Visit Kapuzinerberg and See a Panoramic View of Salzburg
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I can’t emphasize enough how great Old Town Salzburg is for wanderers. It’s packed with incredible historical and architectural landmarks and picture-perfect scenic spots, all within walking distance from each other.
If you’re in good luck to have good weather during your stay in Salzburg, I’d suggest not only checking out the heritage sites, but also making time for the city’s viewpoints, like the ones you’ll find on Kapuzinerberg. This mountain, along with Mönchsberg and Festungsberg (where the Hohensalzburg Fortress is located), are among the small mountains that surround Salzburg. These are great spots for travelers to explore and take in breathtaking views of the Old Town and the Alps.
From the viewpoints in Kapuzinerberg, you’ll be treated to a sweeping panorama of the Old Town, where you can see almost all of the Baroque spires and domes of the historic center. The unique perspective of Old Town Salzburg from these viewpoints is something I find truly remarkable, and I’m confident you’ll think it’s fantastic too!
Unlike Mönchsberg and Festungsberg, though, Kapuzinerberg doesn’t have a funicular or elevator. To get to the scenic spots on this mountain, you’ll need to climb some stairs or walk up a sloped path. It’s a bit of a workout, but don’t worry, the views at the top are definitely worth it. Now, let me share with you all the things I found out about Kapuzinerberg, along with some tips to help you get the most out of your visit to the mountain.
Location
Kapuzinerberg is one of the mountains in Salzburg, situated in the core zone of the UNESCO Heritage site of the Historic Center of the City of Salzburg. It is specifically located east of Old Town Salzburg and, along with Mönchsberg and Festungsberg, forms the valley where Old Town is nestled.
Kapuzinerberg stretches in a west-east direction. It starts at Linzer Gasse in the Old Town Salzburg on the banks of River Salzach and ends at Inneres Parsch in the east and Schallmoos Ost in the north-east From Old Town Salzburg, it’s easily identified with Kapuzinerkloster, a Capuchin monastery, that sits on its slopes, overlooking Salzach River.
Views & Scenery
Kapuzinerberg serves today as a popular recreation area for city hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. And of course, at the same time, a scenic spot for people wanting to see a unique view of Old Town Salzburg. If you don’t yet have an idea of how stunning the view from this mountain can be, take a look at some of the photos below to inspire you.
From the pastel-colored houses lining the banks of the Salzach River to the baroque domes and spires of Old Town Salzburg, it will all be yours to take in from Kapuzinerberg. It also provides a unique and unparalleled view of the Hohensalzburg Fortress, perched atop Festungsberg. If the weather is on your side, you may even be able to catch a glimpse of a few peaks within the Bavarian Alps peeking over Festungsberg.
The Museum der Moderne, which sits atop Mönchsberg, is also visible from Kapuzinerberg. If you visit the viewpoints at night, you’ll see it glowing amidst the darkness of the surrounding forest.
Getting There
If you’re already in Old Town Salzburg, getting to Kapuzinerberg is easy. Two of the entryways to the mountain, Imbergstiege (staircase) and Stefan-Zweig-Weg (pathway), are located in the historic center of Salzburg. Using these pathways, you can reach the nearest vantage point of the city on Kapuzinerberg within 30 minutes no matter where you are in Old Town Salzburg.
Alternatively, you can also access Kapuzinerberg via Doblerweg (pathway) and City Wall-Klettersteig, but I wouldn’t recommend it.
Doblerweg, which begins behind the Zentrum im Berg shopping center on Fürbergstrasse, is far from the Old Town of Salzburg, where you will probably come from. On the other hand, the City Wall-Klettersteig, located on the north face of Kapuzinerberg is only for adventurous people who know how to rock climb. So, let’s talk about Imbergstiege and Stefan-Zweig-Weg — the two easiest ways to get to Kapuzinerberg and begin exploring the mountain.
Imbergstiege (and Hettwer Bastion)
Imbergstiege is a 261-step, 51-meter high stairway in Salzburg Historic Center that links Steingasse in Old Town and Capuchin monastery in Kapuzinerberg.
