Besides Mozart and Sound of Music Salzburg’s old town perseveres a lot of history and is a UNESCO world heritage site. This green city guide will give you an insight into Salzburg from a local and recommendations on activities beyond the typical tourist tours. Additionally, you will find a list of the town’s eco-friendly accommodations and organic restaurants.
The historical city center of Salzburg is famous all over the world for various reasons. The two most important are probably Mozart – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, a classical music composer born in Salzburg that attracted thousands of Asian visitors (the years before the pandemic). And the movie Sound of Music – a very well-known musical movie for American, British and Australian tourists. If you will ask Austrians who aren’t involved in the tourism industry, they most likely don’t know the movie. I only know the German version.
Salzburg is 4th biggest city in Austria and relatively small, considering its worldwide recognition. It has also lots of green space and recreational areas. The locals’ value that the alps aren’t far, as well as the central location in Austria and Europe. It’s very easy to travel any directions from the city and even in an eco-friendly way, by public transportation.
Salzburgs rich history
Salzburg’s name: It is made up of two words, SALZ, in English, it means salt, and BURG means fortress.
Salzburg was an independent state ruled by prince-archbishops from 1400-1800. The bishops become wealthy from the salt of the salt mines, which are in the south of the city, in Hallein. So, the archbishops built many monuments in and around the city, some examples are the Mirabell Palace, Hellbrunn Palace, Salzburg Fortress, many churches and monasteries. Therefore, Salzburg was also called the Rome of the north. Later Salzburg joined the Austrian Empire, then the Kingdom of Bavaria, and back to the Austrian-Hungarian Empire. The first tourists come to visit Salzburg at the end of the 18th century.
In the early 19th century, the first classical music festival was held. Since then, the Salzburg Festival (Salzburger Festspiele) has been a major event for the city and attracts many visitors. This festival takes place in July and August. These two months are considered the high tourist season for Salzburg.
Best way to get around Salzburg for sustainable travelers
Salzburg is totally walkable if you want to stroll the streets of the old town (pedestrian zone) and the Mirabel Garden. Public transportation in Salzburg is well-equipped with trolley buses that run on electricity. This is a way to explore Salzburg in an eco-friendly way, the busses run with a 10 min interval during the week and during the weekends 15-20 min.
It is important to know that the trolleybuses are city buses and that the routes of the larger buses run from the city to the surrounding districts and towns.
The cheapest option to buy a ticket is at the ticket machines that are at most bigger bus stops or at the so-called Trafik, a shop that sells cigarettes and newspapers.
Many locals used their bicycles for transportation, bike lines are well developed, and due to the size of the city, it is fast to go by bicycle from A to B. For bike rentals, you could ask at your place of accommodation. Or check with one of the bike rentals in the city center between the bridges Marko-Feingold-Steg and Staatsbrücke on the old town side. Unfortunately, Salzburg does not have bike rental stations all over the town, like other big European cities.
The green side of the Salzburg – activities in nature
Hellbrunn Palace and Park
This palace got built in the 17th century by the Prince-Archbishop Markus-Sittikus. In the palace, there is a folklore museum. A big park assigning area has fishponds, a playground and a big meadow. The tricky fountains attract many visitors in summer and seem like a fun and educational activity for hot summer days. What is still a hidden gem of the park is the stone theater in the forest of the Hellbrunner Berg, the small hill at the green area. From this hill, you can enjoy beautiful views. A few more steps into the forest will find a stone theater used for performances starting in the 16th century up till today (not used frequently).
The Hellbrunn Palace and Park are reachable by bus or via the Hellbrunner Allee, a broad 2,5 kilometer (15,5 miles) long avenue accessible for walkers, horse riders, and cyclists. This avenue also dates back to the 17th century and is one of the oldest stately avenues of Central Europe of its kind.
Glasenbachklamm – A gorge not far from Salzburg
Almost outside of Salzburg, in Elsbethen but easy to reach either by train or bus you can cool down on a hot summer day. That is a perfect activity for you if you want to get outside the city center for a natural activity that is not too far. At the gorge, you can find fossils and learn more about them on display boards throughout the walk. Note: after rainy days the path can get very muddy.
