Salzburg is my mother-in-law’s favorite city in the world; mine is Vienna. Perhaps it’s the proximity to her home in Munich – just a hop over the border – or the way the Alpine air mixes with Baroque charm. Either way, when we decided to have one day in Salzburg, she was ecstatic to play tour guide. For a small woman, she can surely walk fast, and I had to hustle to keep up as she whisked us through cobbled lanes and up hills. We were there in early winter day, but if you ask a warm summer day for this adventure, which meant long daylight hours and gardens in full bloom (along with the peak-season crowds) will be the best choice. Armed with comfortable shoes, three layers of clothes, an appetite for schnitzel and strudel, and her local insights, we set out to experience Salzburg in one rich, whirlwind day.

Where to stay in Salzburg for the first-time:

• Altstadt (Old Town): Baroque domes, cobblestone whispers, and Mozart’s shadow at every turn.
• Neustadt (New Town): River-crossed bustle where shop lights and café chatter run late into the night.
• Nonntal: Quiet streets, abbey bells, and green paths that breathe just outside the city’s heartbeat.
• Elisabeth-Vorstadt: Lively crossroads of station, storefront, and the hum of travelers in transit.
• Leopoldskron-Moos: Lakeside calm where palace walls reflect in still water and trails lead into green silence.

Getting to Salzburg for a Day Trip

Salzburg sits on Austria’s western edge at the German border, making it an easy day trip from several base cities in the region. We departed from Munich early in the morning on a direct regional train – an incredibly convenient journey of about 117 km that takes roughly 1 hour 50 minutes. With frequent service (around 15 trains per day on this route, we had plenty of scheduling options. Using the Omio app, we quickly found and booked an early train from Munich Hauptbahnhof to Salzburg Hauptbahnhof, ensuring we’d maximize our time in the city. (Budget tip: if you’re traveling within Bavaria, the Bayern Ticket offers unlimited regional travel for a day and even covers Salzburg, allowing up to 5 people on one pass – a great deal for groups.)

Other cities aren’t far either. Salzburg is about 1.5 hours by train from Innsbruck, and around 2.5 hours from Vienna, so those cities can work as bases for a long day trip as well. We decided to base in Munich for this excursion, but you could just as easily pop over to Salzburg from elsewhere in Austria or even from places like Berchtesgaden (only ~35 minutes by car). However you get there – by rail, bus, or car – plan an early start to give yourself a full day in Salzburg.

TIP: To save time from booking your train from the train station, I suggest you book it online in advance.

Book your Munich-Salzburg train
Book your Vienna-Salzburg train
Book your Innsbruck-Salzburg train

Morning – Old Town Stroll to Mozart’s Geburtshaus, Then Museum der Moderne for Art, Culture, and Alpine Views

From Salzburg Hauptbahnhof, we didn’t rush for any buses or funiculars — we walked. The route into the Old Town is a gentle warm-up, weaving past pastel façades, wrought-iron signs, and that first hit of alpine air that somehow feels cleaner than anywhere else.

Our main stop on this stretch was Mozart’s Geburtshaus on Getreidegasse — a butter-yellow townhouse where Wolfgang Amadeus first screamed his way into the world in 1756. Inside, the museum feels surprisingly intimate for someone so mythologized. You see the violin he learned on, family portraits, even letters where his handwriting still dances across the page. Standing in those rooms, you can almost hear the echo of scales played on repeat.

From there, we ducked into one of the narrow lanes that snake upward toward Museum der Moderne Salzburg. There’s an elevator if you want to spare your knees — we took it, because we had two older family members with us and this city rewards pacing yourself. The museum’s clean, modern lines make a sharp break from the baroque below, and its exhibitions rotate through photography, sculpture, and multimedia from Austrian and international artists. Step onto the terrace and Salzburg spreads out like a stage set: fortress on one side, Alps in the distance, the Salzach slicing through it all.

If you’ve got the time and energy to double down on the views, consider the Hohensalzburg Fortress after the museum. Perched above the city since 1077, it’s a heavyweight of medieval architecture and never once fell to an enemy. From the museum’s rooftop terrace, you can already take in its full magnificence — the white stone walls stretching across the hilltop, the whole city fanned out beneath it, and the Alps brooding in the distance. The funicular makes the climb painless, but it’s still best saved for when your schedule isn’t gasping for air.

