Salzburg is a charming small city in Austria, widely known for Mozart, its rich history, stunning architecture, and cultural heritage. Salzburg lies on both sides of the river Salzach:
- The old city is on the one side of the river & this is where the majority of all the beautiful sights are – the castle, the cathedral, the lovely squares (also where the Christmas markets are located), Mozart’s birthplace & many restaurants/cafes.
- Just across the river, it is the New town. There are some cute streets too, shops, Mozart’s 2nd residence & Mirabel Palace & Gardens.
Closest airport: Salzburg has a small airport which is officially known as Flughafen Salzburg W. A. Mozart otherwise Munich in Germany that I used, is the closest big airport. Other options are Innsbruck Airport (INN), approximately 185 kilometers (115 miles) west of Salzburg and Linz Airport (LNZ), approximately 180 kilometers (112 miles) northwest of Salzburg. Vienna is 300 kilometers (186 miles) far but by train or car distance is around 3-4 hours ! Angel’s tip: I rented a car from Munich Airport and selected the car rental company “Enterprise” for my vehicle. I was highly pleased with the service, securing a jeep Volvo for 50 euros per day. In Austria, they regularly clear the snow from the roads, and the cars come with winter tires, so there’s no need to worry about driving in snowy conditions!!
Duration: Salzburg is a small city that you can easily see in 2 days!
Do I need a car? For the city of Salzburg, car is not necessary.
Accommodation: I loved the old town but new town has easier parking & more options for hotels. Don’t stay close to the train station as it’s not a good part of the town.
Things to do in Salzburg
- Stroll around the Old Town, the shops, the squares, the Salzburg Cathedral…The city’s historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a picturesque area filled with medieval and baroque buildings. Strolling through the narrow streets and squares, you’ll encounter charming shops, cafes, and historical landmarks like the Cathedral which is impressive with its beautiful facade and interior.
- Check out Salzburg Castle or Fortress Hohensalzburg and enjoy the stunning view from above. The fortress itself is a fascinating historical site with museums and exhibits. You can go up to the castle either on foot by the path starting near the Kapitelplatz or by funicular which is the most popular and convenient way that ascends to the fortress from the Festungsgasse station in the Old Town. The funicular provides a quick and scenic ride up the hill, offering panoramic views of Salzburg. Please note that access to the Castle is not entirely free, as there is an entrance fee to explore certain areas of the fortress, inside ones. However, you can access the castle grounds and enjoy the exterior views without paying anything! Angel’s tip: I paid 17.40 euros for the full access in the castle and the ride with the funicular.
- Walking: If you prefer to walk, there’s a path leading up to the fortress. The path starts near the Kapitelplatz and winds its way up the hill. It’s a bit of a climb, but the stroll allows you to enjoy the surroundings and takes approximately 15-20 minutes.
- Visit Mirabell palace & gardens. The Palace is known for its beautiful gardens, grand architecture, and the iconic Mirabell Palace Bridge. The gardens are well-maintained and offer a lovely place for a leisurely stroll.
- Cross the Salzack river through Love lock bridge or as its name is: the Makartsteg Bridge. It is a popular location for couples to attach love locks. However, it’s important to note that the situation with love locks on bridges can change, as some cities and municipal authorities may remove them due to concerns about the structural integrity of the bridges or for other reasons.
- Check Mozart spots in the city like the Mozart museum & birthplace, statues in the city etc. Salzburg is the birthplace of the famous composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and it has a strong musical tradition. The city hosts the annual Salzburg Festival, a renowned celebration of classical music and performing arts.
- Take a photo at the Gurken 🥒sculptures in Furtwangler park.
- Admire the Sphere Sculpture: A remarkable piece of public art located in Kapitelplatz, just below the castle, is the imposing golden sphere sculpture. This monumental structure, with its distinct design, stands as a captivating centerpiece in the square. In close proximity, you will find the entrance to the funicular, offering a convenient and scenic means to ascend to the castle grounds. This pairing provides a unique blend of contemporary artistic expression and the historical charm of ascending to the castle via the picturesque funicular.
- Hellburn palace out of the town is a renowned historical palace known for its beautiful gardens, trick fountains, and its unique architectural features. It was built in the early 17th century (1613–1619) in the early Baroque architectural style. One of the main attractions of Hellbrunn Palace is its trick fountains, designed to surprise and delight visitors. Angel’s tip: Check before you go as it closes during winter.
- Sazlburg salt mine is famous in the area and very impressive, 15 km far for the city. You can check more details, prices and timings here.
Local food
Salzburg, like many cities in Austria, has a rich culinary tradition, and you’ll find a variety of local dishes to try. Here are some traditional Austrian and Salzburg specialties that you might want to explore:
- Schnitzel
- Gulaschsuppe (Goulash Soup)
- Kaiserschmarrn dessert
- Erdäpfelsalat (Potato Salad)
- Salzburger Nockerl dessert
- Mozartkugeln or Mozart chocolate balls. Angel’s tip: Don’t miss to visit Café-pâtisserie Fürst at the old market. That’s where the original Mozart chocolate was invented and is produced to this day. The original Mozart chocolate is wrapped into blue and silver tinfoil and it is available at Fürst shops (and Fürst is the only one that can call their Mozart balls “original”.) You can meet many supermarkets with Mozart chocolates wrapped into a red and golden tinfoil or other pastry shops to produce their own Mozart chocolate and wrap it in blue and silver tinfoil as well but it’s not the “original”.
- Apfelstrudel (Apple Strudel)
Restaurants:-St. Peter Stiftskulinarium / oldest restaurant in Europe
-Restaurants Sacher Grill and Meissl & Schadn for schnitzel-Stiegl-Keller with great rooftop views when the weather is good-Sternbrau for local food-Balkan Grill for great hot dog -Ikarus for fine dining-Di Renzi Ristorante, Prosciutteria & Enoteca, Osteria Patricio Fellini and Das Restaurant Wasserfall for Mediterranean/Italian cuisine-Humboldt. Bio-Restaurant, Café & Bar for organic food
Notes:
☕️ Visit Cafe Tomaselli / oldest coffee house in Austria founded in 1700
-Cafe Mozart: a historic coffeehouse located in the heart of the city, situated on Salzburg’s iconic shopping street, and it has a tradition dating back to the 18th century. The cafe is known for its charming atmosphere, historic setting, and traditional Austrian coffeehouse experience.
-Coffee in a waffle cone in “Nur coffee Salzburg”
-Great sweets & coffee: My mum’s in New Town. A local recommeneded this little shop for its exceptional coffee and sweets.Angel’s tip: If you visit during the winter season, from late November & all December you can find many Christmas markets known for their festive atmosphere, traditional crafts, and seasonal treats. I had checked the dates before booking my flights!
Day trips
- Amazing day trip (or stay for a night if you can) to Hallstatt. Known for its picturesque setting on Lake Hallstatt, this UNESCO World Heritage-listed village is about a 1.5 to 2-hour drive from Salzburg. Hallstatt is famous for its stunning Alpine scenery, charming architecture, and salt mines. Read my article for Hallstatt for more. Click here.
- Salzburg is surrounded by the stunning Austrian Alps, providing opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking and skiing. The closest ski resorts where you can go are below:
- Schmittenhöhe and Kaprun Glacier close to Zell am See, about 1 hr drive from Salzburg.
- Saalbach-Hinterglemm / one of the largest ski areas in Austria. Around 1.5 – 2 hours away.
- Obertauern – Approximately 1.5 to 2 hours south of Salzburg, known for its reliable snow conditions.
- Flachau – Part of the Ski Amadé region, it’s about 1,5 hr drive away.
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