3 Days in Salzburg • ULTIMATE Eco Itinerary +PDF! (2024)
Spend a weekend in Salzburg with our tailored guide on all the best local spots for a truly immersive Austrian experience for first timers. With local recommendations from an expert traveler, where to stay, must-know tips before visiting, and a dowloadable itinerary, you’ll find everything you need for a 3-day vacation in this beautiful city.
Traveling to Austria and planning to spend 3 days in Salzburg as a responsible tourist? Lucky for you, I’m an expert on all things Salzburg!
I’ve compiled a full itinerary for a few days in lovely Salzburg, one of my favorite cities in the world.
Salzburg isn’t just The Sound of Music, Mozart, and the Old Town area. There’s more to Salzburg than most online guides will tell you, so I’ll let you in on all the secrets!
Expect to see not just the main tourist sites, but a whole list of hidden, local gems that most people don’t know about!
I’ve been to Salzburg more times than I can count, so I’ll be recommending the REAL, community-focused Salzburg, so you can travel with less impact.
Here’s a quick breakdown – click the links to take you straight down to the day!
No time to scroll? Download my PDF itinerary instead! It gives a basic breakdown for each day so you can just print it out and your trip is taken care of. Easy!
Download it here!
Day 1: Get to grips with the city
Day one is all about finding your way around the city and seeing the main sites.
Before we dive in, I highly recommend buying the Salzburg Card before you arrive! I honestly think it saves so much money, and it even gives you free transport!
It’s only about €24 and covers 24-72 hours of free admissions. I downloaded it straight to my phone!
Breakfast: Grab a pastry at Schatz-Konditorei
The first thing to know about Salzburg is that Café Tomaselli is seriously overrated. Most posts online will tell you to go there, but I want you to know the REAL Salzburg – it used to be incredible, but it’s now a huge tourist trap and more popular with foreigners than locals!
Instead, start early and head to Schatz-Konditorei (map), where the food is simple and old-fashioned! This place has been family-owned and operated since 1877, so they’re the kings of Austrian pastries.
Treat your sweet tooth and have a traditional Austrian Sacher cake and a short coffee for breakfast. Plus, it’s super cheap, so excellent for those on a budget!
PRO TIP: Try the famous Schatz almond croissant “Zauner style” – I highly recommend it, it’s so delicious!
Morning: Take a FREE walking tour & visit the local market
If your first day in Austria falls on a Thursday, I highly recommend going to the local farmer’s market at Mirabellplatz for the first of your 3 days in Salzburg. It’s a fantastic way to get to know the local area, and a good chance to practice your Austrian with the locals!
Whenever I go to a new country, I like to ingratiate myself into local life by supporting local businesses. A farmers market is an excellent place to do that, and you’ll get some of the freshest food around.
If your visit isn’t over a Thursday, then take a free walking tour with a local! Guruwalk local tours are completely free to take, you just tip the guide whatever you think it was worth at the end of the experience.
With a free tour, you’ll see all the main places in Salzburg, including:
- Mirabell Palace
- Mozart’s birthplace (free with the Salzburg Card)
- Salzburg Cathedral
- Marko Feingold Bridge
PRO TIP: If you’re in Austria over Christmas, I recommend going to the Christmas market, it’s so magical!
Lunchtime: Discover organic burgers at BioBurgerMeister
This unassuming burger joint in Salzburg is single-handedly championing the burger revolution!
I adore BioBurgerMeister (map), offering organically-farmed ingredients and sustainable, fresh burgers. It’s my favorite burger place in Salzburg, and a fantastic spot if you care about the impact of your travels.
There are SO many burgers to choose from, but my personal favorite is the avocado burger, with crispy avocado slices! Yuuummm!!
Opt for a vegetarian burger to reduce your carbon footprint!
Afternoon: Work off your lunch at the Hohensalzburg Fortress
The Salzburg Fortress is an incredible spot, and although it can get touristy, it’s an essential place to visit on your trip to Austria.
This is another spot that’s free with the Salzburg Card, so make sure you get it before you go!
Located next to Altstadt (Old Town) Salzburg, Hohensalzburg Fortress is a massive 900 year-old castle with stunning views of the city and beyond, all the way to the alps!
Even if you’re not a history buff, the interior museum is incredible, with displays of life at the castle and some of the most beautiful Gothic architecture around.
It’s one of the largest medieval castles in the region!
PRO TIP: Before making your way up to the fortress, head to the supermarket BILLA nearby and buy some Austrian picnic snacks and beers. That way, when you’re at the top, you can have a little picnic with a view!
