10 Things to do in Salzburg with Kids

Salzburg is the gateway to the northwest of Austria, where the most beautiful European Alps are located. It is located close to an important border crossing, as the connection to the German city of Bavaria is only half an hour away.

Here you can enjoy a fun holiday with children, as there are many things to do in Salzburg such as the Magic Flute, the cable car, the Hellbrunn Palace Water Games, Mozart's houses, among others. There is also a zoo to learn about the animals, as well as theme parks with rides and climbing areas.

A sightseeing bus tour of Salzburg is a great way for kids to get to know the city without tiring themselves out. This type of tour takes you to the most representative sites. Besides, the main advantage is that it has two lines:

• The yellow line, which runs through the city from end to end, giving priority to the historic centre, palaces and museums.
• The blue line, which concentrates on the outskirts of Salzburg and even reaches the German border town. It's the best option if you want to see the city's multicultural heritage.

If you don't know what to choose, don't worry! You can combine both lines for a better experience. Children will have fun learning about Mozart, salt mines and activities in the Austrian Alps.

The buses are cosy and comfortable at all times, with WiFi, air conditioning and an audio guide available in 13 languages, including English. You can hop on and off at the stops of your choice, while exploring sights such as Mirabell Palace, the Horse Fountain, Salzburg Cathedral, St. Trinity Church, and Mozart Square.

The Magic Flute is a unique family show, which takes place in the Salzburg Marionette Theatre. The theatre has been operating in the city since 1913 and is without doubt a landmark of Austrian musical culture.

This show is a classic for all ages, where you can see puppets brought to life by professional puppeteers. Children will surely be thrilled and impressed, as it is a Mozart performance with dances, songs and many surprises.

The show lasts about two hours, so it is ideal if you plan to visit Salzburg in two days. For the show the puppeteers have to learn to play the instruments, so they receive lessons in the theatre.

Christmas in Salzburg is a year-roundChristmas shop. Children will spend some quality time here, where the speciality is Christmas eggs. Everything is handmade or hand-decorated, so it's a homely experience.

It's one of the best things to do in Salzburg in December, but it's not exclusive to this month. The fun thing about the shop is that you can bring Christmas forward whenever you want.

In Salzburg there are many high points from which you can see the city. Untersberg is one of them, which you can access from the Untersberg Cable Car. It is rated as one of the best attractions, as it offers breathtaking views.

It is quite a challenge, as it is located at an altitude of 2,000 metres. I recommend being prepared with everything the kids need and a first aid kit. To save a few euros, you can buy the Salzburg Card, which gives you free access.

In some cases, children don't need the card as they can get in for free. However, in the case of the cable car they have to pay a fee of around €26 return. If you want to visit several sights as a family, it's best to book the Salzburg Card for them from €15.

In addition, the cable car can also be accessed by public transport line 25.

Some of the panoramic views from the cable car are as follows

• Berchtesgaden: this is the area where the salt mines are located, close to the border with the German city of Bavaria.
• The Rosittental Valley: you will be able to pass over this impressive valley, so you will get a superficial glimpse of the Salzkammergut lake.
• Region Salzkammergut: is a mountainous district noted for its scenery, culture and gastronomy.
• Lake Chiemseea: located between Salzburg and Bavaria, from the heights it is breathtaking. If you are looking for things to do in Salzburg in winter, you should know that during this season it is used as an ice skating rink.
• Dachstein Mountain: Austria's highest peak, ideal for extreme snow sports.
• Perpetual Ice of the Hohen Tauern mountain range: it is a very important glacier, which could disappear due to global warming. In the area you can learn more about recommended environmental actions.
• Geiereck Mountain: prepare your camera to get the best pictures of this area from the heights.

Additionally, on this trip you will enjoy dining options at the central cable car station. For example, the restaurant at Hochalm am Untersberg, where you can enjoy traditional Salzburg home cooking.

The Water Games are propulsion machines that operate in Hellbrunn Palace. It is one of the most peaceful and magical places in Austria. The area where they are located has a Renaissance style and was built by the Italian architect Santino Solari.

The concept of using micro water fountains started as a form of black humour. In the past it was used to wet the guests at monarchy parties. Nowadays they are a recreational area, ideal for children.

Hellbrunn Palace has been enchanting tourists for decades, who wander through it in awe of its unique architecture. One of the main attractions are the gardens surrounding the palace with fountains, grottoes and ponds. Without a doubt, this is one of the best tours in Salzburg as it captures the attention of children and adults alike, with plenty of laughs and surprises to be had!

Other highlights are the mechanical deer theatre, the mysterious caves, the animals carved in stone, the sculptures of Greek mythology and the tours through the scenes of the Sound of Music and Tears.

Mozart has some of the most special places in Salzburg, especially if you are travelling with children. In the city you'll find museums, concert halls, as well as the houses where the orchestral composer lived.

Mozart's Birthplace

To start the tour in chronological order, I recommend a visit to Mozart's birthplace. This is where his early years are commemorated, as it was his home until he was twenty years old.

It is a space of musical inspiration, and can be distinguished from any point on the street by its yellow colour. A curious fact is that part of the house was demolished by bombs during the Second World War. However, the group in charge of preserving **Mozart'**s patrimony bought it and restructured it almost to perfection.

