Fortress Hohensalzburg

Fortress · Fortress Hohensalzburg

Fortress Hohensalzburg

Fortress · Fortress Hohensalzburg

Mönchsberg 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria

4 Postcards

Highlights

Perched atop a hill with stunning city and Alps views, this 11th-century fortress boasts rich history, impressive museums, and scenic hikes.

Mönchsberg 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria Get directions

salzburg-burgen.at

@festung_hohensalzburg

@travelleisure

"The archbishops of Salzburg built Festung Hohensalzburg, one of Europe's largest medieval castles, in the period of the Holy Roman Empire." - Travel + Leisure Editors

13 Medieval Castles to Visit for History and Architecture

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@afar

"As the largest fully preserved fortress in central Europe, the more-than-900-year-old Hohensalzburg has long been the medieval crown above an elegantly baroque city. Its current appearance dates back to the 1495–1519 reign of Prince-Archbishop Leonhard von Keutschach, during which the fortress was expanded using funds generated from the nearby salt and silver mines. Inner courtyards lead to an extensive, but not exhausting, collection of medieval curiosities and other artifacts from the political elites of the Holy Roman Empire. The apartments of the prince-archbishops—including the ornately decorated Golden Chamber and Bed Chamber—are highlights of a wonderfully maintained interior, while the views over the city are simply stunning. Access to the fortress is by foot or a short funicular ride."

Salzburg and Salzburger Land

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@afar

Austria's Best Castles & Palaces

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The Best Things to Do in Salzburg

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Ola Ola

Google

You will need 3-4 hours to leisurely visit the castle. It is better to get to the castle by funicular, as it is a very steep and long climb, and you can walk back down. There is a museum inside the castle, and there is also a cafe. The castle terrasses offer beautiful views of Salzburg.

Rachel Wilkins

Google

I quite enjoyed this visit. Good price that includes cable car type train that runs up and down the side of the fortress so you don’t have to walk. Good views from the top. Nice place to look around.

Manish Metha

Google

Due to less knowledge about history, I had difficulty understanding the story just by reading. If a guided tour was present that would have been awesome. Look wise it's beautiful and well maintained. The nearby view is also amazing. All the museums along with a ride to the fort are included in 14 euro.

Joanna M L Fearn

Google

A formidable, mighty fortress which overlooks the city of Salzburg, this impressive fortress can be seen for miles. You can even see it perched on the mountain top from Salzburg airport from afar. I have visited Salzburg, passed through many times to visit as my Mum now resides in Austria but we have never found the time to make it up to the fortress till this summer. We visited in Aug 2024 and had an amazing time. You can reach the funicular train to the fortress by walking through the old town. The funicular propels you up to the fortress within a min, saving you a long walk up the mountain. When you get to the top, onto the viewing platform, you soon discover how vast the fortress is and its mighty walls. There is so much to see and the views over the city are amazing. You can climb the tower the the top viewing platform for panoramic views of the city and the mountains bordering with Germany behind. We didn't purchase a ticket to view the rooms but you can depending on your preference. Wear sturdy shoe/trainers as you will do a lot of walking so you will want to be comfortable.

Daniel Duran

Google

Such a wonderful palace in the top of the hill! The hike up isn’t too bad if you take your time! You can buy tickets from the ticket booth or on your phone as I bought them while hiking up! I really enjoyed the inside of the palace as it has a lot of interesting artifacts and historical signs! I highly recommend it if you’re visiting Salzburg! Just make sure to spend a couple hours up here as there is lots to see and explore!

Mat Bienczyk

Google

Amazing fun castle to walk through and journey through the centuries of history. You can either walk up and down to the castle, or there's a small cliff lift at an extra cost. There's many different rooms and area to venture through the castle - some viewpoints up top, chapel, historical sections.

