BEYOND THE CITY
Day Trips and Onward Journeys
Salzburg sits close to some of the region’s most appealing lakes and mountain landscapes. Berchtesgaden lies across the German border, while the Salzkammergut offers villages, swimming spots and walks beside the water. Salt mines, ice caves and cable cars add other ways to explore, with different demands and travel times.
These six suggestions include nearby outings, Chiemsee as a full-day stop between Salzburg and Munich, and onward stays in Vienna and Munich. Hallstatt is included in the Salzkammergut Lakes journey. Choose one main lake or mountain experience for a day, leaving time for meals, walks and the journey itself.
Paid Link Browse day trips from Salzburg.
EXPLORE MORE
Plan Your Visit
Find ideas for your visit, drawn largely from my own travels, from neighborhoods, sights and local food to festivals and journeys beyond the city, with practical tips along the way.
Berchtesgaden
Berchtesgaden combines a small Bavarian town with some of the region's most striking mountain scenery. Spend time beside Königssee, take a boat toward St. Bartholomä or choose a walk that suits your energy and the weather. It is a natural excursion from Salzburg, but distances between sights add up. Focus on one area for the day and allow time simply to enjoy the landscape.
Time to allow: A full day focused on one area.
Salt, Ice & Peaks
Choose between the Salzwelten salt mine near Hallein, which can be paired with the nearby Keltenblitz summer toboggan run, the Eisriesenwelt ice cave above Werfen and the Untersberg cable car south of Salzburg. Each offers a different experience of the mountains, from mining history to ice formations and open views. Treat them as separate outings: the ice cave involves demanding steps and walking, while cable car views depend on the weather.
Time to allow: Choose one main excursion.
Chiemsee
Chiemsee makes a rewarding stop between Munich and Salzburg in either direction. From Prien, take a boat to Herreninsel for Ludwig II’s Herrenchiemsee Palace, then leave time for the gardens and island paths. Add Fraueninsel if your connections allow. Plan a full day before continuing to the other city, or stay overnight near the lake for a slower visit.
Time to allow: A full-day stop between cities.
Salzkammergut Lakes
Fuschlsee, Wolfgangsee and Mondsee offer lakeside villages, swimming, boat trips and walks with mountain views. Choose Fuschlsee for a quieter shoreline outing, Wolfgangsee for towns such as St. Gilgen and St. Wolfgang, or Mondsee for its village and basilica. Pick one lake for a relaxed day from Salzburg, allowing time for a meal rather than rushing between all three.
Time to allow: Choose one lake for the day.
Vienna
Vienna makes a rewarding next stop after Salzburg, with imperial palaces, major art museums and a strong tradition of music and coffeehouses. Walk the Ringstrasse, explore the historic center and leave room for a neighborhood market or the Prater. Allow several nights so you can enjoy the city beyond its headline sights.
Time to allow: An onward stay of several nights.
Munich
Munich combines royal residences, art collections and Bavarian traditions with large parks and lively neighborhoods. Browse Viktualienmarkt, walk through the English Garden and leave time for a beer garden or a museum. It is a useful onward stop from Salzburg, with enough variety for several days. Staying overnight also makes it easier to enjoy the city beyond its central squares.
Time to allow: An onward stay of several nights.
Final Thoughts
Let the weather guide mountain outings and check seasonal opening dates before planning around a cave, cable car or boat. Eisriesenwelt involves substantial walking and steps as well as cold conditions underground. Treat the salt mine, ice cave and Untersberg as separate choices.
Chiemsee works particularly well as a full-day stop when traveling between Salzburg and Munich in either direction; arrange luggage storage and leave time for your onward connection. Find Hallstatt within the Salzkammergut Lakes journey. Vienna and Munich deserve overnight stays, while cross-border outings require checking which transport tickets cover the full route.