Visit Kapuzinerberg and See a Panoramic View of Salzburg
WanderInEurope is reader-supported. Affiliate links and ads help us keep creating useful content for you.
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. 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.
Kapuzinerberg is located east of Old Town Salzburg and, along with Mönchsberg and Festungsberg, forms the valley where Old Town lies. It stretches from Linzer Gasse in Old Town, near the Salzach River, to Inneres Parsch in the east and Schallmoos Ost in the northeast. You can easily spot Kapuzinerberg from Old Town thanks to Kapuzinerkloster, a Capuchin monastery perched on its slopes, overlooking the Salzach River.
Views & Scenery
Kapuzinerberg serves today as a popular recreation area for city hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. And of course, a scenic spot for people wanting to see a unique view of Old Town Salzburg.
From the pastel-colored houses along the Salzach River to the baroque domes and spires of Old Town Salzburg, you can take it all in from Kapuzinerberg. The hill also offers a fantastic view of the Hohensalzburg Fortress, which sits on top of Festungsberg. On clear days, you might even spot a few peaks of the Bavarian Alps rising behind Festungsberg. You can also see the Museum der Moderne on Mönchsberg from Kapuzinerberg.
Getting There
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. That said, 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 is a 261-step, 51-meter high stairway in Salzburg Historic Center that links Steingasse in Old Town and Capuchin monastery in Kapuzinerberg.
- 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 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.
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.
1. 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.
2. 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.
Planning a trip? From great hotel deals to skip-the-line tickets and affordable eSim to cheap rentals, check out the travel resources I recommend and use for a smooth and memorable trip.
Note: Booking through my links is like giving a free donation to WanderInEurope. I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, which helps me create more helpful travel guides. Your support means a lot—thank you!
Explore Salzburg
The view of Salzburg is breathtaking, isn’t it? But there’s much more to this city than its scenery. You can explore charming streets like Getreidegasse, where you’ll find Mozart’s Birthplace. For more ways to experience Salzburg, click on any of the topics below to get started.
For a convenient, unique, or more enriching visit, check out these experiences and services:
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
Pin this to save it for later or bookmark it to read anytime.
