6 Things You Must Do In Salzburg

Whether you prefer an active holiday spent exploring the landscape by hiking or skiing, or a laid-back trip exploring museums and galleries, these tips will help you have an unforgettable trip to the Austrian city of Salzburg. Read on to discover the best things to see and do.

# Swim outdoors

Salzburg can get scorching hot in the summer months. What better way to cool off than by going for a dip outside? The Salzach River, though cool and enticing, is off-limits to bathers because of the strong currents, but Salzburg boasts three central outdoor swimming pools, including one adventure pool in Leopoldskron. If you have a free afternoon, kick back poolside while enjoying the mountainous location. Most pools also have a volleyball court and café, so why not make an afternoon of it? You can also travel to the nearby lakeside town of Fuschlsee.

# Take a stroll on Mönchsberg

A 20-minute climb, the views from the top of Mönchsberg are awe-inspiring. To reach the hill from the Old Town, take the steps up past the Nonnberg Convent and head in the direction of the castle (which sits on the Festungsberg, the adjoining hill). Whether you decide to go in or not, you can still appreciate both the view over the rooftops of Salzburg and, looking in the other direction, the beginning of the imposing Austrian Alps. The trip can be extended to an hour-long walk, which takes you to the Augustiner Brewery at the other end of Mönchsberg or simply back down into the city.

# Visit the Stiegl Brewery

An ideal trip for a rainy day, the Stiegl Brewery is home to Salzburg’s most popular beer. This brewery is located a short bus ride away from the centre of town, in the direction of the airport, and contains various exhibitions and the offer of a beer-tasting session at the end of the tour. The museum takes you through the brewing process, the various advertising campaigns and gives you a brief history of Austrian beer culture. All the production is done locally, with the water for the brewing process sourced from the mountains nearby. If you’re feeling peckish or thirsty, Stiegl also has a restaurant and beer garden attached.

# Visit the DomQuartier Museum

If you’re only going to visit one museum in Salzburg, then the DomQuartier Museum is the one to go for. Located in the heart of the Old Town, this museum combines five smaller museums in one space, giving you real value for your money. The Residenz Palace will be fascinating for those interested in Austrian history, and the guided tour gives you an exclusive view of the cathedral from the upper gallery. The terrace linking the Residenz and the cathedral spans across the two main squares in the Old Town, so be sure to take your time to enjoy the curious architecture.

# Enjoy a traditional breakfast

Having a decent breakfast is imperative when on holiday. With a strong heritage of café culture, it’s a great idea to spend a leisurely hour (or two) in the morning enjoying a coffee and a generous breakfast spread. If you’ve got a particularly jam-packed day ahead, go the whole hog and indulge in an Austrian breakfast made up of cheese, cold meats, rolls and croissants, jam, muesli and yoghurt. With a huge range of cafés to choose from, you could go to a different one each morning.

# Discover the Haus der Natur Museum

For those with kids, or the young at heart, this museum makes for a fun afternoon. Containing extensive and interactive exhibitions, Haus der Natur has something for everyone, with exhibits on subjects such as space, energy, music and technology, as well as an aquarium and reptile house. Perfect for a rainy day, Haus der Natur is centrally located and also boasts a cosy and inexpensive café, serving some of the best all-day breakfast in the city.