A forty-minute sightseeing cruise on the Salzach, departing from Franz-Josef-Kai 1a near the Marko Feingold Steg. Included in the Salzburg Card. The boat ends its route with a theatrical turn on the water before docking.
The Story
The Salzach runs through the centre of Salzburg and gives the city its name, yet most visitors never see it from the water. The river cruise changes that in forty minutes.
The boat departs from Franz-Josef-Kai 1a, just downstream from the Marko Feingold Steg, and moves through the historic core before heading south along the river. As the Altstadt recedes, the valley opens, the greenery thickens, and the Alpine peaks come into view. The Hohensalzburg Fortress reads differently from the water than from any street in the city: the hill it sits on is more apparent, and the relationship between the cliff, the fortress walls, and the river below is easier to read.
The boat is named the Amadeus Salzburg and has a shallow draft specifically designed for the Salzach, which runs shallow in places and stops regular traffic. It carries up to 80 passengers with large panoramic windows and an open deck. The commentary from the captain tends to be informal and entertaining rather than lecture-like. The cruise wraps with the boat performing a 180-degree turn on the water, the "Waltz on the river," before docking at the starting point. It is more fun than strictly necessary, and that is precisely the appeal on a warm afternoon.
The cruise is included in the Salzburg Card, making it a logical addition to any multi-day visit without any extra cost calculation required.
Visiting
- Departure: Franz-Josef-Kai 1a, near Marko Feingold Steg
- Duration: 40 minutes
- Cost: Approximately EUR 16 adult; included in Salzburg Card
- Season: Late March to early November
- Book ahead: Not needed; walk-up tickets available
- Combine with: Steingasse, Salzach River walk