Danilo Savovic

Google

The castle is absolutely stunning and has so much history to explore. It's quite large, and the views from the top are incredible. However, it was a bit difficult to navigate as the signage isn't very clear, and it can be confusing to find different sections of the castle. All-inclusive ticket grants access to the state rooms, which were incredibly fascinating and well worth seeing. Additionally, if you're traveling with luggage or bags, there's a Safe-O-Mat available at the info desk in Section A, which is a convenient feature. Overall, a great experience, but clearer directions would improve the visit.

Varun Alagar

Google

A lovely historical place to explore and learn about. Was a good experience to walk the fort and observe the vast surroundings. The views from the top are breathtaking and definitely worth the visit even if it has to be a paid entry. There are decent restaurants and public toilets. Some parts also have winches to take you up and down. The forest path to come down is also beautiful to explore.

Ola Ola

Google

Rachel Wilkins

Google

Manish Metha

Google

Joanna M L Fearn

Google

Daniel Duran

Google

Mat Bienczyk

Google

Danilo Savovic

Google

Varun Alagar

Google

Sara G.

Yelp

I recently visited Fortress Hohensalzburg, and she is up there and old, 11th century that is. She is high above the Baroque towers of Salzburg. Even Napoleon himself wisely chose not to challenge her might. Attending a classical music concert within these ancient walls was magical. The acoustics resonated beautifully. Oh, those views! From the fortress, Salzburg sprawls below like a miniature community. The river, the rooftops, and the distant Alps were all in frame. The views are some of the best I've seen.

Nancy G.

Yelp

Full disclosure, I have not been inside or taken a tour. I have only been outside and walked around the grounds and scenic walkways. You cannot miss this fortress, sitting on the highest hill in Salzburg. It is visible from practically everywhere in the city and outer environs! There is a funicular, but we never walked over in the area where it is located, we always walked up the backside, up the hill. We entered from a smaller area and had to walk up the road inside the fortress (steep, and long...have good shoes, and prepare to take a break now and again). We were able to see a few historic things, like a forge and a few lookout posts, but when we got to the top, we were in the courtyards and could walk around and get lovely views of the city. Definitely worth a visit, I will be taking a tour on my next trip! 50/2024

Nate S.

Yelp

You can't come to Salzburg and not visit the fortress. Great views of the city, a couple of nice museums, games for the kids, and food! Get the Salzburg City Card so you can ride the tram up and down for free and get into most of fortress attractions for free as well. Check it out!

Vicky B.

Yelp

This is a must-see in Salzburg! The fortress is atop a hill and offers gorgeous views. There's plenty to see here and we spent about an hour and a half here. Getting up to the fortress is easy on the funicular which leaves every few minutes and goes fast. However once inside, not every room is easily accessible as there are steps. Highly recommend!

Greg O.

Yelp

Great views in all directions in addition to learning about the history. We had the Salzburg card which included the basic ticket and the lift. The lift saved a lot of walking and time. If you like fortresses and castles this is a good place to tour. Even if you don't it's worth it for the views. The Salzburg card makes for a great value if you plan on visiting a few locations within the time frame.

Carrie M.

Yelp

The trek to the entrance of the fortress was difficult. I actually wanted to take the funicular to the top, but I couldn't find it, so I walked up to the entrance. This is a really famous attraction in Salzburg, but I don't think it was really worth it. There wasn't that much to see. The views are good, but you can get good views without going inside the fortress. There are supposed to be cafes, but nothing was open when I was there. The ticket was €11.20, which includes the funicular descent. The exhibits have descriptions in simple English, which was a new and strange thing for me. I understand that it can be very helpful for some people, but I would've liked there to have been a standard version as well.

Jamie H.

Yelp

Fun to go up to the top on a quick cable cart type ride. Once at the top there is amazing view on both sides. One looking over the main area in Salzburg and one looking over the suburbs/country side with the alps. It was really a wonderful view. If you have time there is a cafe on both side on the top, the one looking over the country side had the best view. We didn't get to try either but I would have loved to stay and take in the view at the one cafe if we had time. We did not go inside the fort as we were limited on time, but the view alone was worth the quick trip up.

Myphuong L.

