Hohensalzburg Fortress is one of Salzburg’s main attractions. Picture courtesy of HeatheronherTravels on Flickr.

Salzburg is a city of Baroque architecture, steep hills, great castles, and the music of Mozart. If you are short on time, here’s how to catch the essence of the pint-sized city in just one day.

In the morning explore the cobbled streets and classy stores of Salzburg’s Baroque Aldstadt (Old Town) and stop off for coffee and cake at glamorous Café Tomaselli. Head for Schloss Hellbrunn to check out the ingenious trick fountains and 17th-century Music Theater in the enchanting gardens.

Visit Mozart’s Birthplace in Getreidegasse to see his violins and rare manuscripts, and then catch the Festungsbahn funicular up Mönchsberg to Hohensalzburg, the best-preserved medieval fortress in Europe, to see the lavish Royal Apartments. Pop into the Museum of Modern Art to take a squint at the photographic collection and catch your breath over lunch at stylish m32 to enjoy spectacular views over Salzburg to the Alps beyond.

Cross the Salzach River to stroll up steep, tree-clad Kapuzinerberg from Linzergasse; it’s a heart-warming 250 steps but at the top there are more breath-taking views over the photogenic Baroque domes, towers, and rooftops of Salzburg. Follow the Basteiweg hiking trail to the tower at Franziskischlössl; now a popular bar with a terrace on which to enjoy a stein of beer and admire the city below.

Come the evening on your one day in Salzburg, book ahead for dinner at Stiftskeller St Peter, the oldest restaurant in Salzburg and hear Mozart’s most famous works performed by local musicians. The 24-hour Salzburg Card permits entry to all Salzburg attractions and the funicular.

– Sasha Heseltine

How to Spend One Day in Salzburg from Salzburg Things to Do

Salzburg in summer is all about Mozart and music. Picture courtesy of Flavouz on Flickr.

Salzburg is always all about music but never more so than in the summer, when the city goes festival crazy, with a series of musical celebrations to entice everybody from Mozart maniacs to opera freaks and Sound of Music fans.

The Whitsun Festival runs between May 17-20th with a weekend of classical concerts at the Mozarteum and Felsenreitschule, which this year showcases the work of Mozart, Stravinsky, Beethoven, and Peter Maxwell Davis. June sees a series of choral concerts dedicated to JS Bach in the Chorfestival in Salzburg, which takes place in the Baroque churches of the Altstadt (Old Town), and the Baroque Hellbrunn Festival takes place at magical Schloss Hellbrunn the first two weeks of August. Salzburg in summer also sees jazz festivals in neighboring Saalfelden and folk concerts in Hallein.

Everything really heats up however from the end of July with the advent of the Salzburg Festival, central Europe’s premier opera and concert festival. International visitors flock in and music takes over every nook and cranny of the town, with open-air concerts on the Altstadt and in all the major venues as well as free performances and buskers on every street corner. Festival dates for 2013 are July 20 until September 2 and guests include the Vienna Philharmonic and conductor Simon Rattle. As ever there is plenty of Mozart on offer, alongside Haydn and Mahler, plus a mixed bag of Gregorian chant, lied recitals, and even a tango night.

Elsewhere in Salzburg, with temperatures around a pleasant 73°F (23°C), the annual influx of music tourists fill the cafés and bars and spill out on to the pavements to watch the street performers, Viennese galleries travel to Salzburg to open pop-up summer exhibitions, Salzburg beer gardens are full to bursting, and both hotel and restaurant prices rocket. With more than a quarter of a million people pouring in to Salzburg, it’s best to book up accommodation way ahead of time.

–  Sasha Heseltine

Salzburg in Summer from Salzburg Things to Do

The grand Baroque New Residence on Mozart Square houses the Salzburg Museum, combining permanent exhibitions of the city’s cultural heritage, from the archeology collections on the second floor – highlights include Gothic altars – to portraits of leading Salzburg citizens and artwork from the Romantic period.

