One Day in Salzburg – 7 Essential Things to See & Do
Having been to Salzburg countless times now, I’d say I’ve seen quite a lot of the city. And honestly, there’s a lot more to explore here than you might think!
If you don’t have the option to stay for a couple of days or visit more than once, it can feel a bit overwhelming to squeeze everything into just one day.
But no worries, with the right mix of must-sees and breaks in between, you can still enjoy the best of Salzburg without stressing yourself.
In this post, I’ll show you how to make the most of one day in Salzburg – with good food, great views, and plenty of charm along the way!
Are you planning your trip to Salzburg at the last minute?
Here are the best tours and accommodations in the city!
🇦🇹 Best Tours & Experiences in Salzburg
🛌 Best Hotels in Salzburg
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1. Enjoy Brunch at Coolinarik Café
Is there any better way to kick off a day of sightseeing than with a solid brunch? I don’t think so.
In Salzburg, your number one go-to spot for that is Coolinarik Café.
The first time I visited this café was actually for lunch, and I loved the food and the vibe so much that I made sure to come back on another trip to try their brunch.
On the coffee menu, you’ll find all the classics along with some fun specials like a Raffaello Latte or Banana-Caramel Latte.
If you’re not in the mood for coffee, no worries – there’s also a variety of teas, soft drinks, homemade lemonades, and fruit juices. You might even want to start the day with a glass of prosecco!
While their drinks menu is already quite impressive, the real highlight is the breakfast selection. Besides single dishes like various toasts or bowls, you don’t want to miss one of their big breakfast spreads.
The one I ordered – and definitely recommend – is the “Vegan Vital” Breakfast.
Served on a long wooden plate, it came with a glass of apple-ginger juice, guacamole, three kinds of hummus, antipasti veggies, couscous salad with almonds, coconut yogurt with granola, one of their famous dumplings, and of course, some fresh bread.
Everything was so delicious and filling, I didn’t need to eat again for hours!
2. Stroll Along The Salzach River & Marko-Feingold-Steg
Now that you’re all fueled up, it’s time to explore the city! From Coolinarik Café, it’s just a short walk to one of Salzburg’s most iconic spots – Mirabell Palace.
To get there, take a stroll along the Salzach River, taking in the beautiful views of the city. Since you need to cross to the other side, walk over the Marko-Feingold-Steg, a pedestrian bridge famous for the love locks attached to its railings.
Couples from all over the world attach locks to the bridge’s railings as a symbol of their love and commitment. Over time, these locks have created a colorful display, making the bridge stand out amongst all the others in the city.
If you’d like, you could even add your own lock to the collection – just be sure to remember where you attached it! 😉
3. Visit Mirabell Palace & Mirabell Gardens
Welcome to one of my absolute favorite places in Salzburg: Mirabell Palace, with its stunning gardens!
Built in the 17th century, Mirabell Palace is known for its stunning baroque architecture and rich history. It was originally the residence of Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau and is now home to Salzburg’s city government.
The palace itself isn’t just about its architecture – it’s surrounded by the beautiful Mirabell Gardens, which are particularly breathtaking in the spring when the flowers are in full bloom.
From here, you’ll also have the most perfect view of Fortress Hohensalzburg!
The palace and gardens are open year-round. The gardens are free to visit, and they’re perfect for a relaxed stroll or to snap some photos.
The famous “Angel Stairway” (Engelsstiege) can be visited daily from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, and the marble hall (Marmorsaal) is open on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, and on Tuesdays and Fridays from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
Other parts of the palace are not open to the public, as they house the offices of the city government.
4. Do Some Shopping at Getreidegasse
One of the best places to do some shopping in Salzburg is Getreidegasse. This charming street, located in the heart of the Old Town, is lined with a mix of luxury boutiques, unique local shops, and world-famous brands.
You’ll find iconic names like Swarovski for sparkling jewelry – I can never resist checking out the latest collection – and the famous Manner shop, known for its delicious wafers.
