Salzburg Sightseeing City Cruise on Salzach River

This 40-minute cruise will let you experience the best of what Salzburg has to offer, from the unique perspective of the scenic Salzburg River. Glide in the comfort of a modern boat with up to 1200 HP. Built especially for the river, it has a draught of only 38 cm. The large windows featured in the boat’s unique design will enable a stunning panoramic view of the city sights.

Take in the impressive natural landscape and scenery surrounding the town, along with the exclusive residential area in the city’s southern part. The Haggen and Teggen mountains will present a stunning backdrop as you cruise along the gentle river.

Salzburg Sightseeing City Cruise on Salzach River

The Salzburg Sightseeing City Cruise offers a unique perspective of this historic city, covering approximately 20 kilometers along the picturesque Salzach River. The cruise begins at the heart of Salzburg's old town and takes you past iconic landmarks such as the Hohensalzburg Fortress, St. Peter’s Abbey, and the Mirabell Palace Gardens. With a capacity for up to 120 passengers per boat, this modern vessel provides a comfortable ride powered by engines with up to 1200 HP, ensuring smooth navigation along the river. The cruise lasts around two hours, during which you can enjoy panoramic views of Salzburg's skyline and the surrounding Hagenbirge and Tennengebirge peaks. Audio guides are available in multiple languages including English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, and Russian to enhance your experience with historical details about each site. This guided tour is ideal for those interested in sightseeing and exploring landmarks from a different vantage point.

Marvel at the Hohensalzburg Fortress

Your tour stops at the Hohensalzburg Fortress, where you can explore one of Europe’s largest medieval castles built in 1077. Spanning over 54 acres and standing at an impressive height of approximately 28 meters above ground level, this fortress houses various historical buildings including the Prince-Archbishop's residence and the fortress chapel. Visitors can spend around 90 minutes exploring its extensive grounds and learning about its rich history through guided tours or self-guided exploration using audio guides in multiple languages. The Hohensalzburg Fortress is unique for its well-preserved state compared to other medieval castles, offering a rare glimpse into Salzburg’s past.

Admire St. Peter's Abbey

The tour continues along the Salzach River towards St. Peter's Abbey, where guests can delve into one of Europe's oldest monastic communities established in 696 AD. Covering an area of approximately 15 acres and featuring a Romanesque basilica completed in 1208, this abbey is renowned for its rich cultural heritage and beautiful Baroque architecture. Visitors typically spend about 45 minutes exploring the abbey's historic library containing over 30,000 books dating back to the 9th century, as well as its stunning cloisters adorned with intricate frescoes. St. Peter’s Abbey stands out for its continuous operation since its founding and its significant contributions to Salzburg's cultural landscape.

Enjoy Mirabell Palace Gardens

Your tour concludes at Mirabell Palace Gardens, where you can relax amidst one of Salzburg's most picturesque landscapes designed in 1681. Spanning around 25 acres and featuring a variety of themed gardens including the Pegasus Fountain and the Rose Garden, this location offers not only stunning views but also historical significance as it was once used for secret meetings between Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau and Salome Alt in the late 16th century. Visitors usually spend about an hour here enjoying the beauty of its floral displays and learning about the palace's rich history through informative plaques and guided tours available in multiple languages.

Tour Highlights

• Ride in comfort on a modern boat with up to 1200 HP
• Admire magnificent panoramic views of the “Salt Fortress”
• Marvel at the backdrop of the Hagenbirge and Tennengebirge peaks
• Take in the best side of the city from the vantage point of the Salzach River
• Explore Europe’s largest medieval castle with guided tours in multiple languages
• Discover one of Europe's oldest monastic communities with an extensive library
• Relax amidst one of Salzburg's most picturesque landscapes designed in 1681
• Enjoy panoramic views and learn about the city's rich history through audio guides

Perfect for history enthusiasts, architecture lovers, and families, this sightseeing tour provides a comprehensive view of Salzburg’s landmarks while offering comfort and convenience. The two-hour duration allows you to explore the Hohensalzburg Fortress, St. Peter’s Abbey, and Mirabell Palace Gardens in depth, giving you an unparalleled appreciation of Salzburg's cultural heritage.