Felsenreitschule
A 17th-century riding school carved into a mountain, now a breathtaking open-air theater for the Salzburg Festival.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Salzburg Festival season
Felsenreitschule
Best Time
Salzburg Festival season

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A 17th-century riding school carved into a mountain, now a breathtaking open-air theater for the Salzburg Festival.
"Concert Hall you've never seen alike."
🎟️ Book Festival Tickets Early
Salzburg Festival shows sell out months in advance. Keep an eye on official resale options if tickets are gone!
🚶♀️ Take a Guided Tour
Highly recommended to understand the venue's history and unique architecture.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

The Felsenreitschule Stage
Mönchsberg
A breathtaking 17th-century riding school transformed into a dramatic open-air theater carved into the rock.

Salzburg Festival Performances
Main auditorium
Experience world-class opera, concerts, and drama during the renowned Salzburg Festival.

Guided Tours
Throughout the venue
Explore the history and architecture of this unique performance space with an insightful guided tour.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Secure Your Salzburg Festival Experience
Embrace the Unique Ambiance
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Looking for opera tickets to sold out show - any tips?
🎟️ Book Festival Tickets Early
Salzburg Festival shows sell out months in advance. Keep an eye on official resale options if tickets are gone!
🚶♀️ Take a Guided Tour
Highly recommended to understand the venue's history and unique architecture.
🪑 Seating Comfort
Seats can be a bit small for some, so be prepared for a cozy experience.
🎶 Amazing Acoustics
The sound quality is top-notch, making for an immersive performance.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎟️ Book Festival Tickets Early
Salzburg Festival shows sell out months in advance. Keep an eye on official resale options if tickets are gone!
🚶♀️ Take a Guided Tour
Highly recommended to understand the venue's history and unique architecture.
🪑 Seating Comfort
Seats can be a bit small for some, so be prepared for a cozy experience.
🎶 Amazing Acoustics
The sound quality is top-notch, making for an immersive performance.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors rave about the Felsenreitschule's unique and dramatic setting, calling it a concert hall unlike any other. The sound quality and creative staging during festival performances receive high praise, making for delightful evenings. Some note that the seats can be a bit small.
"Diegrischepassion Opera was FANTASTIC! The Opera was extremely well sung and orchestrated, staging was very creative and unique, and the subject matter of the Opera was very current and relevant in today's world. OUTSTANDING. The Opera House itself was beautiful, well organized, clean and the sound quality was top notch. EXTREMELY DELIGHTFUL EVENING."
Kenneth Castle
"Great event location.. seats are a bit small.."
Evi Napetschnig
"Beautiful opera house. Came for the guided tour, which I highly recommend, and for a show.
This venue had a deep contrast to their great hall and I really enjoyed the space"
Vincent Mok
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The Felsenreitschule is located in the heart of Salzburg's Old Town, easily accessible by foot from most central hotels. Public buses also stop nearby. If driving, parking garages are available in the vicinity.
Accessibility can vary due to the historic nature of the building. It's best to contact the venue directly in advance to discuss specific needs and available accommodations.
Salzburg is well-connected by train, with direct services from major European cities. The nearest airport is Salzburg Airport (SZG), with connections to major hubs.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Tickets for the Salzburg Festival are best purchased directly from the official festival website. They often sell out very quickly, so booking far in advance is crucial.
If official tickets are sold out, keep an eye on official resale platforms or consider arriving early on performance days for any last-minute returns.
The Felsenreitschule primarily operates during the Salzburg Festival season (July-August) for performances. Guided tours may be available outside of performance times; check their schedule.
It's highly unlikely for popular festival performances. For guided tours, it's advisable to book in advance, especially during peak season.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
The seating can be a bit compact, so be prepared for a cozy experience. However, the arrangement ensures good visibility from most seats.
The Felsenreitschule is famous for hosting opera, concerts, and dramatic performances as part of the prestigious Salzburg Festival.
It's a unique hybrid. While carved into a rock face, it has a roof structure, but some performances might leverage the open-air aspect, making it feel like an outdoor amphitheater.
Its dramatic setting carved into the Mönchsberg rock face, combined with its historical significance as a former riding school, creates an unparalleled atmosphere.
📸 📸 Photography
Photography and videography are generally prohibited during performances to avoid disturbing the audience and performers. Check venue rules for specific events.
The exterior, especially its integration with the Mönchsberg rock, offers striking photographic opportunities. During guided tours, you can capture the interior architecture.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
🎶 Music Aficionados
🏛️ History & Architecture Buffs
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Felsenreitschule: A Stage Born from Rock
This venue is most famously associated with the Salzburg Festival, a world-renowned celebration of music and drama held each summer. The Felsenreitschule's dramatic setting makes it particularly suited for grand opera productions and large-scale concerts. Visitors often remark on the 'concert hall you've never seen alike,' highlighting its distinctiveness.
Beyond its festival role, the Felsenreitschule also hosts other cultural events and is a popular destination for guided tours. These tours offer a fascinating glimpse into the history and engineering marvel of the venue, allowing visitors to appreciate its unique blend of natural rock and human architecture. It's a place where history, art, and nature converge to create unforgettable experiences.
Experiencing the Salzburg Festival
The Felsenreitschule's unique stage design, carved into the rock, provides a dramatic backdrop for opera and concerts. Reviewers consistently praise the 'creative and unique staging' and the 'top-notch sound quality,' contributing to an 'extremely delightful evening.' The intimate yet grand scale of the venue enhances the impact of the performances, making it a truly memorable occasion. Even if you can't catch a festival show, the venue itself is worth exploring via a guided tour.
When planning your visit, consider the type of performance you wish to see. Some productions might utilize the open-air aspects of the venue, so checking the weather forecast is advisable. The overall experience is often described as outstanding, with the venue itself being a significant part of the magic.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit