Saalfelden am Steinernen Meer

Town · Zell am See, 🇦🇹 Austria

Saalfelden is a town in a broad valley in Salzburgerland, under the cliffs of the Steinernes Meer, a high limestone plateau. It is close to Zell am See and to the German border near Berchtesgaden.

The town is a base for hikers and cyclists, and it hosts an international jazz festival each summer. It is a calmer alternative to the big ski resorts nearby.

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When to visit

June to September is best for hiking, cycling and the jazz festival. Winter is for skiing in nearby areas such as Leogang and Saalbach. Spring and late autumn are quiet, and some mountain huts are closed.

Select a month

Typical weather in January

Poor

3° (feels like -1°) · extremes -14°–9°
-5° at night
14 rainy days
6 sunny days
3 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
UV index 1 · low

Typical weather in February

Poor

4° (feels like 1°) · extremes -14°–12°
-4° at night
13 rainy days
8 sunny days
5 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
UV index 2 · low

Typical weather in March

Poor

8° (feels like 5°) · extremes -9°–17°
-1° at night
16 rainy days
9 sunny days
5 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
UV index 3 · moderate

Typical weather in April

Poor

14° (feels like 11°) · extremes -3°–22°
3° at night
15 rainy days
8 sunny days
6 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
UV index 4 · moderate

Typical weather in May

Good

18° (feels like 17°) · extremes 2°–26°
8° at night
20 rainy days
5 sunny days
6 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
UV index 5 · moderate

Typical weather in June

Good

22° · extremes 6°–30°
12° at night
20 rainy days
8 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Comfortable humidity
Calm winds
UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in July

Good

24° · extremes 8°–31°
13° at night
22 rainy days
9 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Comfortable humidity
Calm winds
UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in August

Good

24° · extremes 9°–31°
14° at night
19 rainy days
10 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Comfortable humidity
Calm winds
UV index 5 · moderate

Typical weather in September

Good

19° · extremes 4°–27°
9° at night
15 rainy days
10 sunny days
6 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
UV index 4 · moderate

Typical weather in October

Fair

15° (feels like 14°) · extremes -1°–23°
6° at night
13 rainy days
8 sunny days
5 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
UV index 2 · low

Typical weather in November

Poor

9° (feels like 6°) · extremes -8°–17°
1° at night
13 rainy days
4 sunny days
3 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
UV index 1 · low

Typical weather in December

Poor

4° (feels like 0°) · extremes -13°–10°
-3° at night
14 rainy days
4 sunny days
3 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
UV index 1 · low

Climate data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2) · 1996–2025

Top sights

Schloss Ritzen

Kolkbläser-Monsterhöhle

Schloss Dorfheim

📍

Stadtpfarrkirche Saalfelden

📍

Wallfahrtskirche Maria Alm

Schloss Lichtenberg

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Heimatmuseum

ViehkogelViehkogel is a 2,158 m above sea level high mountain of Bavaria, Germany.

Schloss Ritzen is a castle just outside the town, now a cultural venue.
Schloss Dorfheim and Schloss Lichtenberg are other historic manor houses in the valley.
Stadtpfarrkirche Saalfelden is the main church in town.
Heimatmuseum Saalfelden covers local history and traditions.
Wallfahrtskirche Maria Alm is a pilgrimage church in nearby Maria Alm.
Kolkbläser-Monsterhöhle is a cave system near Leogang.
Viehkogel is a nearby peak for a day walk.
The Steinernes Meer plateau has high mountain huts, long hikes and views toward Königssee.

Featured Lists

Pinzgauer / CC-BY-SA-3.0

Saalfelden am Steinernen Meer Essentials

Saalfelden am Steinernen Meer combines the architectural heritage of the Pinzgau region with the rugged terrain of the Northern Limestone Alps. This selection features historic fortifications like the museum-hosting Schloss Ritzen and the medieval Schloss Lichtenberg. High-altitude exploration is anchored by Alpine huts such as Riemannhaus and Ingolstädter Haus, which provide access to the karst plateau. Cultural life centers on Kunsthaus Nexus and the town's Gothic parish church, while the Biberg summer toboggan run offers recreational access to the mountain slopes.

