Salzburg has lots to offer singles and solo travelers. Traveling alone often has its advantages – especially outside the high season, when it’s far easier to avoid the crowds. The range of experiences is so varied and diverse that there’s never a dull moment.
Sports, nature experiences, art, culture, crafts, and history – Salzburg City and Province offer endless possibilities in every season and in any weather. If you allow a little extra time, you can easily reach the top sights by public transport. Especially appealing when traveling alone: an extensive selection of guided tours, workshops, concerts, and much more. Choose whatever suits your mood. For workshops and guided tours, advance registration is highly recommended.
Salzburg City, Flachgau und Tennengau
If you’re exploring the northern part of the Province of Salzburg, a stroll through Salzburg’s historic Old Town will naturally be at the top of your list.
At Hohensalzburg Fortress, you’ll find a packed calendar of events throughout the year. The guided tours vary with the seasons. Workshops and themed tours are also offered in keeping with various holidays and special occasions. From May to September, you can kick off your day right after breakfast with a personally guided Quick Tour. Those who prefer to take their time can wander at their leisure through the fortress’s opulent rooms on their own, discovering fascinating stories about the turbulent life once led within its walls. Adults and teens eager to know what it once felt like to be a knight can join a sword-fighting workshop. Atmospheric fortress concerts are held regularly, allowing you to listen to Mozart’s music within these magnificent historic halls.
Hohensalzburg Fortress - The hornwork on the panoramic tour
At the DomQuartier, you can admire the Cathedral Treasury and magnificent exhibits from the St. Peter’s Museum, gaze down into the Cathedral from the organ loft, and marvel at the unusual items in the Cabinet of Art and Curiosities. For adults and teens, art workshops are offered ranging from sketching nudes to creating objects and pictures using a variety of media. History enthusiasts can join a tour through the stately chambers once home to the Prince-Archbishops of Salzburg. And if you are in the mood for a “date,” you can meet one of the city’s most famous personalities right here: During “A Date with Mozart,” you’ll hear the maestro’s music performed in the very rooms where the Salzburg prodigy once played himself.
DomQuartier Salzburg - Interior view of the cathedral from the west gallery
Easily reached by bus and ideal in nice weather: a visit to Hellbrunn. Enjoy a coffee at the Park Café, sit in the sun, stroll past the fishponds, or take a leisurely walk through the palace grounds – pure joy, even on your own. A visit to Schloss Hellbrunn brings you closer to Prince-Archbishop Markus Sittikus and the life he led. In summer, plan in enough time to explore the Trick Fountains, where in addition to jets of water and hydraulically powered figures, there’s plenty more to discover.
Infos
Schloss Hellbrunn & Wasserspiele Fürstenweg 37, A-5020 Salzburg www.hellbrunn.at
Hellbrunn Palace & Trick Fountains - Roman Theater with Fountains
Not far away, in Grossgmain, the Salzburg Open-Air Museum awaits with numerous original farmhouses and much more to explore, both inside and out. A walk through all five historic regions of Salzburg Province takes a fair bit of time and is best enjoyed in dry weather. The museum’s program of events and workshops is also impressive: from baking bread in a wood-fired oven to photography workshops and even yodeling classes – there’s something for everyone. Ever wanted to forge your own knife? At the Open-Air Museum, even that wish can come true.
Salzburg Open Air Museum - Handicraft demonstration of "lace making"
A little south of the city of Salzburg, in a part of Hallein known as the Dürrnberg, lies the world’s oldest show mine: Salzwelten Salzburg. As you rattle into the mountain aboard the mine train, the wind brushes your face. A touch of adrenaline awaits on the miners’ slides as you slither even deeper underground. Yet another highlight of the tour is the raft ride across the mystical subterranean salt lake.
Tip: Every Friday and Saturday, a shuttle bus runs directly from the Mirabellplatz bus terminal in central Salzburg out to the Salzwelten.
Infos
Salzwelten Salzburg Ramsaustraße 3, A-5422 Bad Dürrnberg www.salzwelten.at
Salzwelten Salzburg - Salt lake in the mine
Pongau
At the foot of the majestic Tennengebirge mountains lies the small town of Werfen. Here you will find the imposing Hohenwerfen Fortress, which has served as a filming location for various movies and TV series. Exploring the castle is like stepping back into the Middle Ages – into a world of witches, myths, and legendary figures. Always enthralling: the falconry demonstrations, where native birds of prey such as vultures, eagles, and falcons showcase their aerobatic skills. These shows take place from April through November. From the torture chamber to the bell tower and into the fortress’s most hidden nooks and crannies – you’ll discover it all as part of a public guided tour.
