The 17 best Salzburg photography spots: a complete guide

Discover the best Salzburg photography spots with this complete guide, and explore one of the most photogenic cities in Austria.

Austria is in the heart of Europe. It’s almost a fairytale country, with its capital, Vienna, as its most visited city. However, Austria is more than just Vienna. Salzburg is one of the cities that competes with Vienna, due to its history, heritage, and privileged location.

Almost at the border with Germany, and next to the Austrian Alps, Salzburg is one of the best cities to visit in Austria. Its well-preserved old town makes it a perfect place to visit on a short trip. Moreover, Salzburg might be one of the most photogenic cities in the country, maybe except for Vienna and the world-famous Hallstatt.

In this Salzburg photography spots guide, you will find out the best places to photograph in the fourth most populated city in Austria, from its castle to its old town, but also including lesser-known spots, such as the Red Bull hangar. If you want to learn more about Austria and Salzburg, you can schedule a 1-on-1 call with me using the link below.

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Salzburg photography guide FAQs

Before jumping into the best Salzburg photography spots, here’s a list of FAQs about visiting and photographing Salzburg that I would have liked to read before my trip.

Is it worth visiting and photographing Salzburg?

Yes, definitely. Salzburg is a great city to visit and photograph. If you have visited some European cities with their distinct old towns, you will be able to appreciate how beautiful and well-preserved Salzburg is.

Moreover, being home to Mozart, the city has a unique artistic touch that can be felt almost everywhere. Austria, in general, and Salzburg in particular, have a special sensitivity towards art, and this adds to the overall experience of visiting the country.

In terms of photography, being such a creative city makes it really easy to take great photos.

How long does it take to visit Salzburg?

Salzburg is sometimes seen as a day trip from Vienna. To be really honest, that’s how I visited it. During my month-long stay in Vienna, where I explored the city and all its Christmas Markets, I also wanted to explore some of the best Austrian cities, so I went for a day trip to Salzburg.

Salzburg, though, has a lot to offer. There are many churches and museums that, if you want to visit at your own pace, can take quite some time. Thus, two days would be ideal to explore Salzburg. If you want to add any trips to nearby villages or hikes, then this number can increase, as Salzburg can be a good base to explore this area of Austria (together with Innsbruck).

Is Salzburg good for a day trip?

Yes, Salzburg is an excellent city for a day trip. However, as I mentioned above, it can be that you probably won’t be able to see everything it has to offer.

All the Salzburg photography spots listed in this guide can be visited in one day.

But this doesn’t mean that it’s the right thing to do. If you are visiting Salzburg on a day trip, you will need to compromise. Choose some of the interesting places or sights the city has to offer, and explore them. Do not try to do it all, or you will end up exhausted and only with blurry images in your memory.

How safe is Salzburg?

Salzburg is extremely safe, as is all of Austria. You can walk alone at night; the streets are safe, and you will not find any major problems when exploring the city.

As with any touristy destination, keep your belongings close. The biggest risk you will face in Salzburg is pickpockets. Don’t be too flashy, and if you travel with photography gear, make sure it’s well protected and keep it controlled at all times. This is not a Salzburg-specific recommendation; it can be applied to all of Europe (and the world).

How expensive is Salzburg?

Salzburg isn’t the cheapest city in Europe, not even close. In fact, as a tourist, Salzburg can feel expensive. Austria is not a cheap country to visit. Compared to the nearby Budapest (Hungary) or Prague (Czech Republic), Salzburg, Austria, is sensibly more expensive.

Almost all the Salzburg photography spots listed in this guide are free to access or have very small fees. The largest expenses in the city will be accommodation and eating out.

The first one (accommodation) is a difficult one to solve, as Salzburg is not that big, so the accommodation options are not endless (although there are a lot of them).

When it comes to eating out, the easiest way to reduce your expenses is to walk away from the touristy streets. By walking a few hundred meters, you can get the same (if not higher) food quality but for a fraction of the original price.

