Heading to the culture-filled city of Salzburg, Austria? With the city’s beautiful architecture, magnificent cathedrals, gorgeous scenery, Mozart-focused sites, and a plethora of attractions, you’ll no doubt fall in love with it just as I have. Keep reading to find out what my 5 underrated things to do in Salzburg are!
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So you’ve decided to visit Salzburg, Austria – or are just thinking about it – but yay!
Most people don’t even give this beautiful location a second thought considering the giant city of Munich is just down the road, as well as Austria’s capital, Vienna, but it’s one of my favorite cities in all of Europe!
A city is filled with German and Austrian culture, some of the most pleasant people I’ve met, and (my personal favorite) delicious food, there are tons of cool things to see in Salzburg, as well as activities to do.
When most think of Salzburg, Austria, the first thing that comes to mind is The Sound of Music. This is where the beloved, music-filled movie was filmed – yet the city is much more than just a shooting location.
Settled near the border of Germany and surrounded by the scenic northern Alps, Salzburg is a picturesque city that shouldn’t be missed on a trip to Europe!
In fact, it’s one of the best preserved cities with its world famous Baroque architecture and several domed churches – and I was lucky enough to study abroad here for a summer!
I attended the University of Salzburg, taking an Austrian Folk Art Culture class and a beginners German language course, enjoying the beauty and culture of the city.
When I wasn’t in class, I was walking around, exploring what Salzburg had to offer, eating my way through the districts of Altstadt (Old Town) and Neustadt (New Town), hitting up the town for some drinks, and having some fun at the bars with my fellow classmates and Salzburg locals.
We also spent a wonderful weekend in the beautiful, historic city of Vienna! Exploring the museums, admiring the gorgeous architecture, wandering the markets, and visiting the unbelievable churches.
Anyways, as I spent my sun-filled summer here, I discovered some underrated things to do in Salzburg – and I’m going to share them with you! There’s much more to Salzburg than you could ever imagine.
Psst, after reading this post, don’t forget to check out my more in-depth Salzburg post filled with over 15 things to do in the city!
5 UNDERRATED THINGS TO DO IN SALZBURG, AUSTRIA
1. Eat Apfelstrudel with a View
If you are in Austria, Apfelstrudel should be close to the top on your foods to eat list. It is fantastic. Like one of the best things I ate while I was there. AND I had the chance to eat it while looking at the beautiful northern Alps surrounding Salzburg.
If you visit Festung Hohensalzburg, you must eat Apfelstrudel at the restaurant there. I think the restaurant is called Restaurant zur Festung Hohensalzburg.
While overlooking the city, you get to eat a delicious dessert (or snack, no judging here) and take in the view.
Ever thought about planning a Europe trip around its magnificent Christmas Markets? Here’s the ultimate 10-day Christmas Market hopping itinerary featuring Switzerland, Germany, and Austria!
2. Mozart’s Geburtshaus
You may or may not know that the talented composer and famous musical genius Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in Salzburg – and you can tour his birth house!
The building has been restored and turned into a museum where you can walk around reading about Mozart’s life and view various items that he owned or used – like his childhood violin.
Read more about Mozart’s Birth House here.
3. Augustiner Bräu
The Augustiner Brewery and beer pub is not to be missed when figuring out what things to do in Salzburg!
The monastery of Mülin has been brewing beer since 1621 and it is Austria’s largest and most famous beer inn. When you walk in, you pay a very reasonable price for a huge (HUGE.) mug and quickly hand it over to the guys filling them up with tasty beer.
You can also go to one of the many vendors and grab yourself a delicious pretzel (a traditional German snack, perfect with beer!).
If you’re looking for a fun and exciting atmosphere (or relaxed, depending on the time of day and where you sit), Augustiner’s is the place to be! It’s not only a cool attraction, but one of the more unique things to do in Salzburg.
*TIP – most traditional Bavarian pretzels are vegan. They’re usually only made with flour, salt, warm water, and yeast. Let’s all raise our hands in a hooray!*
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4. St. Peter’s Cemetery and Catacombs (Petersfriedhof)
The oldest cemetery in Salzburg, St. Peters cemetery is a somber site dating back to 1621 but it’s hauntingly beautiful and worth a visit.
The old tombstones from the 1600s and the locked up catacombs with eternal inscriptions, all not to be passed up when planning your things to do in Salzburg.
Many historic families from the city and notable people are buried here, like Mozart’s sister. It may be a little creepy at first, but there’s also a peaceful and respectful atmosphere about this place you aren’t likely to forget.
5. Hike Up at Sunset to Enjoy the Beauty of Salzburg from Above
One of my most favorite things to do in Salzburg is look at it from above! And no doubt, you will absolutely love it — especially at sunset.
If you head over the Staatsbrüke bridge to the Neustadt district and head up the Linzer Gasse street, keep walking until you hit a T in the road where the street Kapuzinerberg (which will be to your left) and Linzer Gasse meet.
If you look to your right, you’ll see an arch and a small walking street heading up into nowhere – that’s where you’ll be going! Don’t worry, it heads up the hill to a small viewing area where you can take in the city from above.
The hike can be a little struggle (if I can climb it, you for sure can!) but it’s short, like maybe 10 minutes, and totally worth it. I mean, just look at those pictures! Gorgeous. This viewpoint is one of my absolute favorite places to visit in Salzburg and definitely an underrated one at that!
Find a Place to Stay in Salzburg, Austria
Booking.comSo have I convinced you yet that the city of Salzburg should be on your must-see list?! Cause let me just say, it wasn’t on mine but holy buckets, it was worth every second spending time there when I studied abroad in this amazing, historic city.
If you have the chance to visit this place, make sure not to pass it up!
Are you planning on visiting Salzburg? Or have you already been to this beautiful city before, or anywhere else in Austria? Let me know in the comments!
Sophie xx
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