Salzburg is a compact city, which makes exploring it with children especially easy. Many of the city’s top family attractions are just a few minutes apart. In this guide, we’ve rounded up the best things to do in Salzburg with kids, organised by occasion and with recommendations for the most suitable age groups.
Family Activities at a Glance
- Burn Off Some Energy: Magic Flute Playground in Kurgarten or JumpDome in the south of the city
- Museums for Kids: the House of Nature with its interactive Science Center, and the Toy Museum.
- Family Favourites: Hohensalzburg Fortress and a cruise on the Amadeus Salzach River Boat
- Just Outside the City: Hellbrunn Palace with its Trick Fountains and Hellbrunn Zoo, as well as the Untersberg Cable Car
- Summer Swimming: Leopoldskron Outdoor Pool and Volksgarten Outdoor Pool
Where Can Kids Burn Off Some Energy?
The Magic Flute Playground in Kurgarten, right next to Mirabell Palace, is the perfect place. Inspired by Mozart’s opera The Magic Flute, it features climbing frames, slides, and play equipment based on characters and themes from the opera. Suitable for children from around two years of age, it’s free to use and open to the public. In summer, it’s especially popular thanks to the shade provided by the mature trees.
For older children and teenagers, the Jump Dome on Wilhelm-Spazier-Straße is an excellent choice. This indoor trampoline park features obstacle courses, foam pits, and competition lanes. It’s suitable for children of primary school age and older, making it a great option on rainy days.
Which Museums Are Best for Kids?
The House of Nature on Museumsplatz is the obvious choice for families. This natural history museum features an aquarium, a reptile zoo, a dinosaur hall, and a space exhibition. In the integrated Science Center, children can pull levers, press buttons, and carry out hands-on experiments. The combination of traditional museum exhibits and interactive displays makes it engaging for a wide range of ages – from preschoolers to teenagers.
The Toy Museum is the smaller, more intimate alternative. Its child-friendly exhibition spaces combine historic toys with imaginative exhibition design, large play areas, and plenty of hands-on exhibits. It’s particularly well suited to children between the ages of three and ten.
Our recommendation: The House of Nature is Salzburg’s best rainy-day attraction, and it’s easy to spend three to four hours there. If you’re visiting Salzburg during the summer and temperatures soar, the museum also offers a welcome escape thanks to its air-conditioned indoor exhibits.
Which of Salzburg’s Classic Attractions Are Worth Visiting with the Family?
Hohensalzburg Fortress is twice the fun for families. Even the ride on the Fortress Funicular is an attraction in itself, and at the top you’ll find the Fortress Museum, the Marionette Museum, and spectacular views over Salzburg’s Old Town. For younger children, the funicular ride and a walk along the fortress walls are often enough to make the visit memorable. Older children are usually fascinated by the medieval torture chamber and the historic Reißzug – the fortress’s original inclined freight railway, which is still in operation today. For more information on guided tours and the different ticket options, see our dedicated article.
Festung Hohensalzburg: Geschichte und Ausblick erleben
The Amadeus sightseeing boat departs from the landing stage at Makartsteg and takes passengers on a 40-minute round trip along the Salzach. At the end of the cruise, the captain spins the boat to the sound of Mozart’s music – a tradition known as the “Captain’s Dance”, which is a particular favourite with children. Cruises operate seasonally from spring through autumn.
Which Day Trips Are Just Outside Salzburg?
Hellbrunn Palace, in the south of the city, is one of Salzburg’s most popular family attractions. Its famous Trick Fountains, with hidden water jets and playful surprises, are guaranteed to entertain children—bring a change of clothes, because they will get wet. Right next to the palace is Hellbrunn Zoo, home to cheetahs, rhinos, beavers, monkeys, and many other animals. The palace grounds also feature a playground and the historic Stone Theatre. Hellbrunn is easily reached by Bus Line 25 from Salzburg’s main train station.
The Untersberg Cable Car in St. Leonhard takes you up to 1,776 metres in just eight and a half minutes, climbing more than 1,300 metres in elevation in a single gondola ride that is an attraction in its own right.
