Salzburg is nestled between the Mönchsberg and Kapuzinerberg. Due to this unique location, Salzburg is blessed with plenty of beautiful viewpoints.
Whenever I’m in a city, I always look for viewpoints to get a good overview and a first feeling for the city.
This is particularly easy in Salzburg.
Because a beautiful view of Salzburg is not hard to find, whether it’s from one of the city’s mountains, the Salzburger local mountain, a rooftop bar, or selected hotels.
In Salzburg, the choice is extensive.
There are more than enough viewpoints in Salzburg due to its special location.
I will introduce you here to the absolute most beautiful views of the city of Salzburg, Austria from above. Including panoramic views.
Contents
Best Views In Salzburg At A Glance
| Viewpoint | Accessibility | View Quality | Best Time to Visit |
| Mönchsberg | Easy (Lift available) | Panoramic city views | All day, especially at sunset |
| Kapuzinerberg | Moderate (Hiking path) | Overlooks Old Town and Salzach River | Morning for wildlife, evening for sunset |
| Hohensalzburg Fortress | Easy (Fortress railway) | Overlooks city and surrounding mountains | Midday for clear views |
| Humboldt Terrace | Easy (Lift access) | City and river views | Afternoon for lighting |
| Hotel Schloss Mönchstein | Exclusive (Hotel guests) | Infinity pool view of city | Anytime for guests |
| Richterhöhe | Moderate (Hiking trail) | Views of Untersberg, city | Late afternoon for lighting |
| Steinterrasse | Easy (In city) | Rooftop view of Old Town | Evening for city lights |
| Domquartier | Easy (Museum tour) | Cathedral and Residenzplatz | Midday for less crowd |
| Rose Hill (Mirabell Gardens) | Easy (Public access) | Iconic fortress backdrop | Early morning to avoid crowds |
| Catacombs | Moderate (Stairs) | Unique view of cemetery, St. Peter’s Archabbey | Midday for best light |
| Leopoldskroner Weiher | Easy (Public access) | Leopoldskron Palace, fortress view | Sunrise for photography |
| Gaisberg | Moderate (Bus) | Panoramic city and land views | Sunset for dramatic views |
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Mönchsberg Salzburg
The Mönchsberg is THE viewpoint platform of Salzburg. There are countless opportunities at the Mönchsberg mountain to get a fantastic view of the Mozart city.
Getting up the Mönchsberg is one of the best things to do in Salzburg.
The easiest way to reach the Mönchsberg is via the Mönchsberg lift.
This takes you from the Old Town in less than a minute directly through the rock up to the Mönchsberg. The exit point is at the Museum of Modern Art.
Mönchsberg Lift Costs:
The Mönchsberg Lift is included in the Salzburg Card and can be used once (ascent and descent). Without the card, the round trip costs €4.20 for adults and €2.10 for children (as of 2024).
Mönchsberg Lift Opening Hours:
Monday from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Tuesday to Sunday from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM. In July and August daily from 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM.
Address: Gstättengasse 13, 5020 Salzburg
There are several ways to walk up to the Mönchsberg:
- From the Müllner Church or the Augustiner Monastery and Augustiner Bräu up to the Mönchsberg
- From the Clemens-Holzmeister-Stiege, which is located between the Festival Halls (by the outdoor organ) and the Erzabtei St. Peter
- From the Nonnberg Convent
- From the Hohensalzburg Fortress (take the fortress railway up and continue on foot or walk up the path to the fortress)
The Mönchsberg can also be discovered as part of a city hike.
There are many beautiful viewpoints on the Mönchsberg itself over the city.
I will introduce you to the most beautiful ones here:
Museum of Modern Art, Mönchsberg:
In front of the entrance to the Museum of Modern Art on the Mönchsberg (most easily reached by the Mönchsberg lift), there is a beautiful view of Salzburg from above.
Is this Salzburg‘s most beautiful view? In my opinion, definitely one of the most beautiful.
From here, you can see the landmark, Hohensalzburg Fortress, as well as the Old Town, the Salzach, and the New Town with the Kapuzinerberg in the background.