What is the best season to visit Salzburg?

Salzburg is a city that can be enjoyed all year round. From the long warm summer days to the dark and cold winter evenings. Let’s look at what the city can offer (with the Salzburg photography spots in mind) at each season:

• Spring: with the trees and flowers blooming, Salzburg is a great place to visit. Expect beautiful gardens, some snow-capped mountains in the distance, and chilly but not too cold weather.
• Summer: maybe the most common season to visit Salzburg. Prices will go up, tourists will be everywhere, but the long days and warm temperatures will make walking around and photographing the city a great experience. Focus on waking up early to avoid crowds.
• Autumn: if matched correctly, the autumn tones will make your photos look unique. The same gardens that looked beautiful during spring will look even better. However, expect quite some rain and colder temperatures.
• Winter: the greyest season to visit Salzburg, with an exception. If you visit it during the month of December, the Christmas Markets will be at full steam, and the cold (and rainy or snowy) days will make the warm wine (glühwein) even more inviting.

How to move around Salzburg?

Almost all the Salzburg photography spots listed in this guide can be accessed on foot. In fact, all of them but one, which is the Red Bull hangar.

Salzburg’s old town is small, compact, and extremely walkable. There’s no better way than on foot to explore Salzburg. Most of the areas are pedestrian or difficult to access by car.

However, if you want to get a bit away from the city centre, Salzburg’s bus system is efficient and connects most parts of the city. Let’s jump into the best Salzburg photography spots!

Salzburg photography spots: Hohensalzburg fortress

This Salzburg photography spots guide is divided into 3 sections. The first one is dedicated entirely to the Hohensalzburg fortress. This is because in Salzburg, there’s one building that dominates the city, and that is visible from almost everywhere. In this section, you will find 5 different spots to photograph the Hohensalzburg fortress.

Riverside view

This might be the first place where you spot the fortress. When walking towards the old town, you will end up walking next to the river Salzach. This is the river that protects the old town and divides the city into two.

The view of the old town of Salzburg is impressive, but the main structure you’ll see is the Hohensalzburg fortress. Its size and location (situated on a hill) facilitate taking photos of it.

The walking path around the river will be mentioned again in this Salzburg photography spots guide, but in this case, if you get close to the water and use the rocks in the scene, you can take photos like the one below, with the fortress and the river as the main elements.

Friedhof St. Peter view

This second Hohensalzburg fortress photography spot is another one of the fortresses in the distance. In this case, from the Friedhof St Peter, a cemetery in the old town of the city.

What makes this spot unique is that it’s so easy to get a good photo, including the fortress, but also the cemetery of St Peter’s abbey, which is where this spot is located.

From there, you can play around a bit and capture different angles. With a more compressed lens, the image will give more importance to the castle. If you use a wider-angle lens, the cemetery and nearby churches will be the main elements, with the castle in the distance.

Richterhöhe view

Once inside the Hohensalzburg fortress, there are 3 photo opportunities. The first one is a very specific one. On the west of the fortress, there’s the Richterhöhe, a viewpoint or observation tower that can be used in 2 different ways when it comes to photography.

The reason why it’s listed here is to be photographed from the castle. If you get a clear day, the view will be nice, but if you get a cloudy and moody day, it’s possible to take great photos too.

However, there’s another reason why I mention it in this Salzburg photography spots guide section. Because it’s a great spot to photograph the castle itself. You’ll need to walk a bit to get there, but the views are worth it.

Fortress viewpoint

This is the most obvious spot in this section. The view from the top of the castle towards the old town might be one of the best in the city, and probably the best of the Salzburg photography spots.

It’s really easy to get a good photo there, but make sure to include some of the elements that make Salzburg unique: the river, the old town, and, if the viewing conditions allow it, some of the mountains in the distance (which in the photos below you won’t see).

