Hohensalzburg Fortress, Salzburg: Tickets, Funicular & Tips

05/11/2026

Hohensalzburg Fortress (Festung Hohensalzburg) stands on the Festungsberg hill above the old town of Salzburg. It is 250 metres long and 150 metres wide, which makes it one of the largest medieval castles in Europe. Building started in 1077 under Archbishop Gebhard. Over the next centuries the powerful prince-archbishops of Salzburg made it bigger and stronger, with high walls, towers and bastions. The fortress was never taken by force. It is the symbol of Salzburg and can be seen from almost everywhere in the city.

What to See

The most beautiful rooms are the Princely Chambers from around 1500. The Golden Hall has a ceiling with gold buttons that look like stars, and the Golden Chamber has richly carved wooden benches and walls. In the Kraut Tower you can see the “Salzburg Bull”, a huge mechanical organ from 1502 with more than 200 pipes. It still plays several times a day from spring to the end of October. The fortress museum tells the story of the castle and its people, and there are also exhibitions about weapons and the Rainer Regiment. Do not miss the Magic Theatre for children and the view from the panorama terrace. From the top you can see the domes of the old town, the Salzach River and the mountains around the city.

How to Get There and Practical Information

The easiest way up is the FestungsBahn, a funicular railway that opened in 1892. It starts at Festungsgasse, a few minutes’ walk from Salzburg Cathedral, and takes only about one minute. You can also walk up on a steep path in about 20 minutes. The fortress is open every day: from May to September from 8:30 to 20:00, and the rest of the year from 9:30 to 17:00. Tickets include the funicular ride and are cheaper when you buy them online. Plan two to three hours for your visit. In the evening there are often classical concerts in the fortress halls.