Salzburg

Salzburg's crowning glory — the mighty Hohensalzburg Fortress, one of the largest and best-preserved medieval castles in Europe, perched dramatically on a cliff above the old town. Ride the funicular up (or hike) to explore the ramparts, state rooms, museums and torture chamber, and drink in the breathtaking panorama over the baroque city to the snow-capped Alps beyond. The views alone are worth the trip, and the castle is a fascinating plunge into the city's history. An unmissable, spectacular highlight; go on a clear day for the vistas. Simply magnificent.

The most beautiful street in Salzburg — Getreidegasse, a narrow, atmospheric medieval lane in the old town, famous for its ornate wrought-iron guild signs hanging above the shops (even McDonald's has one), tall pastel townhouses and, at number 9, the yellow house where Mozart was born. Stroll the elegant street, admire the intricate signs, browse the boutiques and traditional shops, and soak up the baroque charm. The photogenic heart of the old town and a joy to wander. An unmissable, quintessential Salzburg experience. Lovely and lively.

The most famous gardens in Salzburg — Mirabell Palace and its glorious baroque gardens, a riot of manicured flowerbeds, fountains, statues and hedge-lined walks, with a picture-perfect view across to the fortress on the hill. Fans of The Sound of Music will recognise the Pegasus fountain, the steps and the terraces from 'Do-Re-Mi'. Stroll the beautiful (free) gardens, snap the fortress view, and step into the palace's stunning Marble Hall if it's open. A gorgeous, free and quintessential Salzburg highlight; lovely in bloom. Utterly charming.

The magnificent baroque heart of the old town — Salzburg Cathedral (Dom), a grand domed masterpiece where Mozart was baptised and played the organ, fronting the elegant Domplatz square. Step inside to admire the soaring, ornate interior and the mighty organs, then explore the surrounding squares (Residenzplatz with its grand fountain, and Kapitelplatz) that form the baroque core. A beautiful, atmospheric and central highlight, and free to enter. The stately centrepiece of Salzburg's UNESCO old town; don't miss the connected squares. Grand and serene.

The city's most famous address — the bright-yellow house at Getreidegasse 9, where Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in 1756 and spent his childhood, now a museum displaying his violins, portraits, letters and family life. A moving, fascinating pilgrimage for music lovers and a window into the genius who defines the city; explore the rooms where he grew up and the instruments he played. A must for anyone drawn to Mozart, and a rich slice of Salzburg's cultural heritage. An essential, atmospheric highlight of the old town. Fascinating and evocative.

Salzburg is the setting for the beloved film, and following its trail is a joy — the Mirabell Gardens ('Do-Re-Mi'), the Hellbrunn gazebo ('Sixteen Going on Seventeen'), Nonnberg Abbey, Leopoldskron Palace and the surrounding hills alive with music. Take one of the famous singalong bus tours out to the lake district and film locations, or track them down yourself; it's cheesy, nostalgic and enormous fun, with gorgeous Alpine scenery thrown in. A quintessential, feel-good Salzburg experience, even for non-fans. Great fun, and beautifully scenic.

Rising above the old town is the Mönchsberg, a wooded clifftop ridge with a lovely walking path and the finest views over the baroque rooftops, domes and fortress of Salzburg. Take the lift up from the old town (or walk), stroll the leafy paths to the viewpoints, and visit the striking Museum der Moderne modern-art gallery and its terrace café at the top. A peaceful, green escape with knockout panoramas, right above the bustle. A wonderful, easy way to see the city from above; go at sunset for the golden light. Beautiful and calm.

Salzburg's most beloved beer hall — the Augustiner Bräustübl in Mülln, a huge, centuries-old monastery brewery where you pour your own stein of fresh, unfiltered beer from wooden barrels and enjoy it in a vast, leafy beer garden or wood-panelled halls, with hearty food from the deli stalls. Boisterous, atmospheric and authentic, it's a wonderful, only-in-Salzburg experience and a favourite of locals. Grab a stein, a pretzel and a spot under the chestnut trees, and soak up the convivial buzz. A tasty, characterful highlight. Prost!

Music is the soul of Salzburg, and there's no better place to hear it — visit the Mozart Residence (the family's later, grander home, now a museum), then take in a live concert, from intimate Mozart recitals in baroque halls and fortress dinner-concerts to full performances at the festival. Hearing Mozart's music in the city that shaped him, in a candlelit baroque setting, is magical and moving. A quintessential Salzburg experience for any music lover; book a concert for an unforgettable evening. Sublime and atmospheric.

A delightfully playful palace on the city's southern edge — Hellbrunn, a 17th-century pleasure villa famous for its whimsical trick fountains, where a prince-archbishop once soaked his unsuspecting guests with hidden water jets. Take the fun, wet tour of the surprise fountains, water-powered mechanical theatre and grottoes, wander the beautiful gardens, and spot the Sound of Music gazebo. A charming, entertaining half-day (great for families), especially on a warm day. A lovely, lighthearted highlight just outside the centre. Fun and gorgeous.

Salzburg does the grand Austrian café tradition beautifully — settle into an elegant old coffee house like Café Tomaselli (a Mozart-era institution) or Café Sacher for a rich Viennese-style coffee and a slice of cake, or try the local Salzburger Nockerl, a giant, cloud-like sweet soufflé shaped like the surrounding mountains. Don't miss the original Mozartkugel chocolates from Fürst, where they were invented. A delicious, genteel ritual and a sweet slice of the city's culture. A tasty, relaxing highlight; indulge your sweet tooth. Delightful.

For a green escape and the best free views of the old town, climb the Kapuzinerberg — a wooded hill rising straight from the Neustadt, with shady walking trails, a Capuchin monastery, old fortifications and superb viewpoints looking across the river to the fortress and baroque skyline. A lovely, peaceful walk away from the crowds, ending in panoramas that reward the gentle climb; watch for the resident chamois and the writer Stefan Zweig's former villa. A tranquil, scenic highlight right above the city. A refreshing, view-rich stroll. Lovely and quiet.

The grand seat of Salzburg's powerful prince-archbishops — the Residenz, a magnificent baroque palace at the heart of the old town, now part of the DomQuartier museum circuit that links the state rooms, the cathedral galleries and the abbey through a sequence of opulent halls, art and cathedral views. Wander the lavish staterooms and picture galleries, and cross the balconies overlooking the cathedral; it's a sumptuous window into the city's princely past. A rich, cultured highlight in the very centre. Splendid and central; excellent for art and history lovers.

One of the oldest monasteries in the German-speaking world — St Peter's Abbey, with its beautiful baroque church, a romantic, flower-filled cemetery of ornate ironwork graves against the Mönchsberg cliff (an inspiration for The Sound of Music), and early-Christian catacombs carved into the rock face above. Wander the atmospheric cemetery, step into the ornate church, and climb to the cave chapels for a moving, historic experience. There's also a famous abbey restaurant, said to be Europe's oldest. A beautiful, tranquil and fascinating highlight. Serene and evocative.

For a taste of the Alps on the city's doorstep, ride the cable car up the Untersberg, the great massif that looms over Salzburg — in minutes you're at nearly 1,800 m, with breathtaking panoramas over the city, the lakes and a sea of Alpine peaks stretching into Germany. Hike the summit trails, take in the vast views, and feel the mountain air; in winter there's snow, in summer wildflowers and walking. A spectacular, easy escape from the city into the high mountains. A wonderful highlight for nature and view lovers. Simply stunning.