Experience the World of Salt
From salt mining deep inside the mountain to the historic saltworks: the Berchtesgaden Salt Mine and the Old Saltworks in Bad Reichenhall combine adventure and history.
Discover the fascinating connection between the Old Saltworks in Bad Reichenhall and the Berchtesgaden Salt Mine.
One ticket, two worlds, one legendary tale.
Two landmarks, one inseparable story.
Step inside the Old Saltworks and you can still sense the pride of King Ludwig I of Bavaria. Here, in what he called the “most beautiful saltworks in the world”, brine was transformed into white gold. But its journey did not begin in the boiling pans. It began 20 kilometres to the south, deep within the Alpine rock.
Together, the Berchtesgaden Salt Mine and the Old Saltworks form a remarkable feat of engineering and a shared historical legacy that has endured for centuries.
| Berchtesgaden Salt Mine | Old Saltworks Bad Reichenhall |
| Salt mining inside the mountain | Brine & salt production |
| Underground adventure | Historic underground tunnels |
| Leisure, family & adventure | Cultural & historical insights |
| in Berchtesgaden | in Bad Reichenhall |
A perfect day.
A day dedicated to the “white gold”: begin your journey with an underground adventure at the Berchtesgaden Salt Mine, where the mine train and thrilling slides bring the story of brine extraction to life.
After a short, scenic drive through the Berchtesgaden region, you’ll arrive at the Old Saltworks in Bad Reichenhall. Here, the story comes full circle. Discover the magnificent architecture and engineering ingenuity of this remarkable industrial heritage site.
An experience that perfectly combines discovery and adventure, bringing Bavarian history vividly to life.
The Historic Brine Pipeline.
The two sites were once connected by the historic brine pipeline – an extraordinary feat of engineering that transported brine directly from the Alps to Bad Reichenhall for processing. Today, you can follow in the footsteps of this remarkable piece of history.
Get the Full Experience at a reduced cost with a Combined Ticket.
Plan your visit
Plan your visit to both attractions at your own pace. At the Berchtesgaden Salt Mine, experience salt mining deep underground, then discover the fascinating history of brine and salt production at the Old Saltworks in Bad Reichenhall.
Purchase ticket
Booking online is well worth it: secure your tickets in advance and enjoy shorter waiting times when you arrive.
Getting there
The Old Saltworks in Bad Reichenhall and the Berchtesgaden Salt Mine are around 20 kilometres apart, making it easy to combine both attractions in one trip.
"The combined ticket made for a perfect day. We started by exploring the fascinating underground world of the Salt Mine, followed by the captivating story of salt at the Old Saltworks. Two fantastic experiences that complement each other perfectly. Highly recommended."
Good to know before your visit
Duration
Allow around 3.5 to 4 hours in total for both attractions: approximately 1.5 hours for the Berchtesgaden Salt Mine and 1 hour for the Old Saltworks Bad Reichenhall, including the guided tour and museum visit. The drive between the two sites takes around 30 minutes. With a little extra time for arrival, parking and short waits, this makes for an easy-to-plan half-day trip.
Backpacks & bulky items
Please do not bring large backpacks, suitcases or other bulky items into the visitor areas.
Clothing & Footwear
We recommend warm clothing and sturdy footwear, particularly for the underground experience at the Salt Mine.
Book Online
We recommend booking your combined ticket online in advance. It makes planning easier and helps reduce waiting times when you arrive. You can also save up to 20% when booking a combined ticket.
Learn More here.
Address Old Saltworks
Old Saltworks Bad Reichenhall
Alte Saline 9
83435 Bad Reichenhall
Germany
Address Berchtesgaden Salt Mine
Berchtesgaden Salt Mine (Parking)
Salzburger Straße 24
83471 Berchtesgaden
Germany
Bavaria’s Salt Legacy
Step inside the Old Saltworks and you can still sense the pride of King Ludwig I of Bavaria. Here, in what he called the “most beautiful saltworks in the world”, brine was transformed into white gold. But its journey did not begin in the boiling pans. It began 20 kilometres to the south, deep within the Alpine rock.
Together, the Berchtesgaden Salt Mine and the Old Saltworks form a remarkable feat of engineering and a shared historical legacy, connected for centuries by the world’s oldest brine pipeline.
Frequently Asked Questions from our guests
No, there is no traditional salt mine in Bad Reichenhall. The Berchtesgaden Salt Mine is located nearby in Berchtesgaden. Bad Reichenhall is home to the Old Saltworks, a historic site where brine was processed and salt was produced.
Together, the two sites tell the complete story of Bavaria’s salt heritage. At the Berchtesgaden Salt Mine, the focus is on extracting brine deep underground, while the Old Saltworks in Bad Reichenhall reveals how this brine was transformed into “white gold”. For centuries, the two sites were directly linked by the historic brine pipeline, the oldest pipeline in the world.
The Old Saltworks is renowned for its magnificent royal marble architecture and monumental water pumps. Today, it primarily serves as a museum and industrial heritage site. By contrast, the Berchtesgaden Salt Mine offers an active underground experience, complete with a mine train, miners’ slides and a raft ride across an underground salt lake.
The combined ticket gives you the complete salt experience at a lower price than buying individual tickets. It also offers maximum flexibility, as you can plan your visits to the two attractions separately rather than having to visit both on the same day. Book online to save time and secure admission to both attractions in advance.
The two attractions are around 20 kilometres apart and can be reached in approximately 20 minutes by car or bus. Their close proximity makes it easy to combine both attractions for an ideal day trip in the Berchtesgaden region.
Key Highlights
Location & Architecture:
Bad Reichenhall’s Old Saltworks – once described as the “most beautiful saltworks in the world”. An industrial heritage site of European significance, renowned for its magnificent marble architecture.
Historical Figures:
Built under King Ludwig I, whose vision brought together architectural beauty and technical innovation.
Engineering Achievements:
Home to the monumental Reichenbach water column engines (pumps), which remain an impressive testament to the outstanding engineering skills of their time.
The Connection:
The historic brine pipeline – the oldest pipeline in the world – formed an inseparable link between the Old Saltworks and the Berchtesgaden Salt Mine.
Key Landmarks:
The Brine Pipeline Trail, Brine Spring House, Salt Museum and the historic chapel.
Salt Region Bavaria–Salzburg:
Berchtesgaden: salt mining deep inside the mountain
Bad Reichenhall: brine, saltworks and salt production
Salzburg / Hallein: the historic salt region of Salzburger Land