Dinner: Enjoy proper schnitzel at Andreas Hofer Weinstube
For your first dinner in Salzburg, you’ll need somewhere with incredible food that gives you a real taste of evening Salzburg and gastronomy goodness.
That’s why I recommend Andreas Hofer Weinstube!
Far away from the tourist crowds and into the depth of Salzburgerland culture, AHW is more than 100 years old, so they really know how to make food.
My favorite thing to eat here is the schnitzel because they cover it with cheese – it’s the best way to eat schnitzel!
PRO TIP: Make a reservation in advance if you’re coming over a weekend! They might have space for you if you turn up without one, but you might not get lucky.
Evening: Head to Academy Bar for boho, free-spirited drinks
Support your local beer dealer at Academy Salzburg! If you’re a live music fan, good vibes, a serious lack of tourists and some of the best beers around, this is your spot for your first night in Salzburg.
Walk down Franz-Josef-Staße (map) past sunset, and you’ll find people spilling out of the bar drinking, chatting and listening to live music.
It’s an excellent place to really ensconce yourself in the local cultural scene, and they have so many cool events to attend.
PRO TIP: Order a pizza from the restaurant across the street and they’ll walk it over to you!
Now that you’ve seen all the main sites, day 2 is about exploring the deeper Salzburg.
Breakfast: Relax at Café Habakuk for the best apfelstrudel!
A traditional Viennese coffee house, here you can savor incredible Austrian Pastries – and the famous apfelstrudel!
Apple strudel is one of my weak points. It’s so hard to resist, and Salzburg definitely does it best!
Café Habakuk (map) is super cute, and it’s been around since 1892, so you’re supporting an age-old establishment now run by the Vonblon family!
PRO TIP: Café Habakuk is right down the street from Kapuzinerkloster (map), a 300 year old monastery with incredible views of the city. If the strudel feels heavy for breakfast, work it off there – plus, it’s free to visit and most tourists have no idea it’s there!
Morning: Visit the unique Christmas Museum
Another site that’s free with a Salzburg Card!
The Christmas museum (map) is small, but so sweet – it’s a private collection of cultural Christmas antiques from 1840 to 1940, and the most intriguing museum in the world!
Austria over the Christmas period is such a special place, and the Christmas markets are incredible, so if you’re there in December, don’t miss a glühwein!
Otherwise, I highly recommend the Christmas Museum. The spirit of Christmas stays true through the entire year in Salzburg, so you can feel festive all year round!
Lunchtime: Have lunch and beers at Augustiner Bräu Mülln
Augustiner Bräu Mülln is a traditional Austrian tavern and brewery that caters for the Salzburger masses. And with good reason!
The bar has some incredible choices of beer, so go nuts and try something new! The food court has a bunch of different vendors so you can choose your poison – from schnitzel and pork ribs to sauerkraut and dumplings, whatever you’re craving, you’ll find it here.
I recommend sitting out in the garden, as the ambience is so much fun and the building is so pretty. You might be tempted to spend a few hours here, so bring a blanket and chow down!
NOTE: They only accept cash!
Afternoon: Go boutique shopping on Linzergasse
Linzergasse is the main pedestrian street leading down to the river, but it’s not just high street and expensive international shops.
You might miss them, but there are so many local boutique shops along this route. Many of them are Austrian-owned and operated, with truly local, one-of-a-kind designs.
So don’t fall into the trap of going to the places you know. Dig around the street for those cute boutiques! You’ll be paying for proper quality clothing and shoes, something high street shops don’t seem to have anymore.
The bonus? You’ll be supporting local businesses serving the local community. Yay!
PRO TIP: Don’t miss HUMANA Vintage & Second Hand Store! It’s like a charity shop but better, and these are real once-in-a-lifetime pieces you can thrift or wear as-is!
Pauli Stubm (map) is a traditional spot well known for its incredible Austrian fare – but in my opinion, their Spätzle is the real reason to go!
The atmosphere at Stubm is charming, quiet, and rustic. It’s perfect for a date night or a family dinner after an entire day of exploring, and the good, honest food is just the cherry on the cake.
This place is popular with locals, so make a reservation in advance! You can reserve a table here on the map link above.
Evening: Go to a jam session at Jazzit Salzburg
Jazzit Salzburg, Austria on Elisabethstraße is incredible, and a great way to end your second day! Known as one of the best jazz joints in Europe, this is the place to dance, let loose, and have a cocktail.
The jam sessions typically happen on a Tuesday, and there are so many cool and interesting people in attendance.
If you won’t be there on a Tuesday, they still have live music pretty much every night, so I highly recommend it for the incredible sound and vibes.
