Austria is one of my favorite countries in Europe, and my favorite city in Austria is Salzburg! It is a beautiful town with a river flowing through it, a fortress sitting atop it, and some of the best views in the country. I think two days is the perfect amount of time to spend in Salzburg, which is why I made the ultimate 2 day Salzburg itinerary.
Keep reading for the ultimate two-day Salzburg itinerary, which maximizes your time in the city to make sure you see the best places and eat the best food, all in just two days!
Published: February 1, 2025
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2 Day Salzburg Itinerary
Salzburg is beautiful, and you are going to love your two days here. In this section, I’ve detailed the perfect 2 day Salzburg itinerary that you can follow to make the most of your time here.
Day 1 in Salzburg
Welcome to Salzburg! Today you are going to get a good feel for the town and some of the history here. As always, I recommend a walking tour of the city to start your day. You can find some free walking tours on GuruWalk!
After your walking tour, grab the Salzburg card, which gives you admission to attractions, museums, public transportation, and more. You can get the card for 24 hours, 48 hours, or 72 hours.
I love the Salzburg card because it allows you to explore where you want in the city at your own pace. If you want to pack everything into one day, you can. If you want to go to a few specific places, you can do that too!
When I bought the Salzburg card, I had three places I knew I wanted to go, then explored some other included attractions when I had time after my “must-sees.”
You can see the full list of what is included with the Salzburg card to find what interests you.
At a minimum, I recommend you visit the Hohensalzburg Fortress (including the Funicular to the fortress) and at least one of the Mozart attractions!
The Salzburg card plus a walking tour will fill up your whole day. For dinner, make sure you grab some Austrian food and get away from the heart of Salzburg to find the good local spots.
Day 2 in Salzburg
For your second day in Salzburg, I highly recommend taking a tour or day trip outside of the city. There are tons of great options, whether you want to take a Sound of Music tour or visit a small town.
Here are the best day trips from Salzburg:
- Sound of Music Tour: Visit iconic filming locations, including Mirabell Gardens, Leopoldskron Palace, and Mondsee.
- Hallstatt: Explore the charming lakeside village, visit the Hallstatt Salt Mine, or enjoy the views from the Skywalk.
- Berchtesgaden and Eagle’s Nest: Discover the historic retreat in the Bavarian Alps and take in panoramic mountain views.
Or, if you don’t want to do a day trip, get the 48-hour Salzburg card and spend your 2 days in Salzburg exploring all the sites that are included. The more places you can visit with the Salzburg card, the more value you will get from it.
Tours to Book in Salzburg
Booking a tour in Salzburg is a great way to maximize your time there and take a day trip if you want to see the Sound of Music sights or a smaller Austrian town. Plus, there is a huge variety of tours, so everyone can find something that interests them!
Here are the top tours in Salzburg:
Getting Around Salzburg
Salzburg is a walkable city, and getting around is simple whether you’re staying in town or planning a day trip. With multiple transportation options, it’s easy to explore both the city and the surrounding region.
1. Walking: Salzburg’s old town is compact, and most attractions are within walking distance. This is the easiest way to explore the city.
2. Guided Tours: For day trips, booking a guided tour is a convenient option to visit places like Hallstatt or the Austrian Alps without worrying about logistics.
3. Trains: Trains are an affordable and efficient way to reach nearby destinations. The station is well-connected, making it easy to plan trips to places like Werfen or Innsbruck.
4. Rent a Car: If you prefer flexibility, renting a car allows you to explore the surrounding countryside and smaller towns at your own pace.
These options make it easy to get around Salzburg and beyond.
Where to Stay in Salzburg
To make the most of your time in Salzburg, you want to stay somewhere with good reviews in a good location. Check out these great hotels and home rentals at the best prices: