Always bestprice Travel · Travel itinerary
Salzburg (Austria) in 3 days – Complete itinerary
3 days / 2 nights · Mozart, historic center, gardens, fortress, architecture
Salisburgo, Austria
Scan to open the online itineraryAlways bestprice Travel · Contents
In this itinerary
- Overview and map3
- Day 1 – Fortress and Old Town4
- Day 2 – Mirabell Gardens and the Hellbrunn summer residence5
- Day 3 – Abbeys, Mozart, and Residenz architecture6
- Indicative budget7
- Practical tips8
Salzburg (Austria) in 3 days – Complete itinerary
3 days / 2 nights · Mozart, historic center, gardens, fortress, architecture
The itinerary is organized by area: the first day is dedicated to the historic heart on the left bank of the Salzach and the fortress, the second links the Mirabell gardens with Hellbrunn, south of the city. The third focuses on abbeys, Mozart's residence, and the Residenz complex, before ending at Red Bull Hangar-7. The time slots are a suggested visit plan, not official opening hours: check websites, availability, and updated prices before you go. The costs listed are approximate and in euros.
- Stops
- 3 · 3 with location
- Mode
- Walking
- Route
- 1.5 km · 17 min
- Source
- Mapbox · walking
Stops on the map
Day 1 · Walking · 1.5 km · 17 min · Source: Mapbox · walking
- 992 m · 10 minWalking 10 min (992 m) · Taxi ~12 min · Metro ~19 min (estimate)
- 547 m · 6 minWalking 6 min (547 m) · Taxi ~17 min · Metro ~26 min (estimate)
Day 1 – Fortress and Old Town
Discover the city skyline and the main monuments of the historic center.
09:00
Hohensalzburg Fortress
Reach the fortress on foot from the center with an uphill walk of about 20–30 minutes, or consider the funicular, if operating according to official information. Allow about 2–3 hours to explore the courtyards, historic rooms, and viewpoints; budget roughly €5–15 for the uphill transport and €10–20 for a ticket, depending on the option chosen. Check the official website to see which areas and services are included.
Wear comfortable shoes: the climb and indoor surfaces can be steep or uneven.
12:30
Getreidegasse
Head down to the center and stroll along this historic street, taking in the wrought-iron signs, passages through the courtyards, and palace facades. Set aside about 1–1.5 hours for the visit and lunch nearby: a simple meal can cost roughly €15–25 per person. Mozart’s birthplace is on this street, but it is not included among the stops on this route.
The street is very busy: for quieter photos, consider stopping in the side alleys.
15:00
Salzburg Cathedral
Reach the Cathedral on foot in just a few minutes and allow about 45–75 minutes for the square and the interior, if accessible during your visit. Admire the Baroque façade, the dome, and the monumental features that define the complex; any admission or special visit may cost roughly €0–10. Check the official website for access conditions and any religious events.
Dress respectfully and check the photography rules.
Day 2 – Mirabell Gardens and the Hellbrunn summer residence
Alternate architecture and gardens in the north of the city with a scenic visit to the south.
09:00
Mirabell Gardens and Mirabell Palace
Start with the gardens, exploring geometric flowerbeds, fountains, and views toward the fortress; allow 1.5–2 hours for an unhurried visit. Access to the gardens is generally free, while any visit to the palace interiors depends on availability and official rules. From the city center, it takes about 10–15 minutes on foot.
Before planning an interior visit, check the official website to see which areas are open.
11:30
Hellbrunn Palace and Water Features
From the city center, reach Hellbrunn by city bus in about 20–30 minutes, checking the route and frequency for your travel date. Set aside 2.5–3 hours for the complex: visit the palace spaces and tour the water features with a guide, paying attention to the sprays and wet passages. Budget roughly €10–20 for admission and attractions, plus city transport; check the official website for prices, terms, and tour availability.
Bring a light jacket or a change of clothes: the water features can soak visitors.
Day 3 – Abbeys, Mozart, and Residenz architecture
Dive deeper into Salzburg’s religious and musical history and end with a contemporary visit.
09:00
St. Peter's Abbey and Cemetery
Walk to the complex in the old town and allow about 1.5–2 hours for the church, cemetery, and accessible passages. Take in the historic graves, chapels, and the setting at the foot of the fortress rock; some areas or visits may require an indicative contribution of €0–10. Check the official website for available access and any guided tours.
Leave a few minutes to get your bearings: the cemetery and abbey complex are spread across several sections.
11:15
Mozart's Residence
Cross the Salzach toward Makartplatz: from the old town, the walk takes about 10–15 minutes. Set aside 1–1.5 hours for the house museum and exhibits on Mozart’s life and family; expect an indicative entrance fee of €10–20, to be confirmed on the official website along with any discount conditions. After your visit, plan a lunch break nearby, with a rough budget of €15–25.
Check in advance whether a combined ticket with other city museums is available.
13:30
Residenzplatz and DomQuartier
Return to the left bank of the river and walk to Residenzplatz in about 10–15 minutes. Set aside 2–3 hours for the square and the museum spaces of the DomQuartier, where the visit helps you understand the relationship between religious power and princely rule; admission can typically cost around €10–25. Check the official website for the museum route, accessible areas, and updated prices.
A visit to the complex takes time: avoid scheduling anything too soon afterward.
16:30
Nonnberg Abbey
From the historic center, reach the abbey on foot with an uphill walk of about 15–25 minutes, or take a taxi to shorten the distance. Allow 30–45 minutes for the exterior and the accessible areas, respecting the religious character of the site; access to areas open to the public may be free, while any donations or special tours vary. Check the official information and do not enter spaces reserved for the community.
The climb is short but steep: consider taking a taxi if you have already walked a lot.
18:00
Red Bull Hangar-7
To reach Hangar-7 in the airport area, allow about 20–30 minutes by taxi or a longer trip by public transport, planned according to the available stop and line. Plan on 1–1,5 hours to take in the glass-and-steel architecture and the aircraft and car displays; admission to the exhibition areas may be free, but exhibitions, events, and dining may have separate costs. Check the official website for accessibility, exhibitions, and visiting conditions.
If you have a dinner reservation or a planned return trip, leave extra time for the transfer to the airport or the city center.
Estimated budget
| Accommodation, 2 nights in a double room: per person | €120–360 |
| Meals and drinks for 3 days | €90–180 |
| City transport and local transfers | €20–55 |
| Admissions and paid visits | €35–90 |
| Indicative total per person, excluding the trip to get there and personal expenses | €265–685 |
The local currency is the euro (EUR). All prices are estimated per person and may vary depending on season, availability, type of accommodation, transport, ticket options, and restaurant choices; they are not verified rates. Check the official websites of the sights and transport providers before your visit.
Practical tips
- Check the official websites for tickets, accessibility, guided tours, and access conditions: the proposed schedule does not indicate confirmed opening hours.
- Consider a city tourist card only after comparing the inclusions and cost with the visits you actually plan to make.
- For Hellbrunn, plan your transfer by bus and bring shoes suitable for walking on paths that may get wet.
- Book accommodation well in advance during peak-demand periods and check for any events that may affect availability and prices.
Privacy preferences
We use GA4 statistics and Travelpayouts Drive affiliate tools and offers only with your consent. Accept, decline optional services or choose each separately.