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How to Spend Two Days in Salzburg
You should add the romantic city of Salzburg to your travel bucket list immediately. If you need convincing, read my post on why Salzburg needs to be on your bucket list.
I visited Salzburg for a weekend trip out of Munich. I was traveling in Europe for work and had a free weekend there between work travels, so Salzburg was the perfect weekend getaway from Munich. ‘Why only two days?’ you might be wondering...I was working full-time as a marketing and event manager, so I occasionally get a little time before/after my trade shows and events to explore. You gotta try and make the most of your travel experience, no matter how short - amirite?! Get the full story on my About Me page.
Although Salzburg offers tour experiences, I decided to explore the city solo for this weekend trip. I found that Salzburg was very easy to get around, as well as safe.
Pro Tip: You may want to consider purchasing a Salzburg Card while in town. It was a great choice for utilizing the bus system and gaining free admission to many tourist sites. The card is available for 24, 48, and 72 hour periods. My hotel sold them at the lobby, so I could easily purchase it upon check in.
Read The Pros and Cons of Booking a Tour Guide Experience, if you are debating on whether to book a tour guide experience versus making your way solo.
Image courtesy of Salzburg.info.
The reason I would opt for this tour is because Schloss Leopoldskron and its amazing park grounds are NOT open to the public. It’s now a hotel, so unless you are staying at the hotel, you cannot freely walk the grounds at this beautiful castle. This tour is an alternative way to access the site and learn about the history, without having to book a room there.
Getting to Salzburg from Munich
Salzburg was very easy to get to via train from the Munich Hauptbahnhof (Munich's Central Train Station). All trains to Salzburg arrive at Salzburg Hauptbahnhof. It’s about a 20 minutes' walk to the Altstadt (old city).
Upon arrival on Friday evening, I headed to my hotel to check in, which was in Neustadt (new city). In front of the train station is the main bus terminal and taxi rank. I grabbed a taxi ride to get to the hotel.
For full information on getting to Salzburg and around the city, visit my blog post, Why Salzburg Needs to be on Your Bucket List.
Although I arrived on a Friday night, I will focus this travel itinerary on two full days and nights in Salzburg.
Day 1 of Two Days in Salzburg
You won’t want to sleep in while you’re in Salzburg - there’s too much to see and do! If you are only there for 2 days, make sure to wake up early so that you can maximize your day. These sites are not ranked in order - these are just the sites that I recommend seeing!
Just so you are aware, I hit A LOT in Day 1 - I would not recommend this itinerary if you are the type of person who enjoys sightseeing at a more leisure pace or if you are the type of person who likes reading every placard for the pieces found in museums.
The good news is - this can easily be broken up into another half or full day so that you can cover it all.
>> Related reading: How to Spend the Perfect Weekend in Salzburg - First Day <<
Destination #1: Salzburg Museum | Neue Residenz
Salzburg Museum in Neue Residenz
It also has beautiful views of the Residenzplatz and its fountain.
Highlights:
Mythos Salzburg exhibition (artistic, cultural, and historical development of Salzburg)
Archaeology and the Middle Ages exhibit
The Art Hall
Destination #2: DomQuartier Salzburg
DomQuartier Salzburg
The historical rooms of the DomQuartier house various collections that focus on the Baroque history of the city.
Highlights:
State Rooms of the Residenz
Terrace above the cathedral arches
Cathedral Museum
St. Peter’s Museum
Rossacher Collection of Baroque art
Destination #3: Salzburg Cathedral
Salzburg Cathedral
Highlights:
4 monumental statues at church entrance with a facade made of Untersberg marble
Bronze baptismal font (1311) where both Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Joseph Mohr (wrote the words to Silent Night!) were christened
Large main organ and 7 bells (which each have names)
Three gates representing Faith, Love, and Hope
Destination #4: Hohensalzburg Fortress | Marionette Museum
View of Hohensalzburg Fortress atop the hill
Here you can also access the small Marionette Museum with your Salzburg Card to witness some whimsical (and a bit creepy) puppetry.
Highlights:
Best view of Salzburg in the city
Multiple museums, including the Fortress Museum, the Marionette Museum, the Altes Zeughaus (canons, firearms, etc.), and the Museum of the Rainer Regiment
Princes’ Chambers (Princes’ Hall, Golden Chamber, Golden Hall)
Destination #5: St. Peter’s Monastery & Cemetery | St. Peter’s Catacombs
St. Peter’s Monastery and Cemetery
St. Peter’s is the spiritual heart of Salzburg, and is also one of the must-see stops for The Sound of Music fan.