Address: Mönchsberg 32, 5020 Salzburg
M32 at Mönchsberg:
The M32, located in the building complex of the Museum of Modern Art, is a great place to have a coffee, breakfast, or meal while keeping an eye on the city.
The view from the terrace is particularly beautiful, but even from the inside area, the view of the Hohensalzburg Fortress and the city is possible due to the panoramic windows.
Address: Mönchsberg 32, 5020 Salzburg
Website: M32
Stadtalm on the Mönchsberg:
From the mountain station of the Mönchsberg lift / from the Museum of Modern Art, it’s a short walk to the Stadtalm.
Through the forest, you reach another viewpoint on the Mönchsberg: the Stadtalm, in about 10 minutes.
A drink on the terrace or from the small room in the back of the Stadtalm is worth the detour due to the wonderful view.
For vegans or people with allergies, I cannot recommend the Stadtalm for dining.
There is no vegan dish on the menu, and there are no efforts here to offer a dish.
Address: Mönchsberg 19C, 5020 Salzburg
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Humboldt Terrace:
The Humboldt Terrace is another popular viewpoint, which is located on the Mönchsberg.
The Humboldt Terrace is most easily accessible via the Mönchsberg lift.
Alternatively, you can take the path up from the Müllner Church.
This viewpoint is located on the mountain above Müllner Hauptstraße.
Nearby below is the House of Nature, and across the Salzach River is the Landestheater and the Mirabell Garden.
Exclusive View: Luxury Hotel Schloss Mönchstein on the Mönchsberg:
The most exclusive view of Salzburg, which I don’t want to withhold, can be found at the 5-star superior Hotel Schloss Mönchstein on the Mönchsberg.
From the infinity pool, there is a fantastic view of Salzburg.
This pool has also been graced by one star or another (like Cameron Diaz).
Book your stay at the Castle Mönchstein. Here you can find current prices and photos.
Address: Mönchsberg 26, 5020 Salzburg
Richterhöhe:
Near the Hohensalzburg Fortress is the Richterhöhe.
From the fortress, this viewpoint, which is at 508 meters above sea level, is accessible via the Oskar-Kokoschka-Weg.
From here, there is a beautiful view over to the Untersberg and the Hohensalzburg Fortress.
Hohensalzburg Fortress, the Landmark of Salzburg City:
There is also a fantastic view down to Salzburg from the Hohensalzburg Fortress.
The fortress was built on the Mönchsberg, but it deserves to be listed as a separate point in this listing.
The Hohensalzburg Fortress is accessible via the fortress railway or on foot. The ride with the fortress railway takes about a minute.
There are several viewpoints on the Hohensalzburg Fortress from the outdoor areas, but also the indoor rooms. The Festung Hohensalzburg is also the most popular place to see during one day in Salzburg.
Address: Fortress Railway, Festungsgasse 4, 5020 Salzburg
Hohensalzburg Fortress, Mönchsberg 34, 5020 Salzburg
Costs Basic Ticket for a round trip with the fortress railway, entry to the fortress area, tour with an audio guide, fortress museum, Rainer Regiment Museum, exhibition armory, and the marionette museum.
Until 11:00 AM, entry to the Prince’s Chambers is also included. Costs for adults €17.40 and for children €6.60.
The basic ticket is included in the Salzburg Card.
Fortress Railway Opening Hours: January to March 9:00 AM-5:00 PM, April to June 9:00 AM to 8:30 PM, July and August 9:00 AM to 9:30 PM, September and October 9:00 AM to 8:30 PM, November 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, December 9:00 AM to 8:30 PM.
Hohensalzburg Fortress (Indoor Area) Opening Hours: January to April 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM, May to September 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, October to December 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM. On Easter and Advent weekends from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM.
Website: Fortress Railway, Hohensalzburg Fortress
Nonnberg Convent (Nonnberg Kloster)
The Nonnberg Convent (Benedictine Abbey) is located slightly elevated at the foot of the fortress mountain, below the Hohensalzburg Fortress.
There is also a beautiful view of Salzburg from here. Although not of the Old Town, but of the St. Erhard Church, Nonntal, and the majestic Untersberg.
