Top Rated Attractions in Salzburg

Located right next to the Salzburg Airport, Hangar-7 is by no means an ordinary hangar. In fact, this private hangar owned by Dietrich Mateschitz, founder of the energy drink company 'Red Bull', is one of Salzburg's prime attractions. Avant garde technology, passion for flying, appreciation of art, and culinary refinement come together in this fancy steel and glass structure. Besides hosting Mateschitz's private aircraft collection comprising an impressive assembly of vintage and contemporary aircrafts, Hangar-7 also houses some Red Bull Formula-1 racing cars. Two elegant bars, the Mayday and the Threesixty, the Carpe Diem Lounge and the unique fine dining restaurant, Ikarus, constitute the gastronomic space. Hangar-7 also hosts art exhibitions and is an exclusive venue for select events. It is easily accessible from the city center by bus and if you have a couple of hours of waiting time at the airport, just walk over and have a look around. Entry is free.

Among the largest of Salzburg's magnificent churches, the splendid Salzburg Cathedral serves as the backdrop for the annual Jedermann Festival. The first church to be erected on the site dates back to the latter part of the 8th-century and was dedicated to St. Virgil and St. Rupert. The building that we see today is the third avatar of the original structure and was erected sometime between 1620 to 1628 by the acclaimed architect Santino Solari. The church witnessed its moment of glory when it was consecrated by Archbishop Paris Lodron during the tense spell of the Thirty Years' War. The cathedral can be seen from many points in the city, which makes it an unmissable sight in Salzburg.

Situated just to the south of Schlosspark Hellbrunn, Hellbrunn Zoo contains a variety of animals from all over the world. The main attraction are the wild vultures which are free to fly around but continually return to the zoo to be fed. Another highlight is the cheetahs' feeding time, whereby the cheetahs have to catch a piece of meat being propelled along the ground at a speed of 56.32 kilometers per hour (35 miles per hour). On certain occasions the zoo is open after dawn to allow visitors to observe the nocturnal animals.

The undefeated Hohensalzburg Fortress is the defining feature of Salzburg's skyline, towering high above the Old Town on its lofty perch atop the Mönchsberg. Originally constructed in 1077 by Archbishop Gebhard, the castle was expanded over the years, taking its current form in the year 1500 under the guidance of Archbishop Leonhard von Keutschach. Built to monumental proportions, the castle is one of Europe's largest Medieval structures, its sprawling embrace a cornucopia of Medieval artistic and architectural riches. The State Rooms and Princely Chambers are the most lavishly adorned, closely followed by the Chapel of Archbishop Leonhard von Keutschach. Today, the castle houses the Museum of the Rainer Regiment, the Fortress Museum and the Marionette Museum, and hosts the annual Salzburg Fortress Concerts amid the mount's ancient trees. Multimedia displays and interactive experiences bring the Medieval Era alive at the Hohensalzburg Fortress, historic Salzburg's crowning glory.

DomQuartier Salzburg is a magnificent museum in Salzburg, which is home to over 2,000 intriguing exhibits, and documents the art and architecture over 1,300 years. Formerly the seat of the archbishop, the museum opened in 2014 to public, after a gap of over 200 years. The gallery features certain artifacts from the Archdiocese of Salzburg. The museum offers several kinds of tours, right from thematic tours, general tours, tours for children and more.

Kleines Theater has been enriching the cultural scene of the city of Salzburg for more than 30 years. The theater is one of the primary venues in this city which stages plays and cabaret perfoermances. They are especially known for staging a number of shows which are designed for kids of the age of four years and above. Along with a renowned theater personalities, the Kleines Theater has also been host to upcoming artists.