On the opposite side of the valley, practically facing Hohenwerfen Fortress, lies the entrance to the largest ice cave in the world. A cable car and a footpath with spectacular views of the valley lead you up to the World of Ice Giants. The cave can be visited as part of a guided tour offered in German or English. Inside the cave, fascinating ice giants rise up, briefly emerging from the darkness in the flickering light of lanterns and magnesium flames, hinting at their full splendor. Sturdy footwear and warm clothing are highly recommended. Be prepared to climb about 1,400 steps, with temperatures hovering around 0°C (32°F). The World of Ice Giants is open daily from May 1 to October 31.
The Pinzgau is one of the more mountainous regions in the Province of Salzburg. It’s no coincidence that from here you can reach the summit of Austria’s highest peak – the Grossglockner. The drive along the scenic alpine road is a memorable experience in its own right. If you prefer not to do any driving yourself, you can also ride the Glockner Bus, which runs from the end of May to the end of September every Tuesday (and additionally on Thursdays in July and August) from Zell am See, Bruck, and Fusch. The route is every bit as unforgettable by motorcycle. Along the winding road, there is so much to experience and discover. Intriguing special exhibitions and the Grossglockner Cinema offer insights into the history of the road and the fascinating natural world of Hohe Tauern National Park. The road is open from early May to early November. Be sure to check driving conditions in advance, as restrictions may come into effect during the autumn months.
Infos
Großglockner Hochalpenstraße Ferleiten 1 A-5672 Fusch a.d. Großglocknerstraße www.grossglockner.at
Grossglockner High Alpine Road - Vintage Car Exhibition in the Glockner Gallery
Krimml Worlds of Water at the foot of the famous Krimml Waterfalls ranks amongst the top excursion destinations in the Province of Salzburg. A visit to the magnificent falls pairs perfectly with a short hike along the Waterfall Trail. Inside WaterWorlds itself, there’s much to discover about the astonishing natural element “water” – promising whole new insights, even for adults. In the House of Water, for example, you will find information about the Hohe Tauern Health initiative. This health program is especially beneficial for people coping with allergies or asthma, since the fine mists produced by the waterfalls cleanse the airways and strengthen the immune system.
Krimml Worlds of Water - Interactive exhibition on "Faces of Water
From late May to mid-October, the Kaprun Alpine Reservoirs are a popular destination for mountain and nature enthusiasts. A visit inside the dam itself is also a fascinating experience. Here you will learn much about energy generation utilizing hydropower. The reservoirs are located in Hohe Tauern National Park, a marvelous region for hiking and mountaineering. If you’d prefer not to set out on your own, simply join one of the guided tours. Expert guides are available to show you the MOBO107 via ferrata on the dam wall as well as routes in the nearby climbing arena. In autumn, we strongly suggest checking prevailing weather conditions in the mountains prior to your visit.
Tip: If the High Mountain Reservoirs are already closed for the season, a hike around the Klammsee lake – just outside Kaprun at the mouth of the Sigmund-Thun Gorge – is ultra rewarding. This small-yet-idyllic reservoir is a wonderful spot to enjoy the peace and quiet, or make yourself comfortable with a good book.
Fort Kniepass in Unken is the newest excursion destination in the Province of Salzburg. Opening its doors to the public in 2025, it welcomes visitors with a compelling mix of action, culture, and cuisine. Aside from the visit to Fort Kniepass itself – reached via an interactive pathway – food lovers will especially appreciate the Fort Kulinarik and the Fermentation Center. Here, you can take part in workshops on the art of fermentation, from kombucha and miso to sauerkraut, and learn how to produce these delicacies for yourself. Cultural events, theater evenings, and concerts also take place at Fort Kniepass throughout the year. And young-at-heart adventurers definitely won’t want to miss out on the thrill of sliding down the tallest and longest tube slide in the Alps.
[Translate to English:] Fort Kniepass Fermentationszentrum
Lungau
Whether traveling alone or with the whole family – a castle is always an excellent excursion destination. Especially one with such an intriguing history as Mauterndorf Castle. Once a toll station on the Via Imperialis trade route, it also served as the summer residence of the Prince-Archbishops of Salzburg. Hardly surprising, then, that its interiors are splendidly adorned, including the Gothic wall paintings in the castle chapel. The defensive tower also reveals fascinating details about the castle’s past and everyday life in former times. Rotating exhibitions and a diverse events calendar – including film festivals, cabarets, medieval fairs, concerts, and an Advent market – take place here throughout the year.