Tip: Listen to the Gregorian chants of the nuns in the convent church. They sing at 6:45 AM and spread a mystical atmosphere in the convent church.
Address: Nonnberggasse 2, 5020 Salzburg
Website
Festungsgasse and Hoher Weg:
Along Festungsgasse, there are also beautiful viewpoints of Salzburg’s Old Town.
So it’s worth looking out for beautiful views along the way up to the Hohensalzburg Fortress.
If you don’t want to go up to the fortress, then the ascent to the right next to the fortress railway via a staircase along Festungsgasse over to the Nonnberg Convent (Hoher Weg) is also a beautiful way to enjoy the best views.
Kapuzinerberg:
In addition to the Mönchsberg, the Kapuzinerberg is also a great viewpoint.
The narrow path leads directly from the city over the Imbergstiege up to the Kapuzinerberg.
Alternatively, the Stefan-Zweig-Weg leads from Stefan-Zweig-Platz to the Kapuzinerweg.
By the way, chamois also live on Kapuzinerberg. With some luck, you can encounter these during a hike on the Kapuzinerweg.
Hettwer Bastion
A popular spot and photo point to enjoy the Salzburg view is the Hettwer Bastion.
From the Hettwer Bastion’s viewing platform, you can see the entire old town, including the Hohensalzburg Fortress and the Mönchsberg.
Bastion Path
From the Hettwer Bastion, the Bastion Path runs along the defensive wall, dating back to the 17th century.
This historical path along the wall is about 1.7 kilometers long and leads up to the Franziskischlössl.
From there, a path leads back to the Capuchin Monastery.
Steinterrasse Salzburg – The Rooftop Bar with a View of the Old Town
Fancy enjoying a cocktail above the city roofs with a view of the old town and Salzburg’s landmark?
This is possible from the Steinterrasse. Especially in summer, it’s pleasant to sit in the stylish outdoor ambiance.
In bad weather, the panoramic windows make it equally possible to enjoy a beautiful view of the old town.
Breakfast is also served on the Steinterrasse from 7 am (also for guests of the Hotel Stein). Otherwise, there is a small, manageable menu.
Address: Giselakai 3-5, 5020 Salzburg Opening hours: Monday to Thursday and Sunday: 7:00 am to 12:00 am, Friday and Saturday: 7:00 am to 1:00 am
Domquartier: Dome Arch Terrace
On a tour through the Domquartier, in addition to the staterooms, European paintings, the cathedral treasure, and the treasures of the Archabbey of St. Peter, there is also a special view of the Residenzplatz, the cathedral, and the Mozartplatz.
A few tables are set up on the terrace, which connects the cathedral and the Domquartier.
If you have time, you can order a coffee or a cool drink here and enjoy the view.
Tip: From the Dome Arch Terrace, continue to the organ loft of the cathedral. The view here of the nave of the Salzburg Cathedral is stunning.
Domquartier Costs: Adults €13.00 and children €5.00 (admission is included in the Salzburg Card)
Domquartier Opening Hours: Wednesday to Monday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, July and August daily from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, Advent and Christmas season daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
The last admission is one hour before closing. The Domquartier is closed on December 24th.
Address: Residenzplatz 1, Domplatz 1A, 5020 Salzburg
Website
Rose Hill in Mirabell Palace (Mirabell Gardens)
The most popular postcard and photo motif can be found on Rosengarten (Rose Hill).
In the background is the Hohensalzburg Fortress, to the left is Mirabell Palace, and in the immediate foreground is the beautifully landscaped palace park.
Rose Hill is very popular with photographers, wedding couples, and tourists from all over the world.
So it’s best to get there early to photograph the motif well. Mirabell Gardens are freely accessible and can be visited at any time.
Address: Mirabellplatz 3, 5020 Salzburg
Catacombs
The catacombs in Salzburg might not immediately come to mind when thinking of beautiful views of Salzburg.
Nevertheless, the catacombs deserve a place in this list, as they are not only a special place but also offer a beautiful and somewhat different view of a part of Salzburg.
