How to Spend 2 Days in Salzburg – The Perfect Salzburg Itinerary

Salzburg is often overlooked and just used as a quick day trip from Munich or Vienna. I did the same for years – just came for a few hours, walked a bit around, and that was it. But I always had the feeling I was missing something.

So, I went back properly. I did thorough research, talked to locals, and spent 2 full days in Salzburg – and it did not disappoint.

In fact, Salzburg felt almost like an Italian city such as Rome – walkable, full of history, many baroque churches and much richer than it first looks.

This 2 days in Salzburg itinerary shows you where to stay so you’re close to everything, what to see, and in which order to make the most of your time without wasting steps.

I visited all the main attractions, found a few hidden gems, walked more than 25,000 steps/day to fit everything in and see it all. Let`s start

Disclosure: The Always Wanderer is supported by its readers. When you buy something using my links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Where to Stay in Salzburg

Salzburg is a very walkable city, and most of the main sights can easily be explored on foot. For that reason, staying in the Old Town is ideal.

During my two days in Salzburg, I stayed at Apartments Salzburg Bergstrasse, and I don’t think I could have chosen a better place.

We were welcomed with a full bag of Mozartkugeln, everything was spotless, and the place had a warm, family-run feel. I would gladly stay there again.

The apartment is in a great spot: just a couple of minutes from Mirabell Gardens and near St. Sebastian Cemetery. Even though it’s close to the city’s busiest streets, the area itself stays surprisingly quiet.

Transportation in Salzburg

I arrived in Salzburg by train from Munich, and within 15–20 minutes on foot I was already in the Old Town. Salzburg is very easy to reach by train from major cities like Vienna, Budapest, Munich, and Zurich.

If you arrive by car, there`s a small, free parking lot where you can leave your car near the centre (free parking lot).

If you stay overnight, you`ll get the Guest Mobility Ticket for the duration of your stay for free. It allows you to use public transportation within Salzburg when needed.
Note: If your hotel does not provide it, simply ask for it, as it is part of the standard tourist arrangement.

Best Day Trips from Salzburg

The main attractions in Salzburg can be visited within a (quite packed) full day. So, you might as well include one half-day trips to your Salzburg itinerary.

Luckily, there are organized trips every day to the best attractions, so you don’t need any further planning ahead. See the best day trips from Salzburg here.

Hallstatt

Hallstatt is at the top of the bucket list of many and it`s a very popular town to visit. There are day trips to magical Hallstatt every day from Salzburg.

Book your Day Trip to Hallstatt.

Eagle`s Nest (Kehlsteinhaus)

Kehlsteinhaus (Eagle’s Nest) is one of those trips I’d actually tell you not to skip if you’re in Salzburg and even slightly into history, especially the darker side of it.

It’s perched way above Berchtesgaden and the view alone is insane: Watzmann, Königssee, all of it just opens up in front of you.

Yes, it was built in 1938 as a retreat tied to Hitler’s 50th birthday, but honestly, he barely used it. A lot of the stories you hear (like him being scared of lightning or avoiding the elevator) are mostly myths, but the place still carries that heavy historical context that makes it interesting rather than just another mountain stop.

Book your Day Trip to the Eagle`s Nest.

Original Sound of Music Tour

The Original Sound of Music Tour is the most popular day trip from Salzburg, and honestly, even if I haven’t done it myself, it’s the one everyone keeps recommending.

If you’ve seen the movie (yes, real 1965 musical), this is basically a ride through all the filming spots—Mirabell Gardens, Leopoldskron, Hellbrunn, and the church in Mondsee where the wedding scene was shot.

It’s half sightseeing, half nostalgia, and apparently the lake and mountain scenery between stops is just as good as the locations themselves.

If you’re in Salzburg, this is the classic. It’s the highest-rated day trip for a reason.

Book your Day Trip to the Original Sound of Music Tour.

Königssee

To visit the Königssee, it’s best to have a car. If you have one, I’d highly recommend visiting the Königssee (in Germany). It’s the most beautiful lake in the area.

Travel Tip for the Königssee: For the best experience, park in Schönau am Königssee in the morning and take the first boat until Salet (it leaves at around 8.45am). From there, you can walk to Obersee, a place that is so beautiful that it feels unreal.

You won’t regret it – it’s probably Germany`s most magical place.

Best Things To Do in Salzburg in Two Days

Two days in Salzburg are enough see the main sights, but also to include some lesser known places.

If you are plan to visit all major sights and museums in Salzburg, purchase the Salzburg Card. It gives you free entrance to all major attractions and further discounts on some events as well.

Hohensalzburg Fortress

Without a doubt, the best attraction in Salzburg is the Hohensalzburg Fortress. Built in 1077, it’s one of Europe’s oldest fortresses and offers spectacular panoramic views over the entire city and surrounding Alps.

We walked up instead of taking the funicular. Unfortunately, we arrived close to closing time – the museums shut at 5 PM – so we had to rush through.

We still got to see the famous Salzburg Bull, a giant mechanical organ from 1502 that basically acted as Salzburg’s alarm clock back in medieval times, letting people know when it was time to start work.

Maybe because we were rushing, but the museum part didn’t impress me much. The views, however, were absolutely worth it and easily the highlight of the fortress.