How to get to Imbergstiege, Hettwer Bastion, and other viewpoints?
- You can start at Linzer Gasse Platzl, which is the square closest to Staatsbrücke — the widest bridge in Salzburg that connects the two sides of the historic center.
- If you are now in Linzer Gasse Platzl (square) and facing the River Salzach, the alley to your left is Steingasse.
- Walk into Steingasse and you should see Imbergstiege on your left after a few steps. The staircase is easy to find, especially since its entrance is marked with a crucifix.
- Between Imbergstiege and Stefan-Zweig-Weg, Imbergstiege is shorter and should lead you more quickly to Kapuzinerberg’s most accessible viewpoint of Old Town Salzburg, called Hettwer Bastei (Hettwer Bastion).
Hettwer Bastei viewpoint is located just below the Capuchin monastery and can be reached via Basteiweg, which is connected to the middle part of Imbergstiege. From Hettwer Bastei, you can see a panoramic view of Old Town Salzburg, including Hohensalzburg Fortress, overlooking the city and the Salzach River.
The top of Imbergstiege is also a viewpoint (Aussicht Kapuzinerberg Nord), but the view is not as overwhelming as the one you can see from Hettwer Bastei. Anyway, you might still like to continue climbing to the top of Imbergstiege, which will take you to Stefan-Zweig-Weg and more places in Kapuzinerberg.
Stefan-Zweig-Weg (and Franziskischlössl Fortress)
Stefan-Zweig-Weg is the 1.5-kilometer path in Salzburg’s Historic Center that connects Franziskuspforte, a portal along Linzergasse, to Franziskischlössl or the little fortress on top of Kapuzinerberg. It is also connected to Imbergstiege near the Capuchin monastery.
Learn more about Stefan-Zweig-Weg
Finding Franziskuspforte and starting your journey onto the mountain is simple. You just have to get to Linzergasse, the street closest and go straight in parallel with the north side of Kapuzinerberg. With the stone bricks forming the portal’s arch, you should be able to quickly identify Franziskuspforte as you walk along Linzergasse.
Franziskuspforte is also distinguishable by the coat of arms of Prince Archbishop Markus Sittikus (an ibex) at its apex. There is also a relief marble above it, depicting the image of St. Francis and the six-winged seraphim. Fascinatingly, this relief is over 400 years old, dating back to 1617.
On your way up, you may find that some parts of Stefan-Zweig-Weg, from Franziskuspforte to Capuchin monastery are steep. Good thing there are stairs beside the pathway. You can use them to easily maintain your balance as you climb the mountain. Also, know that cars and taxis can also access Stefan-Zweig-Weg, but only residents are allowed to do so.
Activities & Attractions
Besides visiting Hettwer Bastei (bastion) for panoramic views of Old Town Salzburg, there are a few other places to visit and things to do in Kapuzinerberg. However, I would not recommend them unless you enjoy visiting off-the-beaten-path destinations, communing with nature, and taking photos of unique city views.
The amount of time you should spend in Kapuzinerberg depends on the activities you plan to do. A leisurely visit, including a stop at Hettwer Bastei and a round-trip hike to Franziskischlössl along Stefan-Zweig-Weg, should take 2 to 3 hours. If you just want to watch the sunset or take pictures of Salzburg from a unique perspective, you can spend one hour or less.
Hiking to Franziskischlössl
If you’re staying in Salzburg for a few days and need a break from the hustle and bustle of the city, Kapuzinerberg is the perfect place to go. This forest-covered mountain offers plenty of hiking opportunities to help you recharge and connect with nature. For the best experience, take the Stefan-Zweig-Weg path from Old Town to Franziski-Schlössl. This 1.5-kilometer hike takes about 2 hours round trip and offers stunning views along the way.
You’ll pass by a Mozart monument, a wooded fountain, and several unique viewpoints of Hohensalzburg Fortress. The highlight of the hike is Franziskischlössl, a historical site that’s part of Salzburg’s old fortifications. Built in 1629 by Prince Archbishop Paris Count Lodron, this rustic building sits nearly 640 meters high.
