Salzburg is known for being the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and The Sound of Music movie location. It’s a little city that offers lots of sightseeing and activities although it looks deceptively sleepy at first glance.
Salzburg is a quick train or bus ride from Munich, home of Oktoberfest, another favourite city of mine. The first time I saw this city I was struck hard by the sheer beauty of it. It’s just picture perfect with Hohensalzburg Fortress perched on a hill, the old part (altstadt) and Mirabell palace and gardens among others.
The Top Ten Things to do while in Salzburg are:
- Get the Salzburg Card – This is one of the most affordable and comprehensive city cards. It will pay for itself before you know it and then everything else is FREE! I always check out city cards to see what are covered and calculate my savings, never got one that broke even based on my itinerary but always got more than I paid for. Not all city cards are the same, for instance I think the Paris Card is not really worth it and too expensive but this one is definitely right at the top for ‘best deals’ e.g. you get free admission to all the city’s attractions and transportation on a cheap card.
View of Salzburg from Hohensalzburg Fortress
- All things Mozart – Get some Mozart balls…chocolate balls, visit Mozart’s birthplace and former residence or catch one of the many concerts. The chocolates are really nice and come in different flavours, I had the rum.
Mozart imitator in Salzburg Altstadt
- Stroll through Salzburg Altstadt– This old part of the town with many attractions has been a UNESCO world heritage site since 1996.
In Salzburg Altstadt
- Visit Hohensalzburg Fortress – This majestic 11th century fortress proudly sits on a hill overlooking the city. There is a nice way of getting up, cable railway. The views from atop are splendid.
Salzburg Fortress perched on a hill overlooking the city
- Dine on the local food– I am a goulash lover, this is all I biasedly looked for. Austrian goulash is so good. If you want to add a bit more to that try the national Sachertorte, apple strudel and/or take a local class (affordable cooking tours). Then indulge in a bit of schnitzel and some local beer.
My love affair with Goulash
- Mirabell Palace and Gardens – I always visit here, absolutely beautiful gardens, fountains and buildings. This was a prime location in The Sound of Music movie and a UNESCO heritage site.
Mirabell gardens
- Day Trip to Hallstatt – A small picturesque village with the status of UNESCO heritage site. When I saw pictures and read that the Chinese cloned it (there is a replica of the city in China) I just had to visit the original. Well, honestly it felt like a theme park due to being overrun with tourists…more crowded that Salzburg. Maybe, that was also due to the fact that it was summer too. I had a terrible experience with a bus driver, the worst of my Austrian trip. The tourist buses cunningly park and pick up their people at the public bus stop (I don’t believe this is legal, maybe wrong). So, unknowingly I boarded the bus thinking it was a public one and I had a day card already which covered public transport. The bus driver aggressively confronted me and barked for me to get out. I honestly thought he was going to physically throw me out; shocking behaviour which spoilt my not so bad day and left a bitter taste. Maybe, in the other months this beautiful village can be better enjoyed without the crowds and rude people.
Hallstatt
- Untersberg cable car mountain excursion – This activity which costs €25 is covered with the Salzburg card and gives quick, no waiting in the line access. The cable car takes you to the top of the most famous local mountain. It is one of the popular excursion.
- Salzburg Museum– To learn more about the city, the local museum is the first stop. It is housed in the Neue Residenz which is an actual palace!
Saw this picture in the old town, unfortunately didn’t get the time to visit the local museum.
- Enjoy a Festival – I didn’t know about these festivals until I ended up witnessing one which I think was related to roses and chefs. Apparently there are many different kinds in the summer months. The music and atmosphere were very enjoyable. The local website publishes a calendar of activities so in order not to miss anything or just browse for something to your liking do check out the list.
Salzburg Street Festival
Salzburg festival
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