The Panorama Passage highlights Roman finds deep under the New Residence and connects Salzburg Museum with the Panorama Museum in Residenzplatz; here a vast circular city panorama painted by Johann Michael Sattler (1786-1847) is 85 feet (26 m) in circumference and showcases Salzburg and its surrounds in 1829.

Mozart’s Birthplace is one of the best museums in Salzburg. Picture courtesy of heatheronhertravels on Flickr.

It’s almost rude to ignore Mozart’s influence in Salzburg, but for the best museum to learn about the great composer’s life, choose Mozart’s Birthplace (Mozart Geburtshaus) over Mozart’s Residence, which is short on original exhibits. At the Geburtshaus, exhibits highlight Wolfgang’s early life with his family and his opera-composing period, so you’ll see his first violin, family portraits, and original scores.

The Museum of Natural History sidesteps Salzburg’s cultural heritage and is one of the best museums for honest family fun, with a small reptile zoo, dinosaur hall, an aquarium with 40 colorful tanks, and 35 other permanent exhibitions, including a diorama of the Moon landings in the Space Hall and a new multi-media science center.

The trick fountains and statuary in the gardens of Schloss Hellbrunn form one of the best museums in Salzburg for Baroque landscaping. Picture courtesy of Allie Caulfield on Flickr.

Surprisingly Salzburg has yet to open a museum in honor of The Sound of Music, although the city is a virtual museum to the film. Much of it was filmed at the glorious Schloss Hellbrunn, where the magical pleasure gardens contain a treasure trove of statuary, tinkling fountains, and the Mechanical Theater, made – unbelievably – in 1752, in which a miniature Baroque world of dancing bears, gossiping women, and marching soldiers are powered by water and accompanied by faltering organ music.

– Sasha Heseltine

The Best Museums in Salzburg from Salzburg Things to Do

Get him ready! Photo courtesy of Paolo da Reggio via wikimedia.

In a peculiar tradition that smacks of some Austrian brand of Hinduism, the tiny, Tyrolean village of Jerzens marks the return of their cattle to their respective owners from a community pasture on the second Saturday of September by organizing a parade/feast in honor of the most impressive beasts involving elaborate, decorative masks and other accoutrement (for the cows, that is). Dairyman Toni Schöpf selects for milk production, size, color (brown and grey are separate categories) and awards eight of the roughly 120 animals with brightly colored head decorations called Proscht.

This is no staged tourist attraction (though there are well-appointed hotels in the area). The annual cattle procession is an affair looked forward to and celebrated by the entire village. Guests are welcome to join in, of course.

Jerzeners weave wreaths from alpine flowers, pine and fir branches, and blackthorns and prepare cheese dumplings, doughnuts, cranberry jam, sausages and sauerkraut especially for the occasion. There is also, one need hardly add, plenty of music and beer.

The pasture where the Jerzeners’ cows graze away the summer months is a little more than four miles above the village. The heard (bovine royalty and all) are led in a parade route to the village square,
where they are allowed to relax and bask in the glow of their owners’ attentions before being taken to their different cowsheds for the winter.

The festivities continue the following day, with a special open-air mass, a shooting competition, and lots more eating, drinking, singing and dancing. It’s hard to imagine a better way to enjoy a rare glimpse at authentic rural life and culture.

 -John Reality

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Til the cows come home (in Jerzens) from Salzburg Things to Do

Königssee makes a perfect day trip from Salzburg. Picture courtesy of Allie Caulfield on Flickr.

The Alpine peaks of Gaisberg and Untersberg – so close to Salzburg that they are known to locals as the ‘house’ mountains – make an ideal day trip for skiing in winter and hiking along well-maintained trails in the summer.

The Salzkammergut lake district west of Salzburg also makes for a great day out with nature; use the little village of Fuschl as a base for hiking around Lake Fuschlsee, climb Mont Schober for Alpine vistas, or take the cog railway up Mount Schafberg from Wolfgangsee.

