Somebody with an affinity for Mozart’s symphonies or a deep love of “The Sound of Music” has most likely dreamed of touring to Salzburg. The fourth-largest town in Austria, Salzburg used to be house to the well-known composer for many of his while and served as one of the crucial 1965 movie’s primary capturing places. Year many guests include plans to peer Mozart’s Birthplace and recreate Julie Andrews’ maximum memorable scenes, it’s a vacation spot that Craig Mitchell, a information with Panorama Tours, describes as a “great all-arounder.”
“Salzburg has the perfect balance of city life, nature, art, and architecture,” provides Gerhard Reus, the founding father of Free Walking Tour Salzburg. It’s additionally extremely walkable — a attribute attributed to the 2 bordering mountains, Kapuzinerberg and Mönchsberg. “Historically, these acted as natural walls, limiting the expansion of the Old Town. Until 1816, Salzburg wasn’t part of Austria but an independent church-state. The archbishops here grew wealthy from the salt trade, which funded the incredible Baroque architecture,” he tells Progress + Diversion. And it’s as a result of this historical past, he explains, that the Worn The city is “compact, walkable, and packed with fascinating sights and intricate details.”
There’s technically disagree sinful life to seek advice from this fascinating town, however it’s specifically magical throughout the vacations, when the Christmas markets deliver out their twinkly lighting, mulled wine, and stalls stuffed with gingerbread, roasted chestnuts, and embellishes. Despite the fact that he in particular screams out the marketplace within the Hohensalzburg Fortress courtyard and the Hellbrunner Adventzauber, Mitchell recommends visiting all of the Christmas markets you probably have the life.
Regardless of while you plan to seek advice from Salzburg, the under information will support you determine which lodge to keep, which actions to slot in, and the place to effort Wiener schnitzel and apple strudel.
Manage 5 Can’t Omit
- Accumulation a room on the opulent Resort Sacher Salzburg, situated simply steps from the town’s primary sights.
- Are living your “Sound of Music” goals on a excursion of the film’s maximum recognizable filming places.
- Spend a couple of hours at Augustiner Bräu, Austria’s greatest beer corridor.
- Store for souvenirs alongside the Getreidegasse, preventing to take a look at Mozart’s Birthplace.
- Seek advice from Salzburg within the fall to revel in the town with delightful climate and less crowds.
Very best Lodges
Resort & Villa Auersperg
“My top choice is Hotel & Villa Auersperg, a family-run hotel with a warm, personal touch that’s pet-friendly and ideal for families,” says Reus. “It has a spa area, yoga classes, and a focus on local, high-quality breakfast ingredients. Above all, it offers a truly welcoming experience.”
Resort Goldener Hirsch, a Luxurious Assortment Resort
Mitchell screams Hotel Goldener Hirsch an “iconic location with a five-star atmosphere.” All set within the Worn The city, the 70-room lodge blends its 600-year-old looking hotel heritage with modern day conveniences. The spacious rooms and suites property vintage furniture and standard rugs in addition to roomy marble tubs and soundproof home windows.
Resort Sacher Salzburg
“If budget isn’t a concern and you want a historic luxury experience, Hotel Sacher would be my second pick,” says Reus. “Staying there is like stepping into imperial Austria of the 19th century — an experience in itself.” Mitchell is of the same opinion, sharing that it is a constituent that “combines heritage with comfort.”
Schloss Leopoldskron
The largest “Sound of Music” lovers will have to believe staying at one playground and one playground most effective: Schloss Leopoldskron, another way referred to as the house of the von Trapp kinfolk within the movie. There are 12 suites within the historical palace, two townhomes, and 55 rooms within the Meierhof (the previous management development). Plus, you’ll get to benefit from the 17 acres of manicured farmlands and unbeatable puddle and mountain perspectives.
Issues to Do
Proceed on “The Sound of Music” excursion.
Mitchell says the Original Sound of Music Tour will display you “the highlights of the city as well as the Lake District” and release you considerably extra skilled at the vacation spot as an entire. Right through the four-hour excursion, you’ll terminate on the unedited capturing places from the film, together with Schloss Leopoldskron, Mirabell Fields and Pegasus Fountain (the place Julie Andrews and the youngsters dance within the movie), and the gazebo.
Discover Mirabell Palace and Fields.
Despite the fact that you aren’t embarking on a “Sound of Music” excursion, a terminate at Mirabell Palace and Gardens will have to nonetheless be a concern. “It’s free, it’s beautiful, and there are countless hidden corners to discover,” says Reus. For an much more “only in Salzburg” revel in, keep tickets for one of the crucial Mozart concerts hosted within the historical development’s Marble Corridor.
Soak up Salzburg from above.
There’s most effective such a lot of Salzburg you’ll be able to see from the field — so Reus recommends heading as much as upper elevations. “Several options make this easy: the Mönchsberg elevator to the Museum of Modern Art, the funicular up to the fortress, or simply walking along Mönchsberg or Kapuzinerberg,” he says. “The view lets you grasp the beauty of Salzburg and its unique setting.”
