Top Day Trips from Salzburg
One glance at Salzburg’s fanciful baroque palaces and domes, its mountain backdrop, and its insanely turquoise river, and you’ll be captivated. However, when the streets heave in peak summer, there’s plenty to see (and far more peace to be had) just a quick train ride or drive away from the city.
The scenery surrounding Salzburg is breathtaking, whether it’s the looking-glass lakes of Salzkammergut – inspiration for everyone from painter Klimt to Hollywood directors – or the colossal snow-capped mountains sliding into your rear-view mirror on the Grossglockner Road.
Moreover, Celtic heritage, ice caves, and salt mines with 7000 years of history are right on Salzburg’s doorstep. Discover the best day trips from the city celebrated as the ‘Stage of the World.’
Werfen
Why go? To delve into ice caves and soak up Sound of Music vibes.
Werfen is a heart-stealer, with the limestone spires of the Tennengebirge range soaring above the river-woven Salzach Valley. Even in summer, you’ll find a frosty reception at the world’s largest accessible ice caves at Eisriesenwelt, a Narnia-like wonderland of twinkling ice burrowing deep into the heart of the mountains.
A cable car transports you to the trail leading to the caves, so ensure to wear an extra layer before joining a tour – it can feel like a fridge inside! With a carbide lamp, you’ll explore pitch-black tunnels and cavernous halls, where frozen sculptures, columns, and curtains of icicles shimmer when illuminated by magnesium flares.
The caves are just the tip of the iceberg, however. Get an early start to also visit the cliffhanger castle Burg Hohenwerfen, which has presided over the valley for 900 years. Or embrace your inner Maria while strolling along the 1.4km (0.9-mile) Sound of Music Trail, weaving through lush meadows from the village center to the Gschwandtanger viewpoint.
If possible, enjoy lunch or dinner at Obauer, one of the region’s finest restaurants, utilizing fabulous kitchen gardens to create seasonal dishes, like Werfen lamb with nettle dumplings and smoked beans.
How to get to Werfen: Fast trains run hourly from Salzburg to Werfen (€9.30, 40 minutes). Buses leave Werfen train station at scheduled times and stop at Eisriesenwelt car park, which is a 20-minute walk from the cable car station. The last return bus departs at 4:32pm. Allow at least three hours for the return trip.
Hellbrunn
Why go: For a glimpse into the lavish lifestyle of Salzburg’s royals, Austria’s original party people.
Many of Salzburg’s prince-archbishops were preoccupied with divine matters, but not Markus Sittikus, Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg from 1612 until his death in 1619. Markus had a playful side and loved throwing lively parties at Schloss Hellbrunn.
Located on the outskirts of Salzburg, this lemon-fronted Italianate palace resembles a Disney princess’s residence, but it was where the prince-archbishop escaped his religious duties, inviting clergy to feast and revel in gardens filled with exotic trees, muses, and trick fountains.
You can experience these hedonistic times on a guided tour of the Wasserspiele (trick fountains). Pick a warm day and be prepared to get soaked as you stroll past mock Roman ruins, grottoes, and mechanical theaters.
Don’t rush off after visiting the palace; the surrounding gardens make for an ideal picnic spot, featuring tree-canopied avenues, ponds, and sculptures. Here, you’ll discover the lovely pavilion that formed the backdrop to the song Sixteen Going on Seventeen in The Sound of Music.
How to get to Hellbrunn: Hellbrunn is 4.5km (2.8 miles) south of Salzburg. Reachable via a scenic 20-minute bike ride (mostly along the Salzach River) or a 15-minute ride on Bus 25 (€2.20, every 20 minutes), departing from Mozartsteg/Rudolfskai in the Altstadt.
Hallein
Why go? History, mining relics, and museums dedicated to Celtic heritage and music.
For some mysterious reason, Hallein has mostly eluded the tourist spotlight, despite its evident late-medieval charms. You could easily spend a full day here as the town is rich in history. Begin your adventure at Salzwelten, the town’s historic salt mine, operational for 2600 years.