An hour’s drive south from Salzburg across the German border into the Bavarian Alps provides spectacular scenery around the Königssee (King’s Lake) in Berchtesgaden National Park. The lake is surrounded by towering mountains and in summer is populated with day-trippers in electric boats or swimming in the crystal-clear waters.

Taking a tour around Königssee can be combined with visits to the salt mines at Hallein where guests don traditional mining clothes and set off deep under the Tauern mountain range for a raft ride across the eerie subterranean lake. Berchtesgaden was also location of Hitler’s infamous country retreat of Eagle’s Nest; take a bus trip around steep mountain roads to see the house perched 6,600 feet (2,011 m) on a craggy peak overlooking swathes of Alpine valley at Obersalzberg.

Warm clothing is advised to tour the Eisriesenwelt cave system at Werfen, which are closed over the winter. The world’s largest ice caves are approached by a scenic drive through the Salzach Valley and a spectacular cable-car ride before culminating in a steep 500-foot (134 m) climb, so stout shoes and a level of fitness are required. The reward for the uphill trek is a mystical world of sparkling ice formations in a series of cathedral-like caverns.

– Sasha Heseltine

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Day Trips from Salzburg from Salzburg Things to Do

Untesberg in the Austrian Alps near Salzburg. Picture courtesy of barockschloss on Flickr.

There’s so much to see in the Alps around Salzburg, from roaring rivers to snowy peaks, and plenty for outdoors enthusiasts, whatever the weather or season.

Closest to Salzburg lie the peaks of Gaisberg and Untersberg – so close they are known as the ‘house’ mountains – and they make an ideal destination for skiing in winter and hiking along well-maintained trails in the summer. The summit of Untersberg (over which the family von Trapp and Fraülein Maria escaped Austria in The Sound of Music) can be reached by spectacular cable-car ride from the village of St Leonhard, with glorious Rositten Valley and mountain-peak views all around.

An hour’s hop south across the German border into the Bavarian Alps provides spectacular scenery around the Königssee (King’s Lake) and the Obersalzberg uplands in Berchtesgaden National Park. The lake is surrounded by towering cliffs and mountains, and in summer is popular for exploring by electric boat and swimming in the crystal-clear waters. Way-marked hiking and cycling trails are taken over by Nordic skiers when the winter snows come.

Konigssee in the Bavarian Alps near Salzburg. Picture courtesy of Rick McCharles on Flickr.

The Salzkammergut lake district is west of Salzburg and makes a perfect day trip; use the little village of Fuschl as a base for hiking around Lake Fuschlsee or clamber up Mont Schober for far-reaching views over the Alps; the nearby lakes of Mondsee and Wolfgangsee – from here take the cog railway up Mount Schafberg – are popular spots for sailing and other water sports.

The protected Hohe Tauern National Park borders Salzburg province to the south-west and covers nearly 700 square miles (1,800 km²); here Austria’s highest mountain, the Grossglockner, climbs to 12,460 feet (3,798m) with the country’s longest glacier, the Pasterze, lying at its feet. The landscape is one of pine forests, alpine meadows coated with flowers in spring, crashing waterfalls, snowy peaks, and. Whether driving, cycling, or hiking, you might be lucky enough to spot rare ibex or marmots.

– Sasha Heseltine

Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s tours and things to do in Salzburg, Salzburg Attractions, and Salzburg travel recommendations. Or book a private tour of Salzburg for a customized tour!

Visiting the Alps from Salzburg from Salzburg Things to Do

The best way to explore Salzburg’s old town is on foot. Picture courtesy of Marco_Ask on Flickr.

1.    Bicycle
Salzburg is ideally set up for cyclists, with safe cycle lanes avoiding snarled traffic and forming a network of path covering 106 miles (170 km); best for visitors orienteering themselves to the city is the scenic track along the Salzach River. Tourist offices in the city have information on bike hire.

2.    Trolley Bus
Salzburg has a network of eco-friendly electric trolley buses run by Obus SLB, which circuit the pedestrian-only Aldstadt. With over 100 miles (160 km) of tracks covering 12 routes, the trolley system runs daily until around 11pm, roughly every 10 minutes.