Late Morning: Exploring Salzburg’s Old Town (Altstadt)

Back at street level, we dove back into Salzburg’s Altstadt, a UNESCO World Heritage site rich with Baroque architecture and living history. The Old Town is compact and made for wandering – virtually every corner holds a story. We strolled into Cathedral Square (Domplatz) and craned our necks up at the twin towers of the Salzburg Cathedral. This imposing Baroque cathedral was originally built in the 8th century (founded in 774) and later rebuilt in grand style; it’s also where Mozart was baptized in 1756. Inside, the cathedral was cool and marble-bright, with sunbeams illuminating its ornate dome. We paused for a quick look – you can’t miss the stunning interior if the doors are open – but soon continued our journey through the winding streets.

From Domplatz, we meandered through Residenzplatz, the city’s grand central square. In the middle gushed the Residenzbrunnen, a magnificent baroque fountain – fans of The Sound of Music might recognize it as the fountain Maria playfully circled during “I Have Confidence” in the film. (Fun fact: Austrians themselves don’t obsess over The Sound of Music the way international visitors do – my mother-in-law chuckled mentioning that many locals haven’t even seen the movie Still, the film’s legacy is unavoidable here.) Adjacent to the square loomed the Residenz Palace and the Carillon, whose 35 bells began chiming a melodic tune at the top of the hour, filling the square with music. It was a fitting soundtrack for a city that gave the world Mozart.

Getreidegasse itself is an attraction. This medieval shopping street is lined with wrought-iron guild signs hanging above each storefront – even the McDonald’s here has a fancy gilded iron sign! It’s one of the most photographed streets in Salzburg, with its charming signs and busy mix of shops, from designer boutiques to souvenir stores and old-fashioned delis. We slowly shuffled through the crowd, window-shopping. My mother-in-law pointed out an authentic dirndl dress in one window (“Hand-tailored, beautiful craftmanship!” she exclaimed) and a tempting display of chocolate and marzipan in another. The street was alive with both tourists and locals, everyone basking in the Old World atmosphere.

Tucked just off Getreidegasse, we found a quieter historic gem: St. Peter’s Abbey and its cemetery. Entering the ivy-clad churchyard of St. Peter’s felt like stepping into a sanctuary of calm. Elaborately wrought headstones and flower-covered graves fill this small cemetery, each plot lovingly tended. Sound of Music fans might recall that the Von Trapp family hid in a similar cemetery – it was scenes like this that inspired the set for that tense escape sequence. The real St. Peter’s cemetery is peaceful, not a place of drama, with catacombs carved into the cliffside and sunlight dappling through the trees. It’s gorgeous and serene, a nice respite from the busy squares. We took a moment here to appreciate the artistry of the ironwork and to pay respects at graves of composers and Salzburg notables from centuries past. Overlooking the cemetery is the dark facade of St. Peter’s Abbey itself, one of the oldest monasteries in the region (founded in the 7th century). Within the complex is St. Peter Stiftskulinarium, a restaurant famously known as the oldest in Europe – first mentioned in the year 803 and continuously operating for over 1,200 years! We didn’t dine there this time, but it’s amazing to think that countless travelers (possibly even Charlemagne) have eaten in those same rooms over a millennia. Salzburg’s layers of history truly run deep.

By now, we had worked up a late-morning appetite with all the walking. As noon approached, we decided it was time to experience another aspect of local culture: the food!

Lunch: Farmers Market Fare at Universitätsplatz

Rather than sit down in a touristy restaurant, my mother-in-law had a local’s tip for lunch. She led us through one of the narrow passageways near Getreidegasse, which opened up into the Universitätsplatz (University Square). Here we found the bustling Grünmarkt, Salzburg’s daily farmers market that operates here every day except Sunday. The square was alive with vendors and aromas – just the kind of authentic food scene I crave when traveling.

