Salzburg, Austria

Salzburg is perhaps a second or third home to me. I spent 8 months in residence here and came to appreciate the hidden gems and the tourist attractions throughout the year. I have eaten the food, visited the museums, and done as both the locals and the visitors have done. I personally think the city is fantastic and has enough to do to warrant 3 to 4 days exploring this gem and the surrounding areas.

How to Get Here

Salzburg does have an airport, although it is small. Finding flights within Europe is definately possible, but don't expect a direct flight from the U.S. into this small city. 

The trains in Europe are very easy to use and can be quite affordable. If you are going to visit other places you should have no trouble finding a route from Munich or Vienna. 

• From Munich it is a short 2 hour train ride to Salzburg. If you are traveling in a group it is incredibly cheap. Just purchase the Lander pass for Bavaria. By car it takes just 1.5 hours to drive from Munich.
• From Vienna,it takes about 3 hours by train to Salzburg and tickets are pretty inexpensive.You can search for tickets on the Austrian Rail website. To drive is about 2.5 hours. 
• If you are coming from Italy, take a night train from Florence or Venice.
• Zurich is 5 hours by train.

Where to Stay

• For a backpacker or someone on a budget my top recommended Hostel for price and location is the YoHo Hostel. Because of the rich history of the city, there are not really any hostels in the old town. YoHo is across the river and is one of the easiest walks of any of the Hostels in Salzburg. You are in close proximity to famous sights like Mirabell Gardens and across the river from the old town. When anyone came to visit in Salzburg,we always recommended here!
• If a hotel is more your style, location will dictate a lot of the price. If you chose to stay in the old town you will pay considerably more than if you stay across the river. I have personally stayed in the Mecure. It is near the YoHo hostel and is a super easy walk to all the things you want to see, but you save a lot of money each night. 

What to See in the City

Salzburg is famous for being the birthplace of Mozart and for the Sound of Music. Of course there is so much more to see in the city.

• For the Sound of Music lovers I recommend taking a tour of the film locations. Even if you don't have every line memorized, it's a good way to see the city before you wander around. I took the bike tour and thought it was a lovely way to see the city and enjoy the outdoors. In the late fall and winter weather might make it difficult, but spring and summer should be gorgeous. If you want to just sit back and relax, there are a ton of bus tours that you can take as well. Most leave from in front of Mirabell Gardens, so be sure to swing by and get some information.

• Visit Mirabell Gardens. The gardens are kept absolutely stunning all year and are very fun to walk around in. Take in the flowers or even check out the gnome garden. Mirabell Palace is located here as well and is open for visits. 

• In the old town, make a stop at Mozart's birthplace. For classical music lovers going into the museum will definately be fun, but if that isn't your thing it might not be the most exciting. Either way take a picture outside the house. 

• Visit The Fortress.  The fortress is a dominating part of the city. Perched up on the Monchsberg, the fortress begs visitors to come and visit. You can walk up or take the funicular. The fortress houses some impressive exhibits about Salzburg's history and the history of warfare in the country. Not to mention the views of the entire city. It is well worth the cost of admission and a can't miss when you visit. 

• My favorite museum from the city is the Dom Museum, located at the Salzburg Cathedral. This museum gives visitor insight into the region's history and showcases some beautiful art. Be prepared to get lost in the treasures found here, it truly is amazing. 

• Hike up Kapuzinerberg. The tiny little mountain is in the middle of the city and is a pretty easy hike up. It offers great views of the city. 

What to See Around Salzburg

Salzburg isn't just a cool little city, but it also has really fun things to do in the surrounding area. All of these things are accessible by bus or train. To find times, routes, and prices use this site.

• Go into the salt mines in Hallein. Salzburg literally translates to Salt Fortress. The value of salt played an important part in the history of this state. Going into the salt mines offers the visitor the chance to learn about the process of salt mining and the lengthy history going back to the Celts in Salzburg.

• Visit the Emperor's Hunting Lodge in Bad Ischl. This is where the emperor signed the declaration of war which started WWII. The grounds are very beautiful and so is the decor. This is a fun visit if you love history and want to see some beauty. 

• Visit Fortress Hohenwerfen. This fortress will show even more history of the region and boasts views that are simply unreal. I had to question if it was even real when I visited. Another fun treat is the opportunity to see falconry shows during your visit. 

• Visit Hallstatt. This lakeside village is so amazingly beautiful you might question if it is fake. Along with great views the area is surrounded by Celtic history. You can also rent boats and cruise around the lake. If you only do one of these extras, make it a visit to Hallstatt. This is the place they put on books because it is that impressive.

Foods and Drinks in the City

When it comes to food, not everything is created equal. Some of these recommendations are because of the fantastic food, others because of the local vibe, either way they will give you a pretty good idea of Salzburg. 

• Augustinerbräu is the place to go for the authentic Austrian beer experience. It is a little bit of a walk from the old town,but is so worth it. Not a ton of tourists go here, meaning the huge rooms are full of locals. This is some of the best beer I have ever had! The brewery is in a former monastery and is huge. When you come in don't expect a waiter to bring you beer. Grab a glass in the size beer you want, rinse it out, and pay at the counter. There is almost always someone you can watch and follow, so don't worry. You can usually hear some Austrians celebrating with traditional toasts. 

• Konditorei Furst is the original maker of the famous Mozartkugel. There are 4 locations in the city, so you will be able to find one no matter what part of town you are in. The have some amazing handmade treats, so I highly recommend a visit.

• Die Weisse is a great place to try Austrian food. Located across the river from the old town, you can get a great food experience for less than you could in the old town. The food is great and they make their own beer, which is also fantastic. I can recommend the Goulash, Spatzle, and the Ricotta Dumplings. 

• Try the oldest restaurant and bakery in Salzburg. The Stiftsbakerei St. Peter is the oldest bakery in the city and the bread is to die for. If you want to sit down and enjoy a full meal try St. Peter Stiftskeller for the oldest restaurant. 

• Try a kebab from any of the many places in the city. Its a food that is really inexpensive and frequently enjoyed by local students. 

• My personal favorite chocolate shop in the city is Zotter Chocolate. The morals the company adhere to are amazing. Even though the main location is in Graz, the Salzburg store still should get a visit. There are over a hundred different flavors and the wrappers are a work of art!

Seasonal Events

• In Late July and August Salzburg hosts the Salzburg Festival, becoming a hub of music and drama. If you want to come during this time, plan well in advance!

• In Late September the old town is transformed for the Rupertikirtag festival. Each of the plazas becomes like a carnival. It is a fun experience but might make navigating and visiting some old town sights more difficult.

• In the first week of December the city has many Krampuslauf. Here the Krampus (or people dressed as them), parade through the streets taunting onlookers. It is a fun cultural experience which I recommend if you are in the area. Later in the month the Perchtenlauf occurs, it is very similar. 

• Starting in late November and going until Christmas are the Christmas Markets. They are literally everywhere in Salzburg and so fun. Not only can you buy cool crafts, but also can enjoy Gluhwein and other Austrian treats. 

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