OVERVIEW
Salzburg is located very close many beautiful Austrian towns surrounded with scenic lakes and mountains such as St Gilgen, Innsbruk, Hallstatt and many more. It is also to the Germany border on the side where the breathtaking Bavarian Alps are located which makes it a great central base to visit that too. So overall, Salzburg is great base to do various day trips. Here is the list best day trips from Salzburg.
LIST
1. Hallstatt
Hallstatt is a fairy tale like town near Salzburg in Austria. Set aside a picturesque lake and surrounded by majestic mountains, the beauty of this place is just breathtaking. And not just the beauty, this place has so much to do. From roaming around the pretty streets filled with colorful buildings, to salt mines, to amazing view points to even an ice cave. Hands down, this is one of the best places i have been to. For the all the details of a day trip to Hallstat, please click here.Top things to do in Hallstatt
- Salt mines: Hallstat is home to a 7000 year old salt mine. This underground salt mine is also home to oldest staircase in the world.
- Dachstein Ice Cave: This is a natural ice cave located on the Dachstein mountain near Halstatt.
- 5 Finger Lookout: This is viewpoint also located on the Dachstein mountain.
- Bone Chapel: This chapel contains 600 skulls whicg are painted artistically. The chapel dates back to 12th century.
Best way of getting here
- It is just a 1 hour drive from Salzburg. That is the most recommended way
- Or you also take a combination of bus and train to reach here
2. Werfen Ice Cave (Eisriesenwelt)
The world’s biggest ice cave and the coolest (pun intended) place we visited in Austria!!! Day trip to Werfen ice caves(Eisriesenwelt) is one of the most popular attractions near Salzburg! The cave cave is located in Werfen town. To get to the cave, you have to do a 40 min one way hike plus take a cable car to reach to a point from where the hike begins. The ice cave tour consists of 1500 steps inside the cave and you can discover stunning ice formations. This is definitely one of the most unmissable thing and we highly recommend it.Best way to get here
- You can drive down to the entrance of Ice Cave(not main cave entrance) in about 60 mins. This is the most recommended way.
- Or you can take a 1 hour train and then take half an hour bus top the hill.
3. The Eagle’s Nest, Germany
- Eagle’s nest is mountain restaurant and historical viewpoint located above the small town of Berchtesgaden in Germany. This place is very close to the Austria-Germany border and is just a 40 mins drive from Salzburg.
- There are two best things about the Eagle’s nest, it’s history and the view. This place was completed in 1939 and is one of few of authentic buildings from the Nazi period. It is believed that Hiter used to spend his summer holidays here. After the Nazi period ended, this place is used as a mountain restaurant and museum since 1952.
- The view from this place of the Berchtesgaden mountains, Konigssee lakes and the area around Salzburg is literally unbelievable. It is is the best view i have ever seen in my life.
- For additional information, click here for the official website
Best way to get here
By Road (private car/tour):The total journey is approximately 90 mins.One thing to note is that you will have a tough time finding a parking spot in this area. Cars aren’t allowed to drive all the way to the Eagle’s Nest so you will have to walk the last 10-15 mins of the way once you have parked.
4. RupertusTherme
- This is one of the best thermal baths in the Salzburg region. Coming here in winters is a bliss. They have many facilities like indoor and outdoor heated pools, turkish baths, sauna, whirlpools and more.
- The starting cost for adult is around € 18.50. For additional information, please visit the official website.
Best way to get here:
- By Public Transportation: Take the train Salzburg Hauptbahnhof to Bahnhof Bad Reichenhall and then take Bus to the RupertusTherme.
- By Road: It’s really close and takes about 30 minutes to reach. It doesn’t make sense to rent a vehicle as you won’t be using it a lot. There aren’t any good tour operators. So consider this only if you have your own car here.
5. King’s Lake(or Königssee) & Obersee Lake, Germany
- Both of these lakes are located near the town of Berchtesgaden near the German border.
- King’s lake is famously titled ‘prettiest lake in Germany’, and it’s totally worth the title. The views offered by this lake with clear waters and surrounding Bavarian alps is beyond words. Honestly, it is one of the most beautiful lakes i have ever seen. The most famous activity to do here is to a boat ride of the entire length of the lake. The views are stunning.
