Sightseeing in Salzburg

Excursions & things to do in Salzburg Old Town

The Salzburg old town is, without a doubt, among the most beautiful places in the world. The magic of this baroque city on the northern edge of the Alps captures visitors of all backgrounds in its spell. Even great writers and poets have sometimes found themselves unable to capture the unique charm of the city in words - no wonder, for the beauty of Salzburg often defies description.

Crowning it all, Hohensalzburg Fortress, unconquered throughout its long history, towers proudly over the city. Below it lies the majestic cathedral with its panels of Untersberg marble. The façade provides the familiar backdrop to the famous performances of Jedermann that have taken place here since 1920 as part of the Salzburg Festival. The beautiful old town contains the grandiose Residence, the picturesque Getreidegasse (where Mozart was born), and several elegant squares. It has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, thus ensuring that the city's splendour will be preserved for future generations to enjoy.

Salzburg's proud history goes back to the time of the Celts. Later, the Romans founded a settlement called Juvavum here. From an early date, the great wealth of the princes of Salzburg rested on the riches hidden below the earth's surface in this area. Whether it was salt from the Dürrnberg above Hallein or marble from the Untersberg, the clerical leaders of the archdiocese of Salzburg were well able to put the natural resources they found here to good use. They built the Salzburg Residence, the New Residence, the Mirabell Palace, Hellbrunn Palace, and many other buildings with which they demonstrated their power. They are the patrons who stand behind the unique architecture of this magnificent city, which is just as impressive today as when it first appeared.

But it is not just its architecture that makes Salzburg special. The scenery also makes Salzburg the ideal place to spend a holiday - straddling the river Salzach, it is peacefully in the arms of the local hills. There a many places to visit near the city. The Austrian Empress Elisabeth, the immortal Sissi, was once enchanted by the Salzkammergut to the north-east. To the south of Salzburg, nature lovers and climbers savour the scenery where the high peaks soar up to the sky. And in Grödig, at the foot of the Untersberg, you will find the Schorn Inn, the perfect place to soak up the beauty of Salzburg and enjoy an unforgettable holiday.