Holiday in Salzburg | 6 days of culture and nature, including Hallstatt, Werfen and the Untersberg

Day 1: Departure for Salzburg

You arrive in Salzburg, park the car and immediately discover the charm of this beautiful city.

Day 2: Werfen

The world’s largest ice cave, the Eisriesenwelten in Werfen, is just a short drive from Salzburg. The ice cave is located in the Tennen Mountains and stretches for no less than 40 kilometres. You can take a guided tour, but please note that a reasonable level of fitness is required. Especially when you consider that you’ll have to climb around 1,400 steps. Visits are possible from May to November; don’t forget to bring warm clothing and sturdy walking shoes!

Day 3: Hallein

Salt was and is still known in Salzburg as ‘white gold’. After all, Salzburg owes its wealth to salt. Salt was mined in several places in the area, but in the salt mine in Hallein this was already happening in Celtic times. Bishop Wolf Dietrich von Reitenau turned it into an archiepiscopal mine. You’ll find these remarkable caves in the Bad Dürrnberg mountain near Hallein. A steep road (by car) leads you to the entrance. It is the oldest mine in the world, reaching a depth of 240 metres. ‘Hall’ is an ancient Bronze Age word for salt, hence the name Hallein. The mine now has two entrances: one in Hallein (Austria) and the other in Berchtesgaden (Germany).

Day 4: Salzkammergut

To the east of the city of Salzburg lies the famous lake district of Salzkammergut. Here you will find lakes such as the Fuschlsee, Mondsee, Wolfgangsee, Traunsee and Attersee. There are many others, but these are the best known. You’ll join an excursion from Salzburg through the beautiful Salzkammergut countryside. You’ll visit Hallstatt, the jewel of the Salzkammergut, and several picturesque villages, and you’ll drive past Lake Fuschl and Lake Wolfgang. Be sure to bring your swimwear, as it’s lovely for a swim in warm weather.

Day 5: Untersbergbahn

The Untersbergbahn is a cable car that takes you to the summit of the Untersberg, also known as Salzburg’s ‘local mountain’. The views are stunning and the cable car ride is spectacular. Once at the top, you can go for a walk, have a bite to eat and a drink in the mountain hut, or simply enjoy the magnificent views.

From a height of 1,776 metres, you can see the city of Salzburg and the surrounding lakes. It’s lovely up there even on cloudy days. Below, you can see the white blanket of clouds, whilst you yourself can sit on a terrace under clear blue skies.

Day 6: Salzburg – Homeward Bound

You check out of the hotel and head home.

Discover gastronomic Salzburg

• Stroll through Salzburg and sample the local delicacies. (+-2h)
• Sample Austrian wines and charcuterie under the guidance of a professional sommelier. (+-2h)
• Refine your cooking skills and learn how to make the one and only authentic Austrian apple strudel. Afterwards, enjoy a well-deserved lunch in Salzburg (+-1h30)

Discover musical Salzburg

• Imagine yourself as Maria and relive The Sound of Music with the Sound of Music minibus tour. (+- 4 hours)
• Be enchanted by Mozart with a concert and dinner in the Baroque Hall of St. Peter’s Basilica. (+- 2h30)
• A guide takes you on a private walking tour of Salzburg (+-2h)

Frequently asked questions about this Salzburg tour

When is the best time to visit Salzburg and the surrounding area?

For the full experience, including the Werfen Ice Caves, the period from May to November is ideal. In summer, you can enjoy the Salzburg Festival and the swimming lakes of the Salzkammergut, whilst autumn offers stunning colours in the mountains.

Are the Werfen Ice Caves suitable for everyone?

A visit to the Eisriesenwelt requires a good level of fitness. You will need to climb around 1,400 steps during the guided tour. Due to the consistently low temperatures in the cave, warm clothing – even in summer – and sturdy footwear are absolutely essential.

How can I enhance my stay in Salzburg with musical or culinary experiences?

Salzburg offers countless additional experiences. Consider a Sound of Music tour of the film locations, a Mozart concert with dinner in the Baroque Hall of St. Peter’s Abbey, or a workshop where you learn how to bake a genuine Austrian Apfelstrudel.