Best things to do in Salzburg Region

Built as a token of Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich's love for his mistress, Mirabell Palace is perhaps best known as the backdrop of "The Sound of Music." The former palace was built in 1606 and now houses the offices of the mayor and municipal council. The boxwood gardens contain mythology-themed statues from 1730, as well as four groups of sculptures representing the four elements. If you're a fan of "The Sound of Music," don't miss the horse fountain, where the von Trapp children sang "Do-Re-Mi." A stroll through the gardens will jog many memories from the film.

Perched atop a hill overlooking Salzburg, Fortress Hohensalzburg bears witness to more than 900 years of Austrian history, demonstrating the supreme power of the archbishops. Construction of this massive fortress began in the 11th century at the request of Archbishop Gebhard I of Helffenstein. The project continued over the centuries, finishing in 1501. Visit the regency rooms, torture chamber, illuminated lower church, and the fortress museum. At an altitude of 506 m (1,660 ft), the watchtower provides views of Salzburg. Purchase the Fortress Card to take advantage of the funicular ride up the steep hill, and delve deeper into the fortress' history with an audio guide.

Built as a summer day residence for Markus Sittikus (who was both a prince and an archbishop), Schloss Hellbrunn is famous for its trick fountains. The palace was built from 1613 to 1619 as a place of celebration. Sittikus designed the fountains and water-powered figures in the palace's park to entertain and confuse his guests. The trick fountains spray at seemingly random moments, so be prepared to get a little bit wet. Visit the grottos to see representations of Greek mythology, and watch the water-powered show of Perseus freeing Andromeda and Apollo flaying Marsyas. Walk through the palace to get a feel for how the prince and his noble guests celebrated. The park was designed as a show of contrasts of light and dark, fire and water.

The site of religious worship for centuries, Salzburg Cathedral still contains the same baptismal font in which Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was baptized. The Baroque cathedral as it stands today was rebuilt in the 17th century, but a church had existed in this same spot since 774. Inside, visit the cathedral museum to see religious treasures, such as the Cross of St. Rupert and the Sacred Dove. Continue to the Cabinet of Curiosities for an exhibit of natural objects and artwork. This exhibit connects to the Long Gallery of St. Peter's Abbey, a 70 m (230 ft) corridor lined with paintings.

Marvel at the collection of 25 historical airplanes, helicopters, motors, and Formula One racing cars at Hangar-7. The "Flying Bulls", an association of pilots and mechanics, founded this multifunctional building in 1999. Have a coffee at the lounge next to a P-38 Lightning--Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's service airplane. Watch the sunset reflected in the wings of the Mitchell B-25 from the café. Dine at Ikarus--a Michelin-starred restaurant. You'll also see two BO 105s--the world's only civil helicopter licensed for aerobatics.

Learn about the details of Mozart's childhood and his relationship with his family at Mozarts Geburtshaus. Exhibited instruments, documents, portraits, and family letters reveal his passionate interest in music--opera in particular. Start from the birth room on the third floor, where Mozart came into the world on January 27, 1756. Do not miss such rarities as his childhood violin or the clavichord upon which he composed "The Magic Flute." See the striking unfinished portrait of the composer that his brother-in-law painted two years before Mozart's death. Breathe in the atmosphere of the age on the first floor among original furniture from that time.

Straddling the border between Germany and Austria, the summit of Untersberg offers spectacular views of Salzburg far below. The tabletop mountain has six different peaks with elevations ranging from 1,805 m (5,922 ft) to 1,973 m (6,473 ft). Take the cable car to 1,320 m (4,331 ft), or hike the well-marked trails to summit the mountain. Protected as a nature preserve, the mountain provides opportunities for outdoors activities, such as climbing and hiking. Follow the Nature-Quiz-Path to learn more about wildlife, mushrooms, minerals, and trees. Visit the ice cave at 1,570 m (5,151 ft), but dress warmly, as temperatures are below zero year-round.

See Mozart Residence (Mozart Wohnhaus), where the famous composer and his family lived from 1773 to 1787--and where Mozart wrote his numerous pieces. Destroyed by a bomb in World War II, the home was reconstructed and opened for visitors in 1996. Explore the exhibits, walk where Mozart walked, and see a piano and a violin that he played. Learn about different phases of his life and work through photos, audio guides, displays, and letters written to and by Mozart. You'll also see the rooms of his father and sister, along with some personal effects.

Ski, snowboard, and hike on the wide glacial slopes of Kitzsteinhorn. Use the railway to reach the summit at 3,035 m (9,957 ft) above sea level. Find the logbook in the cabinet attached to the iron cross, and leave a personal note. Trek down the sides of the mountain, but look out for snow holes and slippery slopes. Enjoy music, drinks, and snacks at the bar or the huge sun deck at 2,500 m (8,202ft) above sea level. The snow park features various rails, tubes, wall rides, and kicker lines for beginners and pros. Some tracks occasionally close because of strong winds.

Explore an extensive network of frozen tunnels and caverns at Eisriesenwelt, the largest of their kind in the world. Stop by the formation and join a guided tour through the ice. You'll find as you venture into the depths that the drafts of air that cycle through the caves are the lifeblood of the entire freezing process, along with melting water that seeps underground. You'll see open spaces, imposing stalagmites, and dangling stalactites, including the centerpiece of the caves--a 23 m (75 ft) tall behemoth rising from the floor. The caves are very cold year-round, so dress warmly.

Experience the power of the water at Krimml Falls (Krimmler Wasserfalle)--the fifth-highest waterfalls in the world with a drop of 380 m (1,247 ft). This tiered waterfall begins at the top of the Krimmler Ache valley and drops down in three stages. Take a hiking trail built by the Austrian Alpine Association to get very close to this natural spectacle. Watch the river join the Salzach from the highest point of the waterfall--1,470 m (4,823 ft) above sea level.