Yelp

Free with the Salzburg card to take the funicular to Hohensalzburg Castle. There are two cars for standing. Both of them give you great views as you ascend and descend. If you need to sit, there are two chairs. The car closest to you at the bottom of the stairs, going up will have seats. The car closest to you, at the top of the stairs when descending will have seats. The castle inside was an additional fee but free with the Salzburg card. The castle was closed at 5pm but our goal was to catch the sunset and to view the city after dark around the fortress. However, it was still bright and we had to catch the last funicular down at 8ish. Highly recommend this place and if you could actually catch the city after dark, that would be awesome because there are other view points to catch it during the day. You can also walk up the hill which will take about 40 minutes. The funicular closes at 8:30pm and we saw a bunch of college kids going up for a late night concert. Which means, they will have to walk down when it ends.

Michael B.

Yelp

Super cool castle and worth every cent to visit. The funicular comes included with the Salzburg city pass and will save you lots of time walking. That's more time to explore the castle! Arrive early and not on a weekend to avoid to major crowds that will gather. Go straight to the panorama section to get the great views in quickly before everyone else. There is a café inside the top of the castle. Restrooms are free and available in multiple places in the castle.

Matthew H.

Yelp

This place has amazing views. You can take a funicular to the top, which is what we did.

John H.

Yelp

This castle is a must stop for your visit in Salzburg. Primarily because it offers the best views of the city. Also, with the Salz. Card you get access to all the museums within the castle and the funicular. Otherwise, I am not sure the museums are worth an additional cost, but it is easy peasy access. Since I love the Sound of Music, I enjoyed seeing the marionettes Van Trapp. Also stopped by the cafe to linger at the view. Seize the sunny days as the Alps take on a whole different light.

Eric W.

Yelp

This is another Salzburg must see. It is at the very top of a mountain and is hard to climb up to, but you can take a funicular up and down the fortress. The fortress itself has a lot of things that you can see, and you will definitely not be able to see all of it in one hour. The observation deck is very nice.

GT W.

Yelp

Salzburg Fortress is worth visiting for sure, but the museum is a bit disappointing. The views from the top are worth it, though. Regarding the museum, the audio tour is critically flawed in that it's way too short and then you are sort of on your own. There is very little direction thereafter and the signage is poor. That was pretty frustrating. Apart from the museum, walking around the fortress is quite a memorable experience and you have several lookouts that give you an impressive bird's eye view of beautiful Salzburg.

Jessica S.

Yelp

Our visit to Hohensalzburg centered around a Classical Concert on Christmas evening. I had wanted to book the dinner and concert, but got to the reservations too late in the season. I was happy to have just gotten the concert tickets! The tickets included a round-trip on the funicular, which was a bonus. We'd done the trek up the hill to Hohensalzurg the day before - in the daylight and proper shoes - and that left us both a bit breathless. We were heading back up to the Fortress following a filling (and boozy) Christmas dinner, and I didn't like the thought of that trek on a full belly. We were able to show our confirmation to the man working the funicular desk; he gave us two tickets for the train and pointed us through the door. A funicular was waiting, so we walked on and settled in to wait for the driver. Once he was in, we planted our feet, expecting a slow ascent. NOPE! That thing took off like a shot! I turned around, half-expecting to see a panicked operator, frantically pushing buttons as he desperately tried to slow the contraption down, but again...NOPE! For as fast as the funicular was going, the stop at the top was smooth and practically undetectable. It was a short walk (in the dark, with a drizzle and bitingly cold wind) from the funicular station to the concert location. We were in the second row, right at center stage. The seats weren't overly comfortable, but they were good enough for the two-plus hours we were there. I loved the way they'd decorated the space, with the ever-present gigantic ball ornaments and mini-trees. The stage was set for 8 performers, who walked out a bit late. The music was beautiful, their playing mesmerizing. I can't even begin to fathom the number of hours they put in to practicing together and alone. They were sharp, in sync with each other, and created incredibly transcendent music. I was in awe. I only snapped a couple pictures of the performers at the end, transfixed as I was by their playing and the story the music was telling. It was one of the most awe-inspiring moments on our trip (I include Christmas Mass at Salzburg Cathedral on this list, as well), and I'll hold on to the feels the music left me with forever.

