I have been living in Salzburg since late 2021 and, in that time, I've made a conscious effort to see as many sunsets as possible from beautiful spots across the city.
Salzburg is right on the border with Germany, in the middle of Austria. It is surrounded by mountains, making it seriously stunning when it comes to nature, access to adventure and pretty little spots to discover.
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If you're visiting Salzburg or are a local in search of new spots to explore, I've compiled a complete list of all of my favourite spots to watch sunset in the city but also a few in the surrounding areas that look back down over the city from high above. I have included the exact locations on Google Maps throughout. I hope you enjoy!
This list gets updated as I visit more viewpoints; this post was first published 21 December 2021 and last updated 24 August 2025.
1. Blick zur Festung Hohensalzburg
If you walk the whole Kapuzinerberg, you'll find the Franziskischlössl at the top. From here, you can take in the view over northern Salzburg and the railway. If you keep walking, you will reach the Blick zur Festung Hohensalzburg with a sunset view over the Altstadt in front of the Untersberg.
2. Aussicht Kapuzinerberg Nord
Luckily, you don't need to hike the entire Kapuzinerberg to get to one of my favourite sunset spots. Just off the Linzer Gasse, if you walk a little bit up the Stefan-Zweig-Weg, you'll reach this terrace with one of the best places to see the sunset go down over Salzburg, especially with Mirabell in the foreground.
3. Aussicht Festung Hohensalzburg
4. Giselakai
The entire walkway along the Salzach is truly so pretty, you can wander on either side in either direction and be treated to pretty city views. My favourite stretch to watch the sunset from is the Giselakai.
5. Müllnersteg
This bridge is my favourite sunset spot in Salzburg and I can often be found here with my bike. It just has the best view back towards the city with the Salzach flowing in front and the Festung Hohensalzburg rising up behind.
6. Erentrudisalm
Reachable by hiking 8km roundtrip or by driving up, the view from out from of the Erentrudisalm hut (where they serve up a delicious spinatknödel, an Austrian spinach dumpling) is far-reaching and beautiful.
7. Maria Plain
Founded in 1674, the majestic Maria Plain church sits in Bergheim, just north of Salzburg, with a fantastic panoramic view looking over the entire city with the Festung Hohensalzburg firmly in the centre of the frame. It's truly stunning, and is the perfect spot for a picnic and sunset!
8. Leopoldskroner Weiher
The Leopoldskroner Weiher freezes in winter and is a popular ice skating spot. In spring, once the ice has melted, the baby ducklings, cygnets and goslings suddenly seem to appear in abundance, filling the lake with their fluttering wings. The spring light reflects so beautifully at this time of year around the lake.
On one end of the lake, you can also see the Schloss Leopold, now a hotel but also famously used as the filming location for the scene in the Sound of Music where the Von Trapp children and Maria row in a wooden boat on the lake and fall in, as well as as the back of the Von Trapp family home.
It's a delightful spot to watch the sun go down no matter the season, as the golden hour glows across the lake and the Schloss.
→ Check out all my other favourite lakes to visit in Austria!
9. Gaisberg
One of my favourite places to go for sunset views is the summit of the Gaisberg. Take bus 151, hike two hours up or drive for about 25 minutes out of Salzburg and you’ll come to this incredible view.
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Hi! I’m Jana, a Dutch-German-British-Canadian with a dream of seeing every country in the world. I am a storyteller, photographer and adventurer passionate about documenting and sharing my travels.
