Some people say that if you haven't visited Hohensalzburg Fortress, you haven't seen Salzburg. After all, the over 1,000-year-old castle complex is considered the landmark of the city of Mozart for good reason. Once upon a time, the mighty prince archbishop controlled the fate of the country behind its proud walls. Today, the fortress invites visitors on an exciting and entertaining journey through Salzburg's history. There is so much to discover above the rooftops of the UNESCO-protected old town: from the famous Fürstenzimmer to the Panoramatour, a journey to the highest point of the city. In 2025, families and young adults in particular can look forward to a whole host of new highlights.
Even more adventures for families
Fun, games and history are the motto of the Fortress Games, an interactive adventure tour for young and old that was recently inaugurated. Equipped with a lovingly designed game set, visitors go on a journey of discovery through the castle. There are lots of tricky tasks to solve and seven game stations where skill and brains are required: from a duel with the blacksmith to pulling the rope on the Salzburg bull.
Salzburg Castles & Palaces
With our wide range of guided tours, you can experience and discover the Salzburg landmark just as you like: on atmospheric evening tours, guided tours for the whole family, special tours for senior citizens, barrier-free tours for visitors with limited mobility or a free quick tour for those who like things short and sweet. If you prefer to explore the fortress on your own, but still in "company", you should take the Panorama Tour.
High Salzburg Quick Tour
During the summer months, you have the opportunity to take part in the Hohensalzburg Quick Tour every day. The free personal tour starts at point A in the castle courtyard of the fortress and will give you the most important information about the Salzburg landmark in around 30 minutes. In the morning, you can continue your visit after the tour and explore the interior. After the evening tour, the bastions are an attractive vantage point from which to round off the evening in comfort.
Sword fighting workshop
Young adults and students will also find even more tailored offers at Hohensalzburg Fortress from 2025: The program includes a photo spots tour for students, a sword-fighting workshop for first-semester students, a table football tournament and the Cheers! After Work Special.
The wide range of special tours is rounded off by new and familiar themed formats such as the evening tours (July and August, always on Thursdays), a fortress roast on Raunacht (December 27), the anniversary tour in the Romanesque Chapel (November 20) or a solstice tour (June 19).
Everyman & Fortress Advent: event highlights at the castle
Of course, the tried and tested events are not neglected either: annual highlights include Jedermann in the castle courtyard (July & August) or the fortress concerts (daily). An insider tip among locals is the Salzburg Fortress Advent: the authentic Christmas market offers Salzburg handicrafts, regional delicacies and a romantic Christmas atmosphere on the Advent weekends. Visitors can also enjoy a cup of mulled wine or punch and the magnificent view over Salzburg's old town.
Served for ages, never destroyed: experience Salzburg's landmark
Hohensalzburg Fortress is one of the largest castle complexes dating back to the 11th century and has never been destroyed in its eventful history. This is why it offers visitors today unique historical insights that reach far back into the Middle Ages: The so-called "Hohe Stock" with its magnificent princely rooms is particularly impressive. With the "Golden Parlor" and the elaborately designed tiled stove, these are among the most beautiful late Gothic secular rooms in Europe. In the lovingly designed Magic Theater, visitors to the Princes' Rooms embark on a fascinating journey through time in the footsteps of the builder Leonhard von Keutschach. With music, light effects and video installations, it is an experience for all the senses and captivates children and adults alike.
Panorama tour: dive deep and reach high up
The panorama tour at Hohensalzburg Fortress is dedicated entirely to the "pleasure of seeing". Enjoy magnificent views of the city of Salzburg as well as artistic insights into the history of the city and fortress. Learn more about hidden legends and unique treasures such as the Salzburg Bull. Sparkling salt, forged iron and golden musical instruments await you. In each room, a central element is transformed into a narrative landscape. The panorama tour is a self-guided tour.
Museum offerings at the fortress
The Fortress Museum gives you an insight into the history of Salzburg and the function of the fortress with the help of selected objects from the Salzburg Museum's medieval collections and impressive media installations. The tour through a total of twelve rooms is designed as a sequence of themes that convey various aspects of the Middle Ages and shed light on people and events from the art, culture and history of Salzburg.
Hohensalzburg Fortress has been home to the Rainer Regimental Museum since 1924. It preserves the memory of the former Salzburg house regiment, the k.u.k. Infantry Regiment "Archduke Rainer" No. 59, whose history goes back to the year 1682. When the Duchy of Salzburg became part of Austria in 1816, the regiment was assigned Salzburg and the Inn and Hausruckviertel in Upper Austria as recruiting districts.
Immerse yourself in the fabulous world of marionettes and the great art of small puppets at the Marionette Museum. In this museum you will discover many exhibits from the world-famous Salzburg Marionette Theater in Schwarzstraße. Try your hand at puppetry and learn more about the history of this unique art form, which is also a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage site.
Salzburg Castles & Palaces
The right ticket for every occasion
With over one million visitors a year, Hohensalzburg Fortress is Salzburg's most popular Sightseeing. Various ticket options are available to meet the needs of all visitors: The all-inclusive ticket is the best choice for all visitors who want to make the most of everything the landmark has to offer. A separate option for those in a hurry has been created in the form of the inexpensive panorama ticket. It is available from 8.30 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and is aimed specifically at guests who come primarily for the view and want to enjoy the special atmosphere in the morning and evening. It is available in the high season from May 1 to September 30 and includes the ascent and descent on the fortress cable car, a visit to the castle grounds with courtyards and bastions as well as the new panoramic tour. To avoid waiting times at the ticket office, Hohensalzburg Fortress offers an attractive online ticket.
General information about visiting Hohensalzburg Fortress
Hohensalzburg Fortress is open all year round, 365 days a year. The fortress train runs every 10 minutes, and it takes around 20 minutes to walk up to the fortress through the barrier arches, the mayor's gate and the outer courtyard. Guests can enjoy culinary delights in the castle restaurant and the castle tavern, which can also be hired for celebrations. The fortress concerts take place in the Fürstenzimmer. Hohensalzburg Fortress can be visited free of charge with the Salzburg Card. Visitors have access to free WLAN and an informative website with a "Comic & Guide".
January 1 to December 31, 2025
www.festung-hohensalzburg.at
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