How to Visit the Fortress Hohensalzburg – Salzburg Castle
How to Get to the Fortress Hohensalzburg
Visiting the Salzburg Castle, officially known as the Fortress Hohensalzburg, is one of the highlights of a visit to Salzburg, Austria. The fortress, which dates back to the late 11th century, sits high atop Old Town Salzburg. At a length of 820 feet and a width of 490 feet, Fortress Hohensalzburg is one of the largest medieval castles in Europe. The Fortress served as the residence for the Archbishop.
The easiest way to visit Fortress Hohensalzburg is to walk through Old Town Salzburg to the funicular station. After purchasing a ticket, visitors can either walk up the ramp or ride the funicular for an additional fee. I highly recommend paying an addition few Euros for the funicular.
If you have the Salzburg Card, the funicular and all of the entrance fees to Fortress Hohensalzburg, as well as the exhibits, are free. For those who don’t have the Salzburg Card, admission costs between €10 and €17, depending on the package.
How to Visit the Fortress Hohensalzburg - Table of Contents
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The Best Views of Salzburg are from the Fortress Hohensalzburg
During my visit to Fortress Hohensalzburg, I mostly wanted to get some great photographs of the town of Salzburg. After disembarking the funicular, I came across an observation platform that was roped off. Do not worry about trying to take photos in this location, as there are many better photo opportunities throughout the self-guided tour of the fortress.
Another nice viewing area is just inside the entrance to Fortress Hohensalzburg. Here, there are a bunch of holes that provide an interesting perspective. Try to frame your photograph to include some of the hole, with Old Town Salzburg in the background.
Fortress Hohensalzburg Bell Tower - The Best Views
The best views from Fortress Hohensalzburg are from the top of the Bell Tower. Unfortunately, the Bell Tower was closed due to high winds. Thankfully, just behind the Bell Tower is a viewing platform.
The Viewing Platform at Fortress Hohensalzburg - Great Views of Old Town
This viewing platform provided a great view of Salzburg, Old Town Salzburg, and the Salzach River Valley. With the Bell Tower being closed, this area had the best views of Salzburg from Fortress Hohensalzburg.
The photo below shows Old Town Salzburg. Pictured in the middle are the Salzburg Cathedral, Dom Quartier, and St. Peter’s Church.
Be sure to bring a zoom lens so you can zoom in on the famous Spharea. The Spharea is the golden ball with the man standing on top of it. You will also want to zoom in on parts of Old Town Salzburg, including the Salzburg Cathedral.
The photo below is looking up at the Salzach River. At the bottom of the picture are the Salzburg Cathedral and the Old Town Clock Tower.
Also, be sure to look the opposite direction from Old Town Salzburg. The photo below is looking up river away from Old Town.
Unique Views at Fortress Hohensalzburg - The Cannon Embrasures
One other great view point at Fortress Hohensalzburg is the cannon embrasures near the museum. When taking a photo, be sure to adjust your camera settings so you get the city in the background.
I had one big disappointment when it came to seeing the best views from Fortress Hohensalzburg. The best views of the mountains that overlook the Salzburg valley are from the Bell Tower, which was closed. Below was the best photo I was able to get of the mountains without accessing the Bell Tower.
The Dungeon at Fortress Hohensalzburg
One of the things I learned during my visit to Fortress Hohensalzburg is that history often misinterprets how the dungeon was used during the Medieval Period. At Fortress Hohensalzburg, the dungeon was used to house prisoners until they received a verdict and their sentence was carried out. Typically, that sentence was the execution of the prisoner.
The photo below shows the dungeon of Fortress Hohensalzburg.
The Salzburg Bull
One of the most interesting parts of my visit to Fortress Hohensalzburg was seeing the Salzburg Bull. Created in 1515, this instrument created a “bull-like” sound from over 100 organ pipes. The Salzburg Bull was the sound that the citizens of Salzburg woke up to at 4 am, which signaled it was time for work. The Bull performed was heard again at 7 pm, which announced that it was bedtime. Famous composer Leopold Mozart was one of the many who wrote music for the Salzburg Bull.
Visitors are able to play the Salzburg Bull by turning the crank pictured below. On a side note, there is an employee who stands beside the Salzburg Bull, ensuring that visitors interact with it gently. I felt bad for her, as I am sure she hears the song that the Salzburg Bull plays over and over again in her dreams.
The Estate Rooms at Fortress Hohensalzburg
Entering the Estate Rooms at Fortress Hohensalzburg requires an additional ticket. Thankfully, my Salzburg Pass covered entry into this part of the Fortress. After showing my Salzburg Card, I first walked into the Golden Hall, also sometimes known as the Great Hall. This location served as part of the residence for Arch Bishop Leonhard von Keutschach, whose coat of arms is painted on the support beam holding up the roof. On the ceiling of the Golden Hall are golden buttons that are supposed to resemble stars in the sky.
