What are the things to do in Salzburg in 2 days trip?
Salzburg is one of the most beautiful cities in Austria, located near the German border.
Salzburg is widely recognized as the birthplace of Mozart, and as a result, the city hosts many classical music events throughout the year.
The Salzach River divides Salzburg, with the 19th-century Neustadt (New City) on its right bank and the medieval and baroque Altstadt (Old City) on its left.
In the Altstadt, you can visit the famous museum displaying Mozart’s birthplace and his childhood instruments.
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How Long to Stay in Salzburg?
Salzburg is small and easy to explore on foot.
Two to three days are enough to see all the main attractions.
We spent two nights in Salzburg, with one entire day at the German Thermal Bath, which I will describe later.
After a relaxing weekend in Salzburg, we took bus number 150 to the picture-perfect town of Hallstatt, where we stayed for five days.
Related: Hallstatt in Winter: Exploring Hidden Gems in Austria
Where to Stay in Salzburg?
Certainly, I prefer the old part of the city (Altstadt) and therefore we stayed at the Leonardo Hotel Salzburg, which is conveniently located just a 5-minute walk from Altstadt!
There is a stunning mountain tunnel directly in front of the hotel.
As you come out of the tunnel, you will be basically in the most popular and beautiful part of Sazburg – Altstadt, the Old City.
Not only are the major tourist attractions there, but there are also plenty of cafes and restaurants.
Where to Eat in Salzburg?
Breakfast and Brunch
I am a big breakfast lover, in particular brunches. 🙂
My recommendation for brunch and breakfast in Salzburg is the Coolinarik Café Salzburg.
The vegan options are plentiful, the food is delicious, and the stylish interior with excellent service makes it a favorite among influencers.
Lunch and Dinner
Before going to Austria, you must try the Wiener Schnitzel! If you’re unsure whether to prefer the German or Austrian version, trying both is essential.
We used a local trick and asked for restaurant recommendations at the hotel reception. 🙂
Here are the best restaurants in Salzburg serving traditional Austrian cuisine:
- Augustiner Braugasthof Krimpelstätter – a very good schnitzel
- Restaurant Meissl & Schadn Salzburg – traditional Austrian food
- Restaurant Triangel – big portions, delicious schnitzel
- St. Peter Stiftskulinarium – the Europe’s oldest restaurant, historic location
Best Coffee in Salzburg
For the best coffee in Salzburg, head to Nur coffee.
Their famous cappuccino in a cone is a must-try, even though it costs 8 euros.
The unique presentation makes it worth it.
Another cafe that serves excellent coffee is Café Bazar.
Without a doubt, it is a popular and touristic spot due to it’s location in front of the river, facing the beautiful fortress.
Thus, I would recommend going there, especially on cold days.
In short, if you like small coffee shops, you should check out KAVA coffee roasters.
They have great carrot cake and a great cappuccino; unless you need a comfy sofa, then go to Cafe Bazar.
Things to Do in Salzburg
Explore the Hohensalzburg Fortress
A must-see attraction for any Salzburg visitor is the Hohensalzburg Fortress.
Situated on the Festungsberg, which extends northwest into the Mönchsberg, it offers a panoramic view of the city below.
The fortress looks stunning, especially during the night. We had a full moon, that you can barely see on my picture below, but in real life, it looked amazing.
We enjoyed walking through Salzburg after sunset, as the fortress is lit and you can see it well from any part of the Old City.
Ticket prices for the fortress start at 11 euros.
Visit Mozart’s Birthplace Museum
Another famous attraction in Salzburg is The Mozart’s Birthplace Museum. Located in Salzburg Altstadt is a must-see place for classical music lovers.
This is where Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the musician and composer, was born on January 27, 1756.
The building has been kept in its original form and now has a museum about the composer’s life.
Ticket prices for the museum start at 13,50 euros.
Check Out the View from the Museum of Modern Art
Located atop the mountain, the Museum of Modern Art is certainly one of the greatest attractions in the area.
From here, you can see the Fortress and Salzburg City in all their glory.
Ticket prices for the museum start at 14 euros.
Witness the Breathtaking Splendor of Mirabell Palace & Gardens
Because of its beautiful gardens, Mirabell Palace has become one of Salzburg’s most popular tourist spots.
The entire complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Among the most picturesque gardens in the area, it features a wide variety of vibrant plants and animals arranged in elaborate patterns against the backdrop of the Salzburg fortress.
You can visit the Mirabell Palace and gardens for free.
Have Fun in the Haus der Natur Museum
Another interesting place to visit in Salzburg, especially on a rainy day, is the Museum of Natural History – Haus der Natur.
The museum has displays from the time of space travel as well as huge dinosaurs that lived millions of years ago. There is a huge aquarium with a lot of different kinds of fish and reptiles from all over the world. And in the Science Center, you can do some experiments.
In my opinion, the place is good for adults as well as for kids. Whether you like animals or not, it is also a tech attraction, so you won’t be bored.
Ticket prices for the museum start at 12 euros.
Day Trip to Hallstatt, the Most Picturesque Town in Austria
If you have not been to Hallstatt or have a day to spare, spending a day in the most picturesque lakeside town as a day trip from Salzburg is also a great option.
You can book a guided one day trip from Salzburg if you would rather not deal with public transit.
Here you can find a wide variety of Hallstatt tours, from half-day to full-day itineraries, that depart from Salzburg daily.
And if you are planning to stay in Hallstatt for a night, make sure to read my extended guide of the top activities to do in Hallstatt.
The Best Thermal Baths Near Salzburg
If you’re wondering about nearby thermal baths, I recommend RupertusTherme, located just across the border in Germany. The resort features:
- Thermal Bath Zone
- Sauna Zone (naked zone, no swimsuits allowed)
- Wellness Zone
Just so you know, the sauna area is considered a naked zone. So, no swimsuits are allowed there, either in the sauna or the pool. If you do not like being naked in public, you should buy a ticket only to the thermal bath zone, which is one level above and lets you wear swimsuits.
Families can only access the thermal bath zone.
What is the Price of a Day at the Spa at Rupertus Therme?
We purchased admission to the Alpine sauna landscape, including thermal baths and a family pool.
The daily ticket to the sauna + thermal bath zone was 43 euros per person, and trust me, it was totally worth the price!
We loved the sauna & spa zone so much that we spent most of our time there. We only went once to the family zone upstairs just to see the infinity hot pool (see below).
Additionally, we had lunch there. They have nice restaurant that serves traditional dishes like goulash, chicken, etc. The food was good and not that expensive. You can also get some drinks like coffee, tea, and water.
I also booked for myself a relaxing massage.
It costs me 48 euros for a 30-minute back massage in a spa zone.
How to Get to Rupertus Therme from Salzburg
By car from Salzburg is 25 minutes.
You can also get to the Rupertus Therme directly by bus number 260 from Salzburg Makartplatz.
It only takes 50 minutes by bus, and the trip is scenic, with views of high mountains as you approach the German border.
Summary of Things to Do in Salzburg
Two days are more than enough to explore Salzburg, and you won’t need public transportation since the city is so walkable.
This stunning mountain town is absolutely wonderful and the Old City (Altstadt) has more dining options than the New City.
If you have more time and want to relax, visit RupertusTherme or take a day trip to Hallstatt
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