Austria · BOAT TOURS IN SALZBURG
The 8 best boat tours in Salzburg you can book today, with what each costs, how long it runs and who it suits. Number one is top for a reason; start there.
Take a 40-minute boat ride along Salzburg’s Salzach River with an English- or German-speaking host. You’ll see the old city from the water, pass southern villas, face the Hagen and Tennen ranges, and finish with a playful Mozart music moment. Reserved seating and Prosecco are available with selected options.
“The concert was excellent and the venue is lovely.”
Start with a 40-minute Salzach River cruise past Salzburg’s old town, villas, and mountain views. Then take the funicular to Hohensalzburg Fortress for dinner at the Panorama Restaurant and a Best of Mozart chamber concert. The evening lasts about five hours, with classic and VIP menus, vegetarian meals by request, and smart-casual dress required.
“Stunning concert in the fortress performance hall overlooking the city.”
Cruise from Salzburg along the Salzach River, then ride a London-style double-decker bus to Hellbrunn Palace. You’ll receive quick entry to the trick fountains, tour the palace with an audio guide, and return to the city by bus. The route is well planned, but time at Hellbrunn can feel tight.
“You have to exchange your voucher for the actual tix at the hut along the river. Taking the boat as transportation was way nicer than trying to go by public bus. The trick fountaion tour was so much fun especially on the hot summer day, keep your electronics safe and dry”
Spend about four hours moving from Salzburg’s Salzach River to Hohensalzburg Fortress. Take a 40-minute cruise, ride the funicular, eat in the Panorama Restaurant, then hear a 90-minute Mozart concert in the fortress. Choose standard or VIP dinner, smart casual dress, and plan for steep paths and many stairs.
“There is a lot of walking in a lot of stairs, which was not explained in the tor information We had VIP tickets, but did not get the premier seating on the boat nor a free drink on the boat like other people Only included the free drink at the concert - which is not worth the VIP extra”
You’ll cruise from Marco-Feingold-Steg through Salzburg’s Old Town and southern suburbs toward the Hagen and Tennen ranges. Live English commentary explains the river and buildings, and the captain finishes with a playful musical spin. The boat is mostly covered, with limited outdoor seating that may cost extra.
“Cruise was about 45 minutes up river and back down passing out of the built up area of the city and showcasing residences along the river banks. The boat itself is rather small and mostly inside under cover. You can pay an extra 3 euro/per person to sit outside which is nice on a warm clear day.”
You’ll cruise the Salzach past Salzburg’s Old Town, ride a London double-decker bus to Hellbrunn Palace, and join the guided trick-fountain visit. An audio guide gives you access to the palace rooms, though the schedule can leave little time indoors. Bring good shoes and expect a splash.
“I waited in a long line to get my voucher. Others in front of me were turned away from this sold out event. However, because I had purchased through Viator, my ticket was waiting. And I wound up getting a boat ride, a ride on a London double decker bus and a tour through the Trick Fountains of Salzburg - a must-see and unexpected treat!! Viator is always the best and most reliable way to travel wherever in the world I go.”
You’ll cruise the Salzach from Franz-Josef-Kai, then take the funicular up Hohensalzburg Fortress for a Mozart concert by international soloists. The cruise lasts about 40 to 45 minutes, while the concert begins later in the evening, leaving a useful but sometimes lengthy gap between the two parts.
“De boottocht was niet doorgegaan ivm hoog water. Het concert was prachtig”
You’ll cruise the Salzach River for about 40 minutes, then attend a 1.5-hour Mozart concert in Hohensalzburg Fortress. The funicular ride is included both ways, with evening start times changing by season. No guide or hotel transfer is provided, so plan the gap between activities carefully.
“Was advertised as river cruise and then concert. 2-1/2 hours, done by 7:30. Instead, the cruise was done by 5:45, and the concert didn’t start till 8:30. We had made other plans after 7:30, and couldn’t make the concert because of the misleading time announcement.”
Pick a palace, a mountain or a concert hall.