Viewpoints at Salzburg city center
To get to the top of the Mönchsberg you can use the elevator (at the Museum of Modern Art) or you can walk uphill. The Mönchsberg leads to the Festungsberg, the hill where the fortress of Salzburg is located. Walking from one end of the hill to the other takes around 20-30 minutes. This is a favorite activity by tourists and locals on the way are multiple viewpoints and two restaurants.
The opposite of the Mönchsberg is the Kapuzinerberg. Once you climbed the steep stairs, you get rewarded with a fantastic view over the old town. Insider tip: go there for sunset. If you continue to walk up the hill, you will reach the Franziskischlössl, after a 20- 30 min walk. This former defense building is now a restaurant. From there you have a different view of the city. During the December weekends, there is even a small, lovely Christmas market in the courtyard of the Franziskischlössl.
Intermedia hikes near Salzburg
In the north of Salzburg is a small hill with a baroque pilgrimage church: Maria Plain is more of a walk than a hike, as the tour takes only an hour. From the church, you can have a fabulous view of the city with the alps in the background. To reach the starting point of the hike take the city bus number 6 to Salzburg Plainbrücke.
The Nockstein is a famous rock peak for many locals not only for a small after-work-hike but also for a weekend hangout spot. The hike is doable for beginners and takes around 2-3 hours including the return. At the top, you can enjoy the view of Salzburg and the mountains of the Salzkammergut. As it can get crowded during the weekend I would recommend going there during the week. You can reach the starting point by bus number 150 or 155, the bus stop is Koppl bei Salzburg/Gruberfeldsiedlung.
Gaisberg is a more demanding hike with a duration of 5-6 hours including the return. Note that there are multiple tracks up the Gaisberg. Before you reach the top, you can take in the views at the circular route around the mountain. Gaisberg is a popular spot for sunset, as it is also possible to drive up by car or even bus. The bus line number 151 goes up the mountain, keep in mind that the last bus is around 7 pm.
Parks and park facilities in Salzburg
Salzburg’s parks have usually many facilities such as children’s playgrounds, volleyball courts, basketball courts, ping pong tables, restrooms, workout stations, and restrooms.
The Volksgarten got renovated and now shines in a new light. In that green area of the city, you can find a big playground, a workout station, volleyball courts, and even a wall for bouldering. There are some events in the park, in summer Live im Park and during winter the Winter Fest. The Glanspitz and Hans-Donnenberg-Park are two other parks that are worth visiting, both suitable for slacklining. The latter is considerably bigger.
In the district Leopoldskron, you can find the famous Palace Leopoldskron that overlooks the pond. That is a great photo spot to capture the palace and the fortress from another angel. Unfortunately, you can’t just check out the Palace as it is a seminar and hotel. But you can walk along the pond. Next to it is a little forest with a walking path and workout stations. In case you get hungry there is a local bakery nearby called Holzrattner.
The waters of Salzburg – refreshing dips around the city
Waldbad – Forest lake
A small natural lake in the south of the city a very popular with locals during hot summer days. The water of the forest lake is really refreshing. Here you pay an entrance fee of 7 Euros. Facilities at the lake area are a restaurant, bathrooms, a volleyball court, and wooden bridges along the shore. If you get bored of sunbathing, try wakeboarding or exploring the forest on the high ropes course. During evening hours the entrance fee is reduced.
Close to the Waldbad is the Königsseer Ache, which is a river, so the water is also relatively fresh. This river comes from the Königsseee in Germany and is before it flows into the Salzach very broad and offers stone beaches to relax in the green and enjoy a dip. If you borrow a bicycle and ride along the Salzach you can reach Waldbad within 30-40 minutes from the city center. To reach Waldbad or Königssee by public transportation isn’t easy. You can take the train, S3 towards Hallein or Golling and exit at Puch/Urstein, from there you walk 25 minutes along the Salzach to reach the Waldbad. You can also take some buses, but the train is the fastest option.
The rivers in Salzburg
The Almkanal is an artificial water channel. This channel was a vital water supply system in the past. Nowadays, it is a recreational area. Even though of its strong current people swim in it and there is also a surf wave further south. Every year in September, the channel is waterless for cleaning and you can walk through it on guided tours.
