Salzburg Travel Guide 2024
Salzburg means “salt castle”, it is one of the most picturesque cities of Europe, and arguably one of the most beautiful spots in Austria also rated UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. However it is most famous being the birthplace of renowned composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and the setting for the much remembered musical film “The Sound Of Music”.
The city is located by the river Salzach and surrounded by several hills at the center of which is a well preserved Medieval and Baroque old town. The entire city seems straight out of a fairytale book, complete with decorated bows at street signs and quaint houses in pastel colors along the river front promenade. The 2 hour river cruise and Untersberg cable car ride are great ways to admire the beauty of Salzburg from every angle.
Salzburg Travel Budget
In order to help you to budget for your travel, we are also providing below Average Daily Expenses (per person) for Salzburg. These are further categorized into Budget, Mid range and Luxury depending on your travel style. For those on a budget traveling to Salzburg, we recommend aiming to spend 60 euro per day to manage expenses efficiently. For mid-range and luxury travelers visiting Salzburg we recommend budgeting anywhere from 115-220 euro per day on your trip.
The major components of these costs are Accommodation (approx) 60% and Food & Soft Beverages (approx) 25%. The remaining includes local transport, entertainment, communication, tips, etc.
Salzburg Food and Drink Specialties
Wiener Schnitzel is one of the most famous traditional Austrian dishes, thin slices of crumbed veal, is traditionally served with salad, another being “Tafelspitz” which is boiled beef in broth normally served with horseradish sauce and chives. Another favorite is Goulash which is a stew of meat and vegetables seasoned with paprika.
There are an amazing variety of different “Cafés” offering the perfectly fitting Viennese pastries, strudels and cakes, the most famous being Apfelstrudel (Apple Strudel). However many claim Sachertorte (specific type of chocolate cake with thin layer of apricot jam) to be the most delicious. Vienna and its region is famous for excellent wines, particularly “Grüner Veltliner” and “Schnapps” = liquors from the region (mostly apricots or prunes) – absolutely delicious.
Breweries in Salzburg
Salzburg is widely regarded as Austria’s beer capital. Eleven breweries in and around the city demonstrate the impressive variety of options available to beer enthusiasts. From “top dog” Stiegl and the venerable Augustiner Bräu Kloster Mülln to the Weissbierbrauerei and microbreweries at inns that produce exclusively for their own guests, Salzburg provides the ideal setting for you to explore the multifaceted world of “amber nectar.”
The simplest way to discover Salzburg’s passion for beer is to visit one of the breweries’ pubs or restaurants. Stiegl-Brauwelt provides an excellent introduction to the world of brewing, while a beer-themed guided tour of Salzburg combines fascinating background information with delectable tastings.
Salzburg Attractions
Although Salzburg is small in comparison to other popular European cities, it compensates for its small size with its scenic landscape, famous musicians, poets, hiking trails, and many other beautiful attractions. So don’t dismiss the city of Mozart or The Sound of Music. Give Salzburg more than a day visit, and we guarantee you will be surprised by all of its wonders. With this list of over 50 things to do in Salzburg City, you can see what this lovely city has to offer.
Hohensalzburg Fortress
The largest and best-preserved fortress in Central Europe is Salzburg’s most popular attraction. Tourists from all over the world have taken over a fortress that has never been conquered before. The city’s walls and towers, which once protected it from invaders, now house several museums, including the state rooms and the torture chamber, which can keep visitors entertained for hours.
Old Town Salzburg
Take a walk through the old city and be amazed by the stunning architecture, cobblestone streets, small alleyways, and well-preserved structures dating back to the 15th century! The Getreidegasse, Salzburg’s most famous shopping street, is located here! Squeeze through the crowds to buy souvenirs and clothing, photograph old iron store signs, or even grab a bite to eat! Oh, and did we mention that the Old City of Salzburg is a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Mirabellgarten
Try walking through Mirabellgarten, one of Salzburg’s most popular and beautiful gardens! The garden, which first opened to the public in 1854, continues to impress visitors today. Mirabellgarten is a must-see for its beautiful flowers, marble statues, and fountains, as well as numerous opportunities to reenact scenes from the film The Sound of Music.
Salzburg Cathedral
The largest church in the Old City, this remarkable 17th century baroque cathedral. Throughout history, the cathedral has been destroyed in a fire and rebuilt several times, and the structure that stands in the Domplatz today is not the same as the one that was built in 774. Nonetheless, some of the old church remains can be seen in the Cathedral Excavations.
Hellbrunn
This lovely palace was once Prince-Bishop Markus Sittikus’ summer residence. The Hellbrunn Palace’s entire objective was to entertain, and it still does so after 400 years. Visitors from all over the world come here to enjoy the fun and relaxing atmosphere of the “pleasure palace.” It would be a pity if you did not take a stroll through the lovely spot, visit the Sound of Music Pavilion, or get wet by the trick fountains while in Salzburg.
Augustiner Bräu Beer Garden
What is an Austrian vacation without beer? Nothing, really! The Augustiner Bräu is a monastery that crafts its own beer and has Austria’s largest beer garden. The beer is still drawn from a wooden barrel and served in stone mugs, as it was in the past. Locals and tourists alike regard this beer garden as the best of its kind because it offers great beer for almost nothing.
Salzburg Marionette Theatre
A trip to Salzburg would be incomplete without seeing a performance at the Marionette Theatre. Only a few puppet masters control a stage full of realistic looking puppets while performing operas by various composers such as Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker, Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Saint-“The Exupéry’s Little Prince.” The Sound of Music and Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” (in German with English subtitles) are two most popular performances.
Untersberg
Trek or take a short cable car ride to the top of the Untersberg mountain for a breathtaking view of Salzburg, the Rosietten Valley, and the surrounding mountains! Visitors can navigate their way up the mountain by hiking to the Geiereck (1805 meters), visiting the mountain climbers memorial, or walking to the Salzburg Hochthron mountain (1856 meters).
Panorama Museum
Johann Sattler, a well-known and admired panorama painter, decorated an impressive and well-detailed 360° panorama of Salzburg City in the 1820s, portraying not only the view of the city from the fortress but also the daily life of Salzburg residents 200 years ago. This one-of-a-kind panorama painting is 125 m2 in size and 26 meters in diameter, and it has traveled all over the world before finding a home at the Panorama Museum. Visitors can now travel back in time and see how Salzburg City looked in 1829. It is, in our opinion, a must-see.
Kapuzinerberg
One of the greatest things about Salzburg is that if you want to get away from it all, you can ascend a nearby mountain, sit in nature, and try tuning out the city noise. Kapuzinerberg is our favorite neighborhood in town for this. Furthermore, it has by far the most picturesque view of Salzburg.