The Golden Hall at Fortress Hohensalzburg
Beside the Golden Hall is the most famous room at Fortress Hohensalzburg, the Golden Chamber. Unfortunately, during my visit, the Golden Chamber was partially closed for renovation. All I was able to photograph was the entrance of the Golden Chamber and the ceramic fireplace that was used to heat the Golden Chamber. It is believed that the Golden Chamber served as a waiting room for people who wanted to talk to the Arch Bishop.
Sleeping Chamber at Fortress Hohensalzburg
Opposite of the Golden Chamber is the Royal Apartment which served as the sleeping chamber. It was built in 1501 by Archbishop Leonhard von Keutschach and included a private toilet. Like the Golden Room, the Royal Apartment was also under renovation.
The Museum at Fortress Hohensalzburg
After walking through the Estate Rooms, I decided to visit the Museum at Fortress Hohensalzburg. Before entering the museum, I walked by an impressive model of Fortress Hohensalzburg created entirely out of salt. One of the oldest salt mines in the world is located near Salzburg, and a sign on the wall reminds visitors that humans can live without gold but not without salt.
Kitchen at Fortress Hohensazlburg - Meals fit for an Archbishop
Just inside the entrance to the museum are the kitchen and cook’s quarters. During the time the Archbishop lived inside Fortress Hohensalzburg, he had his own personal chef. The chef’s kitchen was also his living quarters, as preparing the meals took up the entirety of the day.
Body Armor at Fortress Hohensalzburg
There are many artifacts on display at the museum at Fortress Hohensalzburg. I only included a few photographs of the parts that I found the most interesting. Below is a picture of various types of body armor.
A Life of Luxury for the Arch Bishop at Fortress Hohensalzburg
It was no surprise that the Archbishop lived a life of luxury. Pictured below is one of the beds that was in the Royal Apartment’s sleeping quarters.
Some other interesting items located inside the museum at Fortress Hohensalzburg were children’s toys and a beautiful crest. The toys below were a hoop and stick, and a small wooden doll.
Pictured below are golden coins that were found during the excavation of Fortress Hohensalzburg.
Weapons at the Museum at Fortress Hohensalzburg
Fortress Hohensalzburg wasn’t just the home of the Archbishop. It also had many other uses. During World War I and II, the Fortress served as a prison until Germany annexed Austria in 1938. Many of the exhibits in the museum show artifacts from the various wars that Austria has participated in, including World Wars I and II.
A beautiful Cupboard
Pictured below is a cupboard that dates back to the Middle Ages. It was one of the most beautiful pieces of furniture on display in the Museum at Fortress Hohensalzburg.
Walking Around Fortress Hohensalzburg
One of my favorite parts about exploring Fortress Hohensalzburg was walking around and imagining what it would have been like to live there during the Medieval Period. As I walked around the Fortress, I stumbled across a few interesting parts that had not been on my radar. One of them was the chapel, where the Archbishop came to pray.
When you visit Fortress Hohensalzburg, be sure to spend some time walking inside the walls. One of the best areas to walk around is the area near the Bell Tower.
Finally, for those who visit, there are restrooms located inside the walls of Fortress Hohensalzburg. These are modern restrooms, not to be confused with the private bathroom that is located in the Archbishop’s estate. Use the restroom pictured below, and you can tell everyone that you used a bathroom inside a real castle.
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Fortress Hohensalzburg Tours and Packages
A tour of Fortress Hohensalzburg is not necessary as every exhibit has signs in various languages, including English. That being said, I know some people prefer to be led around by a local guide. Below, I have linked a few tour packages that include Fortress Hohensalzburg. Please note that I am an affiliate of Viator. If you purchase a tour using one of my links, I will receive a small commission. This commission is at no additional cost to you.
Prices are accurate as of January 2024.
 Skip-the-line Fortress Hohensalzburg Castle Tour with Private Guide - $222.49 Discover a millennium of history on a private tour of the Hohensalzburg Fortress, one of the largest medieval castles in Europe. Includes skip-the-line tickets and an exciting funicular ride. Extended option: see the Old Town and visit Salzburg Cathedral. |
 Salzburg Highlight Tour with Fortress Hohensalzburg - $378.35 This guided tour will give you the insider’s view of the city with tips on how to get the most out of your stay. |
 Best of Mozart Concert and GOLDEN VIP Dinner at Fortress Hohensalzburg - $132.30 High above the rooftops of the city of Mozart, the evening begins with a GOLDEN VIP Dinner in the Panorama Restaurant at the famous Fortress. Enjoy the breathtaking view of the city and the beauty of the landscape, surrounded by majestic mountains. |