Chris C.

Yelp

We took the train to Salzburg and this fortress was an unforgettable sight as the train approached the city, sitting high atop a hill. Right there we decided this would be the first sight to see the next day. We got to the bottom of the funicular just before noon and there was a long line getting tickets which include the ride. Later we also discovered you can walk up the very steep hill and about 3 quarters of the way up you'd still have to get an entrance ticket but without the ride it's a savings of 3 euros. Anyway it being a Sunday in July the entire place inside and out was extremely crowded, at many points we'd had to wait as they tried to keep the numbers under control. The panorama route gets you to the top viewing platform - nice view but not pleasant with everyone in tight quarters. It's definitely the number one sight in Salzburg to see but off season with fewer people would make it a lot more enjoyable. There is a restaurant with mostly outdoor tables in a leafy part of the fortress - nice place to have lunch if you can get a table. The ride is roundtrip but it's a pleasant and easy walk down the hill if you are not in a rush.

Julie G.

Yelp

Beautiful views from the top. It was 12 euros to ride the funicular round trip. It is about a 1 minute ride up. Great views of Salzberg. Worth the ride up or you can walk up. It is 8 euros for admission.

Yuko H.

Yelp

How could we not visit this fortress when it can be seen anywhere in Salzburg? Cable car ride to/from the fortress is included in the Salzburg card. No need to stand in line for a ticket, just proceed directly to the gate for a ride. View is amazing, get a good place to stand if possible. Standard admission is included in the Salzburg card as well. Wear comfortable walking shoes as this place is huge and lots of walking and stairs. There are so much to learn about the city from this fortress and they do not lack in information and displays about history here.

Cody M.

Yelp

Very cool to see this amazing old fortress that is nearly 1,000 years old in Salzburg, Austria.

Christina S.

Yelp

I am very glad I came here as it was a rather nice experience. It was only like 15€ for a ticket and that included a tram ride to the top. I believe you can walk up too but I am not sure what the cost is for that option. The views when you first get up to the top are fantastic. It's great to see the city from above. Then you can walk all through the castle and learn about what it was like for the people that lived there and so on. Very cool to see all the artifacts and learn a bit about the history of Salzburg. There is also a cafe at the top so you can have a nice beer or bite to eat after you have wandered around for it. Highly recommend spending a few hours here.

Marian M.

Yelp

The construction began in 1077, it is a very nice tour to visit. I recommend hiking all the way up ( it is a moderate excercise) and come down with the funicular. It used to be the prision of Austria, now its a museum and used for public events from time to time. La construcción empezó en el año 1077, es un tour muy lindo de hacer. Recomiendo subir caminando hasta arriba (es un ejercicio moderado a intenso) y bajar con el funicular. Solía ser una prisión en Austria, ahora es un museo que se usa de vez en cuando para algún evento de índole pública.

Colleen R.

Yelp

When you're a tourist in Salzburg, this fortress/castle/city is a must-see if you want to learn the history of Salzburg and it's surroundings, or if you just like old castles. Or, if you just want spectacular views of Salzburg and the mountains, this is the place for that too. Admission price varies depending on the level of access you want and is posted. As Floridians, we loved riding the funicular to the mountaintop. Sometimes it's the simple things that make you happy. The tour through the various buildings is interesting. There is a lot of history here. It takes about 1.5 hours to see almost everything using their headsets and narrated tour. Some tips if you go: - wear good walking shoes. There are lots of uneven walkways and lots of stairs. - it's a very tough place to use a wheelchair. It's on a mountaintop, and parts are super steep and uneven. - stop at one of the cafes, even if just for a coffee, beer or dessert. It's a great place to relax with some great views. - take a few minutes to look out over the railings, breath in the crisp mountain air, and take in the beauty that is Salzburg and this beautiful, old fortress.

Nick N.