Salzburg’s prosperity was built on salt – or ‘white gold’ – extracted here; its wealth filled the princely coffers for centuries. Don a boiler suit and prepare for an underground tour, traveling through dark passages on trains, miners’ slides, and across an atmospherically lit salt lake.
To dive into the region’s Celtic heritage, visit the Keltenmuseum, which presents a fascinating chronological journey through the area’s history. Vaulted rooms display remarkable finds, from Bronze Age helmets to Celtic gold torques and the “Mannes im Salz,” mummified remains of a prehistoric salt-miner.
Hallein’s more festive association comes from the Stille Nacht Museum, located in the home of Franz Xaver Gruber, the composer of Silent Night, for 28 years. Next to the parish church, the museum tells the story of this beloved carol – Franz composed the melody on his guitar, displayed here from 1818.
Take a creative break with brunch and locally roasted coffee at the artistic and laid-back Pan Café.
How to get to Hallein: Located 18km south of Salzburg near the German border, Hallein is accessible via the B150 and A10 toward Graz/Villach. Using public transport, it’s a 25-minute train ride from Salzburg, with departures roughly every 30 minutes (€5.10). An hourly bus connects the train station to the salt mine.
Grossglockner Road
Why go? For stunning views on one of Europe’s most dramatic Alpine roads.
If you only have time for one road trip, make it the legendary Grossglockner Road, serving up 48km (30 miles) of exhilarating hairpin bends, glaciers, crashing waterfalls, and sapphire-blue lakes. Depart Salzburg at dawn to beat the crowds (the route can get extremely busy in summer), ensuring you enjoy one of the loveliest drives in the Alps.
With 9% gradients and 36 tight bends, confident driving is required. However, if driving seems challenging, spare a thought for the cyclists battling their way to the summit! Highlights abound; the view from the Edelweissspitze, the road’s highest point at 2571m (8435ft), will leave you in awe as you gaze at a shimmering sea of snow-capped peaks.
Pause at Heiligenblut, where the needle-thin spire of a 15th-century pilgrimage church seems to reach for the heavens. Lower your window and listen for the whistling of marmots and the shrill calls of eagles as you cruise toward the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe lookout. This elevated viewpoint sits just below the Grossglockner, Austria’s highest peak at 3798m (12,461ft), and the retreating Pasterze Glacier.
How to get to the Grossglockner Road: The Grossglockner Road starts in Fusch, approximately a 90-minute drive south of Salzburg via the A10 and B311. The route is generally open from early May to early November, so choose a clear weather day for the drive, as it’s less enjoyable in rain or snow. A day ticket for a car costs €38.
Hallstatt
Why go? For lake and mountain views and a deep dive into mining history.
The picture-perfect Hallstätter See lake beckons visitors to gaze in wonder at the steep forested mountains diving into its inky blue-green waters. You can hike, swim, or relax, or visit the beautiful village of Hallstatt, where pastel-painted chalets hug the shoreline closely. While it’s charming, be aware that it attracts significant crowds in summer; consider planning your trip for spring or autumn.
A funicular ascends over Hallstatt to the unmissable Salzwelten salt mines. A visit takes you deep into the mountain, featuring miner’s slides, tunnels, and subterranean salt lakes. Dress appropriately, as the ground can be rough underfoot and the mine’s temperature remains around 8°C (46°F) year-round. While here, don’t miss the Skywalk, a viewpoint 360m (1181ft) above the water, offering breathtaking views of the fjord-like lake and surrounding mountains.
For further historical context, visit the village’s World Heritage Museum, which takes you back 7000 years to the origins of salt mining. Come lunchtime, consider dining at Restaurant zum Salzbaron for stunning lake views and fresh fish.
How to get to Hallstatt: From Salzburg, take a bus to Bad Ischl (€11.30, 1.5 hours), connecting with a train to Hallstatt (€6, 20 minutes). Boats frequently service the journey from the train station to the village (€3.50, 10 minutes). Alternatively, it’s just over an hour’s drive from Salzburg via the A1/B158.
Obertraun–Dachstein
Why go? For giant caves and towering landscapes.
The highlight of Obertraun is the Dachstein Caves, two extraordinary caverns extending up to 70km (44 miles) underground. A cable car rides over Alpine meadows to the Schönenbergalm, positioned at 1350m (4429ft) above sea level, from where you can walk to the top in about 15 minutes.
