Roof top views old town Salzburg Austria, two day itinerary things to do 48 hours
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48 Hours in Salzburg Austria, Things to Do

Sherianne Higgins·
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Salzburg Austria Two Day Itinerary for First-Timers

It is difficult to determine how to best use your 48 hours in Salzburg Austria, there are so many great things to see and do. Salzburg is the birthplace of Mozart and the setting for the Sound of Music. The city sits in a valley at the foot of the Alps on the Salzach River and is full of cathedrals, courtyards, passageways, iron signage, love locks, city walls, cobbled old town, viewpoints, a castle, museums, a palace with trick fountains, gardens, the Sound of Music, and amazing viewpoints. This 2-day itinerary is jam-packed with must-see sites and top attractions, including, Hohensalzburg Castle, Mirabell Palace, Residenzplatz, Hellbrunn Palace, Salzburg Cathedral, Sphaera, and more. Have more time? Add a day trip from Salzburg to Hallstatt or Innsbruck. It is possible to travel the world with limited PTO, here’s how to visit Salzburg in two days. Enjoy your time out of the office!

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Tip: Save 84 euros on this itinerary with the Salzburg Card!  

Sphaera Salzburg Austria Two Day Itinerary things to do 48 hours
Sphaera

How to Spend Two Days in Salzburg Austria

Day One: Gardens, Castles, and Cathedrals

8 am Grab a coffee and make your way to Mirabell Palace, don’t miss the gnome garden. Tour Mozart’s House before walking across the Makartsteg Bridge. Ride up to the Mönchsberg viewpoint and photograph the city and castle.

12 pm Take a walk down Getreidegasse admiring the iron signage. Learn about the Trapp family at Sound of Music World.

12 pm Ride the funicular up to Hohensalzburg Castle. Photograph the city rooftops and tour the castle. Visit the long gallery and cemetery of St Peters Abbey.

3 pm Visit the Salzburg Cathedral and tour the Residenzplatz. Photograph the Salzburger Glockenspiel bells and Sphaera in Kapitelplatz.

5 pm Take a cruise on the Salzach River and enjoy the city views.

7:30 pm Enjoy a Mozart Dinner Concert at St. Peter Stiftskulinarium, Europe’s oldest restaurant.

Salzburg Cathedral Salzburg Austria Two Day Itinerary things to do 48 hours
Salzburg Cathedral
Hellbrunn Palace Salzburg Austria Two Day Itinerary things to do 48 hours
Hellbrunn Palace

Day Two: Mountain Top Views and Trick Fountains

9 am Take the bus to the Untersberg Cable Car stop. Take the ride up the mountain for amazing views. Go for a hike or rent a deckchair and relax with a coffee and a pastry.

12 pm Stop at Hellbrunn Palace on your way back to the city. Have lunch in the garden, explore the trick fountains, take a walk through the park, and browse the Folklore Museum.

4 pm Attend the Sound of Music at the Marionette Theater.

6 pm Have dinner and cocktails before returning to the hotel.

Looking for more options? Continue reading for additional things to do in Salzburg to supplement this itinerary.

Additional Things to Do in Salzburg Austria

Have more time? Supplement this day trip itinerary with these additional things to do in Salzburg.

  • Take a Sound of Music film location tour
  • Taste schnapps at Sporer Schnapps Pit
  • Wander the old town and shop for souvenirs
  • Check out the city walls (Bürgerwehr)
  • Photograph the doors along Steingasse
  • Stop in the Panorama Museum to see Salzburg in 1892
  • Buy mustard souvenirs
  • Eat Salzburg Nockerl (vanilla dessert soufflé) and cheese strudel
  • Add a love lock to the Makartsteg Bridge
  • Browse the Museum of Modern Art
  • Visit a beer hall (or two) and drink a Radler
  • Take a Christmas cookie and apple strudel cooking lesson
  • Explore the city squares: Mozartplatz, Residenzplatz, and Domplatz
  • Take a bike ride along the Salzach River
  • Have a cocktail with a view of the fortress at Unikum Sky
  • Learn about Salzburg’s culture, history, and art at the Salzburg Museum
  • Have lunch at St. Peter’s Stiftskeller, the oldest restaurant in Europe
  • Check out the smallest house in Salzburg (next to Café Tomaselli)
  • Browse the Museum of Natural History
  • Explore Klessheim Palace, now Salzburg Casino
  • Tour the Stiegl-Brauwelt brewery and enjoy a tasting
  • Stop in a Café Sacher Wien and enjoy a slice of Sacher torte (chocolate cake)
  • Treat yourself to Mozartkugeln (chocolate balls) or buy some for souvenirs
  • Visit the Christmas Museum
  • Grab some bread from Saint Peter’s Bakery

