Salzburg City Guide

Mirabell, Altstadt & Festung

From the Baroque Mirabell garden with its postcard view of the fortress, over the Makartsteg love-lock bridge into the old town: through the Getreidegasse with its guild signs, past Mozart's birthplace to Residenzplatz and into the Salzburg Museum. On to the early-Baroque cathedral, into the enchanting St. Peter's cemetery and up by funicular to Hohensalzburg Fortress.

1. Mirabell Gardens – The walk begins in the Baroque Mirabell garden of 1690: symmetrical flower beds, statues and the famous central axis that frames the view across the river straight to Hohensalzburg Fortress. Film fans will recognise the "Sound of Music" setting. Early in the morning it's almost yours alone.
2. Makartsteg – The Makartsteg is the pedestrian bridge over the Salzach, covered in love locks. From the middle you get the classic Salzburg view: the far bank, the old town and, enthroned above it, Hohensalzburg Fortress - one of the city's loveliest panoramas.
3. Getreidegasse – The Getreidegasse is Salzburg's most famous lane: narrow, tall and adorned with ornate wrought-iron guild signs that even fashion chains had to render artfully. A stroll through narrow passage-houses and courtyards, in the Baroque heart of the old town.
4. Mozart's Birthplace – In the middle of the Getreidegasse stands the bright-yellow house number 9, where Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in 1756. Today the museum shows his childhood violin, instruments, letters and family portraits - arguably the city's most authentic Mozart site.
5. Residenzplatz – The broad Residenzplatz is the old town's grand central square, framed by the prince-archbishops' Residence and the cathedral. At its centre splashes the monumental Residenz Fountain, the largest Baroque fountain north of the Alps - a favourite meeting point and stage for concerts and markets.
6. Salzburg Museum (Neue Residenz) – Right on Residenzplatz, the Salzburg Museum tells the city's story in the state rooms of the Neue Residenz - from the prince-archbishops via Mozart to modern times, opulently staged. A great place to really understand Salzburg; the tower also holds the famous carillon.
7. Salzburg Cathedral – The early-Baroque Salzburg Cathedral, with its mighty dome and marble twin-tower façade, is the city's religious heart. Mozart was baptised here in 1756, at its font. The bright, spacious interior and the richly decorated dome are worth a look.
8. St Peter's Abbey Church & Cemetery – At the foot of the Mönchsberg lies St. Peter's enchanting cemetery - wrought-iron grave crosses and flowering plots against the sheer rock face, into which the ancient catacombs are carved. A quiet, magical spot and a "Sound of Music" location. The adjoining abbey church is richly Baroque.
9. Hohensalzburg Fortress – To finish, Hohensalzburg Fortress, one of Europe's largest surviving castles, which has crowned the city for over 900 years and was never taken. Up top wait state rooms, museums and courtyards - above all the grand panorama over the Baroque old town and the Alpine chain. The funicular takes you up in comfort.