3.    Bus
Buses run by Obus SLB cover all destinations in Salzburg from early morning, running every 10 minutes. At night BusTaxi services run between 11.15pm and 00.45am from the city center, and at weekends Nachstern shuttle buses cover late-night services.

4.  Tickets
Buying a Salzburg Card (prices start at €23) enables free passage on all public transport. Otherwise tickets are cheaper if bought in advance at Tabak Trafik kiosks in the city, but they can also be bought from machines at bus and tram stops (€1.60 for a single ride) and on board direct from the driver. Tickets are valid for all forms of public transport – local train, trolley, bus, and the funicular that runs from Festungsgasse to Hohensalzburg Fortress, with its spectacular views over the city. Two types of ticket are good for visitors: the 24-hour ticket costs €3.20, and the one-week ticket is great value at €13.60. Always validate your ticket in the ticket machine as you get on the bus or tram; inspections are frequent and fines are €60.

5.    Taxis
Salzburg cabs are privately run and have black and yellow ‘taxi’ signs on top; ranks are found throughout the city or you can call one in advance – all hotels have a list of contacts. As the city center is small and the Aldstadt pedestrianized, there is little need for taxis unless heading out to the airport. Prices for airport transfer start at around €30.

All prices correct as of February 2013.

- Sasha Heseltine

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Getting Around Salzburg from Salzburg Things to Do

1. The Sound of Music
Every evening Salzburg resounds to the strains of classical music; what could be more romantic than listening to Mozart’s Così fan tutte in the city of his birth?

Gardens fit for romance at Schloss Mirabell in Salzburg.

2. Courtly Love
Schloss Mirabell was built by the Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg in 1606 for his mistress Salome Alt. It’s been remodelled since then but it’s still a wonderfully romantic place to explore; the formal gardens surrounding the palace are scattered with classical sculptures, shaded walkways, and fountains among the parterres. Scenes from The Sound of Music were filmed here; expect bursts of song from behind the plantings.

3. View to Propose From
Follow the Basteiweg hiking trail through beech trees on Kapuzinerberg hill to the mini-castle of Franziskischlössl. Its restaurant has a pretty tree-lined terrace with views of the Baroque domes, towers, and rooftops of Salzburg far below; the perfect spot to pop the question.

4. Kaffee und Kuchen 
Salzburg’s Aldstadt is brimming with enticing old-world cafés, perfect for warming up with steaming cups of hot chocolate piled high with whipped cream and gazing into each other’s eyes over a hunk of sachertorte. Try Café Sacher for old-fashioned glamour.

5. Hot Springs
Give in to your inner Austrian and brave the blanket of snow to swim outdoors in bubbling hot water and cuddle up in the sub-zero temperatures. Watzmann, Aqua Salza, and Rupertus springs are all close to Salzburg.

The Aldstadt and Hohensalzburg Fortress in Salzburg.

6. Salzach Sightseeing
Take a river cruise to admire the sights of Salzburg on board a cruiser; ramp up the romance factor with a evening trip with and propose over dinner as you float downstream past the floodlit bastions of Hohensalzburg Fortress high on its hill over the Old Town.

 Contributed by Sasha Heseltine

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Romantic Things to do in Salzburg from Salzburg Things to Do

Buy sausages and bread from a Salzburg food stall to make brosna. Picture courtesy of j_bary on Flickr.

Romantic Salzburg in its glorious Austrian alpine setting is a city that lives well on its stomach. It’s crammed with top-quality restaurants that can be prohibitively pricey, but there are myriad ways of eating well and inexpensively in the city.

Salzburg has a long-standing café culture and the Altstadt (Old Town) in particular is brimming with enticing cafés; but chose carefully because some still come at a price – avoid Café Sacher. A reasonable option is bohemian Café Shakespeare near Mirabellplatz, where a decent Wiener Schnitzel is served among ever-changing art exhibitions.