From here, you’ll have a breathtaking view of the northern part of Salzburg. As you stand on the observation deck, you can imagine yourself as a medieval guard on duty, watching for approaching enemies. Years ago, there was a restaurant in Franziskischlössl. After your hike to the top of Kapuzinerberg, you can have some refreshments with a view. But the last time I checked, it was closed. I heard the city of Salzburg is looking for another tenant for Franziskischlössl.
See More Views Along Basteiweg
Basteiweg is another hiking path in Kapuzinerberg which can get you to Franziskischlössl from Old Town Salzburg. It’s a historical 1.7-kilometer-long trail that starts at Hettwer Bastei and winds along the Lodronsche defensive walls and watchtowers on the southern and eastern slopes of Kapuzinerberg. You can complete a round trip hike along Basteiweg in less than 2 hours, depending on your pace.
As you hike along the Basteiweg, you’ll have the opportunity to see Old Town Salzburg and the Bavarian Alps from different perspectives, which are the best parts of the hike. However, be aware that the path is narrow and passes through steep and overgrown areas, making it a slightly adventurous hike. (A lot of stairs, too!) For your safety, please wear appropriate footwear when hiking on the Basteiweg.
Best Time to Visit
Kapuzinerberg is accessible at any time of day, but the best times to visit are sunrise to early morning and late afternoon to sunset. It is the time when the views of Old Town Salzburg from the mountain are stunning. The weather can have a significant impact on the view from Kapuzinerberg, though. So, you should check the weather app before going to the mountain. When the weather is ideal, visiting Kapuzinerberg during the time of day I mentioned would definitely be a great experience.
More tips
You would surely be so fortunate if you visit Kapuzinerberg very early in the morning and the weather in Salzburg is sunny and misty. The view is particularly magical when you see Hohensalzburg Fortress illuminated by warm morning light while it is faintly veiled in mist.
On the other hand, the view of Old Town Salzburg from Kapuzinerberg is breathtakingly dramatic at sunset. If the weather is good, you may be able to see a golden sky over Salzburg from a completely breathtaking perspective. The silhouette of Hohensalzburg Fortress is straight out of a fantasy movie — an absolute romantic scene to see. You might want to bring a tripod with your camera so you can capture time-lapse videos of the moment you’re taking in these beautiful scenes.
Hiking Kapuzinerberg in the winter is not recommended. However, depending on the weather, you may want to spend some time in Hettwer Bastei (Bastion) for some amazing views. Just be careful, as there may be snow and the path to the bastion can be very slippery. Visit at your own risk.
Resources
That is all I can share about Kapuzinerberg for now. I hope you find this post helpful and enjoy your visit to Kapuzinerberg! If you would like to learn more about Kapuzinerberg and the landmarks on this mountain, you can check the links below.
- Salzburg Wiki — Kapuzinerberg
- Salzburg (official website) — Kapuzinerberg
- Capuchin Monastery in Kapuzinerberg
If you’re still looking for a place to stay during your trip to Salzburg, I recommend checking out my partner’s hotel search and booking platform. They offer some fantastic deals on accommodations. Plus, their handy map feature can help you quickly find a hotel in the most convenient location. Note: the link I’m providing is an affiliate link. This means that I may earn a small commission if you book through this link. Your support helps WanderInEurope create more content that could assist you in your future travels. Thank you for your support!
Beyond the stunning views from Kapuzinerberg and Salzburg’s other mountains, there’s so much more to explore in the city. Take a look at the beautiful discoveries I’ve made in Salzburg, or consider these unique activities available both within and outside the city.
I highly recommend visiting Mozart’s Birthplace to immerse yourself in Salzburg’s musical heritage. If you’re a fan of the Sound of Music, don’t miss the Mirabell Palace and Nonnberg Abbey. And if you’re a Catholic who appreciates architecture, the Salzburg Cathedral is a must-see. Once you’ve explored the historic center, there are amazing destinations just outside the city. Consider taking easy day trips to nearby attractions like St. Gilgen, Hohenwerfen Fortress, Berchtesgaden, and Hellbrunn Palace.
To help you plan your time in and around the city, I’ve put together free one-day, two-day, and three-day itineraries for Salzburg.
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