Generally, I associate catacombs with ossuaries. This is not the case with the catacombs in Salzburg (to my relief).
Stairs have been carved into the rock and the path leads up to an old church/chapel embedded in the stone.
There is also a viewpoint in the catacombs, from which you can see the cemetery and the Archabbey of St. Peter.
Catacombs Cost: Adults €2.00, children €1.50 (included in the Salzburg Card)
Catacombs Opening Hours: May to September from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm and 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm, October to April daily from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm and 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Address: St.-Peter-Bezirk 1, 5020 Salzburg
Leopoldskroner Weiher
Leopoldskroner Weiher is located about a 15-minute walk from Salzburg’s old town.
From this pond, you can see Leopoldskron Palace and in the background, the Hohensalzburg Fortress.
I stayed at the Leopoldskron Palace, which is part of the Sound of Music film set, and it was amazing. Here’s my review about staying at the Sound of Music film location, the Schloss Leopoldskron hotel.
You can book a stay at the Schloss Leopoldskron Palace here.
A special photo spot, especially at sunrise. The pond is partly publicly accessible.
The rest belongs to Leopoldskron Palace, which is only accessible to hotel guests (or open to the public at special times and exclusive events).
Address: accessible via Firmianstraße, for example, 5020 Salzburg
Gaisberg Salzburg (Best Sunset View Outside The City)
Gaisberg is Salzburg’s local mountain and is easily recognizable by the distinctive Gaisberg transmitter on the summit.
The view from Gaisberg offers a fantastic view of the city of Salzburg and parts of the Salzburger Land as far as Germany.
Especially beautiful and popular in summer is watching the sunset over Salzburg. Athletes can bike up Gaisberg. Good conditioning is required.
It is also possible to drive directly up by car. However, this is very busy, especially on beautiful days.
The best way to get to Gaisberg is by bus directly from the city of Salzburg.
The only downside: At the moment, the last bus back to Salzburg unfortunately leaves before sunset.
Tip: Take bus 151 from Mirabellplatz directly up to Gaisberg. The trip to Gaisberg is included in the Salzburg Card.
Not in the city of Salzburg, but from the surrounding community of Grödig, there is a magnificent view from Untersberg of Salzburg and the surrounding area.
Salzburg Map: All Highlights, Attractions, and Tips
You can find the presented Salzburg viewpoints here on the map:
Bonus Tips: Even More Viewpoints in Salzburg
Popular viewpoints for the city of Salzburg also include the bridges over the Salzach, such as the Müllnersteg, the Marko-Feingold-Steg (formerly Makartsteg), the Staatsbrücke, and the Mozartsteg.
If you want to discover Salzburg city from the water, you can do so during a boat trip on the Salzach. The cruise is included in the City Card as well.
The landing stage is at Franz-Josef-Kai near Makartsteg.
The ticket for a boat trip is also included in the Salzburg Card.
Hotels with The Best View in Salzburg
The best view of Salzburg is from the Hotel Schloss Mönchstein, especially from the Infinity Pool.
You can find photos of this special place, where celebrities like Cameron Diaz stayed, as well as the availability and prices here: Hotel Schloss Mönchstein
Conclusion About The Views In Salzburg
Exploring Salzburg’s stunning viewpoints is like stepping into a series of picturesque postcards, especially if you take a photo at the Mirabell Gardens.
Whether it’s the panoramic view from the Mönchsberg or the serene vistas at the Kapuzinerberg, each viewpoint offers its unique charm and character, beautifully capturing the essence of Salzburg.
The next time you find yourself in Salzburg, make sure to take a moment at these viewpoints to truly appreciate one of the best cities to visit in Austria in all its glory.
More related articles for planning your trip to Salzburg:
The Best Things To Do In Salzburg
The Perfect One Day Itinerary For Salzburg
The Best Christmas Markets in Salzburg
Winter in Salzburg – A Local’s Guide For The Best Things To Do
Salzburg to Hallstatt Day Trip – Comprehensive Guide to See Austria’s Most Beautiful Village
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zuletzt aktualisiert am February 4, 2026