Salzburg travel guide

Salzburg is a city where you can comfortably combine Hohensalzburg Fortress and the old town in one day.

The fortress is open all year, and the Basic Ticket including the funicular return costs 15.50 euros for adults. It opens 8:30 to 20:00 from May to September and 9:30 to 17:00 the rest of the year. From 9 to 13 November 2026 the funicular stops for maintenance, while the footpath and outer areas stay open.

UNESCO listed the Historic Centre of the City of Salzburg in 1996. There are several ticket types, so decide what you want to see first, compare the price list, and check the hours in the official information once your date is set.

Visa and entry requirements for Austria

Whether you need a visa, how long you can stay and which pre-arrival forms apply all depend on your nationality and the purpose of your trip. Check the official source below, and your own government's travel advice, before you book.

• Visa (Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs) (Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs)
• ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) (European Union)
• EES (Entry/Exit System) (European Union)

Hohensalzburg Fortress is open all year: 9:30 to 17:00 from January to April and October to December, and 8:30 to 20:00 from May to September. Even from May to September, the museums, State Rooms and Magic Theatre are open 9:00 to 19:00.

The Basic Ticket costs 15.50 euros for adults and 6.30 euros for children aged 6 to 14, including the funicular return. All-Inclusive is 19.20 and 7.30 euros, and Panorama 12.80 and 5.20 euros. Walking-up tickets cost 14.50 and 5.60 euros (All-Inclusive) or 12 and 4.90 euros (Basic). From 9 to 13 November 2026 the funicular stops for maintenance, while the footpath and outer areas stay open.

For two adults and a 10-year-old on Basic Tickets: 2 × 15.50 + 6.30 = 37.30 euros. All-Inclusive: 2 × 19.20 + 7.30 = 45.70 euros. Basic walking tickets: 2 × 12 + 4.90 = 28.90 euros, 8.40 euros less than the Basic Ticket.

Based on the fortress's official information, checked on 23 October 2026.

For a day: go up to the fortress in the morning, then come down and walk the old town. The fortress is open until 20:00 from May to September and closes at 17:00 in other months, so allow time to come down before closing.

With one night: see the fortress by day and walk the old town in the evening. Whether the museums and State Rooms are included depends on the ticket, so read the list before buying. From November to April it closes at 17:00, so go up early in the afternoon. The city is small enough to walk. If you walk up instead of taking the funicular, allow extra time for the climb and bring water and comfortable shoes.

Plan meals in Salzburg around Salzburger Nockerl, Mozartkugel and Wiener schnitzel. Salzburger Nockerl is a large baked meringue dessert that's good for sharing; Mozartkugeln are round chocolate-covered sweets. We don't pick restaurants or prices here. Eating lunch in town after coming down from the fortress leaves more time for an afternoon walk.

Funicular maintenance periods and museum hours can change by date, so check the official information before you go. Compare ticket types on the official price list and consider whether you're up for the walk. Austria is in the Schengen Area; check entry requirements for your nationality. Keep belongings close, and save the local emergency number 112.