg Cathedral, with its towering spires and beautiful stained glass windows.

Finally, you will visit the historic Old Town, with its narrow cobblestone streets, picturesque squares, and historic buildings that have been beautifully preserved. The tour will end at the stunning Residenzplatz, surrounded by impressive buildings, monuments, and fountains.

Frequently asked questions

What is the maximum of participants.

The maximum of participants is 15 people.

Can I book a private walking tour?

Yes, you can book a private walking tour by contacting us straight via email.

Can I bring my children?

Yes, in Free Tour Salzburg everyone is welcome.

What should I bring?

Check out the weather on the day of the tour to make sure you bring an umbrella in case it’s raining. Bring comfortable shoes, cash and a big smile 🙂