The Salzach, the main river of Salzburg, can’t be missed. A hangout spot for many young residents. Not recommended for swimming, but if you just want to dive in, find a spot outside of the city center.
Salzachseen is a recreational area located north of Salzburg. Here you can watch wildlife, sunbathe, hang up your hammock or take a bath.
Public pools – Salzburg also has various public pools, including the Freibad Leopoldskron, Volksgartenbad and the Alpenstraße. The city of Salzburg also has an infinity pool with a city view at the Paracelsus bath in the Mirabelgarten.
How to shop sustainable in Salzburg
Salzburg has a few eco-friendly and local shopping options, like markets and various stores. A weekly farmers market, the so-called Schranne takes place every Thursday morning till noon around the Andräkirche at the Mirabellsquare. The Grünmarkt is a daily market from Monday to Saturday at University square. Here farmer from the surrounding areas sells their products such as bread, cheese, meat, vegetables, fruits, chocolate, oils, hand cream, gloves, socks, flowers, .. . Salzburg has a few zero waste shops: Damn Plastic is a great store in the old town with plastic free and upcycled products. Wild & Nackig is the newest zero-waste store that sells regional and organic groceries. Probably not so interesting for tourists but if you stay a longer time in Salzburg at the city borders are many farmers that sell products at the farm, it’s called Ab-Hof-Verkauf.
For unique souvenirs, I recommend the following shops: Salzburg Schenkt anders, ‘sFachl, Sonnentor and Konditorei Fürst.
Bread and pastries are something special in Austria. Unfortunately, traditional bakeries struggle to survive in the market due to the growing number of supermarket bakeries or cheap chain bakeries and their lower prices. Traditional bakeries in Austria feel the pressure to compete with these companies. An example of my hometown, a trendy bakery decreased its quality but did not lower prices. But to support traditional bakeries you can buy products from the following bakeries.
The oldest bakery of Salzburg is near the fortress cable car entrance: The Stiftsbäckerei St. Peter. Other traditional bakeries are Bäckerei Pföss, Bäckerei Ursprunger, Bäckerei Holzrattner, Elixhausener Landbäckerei and Bäckerei Funder.
The green guide for eating out – Organic Restaurants in Salzburg
These organic restaurants use mostly organic products and work with suppliers of the region. I have eaten in many of them and can recommend you enjoy your meal at one of those organic restaurants in Salzburg.
- Afro Café | lunch and breakfast; salad, bowls and wraps, vegetarian and vegan options
- Bio-Burger-Meister | burger, fries and salad
- Das Ludwig | burger and breakfast; vegetarian and vegan options
- Eiswerk.bio | ice cream
- Fit.smart food | bowls, burger and wraps; vegetarian and vegan options
- Green Garden | breakfast and dinner; vegetarian and vegan only
- Gustav | regional products; vegan bistro
- Humbolt | traditional Austrian dishes; vegetarian and vegan options
- Leichtsinn | breakfast and lunch; salads, soups and cakes; vegetarian and vegan options
- Mama Earth | vegan pizza
- Organic Pizza | only pizza; vegetarian and vegan options
- Spicy Spices | Indian dishes vegetarian and vegan only
- The Heart of Joy | breakfast, lunch; wraps, bowls & cakes; vegetarian and vegan only
- The Keep Restaurant | breakfast and lunch; vegetarian and vegan only
- Urbankeller | traditional Austrian dishes and more; vegetarian and vegan options
- Zum Eulenspiegel | traditional Austrian dishes, high class
Sleep green in Salzburg – accommodations with a green mindset
Hotels with a focus on sustainability:
- Bio-Hotel Villa Auersperg | natural materials furniture, donations to aid programs, organic breakfast
- Das Grüne Hotel zur Post | usage of sustainable resources, vegan breakfast option
- Eco-Suite Hotel | self-generated energy through the waste water and photovoltaic
- The Keep Residence | optimizing resources by reusing or upcycling, vegan restaurant
As a former receptionist of two hotels in Salzburg I want to add: That these accommodations I mentioned above have some awards to do things that are better for the environment or local community. However, some hotels do not have an award but do make small changes for the better (buying sustainable hygiene products, reduction of single used plastic, order food only from local suppliers,…). Not every company can have a green label but maybe they are on the way to get one. If you want to know if a curtain hotel takes efforts to be more sustainable just ask them.
