Salzbergwerk Berchtesgaden

Who they are

The Salzbergwerk Berchtesgaden is a salt mine in operation since 1517: it has not stopped for more than 500 years. It is run by Südwestdeutsche Salzwerke AG, based at the mine itself, at Bergwerkstraße 83. Today the salt leaves the mountain dissolved in water: up to a million cubic metres of brine a year. The visitable part coexists with the working mine, which is why the visit is always guided.

What the visit is like

You go underground only on the one-hour guided tour, plus half an hour to put on and take off the miner's overalls, which are compulsory and lent in all sizes, including for small children. You enter on the mine train, walk about 800 m and reach 130 m below the surface. On the way there are two miners' slides of up to 40 m, which can be avoided by taking the stairs, and you cross the Spiegelsee, the brine lake, by boat, with music and dim light. Inside it is 12 °C all year round: bring warm clothes and sturdy shoes. Photos and videos are not allowed during the visit, nor rucksacks, umbrellas or sticks; there are lockers.

As well as the guide, before boarding the train you are given a free audio guide in 17 languages, including Spanish. Around the building there is an open-air salt trail, and they organise dinners in the mine.

Opening hours and season

Open all year round. From 30 March to 8 November, from 9:00 to 17:00; from 9 November to 29 March, from 11:00 to 15:00. Closed on 1 January, Good Friday, Whit Monday, 1 November and 24, 25 and 31 December. You must arrive 15 minutes before your booked time: if you arrive late you lose your ticket.

Families, accessibility and groups

There is no minimum age; under-13s go with an adult. Babies can enter in a baby carrier, and the mine lends some, but pushchairs are not allowed. It is not accessible by wheelchair or walking frame because of the stairs and narrow emergency exits, and they do not recommend it to anyone who suffers from claustrophobia. Dogs may not enter. Groups of 20 or more have their own rate and can ask for exclusive tours of up to 50. The combined ticket also covers the Alte Saline, the old saltworks of Bad Reichenhall, about 20 km away.

Tickets and getting there

They strongly recommend buying online: capacity is limited and, if they sell out on the website, they do not sell at the ticket office. Online tickets are firm and non-refundable. At the ticket office you pay by cash or card, and they also sell at the tourist offices in the district.

The paid car park is at Salzburger Straße 24 and takes card payment only; it has chargers for electric cars. Without a car, bus line 840, the Berchtesgaden to Salzburg one, stops at "Salzbergwerk" five minutes from the train station, and from there it is 250 m on foot; walking from the station, about half an hour. Berchtesgaden is 27 km from Salzburg and 150 from Munich. Contact: [email protected].