Insider Tips: Explore the Salzburg Countryside off the Tourist Trail

The 50-hectare museum area is located in the municipality of Grossgmain, about 15 kilometers from the city of Salzburg. There, old buildings from the province of Salzburg were collected, reconstructed and furnished. Under the open sky you can take a look inside these original buildings and gain insight into rural construction, domestic and working life of earlier times. Historically, everything dates back to the period between the 16th and 20th centuries. The museum is divided into the five regions of the province of Salzburg and exhibits over 100 buildings from the fields of agriculture, crafts, trades and industry.

Info

Salzburger Freilichtmuseum
Hasenweg 1, A-5084 Großgmain
www.freilichtmuseum.com

Take a journey back in time to the 15th century and visit the Mauterndorf Castle. After an eventful history and interim peace, Mauterndorf is today one of the most well preserved castles in Austria. Thanks to an interactive exhibition, it is possible to immerse yourself in the Middle Ages and explore it first-hand. The day-to-day work is reenacted in the castle courtyard and from a wardrobe you can find medieval clothing to dress up in. The tour also leads to the rock cellar, the 700-year-old defense tower and the castle tavern. Mauterndorf Castle also houses the Lungau Regional Museum, which is also worth a visit.

Info

Burg Mauterndorf
Markt 27, A-5570 Mauterndorf
www.burg-mauterndorf.at

An impressive natural spectacle takes place in the neighboring Pinzgau region near the high mountain reservoirs in Kaprun. They are set like two fjords between high mountains and alpine meadows in the middle of the glaciers of the High Tauern mountains. At over 2,000 meters above sea level, electricity has been generated at the reservoirs for many years. Exactly how this works can be found out, for example, in the context of a tour of the dam wall. This also includes entering into the dam wall, the interior of which contains a lot of interesting information about the construction, operation and maintenance of the huge structures.

Info

Hochgebirgsstauseen Kaprun
Kassa: Kesselfallstraße 98, A-5710 Kaprun
www.verbund.com/kaprun

Face to face with the Grossglockner, the highest mountain in Austria – this is possible at the end of the Grossglockner High Alpine Road. The high-alpine panoramic road connects the two provinces of Salzburg and Carinthia and runs from Bruck an der Großglocknerstraße via the mountain passes Fuscher Törl and Hochtor. Stops can be made at the two branches Edelweissspitze and Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe. From the latter, a comfortable hiking trail leads into the Gamsgrube, where with a little luck rare ibex and chamois can be spotted in the wild.

Info

Großglockner Hochalpenstraße
Taxenbacher Fusch 96
A-5672 Fusch a.d. Großglocknerstraße
www.grossglockner.at

Near the city of Salzburg, a true natural wonder can be visited. The Eisriesenwelt in Werfen is a spectacular natural ice cave whose passages extend more than 40 kilometers in length. The first cracks and fissures in the limestone rock of the “largest ice cave of the earth” allegedly arose 100 million years ago. The crystal clear beauty of the ice worlds and the adventurous cave passages are an experience in themselves. During the visit, 134 vertical meters are covered, which is why sturdy shoes and warm clothing are a must for this “ice-cold” tour.

Info

Eisriesenwelt Werfen
Eishohlenstrasse 30, A-5450 Werfen
www.eisriesenwelt.at

Fort Kniepass in the Salzburg Saalach Valley offers an unrivaled combination of culture, cuisine, adventure, and action. The history of this former border stronghold dates back to the Middle Ages. Expanded in the 17th century, today’s fort is largely preserved in its original condition. Since 2025, Fort Kniepass has also been open to visitors. An exciting adventure trail with interactive play stations leads up to the fortress. An exhibition, the Fort Kulinarik eatery, and an indoor play zone ensure a memorable visit for big and small alike.

INFO

Fort Kniepass
Unkenberg 169
5091 Unken

www.fort-kniepass.at