17 Free Things to Do in Salzburg + One Day Budget Itinerary
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Salzburg has swiftly captured my heart as one of my favorite cities.
How, you ask? Why? Well, it’s because Salzburg doesn’t just offer the things I’m always seeking in a destination—like picture-perfect discoveries, historical sites, marvelous architectural landmarks, and breathtaking scenery—but it also allows its visitors to experience most of these offerings for free.
And let’s not overlook the affordable attractions and experiences that are kind to your bank account!
Here, I’ve compiled a list of all the free activities and attractions in Salzburg, which I hope will assist you in whatever you’re doing at the moment (travel planning, perhaps?).
Towards the end of this post, you’ll find a budget-friendly one-day itinerary based on these inexpensive things to do for your convenience.
Good to Know
Alternative to this itinerary, you can check out my Old Town Salzburg self-guided walking tour, which also includes many of these free attractions.
If you’re staying in Salzburg for a few days, don’t miss my free 2-day and 3-day Salzburg itineraries. And in case you need it, here’s my free 10-day itinerary for Austria.
Free Attractions & Activities
The free activities and attractions listed below are arranged in the order you would naturally come across if you were starting from the train station.
You can check the resources section of this post for the official websites of some attractions listed below.
1. Appreciate the Beauty of Mirabell Palace Marble Hall
One of the things that made me love Salzburg even more is that one of its highlights, the Mirabell Palace, is open to visitors for free.
You might find these interesting!
2. Relive the Sound of Music Movie at Mirabell Garden
Visitors are also welcome to explore without a fee the beautiful Mirabell Palace garden, which is the most famous filming location for the Sound of Music movie in Salzburg.
Read all the five reasons why you should visit Mirabell Palace & Garden.
3. Watch the Sunrise at Hettwer Bastei (Bastion)
You can also experience a very special sunrise and sunset in Salzburg for free.
Simply head to the Hettwer Bastei bastion in Kapuzinerberg during the Golden Hour and you’ll be rewarded with one of the most magical and breathtaking views in Salzburg.
Here’s my guide to Kapuzinerberg, the mountain where Hettwer Bastei is located.
4. See the Best View of Old Town Salzburg from Müllnersteg
If you’re into photography or simply want to see a view straight out of a fairytale in Salzburg, Müllnersteg is a free place you can visit to satisfy your visual cravings.
5. Romantic Walk at Marko-Feingold-Steg
If you’re traveling to Salzburg with your special someone, be sure to visit Marko-Feingold-Steg or Makartsteg, the footbridge closest to the southern gate of Mirabell Gardens.
Often called the Love Lock Bridge, it’s considered the most romantic bridge in Salzburg.
6. Be Charmed by the Wrought-Iron Shop Signs in Getreidegasse
Getreidegasse is another highlight of visiting Salzburg, and like Mirabell Palace and Garden, it’s free to visit!
7. Get Sound of Music Nostalgia from Pferdeschwemme
Just a few steps south of St. Blaise’s Church and Getreidegasse is the early 17th-century Horse Pond or Pferdeschwemme fountain.
8. Discover Siegmundstor: The Oldest Tunnel in Austria
You don’t need to pay for a ride to see one of Austria’s notable infrastructures if you’re in Salzburg.
9. Admire the Interiors of the Franciscan Church
For architecture enthusiasts seeking visual pleasure or Catholics looking for a peaceful moment to pray during their visit to Salzburg, the Franciscan Church is one of the best free places to visit.
10. Wander in the St. Peter’s Abbey, Church, and Cemetery
Salzburg is one of the cities in Central Europe that offers a diverse experience, but its rich religious heritage sets it apart from its neighboring cities….
You can easily see this by visiting Saint Peter’s Abbey, one of the top free attractions in the city for discovering its religious heritage.
11. Take Photo Souvenirs at Kapitelschwemme
Salzburg is a picturesque city with many spots where you can go for free to see its picture-perfect appearance for yourself…
One such spot is in front of Kapitelschwemme, the Chapter Fountain, in Kapitelplatz, the Chapter Square.
12. See Another Santa Scala in Cajetan Church
Salzburg is a city full of churches, many of which you can visit for free.
13. See the Miraculous Fountain In St. Erhard’s Church
If you’re an architecture enthusiast or a Catholic like myself, you may be interested in visiting Saint Erhard’s Church.
14. Listen to the Nuns at Nonnberg Abbey
Did you know that Salzburg is home to Nonnberg Abbey, the oldest continuously existing nunnery in the German-speaking world? Located in Festungsberg beside Hohensalzburg Fortress, Nonnberg Abbey has been in existence since the early 8th century.
15. Relax with the View of the Alps from Richterhöhe
Salzburg, being only a few kilometers away from the Alps, offers several free places where you can unwind and enjoy the mountain views.
These spots are great alternatives to expensive shops and restaurants with nice views, especially on sunny, dry, and warm days.
16. Watch the Sunset from Mönchsberg’s Humboldt Terrace
Watching the sunset in Salzburg from the most unique perspective of the Old Town is free, too! The sunset spot is called Humboldt Terrace and it’s also located in Mönchsberg.
Here’s a guide to Monchsberg, where Richterhöhe and Humboldt Terrace is located.
17. Climb to Franziskischlössl on top of Kapuzinerberg
For those who want to take their time exploring Salzburg, hiking in Kapuzinerberg is a great way to experience the natural beauty of the city’s historic center.