Check out their program here.
Day 3: Become part of the community in Salzburg
Your final day in Salzburg is all about going the extra mile – experiencing Salzburg as if you live there!
Breakfast: Savor an African-inspired breakfast at Afro Cafe
It’s day 3, you’ve eaten so much schnitzel and apfelstrudel – why not try something new?
Afro Cafe on Bürgerspitalplatz (map) in Salzburg’s Old Town celebrates African Flavors and organic and fairtrade coffee, perfect for those morning jitters!
I highly recommend ordering the “Fresh Start” – this is organic, free range scrambled eggs on toasted carrot bread (!!!) with baby chard and raspberry chili dressing. Seriously. It’s SO GOOD.
Morning: Cycle along the Salzach River Promenade
However long you’re in Salzburg, you can’t leave without renting a bike from Avelo. Cycling is arguably one of the best ways to explore a city, as you can see more in less time, and it’s fun!
For a morning ride, you pay €12-18 per person for the city bike + a helmet. It’s well worth the money! Take your bike down to the river bank and just cycle in either direction – wherever the wind takes you!
Prefer to get the adrenaline going in the morning? Take a mountain bike tour! It starts in the city and takes you out into the countryside. It’s SO much fun and around 3 hours, so it will take you right up until lunchtime and you can enjoy the wonderful scenery!
Lunchtime: Enjoy a delicious goulash at Zwettler’s Wirtshaus
You can’t explore Salzburg, Austria without having goulash soup. It’s so warming and comforting, you’ll feel right at home – and Zwettler’s Wirtshaus (map) is the best place to do it!
Traditional home cooking meets beer culture here. Reservations are necessary because it’s so popular, and the prices are excellent, too!
PRO TIP: Get some liver dumplings on the side! I know it sounds weird, but they’re YUMMY, and this was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s favorite dish, so you’ll be munching the food of legends.
Afternoon: Discover the Salzburg Botanical Gardens
The most relaxing part of the day will take place at the famed Botanical Gardens in the grounds of the University of Salzburg.
Around 10,000 m² with native and tropical plants, the gardens are quiet and unassuming. For a romantic moment, a quiet afternoon with the kids in Salzburg, or a solo stroll, it can be whatever you want it to be.
For those on a budget, the botanical gardens are completely free to visit! It’s the perfect way to enjoy the real Salzburg on your final day spent in Austria.
Evening & dinnertime: Take a cooking class with a local
Combining an awesome activity with incredible Austrian food, taking a cooking class with a local Salzburgian is a fantastic way to take a cultural skill back home.
True appreciation of Austrian food culture means learning to make a dish yourself in the traditional way so you can impress your friends!
In this class, you’ll make some true classics and eat your own creations:
- Traditional Salzburg pretzels
- Austrian pork dumplings (or cheese dumplings for vegetarians)
- Apple strudel
You’ll also get to listen to a live concert with some true Austrian classics from Mozart and the Sound of Music. It’s an incredible experience, and the best way to round off your trip to Salzburg!
For all that, it’s only €79 per person!
Where to stay in Salzburg for 3 days
Budget
- Soom Salzburg I Kapselhotel – For solo travelers on a budget, a capsule hotel is the perfect option. Located a short walk from Mozart’s Birthplace, it’s super accessible. Squeaky clean and convenient, everything you need is at Soom!
- Casa Móre BEIGE – A fantastic option if you prefer to stay outside the city center in a quieter setting, Casa Móre in Niederalm is basic but the rooms are huge and they’ll give you a Salzburg Card for free!
- Yoho International Youth Hostel Salzburg – An amazing choice for those who want to meet other travelers in Salzburg, Yoho is just a 10 minute walk from the main train station. They have comfy beds, bike rental services, and a book exchange – and you can watch the Sound of Music daily in the lounge!
Mid-range
- Johannes Schlössl – Gästehaus der Pallottiner am Mönchsberg – For a mid-range price, this place is luxurious indeed! Located in the center of Salzburg, expect mountain views, a gorgeous terrace, and prosecco for breakfast 🥂
- Hotel Restaurant Auerhahn – With their own wine cellar, you’ll be right at home here at Auerhahn. Walking distance from the Old Town, it has soundproofed rooms and accommodating staff for the ideal mid-range stay.
- Pension Elisabeth – A traditional B&B with pretty rooms, cozy beds, and a quiet courtyard, this family-run Pension is perfect for a relaxing stay. Plus, it’s just 10 minutes’ walk from the station!
