Ultimate Salzburg Travel Guide: Must-See Attractions & 3-Day Itinerary  

Capturing Salzburg’s Charm on a Scenic Stroll 

I travelled from Munich, Germany to Salzburg by train. The journey was quite enjoyable. To soak in the local atmosphere, I decided to walk to my hotel. Along the way, I took some photos, which I've uploaded below. It was my first time in Austria, and surprisingly, the cleanliness matched that of Australia. The green hills in and around the town reminded me of the hills back in Western Australia where I live. 

During my 3 days in I discovered that Salzburg's history is still very much alive in its vibrant streets, and the 900-year-old fortress overlooking the old town provides breath taking panoramic views. 

After exploring Mirabell Gardens and Hohensalzburg Fortress, you might find yourself hungry. With more ground to cover, it's a good idea to refuel your body with some authentic Austrian food when you come down from the fortress. 

Now that you've explored all of these amazing places, it's time to satisfy your taste buds with some authentic Austrian cuisine. Don't waste your time looking for fast food chains like McDonald's, embrace the local food scene. After a long day of exploring, return to your hotel room for some well-deserved rest. Tomorrow you are going to fairy-tale valleys.

Now when the bus arrives at Bad Ischl after approximately 1hour and 15minutes, you get off here. Wait for the bus 542 which runs every 20 minutes. Again, look for the bus stop here which says Bus 542. It's not far from the where bus 150 drops you off. Bus 542 is only a half an hour journey, and it will take you to the Hallstatt Gosaumühle where you get another bus 543. You don't have to look for the bus stop here as both buses park side by side. Bus 543 will only take 10 minutes to take you to the fairy tale town Hallstatt. All catching buses could look difficult as a stranger but it's easier than it sounds. In a nutshell just three buses Bus 150, Bus 542, and Bus 543. For coming back just follow the same route in reverse.

I promise you'd get best views on this journey even if you are the person without any aesthetic sense.

Things to do in Hallstatt

• Visit the Hallstatt Salt Mines: More than 2,000 years have passed since the Hallstatt salt mines first opened. Visit the spectacular underground chambers and learn about the history of salt mining on a guided tour.

• Explore the World Heritage Museum: The museum is housed in one of Hallstatt's oldest buildings and offers an interesting insight into the city's history. 

• Enjoy local cuisine: A notable local dish is the Hallstatt trout, which is served with freshly baked bread and regional ingredients.

Above activities are suggestions only and you can change them anyway you like depending in your time availability and interests. I took the bus back to Salzburg the way I came here. 

Buy your day ticket on board

• Purchase the BGL-Tagesticket “Bus & Bahn” (€12) from the driver. It’s valid all day on all RegioBus lines in Berchtesgadener Land (including 837, 838 & 841).

Day Trip Sequence

1. Morning → Maria Gern

1. Transfer at Berchtesgaden, Busbahnhof to bus 837 bound for Hintergern/Schönau a. Königssee.

2. Ride ~25 minutes and alight at “Maria Gern”. 

3. Explore the Baroque church and village (allow 1–1½ hours).

4. Return on the next bus 837 to Berchtesgaden, Busbahnhof (runs hourly).
   
   

2. Midday → Eagle’s Nest (Kehlsteinhaus)

1. From Busbahnhof, board bus 838 toward Obersalzberg/Dokumentation. 

2. Ride ~15 minutes, get off at “Dokumentation Obersalzberg”. 

3. Walk 300 m to the shuttle bus up to the Kehlsteinhaus. It's only open between May to October. Plan ~2 hours.

4. Return on bus 838 back to Busbahnhof (service is limited to 1–2 runs/day).
   
   

3. Afternoon → Königssee

1. At Busbahnhof, board bus 841 toward Jennerbahn/Königssee. 

2. Ride ~25 minutes, alight at “Königssee” lakeside stop. 

3. Stroll the shore or take the boat to St Bartholomä/Salet (boats every 30 min). Plan ~1.5–2 hours.

4. Return: catch bus 841 back to Busbahnhof, then bus 840 back to Salzburg (last departs ~18:00–19:00).

Can You Do All Three in One Day?

Yes, if you:

1. Start early from Salzburg (catch the 840 by ~08:00) to arrive at Berchtesgaden by ~09:00.

2. Hit Maria Gern on the 08:44 or 10:44 837, returning by latest 12:44 into Berchtesgaden.

3. Wait for the lone 14:20 838 up to the Documentation Centre. This is the only Obersalzberg run you’ll catch.

4. Descend on the same bus back by ~15:00.

5. Transfer immediately to a 841 (next departure by ~15:30–16:00 on weekdays) for Königssee, giving you a couple of hours lakeside.

6. Return on the 841 → Busbahnhof → 840 back to Salzburg (last 840 departs Berchtesgaden ~18:00–19:00).

Sample Timeline 

Note: If it feels a bit rushed, you can always spread it out over two days or take as much time as you like. 

Things to do in Berchtesgaden

• Explore the historical town of Berchtesgaden: Explore the city centre, visit the Salzburg Museum, and the old salt mines. Several historic structures can be found in Berchtesgaden's town centre, including the market square, town hall, and St. John's Church. Explore the neighbourhood's streets and take in the ambience.

• Try local cuisine: Traditional foods from Berchtesgaden, like schnitzel, kaiserschmarrn, and leberknodel, are well-known. Eat at local eatery to experience the regional flavours.

I was pretty tired by the end of it. I am pretty sure the memories of this place would never skip your brain too. I drove back to Salzburg just before the dark, returned the rental car, and went to sleep straight away. Whichever mode of transport you chose to come here just do the same thing in reverse order and arrive in Salzburg to have a wonderful sleep as I did. If you're ready to travel to Innsbruck the next morning, click the next button with Innsbruck written on it.