The best day trips from Salzburg
Salzburg’s surroundings have so much to offer, you can live there for several years and still discover something new daily. Hallstatt is probably the most popular day trip destination for Salzburg visitors. However in my opinion it’s overrated (but what can I see in regards to alpine lake towns, I’m spoiled).
Just so you know the population of Hallstatt is decreasing and excessive tourism took overhand the years before 2020. If you have a chance stay longer in Hallstatt than just a day. Another alpine town that’s worth more than a day trip is Bad Gastein. A historically important town with hot mineral springs.
Bluntautal – Bluntau Valley and Gollinger Waterfall
Just a train ride away, you can enjoy the beautiful alpine nature. It is for sure my favorite green escape from the city. At the Bluntautal you can take a leisurely walk in the forest around the fishponds and the clear creek, enjoy the view, and explore the waterfall and the natural spring. Or simply have a picnic and relax on a warm summer day. From the train station Golling, it is a 30-40 minute walk.
Near the Bluntautal you can find a beautiful waterfall – The Gollinger Waterfall. I can recommend this excursion for families as the short path from the entrance gate to the waterfall has exploratory features for kids. For everyone who wants to do a hike, you can go from here to the Kleine Göll (1756 masl). It is about 6 hours tour, including the return.
Salzkammergut – Lake Area
An area of around 76 lakes within three federal states of Austria, northeast of Salzburg city. Easy reachable and sustainable by bus or train. This green area has so much more to offer than its famous lakes Lake Fuschl and Wolfgangsee. In the surrounding area are hiking trails, and the lakes offer various water activities. If you haven’t enough time, the lakes closest to Salzburg are the Fuschlsee (41 min by bus), Mattsee (42 min by bus) or Wallersee (17 min by train).
Bad Reichenhall – Bavarian town
Bad Reichenhall has a lovely town center and a beautiful park. The Kurgarten has the world’s biggest outdoor inhalatorium and it is free of charge. If you have asthma or want to breathe in this refreshing sole air, go there and take a breath. It is a unique experience.
For everyone who is looking for a mountain adventure, Bad Reichenhall has it all: The Predigtstuhl is a mountain peak that you can reach by cable car from the city or of course on foot on a hiking path. For a bad weather day, the thermal bath called Rupertustherme is a perfect activity.
Bad Reichenhall is also a perfect stop-off when you are going to the Köngissee.
Gut Aiderbichl
At Gut Aiderbichl are all kinds of animals that have been wounded and found a new home on the farm. Animal welfare is a priority here. You can visit the farm, the entrance fee is 10,50 Euros or you can even become a godparent to an animal. To reach the farm you can take bus 130 and exit at Gersbach, from there the farm shuttle will pick you up.
Untersberg – the house mountain of Salzburg
Most visitors take the cable car to the top, where a breathtaking view awaits them. But most visitors do not know the secrets of this mountain. The Untersberg myths are about time holes that are located on the mountain. Some legends tell that a whole wedding party got lost in the mountain and that an emperor sleeps in the mountain. But don’t worry, these are just fables. The Untersberg has many caves and even a small ice cave, the Schellenberger Eishöhle, if you are interested you can book a tour there.
For hiking, you will find various routes up the Untersberg, be aware that it is steep and can be considered a whole-day tour, depending on your fitness level.
Helpful links
Trolley buses in the city. Public transportation for day trips: bus and train.
Hiking routes. The offical tourist board Salzburg website.
Extended Salzburg Guide (German only):
Guide for families (German only):
What an awesome travel guide, Lisi! Salzburg sounds right up our ally with the history, hiking, organic restaurants, and pools. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much Ashlee, glad you like it 🙂
Even if the world has paused, I look forward to keeping my travel bucket list growing and hope for the day when we can travel freely again. Till then, posts like yours offer optimism to keep a lookout for unique destinations for travel in the future. Thanks for sharing an in-depth guide on Salzburg.
Thank you so much for your feedback. Appreciate it!