See & do · Landmarks & architecture
Festung Hohensalzburg
Opening hours
- Monday: 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM
- Tuesday: 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM
- Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM
- Thursday: 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM
- Friday: 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM
- Saturday: 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM
- Sunday: 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Images provided by Google Places
Huge 11th-century fortress complex on a hilltop with views over city to the Alps, plus museums.via Google
One of Europe's largest fully preserved medieval castles, offering commanding views over the entire valley.
- Good to know
- €€€ (includes funicular). Allow half a day to explore the state apartments.
Reviews from Google
This castle is a must see in Salzburg. Not because of the massive scale of the construction, but because it is very well maintained and informative to the visitors. I had lots of fun walking along the defensive tunnel. You can also climb up to the top to see the entire Salzburg city. Highly recommend! You can buy a ticket that includes funicular round trip and the entrance to the castle for €19. I spent 1.5 hours in the castle.
Well worth a visit on a sunny day. Great views of Salzburg and the surrounding mountains. There a good amount of information when visiting different areas. Plus you can walk up and down by foot or via the cable car
Hohensalzburg Fortress is the city's unmistakable landmark and one of the largest, completely preserved castle complexes in Europe, dating back to the 11th century. It has never been conquered in its 1000-year history. From the top, you have a breathtaking view over the Salzburg region and, of course, the lush green city of Salzburg itself. A cable car at the foot of the fortress offers a comfortable ride up for around €15. For those feeling very athletic, there are also stairs to climb. However, this is only recommended for the truly fit, as it's very steep and strenuous. The cable car tickets include entry to the regular museums within the fortress. However, the Prince's Room and other special features require an additional fee. Climbing the observation tower also requires a good level of fitness, as there are many stairs involved. But the view is truly worthwhile. There are two beer gardens and a restaurant within the fortress. The views from the beer gardens across the countryside and into the city are sensational, and naturally, the prices reflect this. But anyone visiting Salzburg absolutely must see this fortress. It's worth it!
The Fortress Hohensalzburg was a great place to stop on a day trip from Vennia to Hallstatt for a day trip. After reaching the entrance to purchase tickets, you can take a funicular (fast and easy) or by walking up the Festungsberg mountain via steep paths or stairs from the Old Town. Although it wasn't open when I was there, the walk offers stunning panoramic views of Salzburg and the Alps. Inside there is rich history, and impressive medieval architecture, making it a must-see if you're in the area. With the all-inclusive options you get best experience and visiting early is recommended to avoid crowds.
The station was closed for maintenance, and with all the snow, it was pretty tough to walk, especially since the surface was gravel. Get the Salzburg card for free entry. Most of the shops (dining) were closed. It's really well kept. There's also a gift shop that's definitely cheaper than outside. The fort takes about 2 hours to look around.