At a Glance

Located south of Salzburg’s Old Town, Hellbrunn Palace is considered one of Central Europe’s most magnificent Late Renaissance gems and is renowned above all for its unique-in-the-world trick fountains. Commissioned by Prince-Archbishop Markus Sittikus von Hohenems and built between 1612 and 1615 as a summer and pleasure palace, the sprawling complex never served as a primary residence; instead, it was designed exclusively for leisure, recreation, and the display of status. The entire ensemble comprises the Mannerist main palace, an interactive museum, extensive parklands, and the integrated Salzburg Zoo.

The World-Famous Trick Fountains

The undisputed highlight of the complex is the Mannerist trick fountains; preserved in their original form for over 400 years, they operate solely on water power, without the use of electric pumps:

• Prince’s Table and Hidden Jets: A stone dining table conceals jets in the floor and seats that spray water unexpectedly—once a playful spectacle devised by the Prince-Archbishop to surprise his guests.
• Grottoes and Figures: Numerous elaborately designed grottoes (such as the Nepomuk Grotto or the Midas Grotto) feature moving, water-powered figures and surprise water jets.
• Mechanical Theater: Added in the 18th century, this fully water-powered puppet theater uses over 200 moving wooden figures to depict the bustling life of a small Baroque town, accompanied by organ music.

The Palace and Museum

The main building impresses with its architecture and a modern permanent exhibition:

• “SchauLust” Permanent Exhibition: Within the palace’s historic rooms, visitors experience an interactive exhibition that sheds light on the life and mindset of the builder, Markus Sittikus.
• Prince’s Chambers and Octagon: The centrally located ballroom (the Octagon) captivates visitors with magnificent Late Renaissance wall and ceiling paintings depicting mythological scenes and illusionistic architectural elements.

Park and Gardens

The palace gardens blend seamlessly into the landscape of the Hellbrunn Mountain, offering a mix of relaxation and culture:

• Park Grounds: Expansive lawns, ponds, tree-lined avenues, and sculptures invite visitors to linger and take a stroll.

The park is open to the public year-round.

• Monatsschlössl: Situated on Hellbrunn Hill, this small palace owes its name to the legend that it was built in just one month in 1615. Today, it houses the Salzburg Folklore Museum.
• Stone Theatre: Europe’s oldest open-air theatre, carved directly into the natural rock face of Hellbrunn Hill.

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The ticket for Hellbrunn Palace is an all-inclusive ticket that covers admission to the Trick Fountains, the permanent exhibition inside the palace (including an audio guide), and the Folklore Museum in the Monatsschlössl.

Individual tickets

Savings Tips & Discounts

• Salzburg Card: Holders of the official Salzburg Card receive one-time free admission to the palace, the trick fountains, and the Folklore Museum.
• Combo Tickets with the Zoo: Discounted combo tickets (Hellbrunn Bonus) are available if you combine your visit with a trip to the adjacent Salzburg Zoo.
• Palace Park: Access to the extensive park grounds surrounding the palace is free all year round.

Parking at the Palace

If you are arriving by car, a parking lot is available directly on the premises (€3.00 for the first two hours, €1.00 for each additional hour, daily maximum €10.00).

By Car

Thanks to the proximity to the motorway, arriving by car is straightforward.

Directions

• Via the motorway (A10 Tauernautobahn):
  • Take the Salzburg-Süd (Anif) exit.
  • Follow the signs towards Salzburg City Center / Hellbrunn.
  • After approximately 2 kilometers, you will arrive directly at the entrance to the palace and the car park.
• From Salzburg city center:
  • Follow Hellbrunner Straße or Alpenstraße heading south out of the city directly to Hellbrunn.

By Public Transport

Connections to the Salzburg trolleybus network are excellent, with direct services from the city center and the main train station:

• Trolleybus Line 25:
  • Route: Runs from Salzburg Main Station via the city center (e.g., stops at Mirabellplatz or Rathaus) directly to the Salzburg Schloss Hellbrunn stop.
  • Travel time: Approx. 20–25 minutes from the main station; about 15 minutes from the Old Town.
  • Frequency: Runs every 15 minutes during the day.
• Walking: It is just a 2–3 minute walk from the bus stop along Schlossallee to the main entrance.