Yelp

Food: 3/5 Service: 5/5 Cleanliness: 5/5 Decor & Style: 5/5 Atop the Fortress Hohensalzburg is a restaurant where you can sit and look...at...this...view (see my pictures). I sat here for 4 hours. Yes, I said 4 (four, cuatro, quatre, 四 sì) . We snacked the whole time, drank beer, wine, water, and relaxed from 3 to 7pm. Not only is the view nice but the Fortress is pretty cool itself! The food is pretty good, but not the best. Instead of a full on dinner I would recommend you eat bar food the entire time. The entrance fee up this Fortress is approximately $15-20 and that includes the cable car ride up the top. Also, they have a string puppet museum inside the fortress which is real nice to check out. This is a must if you visit Salzburg!

Ingrid G.

Yelp

A funicular will whisk you up the mountain to take you to this 900 year old Clifftop fortress or you could walk there in 20 minutes. Either way it's well worth it. Sells Bergs most visible icon is one of the biggest and best preserved fortresses in all of Europe. It's easy to spend half a day up here roaming the outsides and the well preserved rooms. Highlights for me included the golden hall where the lavish Banquets were once held with a gold studded ceiling imitating a stary night sky. We also got an audio guide that explains information about the inside. The audio guide does not have information about outside. There is also a room that explains how the fortress got it's humble beginning's in 1077 but then grew larger and larger throughout the many years. I found this quite interesting and they explained it very well with small models. The fortress also has two restaurants with stunning views. Unfortunately we did not eat any of them. If you have a stroller you can bring it up to the main floor but will have to Parkette because there are many steep stairs you need to climb. The restaurants do have baby change areas

Chun P.

Yelp

Not sure what differentiates this as Fortress instead of a Castle, but whatever, it awesome! This is one of the best preserved medieval castles in Europe because it was never actually attacked. There are lots of interesting rooms, lovely views, and the best gift shop ever. History nerds like me should not miss this while you're in Salzburg.

David S.

Yelp

Well, if there is a castle then I am definitely going to go and check it out, and this was the case here in Salzburg. Honestly, I love these old castle, and the view from the top is pretty awesome. The other really cool thing is that they have a funicular railway that will take you up to the castle, so you don't have a slog up the side of the hill. There are a number of things to check out here, including the museum, but they also some a couple of cafes where you can sit with a beer and look out over the German border.

Heliana M.

Yelp

We visited Salzburg in August 2010 and one of the highlights of the trip apart from Untensberg mountain was visiting the fortress. Walking around the fortress is simply lovely. Lots of greenery and beautiful neighbourhoods. We came back twice for the sunset and the short hike up to the top. Beautiful views. Visit the cafe that allows visitors to take pics and enjoy their fresh beer!

Chris L.

Yelp

Came here for a 2-3 hour tour and it was excellent. Tickets entitled us to an audio device that let us walk through and hear the history. Views were great albeit cloudy. On a clear day, I'm sure it would be amazing. The funicular ride up the mountain was a lot of fun too and a big time saver. We would definitely come back again on another trip.

Sarah C.

Yelp

It's insane how gorgeous this place is, esp the view from the top. My love and I came here on April 30th'18. Salzburg Fortress is the biggest fully preserved castle in Central Europe, built in 1077. You have the choice of making your way up there on foot, or riding the fortress funicular from the Festungsgasse. We took the funicular. The basic ticket includes Ascent and descent by Fortress funicular, entrance to fortress precincts, guided tour with audio guide in eleven languages ( look-out tower, salt storeroom, torture chamber, 'Salzburg Bull' - mechanical organ), Fortress Museum, Rainer Regiment Museum, Marionette Museum, and Alm passage. Adults € 12.20. Furthermore, the over 900-year-old fortress also serves as the venue for the famous Salzburg Fortress Concerts. We love the magnificent views of the city and you could feel how fresh and healthy the air is. We had some snacks at the restaurant that overlooks the city.

Karen C.

