Explore castles and fortresses near Salzburg

Salzburg's impressive castles and fortresses tell of the region's rich history and offer unforgettable insights into life in past centuries.

Castles and fortresses in Salzburg

Salzburg's surroundings are rich in historic castles, palaces and fortresses, as the region has been an important centre of political power, trade and culture for centuries. The numerous ruling families and prince-archbishops left behind an architectural legacy that is still impressive today. Visitors can not only admire magnificent buildings, but also immerse themselves in the history of the city and its surroundings.

Hohensalzburg Fortress

How to get there: HOP ON HOP OFF - yellow line, station no. 9 (then approx. 15 min walk)
Opening times: Daily/all year round in May - September 8:30 - 20:00 and October - April 09:30 - 17:00
Price: depending on ticket variant, from €9 for adults
Description: Hohensalzburg Fortress was built from 1077 and is one of the largest fully preserved castle complexes in Europe. It served as a symbol of power and protection for the Salzburg archbishops and still characterises the old town today. Today it is an important cultural monument and a popular excursion destination.
Highlights: Prince's Room, Golden Hall, Magic Theatre, Fortress Museum, Marionette Museum, Rainer Regiment Museum, Panorama Tour & the "Salzburg Bull".
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Mirabell Palace

How to get there: HOP ON HOP OFF - Yellow & Blue Line, Station No. 1
Opening times: Daily from 8:00-18:00, garden freely accessible at all times
Price: Free admission to the palace park, guided tours on request
Description: The baroque Mirabell Palace impresses with its ornate garden, the Marble Hall and a rich collection of sculptures and works of art. It is particularly popular for walks and cultural events.
Highlights: Baroque garden, marble hall, art collection
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Leopoldskron Castle

How to get there: HOP ON HOP OFF - yellow line, station no. 6
Opening hours: Exterior tours possible at any time, interior tours by appointment
Price: Free entry to the garden, guided tours for a fee (approx. €12)
Description: The idyllic Leopoldskron Palace is located on the lake and is surrounded by an extensive park. It also became famous as the film set for "The Sound of Music".
Highlights: Historic castle, park, film set
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Hellbrunn Palace

How to get there: HOP ON HOP OFF - Yellow Line, Station No. 7 / Blue Line, Station No. 13/24
Opening hours: Daily 9:00-17:00 (April-October), 9:00-16:00 (November-March)
Price: Adults approx. €13, children €6
Description: Hellbrunn Palace is famous for its playful water features, extensive park and unusual architecture. A visit offers fun and amazement for the whole family.
Highlights: Trick fountains, palace park, original architecture
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Visit all of Salzburg's castles and palaces in one day

The HOP ON HOP OFF lines in Salzburg make it easy to plan a tour of the city's most important castles and palaces in one day. The Yellow Line connects Mirabell Palace, Leopoldskron Palace and Hellbrunn Palace, allowing visitors to hop on and off flexibly to explore each location at their leisure. If you start early, you can enjoy Mirabell Palace and the gardens in the morning, then visit Leopoldskron Palace and finally end the day at the entertaining trick fountains at Hellbrunn Palace. The HOP ON HOP OFF tour eliminates the hassle of looking for a parking space and allows you to experience Salzburg comfortably and stress-free.

Frequently asked questions

With the HOP ON HOP OFF lines, visitors can easily reach Mirabell Palace (yellow + blue line), Leopoldskron Palace (yellow line) and Hellbrunn Palace (yellow + blue line). To reach Hohensalzburg Fortress, a short walk is necessary from the yellow HOP ON HOP OFF line (approx. 15 minutes and uphill).

Hohensalzburg Fortress: Daily depending on the season from 08:00 to 20:00 (summer) or 09:30 to 17:00 (winter)
Mirabell Palace: Daily from 8:00 to 18:00 (garden freely accessible, interiors often only as part of guided tours)
Leopoldskron Palace: Guided tours by appointment, opening times vary depending on the event programme
Hellbrunn Palace: Daily from 9:00 to 17:30 (trick fountains seasonal)

Hohensalzburg Fortress: adults approx. €9, children approx. €4
Mirabell Palace: free entry to the garden; guided tours cost approx. €5-8
Leopoldskron Palace: guided tours approx. €8-12
Hellbrunn Palace: adults approx. €13, children approx. €6

The strategic location on the Salzach river, Salzburg's importance as a royal seat and the wealthy noble houses led to the construction of numerous castles, palaces and fortresses over the centuries.

Yes, the HOP ON HOP OFF tour makes it easy to plan your day, as the bus routes connect all the important sights and allow for flexible stops.

Yes, many palaces offer themed tours, e.g. the trick fountains at Hellbrunn, historical rooms at Mirabell or film and photo tours at Leopoldskron.