In these corridors Mozart had his first contact with music, so it is well worth a visit. If you want to visit, the entrance fee is around €12 per person. You can get combined passes for the birth house and the residence for around €18. However, the best way to save money is to use the Salzburg Card.

Mozart Residence

In the Mozart Residence you will find valuable objects from his career and personal life. Here he lived for many years and experienced a musical maturity, which was reflected in his work. In fact, in the museum you will discover that many of his works were consolidated here.

Mozart concert

To close the tour you can attend a Mozart concert in Salzburg. The show is performed on a 17th century stage. It also features the best pieces from Mozart's career.

This show takes place in the Mirabell Palace and lasts approximately one hour. It offers a break, ideal if you are attending with children.

Salzburg Zoo is ideal for all ages, so it's an attraction you can visit as a family. Children will learn about the conservation of species such as the Austrian mountain goat. There are more than 150 species which equals approximately 1,500 animals.

The animals are kept in contact with nature, during the walk it is very important to respect their habitat and personal space. Please note that there are night walks and safari tours.

To get to the zoo you need to go to Hellbrunner Park. Please note that adults pay approximately €15, while children's rates start at €4.

Salzburg's charm is based on cathedrals, museums, palaces, music venues and colonial houses. However, there is fun for everyone, here you can find theme parks with entertaining attractions.

Kletterpark Waldbad Anif

Kletterpark Waldbad Anif is a forest park with many challenges and attractions for adventurers. It has comfortable facilities, run by helpful staff who will accompany you at all times.

Each activity has an age-appropriate level of difficulty, there are climbing areas, rope jumps for adults and children and forest circuits. In total there are eight levels organised as follows:

• Level 1 to 3: easy difficulty.
• Levels 4 to 6: medium difficulty.
• Levels 7 and 8: high difficulty.

Tickets start at 7 €, making it a great value for money activity that is well worth the money.

Fantasiana Erlebnispark Strasswalchen

Fantasiana Erlebnispark Strasswalchen is a cosy park, ideal for visiting with children. There are many rides and games, as well as food stalls in the surrounding area.

It's not that big, so you can get around in a short time. There are sculptures of movie characters, 4D cinemas, animal shows, roller coasters and other rides.

Salzburg is a historic city, so its museums have a lot to offer. You can learn about its cultural and musical performances, which enrich the local heritage.

Toy Museum

The Toy Museum is an interactive space where children will have a great time. It has a cinema, as well as learning areas where they will learn about the manufacturing process.

There is a variety of dolls and toys, which are relics of ancient times. There are also themed rooms and temporary exhibitions, depending on the season. Admission is from 5 €.

Puppet Museum

In Salzburg you can also visit the Marionette Museum, which is located in the Hohensalzburg Fortress. It is known as the world of puppets, as it has valuable historical relics. Here you can learn about the Magic Flute, the history of the monarchy and the secrets of the Salzach River.

Its exhibitions are directly related to the Salzburg Puppet Theatre, where shows are performed by professional puppeteers.

Please note that the opening hours are the same as those of the fortress, and the price is included in the entrance fee to Hohensalzburg. You can also take advantage of the Salzburg Card, which reduces costs during your trip.

In addition to the Untersberg cable car and the Hohensalzburg Fortress, there are other places that offer panoramic views of Salzburg. Here are a few options!

• Humbolt Terrace: it is a private and uncrowded place, ideal if you plan to visit Salzburg with children. It is located near St. Mark's Church and overlooks a beautiful colonial street, where you can enjoy the sunset.
• Maria Plain: located on the outskirts of Salzburg, it is also a destination away from the crowds.
• Kapuzinerberg: it is a mountain that you can access by a low-difficulty path.
• Müllner Steg Bridge: it is located at the edge of the Salzach river and it is ideal to appreciate the old town. You can visit it at night to observe the lights of the city.

Travelling with children is a very nice experience, but it requires special care to avoid mishaps during your stay. Generally speaking, it's important to keep them hydrated, have medication in your bag and keep them warm if you're planning things to do in Salzburg in winter.

Get the Salzburg Card

The Salzburg Card is a benefit the whole family can take advantage of. There is also a special rate for children between the ages of six and 15.

Children under the age of five don't have to pay anything, but it's important to find out if they need to buy a ticket for the attractions you plan to visit. This card can be purchased for 24, 48 or 72 hours, depending on your stay.

Plan your itinerary

Children tend to get tired, so it's important to organise a dynamic itinerary. Along the way you can buy them ice cream or traditional treats. Also include breaks, at least every hour.

Take advantage of the free attractions

In Salzburg there are many free attractions for children, including discounts for students. During your visit, make sure to take advantage of them. It is also important to check if there are free events during the season you plan to travel.

Take out health insurance

Health or life insurance is a must if you're travelling with children. This will give you peace of mind, as they will have immediate medical attention in case of any emergency. There are insurances from €1 per day, I just recommend you choose a comprehensive option that covers your needs.

Involve them in activities

Avoid adult-only activities, as children will quickly become fatigued. While historical sites are interesting, younger children may not yet be interested in these types of locations. Instead, take them to theme parks, concerts, the zoo, or any dynamic attraction where they can learn while having fun.