Yelp

This was one of my favorite places on my trip to Germany and Austria. You can walk up or take the lift. I enjoyed the walk a lot, but it is steep in places. I caught a concert at the fortress one evening and it was very good (I'm a musician) . I also had dinner at the restaurant by the fortress. They had good food and good service. I would love to go back! I didn't get to do the tour, I got there too late. As I was walking down the hill from the fortress the church bells started going off and it was a wonderful experience to hear them ringing throughout the city.

Abigail H.

Yelp

Outstanding! A MUST visit site while touring Salzburg. The structure itself is impressive, but the VIEWS!! This is what you should come for! If you purchase a Salzburg Card, which I strongly recommend, you'll be able to bypass the ticket line, scan your barcode at the turnstile, and hop right on the funicular cable car and go straight to the top. The ride is 40 seconds long and very smooth. When you arrive, you'll be within the fortress grounds and can walk around the entire property. I completed the 30-minute audio tour through the fortress rooms, which was informative and efficient. The audio guide comes in several languages, and the tour takes you in one direction, so you won't get lost. You'll begin with a history of the development of the site and various archbishops who contributed to its growth, then explore a few different rooms before heading to the rooftop viewing deck. It is spectacular, but does involve climbing about 40-50 steps up a winding staircase. The rest of the grounds offer two incredible perched views of Salzburg. Both are great for photo ops, whether you want to marvel at the mountains or the old historic town below. I enjoyed seeing the church and many stone archways on the grounds too. I didn't stay to eat or drink, but there are several restaurants. In total, I spent about 90 minutes getting up there, walking around, and returning. This was a highlight of the trip-- just go early to avoid wait times!

Lisa M.

Yelp

Best part of Salzburg! This is a must do. You can spend hours here. The funicular takes you up in under 60 seconds. Everything has been pretty much said about the Fortress so I won't repeat. But know you can buy an "all inclusive" ticket or a "basic" ticket. All inclusive gets you in the funicular, a headset guided tour and entry into additional attractions at the Fortress. The basic includes the funicular and entry only and you would have to pay extra for each attraction. When we went it was late and cold and it was still crowded so I can only imagine how crowded this would be on a nice day so I would go early or late. Discount tickets are available on the website.

Vincent V.

Yelp

The Festung Hohensalzburg appears to be an exercise in minimalism with at its most interesting a fantastic view of Salzburg and the surrounding mountains and an educational overview of military efforts leading up to and including WWI. The staff is friendly and efficient. Furnishings and artwork dating from any period after the middle ages appear to be MIA. Those from the middle ages seem to be limited to a few pieces. The Festung itself may be interesting from an architectural perspective yet perhaps only when a lack of crowds provides the opportunity to appreciate it fully. There is a restaurant on site.

Kaori M.

Yelp

Nice Salzburg's iconic castle. From balcony, you can see whole picture of Salzburg. It was interesting to see many buildings in the castle. Wish it was a little cheaper to enter.

Renna N.

Yelp

Wow! You can't come to Salzburg without visiting the Festung! Take the fernicular up, or if you're feeling festive, take the hike-- it's quite intense! Then, soak up the beauty of one of the best views of Salzburg. Definitely book a concert. They occur almost every night, and are magical! The one we attended featured four accomplished musicians playing Mozart, Strauss, and Haydn as we watched the sunset. It was the memory of a lifetime!

Sam S.

Yelp

Located up the hill in the old town part of Salzburg this is a place not to be missed. If you have time and energy you can walk up the hill or, for €11.50 you can take the funicular up the hill and back down again. The views from here are spectacular and, you can see pretty much the whole city from up here. There are different sections of the castle to see and there is a museum as well. I have walked up here and also taken the funicular. They are both interesting and you see a bit more on the walk but can be strenuous for some.

Catherine T.

Yelp

We did the dinner and advent concert. We were able to go up early like 5ish which was nice. Dinner was ok. Three main choices and plates were small. So don't come starving. Drinks were extra. Concert was down and up some stairs in an interesting part of the castle. Rather warm but there was a coat check. The musicians were really good. Concert lasted about 1.5 hours. Wouldn't do with young children. Not a hard walk but will want to do in comfortable shoes.

