AttractionsTips
© Tourismus Salzburg, Günther Breitegger

Salzburg No. 1 Lonely Planet City – Discover the Best Place to Visit in 2020

Published on agosto 1, 2025
In a major highlight for Austrian tourism, Salzburg No. 1 Lonely Planet was the headline in the 2020 “Best in Travel” list. The famous guidebook crowned Salzburg the best city to visit in 2020, beating global contenders like Washington D.C. and Cairo. For travelers, this recognition simply confirms what many already know: Salzburg is one of the most beautiful and rewarding cities in Europe.

Salzburg Travel Award Celebrates Culture and History

The Salzburg travel award from Lonely Planet celebrates much more than scenic views. Experts highlighted the 100-year anniversary of the Salzburg Festival, the city’s musical legacy, and its walkable Old Town. Together, these features create a unique blend of history, charm, and contemporary flair.

Crowds in front of Salzburg Festival Hall during summer evening with Hohensalzburg Fortress in background – Salzburg No. 1 Lonely Planet
The Salzburg Festival – a cultural icon that helped Salzburg become Lonely Planet’s No. 1 city to visit in 2020. © Salzburg Festival, Andreas Kolarik

Why Salzburg Was Chosen as the Best City to Visit in 2020

Lonely Planet’s editors called Salzburg “the heart-stealer of the Alps.” The city combines cultural depth with visual beauty. For example, landmarks like the Hohensalzburg Fortress, Mozart’s birthplace, and Mirabell Gardens offer a timeless experience. Moreover, vibrant local markets and world-class performances enhance every visit. That’s why Salzburg proudly carries the Salzburg No. 1 Lonely Planet title.

Panoramic view of Salzburg with Hohensalzburg Fortress and historic Old Town under blue summer sky
Salzburg’s timeless skyline – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Lonely Planet’s No. 1 city to visit in 2020. © Tourismus Salzburg, Günther Breitegger

Plan Your Salzburg Adventure

Don’t miss your chance to experience Austria’s best city to visit. With the top Salzburg highlights just steps apart, your stay will be both rich and unforgettable. For more about this recognition, check out Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel.

Whether you’re into music, history, architecture, or culinary experiences, Salzburg truly delivers. From guided city tours to fascinating museums and cozy cafés, every visitor finds something meaningful. In addition, the compact layout makes it easy to explore everything on foot.

Play Video
09:00
14:00
start as you wish
duration: 4:30 h
A private journey through Salzburg and the Lake District, curated with live music, elegance, and quiet luxury.

This experience includes visits to the following iconic attractions:

Sound-of-Music-Pavillion-Gazebo-Tour-weTours-Feature

The Gazebo – Sixteen Going on Seventeen

Sound of Music St. Gilgen Wolfgangsee

Lake Wolfgang – Opening & Aerial Scenes

Mirabellgarden-weTours-Sound-of-Music-Tour-Sight-Location-Salzburg-Featured Image

Mirabell Gardens – Do-Re-Mi Scenes

Nonnberg-Abbey-weTours-Sound-of-Music-Featured-Image

Nonnberg Abbey – Maria’s Convent

Sound of Music Frohnburg Salzburg

Trapp Villa – Frohnburg Palace

weTours-Schloss-Leopoldskron-Castle-Featured-Imagejpg

Trapp Villa – Leopoldskron Palace

Mondsee-Basilika-weTours-Singing-Sound-of-Music-Tour-Featured-Image

Mondsee – Wedding Church

BOOK NOW
from € 1,690 (Group Price)

09:00
14:00
start as you wish
duration: 3:30 h
Experience Salzburg’s landmarks in a private minivan.

