It’s a bold claim, but we truly believe that Salzburg is the jewel in the crown of European cities. With its charming, Baroque-filled Old Town, extravagant palaces, romantic medieval streets and sumptuous concert halls where Mozart once performed, you’ll be thinking you’ve stepped into a fairytale. The travel experts here at Plum Guide have put together the most magical list of activities to do in this spellbinding city, so before you hop onto your magic carpet, take a look at our guide to the most exciting things to do in Salzburg.

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Salzburg’s Old Town is the perfect place to start your trip. Labelled a World Heritage site for its beautiful medieval and Baroque architecture, you could easily spend a whole day wandering around admiring the various buildings. Many of these buildings have been turned into shops, boutiques, galleries and jewellery and craft workshops—keep an eye out for the original wrought-iron shop and inn signs. Follow quaint little side streets onto sleepy old courtyards or take a break at one of the many cafes which spill out onto the streets. With a pint of local Salzburg beer in hand, this is the best spot for people-watching.

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Perched on a hilltop is the majestic Fortress Hohensalzburg, watching over the city since the 11th century. This is undoubtedly Salzburg’s number one attraction, reachable via a 20-minute walk from the Old Town centre or a funicular railway from Festungsgasse. Enjoy sweeping views of the city from the many courtyards and fortified walls, and admire the lavish interiors including the sumptuous Princes' Apartments with their Late Gothic décor and fine painted wainscoting and the Golden Room with its marble doorways. The Fortress Museum is also worth visiting if you’re into weapons and torture devices (no judgement here.)

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Fans of The Sound Of Music will recognise Mirabell Palace and Gardens from the scene where Maria and the Von Trapp children sing ‘Do Re Mi’ in the gardens. Designed in a geometrical style with fountains, themed gardens and marble statues, it’s a beautiful place to relax and enjoy the views of Salzburg Cathedral. The palace itself is equally as stunning, home to the Angel Staircase and the exquisite Marble Hall which is used for concerts and functions. Mozart once played music here, and today you can catch a Mozart concert almost every evening.

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Speaking of the great man, wherever you go in Salzburg the fame and influence of Mozart is apparent. If you’re a fan of his then you’ll be pleased to know that you can visit the house he was born in on January 27th 1756. Take a walk through the reconstructed rooms the Mozart family once lived in, see various mementos such as the young Mozart’s violin and discover engaging exhibits which introduce his family and their daily lives. You can also visit Mozart’s Residence where he lived between 1773 and 1787. This museum showcases many original documents and portraits, as well as an exhibition on his life and the history of the house.

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Music festivals play a large role in Salzburg’s rich heritage, evident from the city’s many historic theatres and concert halls. Collectively known as the Festival Theatres, these institutions include Festspielhaus, Haus für Mozart and the Karl-Böhm Hall. Since 1925, these theatres have played host to the famous Salzburg Festival, a five-week-long summer event showcasing the best of European music and drama. Other festivals held throughout the year include Mozart Week, Salzburg Cultural Days, Salzburg Easter Festival and Salzburg Whitsun Festival. It’s no surprise that the city markets itself as ‘the stage of the world’, and attending one of the music festivals is one of the best things to do in Salzburg for culture vultures.

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For a completely different theatre experience, step into the UNESCO-listed Marionette Theatre. You don’t have to be a child to be enchanted by the performances here, where a puppet cast of around 500 characters dance, sing and act their way through a colourful programme of fairy tales and operas. The detailing in the costumes and backdrops is impressive, and although it may be a miniature stage, the theatre is just as swanky as a full-size one with its chandeliers and stucco decoration. There are around 160 performances each year, and naturally The Sound Of Music is a favourite. Other magical productions include Mozart’s The Magic Flute and Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker.

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If you’re the type of person who can’t resist a little retail therapy whilst on holiday, then Getreidegasse is the place to be. Stroll down this famous shopping street in the bustling heart of Salzburg’s Old Town and admire the charming buildings with their quaint windows and beautiful doorways. Each shop has a unique sign on its facade, such as wrought iron guild signs featuring important dates and former owners of the buildings. You could easily spend all day here, coming across all kinds of treasures from fancy boutiques and traditional shops to art galleries and a wide range of eateries.

Funnily enough, one of the best things to do in Salzburg isn’t actually in Salzburg, or even Austria, at all. Located near the town of Berchtesgaden in Germany, the Eagle’s Nest is an easy day trip from Salzburg and a must-do for history and nature lovers. Perched on top of Obersalzberg Mountain, the Eagle’s Nest was formerly Adolf Hitler’s summer home which has been transformed into a restaurant and tourist site. To get there, you can either hop on a bus which takes you along a scenic road, or hike for around two hours from the Obersalzberg area. At the top, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the Bavarian Alps, as well as the picturesque Lake Königssee.

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For more ways to explore Salzburg’s remarkable natural surroundings, get your adrenaline going with a range of thrill-seeking activities on the nearby Gaisberg Mountain. With an elevation of 1,287 metres above sea level, the mountain is a playground for nature lovers. During the summer months, one of the most exciting activities is launching yourself off the top of the Gaisberg by paraglider. Fancy something a little less hairy? Road cycling, mountain biking and hiking are safer bets and you can still enjoy the spectacular scenery. There’s even the Gaisberg Race each June, where vintage automobiles race up and around the mountain. In winter, outdoor activities include skiing and cross-country skiing, as well as getting cosy with some local dishes and a pint or two at the mountaintop restaurants.

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On the topic of pints, if you’re looking to sample some local brew then the best place to be is Augustiner Bräustübl. An offshoot of the Munich-run brewery which is Germany’s oldest, this institution at the foot of Mönchsberg has been serving up a good time since 1621. With a seating area of 5,000 metres squared, this is one of Austria’s largest taverns and breweries. Beers range from mildly hoppy lagers to amber-hued wheat beers. Fill your glass up at the foyer pump and pop by the Schmankerlgang or deli stands for hearty pub grub like ham hock, pork belly and pretzels.

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Gourmands will be pleased to know that Salzburg has plenty of eateries serving top-notch Austrian delicacies. As well as the famous Wiener schnitzel (thinned, breaded and pan-fried veal cutlet), you also have hearty dishes like tafelspitz (boiled veal in broth served with minced apples and horseradish), Spinatknödel (spinach dumplings drizzled with melted butter and grated cheese) and Kasnocken (small dumplings coated with melted cheese and caramelised onions). Those with a sweet tooth will want to finish off strong with a traditional apple strudel, cremeschnitte (vanilla-flavoured custard cream cake), Kaiserschmarrn (fluffy, lightly caramelised scrambled pancake) and a Salzburger Nockerl, a Salzburg speciality of vanilla-flavoured dumplings paired with various fruit sauces.

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Life is all about balance, so if you need to burn off all those pretzels and pints, the best way to go about this is a cycle ride along the banks of the Salzach River. Leading you through the city, meadows and mountains, the river banks are a joy to explore, especially during those hazy summer months. Pedal south for views of the Old Town’s domes and spires, passing along the tranquil Volksgarten Park with its pretty outdoor pool. Stop to visit the ornate summer palace at Schloss Hellbrunn, or keep going until you reach Waldbad Anif. This forest-rimmed lake is a gorgeous shade of turquoise, and offers opportunities to swim, canoe and wakeboard in its cool waters.

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