Hohensalzburg Castle - Salzburg, Austria

The Salzburg Castle is situated outstandingly on a hillock in the city. The overlooking castle has dominated the city skyline for many centuries and has been a center of power and control. We endured a long walk to the castle as it is situated at 506 meters from ground level. A clear day is recommended to visit the castle; in case it rains do visit the other museums and indoor attractions.

The easiest approach to the castle is from the Kapitelplatz, taking the mountain cable car. The castle is maintained in an excellent condition, with renovations and construction done in the same fashion as to match when the castle was initially built. After the main entrance gate, there is a steep climb to the outer courtyard, there is a restaurant here which serves local cuisine. It is recommended that you take an audio guide, one for each person for the duration of the tour of the castle. 

Panoramic view of the city from the castle

The castle is massive and involves a lot of walking, the pathways are pretty much self-explanatory and the recorded voice guide really helps explain the whole history and evolution of the castle to what it is now. The artifacts, paintings, weapons, royal furniture, and the tapestry is very well preserved - including the kitchen utensils that were used many centuries ago. A must see here is the torture and imprisonment chamber.

Inside the Castle Wall

The audio guided tour takes approximately 2-3 hours, depending on your interest in the historical subjects. The tour took us to the highest tower of the castle, which greeted us with a panoramic view of Salzburg, its precincts and the beautiful mountains. The view from the tower is remarkable.

We end the tour at the passage which opens again into the inner courtyard, following a path that lead us to the restaurant for a well-deserved beer. The Burgschenke tavern is a heaven-sent sight after a long tour of the castle. Situated inside the outer wall of the fortress this cafe and restaurant has the best location in Salzburg. The seating is in the open during the day – one can dine with a great view and enjoy the live feel of the medieval castle.

Getting a taste of the local beer

The turkey salad served at this restaurant was scrumptious, and the Augustiner beer just made everything better. The restaurant being as old as the castle, with the kitchen being the same as it was originally built makes the experience here feel timeless.

Turkey salad at the Burgschenke Tavern