Good to know: The upper station is located in high alpine terrain. Even if you only plan to take a short walk at the top, sturdy hiking boots are essential—trainers and sandals are not suitable. Pushchairs/strollers cannot be used on the mountain. For families, the cable car is best suited to primary school-aged children who can walk independently and are comfortable in a mountain environment. If you’re travelling with toddlers, it’s better to stay at the base or bring a child carrier backpack.
For sure-footed families with older children, the hike to Salzburger Hochthron (1,853 m) is well worth it. Starting from the upper cable car station, the trail takes just under an hour and is alpine in character, but manageable for experienced hikers.
You can reach the lower cable car station by taking Bus Line 25 from Salzburg’s main train station—the same bus that also serves Hellbrunn.
Our recommendation: Plan Hellbrunn as a full-day family outing. Start with the guided tour of the Trick Fountainsin the morning, enjoy a picnic in the palace park at lunchtime, and spend the afternoon exploring Hellbrunn Zoo. If you still have time, visit the Folklore Museum in the Monatsschlössl—a compact and peaceful museum that is especially interesting for older children.
We recommend saving the Untersberg for a second day.
Where to Go Swimming with Kids in Salzburg in Summer?
Leopoldskron Outdoor Pool is located beside Leopoldskron Pond, southwest of Salzburg’s Old Town. It features a large sunbathing lawn, diving platforms, a children’s pool, and beautiful views of Hohensalzburg Fortress. It can get very busy during the height of summer, but it remains a classic favourite among Salzburg families.
Volksgarten Outdoor Pool is the city’s second major outdoor swimming option. It is a little more compact, easily accessible by public transport, and has the added advantage of an indoor pool that can be used on rainy summer days. Both outdoor pools are well connected to Salzburg’s public transport network.
If you’re exploring the city on foot with children, you’ll find several free drinking water fountains along the way—a great way to stay refreshed without having to buy bottled water. You’ll find an overview of their locations in the article.
Next steps
If it rains, you’ll find even more ideas in our article “Salzburg in the Rain – The Best Indoor Activities and Bad Weather Tips.”
If you’re planning a family weekend in Salzburg, it’s best to combine the city’s classic attractions with the itinerary from our article “Salzburg in 48 Hours” and add some of the family-friendly activities featured here. If your children are older, you may also find our guide “Young and Active: Leisure Activities in Salzburg” helpful.
FAQ
Which Activities in Salzburg Are Suitable for Toddlers Aged Two and Up?
For toddlers aged two and up, great options include the Magic Flute Playground in Kurgarten, a stroll through Mirabell Gardens, Hellbrunn Zoo, and the Toy Museum. Even a ride on the Hohensalzburg Fortress Funicular is a highlight for many young children.
What Can You Do with Kids in Salzburg on a Rainy Day?
The House of Nature is the top choice on a rainy day, and it’s easy to spend three to four hours there. Other great options include JumpDome, the Toy Museum, and the Fortress Museums. For more ideas, take a look at our dedicated article on the best indoor activities and rainy-day attractions in Salzburg.
Is the Salzburg Card Worth It for Families?
If you plan to visit several paid attractions in one day—such as the Hohensalzburg Fortress Funicular, the House of Nature, and the Hellbrunn Trick Fountains—the Salzburg Card can quickly pay for itself. Children under the age of six usually do not need their own card. You’ll find more details in our upcoming article about the Salzburg Card.
Is Hellbrunn Suitable for a Stroller?
Yes. The palace grounds are mostly flat and can easily be explored with a stroller. However, strollers must be left at the entrance to the Trick Fountains, as the guided tour passes through narrow grottoes and walkways that are not accessible with a stroller.
How Do You Get to Hohensalzburg Fortress with Your Family?
The easiest way is to take the Hohensalzburg Fortress Funicular from the valley station at Festungsberg. Walking up to the fortress is also an option for primary school-aged children and older, but the route is quite steep. The upper funicular station is located directly at the fortress entrance.
Up to What Age Is the Magic Flute Playground Suitable?
Around the age of eight, although many children continue to enjoy it beyond that, depending on their interests. Older children are more likely to enjoy attractions such as JumpDome or a trip up Untersberg Mountain.
