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 near 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 vacation 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 in Salzburg is ideal for children to get to know the city without getting exhausted. This type of tour takes you to see the most representative sites. In addition, 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 center, palaces and museums.
• The blue line, which concentrates on the outskirts of Salzburg and even reaches the border town with Germany. It is the best option if you want to get to know the multicultural heritage of the city.

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 cozy 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 is performed at the Salzburg Marionette Theater. This theater has been operating in the city since 1913 and is undoubtedly a point of reference in the musical culture of Austria.

This show is a classic for all ages, where you can watch puppets come to life, thanks to 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 at the theater.

Christmas in Salzburg is an all-year-round Christmas store. Children will spend some quality time at this place, where the specialty is Christmas eggs. Everything is handmade or hand-decorated, so it's a homey 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 store, is that you can bring Christmas forward whenever you want.

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

It is quite a challenge, as it is located at 2,000 meters above sea level. I recommend you go prepared with everything the kids need and a first aid kit. To save a few euros, you can purchase the Salzburg Card, which gives you free access.

In some cases, children do not 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 € round trip. If you want to visit several sights as a family, it is preferable 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 you can see from the cable car

• Berchtesgaden: in this area are located the salt mines, it is an area near 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: it is a mountainous district that stands out for its landscapes, culture and gastronomy.
• Lake Chiemseea: it is 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 in this season it is used as an ice skating rink.
• Dachstein Mountain: it is the highest peak in Austria, ideal for extreme sports on snow.
• 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 gastronomic 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, began as a form of black humor. In the past it was used to wet the guests at the monarchy's parties. Nowadays they are a recreational space, ideal for children.

Hellbrunn Palace has been enchanting tourists for decades, who walk through it admiring its particular architecture. One of the main attractions are the gardens surrounding the palace with fountains, grottoes and ponds. Undoubtedly, this enclosure is part of the best tours of Salzburg as it manages to capture the attention of children and adults. Laughter and surprises will not be lacking!

Other highlights are the mechanical deer theater, 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 go with children. In the city you will 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. Here his early years are commemorated, as it was his home until he was twenty years old.

It is a space of musical inspiration, it can be distinguished from any point of the street by its yellow color. A curious fact is that part of the house was demolished by bombs during World War II. 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 it, you should know that the entrance fee is around 12 € per person. You can get combined passes for the birth house and the residence for about 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 takes place on a 17th century stage. In addition, it presents the best pieces of Mozart's career.

This show takes place in the Mirabell Palace and lasts approximately one hour. It offers a break time, ideal if you attend 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 this zoo you need to go to Hellbrunner Park. Please note that adults pay approximately 15 €, while children's rates start at 4 €.

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

Kletterpark Waldbad Anif

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

Each activity has a level of difficulty according to age, there are climbing areas, rope jumps for adults and children and circuits in the forest. In total there are eight levels that are organized as follows:

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

Tickets start at 7 €, without a doubt it is an activity with excellent value for money that is well worth it.

Fantasiana Erlebnispark Strasswalchen

Fantasiana Erlebnispark Strasswalchen is a cozy park, ideal to visit 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 walk through it in a short time. There are sculptures of movie characters, 4D cinemas, animal representations, roller coasters and other mechanical games.

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 movie theater, 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 thematic rooms and temporary exhibitions, depending on the season. Admission starts at 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 historical relics of great value. Here you can learn about the Magic Flute, the history of the monarchy and the secrets of the Salzach River.

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

Please note that its schedule is the same as that of the fortress, and its price is included in the cost of access to Hohensalzburg. You can take advantage of the Salzburg Card, which reduces the costs during the 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 site, ideal if you plan to visit Salzburg with children. It is located near St. Mark's Church and offers views of a very nice colonial street, where you can appreciate the sunset.
• Maria Plain: located just outside 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 is ideal to appreciate the old town. You can visit it at night to observe the lights of the city.

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

Purchase the Salzburg Card

The Salzburg Card is a benefit the whole family can take advantage of. In addition, there is a special rate for children between the ages of six and fifteen.

Children under the age of five do not have to pay anything, but it is important to find out if they must purchase 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 is important to organize 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, there are also discounts for students. During your visit, be sure to take advantage of them. It is also important to check if there are free admission events in the season you plan to travel.

Take out health insurance

A medical or life insurance policy is a must if you are traveling with children. This will give you peace of mind, since they will have immediate medical attention in case of any emergency. There are insurances from 1 € per day, I just recommend you to choose a complete option that covers your needs.

Involve them in the 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.