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Salzburg

Salzburg travel guide

Capital of the state of Salzburg, Austria

Flights from$1,100 round trip
Things to do31 experiences
Best time to visitFebruary and April to October
Nearest airportSZG · 2 mi from centre
Time zoneUTC+2
Population155,021

About Salzburg

Salzburg is the fourth-largest city in Austria. In 2026 its population was 157,994. The city lies on the Salzach River, near the border with Germany and at the foot of the Alps mountains.

Cheap flights to Salzburg

The lowest round-trip fare found by Destina Holidays travellers in the last 30 days was $1,100 from Sacramento, travelling 2 May – 11 May. These are the cheapest fares from the most searched cities.

Cheapest month to fly

$1,167 Oct $1,102 Nov $1,111 Dec $1,118 Jan $1,109 Feb $1,171 Mar $1,130 Apr $1,100 May $1,410 Jun $1,356 Jul $1,350 Aug $1,228 Sep

Airlines travellers compared most often: Swiss International Air Lines, Air Canada, Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa, Finnair.

Prices are per adult in US dollars, taken from searches between 20 Sep and 20 Oct 2026. Fares change often, so search your dates for live prices.

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Places to visit in Salzburg

  1. Hohensalzburg Fortress

    Hohensalzburg Fortress

    Historic

    One of the largest medieval castles in Europe, standing on a hill above the old town. Ride the funicular up and walk down through the old town for great views.

  2. Mirabell Palace and Gardens

    Mirabell Palace and Gardens

    Park

    A baroque palace with formal gardens, fountains, and statues, famous from The Sound of Music. The gardens are free and best in the morning, before the tour groups arrive.

  3. Getreidegasse

    Getreidegasse

    Neighborhood

    A narrow shopping street in the old town known for its wrought-iron shop signs and hidden courtyards. Visit early to avoid crowds, and look for the passageways linking it to nearby squares.

  4. Salzburg Cathedral

    Salzburg Cathedral

    Religious

    A baroque cathedral where Mozart was baptized, with a bright, richly decorated interior. Check the schedule for organ concerts, which are a highlight of a visit.

  5. Mozart's Birthplace

    Mozart's Birthplace

    Museum

    The yellow house on Getreidegasse where Mozart was born, now a museum of his family life and instruments. Combine your ticket with the Mozart Residence across the river.

  6. Hellbrunn Palace

    Hellbrunn Palace

    Historic · 3 mi from centre

    A seventeenth-century palace south of the city, famous for its trick fountains that surprise visitors with sprays of water. Bring a change of clothes for children, and take the bus from the center.

  7. Untersberg

    Untersberg

    Viewpoint

    A mountain on the border with Germany, reached by cable car, with sweeping views over Salzburg and the Alps. Bring warm layers and sturdy shoes for the trails at the top.

  8. Hallstatt

    Hallstatt

    Historic · 33 mi from centre

    A lakeside village of wooden houses below steep mountains, one of Austria's most photographed places. Visit early in the day or stay overnight to avoid the large tour crowds.

Things to do in Salzburg by type

31 tours, tickets and experiences across 6 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.

How long
  • 3-6 hours 4
  • Flexible 1
  • 1-3 hours 1
Good for
  • Families 1
  • Couples 1
  • Senior 1
  • Youth 1
Ways to go
  • Private 16
  • Small group 1
Browse all things to do in Salzburg

Top experiences in Salzburg

Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 31 available.

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Where to stay in Salzburg

Popular hotels in Salzburg, out of 199 properties you can book.

See all hotels in Salzburg

Best time to visit Salzburg

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Salzburg is February and April to October, when average daytime highs are around 50–78°F and rain falls on about 14 days a month.

MonthTemperature (°F)Rain days
Jan 26° – 44° 13
Feb 33° – 50° 10
Mar 36° – 56° 14
Apr 41° – 62° 10
May 47° – 65° 17
Jun 57° – 76° 14
Jul 59° – 76° 21
Aug 60° – 78° 14
Sep 52° – 69° 15
Oct 45° – 61° 12
Nov 33° – 49° 11
Dec 29° – 43° 10

Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.

