Salzburg's Surroundings: Austria Beyond Mozart and Do-Re-Mi

Hallstatt

There's a reason the Chinese built a replica of this city in China. It's one of the most iconic sights in Europe—always a “pinch me, is this real” view. I've been there in sun, clouds, torrential rain, flooding, and snow, every variant starkly different but equally spectacular. Be sure to stop at numerous scenic viewpoints, the Bone Chapel, and the town square, rent a boat and float on the lake with the swans, and take the Salt Mine tour, complete with a huge wooden slide at the end!

Dachstein/Krippenstein cable car in Obertraun

Obertraun is the next town around the lake from Hallstatt. From Obertraun, the Dachstein Krippenstein cable car goes up to the top of the neighboring mountain. If you get off at the first stop, Mittelstation Schonbergalm, you can visit the Dachstein Ice Caves; one more stop to Krippenstein and you can visit the Bergrestaurant Dachstein Krippenstein and have lunch and a beer with views of the Dachstein glacier. From this stop, you can also hike around to the Five Fingers lookout on the front of the mountain for epic views of Hallstatt, Lake Hallstatt, and mountains as far as the eye can see. The third and last stop, Gjaidalm, doesn't offer as much in the way of views and is more for hikers.

• Note: Check the weather—if it's cloudy, don't bother going past the ice caves, as you won't have a view of anything but clouds.

Berchtesgaden/Königssee

The town of Berchesgaden (actually just across the border in Bavaria, Germany) is a charming town near the Eagle's Nest and situated a short distance from the incredibly scenic Königssee. The idyllic area is a wonderful place to explore both in town and through countless hiking opportunities nearby.

Eagle's Nest

Ride the infamous golden elevator to the top of the mountain where Hitler's outpost remains, still intact, from 1939. The building is now a restaurant, but the views are impressive, and it's important to consider the history.

Munich

Suffice it to say that Munich deserves its own entire trip, and it would be easy to spend a solid week here in its own right, but if you don't have the time, the train from Salzburg to Munich is only 90 minutes, and it’s easy to go up even for the day to visit some of Munich's highlights!

St. Wolfgang

Possibly the most visually impressive small town other than Hallstatt, it exudes the ambience of rural Austria with its traditional buildings. The town straddles the edge of the Wolfgangsee and is a pleasure to wander through.

Schafberg & Schafbergbahn cog railway

Across the lake from St. Wolfgang, the Schafbergbahn is a cog railway that climbs an almost unsettlingly steep railway to the top of the Schafberg, where you can enjoy spectacular views and the restaurant at the top.

Hohenwerfen Castle

One of the more stunning fortresses in Austria, Hohenwerfen was built at a similar time as the Hohensalzburg Fortress in the 11th century to control trade routes and traffic along the Salzach river. Tours are available, as well as falconry shows on the grounds.

“Keltenblitz” Sommerrodelbahn

A fun summer pastime in mountainous areas of the country are toboggan rides called "Rodelbahn," which are gravity-powered rides along a track that are an absolute blast! Typically, you have to take a cable car up the mountain and the ride down. This one just outside Salzburg claims to be the longest track in Austria!

Bräugasthof am Hallstättersee (Hallstatt)

Fantastic restaurant with a terrace that sits out right next to the lake. You'll see it on the right along the road just as you enter the town from the parking lot—look for all the hanging lights. The food is great—try the Reinanke whitefish that is native to the lake. The ambience would be hard to beat anywhere.

Seecafe Hallstatt (Hallstatt)

Respectable food, solid coffee and drink options, but the standout is the view—sitting on the terrace, you have a postcard-worthy view of Hallstatt jutting out into the lake, and can watch the resident swans float by while you have coffee.

Gaststätte Himmelspforte (Schafberg)

Another on the “scenic” eats list, this restaurant is on top of the Schafberg mountain. Food and drink are reputable, but the view from the top is spectacular!

Bergrestaurant Dachstein Krippenstein (Krippenstein)

Here's your chance to enjoy some hearty fare and a beer while staring at the Dachstein Glacier. Really. This restaurant is located right at the Krippenstein cable car stop on the way uphill from Obertraun (same stop where you can walk around for incredible views down to Halstatt and the lake).

Kehlsteinhaus Restaurant and Historic Viewpoint

Situated in an incredibly scenic spot in the building that was formerly Hitler's Eagle's Nest, this is a great place to sit and relax while taking in the historical significance of the site.