Best tours of Salzburg

A tour of Salzburg is completely worthwhile, as it is a city with many nuances. Its streets have old buildings, preserved in time. In fact, the Mozart House and the oldest restaurant in Europe are located here.

Among the best things to do in Salzburg, gastronomic tours, cultural tours and tours of the areas where the movie The Sound of Music was filmed stand out. In addition, you can also enjoy a private and personalized tour.

Salzburg is a historic city, with a privileged location on the border of Austria and Germany. A guided tour is the best way to get to know this Austrian region, from an exclusive perspective that will allow you to explore the best attractions.

This type of tour offers four different options:

• 2-hour tour: a short, but enriching itinerary. It allows you to visit the Mirabell Palace, whose gardens change their colors and geometry according to the season. You can also enjoy a walk through the old town, as they are very close to each other.
• 3-hour tour: the tour is extended a bit, as you can also visit the Kollegienkirche church, located at the University of Salzburg. During the tour be prepared to enjoy the courtyard of St. Peter's Abbey.
• 4-hour tour: a tour similar to the previous ones, with the added bonus of visiting the Salzburg Cathedral. A mandatory stop, as it is one of the most important monuments. You can access this baroque building from 5 €.
• 6-hour tour: includes the same itinerary, but also offers entrance to the Hohensalzburg Fortress, the largest in Europe. It dates back to 1077 and offers museums and viewpoints with privileged views.

If you choose a tour of at least three hours, such tours also include entrance to Kollegienkirche and the courtyard of St. Peter's Abbey. For those tours of around four hours, it also covers the pass to Salzburg Cathedral. If you want access to all entrances, you can purchase the Salzburg Card.

Details of interest

• Price: from 159 € per person. Prices may vary depending on the number of participants in the group.
• Duration: approximately two to six hours.
• Means of transportation: these tours usually include transfers to and from hotels located in the old part of the city.
• Advantages of this option: these are private activities, where only your group can participate, so the experience is personalized.
• Disadvantages of this option: to enter the church and cemetery, you must do it on your own. Guides are not allowed in this area, due to the rules of the abbey.

The Sound of Music is a 1965 musical film, considered a Hollywood classic. In Salzburg you will find iconic locations, a tour is the best way to discover them. Some of the ones you can visit are:

• Mirabell Gardens, where the Trapp children sing the Do-Re-Mi led by Maria.
• The Leopoldskron Lake, one of the most famous scenes of the movie was filmed here.
• The gardens of Schloss Hellbrunn, like the lake this space is located in the castle Schloss Leopoldskron, is a magical place where you can stay.
• Nonnberg Abbey, is the monastery where Mary was a novice.
• Mondsee Lake, an area near the river near St. Michael's Basilica, where the wedding of Maria and Baron von Trapp was filmed.

You can learn more about the filming and the history of the movie as you visit each stop with a professional guide. You can also visit on your own St. Peter's Cemetery, where the family fled from the Nazis; or Frohnburg Palace, where the Von Trapps lived and where several musical scenes were filmed.

Interesting details

• Price: from 61 € per person.
• Duration: approximately four hours.
• Means of transport: it takes place in an air-conditioned bus.
• Advantages of this option: you will have free time in Mondsee.
• Disadvantages of this option: does not include meals and drinks.

If you are looking for activities to do with kids in Salzburg, a tour on the city's sightseeing bus is a great option. You will be able to tour Salzburg quickly and comfortably.

This bus tour, with free stops, concentrates on the 12 main points of interest of the city. When taking this tour of Salzburg, you should keep in mind that:

• It offers an audio guide available in English.
• It is valid for 24 or 48 hours.
• The ticket is activated after the first use.
• You can get on and off wherever you want, without limitations.
• You will discover the filming locations of The Sound of Music.
• In high season (March to January) buses run every 30 minutes, while in low season (January to March) the wait is approximately 45 minutes.

Details of interest

• Price: from 29 € per person.
• Duration: about one hour.
• Means of transport: you will travel around the city in a comfortable double-decker bus. The lower deck is air-conditioned, while the upper deck is open-air.
• Advantages of this option: you can organize your own route, it is ideal if you have little time and want to visit Salzburg in one day.
• Disadvantages of this option: it is not wheelchair accessible.

Salzburg holds the most interesting stories of Mozart, a world-renowned opera composer. This type of tour allows you to get to know the musical culture of Austria, as well as the personal and professional life of this artist. During the tour you can visit places such as Mozart's Birthplace, where he lived for approximately twenty years.

You can plan this activity months in advance, as they are usually very flexible and allow cancellations up to twenty-four hours in advance. It is a great option if you want to skip the lines, as the most famous spaces associated with the composer are usually very crowded.

Additionally, you can take the opportunity to sign up for a Mozart concert to get the full experience. Some of the places you can visit are:

• Mozart's Birthplace, currently a kind of museum, but here Mozart was born in 1756 and you can still find objects and instruments relevant to his musical training.
• Mirabell Palace, is a very special place because Mozart used to go to play with his father and brother.
• Mozart Monument, a statue dedicated to this important musician, located in Mozart Square. A historical landmark that you cannot miss.

Details of interest

• Price: from 244 € per person.
• Duration: from two to three hours approximately.
• Means of transport: usually includes the transfer to and from the hotel, only for those staying in the old town area. In general, the tour is done on foot.
• Advantages of this option: this experience is usually available in several languages such as Spanish, English, French, German, Russian and Italian.
• Disadvantages of this option: Tickets for the Mozart concert are usually not included in this type of tour.

Salzburg is a city known for its food, which has a German influence. A walking tour will give you access to an enriching experience, where the culinary scene will surprise your palate.