- Lake Obersee is a 15 mins walk from the other end of King’s Lake. You can reach there by a drive also, but we highly recommend this super scenic boat ride.
- Since this whole area is part of Berchtesgaden National Park, there are various hiking trails. This is great place to get lost in nature. Also, you can combine your trip with nearby attractions like Eagle’s Nest, the Berchtesgaden Salt Mine, and the Watzmann Therme.
- It a short drive of 40 mins, around 30 KM’s.
6. Spend a day in the famous Wachau valley
- The super scenic Wachau Valley in Austria is about a 30 KM stretch between towns of Krems and Melk. This is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- This valley is famous for its rich history and culture, incredible wines and breath-taking landscapes. This valley is one of the most scenic day trips from Vienna. In this beautiful stretch, you can discover hills, monasteries, vineyards, castles and villages and much more.
- Danube river flows through this whole stretch. The shore of this river if filled with small charming villages, castles, and some of the best vineyards in Austria.
- You can start your tour with the town of Krems, then driving/cruising your way to the town of Melk. You can make spots at the small charming towns along the way. Many tour operators have different itineraries for this tour. So you can choose whichever suits you the best.
- Best way to get there is to do a 2 hour drive to the valley. From there you can drive to the different towns in the valley.
7. St.Gilgen & Schafberg Railroad
- Saint Gilgen is a pretty village in Australia set aside the beautiful Lake Wolfgangsee and surrounded by beautiful mountains. The village is filled pretty streets with quaint cafes leading to the lake. This is truly unmissable countryside beauty.
- Apart from relaxing by the lake, the best thing thing to do here is go up to the top by a smooth cable car. The views from the top are truly beyond words! As shown in the photo, on a clear day you will be able to see numerous lakes and spectacular mountains with the colorful cable cars. It was just breathtaking.
- There is also a restaurant on top with outside seating area and it offers this view with drinks. Obviously, you can miss that.
- This village is just a 30 mins drive from Salzburg. And it is one of the nearest and best day trip from Salzburg.
8. Zell am see
- Zell am see is super scenic small town in central Austria. It is one of the most famous skiing destination in the country.
- This town is located around the picturesque Lake Zell which is beautiful freshwater lake. Also the town is surrounded by Schmittenhohe mountains. This mountain is home to the ski resort and all the winter activities in this town. You can reach the mountain top by a convenient cable car.
- In summers, the mountain offers activities like hiking, motorbiking, paragliding and many more. In winters, it offers a ski resort with varieties of winter sports and activities. And apart from all this, it offers breattaking views of the surrounding mountains, Lake Zell and the Zell am see town. For additional information, please visit the official website.
- Kaprun is a super scenic town on the foot of Kitzsteinhorn Glacier in Central austria. day trip from Salzburg. From moutain hiking to downward skiing, impressive gorges, man made dam lakes, this place has so much to do. If you are into hiking, this place is paradise for you.
- You can drive or take a direct train to reach here. Both take around 90 mins.
9. Kaprun
- Kaprun is a super scenic town in Central Austria. It is just a 15 min drive from Zel am see, and it is very similar to it. This is also a very famous skiing destination.
- This town is located on the foot of Kitzsteinhorn mountain which is home to the beautiful Kitzsteinhorn glacier. This mountain offers a lot of viewpoints including the most famous one known as Gipfel Welt 3000. This is located at 3029 meters above sea level and it provides breathtaking views of the glacier and surrounding mountains. This mountain offers activities like hiking and mountain biking in summers. And in winters, it offers all the winter sports and activities like skiing and snowboarding. For additional information, please visit the official website.
- Other things to do include two high in mountains reservoir forming beautiful lakes, hill top castle, beautiful church and many more.
10. Innsbruck
Innsbruck is one of the best destinations in Austria to ski in the alps. The city consists of many gorgeous lakes, and it home to the very famous and iconic Swarovski’s Crystal Museum and Headquarters. That same site is also home to their underground factory, which has the iconic entrance of giant head with crystal eyes and with water coming out of its mouth.How to Get There
- By Car: 150 minute drive away from Salzburg.
- By Public Transport:Take the train straight to Innsbruck which takes about 2 hours.
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