We wandered from stall to stall under striped awnings, eyeing the offerings. Farm-fresh fruits and vegetables, wheels of local cheese, baskets of pretzels, and cured sausages were on display. One popular stall, Mayer Delikatessen, had a queue of locals; we joined in and soon discovered why. They sold an array of traditional snacks: crusty pretzels stuffed with slices of prosciutto and cheese, smoky sausages tucked into rolls, and open-faced sandwiches piled with spreads. We grabbed a pretzel sandwich oozing with brie and ham – a perfect savory bite. Next, a few stands over, a lady was selling freshly baked Apfelstrudel and Topfenstrudel (a sweet cheese strudel). Dessert before noon? Why not. We treated ourselves to a slice of apple strudel, still warm from the oven, and it was heavenly – flaky, not too sweet, loaded with cinnamon apple filling.

Standing at a high-top table alongside chatting Salzburg residents on their lunch break, we ate our market goodies al fresco. The vibe was friendly and unpretentious; this is clearly where many locals grab a quick lunch or do their daily shopping. It felt far removed from the tourist crowds on Getreidegasse just a block away. Before leaving, we made one more essential stop: Café-Konditorei Fürst, conveniently located at the square’s edge, to sample the original Mozartkugel. These famous Mozart chocolates are sold everywhere in town, but Fürst is the very place where the confection was invented over 125 years ago by Paul Fürst – and it’s the only spot to get the original handmade version. We bought a couple of the silver-foil-wrapped balls (at about €2 each) and bit in. The Mozartkugel is an indulgent sphere of pistachio marzipan and nougat, dipped in dark chocolate, and it lived up to the hype – an explosion of nutty, chocolatey goodness. Sweet tooth satisfied, it was time to continue our exploration.

(Travelers’ tip: The Grünmarkt runs Monday to Saturday, closing by around 3 pm (and many stalls pack up even earlier on Saturday). It’s ideal for a mid-day snack or picnic supplies. If you’re visiting on a Sunday when the market is closed, don’t worry – there are plenty of cafes and bakeries in the Old Town to find a tasty lunch.)

Afternoon: Mirabell Gardens and the Sound of Music Spirit

Fed and re-energized, we were ready to see the new town side of Salzburg across the river. We headed north and crossed the Salzach via the Makartsteg, also known as Salzburg’s Love Lock Bridge. The pedestrian bridge is covered in thousands of padlocks left by couples from around the world – each lock a symbol of love. We paused to take in the view: on one side, the pastel facades of the Old Town with the fortress looming above, and on the other, the more modern side of the city. The Salzach River sparkled in the early afternoon sun as tourist boats glided by. Once across, a short walk brought us to the gates of Mirabell Palace and Gardens.

Mirabell Gardens is a floral paradise in the warm months, my mother-in-law informed I could imagine the beds of red and yellow flowers barely, their colors vibrant under the sun, and neatly trimmed hedges in summar At the center stands the Pegasus Fountain, featuring a bronze winged horse, which musical fans will recognize – this is where Maria and the von Trapp children danced around singing “Do-Re-Mi” in The Sound of Music.

I half expected Julie Andrews to pop out from behind a hedge singing “the hills are alive…” at any moment. My mother-in-law beamed as we took photos by the fountain; she’s not a singer, but I caught her humming the Do-Re-Mi tune softly. From the fountain, we strolled up the sweeping staircase at the far end of the garden. At the top, we turned around and were treated to one of the classic Salzburg views: the Mirabell Gardens in the foreground, the spires and domes of the Old Town just across the river, and the fortress crowning the hill above it all. It’s a panoramic scene that perfectly encapsulates Salzburg’s charm.

We wandered the garden’s pathways, passing statues of mythological figures and a myriad of blooms. Locals sat on benches enjoying the day, while tourists posed amid the floral displays. The palace itself (Schloss Mirabell) is an elegant building originally built in 1606, though today it houses city offices and a famous Marble Hall used for concerts. We peeked inside the Mirabell Palace entrance briefly to cool off – a wedding party was actually taking photos on the grand marble staircase (it’s a popular wedding venue, unsurprisingly). After a relaxing hour or so enjoying Mirabell, we felt we’d covered the major highlights we set out to see in Salzburg. We had immersed ourselves in history, music, food, and scenery – all within a single day.

