Salzburg is on the banks of the River Salzach, at the northern boundary of the Alps.

The mountains to Salzburg's south contrast with the rolling plains to the north. The

closest alpine peak, the 1,972‑metre-high Untersberg, is less than 16 kilometres (10

miles) from the city centre. The Altstadt, or "old town", is dominated by

its baroque towers and churches and the massive Hohensalzburg Fortress. This area

is flanked by two smaller hills, the Mönchsberg and Kapuzinerberg, which offer

green relief within the city. Salzburg is approximately 150 km (93 mi) east

of Munich, 281 km (175 mi) northwest of Ljubljana, Slovenia, and 300 km

(186 mi) west of Vienna. Salzburg has about the same latitude of Seattle.