This experience includes visits to the following iconic attractions:

Schloss-Hellbrunn-weTours-Preview-Featured-Image

Hellbrunn Palace & Garden

Moenchsberg-weTours-Sound-of-Music-Tour-Featured-Image

Moenchsberg (Viewpoint)

Mozart Footbridge

Residence Fountain

Residenzplatz-weTours-Sound-of-Music-Walking-Tour-Featured-Image

Residenzplatz Square

Salzach Quay (Giselakai)

weTours-Schloss-Leopoldskron-Castle-Featured-Imagejpg

Trapp Villa – Leopoldskron Palace

BOOK NOW
from € 780 (Group Price)

Start varies by season
duration: 3:00 h
From twilight into the city lights

This experience includes visits to the following iconic attractions:

Gaisberg Salzburg Summit Featured Image Mobile

Gaisberg Summit

Kapuzinerberg: The Best View in Salzburg

Moenchsberg-weTours-Sound-of-Music-Tour-Featured-Image

Moenchsberg (Viewpoint)

weTours-Schloss-Leopoldskron-Castle-Featured-Imagejpg

Trapp Villa – Leopoldskron Palace

BOOK NOW
from € 680 (Group Price)

09:00
14:00
start as you wish
duration: 4:30 h
A private journey through Salzburg and the Lake District, curated with live music, elegance, and quiet luxury.

This experience includes visits to the following iconic attractions:

Sound-of-Music-Pavillion-Gazebo-Tour-weTours-Feature

The Gazebo – Sixteen Going on Seventeen

Sound of Music St. Gilgen Wolfgangsee

Lake Wolfgang – Opening & Aerial Scenes

Mirabellgarden-weTours-Sound-of-Music-Tour-Sight-Location-Salzburg-Featured Image

Mirabell Gardens – Do-Re-Mi Scenes

Nonnberg-Abbey-weTours-Sound-of-Music-Featured-Image

Nonnberg Abbey – Maria’s Convent

Sound of Music Frohnburg Salzburg

Trapp Villa – Frohnburg Palace

weTours-Schloss-Leopoldskron-Castle-Featured-Imagejpg

Trapp Villa – Leopoldskron Palace

Mondsee-Basilika-weTours-Singing-Sound-of-Music-Tour-Featured-Image

Mondsee – Wedding Church

BOOK NOW
from € 1,690 (Group Price)

09:00
14:00
start as you wish
duration: 3:30 h
Experience Salzburg’s landmarks in a private minivan.

This experience includes visits to the following iconic attractions:

Schloss-Hellbrunn-weTours-Preview-Featured-Image

Hellbrunn Palace & Garden

Moenchsberg-weTours-Sound-of-Music-Tour-Featured-Image

Moenchsberg (Viewpoint)

Mozart Footbridge

Residence Fountain

Residenzplatz-weTours-Sound-of-Music-Walking-Tour-Featured-Image

Residenzplatz Square

Salzach Quay (Giselakai)

weTours-Schloss-Leopoldskron-Castle-Featured-Imagejpg

Trapp Villa – Leopoldskron Palace

BOOK NOW
from € 780 (Group Price)

Start varies by season
duration: 3:00 h
From twilight into the city lights

This experience includes visits to the following iconic attractions:

Gaisberg Salzburg Summit Featured Image Mobile

Gaisberg Summit

Kapuzinerberg: The Best View in Salzburg

Moenchsberg-weTours-Sound-of-Music-Tour-Featured-Image

Moenchsberg (Viewpoint)

weTours-Schloss-Leopoldskron-Castle-Featured-Imagejpg

Trapp Villa – Leopoldskron Palace

BOOK NOW
from € 680 (Group Price)

More Salzburg Stories

Dive into additional stories about Salzburg’s unique charm, insider travel tips, and inspiring updates.

© Yenney Photography
PeopleTips
octubre 6, 2025

The Meaning of Luxury Tourism for weTours Salzburg

weTours redefines luxury tourism: authentic, private, and deeply personal Salzburg experiences for travelers seeking more than comfort.
© Salzburger Landestheater/Anna-Maria Löffelberger
AttractionsEventsTips
septiembre 23, 2025

Experience «Sound of Music Salzburg» at Salzburg State Theatre

The legendary musical returns home: Sound of Music Salzburg at the Landestheater brings the von Trapp story to life with music, history, and emotion.
© Tourismus Salzburg, Patrick Langwallner
AttractionsTipsTour
agosto 6, 2025

60 Years of The Sound of Music – A Timeless Journey Through Salzburg

Follow Maria’s footsteps on a private tour with live music, breathtaking locations, and stories that still captivate fans around the world.
© Yenney Photography
TourDiningPartnershipsTips
agosto 5, 2025