Castle interior

The final of the Hohensalzburg fortress photo spots is the interior of the castle. It is easy to forget about it with all the great options that the fortress offers from the outside. However, it’s an interesting spot to visit and to learn about the history of the city.

In terms of photography, while it’s true that it’s not as impressive and photogenic as from the outside, the views towards the interior patios make for great shots.

Salzburg photography spots: religious buildings

The second section of this Salzburg photography spots guide is all about religious buildings: churches, cathedrals,… Salzburg is a city with a lot of history, and a great way to learn about it is to visit some of its most important religious buildings. I highlight 4 of them

Salzburg Cathedral

This is one of the buildings that surprised me the most when in Salzburg. Living in Europe, I have seen many cathedrals, but the one in Salzburg might be one of the most photogenic I’ve visited. Built in the 17th century, what really impressed me was its interior dome.

I took many photos of this cathedral just pointing above, but I think it is one of the best Salzburg photography spots, and one that might not get all the attention it should.

Getting inside the Cathedral is not free, but I consider it worth paying the entry fee, especially if you are also interested in the history and art inside it.

Friedhof St. Peter

This abbey has already appeared in this Salzburg photography spots guide. However, instead of focusing on the view towards the castle, here I want to mention the rest of the area. The catacombs, Margarethenkapelle (a small chapel that is amazing for photography), and the cemetery are amazing places to take photos.

At least when I visited, this area was significantly less crowded than the rest of the city. It’s not open 24/7, but it’s free to visit (except for the catacombs). Thus, it’s a must in anyone’s Salzburg itinerary.

St. Peter’s Church

This is the church of the abbey, but it deserves its own spot on this list of Salzburg photography spots. You will like this church if you like more ornate architecture. Its interior is full of little details, but what really makes it photography-worthy is its ceiling.

The greenish tones of the ceiling make it unique, as it’s not that common in churches. Moreover, the frescoes give it a special touch. Like in the Cathedral, pointing up also helps take great photos in this church.

This is another of the free spots on this list, so there’s no excuse not to visit it.

Franziskanerkirche

The final of the religious buildings in the Salzburg photography spots guide is Franziskanerkirche, or the Franciscans’ church. This is another building that surprised me. When I was there, I was completely alone, so I wasn’t expecting its interior.

This is a matter of personal preference, but I am a huge fan of less decorated churches, and this one was perfect for my taste. Another free church to visit, and a great place to take nice photos of Salzburg and its historical and religious heritage.

Salzburg photography spots: other

The last of the Salzburg photography spots guide sections is about other places to capture. Most of them are completely free, very close to the spots mentioned above, and allow for a bit more creativity, as they are not all specific spots or locations. Let’s check them out!

Salzburg old town

The first spot had to be the old town. It’s a really generic spot, and I will specify a bit more later on this section, but the old town is what makes Salzburg unique. The cobblestone streets, little alleys, and well-preserved buildings are perfect ingredients to take photos that show the power of the city.

Unlike other old European cities, like Budapest, that have a more decadent style, Salzburg and Austria in general have a stately bearing that can be seen in most old towns. From the shops and businesses to how people are dressed, you can feel the rich history of the country.

Old town at night

The old town is a great place to take photos, but at night, it’s even better. I had to mention it in this Salzburg photography spots guide, and it will come in handy, especially if you visit the city during the autumn or winter months, when days are shorter.

Don’t think that after sunset, there’s nothing to capture in the city. In fact, it’s as lively as during the day. This is even more noticeable during the Christmas season, when everything is covered in Christmas lights, and there are Christmas markets (keep reading!) everywhere.

The old town is where the best Salzburg photography spots are. Some have been mentioned above, such as the fortress or the cathedral, but others can be found on its alleys, both during the day and at night.

Markets and food stalls

Food markets are a great place for photography, regardless of where you are. In Salzburg, markets felt as “posh” as the city. Everything was well organised, and you could see from the buyers that you were in a prime location in the city.

