Salzburg’s location on Germany’s boarder in the eastern Alps makes it an ideal location from which to explore the surrounding Austrian and German countryside.
Werfen Ice Cave - 50 minutes
Werfen Ice Cave is the world’s largest ice cave, and among Salzburg’s most popular destinations. The cave is accessed by cable car and tours are made easier by railings, stairways and planks. Visitors should still expect to climb an altitude of approximately 500 feet once inside the cave. Ice inside the alpine limestone cave is formed as water seeps through cracks and freezes into unique shapes.
Werfen Ice Cave, Eishöhlenstraße 30, A-5450 Werfen, Austria, Phone: +43-0-64-68-52-48
Liechtensteinklamm - 1 hour 15 minutes
The Lichtenstein gorge (Lichtensteinklamm) is among the longest and deepest gorges in the Austrian Alps. Located in the province of Salzburg, the gorge has been open to visitors since 1875 with several wooden footpaths and bridges aiding accessibility.
Lichtensteinklamm, St. Johann im Pongau, Austria
Hohenwerfen Castle - 45 minutes
The medieval Hohenwerfen Castle is located in Salzburg’s Pongau region. At the peak of a hill overlooking the Salzach valley is the castle, built between 1075 and 1078 for the Archbishop Gebhard of Salzburg as a strategic military base. Over the years it has been used as a residence, hunting retreat, prison and military training camp. The castle is currently open to the public as a museum, and offers an extensive collection of weapons among other historical displays. Visitors can enjoy an on-site tavern, and tour the adjacent museum of falconry at the attached regional falconry center. The historic center offers daily flight shows with falcons, eagles, vultures and other local birds of prey.
Hohenwerfen Castle, Burgstraße 2, 5450 Werfen, Austria, Phone: +43-64-68-76-03
Hallein Salt Mine - 30 minutes
A visit to the Hallein Salt Mine is a journey into a thousands year old history of geology, mining, and culture. The natural resource of salt altered the history of Austria significantly, as it was mined and traded like gold, particularly in the Salzburg region, which is named in honor of this “white gold.” Travel underground aboard a mining train, explore miles of subterranean tunnels, and learn of the history of salt and the miners from your professional guide. The Hallein Salt Mine was the first in Salzburg to open to the public and offers an unparalleled underground adventure.
Hallein Salt Mine, Ramsaustraße 3, 5422 Bad Dürrnberg, Austria, Phone: +43-0-6-13-22-00-85-11
Berchtesgaden Old Town - 30 minutes
Located in the Bavarian Alps on the German side of the Austrian border, Berchtesgaden is a rural town with a history dating back 500 years to salt mining in the region. Strolling through Old Town one can see the Rococo city center, 12th century monastery, royal palace and aristocratic homes. Enjoy local Bavarian music and dance at any of the outdoor cafes. Stroll through the market in the town square, and visit the local salt mines, which began operating in the 16th century.
Berchtesgaden Old Town, 83471 Berchtesgaden, Germany
Dachstein Ice Caves - 1 hour 30 minutes
Austria’s Dachstein Ice Caves have been thoroughly modernized with a light show, rope bridge and giant animated cave bears, yet offer one of the most accessible looks at the thousands year old natural cave structure, formed as water seeped through limestone cracks and froze. Tours begin above ground with a twenty minute walk to the cave’s entrance, and continue underground with a 50 minute guided journey. Keep in mind that cave temperatures stay steady below freezing at approximately 29 degrees. Warm up after the tour by browsing the exhibits at the adjacent museum, where you’ll learn about the area’s geological history and the impact of climate change.
Dachstein Ice Caves , Winkl 34, 4831 Obertraun am Hallstättersee, Austria, Phone: +43-5-01-40
Dürnstein and Weissenkirchen - 2 hours 20 minutes
Austria’s Wachau Valley is home to over 200 heurige, local family-owned vineyards who make small batch wines from grapes grown and processed on site. The hilltop villages of Dürnstein and Weissenkirchen are just two of these countryside locales which overlook valleys of grapevines and the Danube River. Cycling tours take guests from one town to the next to sample wines, enjoy small bites and the enchanting rural scenery. The mostly white wines are low yield and small batch, governed by regulations that allow service only of wines made on the land. With only three heurige open at a time in each town, no two trips to the region are alike.
Dürnstein and Weissenkirchen, Wachau Valley, Austria
Gosau Lake - 1 hour 15 minutes
Gosau Lake is a small alpine lake at the foot of the Dachstein, the second tallest mountain the Northern Limestone Alps. From the lake’s shores are spectacular views of the Dachstein glacier, rising high above the valley. The mountain lake is the perfect place to cool down after a summer or autumn hike, and itself a popular destination for sight seeing, mountain and valley views. In addition to swimming, visitors can rent a boat to explore the glacial Gosau Lake, dive in its crystal clear waters, or adventure through the fixed rope rock climb at the water’s edge. The World Heritage Region is easily accessed from the nearby town of Hallstatt.
Vorderer Gosausee, 4825, Austria
Hallstatt - 1 hour 15 minutes
Hallstatt is a small alpine town in Austria’s Northern Limestone Alps. The region’s natural beauty surrounds Lake Hallstatt at the base of the Dachstein glacier. In addition to the salt mines, from which the region’s prosperity was born, the area is known for artisanal crafts such as hat-making, shoe-making, wood working and upholstery. See the history of the handmade at Hand.Werk.Haus, a museum dedicated to local crafts. Enjoy a meal at the Steegwirt restaurant, which has been serving the local specialty of freshwater fish since the 16th century. Ferries cross the lake to connect several of the regional hamlets.
Hallstatt, Austria
Innsbruck - 2 hours 15 minutes
Innsbruck is the capital city of Austria’s state of Tyrol. The town is known for its historic Imperial architecture, which stands alongside modern buildings such as Zaha Hadid’s futuristic Nordkette Cable Car, which takes visitors from Innsbruck to Nordkette Mountain for sightseeing and skiing. Visit Innsbruck’s Imperial Palace at the center of the old town, tour the Cathedral of St. James, and see the famous “Golden Roof” made of over 2,600 gilded copper tiles over 500 years ago. Take the cable care to the Alpenzoo, one of the highest elevation zoos in Europe and home to several endangered alpine species.
Innsbruck , Austria