Elisa L.

Yelp

Best view of Salzburg. You can take the ride up, or save some money by walking (it's a very short climb). The views are best if you actually enter the castle grounds, though you will have to pay to get into that. A handful of museums inside, as well as a few cafes and restaurants. Nothing overly interesting. Once you see one castle, you have seen them all - this is definitely nothing special compared to Neuschwanstein and the other biggies, but it's a cheap option. We spent maybe 90 minutes inside. It gets a bit slippery when walking downwards during rainy days. I'd avoid wearing heels or shoes w/o grip :)

Carl J.

Yelp

An absolute must while visiting Salzburg. Old fortress originally from around 1200, later on where the Salzburg regiment was stationed. Beautiful views over Salzburg. Easy to reach through the bergbahn. Highly recommended!

Amy S.

Yelp

The fortress! This is the oldest structure on our castle / palace tour and a must see if in Salzburg... and you will. It is visible at the top of the hill from almost anywhere in this city. You have two choices to get up here. You can climb which I imagine is great exercise or you can do like us and take the incline. This was definitely the way to go. You will want to have all of your energy to walk this entire site. From the views at the highest point, to the various museums and the marionette display, there is much to see. Unlike other site, there are very limited living spaces aside from the additional entry to the master quarters. These quarters were under restoration while we were here but the detail in the walls, ceiling and doors was quite impressive. We actually spend a good deal of time in these few rooms. In additional, there is a display room with the stages of construction which took several centuries from inception to its current state. Consider what it took in its time to get supplies up to this site. Amazing!

Joseph B.

Yelp

Festung Hohensalzburg is the Castle visible from almost anywhere in Salzburg. It is the "must see" castle in Salzburg. There is an incline railway to the top offering a breath taking ride. The castle and compound are very large making this a rather "physically challenging" tourist destination. Lots of stairs to climb in the castle, but minimal inclines in the open areas and walking paths. The views are fantastic and picturesque. They have self-guided audio tours for a small fee and there are restaurants (tables with good views require reservations). Most all the buildings and structures are accessible so you can freely explore at your own leisure. There are many historical relics, period furnishings, dungeon implements, weapons from mid evil through WW2 eras on display. It takes 4 to 6 hours to thoroughly see the castle.

L L.

Yelp

A beautiful fortress castle high on the hill overlooking the city of Salzburg. The city and mountain views are stunning! It was cool to see antique cannons sitting in open port holes that once defended the city from attack. There is a fun puppet marionette exhibit to see inside including brief animated puppet video documenting peasants' uprising against the Archbishop of Salzburg who lived in the castle due to high taxes. We enjoyed waking around the massive castle and viewing the private chapel. There is a cute outdoors restaurant where you can enjoy beer and city views.

Nick B.

Yelp

I can only recommend the restaurant (pricey, but good) and their Advent concerts. The views are also incredible, the fortress so dominates the landscape from up high that you can actually get cell phone service from Bavaria, which is pretty amazing. The covert and dinner packages for visitors at Advent are definitely worth looking into, and if you're visiting Austria, yes, the prices will shock you, but remember that you're on vacation!

Tucker H.

Yelp

Fantastic castle, especially if the weather is clear so that you can see the mountains! Unless you are trying to burn off a lot of calories, I'd just take the funicular up as the hill is pretty steep. Plenty of sights to see at the top as well; we spent probably 90 minutes wandering around. Definitely worth the time!

Kris F.

Yelp

Awesome views surround all sides of this fortress castle. You need to park in the city and hike up the mountain. You can take a tram if needed but will miss much of the beauty of the views.

Angela H.

Yelp

I can't even imagine not going to see the fortress while in Salzburg. The view is extraordinary and the museum inside kept me interested for most of the rooms. Although, a little boring towards the end. 50/50 outdoors so be sure to check the forecast. If it calls for a random bit of rain, you'll be okay but if it is raining all day, try for a sunny day so that your photos come out beautiful. The way inside is by walking/hiking or by the lift. It wasn't difficult to walk the museum area but some spots have steps, so bring decent shoes. Most inside sights do not allow photos but its not well guarded and sneaking a photo seemed okay. The signs could have been better in pointing out where to continue on but they do have maps available. Free wifi. Also, the fortress is directly in front of the other touristy sights. It's such a great place to visit and have a lot to see in one location. This is a place I certainly will not forget for the view alone.