A New Culinary-Music Experience in Salzburg

Tour & Lunch: Discover Salzburg’s film locations with live music – then enjoy a gourmet 3-course meal at the elegant HYPERION Hotel Salzburg.
© Tourismus Salzburg
AttractionsEventsTips
agosto 4, 2025

Experience “The Sound of Music” at the Salzburg Marionette Theater

A unique puppet show brings the von Trapp story to life – in Salzburg’s historic Marionette Theater with charm, music, and tradition.
© AI-generated symbolic image for the Sound of Music Gala (2025)
EventsTips
julio 14, 2025

Sound of Music Gala 2025 in Salzburg – Celebrate 60 Years of The Sound of Music

A magical evening with original cast, live orchestra & von Trapp family – at the iconic film location Felsenreitschule in Salzburg.
© Österreich Werbung | Dong-Ma
AttractionsPeopleTipsTour
julio 1, 2025

Influencers from Around the World Experience Salzburg with weTours

Austrian National Tourist Office hosts international creators during the Sound of Music Year 2025 – with exclusive Salzburg tours by weTours.
© Nadia Jabli Photography
AttractionsTips
abril 11, 2025

Sound of Music Museum Salzburg: New Cultural Landmark Opening in 2026

Coming 2026: The Sound of Music Museum opens in Salzburg – right next to the iconic Gazebo in Hellbrunn. A must-see for fans of film and history.
© Yenney Photography
PeopleTips
octubre 6, 2025

The Meaning of Luxury Tourism for weTours Salzburg

weTours redefines luxury tourism: authentic, private, and deeply personal Salzburg experiences for travelers seeking more than comfort.
© Salzburger Landestheater/Anna-Maria Löffelberger
AttractionsEventsTips
septiembre 23, 2025

Experience «Sound of Music Salzburg» at Salzburg State Theatre

The legendary musical returns home: Sound of Music Salzburg at the Landestheater brings the von Trapp story to life with music, history, and emotion.
© Tourismus Salzburg, Patrick Langwallner
AttractionsTipsTour
agosto 6, 2025

60 Years of The Sound of Music – A Timeless Journey Through Salzburg

Follow Maria’s footsteps on a private tour with live music, breathtaking locations, and stories that still captivate fans around the world.
© Yenney Photography
TourDiningPartnershipsTips
agosto 5, 2025

A New Culinary-Music Experience in Salzburg

Tour & Lunch: Discover Salzburg’s film locations with live music – then enjoy a gourmet 3-course meal at the elegant HYPERION Hotel Salzburg.
© Tourismus Salzburg
AttractionsEventsTips
agosto 4, 2025

Experience “The Sound of Music” at the Salzburg Marionette Theater

A unique puppet show brings the von Trapp story to life – in Salzburg’s historic Marionette Theater with charm, music, and tradition.
© AI-generated symbolic image for the Sound of Music Gala (2025)
EventsTips
julio 14, 2025

Sound of Music Gala 2025 in Salzburg – Celebrate 60 Years of The Sound of Music

A magical evening with original cast, live orchestra & von Trapp family – at the iconic film location Felsenreitschule in Salzburg.
© Österreich Werbung | Dong-Ma
AttractionsPeopleTipsTour
julio 1, 2025

Influencers from Around the World Experience Salzburg with weTours

Austrian National Tourist Office hosts international creators during the Sound of Music Year 2025 – with exclusive Salzburg tours by weTours.
© Nadia Jabli Photography
AttractionsTips
abril 11, 2025

Sound of Music Museum Salzburg: New Cultural Landmark Opening in 2026

Coming 2026: The Sound of Music Museum opens in Salzburg – right next to the iconic Gazebo in Hellbrunn. A must-see for fans of film and history.
Luxury private tour in Salzburg with Mercedes minivan and personal pick-up.

Private Tours

Enjoy luxury and personalized service with a private Mercedes minivan and personal hotel pick-up. Explore at your own pace.

Panoramic view of Salzburg with the fortress, representing top attractions

Top Attractions

From historic landmarks, culture and nature to famous filming locations, find out what makes Salzburg a must-visit destination.

Experience Salzburg with a personal photographer by your side. weTours and Yenney Photography deliver beautiful images from your tour – optimized for mobile and ready to share the same day.

Add Photographer

Create lasting memories with professional photographers who capture stunning photos of you at Salzburg’s top spots.