10 places

What to experience

Hike to a Steinernes Meer hut.
Cycle the valley or mountain bike a forest trail.
Visit the cave system.
Attend the jazz festival in summer.
Ski in the nearby Skicircus.

Tours & Activities

Saalfelden am Steinernen Meer — Map

Day trips

Zell am See is a lake town, about 20 minutes away by car or train.
Kaprun is the gateway to the Kitzsteinhorn glacier, about 30 minutes away.
Saalbach is a ski resort, about 25 minutes away.
Salzburg is about 1 hour away by car.
Königssee in Germany is about 40 minutes away by car.

Where to explore

Zell am See, Kaprun and Saalbach are the nearest preferred destinations.

Getting there

By air: Salzburg Airport is about 1 hour away by car. Innsbruck is about 2 hours.
By train: Saalfelden is on the Salzburg–Innsbruck line, with Zell am See about 20 minutes away and Salzburg about 1 hour 15 minutes. Check times on ÖBB.
By car: The B311 road passes the town.

Getting around

The town centre is flat and best on foot or by bike. Local buses reach Leogang, Maria Alm and the valley villages. Hiking buses serve some trailheads in summer.

Driving

A car helps for trailheads and the surrounding valleys. Winter tyres or chains are required in snow. Motorways in Austria need a vignette. Mountain toll roads reach some huts.

Food & drink

Salzburg-region food includes Kasnocken, cheese dumplings, and Kaiserschmarrn. Alpine huts serve fresh dairy and simple meals. Local inns offer Pinzgau beef and game.

Dinner

Wiener SchnitzelA thin, breaded and pan-fried veal cutlet, traditionally served with potato salad or parsley potatoes and a wedge of lemon.

TafelspitzBoiled beef in broth, served with roast potatoes and a sauce of apples and horseradish — a favourite of Emperor Franz Joseph.

Viennese Goulash Wiener SaftgulaschA rich beef stew slow-cooked with onions and paprika, typically served with a bread dumpling or bread roll.

Snacks & street food

KäsekrainerA grilled pork sausage studded with melty cheese, a classic order at Vienna's ubiquitous Würstelstand (sausage stands).

Sausage Stand Snack Würstel vom WürstelstandGrilled or boiled sausages (Bratwurst, Frankfurter, Bosna) served with mustard, bread and a pickle from street kiosks.

Sweets & desserts

ApfelstrudelThin pastry rolled around spiced apples, raisins and breadcrumbs, usually served warm with vanilla sauce or cream.

SachertorteA dense chocolate cake with a thin layer of apricot jam under a dark chocolate glaze, famously served with unsweetened whipped cream.

KaiserschmarrnA fluffy shredded pancake caramelised with sugar and dusted with icing sugar, served with plum or apple compote.

MarillenknödelApricot dumplings wrapped in potato or quark dough, rolled in buttery breadcrumbs — a Wachau and Viennese summer specialty.

Drinks

Viennese Melange Wiener MelangeThe signature Viennese coffee: espresso topped with steamed milk and milk foam, the centrepiece of coffeehouse culture.

Grüner VeltlinerAustria's flagship crisp, peppery white wine, widely poured in Vienna's Heuriger (wine taverns).

SturmA cloudy, lightly alcoholic partially-fermented grape must, available only for a few weeks in autumn.

Safety & health

Saalfelden is very safe. High mountain routes in the Steinernes Meer are serious and need good fitness and equipment. Tap water is clean and safe to drink. The emergency number is 112. The mountain rescue number is 140.

History

The Saalfelden valley was settled early because of its mining and trade routes. It was ruled by the Prince-Archbishops of Salzburg for centuries. Tourism grew with the railway in the 19th century, and the jazz festival, started in 1980, brought the town international attention.