Both Salzburg city tours andThe Sound of Music tours often include a stop at Mirabell Palace and Gardens (Schloss Mirabell und Mirabellgarten), where visitors can explore the lavish palace interiors, stroll the landscaped gardens, and admire the grand marble Donnerstiege stairway. The palace’s ornate Marble Hall hosts regular concerts of music by Salzburg’s favorite son, Mozart.
Admission to the palace and gardens is free.
The Dwarf Garden (Zwergelgarten) is a must-see for families with kids.
The palace and its gardens are wheelchair accessible.
Mirabell Palace and Gardens are located on the northern bank of the River Salzach in central Salzburg. The easiest way to reach the palace is on foot—it’s about a 10-minute walk from the Old Town, across the State Bridge (Staatsbrücke).
Mirabell Palace and the Mirabell Garden are open daily year-round, but the gardens are at their most impressive during spring and summer, when the flowers are in full bloom. During peak summer months, an early morning visit is best to avoid the crowds. In the winter, the Dwarf Garden and Hedge Theater are closed.
Originally designed by Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach in the 17th century, the Mirabell Garden is among the most impressive baroque gardens in Europe. The grand centerpiece is the Pegasus Fountain, around which the Von Trapp children danced during their rendition of “Do-Re-Mi” inThe Sound of Music. Other highlights include the Rose Garden, the Grand Fountain, the Hedge Theater, and the unique Dwarf Garden filled with knee-high marble garden gnomes.
