How Many Days in Salzburg Do You Need (and What to Do With Them) 2025

When I first started mapping out my last trip to Europe, I had three weeks and zero clue how to divide my time between cities. I didn’t want to waste days, but I also didn’t want to miss anything. 

That’s exactly why I’m writing this. If you’re wondering how many days in Salzburg you really need, I’ve got you. 

For some travelers, one day in this charming Austrian city is enough to hit the highlights. But if you’re a Mozart superfan or can’t resist a “Sound of Music” tour, you might want to stretch your stay. Here’s how to figure out the perfect Salzburg itinerary for you.

Quick Answer: My Experience on How Many Days in Salzburg is Enough

I’ve been lucky enough to visit Salzburg twice, once for 2 days at Christmas and another time for an incredible six-week summer catsitting gig that let me really get to know the city. 

And to be honest, you don’t need a huge amount of time here to see the best of it. That’s actually one of the reasons Salzburg is one of my favorite destinations in Europe: it’s compact, easy to explore, and you won’t get overwhelmed by endless must-sees.

Personally, I think 2–3 days in Salzburg is the sweet spot. During my 2 day Christmas visit, I managed to hit all the major highlights, join a Sound of Music tour, and soak up the Austrian Christmas market magic. The days were full of mornings hiking up to the fortress and evenings at Mozart concerts, but never felt too rushed. My 2 day Salzburg itinerary balances culture, sightseeing, great food, and cozy beer gardens, all while keeping the pace fun.

That said, my 6 weeks in Salzburg taught me that the city makes an amazing base for day trips. So if you schedule a 3rd day in Salzburg, you can hop over to Hallstatt, the real-life fairytale village that inspired Disney’s Frozen, or spend a summer afternoon at one of the lakes. The water is a stunning blue and super refreshing since it’s coming from the mountains. 

It really does depend on what you want to do, for how much time you need. So I’m going to break down exactly what you can see in 1, 2, or 3 days in Salzburg so you can figure out how much time you ACTUALLY need for visiting Salzburg! 

How Many Days Do You Need in Salzburg

Salzburg might look tiny, but figuring out how long to stay fully depends on what you want out of a destination.

There’s the must-see stuff that you can do in a day, but there is also those little moments you only get when you’re not rushing, so it really comes down to how you like to travel.

One Day in Salzburg // The Perfect Salzburg Day Trip

Who This is Best For

If you’re on a tight schedule and want to spend more time in Vienna, Munich, or another destination, one day in Salzburg is enough to hit most of the highlights. It also works perfectly as a day trip from either city, so you won’t even need to stay overnight.

What to Do in One Day in Salzburg

Salzburg is small and super walkable, so it’s easy to pack a lot into one day. Here’s the top things to do in one day:

• Wander the Old Town and Getreidegasse – soak up the charm of Salzburg’s historic streets, you can visit the salzburg cathedral, Residenzplatz, and Grunmarkt
  
• Ride or hike up to Hohensalzburg Fortress – the views are worth it, and they have a cannon fire go off everyday at 11:30, so I would plan to go in the morning! The furnicular is free if you purchase the Salzburg card, but for one day I don’t think it’s worth the money. 
  
• Stroll through Mirabell Gardens – a quick but beautiful stop across the river around Mirabell Palace.
  
• Visit Mozart’s Birthplace – It’s a big yellow building, you can’t miss it as you stroll around.
  
• Enjoy a traditional Austrian meal at Sternbräu – my favorite restaurant in Old Town for classic dishes.
  
• Take a boat ride along the Salzach – I’ve actually never done this, but it’s a great way to get off your feet while still sightseeing and learning about the city.

What to Expect from a Salzburg Day Trip

It’s going to be a busy day. In summer, expect lots of tourists, which can slow you down. You’ll be moving from one sight to the next hitting all the most popular spots, but you’ll miss out on Salzburg’s slower, café-sipping charm.

My Experience

I think one day is perfect if you’re short on time but still want to experience the city. Salzburg is gorgeous, but I wouldn’t set your expectations sky-high for endless things to do. With just one day, you’ll probably skip the museums and stick to the main attractions, but honestly, that’s fine. You’ll still have a great time, and if you fall in love with it like I did, you can always come back for a longer stay.

Two Days in Salzburg // The Best Way to Spend a Weekend in Salzburg

Who This is Best For

If you have a little more time to play with, two days in Salzburg lets you slow down and explore beyond the main sights. You can still see all the highlights but with room for museums, cafés, and a few off-the-beaten-path spots. It’s a great choice if you’re staying overnight or want to use Salzburg as a base for nearby day trips.

What to Do in Two Days in Salzburg

With two days, you can take things at a more relaxed pace. Here’s how I’d plan it:

Day 1 will follow the same format as if you only had one day in the city, but you could slow down if you wanted since you have the next days to see anything you might have missed.

Day 2 in Salzburg

• Brunch and coffee at 220 Grad – some of the best coffee in Salzburg, perfect for a lazy start.
  
• Sound of Music Tour – My sister in law and mom are hard core sound of music fans, so this was a must for us and even though I’ve never seen the movie, I still really enjoyed it. We booked this tour here!
  
• Hellbrunn Palace & Trick Fountains – a fun and quirky stop, especially in warmer months.
  
• Afternoon at Augustiner Bräu Mülln – the city’s most famous beer garden, and one of my favorite spots in all of Salzburg!
  
