Jan
10
Salzburg Travel & Sightseeing Guide
Filed Under Austria
A trip to Salzburg
The home of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Salzburg is a popular destination for Europeans as well as visitors from farther afield. This architecturally beautiful city is a popular vacation spot throughout the year. During the summer, visitors flock to the city for music and strolls around the many parks and palaces. In the winter, many visitors stop over on the way to nearby ski resorts. Arrival in Salzburg is via the WA Mozart Airport, just outside the city centre.
Flights to Salzburg
The WA Mozart Airport is well-connected with the city’s public infrastructure. The airport has its own exit from the motorway and is less than three miles from the city centre of Salzburg. By bus, the airport can be reached via number 2 bus, departing the airport every 15 minutes. By rail, the airport is connected to the main station in Salzburg, with the journey taking 20 minutes. The train also offers onwards connections to other major cities in Austria. If you are looking for a cheap flight to Salzburg try Thomas Cook.
Salzburg has an excellent public transportation network, which means you don’t have to rent a car to explore the city. Much of the main part of the city can be explored on foot. Alternatively, there are plenty of buses that ply the city centre, as well as suburbs. Taxis are also abundant and can be found on virtually every street corner.
Salzburg
Sightseeing in Salzburg
The old part of the city has been named a UNESCO World Heritage site and is a wonderful example of baroque architecture. This area should be explored on foot, so that you can thoroughly experience the ambience of Mozart’s home town. The heart of the city is dominated by the Dom, or cathedral. Visitors should also not miss the Festung Hohensalzburg, considered to be one of the largest castles in Europe.
What is a visit to Mozart’s home town, without visiting his former house? The Mozart Wohnhaus is also a museum which showcases where the master composer lived between 1773 and 1787.
Just outside Salzburg are the amazing Eisrisenwelt Höhle, or ice caves. These caves are the largest of their kind in the world and well worth exploring. There are guided tours for visitors. Make sure you wear sturdy shoes and warm clothing. Schloss Mirabell, with its incredibly beautiful gardens, is also worth visiting despite not being open to the public.
Fun by night – eating drinking and partying
Salzburg has a vibrant nightlife and there are many restaurants, bars and clubs to choose from. Don’t miss trying a glass of Augustiner Bräu, Salzburg’s beer, in one of many Gastätten. The Rudolfskai area is where many of the trendy clubs are located and a favourite area for young locals. For more upmarket bars, try Giselakai.
Restaurants are a plenty, offering a range of cuisines. Many of the medieval buildings have been turned into restaurants and have a rustic ambience. It is well worth seeking these out to try the local fare. Austrian food is heavily meat and sauce based, but most visitors will enjoy the Wiener schnitzel, breaded pork or veal.
Fun by day - shopping and activities
Strolling around town to look at the medieval buildings and shop is a favourite pastime for locals and visitors alike. The Getreidegasse is the main shopping street, and its weekly farmers’ market is not to be missed. There are many antique and handicraft shops to explore. Breaks can be had at the many quaint coffee and cake shops that line the street.
Daytrips
Salzburg is nestled close to the Alps and you can take bus number 25 to Untersberg Mountain, from where the trip to the cable car station lasts 20 minutes. Here you will need 20 minutes to climb the mountain. From the top of Untersberg Mountain, you will have a splendid view of the surrounding area and the chance to taste Austrian specialities. Mount Gaisberg is another option for exceptional views of the city.
Driving out from Salzburg you can go to the Salzkammergut lakes. They feature stunning scenery with mountains, lakes and pretty towns. The Lake District offer many outdoor activities, such as hiking. If you like hiking, you may also opt to a daytrip to Glasenbachklamm. This canyon provides trails among geological formations and fossils.
Easily accessible by public bus, the Maria Plain is located in the outskirts of Salzburg and is a Baroque church. If you are a Baroque lover, the Klessheim Castle is also a place to head to and now features a casino.
Must-see attractions
The city of Mozart has many top-quality attractions and not all of them are related to the famous composer. You can join official tours, such as the Sound of Music Tour (to follow the steps of Maria) or the Classical Salzburg City Tour. The centre of the city is very compact and with a good map you can also explore it on your own.
Mozart was born in Salzburg and a visit to his childhood home is a must-do when travelling into the city. Located in the Getreidegasse, it is a highly popular place among tourists. If you need to rest your feet before exploring further, do not miss a beer at the Mullnerbräu beer hall.
The Hohensalsburg is a castle reached by funicular from Festungsgasse or on foot from the Kapitelplatz. Built in the 11th century, it housed prince-archbishops until the late 15th century. Salzburg’s Cathedral was built in the 17th century and offers splendid architecture combining Italian Renaissance and Baroque styles. Other important religious places of worship include St Peter’s Cathedral.
Best time to go
With a moderate climate, Salzburg is a great tourist destination at any time of the year. In December, the Christmas markets provide the city with an exceptional atmosphere. Snow often falls from November through April, giving the Christmas season a special atmosphere.
However, Salzburg has many rainy days, June being the wettest month of the year. Rain is usually intermittent so bring an umbrella and a raincoat, though many indoor attractions will keep you out of the rain.
Rainy day suggestions
Rain is part of everyday’s life in Salzburg. Luckily, the city provides tourists with great indoor attractions such as the Trachtenmuseum, housing regional costumes and showcasing the garments people used to wear in earlier times.
The Salzburg Toy Museum (Spielzeug Museum) is a perfect venue for both adults and kids. It features old and modern toys which kids are welcomed to play with. Close to the cathedral is the Dommuseum, with its art collection from the archbishop containing objects dating back to the Middle Ages.
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