Tip: Even after the museums close, you can still access the outdoor courtyards and some great viewpoints.

DomQuartier & the Salzburg Cathedral

The DomQuartier was one of my favourite places in Salzburg, with so many churches, chapels, and historic buildings to see.

We visited countless churches, and of course, the most amazing one was Salzburg Cathedral. My mother even spotted a very old-looking baptismal font there. After reading about it, we found out that Mozart was baptised in that very font!

After that experience, we were so fascinated by Salzburg Cathedral that we revisited it the next day and listened to an organ concert (tickets for only 9 EUR here). The Cathedral is famous for its huge organs, and hearing them live was an amazing experience.

Travel Tip: If you want to see the DomQuartier from above, head to the terrace area of the Stiegl-Keller. It’s one of the best hidden photo spots in the entire city.

Mirabell Gardens

Mirabell Gardens is one of the nicest places for a morning walk in Salzburg. Since our accommodation (this is where we stayed) was nearby, we passed through several times during our stay and always enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere.

The Mirabell Garden is free to visit, and you can also enter Mirabell Palace for free. If you’re exploring Salzburg’s Old Town, it’s an easy stop to add to your itinerary.

St. Sebastian Cemetery

A true hidden gem in Salzburg, St. Sebastian Cemetery is the burial place of Mozart’s father, Leopold Mozart, and his wife, Constanze Mozart.

What I loved most was how hidden and peaceful it feels despite being just steps away from the busy shopping streets and cafés of the Old Town.

It’s the perfect place to slow down for a few minutes and experience a quieter side of Salzburg.

Confiserie Fürst

No trip to Salzburg is complete without trying the original Mozartkugel from Confiserie Fürst. You’ll see Mozartkugeln sold all over the city, but the original version was created here by Salzburg confectioner Paul Fürst in 1890 and is still considered the authentic one today.

We bought some to take home and, after comparing them with the versions sold in the grocery stores, the difference was obvious. The original tastes richer, fresher, and much higher quality. My mum and I absolutely loved them.

If you’re only going to try Mozartkugel in Salzburg, make sure it’s the original from Confiserie Fürst. Read more about the history of the original Mozartkugel here.

Mozart`s Birthplace

Mozart’s Birthplace is a great indoor activity in Salzburg, especially if the weather isn’t on your side. I have to admit, we haven’t properly visited it yet — it was the first real summer weekend, and we simply wanted to be outside.

We did pass by the building and popped in for a few minutes, but I rarely choose museums or indoor attractions when the weather is good.

Untersberg

If you have more time in Salzburg during the warmer months, consider visiting Untersberg. You can take bus #25 to the Untersberg Bahn (cable car) station, then ride the cable car up the mountain.

Untersberg is one of my favourite mountains near Salzburg — I even spent a night at Stöhrhaus once. On long summer days, you can take the cable car up, hike to Stöhrhaus in around 2-3 hours, have lunch there, and return to the cable car station.

It’s best visited between June and the end of September, when the mountain is usually snow-free.
Check Untersberg Bahn Timetable here.

Where to eat in Salzburg

If you’re planning two days in Salzburg, these were our favorite food spots:

Breakfast & Lunch

We loved grabbing breakfast and quick lunches from Backwerk – a small bistro-style spot offering fresh sandwiches, pastries, granola, fruit, and salads. It was healthy, affordable, and perfect for busy sightseeing days.

For coffee and brunch, locals consistently recommended Lieblingsplatz. It has a relaxed atmosphere, great coffee, and delicious brunch options.

Dinner

Stieglkeller was my personal favourite restaurant in Salzburg because of its terrace was overlooking the DomQuartier so it felt like a hidden, but best photospot. Along with traditional Austrian dishes, it’s where we tried the famous Salzburger Nockerl, the city’s signature sweet dessert.

Alter Fuchs is another excellent choice. We treated ourselves to a Wiener Schnitzel and loved discovering the restaurant’s hidden garden, which made the experience even more special.

Try a Bosna

A Bosna is one of Salzburg’s most famous street foods, and locals often recommend Balkan Grill Walter for the original version. We gave it a try after seeing the constant queue outside. While it wasn’t our favorite meal, it’s definitely a local classic worth trying during your Salzburg itinerary.

For Those With a Sweet Tooth

If you love desserts, Salzburg is going to be dangerous in the best possible way. The must-try sweet treat is Salzburger Nockerl, a light, fluffy soufflé-like dessert that is unique to Salzburg.

Of course, you also can’t leave without trying an original Mozartkugel from Confiserie Fürst and a slice of Sachertorte from one of the city’s traditional cafés and confectioneries.

What surprised me most was how many tempting pastry shops there were throughout the city centre. Everywhere we looked, there seemed to be displays filled with apple strudels, cinnamon buns, and other Austrian pastries.

If you’re spending two days in Salzburg, make sure to leave room for dessert.

Read My Further Travel Guides

Austria:
Plansee – one of the best viewpoints above the lake
How to visit the Dalfazer Waterfall at Achensee

Germany:
5 Days in Munich Itinerary – from a local
How to hike to Schrecksee in Germany
Best Hikes in Bavaria, Germany