As afternoon drifted toward evening, we made our way back toward the river, feeling that contented mix of joy and fatigue that comes after a day of good walking and even better experiences. There was just one thing left to do to cap off our Salzburg day: eat a hearty Austrian dinner.

Evening: Beer Hall Gemütlichkeit and a Hearty Austrian Dinner

By about 5 or 6 pm, the Old Town had begun to quiet down. Many day-trippers were trickling back to the train station, and shops were closing. But in Salzburg, nighttime brings its own magic – and it was dinnertime for us. We crossed the river again (near the Müllner Steg bridge this time) and headed to the Mülln district, a short walk from Mirabell, where some of Salzburg’s best local eateries await. Our destination: Bärenwirt, a rustic tavern that’s been serving up Austrian comfort food since 1663. It’s touted as one of the restaurants most beloved by locals, and my mother-in-law claimed this was the place for authentic Salzburg cuisine. Walking in, I felt like I’d stepped back in time – dark wooden beams, mounted hunting trophies on the walls, and tables full of families and friends clinking cutlery and beer glasses. The menu was full of traditional dishes, but Bärenwirt is especially famous for its Backhendl(deep-fried breaded chicken).

We ordered a portion of the fried chicken to share, along with a bowl of goulash (another house specialty). When the food arrived, it did not disappoint: the chicken was golden and crispy, yet tender and juicy inside. And the goulash – wow. Rich, paprika-laden gravy with chunks of melt-in-your-mouth beef, served with a fluffy dumpling on the side. My mother-in-law closed her eyes in bliss after one bite, proclaiming it the best goulash she’s had in years (and she’s had plenty). Enjoying these recipes that have likely been perfected over centuries, in an establishment that’s over 350 years old, was a highlight of the day for me too. This was honest, hearty food that comforted our tired bodies.

All too soon, we had to face that our day trip was drawing to a close. As dusk settled, we made our way back to Salzburg’s train station, pleasantly tired and full. We had a direct evening train back to Munich (day trips like this are easy when trains run until late). Settling into my seat, I took one last look at the twinkling lights of Salzburg outside the window and sighed contentedly.

Final Thoughts: Memories of Salzburg in a Day

On the ride back, my mother-in-law asked me what my favorite part of Salzburg was. Was it the fortress views of spires and mountains? The Sound of Music moments in Mirabell Gardens? The taste of that goulash gravy at Bärenwirt? It was hard to choose – the beauty of Salzburg is how all of those experiences weave together. In just one day, this city gave us a panorama of its history and culture, from ancient castles to Mozart melodies, market flavors, and mug-clinking cheer. It is a lot to pack into a single day, but Salzburg’s compact size makes it feasible to see the highlights without feeling too rushed. We moved at a steady clip (she wouldn’t have it any other way!), yet also took time to sit, sip, and savor when it mattered.

Sure, there are things we couldn’t fit in. If we had more time, we might have ventured to Hellbrunn Palace on the outskirts to giggle at its trick fountains, or ridden the cable car up Untersberg Mountain for a high Alps panorama. A classical music lover could spend an evening at a Mozart concert or dinner theater in a historic hallt. And of course, Sound of Music aficionados might dedicate a morning to a specialized tour of the film’s iconic locations around town. But those will have to wait for a future trip – and in my mind, that’s just another reason to return.

As the train hummed towards Munich, I glanced over at my dozing mother-in-law. She had walked me into the ground (15,000 steps and counting!), but I was grateful. Experiencing Salzburg through her eyes – her fond memories and local wisdom – made this day trip far richer than any guidebook route. I got to know her better as I got to know the city she loves. And now I understood why Salzburg is her favorite. It’s in the way the Alps embrace the skyline, the way music seems to float out of open windows, the way history lives on every street corner yet life feels easy and joyous in the present. Salzburg in a day left me charmed, inspired, and admittedly a little exhausted – but in the best possible way.

So if you find yourself in this corner of Europe, even with just a day to spare, take the train, bring your curiosity (and maybe someone you love), and give Salzburg a chance to enchant you. It certainly enchanted us. After all, as we learned, one day in Salzburg can create stories and memories to last a lifetime. Auf Wiedersehen, Salzburg – until next time! Most likely with a toddler in tow.