Austria is famous its beer gardens and Salzburg is no exception. Rustic inns known as gasthäuser are also options for eating on a budget. On a sunny afternoon there’s nothing better than chilling out in Die Weisse or Stern Braü’s beer gardens over a great stein of cold white beer or pils and well-priced filling noddle soups, bratwurst, and sauerkraut.

Save money in Salzburg by eating your main meal at lunchtime, when fixed prices for two- or three-course menus provide excellent value for money, and are considerably cheaper than evening dining. Look for mittagsmenüs (mid-day menu) signs outside restaurants in the Altstadt, or venture further afield around Getreidegasse, Linzer Gasse, and Griegsgasse to find even better bargains.

How about trying Austrian fast food? Bosna originated in Salzburg and are effectively sophisticated hotdogs, comprising bratwurst sausages, fried onions, a dollop of mustard, and a sprinkling of spices wrapped in a white bun. They are sold on street stands throughout the town, along with immensely filling Kasnocken (cheese dumplings).

Reduce costs by self-catering while visiting Salzburg, and buy your goodies from the fresh-produce markets, which are full of quality, often organic, local salamis, fish, cuts of meat, breads, cheeses, fruit, and vegetables. Universitätsplatz market is open every morning from Monday to Saturday, and the smaller market near to Mirabellplatz sets up on Thursday morning.

Contributed by Sasha Heseltine

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Dining on a Budget in Salzburg from Salzburg Things to Do

Cafe culture in Salzburg, Austria. Photo courtesy of evocateur on Flickr.

Austria’s romantic city of Salzburg looks gorgeous under her blanket of snow but can be bitterly cold in winter with temperatures dropping to around 15°C below freezing. However, skies are usually blue and sunny, so wrap up and embrace the city’s vibrant winter culture.

1. Classical Concerts
Appropriately for the birthplace of Mozart, classical concerts take place throughout Salzburg during the winter months, from small chamber-music recitals to full-blown orchestral blowouts at the Great Festival Hall by the Mozarteum Orchestra. Other venues include the castles at Hohensalzburg and Mirabell plus the Landestheater (state theater).

 2. Skiing
There are 22 ski areas within striking distance of Salzburg, all covered by one ski pass. The Gasteinertal ski area offers fun for families, black-run aficionados, and boarders in fresh powder at heights up to 8,850 feet (2,700 meters). Runs come from green to black, some with mogul fields, and all have plenty of pitstops for a rejuvenating glühwein.

 3. Skating and Sleigh Riding
Salzburg takes to skating as soon as temperatures plummet; a temporary ice rink appears in Mozartplatz and there is a permanent indoor rink in the Volksgarten. Or take a horse-driven sleigh to see the sights in the snow.

Take a sleigh ride through the snow in Salzburg, Austria.

4. Café Culture
Salzburg’s Aldstadt (Old Town) is brimming with enticing cafés, perfect for warming up over steaming cups of coffee piled high with whipped cream; glamorous Café Tomaselli has been going since 1703, Café Fürst is as renowned for its chocolate as its coffee, and Café Sacher sells original-recipe sachertorte at vastly inflated prices.

5. Climbing Kapuzinerberg
Walk up steep, tree-clad Kapuzinerberg from Linzergasse; it’s a heart-warming 250 steps but at the top there are breath-taking views over the photogenic Baroque domes, towers, and rooftops of Salzburg. Follow the Basteiweg hiking trail to the tower at Franziskischlössl; now a popular bar with a terrace on which to enjoy a stein of beer and admire the city below.

 6. Saunas and Spas
In the mountains around Salzburg there are hundreds of spa complexes with their own hot springs, so brave the cold to swim outdoors in bubbling hot water when the temperatures are below zero. The thermal springs at Watzmann have a lazy river and water slides for kids to splash around in.

 Contributed by Sasha Heseltine

 Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s tours and things to do in Salzburg, Salzburg attractions, and Salzburg travel recommendations. Or book a private tour guide in Salzburg for a customized tour!

Salzburg in Winter from Salzburg Things to Do