Luxury
- Boutique Hotel & Villa Auersperg – Perfect for honeymooners and couples, this charming hotel is family-run with so many gorgeous little details. There’s a spa with saunas, a roof terrace, and it’s even pet-friendly. This is my favorite!
- Hotel Elefant – Located right in the middle of Altstadt Salzburg, Hotel Elefant is a historic hotel with beautiful rooms, heated bathrooms, and a breakfast to die for.
- Hotel Bristol Salzburg – The crème de la crème of Salzburgian hotels, Hotel Bristol is totally unique and elegant. A fantastic choice for those who want to feel like royalty during their stay, you can have a massage, relax in the library, get room service, and free non-alcoholic drinks in your room. It’s so classy, you’ll feel like Carrie Bradshaw in Paris!
BONUS: 7 Tips for visiting Salzburg from an expert
Here’s a short list of everything you need to know before you come to Salzburg, tried and tested from a pro!
- Bring cash – Salzburg is a bit behind the times and not everywhere will take your visa or Apple pay, so exchange your money in advance!
- Rent a bike to get around – Salzburg is a small city, so walking is great, but if you want to travel longer distances renting a bike is an eco-friendly way to get around.
- Be sustainable on your travels – carry a reusable water bottle in the summer like this one, as bottles of water in Europe can be expensive! Ensure you bring your own bags as well when you’re shopping, as you have to pay for plastic bags.
- Ensure you have change for public toilets – need to spend a penny on the go? Public toilets in Salzburg aren’t generally free!
- Many people speak English, but learn a few phrases anyway – Austrians love it when you make an effort with the local language. Remember, Austrian is similar to German but not exactly the same! Learn with Mondly like I did, you can download the app and learn on the go!
- Use an e-sim to avoid mobile charges – Using an e-sim is a simpler, faster way to sort your phone out before you travel! Don’t pay hefty local or airport fees for a physical SIM card, just download Airalo and pay as you go like I do.
- Use public transport rather than Uber – Supporting the local economy means living like the locals do! Embrace public transport in Salzburg, it’s not so bad, I promise! You can find bus times here.
FAQs about spending 3 days in Salzburg
🇦🇹 How many days in Salzburg is enough?
A long weekend is enough time to spend in Salzburg as it’s quite a small city! However, if you want to get to grips with the local culture a bit more, I recommend spending a few extra days.
✈️ Is 3 days enough to see Salzburg and Hallstatt?
3 days is definitely enough to see Salzburg and Hallstatt, but if you’re a slow traveler and prefer to take your time with the sights, I recommend 5 days, especially if you want to take day trips from Salzburg! If you are doing a day trip, I recommend doing the cable car at the top of Untersberg mountain, Hellbrunn Palace and the Trick Fountains, or the Eagle’s Nest over Berchtesgaden!
🏩 Where is the best place to stay in Salzburg for Christmas?
The best place to stay in Salzburg for Christmas is Boutique Hotel & Villa Auersperg!
🗺️ Is Salzburg nicer than Vienna?
Salzburg and Vienna are totally different! In my experience, Salzburg is much smaller and quieter than Vienna, so if that’s your scene, you’ll prefer it. Vienna is a bigger city with a more vibrant nightlife and a few more things to do, so if you like to be busy on your vacation, I recommend going to Vienna. Check out these amazing Christmas market hotels in Vienna!
🎵 What is the most famous thing to see in Salzburg?
The most famous thing to see in Salzburg is the birthplace of Mozart. You can get an awesome private tour to walk in the footsteps of Mozart and his contemporaries! If you’re in Salzburg for just one day, this is the place you have to see.
🍂 What is the best month to visit Salzburg
The best month to visit Salzburg is December (for the incredible Christmas markets) or around July if you prefer the summer weather! I also love the weather around mid April in Austria, and the blossoms are so pretty!
🚗 Is Salzburg worth a day trip from Vienna?
Salzburg is definitely worth a day trip from Vienna! I highly recommend seeing both cities as they’re very different and will make your vacation incredible. Take a day trip from Vienna with this incredible day tour – it takes all the stress out of planning and you’ll get to see Hallstatt, too!
🧳 How many days do you need in Salzburg and Vienna?
If you’re visiting Salzburg and Vienna, you need around a week. I recommend doing what I did – spend 3 days in Salzburg and Hallstatt and 3 days in Vienna!
Conclusion
Now you know how to spend an awesome 3 days in Salzburg! With our community-focused local travel itinerary, you’re seeing the real Salzburg behind the tourist traps.
Let me know how it went in the comments! And if you need any more advice, just drop me a line and I’ll be happy to help out.
Gute Reise!
Lizzie
