Salzburg Walking Routes

Walking in Salzburg

Salzburg is small enough that two walks cover most of what visitors come for. The first is a circuit of the old town; the second follows the ridge of the Mönchsberg above it. Both are suitable for most fitness levels and need no ticket, apart from optional lift rides.

Route 1: the old town circuit

Distance about 3 km, allow 2 to 2.5 hours without museum stops.

  1. Start in Mirabell Gardens, where the fortress is framed by statues and hedges.
  2. Cross the river on the Makartsteg footbridge, which is covered in love locks.
  3. Walk down Getreidegasse to Mozart’s Birthplace at number 9. Entry is EUR 18 for adults if you go in.
  4. Cut through one of the covered passages to Universitätsplatz, where the Grünmarkt has fruit, cheese and bread stalls.
  5. Continue to Alter Markt for the old court pharmacy and Café Tomaselli.
  6. Enter Residenzplatz. A memorial in the paving remembers the book burning of 30 April 1938. Pause here for a moment before moving on.
  7. Pass under the arches to Domplatz and the cathedral, free to enter with a donation requested.
  8. Finish through Kapitelplatz to St. Peter’s cemetery and catacombs. The cemetery is free and the catacombs cost about EUR 2.

Stolpersteine, small brass plates set into old town pavements, mark the last homes of people persecuted by the Nazi regime. They are not a sightseeing game, so stop only when you want to read a name.

Route 2: the Mönchsberg ridge

Distance about 4 km, allow 1.5 to 2 hours.

  1. Begin below Hohensalzburg Fortress and climb to the wooded ridge.
  2. Follow the path along the top past the old Bürgerwehr defensive towers and through pine woods.
  3. Reach the Museum der Moderne terrace, which looks over the old town, the river bends and the Kapuzinerberg hill.
  4. Go down by the Mönchsberg lift, a 30 second ride into Gstättengasse that costs EUR 3.40 single or EUR 4.80 return, or take the stairs toward the Augustiner Bräustübl.

Wear shoes with grip. The ridge path can be wet or icy from late autumn into spring, and it gets dark early in winter.

Tips

  • Early morning is the quietest time on Getreidegasse and in the squares.
  • Cobbles are uneven and hard on pushchairs. Use the lift or main roads.
  • Rain is common. Covered passages and churches give shelter.
  • Public toilets are scarce in the centre; use a café.
  • A 24 hour Salzburg Card gives free city buses and entry to the lift, but not to the regional trains.
  • Salzburg’s river path is a promenade, not a place for swimming or boating.

Read more: Salzburg sightseeing and solo activities .

Official information: 5schaetze Mönchsberg lift fares and Salzburg Card prices . If you prefer a guide, see Salzburg walking tours on GetYourGuide .