In case you missed it, here’s the link to my guide in visiting Kapuzinerberg.
Affordable Experiences & Places of Interest
Again: Saving money by visiting free attractions in the city is great. But don’t forget to explore the city’s highlights too! You’ll be surprised—admission fees and tickets are just a few dollars or euros. So, treat yourself to these unforgettable experiences!
1. Explore Mozart’s Birthplace
As you explore Getreidegasse, one of the highlights of Salzburg that you’ll encounter is Mozart’s Birthplace. This museum, dedicated to the life and legacy of the famous composer, is a unique attraction that can only be found in Salzburg.
Here’s what you can expect inside Mozart’s Birthplace (in detail)
2. Visit Hohensalzburg Fortress
If you have a very limited time in Salzburg, you can skip other highlights of the city but not Hohensalzburg Fortress. This fortress, perched atop Festungsberg, offers a wealth of experiences for visitors.
Check out my full guide to Hohensalzburg Fortress | Here’s where you can check the ticket prices.
3. Boat Ride in Salzach River
River, city, mountains—Salzburg has a beautiful landscape. What’s the most relaxing way to explore it? A cruise in Salzach River.
Here’s where you can check the current price of the Salzach River cruise tickets.
4. Discover DomQuartier Museums and Salzburg Cathedral
Interested in discovering Salzburg’s heritage in one shot? DomQuartier is the place to be. This stately compound, located in the heart of the city, is composed of several attractions that can be accessed with a single ticket.
Learn more about DomQuartier and the current ticket prices for entry to Domquartier here.
5. Explore and Attend a Concert in Salzburg Cathedral
Salzburg Cathedral is not only the spiritual center of Salzburg but also one of the city’s architectural highlights, making it a must-visit attraction.
Learn more about Salzburg Cathedral or the Organ Concert at Midday.
Budget One-Day Itinerary
Indeed, Salzburg is a city with lots of free attractions and experiences.
But if you only have one day there, I recommend not sticking solely to the free activities and admission-free places. Instead, consider including at least one of these incredible attractions in your itinerary:
- Hohensalzburg Fortress,
- Salzburg Cathedral,
- Mozart’s Birthplace, or
- DomQuartier.
And here’s a tip: If you can, spend the entire day in Salzburg—from sunrise to sunset. This way, you’ll get the most out of your visit and see the city’s best sights without the crowds of tourists, during those magical golden hours.
To make it easy for most travelers, let’s start our trip from the Salzburg train station.
Morning in Salzburg
The morning part of this one-day budget itinerary is designed to let you experience the free highlights of Salzburg without the crowds.
We’ll aim to visit Mirabell Palace, Mirabell Gardens, and Getreidegasse early in the morning before these places get busy during midday.
The first destination on this itinerary is Hettwer Bastion, where you can watch the sunrise. However, if the weather isn’t favorable, it’s better to go straight to Mirabell Garden.
Keep in mind that sunrise in Salzburg happens around 5:15 am during summer and almost 8:00 am during winter. To get to Hettwer Bastion quickly, you can take the bus to Makartplatz.
This will cut the 15-minute walking time from the train station in half. Makartplatz is also where the southern gate of Mirabell Garden is located, so it’s convenient whether you’re going to Hettwer Bastion or Mirabell Palace or Garden.
After visiting Mirabell Palace, the next stop is Getreidegasse, which is located on the other side of the Salzach River.
If you haven’t had breakfast yet, there are many options to choose from on Getreidegasse. For a better experience (romantic) in getting to Getreidegasse, cross the river via Marko-Feingold-Steg bridge.
Exploring Getreidegasse can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour, depending on whether you want to eat or spend more time taking pictures and looking at the small details.
While you’re there, you might also want to visit Mozart’s Birthplace, which usually takes at least an hour to explore.
From Getreidegasse, you have several options for your next destination, including nearby attractions like Pferdeschwemme, Seigmundstor, Franciscan Church, and Saint Peter’s Abbey. Any of these attractions should keep you busy until lunchtime.
The next activity on the itinerary is a noontime organ concert in Salzburg Cathedral. If you think you’ll be hungry before noon, it’s a good idea to have lunch before heading to the cathedral.
Afternoon in Salzburg
In the afternoon, we’ll aim to make the most of your time at Hohensalzburg Fortress by visiting every part of it.
Keep in mind that, in addition to the main parts of the fortress and the castle museum, Hohensalzburg Fortress also has four other museums worth seeing. It may take you 3 to 4 hours to see everything in the fortress.
After visiting Hohensalzburg Fortress, you have three options.
- First, you can spend time outdoors enjoying the incredible views. You could either hike to the viewpoints in Monchsberg like Richterhöhe or Humboldt Terrace for breathtaking experiences or
- take a relaxing cruise on the River Salzach.
- If the weather isn’t nice, your other options are to visit some of the churches, such as Nonnberg Abbey, Cajetan Church, and Saint Erhard’s Church, or to explore DomQuartier.
If you’re staying in Salzburg tonight, here’s a unique, very interesting, and budget-friendly tour you can join — Salzburg Ghost Tour.
Resources
For information about the different tourist attractions you can visit for free in Salzburg, such as visiting information and announcements, please refer to the links provided below.
- Map of Salzburg
- DomQuartier Salzburg
- Franciscan Church Salzburg
- St. Peter’s Abbey
- Cajetan Church
- St. Erhard’s Church
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