Salzburg weather forecast

  • Wed 21 Oct 58° 49° 98%
  • Thu 22 Oct 56° 45° 93%
  • Fri 23 Oct 60° 36° 12%
  • Sat 24 Oct 50° 39° 58%
  • Sun 25 Oct 56° 35° 70%
  • Mon 26 Oct 53° 42° 78%

Know before you go

Currency
Euro (EUR)1 US dollar ≈ €0.89
Language
German
Calling code
+43
Driving
On the right
Time zone
Europe/ViennaUTC+2
Capital
Vienna

Upcoming public holidays in Austria

  • National HolidayNationalfeiertag
  • All Saints' DayAllerheiligen
  • Immaculate ConceptionMariä Empfängnis
  • Christmas DayWeihnachten
  • St. Stephen's DayStefanitag
  • New Year's DayNeujahr

Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.

Getting to Salzburg

These are the airports closest to central Salzburg. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.

  • SZG Salzburg Airport2 mi (3 km) from the city centre
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Getting around Salzburg

There is a network of city buses, the StadtBus, with numbers from 1 to 10, 12 and 14 (O-Buses, electric, trolley-bus) and 20-27 (fuel-powered). From the bus driver, you only get a single A single ticket for €3. The other option is buying a 5-ticket-strip in advance (€11,50). A 24-hr ticket costs €4.70, when bought at the vending machine (all prices from 2024). There are also daily, weekly and monthly passes. The Salzburg Verkehr application allows you to buy these tickets from your mobile phone.

Salzburg Card

Depending on how long you want to stay in Salzburg and how much you want to pack into one day, the Salzburg Card could be a good investment, it includes:

Salzburg travel FAQ

When is the best time to visit Salzburg?

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Salzburg is February and April to October, when average daytime highs are around 50–78°F and rain falls on about 14 days a month.

What is the weather like in Salzburg?

August is usually the warmest month in Salzburg, with average highs of 78°F (25°C). December is the coolest, with average lows of 29°F (-1°C). The wettest month is typically September, with about 210 mm of rain.

Which airport is closest to Salzburg?

Salzburg Airport (SZG) is the closest airport, about 2 miles (3 km) from the centre of Salzburg.

How much are flights to Salzburg?

The cheapest round-trip fare Destina Holidays travellers found to Salzburg in the last 30 days was $1,100 from Sacramento, travelling 2 May – 11 May. May is currently the cheapest month to fly, with fares from $1,100.

What currency is used in Salzburg?

Salzburg uses the Euro (EUR). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ €0.89.

What time zone is Salzburg in?

Salzburg uses the Europe/Vienna time zone (currently UTC+2). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.

How do I get around Salzburg?

There is a network of city buses, the StadtBus, with numbers from 1 to 10, 12 and 14 (O-Buses, electric, trolley-bus) and 20-27 (fuel-powered). From the bus driver, you only get a single A single ticket for €3. The other option is buying a 5-ticket-strip in advance (€11,50).

What are the best places to visit in Salzburg?

Top sights in Salzburg include Hohensalzburg Fortress, Mirabell Palace and Gardens, Getreidegasse and Salzburg Cathedral. One of the largest medieval castles in Europe, standing on a hill above the old town. Ride the funicular up and walk down through the old town for great views.

What are the top things to do in Salzburg?

Popular experiences you can book in Salzburg include Salzburg Hop-On Hop-Off Tour, The Sound of Music and Salt Mines Visit in Salzburg and Excursion to Hallstatt. Destina Holidays offers 31 tours and activities here.

What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Salzburg?

The most popular types of experiences in Salzburg are day trips & excursions (12), city tours (9), tickets & attraction passes (5) and art & culture (4). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.

Where should I stay in Salzburg?

Popular areas for hotels in Salzburg include Salzburg. Well-reviewed options include NH Collection Salzburg City and Leonardo Hotel Salzburg Airport.

How many hotels can I book in Salzburg?

Destina Holidays currently lists 199 properties in and around Salzburg, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.