Highlights:
Church and abbey founded by a monastic brotherhood that is the oldest monastic order in the German-speaking world today
Access to early Christian catacombs
One of the world’s most beautiful and oldest cemeteries
Famous location in The Sound of Music where the von Trapp family fled through the cemetery before seeking safety in Switzerland
Destination #6: Mozart’s Birthplace (Mozarts Geburtshaus) | Getreidegasse
Mozart’s Birthplace
Highlights:
Tour the original rooms of a middle-class apartment that housed Mozart and his family for 26 years
Observe original certificates, letters and memorabilia from Mozart’s life
See historical instruments, including Mozart’s own violin and clavichord
Destination #7: Makartsteg (Love Locks Bridge)
Makartsteg (Love Locks Bridge)
Highlights:
Take some beautiful pictures of the river and Old City with the mountains in the backdrop
Take a scenic stroll on this pedestrian- and cyclist-only bridge
Hang a lock on the bridge to commemorate your travels or your romantic love for someone special in your life
Destination: #8: Mirabell Palace and Gardens
Mirabell Palace and Gardens
Highlights:
The Marble Hall (known as one of the most beautiful wedding halls in the world)
Baroque pleasure gardens in the heart of the city featuring the Pegasus Fountain, Grand Fountain, Hedge Theater, Dwarf Garden, Rose Garden, and Orangery
Take the exact steps where Maria and the children from The Sound of Music sing the iconic song Do Re Mi
Day 2 of Two Days in Salzburg
On Day 1, you hit all the major spots in the city center, so on Day 2, you can venture a little further outside of the city center with these must-see destinations.
Destination #9: Cable Car Untersberg
Top of Untersberg Mountain in Austria
The views are breath-taking.
Highlights:
Admire mountain scenery as you take a cable car to lift to elevate you 1,320 meters high
Get panoramic views of Salzburg and the surrounding countryside
Enjoy a homemade regional specialties as you take in the incredible views
Destination #10: Hellbrunn Palace, Trick Fountains, & Palace Grounds
Hellbrunn Palace and Trick Fountains
Its stunning grounds and Trick Fountains have impressed visitors for over 400 years.
Highlights:
Witness one of the most magnificent Late Renaissance buildings north of the Alps
Be entertained by the surprising Trick Fountains
Roam the landscaped and natural grounds and discover the famous gazebo from The Sound of Music on display
Destination #11: Stiegl-Brauwelt
Stiegl-Brauwelt
Beer lovers can come to this interactive brewhouse and experience all the aspects of beer.
Highlights:
Tour the modern brewhouse and bottling plant (and see how 90,000 bottles of Stiegl-Bier are filled every hour)
Stiegl-Brau Cinema
Stiegl Museum
Sample beers and try local cuisine in the beer garden
Destination #12: Mozart Concert and Dinner in Baroque Hall of St Peter's Abbey in Salzburg
Highlights:
Romantic 3-course candlelit dinner
Dine in the festive Baroque Hall within one of Europe’s oldest restaurants
Live performances by musicians and opera singers in costume and character
Other Destinations Worth Noting
Destination #13: Salzburg City Cruise
Salzach River
You can also enjoy Salzburg from the water as the panoramic speedboat “Amadeus Salzburg” travels up and down the Salzach River.
Highlights:
Cruise leisurely down Salzach River with three tour choices
Tour I: stunning mountain range views in Salzburg Province and back
Tour II: stunning mountain range views in Salzburg Province to Hellbrunn Pier
Tour III: stunning mountain range views in Salzburg Province to Hellbrunn Pier plus access to Hellbrunn Palace and Trick Fountains
Destination #14: Mozart Residence
Mozart Residence
Highlights:
See Mozart’s fortepiano on display
Review original documents and portraits of Mozart
Learn about the history of the house, Mozart’s years in Salzburg and the life of the Mozart family
Have you been to Salzburg? If so, what did you experience while there? If you’re planning a visit, I’d love to know how you decide to spend two days in Salzburg!
Travel well and often,
author bio
Known as The Jet Set Blonde, Brittany Ryan inspires others to add more adventure to their childfree travel experiences. Brittany has visited 23 countries (and counting!) Connect with her to get access to detailed childfree travel itineraries, travel guides for weekend getaways, and updates on adult-only hotels, resorts, cruises, and other travel amenities.