It is an excellent option to get to know the local markets, or the traditional food restaurants. Additionally, the spice trade is very important in Salzburg, during this tour you can explore its history.

You can also taste snacks, such as the original Mozartkugel. It is a kind of dessert made of marzipan, pistachios, nougat and chocolate, which you can accompany with a Viennese coffee. If you have a special diet, please notify in advance as there are options for vegetarians. Some of the places you will visit are:

• Residenzplatz Residence: it is a palace located in the historical center. Important dinners were held here, so it is a tasting space par excellence.
• Mozart Statue: located in Mozart Square, it is a landmark that honors the famed composer. Here you can also learn about the salt trade and the history of local beer.
• St. Peter's Abbey: known as St. Peter's Abbey, it is a quiet square where the oldest restaurant in Europe is located.
• Grosses Festspielhaus Theater: this auditorium was built in 1960 and hosts the Salzburg Festival where the most important traditional restaurants participate.
• University Square: the best greengrocers of the city are located in this square, you can take advantage of the street stalls to taste typical dishes.

Interesting details

• Price: from 392 € per group.
• Duration: approximately three hours.
• Means of transport: walking tours, not including transfers to and from the hotel.
• Advantages of this option: these are private and personalized activities. They include some complimentary local tastings.
• Disadvantages of this option: they do not include tips, which is common practice in Austria. It is recommended to leave 5 to 10% of the total amount.

Be punctual

In Austria punctuality is highly valued, most likely your guide will be at the meeting point at the agreed time. Please note that being late is considered disrespectful. In case a tour vehicle picks you up, I suggest you to be at the hotel lobby a little earlier.

If you plan to visit Salzburg in 1 day, you have little time. You should make the most of it, to see most of the sites. In case you arrive late, there is accessible transportation in most of the city, but you run the risk of missing part of the itinerary.

Use public transportation

During your visit you can take a bus tour with free stops, or opt for a tour that includes transportation. However, there are options that do not include transportation, or that give you the freedom to move around as you please.

In such cases, you can use Salzburg's transportation:

• Trolleybus: also known as Obus or Albus, it has twelve lines interconnecting the entire city. It runs from early morning and also has night lines, called NachtStern and Bustaxi. The fare per trip is about 2 €. If you buy the Salzburg Card, you can get unlimited rides.
• Bus: reaches areas far from the old town, but also operates in the surrounding area and to nearby towns. It is ideal if you plan to make an excursion from Salzburg.
• Bicycle: Salzburg is an environmentally friendly city, so you will find bicycles for free or at a very good price. Rentals usually start at 7 € per day.

Respect Austrian customs

When touring the city, you will have the opportunity to explore its culture and customs. Here are the most important ones.

• Austrians often use a particular greeting, which consists of holding your gaze when shaking hands.
• When leaving a place, say goodbye. Leaving an evening without notice is considered bad manners.
• For evening dining tours, it is important to wear an elegant or semi-formal dress code.
• If you are looking for things to do in Salzburg in winter, you should know that they organize more than 300 balls during this season.
• To enjoy the best opera concerts, you can go to the Salzburger Landestheater for an unrepeatable show.

Learn basic words

German is the most widely used language in Austria. In fact, different words are used, so it is considered the German of Austria. Although they share many similarities, there are considerable changes between the two dialects.

You can find people who understand English or Spanish, but it is very rare. Here are some basic words to help you communicate during your stay.

• Good morning: grüss gott.
• How are you? wie gehts es ihnen?
• See you later: auf wiedersehen.
• How much is it... wieviel kostest es?
• Please: bitte.
• I am a vegetarian: ich bin vegetarier.
• Yes: ja.
• No: nein.
• Nice to meet you: sehr angenehm.
• Idon't speak German well: ich kann nicht so gut Deutsch sprechen.
• Do you speak Spanish? sprichst du Spanisch?
• Help! hilfe!
• How much does it cost? wie viel kostet das?
• Where is...? wo ist...??
• How can I go to...? wie komme ich nach... ?

Choose the best season

Determining the best time to visit Salzburg will help you to be clear about what you can visit. Don't worry! All attractions are available regardless of the month you choose. This will only serve as a reference, depending on the weather and the number of tourists.

• High season: between June and August, prices shoot up considerably. In addition, summer arrives, so there are many tourists wandering around. It is a great option if you want to enjoy warm tours.
• Mid season: it is an excellent option if you want to take advantage of the good weather with little influx of tourists. It occurs between April and May, as well as between September and October. It corresponds to spring and autumn, but keep in mind that at the end of the autumn season, it may snow.
• Low season: these are cold and rainy months, specifically from November to March. It is ideal if you want to take advantage of the things to do in Salzburg in December, as the Christmas shows are worthwhile.

Remember that for some tours, it is important to have good weather, as rains can hinder the itinerary. Additionally, take your precautions for summer and winter. Wear appropriate clothing and choose the best things to do in Salzburg according to the season.

To schedule a tour of Salzburg, it is advisable to book online. In high season prices skyrocket and attractions sell out faster. Plan your trip, if you want to save a few euros. Most tours offer a cancellation policy, which allows you to get a refund up to 24 hours in advance.

Before booking, consider where you want to go. It is important that you define whether you want a cultural, gastronomic or historical tour. Of course, take into account how long you will be in the city. It is advisable to take a 2-day itinerary to Salzburg, as a minimum.

A tour is a complete experience, which is usually guided, private or personalized. You will save yourself a lot of headaches, as you don't have to plan every detail. When you visit a city on your own, it is complicated to choose the most appropriate tour.

Additionally, these types of adventures are inserted into little known historical facts. They are often available in English, which makes it easier to visit in a city where German is the main language.