There are a couple of markets in the old town. The two I visited were here and here. They weren’t that large or with many stalls, but this made it even easier to take some nice photos. Moreover, it wasn’t just fruit and vegetables, but there were also some traditional sweets or even handmade products.

Overall, a great place to do some street photography, especially if you find ways to include the nearby buildings in your photos.

Salzburg Christmas Markets

No Salzburg photography spots guide would be complete without mentioning its Christmas Markets. Without them, visiting Salzburg in December wouldn’t be the same. As in all of Central Europe, Christmas Markets are big in Austria. Although Vienna is home to some of the most well-known markets, Salzburg also has some interesting ones.

The main one is the one in the Residenzplatz. The lights, the stalls, the smell of Glühwein… make you feel in a fairytale. From a photography point of view, it might be the most photogenic one, especially thanks to its location.

However, there are other markets throughout the city. Some of them are smaller, which makes them easier to photograph, especially if you are looking for more detail shots.

Moreover, Salzburg has a lot of Christmas decorations, especially Christmas lights, as I mentioned in the old town at night photography spot. Perfect to create a full set of Salzburg Christmas photos.

Mozart’s Geburtshaus

Salzburg’s most famous person might be Mozart. It was where he was born, and its presence is obvious everywhere in the city. From the many concert halls, and “Mozart concerts for tourists”, to this spot in the list: the Mozart’s Geburtshaus, aka, where Mozart was born.

I wanted to add it to the Salzburg photography spots guide because many times we think of photography spots as exclusively beautiful places. While beauty is a reason to take photos, history can be another one. The museum located at its birthplace is not free, but worth it if you have the time to spare.

Besides learning about the history of the musician, you’ll also get to see some interesting props that belonged to him.

Mirabell Palace Gardens

Salzburg has a quite compact old town, with little space for gardens, besides some of the spots I mentioned above. However, if you cross the river, you will find the Mirabell Palace Gardens, one of the finest gardens in the city.

This is a very seasonal place. During the winter months, when I visited, it’s a great place to be, but when it really pays to visit is in spring, when the flowers are at their best, summer, when everything is green, and autumn, when the tones change.

It’s completely free to visit, so it’s worth going for a walk and exploring it, even if it’s not the perfect time of the year. It can be a great place for street photography, and also a cool place to take some sunset photos.

Red Bull Hangar-7

This is a favourite of mine, and one of the most unique Salzburg photography spots. In a city full of history, music and religious buildings, I am listing a Red Bull Hangar.

This is a museum of everything Red Bull-related. F1 cars, planes, and all sorts of interesting gear that have been used in stunts or official competitions.

In terms of photography, it’s not possible to take photos for business reasons. I mention it because it’s highly emphasised at the entrance. If you are an F1 fan, you must visit it. However, it’s not only about the cars and planes. The building itself is impressive, with an enormous glass dome that gives it a really unique feeling.

And the best thing? It is completely free to visit. You’ll need to get a ticket at the entrance, but it’s free.

Getting there might be the more complex part of the trip, as it’s the only one of the Salzburg photography spots that can’t be reached on foot (at least in a reasonable amount of time). Yet, there is a public bus line that connects the old town with this area, making the commute extremely easy.

Riverside views

The final of the Salzburg photography spots is the riverside, again. I started mentioning the views over the castle, but the promenade along the Salzach River is a fantastic place to take photos. From capturing the bridges to the people walking or running, it’s a really nice location to get away from the old town, while still being very close to the city centre.

This concludes my Salzburg photography spots guide. If you have any questions about the content on this guide, you can schedule a call with me using the link below to get a 1-on-1 personalised consultation with me. Planning a trip with first-hand knowledge is always easier and ensures that your trip will be adapted to your needs.

For more travel and photography inspiration, follow me on Instagram! (@aniolvisuals)

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