Salzburg Amphibious Splash Tour on Land & Water

The Amphibious Splash Vehicle

The tour runs in a purpose-built amphibious vehicle, a bus on the road and a boat on the river, with a driver who speaks English and German. After the first part of the trip on land, the vehicle drives down a ramp and enters the Salzach with a big splash, the moment children and adults wait for, before continuing as a river boat.

For families looking for things to do in Salzburg with kids, the splash tour is an easy win: everyone stays seated, the trip lasts 1.5 hours, and the combination of road and river keeps it lively. Bring a light jacket, as it can be breezy on the water even on a sunny day.

The Salzach River and the Old Town Skyline

The Salzach flows from the high Alps through the middle of Salzburg, and for centuries boats carried salt from the mines downstream on it, which is how the city and the river got their names. From the water you see the old town on one bank and the newer district on the other, linked by footbridges such as the Makartsteg.

On the river the audio guide explains the skyline of towers and domes, including the cathedral and the collegiate church, and the colourful houses on the embankments. Seeing Salzburg from the Salzach gives you a different view from the usual walking routes, and it is one of the few ways to get out on the river inside the city.

The Hohensalzburg Fortress Above the City

The white fortress on the hill above the old town was begun in 1077 by the prince-archbishops and is one of the largest fully preserved medieval castles in Europe. It is visible from almost every part of the city, but the view from the river, with the fortress rising above the old town and its reflection in the water, is one of the best photo angles.

The splash tour does not go up to the fortress, but it helps you plan: Hohensalzburg Fortress tickets include the funicular from the old town, and the best time to visit is early morning or late afternoon, when the courtyards are quieter and the light over the Alps is softer.

Salzburg's Sights on Land

The land part of the route passes landmarks of Salzburg while the audio guide covers the city's story, from the prince-archbishops and their Baroque squares to Mozart, who was born here in 1756, and the Salzburg Festival. The exact route can vary with traffic and the river level.

The historic centre has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996, and much of it is pedestrianised, so this Salzburg sightseeing tour gives you an overview of the wider city before you explore the lanes on foot. With the audio guide available in Arabic, it is a convenient first activity for Arabic-speaking visitors.