Allie B.

Yelp

Must see place! We hiked to the top. It only took 10 minutes. Went and visited the state rooms which were beautiful! Then went on the audio tour... worth it with the Salzburg card. Gets you access to the top tower with an amazing view. We took the train down. At night we went to the dinner and concert. Highly recommended! Do the VIP...it is worth it. The food was great (different from the regular tickets) With the VIP you get more food, an awesome view at dinner, you get front row seats to the concert, and even a glass of champagne during the intermission.

Brandon J.

Yelp

Definitely worth a look, but probably not something I would visit again. The views of the city, and not the fortress itself, are for me the most memorable images from the tour. There are some interesting historical facts and presentations inside, but the most impressive feature of the fortress is its sheer size. You really can't appreciate how large it is until you see it up close. It truly is like a city within a city.

Kalani C.

Yelp

Festung Hohensalzburg or "High Salzburg Fortress", one of the largest medieval castles in Europe, sits atop the Festungsberg mountain overlooking Salzburg, Austria's baroque Altstadt (Old Town) [declared in 1997 a UNESCO World Heritage Site]. Salzburg Castle is how I would refer to this mammoth structure during my year living here. I would use this castle as my directional reference point if I got lost on the cobblestone streets. Construction began in 1077under Archbishop Gebhard von Helfenstein and slowly grew into the fortress that is known today. Salzburg Archbishops already were powerful political figures at the time, and they expanded the castle to protect their interests. It was only during Prince-Archbishop Leonhard von Keutschach term from 1495 until 1519 that saw further expansions to the castle; which in 1515 included the Reißzug or primitive funicular railway that provided freight access to the upper courtyard of the castle. Today, Festung Hohensalburg can be accessed using this same railway. Over the years the line has been modified and rebuilt several times, most recently between 1988 and 1990. It is called the Festungsbahn and uses steel rails and a steel cable. Traction is provided by an electric motor, and a closed circuit television system is used to monitor its operation. Recent history: During the early 20th century it was used as a prison, holding Italian prisoners of war during World War I and Nazi activists (before the Anschluss with Germany) in the 1930s. The Hohensalzburg was recently selected as main motif for the Austrian Nonnberg Abbey commemorative coin minted on April 5, 2006. This was the first coin of the series "Great Abbeys of Austria". It shows the Benedictine convent of Nonnberg Abbey. In the hilltop on the background, the castle and the Kajetaner church can be seen. Also in 1977 the Austrian Mint issued a coin for the 900th anniversary of the Hohensalzburg. #Yelp 365: 110/365

Peter P.

Yelp

The place is great but the descriptions in the exhibitions are exceptionally primitive. Written in easy language suitable for an 8year old its a waste of time for any grown-up who wants to learn anything about the history of the place.

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"The archbishops of Salzburg built Festung Hohensalzburg, one of Europe's largest medieval castles, in the period of the Holy Roman Empire." - Travel + Leisure Editors

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Sara G.

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Matthew H.

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This place has amazing views. You can take a funicular to the top, which is what we did.

John H.

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GT W.

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Chris C.

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Cody M.

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Very cool to see this amazing old fortress that is nearly 1,000 years old in Salzburg, Austria.

Christina S.

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Nick N.

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Abigail H.

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Lisa M.

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Vincent V.

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Kaori M.

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Nice Salzburg's iconic castle. From balcony, you can see whole picture of Salzburg. It was interesting to see many buildings in the castle. Wish it was a little cheaper to enter.

Renna N.

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Kris F.

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Awesome views surround all sides of this fortress castle. You need to park in the city and hike up the mountain. You can take a tram if needed but will miss much of the beauty of the views.

Angela H.

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