• Evening stroll through town – depending on the time of year this could be around the river or if you’re there in winter make sure to visit all the Christmas markets

What to Expect from 2 Days in Salzburg

Two days gives you breathing room. You’ll still see all the major sights, but you won’t feel rushed. There’s time to duck into side streets, linger in cafés, and take in Salzburg’s charm without feeling like you’re on a sightseeing marathon. In summer, it still gets busy, but with an extra day, you can dodge the peak-hour crowds.

My Experience

Two days in Salzburg felt just right for me. I got to see the highlights, but also had time for slower moments like sipping coffee at the specialty cafes around the city, going on a Sound of Music tour with my family, and spending an afternoon at a beer garden. If you’re someone who likes a balance of sightseeing and downtime, two days is honestly the best amount of time to spend in Salazburg..

💡 Want to know exactly how I’d spend 48 hours here? Check out my full 2 Day Itinerary in Salzburg here!

Three Days in Salzburg // Best Day Trips from Salzburg

Who This is Best For

If you’ve got extra time or just want to slow things right down, three days in Salzburg is an excellent option. It’s perfect if you’re ready to see the main sights, soak in the local atmosphere, and spend a day exploring Austria’s gorgeous countryside.

What to Do in Three Days in Salzburg

The first two days will follow the same flow as my two-day itinerary, highlights, coffee stops, beer gardens, and a mix of must-sees and just chillin around town.

Day 3 – A day trip out of Salzburg

Start your third day by heading to to Hallstatt, Oliver and I rented a car for this, but you can also book a guided tour. We arrived before 9 am and were able to skip the crowds and feel like we had the village all to ourselves, even in peak summer.

After a morning in Halstatt we headed to a local lake, Fuschlsee. Pack a swimsuit and spend a few hours by the water soaking up the sun. This was exactly what we needed after a couple of days of city sightseeing. (This is really only an option if you rent a car, if you go with a Hallstatt tour it will bring you back to Salzburg a bit early, if that’s the case, I recommend heading to Waldbad Anif, It’s my favorite lake closest to Salzburg, you can get there by public transportation, or bike along the Salzach River.) 

One you’re back in Salzburg, enjoy a hearty Austrian meal at Die Wiesse. It’s one of my favorite places to enjoy a schnitzel and beer in the city!

What to Expect 3 Days in Salzburg

Three days gives you the “full Salzburg experience” without rushing anything. You’ll check off the major sights, have time to linger in cafés, and then get a taste of Austria’s postcard-perfect countryside.

My Experience

For me, three days in Salzburg is the perfect balance of sightseeing and slowing down. I got to see all the iconic spots from days one and two, and then spend a whole day exploring beyond the city. Hallstatt was magical in the quiet morning light, and Fuschlsee felt like a secret escape. If you’ve got the time, or if you’re ready for a break from big cities then three days in Salzburg is ideal.

FAQ How Many Days in Salzburg Austria Do I Need

Is 2 days in Salzburg enough?

Absolutely, two days is plenty of time to visit Salzburg, The city is small and walkable and you can hit most of the major sights in one day, so having two allows you to slow down and even visit some of the museums and beer gardens. 

How many days in Hallstatt do you need?

Half a day in Hallstatt is enough, the town is super small and honestly a little sleepy. I recommend getting there early to beat the crowds and leaving before mid day, or joining a half day tour from Salzburg.

How many days in Salzburg and Hallstatt?

Three days is plenty for Salzburg and Hallstatt, you’ll have 2 full days in Salzburg and can visit Hallstatt on the third day, either by renting a car or joining a day tour. 

Is it better to stay in Vienna or Salzburg?

If you want small-town charm and stunning Alpine scenery, stay in Salzburg. For big-city culture and museums, Vienna is the better option. If you want to visit both, you can take this day tour to Salzburg from Vienna!

What’s the best 2 Day Salzburg itinerary?

There’s quite a lot you can pack into two days, the Hohensalzburg Fortress, wandering around Old Town, visiting Mirabell Gardens, and enjoying the Sound of Music tour. I’ve put together a step-by-step 2 day itinerary you can follow to hit all the best spots plus a few local gems I discovered after living there for a summer.

How Many Days to Spend in Salzburg and My Travel Tips!

If you want my honest opinion without knowing your trip or timeline at all, I would recommend 3 days in Salzburg. The city is small but there are so many nooks and crannies to get lost in. Lots of terraces for Aperol spritz and good coffee spots to just soak in the atmosphere, and as you walk you’ll realize there are more than enough little alleyways to wander down.

For me, this is what I love about cities, not ticking off must-see sights. And so much of what I love about Salzburg is the surroundings. It’s beautiful in this part of Austria, and I can only visit so many churches before I need something else. That’s where the lakes and mountains come in. It’s the perfect mix of sightseeing and also just enjoying the country.

I hope this travel guide has helped you decide how long you need and make sure to check out my where to stay guide to make sure you’re in the best part of the city and don’t miss a thing!

Check Out My Other Salzburg Guides

Where to Stay in Salzburg Austria: My Top Hotels and Areas

Is Salzburg Worth Visiting: My Honest Review

Best Time to Visit Salzburg: My Weather Guide to Salzburg Austria

2 Days in Salzburg Itinerary: How I Spent 48 Hours in Salzburg

Restaurants in Salzburg: My Top Places to Eat in Salzburg

Cafes in Salzburg: My Favorite Coffee Spots

How to Get from Vienna to Salzburg: My Personal Travel Tips

Salzburg Christmas Markets: My Top Christmas Markets in Salzburg

Is Hallstatt Worth Visiting? My Honest Review

Salzburg to Hallstatt Day Trip: 3 Ways to Visiting Hallstatt

Things to Do in Salzburg: My Top Activities in Salzburg