Salzburg in 7 days

Mozart's baroque birthplace: a fortress-topped old town, Sound of Music scenery and Alpine lakes on the doorstep. Best time to visit: May-September; December for Christmas markets. Average daily budget: $110 to $180 USD.

Day 1, Land & wander

Base: Altstadt (Old Town), The UNESCO baroque core: Getreidegasse, Residenzplatz and the cathedral.

Morning: Hohensalzburg Fortress. Ride the funicular up to one of Europe's best-preserved castles.

Afternoon: Explore Altstadt (Old Town), The UNESCO baroque core: Getreidegasse, Residenzplatz and the cathedral.

Evening: Mirabell Palace & Gardens. Manicured baroque gardens made famous by The Sound of Music.

Eat: Salzburger Nockerl, the giant sweet soufflé

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: Mönchsberg, The wooded clifftop with the fortress, the modern art museum and views.

Morning: Mozart's birthplace & old town. Getreidegasse, the cathedral and the composer's yellow birth house.

Afternoon: Explore Mönchsberg, The wooded clifftop with the fortress, the modern art museum and views.

Evening: Day trip to Hallstatt or the lakes. Postcard-perfect lakeside villages in the Salzkammergut.

Eat: Wiener schnitzel with potato salad

Day 3, Food & markets

Base: Right bank (Neustadt), Mirabell Palace and gardens, plus quieter cafés and shops.

Morning: A beer in the garden of Augustiner Bräustübl, a centuries-old monastery brewery.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Right bank (Neustadt), Mirabell Palace and gardens, plus quieter cafés and shops.

Evening: The view from the Mönchsberg lift, skipping the fortress crowds.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Bosna, the local spicy sausage sandwich

Day 4, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Steingasse, A narrow medieval lane with atmospheric little bars.

Morning: Hellbrunn Palace's trick fountains, especially fun in summer.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Steingasse, A narrow medieval lane with atmospheric little bars.

Evening: An evening Mozart concert in a baroque hall or the fortress.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Monastery beer and pretzels in a beer garden

Day 5, Day trip

Base: Salzkammergut (nearby), The lake district with Hallstatt, St. Wolfgang and mountain views.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Salzkammergut (nearby), then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Salzkammergut (nearby), The lake district with Hallstatt, St. Wolfgang and mountain views.

Evening: Dinner at Salzburger Nockerl, the giant sweet soufflé, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Salzkammergut (nearby).

Eat: Salzburger Nockerl, the giant sweet soufflé

Day 6, Hidden gems

Base: Altstadt (Old Town), The UNESCO baroque core: Getreidegasse, Residenzplatz and the cathedral.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Altstadt (Old Town), then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Altstadt (Old Town), The UNESCO baroque core: Getreidegasse, Residenzplatz and the cathedral.

Evening: Dinner at Wiener schnitzel with potato salad, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Altstadt (Old Town).

Eat: Wiener schnitzel with potato salad

Day 7, Slow finish

Base: Mönchsberg, The wooded clifftop with the fortress, the modern art museum and views.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Mönchsberg, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Mönchsberg, The wooded clifftop with the fortress, the modern art museum and views.

Evening: Dinner at Bosna, the local spicy sausage sandwich, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Mönchsberg.

Eat: Bosna, the local spicy sausage sandwich

Hidden gems

A beer in the garden of Augustiner Bräustübl, a centuries-old monastery brewery.
The view from the Mönchsberg lift, skipping the fortress crowds.
Hellbrunn Palace's trick fountains, especially fun in summer.
An evening Mozart concert in a baroque hall or the fortress.

Getting around

The old town is entirely walkable and largely pedestrianised. Buses cover the outskirts and Hellbrunn cheaply. For day trips, trains and post buses reach Hallstatt and the lakes; renting a car gives more flexibility for the Salzkammergut if you're short on time.

Safety

Salzburg is extremely safe and clean. The main considerations are summer and Christmas-market crowds in the old town, slippery cobbles in wet or icy weather, and booking accommodation early during the July-August festival season when prices spike.

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