Plus, several shops are selling Austrian Tracht, where you can pick up traditional clothing and accessories.
I also love how the old signs above the shops give the street such a historical and nostalgic feel.
5. Visit Mozart’s Birthplace
Besides shopping, Getreidegasse is also home to Mozart’s Birthplace, one of Salzburg’s most famous landmarks. This prominent yellow house is where the legendary composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in 1756.
The building is now a museum about his life and work, giving a look into his early years and what influenced his music. You can explore rooms filled with original instruments, letters, and documents, learning about Mozart’s childhood in the city that inspired so much of his music.
Although I visited for the third time on my last trip, I still enjoy discovering more about Salzburg’s most famous artist each time.
You can visit Mozart’s Birthplace daily from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm, with the last admission at 5:00 pm.
While the ticket is €15 for adults, which isn’t exactly a bargain, it’s worth it if you’re interested in Mozart’s life and history.
The museum is also included with the Salzburg Card, so if you’re following this guide and heading to the next stop, plus planning to use public transport, you might save some money!
6. Enjoy The View From Hohensalzburg Fortress
Overlooking the city from the Festungsberg Hill, Hohensalzburg Fortress is a must-visit on your day in Salzburg. This medieval fortress offers spectacular views of the entire city, including the Dom Quarter right below you.
You can reach the fortress either by taking the funicular (which is a quick ride) or by walking up the hill – a 20-minute climb that I personally prefer for the views along the way.
Once you’re up there, you can explore the castle’s grounds, including the courtyards, bastions, and the beautiful chapel.
Ticket prices vary depending on how you choose to get to the fortress (funicular or walking) and whether you want to visit the Prince’s Rooms and the Magical Theater.
The basic ticket with the footpath is €11.20 for adults and €4.60 for children, while the all-inclusive ticket is €18 for adults and €6.80 for children.
Hohensalzburg Fortress is open daily, with varying hours depending on the season, typically from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm, and a bit longer during the summer months.
7. Create Your Dinner Bowl at Uncle Van
After a full day of exploring Salzburg’s most essential sights, you totally deserve the most delicious dinner bowl at Uncle Van!
And the best part? You can fully customize your bowl to make it exactly how you like it!
Whether you’re craving something hearty or light, you can choose from a variety of fresh ingredients, from grains and veggies to proteins and sauces.
I’ve been to Uncle Van twice now, and while I tried one of their pre-selected dishes the first time (they’ve got some great options!), I decided to get creative the second time.
I built my perfect bowl with udon noodles, tons of veggies, tofu, and a tasty soy sesame garlic sauce. SO good!
As you can see, Uncle Van is the ideal spot to wrap up a perfect day in Salzburg!
Check out the reel I created for Secret Escapes:
Check out: 15 Awesome Day Trips From Salzburg (Insider Guide)
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Do you want to travel like me?
Here are some of my favorite travel tips and resources:
Flights: I prefer using CheapOair to book flights. I often search for “Anywhere” to uncover the best flight deals!
Accommodation: Booking.com is my favorite site to find some great hotel deals.
Travel Insurance: There are many reasons why travel insurance is important and I never travel without one. I use the simple and flexible one from SafetyWing that protects me against unforeseen events.
Tours: I love taking tours to explore destinations like a local. My favorite website to book them in advance is GetYourGuide.
Camera Gear: I use a Nikon D5300 camera with an 18-105 mm and a 10-20 mm wide-angle lens to take my photos.
Salzburg looks really nice, what a great guide! Might pop by this summer when we’re in the area actually so this was perfect, thank you 🙂 Really craving a dinner bowl from Uncle Van now too!
Hey Tina, I’m happy you like my guide! Salzburg is truly a gorgeous city – I hope you get the possibility to visit. 😊 Fingers crossed! And yes, don’t miss the dinner bowl at Uncle Van! 😉