I have been living in Salzburg for nearly three years now and, in that time, I've made a conscious effort to try and visit as many of the beautiful viewpoints available in this little mountain city as possible.
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.
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 oft-visited viewpoints 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!
1. Kapuzinerberg
If you walk the complete Kapuzinerberg route, at the top you'll find the Franziskischlössl. From here, you can take in the view over northern Salzburg and the railway. If you keep walking, you will also come across the Blick zur Festung Hohensalzburg for sweeping views of the Altstadt in front of the Untersberg.
From Franziskischlössl
From Blick zur Festung Hohensalzburg
2. Aussicht Kapuzinerberg Nord
Luckily, you don't need to hike the entire Kapuzinerberg to get to one of my favourite viewpoints. 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 viewpoints over Salzburg, especially towards Mirabell.
3. Hettwer Bastei
Keep walking past the Aussicht Kapuzinerberg Nord and then take the little path off to the left to reach Hettwer Bastei, a secret viewpoint with a romantic bench looking down over the Salzach and towards the Festung Hohensalzburg.
4. Richterhöhe
Along the Monchsberg, sort of behind the Festung Hohensalzburg, is Richterhöhe, a little grassy viewpoint looking back southwest towards Leopoldskroner Weiher and to the impressive Untersberg on the skyline.
5. Aussichtspunkt über dem Siegmundstor
Keep walking northwest along the Monchsberg, and you'll eventually be crossing right over the Siegmundstor, the tunnel connecting the Altstadt with Maxglan. One of the best viewpoints of the Aldstadt can be seen from here.
6. Humboldtterrasse Klausentor
Carry on walking the Monchsberg track but be sure to take the secret extra bit down to the Humboldtterrasse Klausentor where you can find arguably the most photogenic steps in the whole city.
7. Just outside the Hotel Schloss Mönchstein
8. Aussicht Festung Hohensalzburg
9. Festung Hohensalzburg
10. Katakomben St. Peter
11. Giselakai
12. Staatsbrücke
13. Müllnersteg
This bridge is my favourite quick 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.
14. Schlosspark Hellbrunn
You can reach Hellbrunn on foot, by bike, by car or by public transport. The park is free to visit. Right at the entrance to the park you'll spot the pavilion from Sound of Music where they filmed "16 going on 17". Then you can meander your way through the idyllic park, and walk up the hill in the centre with sweeping views of the park, the city and the mountains around.
Check out my complete guide to visiting Schlosspark Hellbrunn here!
In summer
In winter
15. Gaisberg
The Gaisberg is a popular mountain for all sorts of outdoor activities, namely hiking, biking and paragliding, being one of the best spots for the sport in the entire country. You can reach the summit, the Gaisbergspitze, by hiking or by bus or car for beautiful views down to the city and of the mountains around.
In summer
In winter
16. Untersberg
The Untersberg is perhaps one of the most classic hikes around Salzburg, with the poignant peak standing clearly against the skyline, its iconic shape visible from almost anywhere in the city. It's not an easy hike, with more than 1300m elevation nearly vertical, given that much of the hike is up ladders, but it's a really fun trek, with simply breathtaking panoramic views all around, the tiny city of Salzburg far below. You can clearly spot Salzburg Airport from above, and it's quite the experience to be above the planes as they come in for landing!
Spot the runways of Salzburg Airport!
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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.