Tours of the two caves last roughly an hour. First is the Dachstein Rieseneishöhle (Dachstein Giant Ice Cave), featuring stunningly lit ice formations—dress warmly! The second is the Mammuthöhle (Mammoth Cave), one of the world’s most extensive limestone caves, presenting an eerie labyrinth of sculpted karst formations.
Additionally, another cable car climbs to Krippenstein at 2019m (6624ft), where the “5 Fingers” viewing platform juts out over a steep cliff edge. The five uniquely shaped platforms resemble an enormous diving board, offering dizzying views of the lake and mountains below.
How to get to Obertraun–Dachstein: It’s a long day trip, so start early. Hourly trains run from Salzburg to Obertraun Dachsteinhöhlen station (€29.40, 2.5 hours). It’s quicker by road: roughly a 1.25-hour drive southeast of Salzburg via the A10.
Salzkammergut Lakes
Why go? For stunning lake views close to Salzburg.
If Hallstatt feels too distant, you can experience the Salzkammergut region by visiting a few lakes nearby. The scenery here is astonishing – shimmering pools of jewel-like greens and blues surrounded by forests and Alpine peaks, with church-topped villages appearing as tiny toys against the magnificent backdrop. In summer, the area buzzes with holiday energy, as locals and visitors mingle on the beach over ice cream and water sports.
The crescent-shaped Mondsee draws attention for its butter-yellow twin-spired basilica, famous for its feature in The Sound of Music wedding scene. Nevertheless, it deserves recognition for its Neolithic pile dwellings dating back to 4000 BCE.
Another nearby lake, Attersee, offers a quieter experience. While it may lack towering mountains, it compensates with turquoise waters ideal for swimming and stand-up paddleboarding. The Viennese painter Gustav Klimt adored this lake, and you can stroll along a 2km (1.2-mile) themed trail showcasing prints of his works.
Surrounded by mountains, Wolfgangsee is perhaps the most breathtaking of all, but it draws crowds. Avoid the high season to enjoy its serene beauty. Make sure to visit the stunning pilgrimage church in St Wolfgang and experience the incredible views from the summit of 1783m (5850ft) Schafberg, reached via Austria’s steepest cogwheel railway since 1893.
How to get to the Salzkammergut Lakes: Buses from Salzburg serve the lakes – the trip to Mondsee (€7.30) takes 55 minutes. If you wish to visit more than one lake in a day, consider hiring a vehicle. Driving allows you to reach Wolfgangsee in approximately half an hour.
Berchtesgaden
Why go? For a German perspective of the glorious Alps.
A day trip into Germany? Why not? At the junction where Austria meets the Bavarian Alps, you’ll discover some of the most dramatic scenery around. Who can resist sneaking over to the incredibly beautiful district of Berchtesgaden, nestled in Germany’s southeastern corner?
Here, mythic mountains, including the dramatic Watzmann at 2713m (8901ft), create sheer rock walls framing what is undoubtedly Germany’s most exquisite lake. The fjord-like Königssee sparkles in ethereal turquoise, resembling a postcard scene.
A must-do is the boat tour from Schönenau at the lake’s northern end to the bauble-domed pilgrimage chapel of St Bartholomä. Listen as the captain plays a horn toward the aptly named Echo Wall, which reverberates echoes seven times. From the chapel, enjoy an hour’s trek to the Eiskapelle (Ice Chapel), remnants of a collapsed glacier at the base of Watzmann’s formidable east wall.
High above it all, perched on 1834m (6017ft) Kehlstein is the Eagle’s Nest, a lodge controversially gifted to Hitler on his 50th birthday in 1939. Around 3000 workers took two years to carve the vertiginous 6km mountain road and create a hole through the rock for a brass-paneled lift.
How to get to Berchtesgaden: Bus 840 operates frequently between Salzburg and Berchtesgaden (€6.20, 50 minutes). Alternatively, it’s around a 40-minute drive south via the B305. From Berchtesgaden, drive or take bus 838 to the Eagle’s Nest shuttle bus stop.