Check the Salzburg Austria Tourism Board website for upcoming festivals, special events, and what’s happening during your stay.

Getreidegasse Salzburg Austria
Getreidegasse

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Bookmark and Pin 48 Hours in Salzburg Austria

Discover the best way to spend 48 hours in Salzburg, Austria with our detailed itinerary. From exploring iconic landmarks like Hohensalzburg Castle and Mirabell Palace to enjoying a Mozart Dinner Concert, this guide covers must-see attractions and hidden gems. Maximize your two days with tips on where to eat, what to see, and how to save with the Salzburg Card. Perfect for first-timers, this itinerary also includes options for day trips to Hallstatt or Innsbruck. Make the most of your visit with our expert recommendations.
Discover the best way to spend 48 hours in Salzburg, Austria with our detailed itinerary. From exploring iconic landmarks like Hohensalzburg Castle and Mirabell Palace to enjoying a Mozart Dinner Concert, this guide covers must-see attractions and hidden gems. Maximize your two days with tips on where to eat, what to see, and how to save with the Salzburg Card. Perfect for first-timers, this itinerary also includes options for day trips to Hallstatt or Innsbruck. Make the most of your visit with our expert recommendations.

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16 Responses

  1. Oh my. There’s a gnome garden? That was the first thing to catch my attention in you itinerary, I must know more. I love that you have put together such a concise guide to Salzburg. From the garden, to the most amazing looking Catherdral. I think the best ending to the trip would have to be seeing the castle and then the hike… up to see the views of the city and then indulging in a cup of coffee to round out the whole trip.

  2. I am from Poland, so Salzburg in Austria is close to my home and my heart as well. Thus I was reading your article with big excitement. Of course, Salzburg is much more exciting, and anyone should plan more than 48h in this city, but in case there is only that short, your hints are useful.
    As in other Austrian cities, gardens, castles, and cathedrals of Salzburg are taken care of to perfection. My favorite is Hohensalzburg Castle. And the idea of having dinner in St. Peter Stiftskulinarium is fantastic!

  3. I spent one day in Salzburg last year and it wasn’t nearly enough! I actually had low expectations about visiting, I had read a lot about it being an overrated city but I totally disagree. I didn’t get to see Mozart’s house like you mentioned, maybe next time!

  4. Salzburg was my favorite quirky town in Austria as it had lovely markets and hilltop castles. The view from the top of castle is stunning. Also this musical city has its own charm and it is always great to go on for a Sound of Music tour here. Thanks for sharing all tips and even the day trips option from Salzburg.

  5. I have to admit I have always wanted to visit Salzburg because of my Sound of Music addiction. I now have a friend who lives about an hour away from Salzburg. I plan to visit her soon and will just be taking day trips to Salzburg. You gave some great tips here so I can make the best out of my limited time I will have in Salzburg.

  6. The birthplace of Mozart should be on the list of all music aficionados. Salzburg looks beautiful and elegant and you have given such a detailed itinerary for spending 2 days there. The cathedral looks grand. Would definitely love to visit the place some time.

  7. You got me hooked when you mentioned mozart and sound of music. Never been to this part of town but would love to visit this place one day. Austria seems to be so rich in culture and history. My kind of adventure.

  8. We did love our visit to Salzburg. We had a few more days. But we still felt rushed. We wish we had seen the city from the water. And are really sad that we never heard a concert in this area known for its music. But we know we want to return to see more.

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