We all love the magnificent green pastures in the Austrian alps, with the cows grazing in the meadows, and the mountain huts serving you delicious snacks and refreshments just when you need them!
However, there is a reason why the grass is so green in Austria! As well as there being many lovely summer sunny days, it does also rain occassionally, especially in the mountains!
There are still plenty of things to do and see when the weather is not the best! Here are our top tips of what to do on rainy days in Salzburg.
Thermal Spas
Austria is famous for it’s thermal spas. It is the perfect place to spend a rainy day as most spas have indoor and outdoor areas.
Our favourite thermal spas are:
Therme Amade, in Altenmarkt, great for families, with a wave pool, a looping slide, and a funnel slide, and more! There is also a great sauna area (over 16’s only)
Alpentherme in Bad Hofgastein – this has a family area with whirlpool and slides, and a quiet area for relaxation. The choice of saunas and steam rooms is extensive (over 16’s only), and we love the outdoor thermal pools!
Aquasalza, Golling – This is a smaller thermal spa, and the sauna area is perfect for couples. They have a special offer for mornings 9am – 1pm Monday – Friday for €20
Bergbau Museum in Mühlbach am Hochkönig
Visit the old copper mines, and journey through 4000 years of mining history . You will learn interesting facts about mining, drilling, blasting and conveying technology in the largest copper mining area in the Eastern Alps, the “Mitterberg” in Mühlbach am Hochkönig.
Then visit the museum in the Knappenheim, a former miners’ home.
You get free entry to the mines and museum with the Hochkönig Card! See more about it here
Indoor climbing
Do you have an energetic family, that can’t stay still? This is a great way to excercise when it is raining!
There are 3 indoor climbing walls near us – the first is in Saalfelden, then also one near Schladming, and the last is in Anif, just south of Salzburg
Children's Indoor Playgrounds
If you have younger children, who just need to work off some energy, and have some fun, indoor playgrounds may be ideal!
There is Hoppolino in Anif just south of Salzburg. and Kinderland Salzburg to the North of Salzburg
Hohenwerfen Castle
Take a tour of this magnificent castle, towering over Werfen. There is also a bird of prey show twice a day, but that may not take place in rainy weather. There is plenty in the castle to discover though! See more about it on the website
Eisriesenwelt (Giant Ice Caves)
The ice caves in Werfen are the largest ice caves in the World!
Take the gondola up the steep hillside to the first section, walk up to the entrance of the cave, and wait for your guided tour, which takes you into the depths of the caves. Warm clothing required! The total trip takes around 3 hours. See more information on the website
Salt mines
Learn all about the history of the salt mines in Salzburg, and have some fun on the train journey and mine slides at the same time! There are salt mines in Hallein, and Hallstatt. Here is the website link to the salt mines in Hallein
National Park Worlds, Mittersill
Shopping
If it is too rainy to shop in the old town in Salzburg, there are a couple of indoor shopping areas that may be perfect! Europark shopping mall, in Klessheim has many high street names there, and some good restaurants and coffee shops. If you like Asian food, we recommend Yao Yao!
Another popular choice is the Salzburg Designer outlet centre, right next to Salzburg airport, where you can buy designer clothes at a reduced price.
Stiegl Brewery
Stiegl is the beer of Salzburg!
The path to this beer museum is of course via some steps (“Stiegl”), a feature from which the brewery originally derived its name.
At the Stiegl Brauwelt, beer is a multi-sensory experience. It’s not only a matter of seeing and hearing, but also touching, smelling and of course tasting.
Regular tours provide a detailed insight into the world of beer. Three sample beers, which you taste during the tour, and a small gift from the brewery shop are included in the price.
See more about pricing and timings of tours on the Stiegl website
Redbull Hangar 7
If you love planes and Formula 1, this could be an ideal place to visit!
Hangar-7 at Salzburg Airport is a unique building which houses the historical Flying Bulls aircraft fleet and a collection of Formula 1 race cars.
Theatre
If you would like to experience some culture, why not have a trip to the Theatre? All the events and shows can be found here Salzburger Landestheater
Salzburg Museums
Salzburg has many indoor museums you can visit on a rainy day, including the Toy museum, the Weihnachts Museum (Christmas museum, so you can experience Christmas at any time of the year!), the Salzburg Museum, and Mozart’s Birthplace. You can see more information about museums in Salzburg here
House of Nature
This is Salzburg’s most popular museum, with over 7000 m². The museum offers an exciting learning experience, with fascinating underwater worlds in the aquarium, extraterrestrial experiences in the outer space hall, colossal dinosaurs from a bygone age, and a journey into the human body.
There is also the opportunity to take part in hands-on experiments in Austria’s most comprehensive science center.
Famous coffee houses
Head for the famous coffee houses and experince the coffee and cake culture in Salzburg!
Try the famous Sacher Torte invented by Franz Sacher, supposedly in 1832 for Prince Metternich in Vienna. It is one of the most famous Viennese culinary specialties, and can be now found across Austria!
Some of our favourite coffee house are:
Cafe Tomaselli – for the Oldest Cafe in Salzburg
Cafe Bazar
Cafe-Konditorei Fürst
And finally, if nothing else fits, hiking in the rain!
And an extra one that you should not disregard!
Get out the waterproofs and the hiking boots and head out for a walk! Take shelter and benefit from tasty refreshments in the many mountain huts and restaurants