2 Best Sights in Salzburg, Austria

Getting to know Salzburg is not too difficult, because most of its sights are within a comparatively small area. The Altstadt (Old City) is a compact area between the jutting outcrop of the Mönchsberg and the Salzach River. The cathedral and interconnecting squares surrounding it form what used to be the religious center, around which the major churches and the old archbishops' residence are arranged (note that entrance into all Salzburg churches is free). The Mönchsberg cliffs emerge unexpectedly behind the Old City, crowned to the east by the Hohensalzburg Fortress. Across the river, in the small area between the cliffs of the Kapuzinerberg and the riverbank, is the Steingasse, a narrow medieval street where laborers, craftsmen, and traders served the salt-mining industry and travelers coming in and out of the region’s important mercantile hub. Northwest of the Kapuzinerberg lies Mirabell Palace and its manicured gardens.

It's best to begin by exploring the architectural and cultural riches of the Old City, then go on to the fortress. Afterward, cross the river to inspect the other bank. Ideally, you need two days to do it all. An alternative, if you enjoy exploring churches and castles, is to go directly up to the fortress, either on foot or by returning through the cemetery to the funicular railway.

Gaisberg and Untersberg

The Untersberg in Salzburg — Laszlo Szirtesi / Shutterstock

Salzburg's "house mountains" are so called because of their proximity to the city, with Gaisberg lying to the east and Untersberg to the south.

To reach Gaisberg, you can take the Albus No. 151 bus from Mirabellplatz right up to the summit of the mountain, where you'll be rewarded with a spectacular panoramic view of the Alps and the Alpine foreland. From here, there are several hiking trails and a charming little pub-restaurant with sun terrace. The bus leaves six times a day weekdays and 12 times a day weekends and takes about a half hour.

The Untersberg is the mountain Captain von Trapp and Maria climbed as they escaped the Nazis in The Sound of Music. In the film they were supposedly fleeing to Switzerland; in reality, the climb up the Untersberg would have brought them almost to the doorstep of Hitler's retreat at the Eagle's Nest above Berchtesgaden in Germany. A cable car from St. Leonhard, about 13 km (8 miles) and a 30-minute bus ride south of Salzburg, whisks you up to a height of 5,830 feet for a breathtaking view. In winter you can ski back down the Untersberg (you arrive in the village of Fürstenbrunn and taxis or buses take you back to St. Leonhard); in summer there are a number of hiking routes from the summit.

Kapuzinerberg

To the south of the New City, facing the Mönchsberg on the other side of the river, Kapuzinerberg hill is crowned by several interesting sights. By ascending a stone staircase near Steingasse 9, you can start your climb up the peak. At the top of the first flight of steps is a tiny chapel, St. Johann am Imberg, built in 1681. Farther on are a signpost and gate to the Hettwer Bastion, part of the old city walls and one of Salzburg's most spectacular viewpoints. At the summit is the gold-beige Kapuzinerkloster (Capuchin Monastery), originally a fortification built to protect the one bridge crossing the river. It is still an active monastery, so it cannot be visited, except for the church. The road down—note the Stations of the Cross along the path—is called Stefan Zweig Weg, after the great Austrian writer and critic who rented the Paschingerschlössl house by the monastery until 1934, when he fled Austria. Continue along to the northeast end of the Kapuzinerberg road for a well-earned meal with a stunning 180-degree view from the garden of the Franziskischlössl.

Salzburg

Salzburg

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