A Day Trip in Salzburg, Austria

There’s something about Salzburg that I can’t quite put into words.

The town feels both old and timeless, nestled in a valley surrounded by towering mountains, with a river flowing through its centre and a fortress sitting proudly beside it!!

It’s pretty impressive, if I may say so.

In the evening, the town takes on a new character—its romantic atmosphere intensifies as the sun sets, transforming into a peaceful and serene haven.

Here’s a glimpse of our day trip—though short, it left a lasting impression, and I know I’ll be back.

Arriving in Salzburg

We arrived late in the morning and headed straight to our hostel. We stayed in a hostel this time as it was just a quick stopover to pick up a rental car.

We chose The Keep Eco Rooms, a clean and cosy hostel just 10 minutes from Salzburg station.

Despite having only one day, we managed to fit in so much and fell in love with this delightful town.

Salzburg Old Town

After settling in, we went straight to Salzburg's Old Town to grab some food.

We wanted to visit Mozart’s Birthplace, but at the time, we weren’t huge fans (though that changed after attending a concert and listening to his music).

Getreidegasse and the Salzburg Cathedral

We spent some time wandering around Getreidegasse, a charming shopping street, before visiting the stunning Salzburg Cathedral. Its architecture is simply breathtaking.

Mirabell Palace and Gardens

Our next stop was the beautiful Mirabell Palace and Gardens.

We strolled through the garden, which is beautifully laid out and offers a fantastic view of the Hohensalzburg Fortress. It’s the kind of place where you can simply relax and soak in all the beauty around you.

Dinner, Sunset and Concert at the Fortress

Before dinner, we planned to grab a quick bite, but instead, we ended up having a proper Austrian meal at Pauli Stubm, a traditional Austrian restaurant.

We shared a salad and schnitzel, washed down with a pint of beer. The service was quick, and the atmosphere was lovely.

After dinner, we headed to the Festungsbahn, to take the funicular up to the Hohensalzburg Fortress for a concert.

The Fortress completely changes atmosphere in the evening, giving it even more character.

The sunset from the top was simply magical, and we were so glad we chose this concert over the one at Mirabell Palace (even though the Mirabell concert included dinner).

After the concert, we took the bus back to our hostel, wrapping up a short but memorable visit to Salzburg.

Although this was just a day trip, we had a wonderful time in the short span we were there.

If Salzburg is your main destination, I recommend staying for at least three days. There's so much to explore, not only in the city itself but also in the surrounding villages.

Check out our blogs in Austria and neighboring countries for additional inspiration!

Until next time!