See a display on the Salzburg Marionette Theatre.
Referred to as one of the crucial oldest proceeding marionette theaters on the planet, the Salzburg Marionette Theatre is a amusing, family-friendly task within the town. Its form of puppet and determine theater used to be additionally named at the Intangible UNESCO Cultural Heritage listing in 2016. Displays length from classical operas and fairy stories to performs and musicals — together with, in fact, “The Sound of Music.”
Progress across the historical heart.
Salzburg’s historical heart is a chosen UNESCO International Heritage Website, and inside this branch, you’ll in finding the Worn The city (Altstadt). Mitchell recommends strolling across the Worn The city — book a lookout for Getreidegasse (the well-known buying groceries side road the place you’ll in finding Mozart’s Birthplace), Worn Town Corridor, and Salzburg Cathedral — and visiting Hohensalzburg Fortress, one of the crucial greatest absolutely upheld castles in Central Europe.
Very best Buying groceries
Getreidegasse
“In terms of real shopping experiences, it’s Getreidegasse,” says Reus, noting that locals generally tend to journey to the buying groceries facilities at the outskirts of the town as opposed to the buying groceries side road within the Worn The city. Along side quite a few retail outlets and cafes, the Getreidegasse options fascinating structure — in particular the via homes, folk passageways that run via constructions.
The Salzburg Schranne
“If it’s a Thursday, I would recommend going to Mirabell Square for the farmers’ market,” says Reus. Held in entrance of Andräkirche Salzburg, the marketplace brings in combination farmers, meals stands, and alternative native and regional manufacturers promoting plant life, snacks, and humanities and crafts.
Linzer Gasse
“Old Town is best on Saturdays with markets and all the shops open,” says Mitchell. “The Linzer Gasse is my favorite area.” The buying groceries side road is the “little sister” of the Getreidegasse, and it’s stuffed with a lineup of retail outlets, eating places, and alternative stop-worthy moments that radiate each historical past and attractiveness.
Very best Eating places
Augustiner Bräu Mülln
Visiting Augustiner Bräu, the biggest beer corridor in Austria, is a will have to for each Reus and Mitchell. “It’s an entirely different world inside, often bustling with people enjoying liter mugs of beer — even on quiet weekdays,” says Reus. “The food court lets groups sample small portions of various local foods to share, so everyone can get a taste of Salzburg.”
Andreas Hofer Weinstube
Reus says Andreas Hofer Weinstube is “the most traditional, with a rustic atmosphere that feels genuinely local.” The status quo has been round for over 100 years and serves up entrees like spaetzle, schnitzel, and spaghetti bolognese.
Meissl & Schadn
In step with Reus, Meissl & Schadn on Getreidegasse is “a bit upscale, but it’s likely the best place for schnitzel in Salzburg.” Pair it with potato salad or parsley tomatoes, and wash it indisposed with a carafe of the home wine. Simply don’t disregard to avoid wasting room for apple strudel, a liked Austrian dessert.
IMLAUER Sky Bar & Eating place
At IMLAUER Sky Bar & Restaurant, Mitchell says you’ll be able to be expecting “great food with panoramic views of the city.” Glance out upon the castle as you experience a cocktail, adopted via a steak or Wiener schnitzel (in the event you haven’t but gotten your fill) and Salzburger Nockerl, one of the vital well-known truffles in Salzburg.
Gasthof Goldgasse
Mitchell describes Gasthof Goldgasse as a “petite traditional eatery in the middle of the Old Town.” Housed in a 700-year-old development, the eating place deals a comfy environment and a menu that includes each classics and up to date interpretations of regional delicacies.” Major lessons come with pan-fried sausage, veal cutlet, and Chateaubriand.
Very best Life to Seek advice from
Mitchell says Salzburg delivers in all 4 seasons, however he recommends the fall months in the event you “want to revel in the harvest atmosphere,” or wintry weather “for fewer crowds and cozy times in the city.” Reus echos his sentiment, sharing that September and October are “perfect.”
“Fall colors are beautiful, the weather is often still pleasant, and the crowds are less,” he says, including that “Rupertikirtag in late September is a wonderful time to experience Austrian traditions at a local fair, similar to Oktoberfest.” Reus additionally notes that December is “magical for the Christmas markets, though it’s a trade-off with shorter days and unpredictable weather.” February and March are cold and rainy, however he says those months “offer the most authentic experience without the usual tourist crowds.”
Tips on how to Get There
Positioned between Vienna and Munich, Salzburg is definitely reachable via airplane or teach. In the event you’re aviation, W. A. Mozart Airport (SZG) might be your ultimate vacation spot, however the ones touring from america will most likely join via Frankfurt, Munich, or London. From SZG, you’ll be able to hop on both the Incorrect. 2 or Incorrect. 10 folk bus into the town; it takes between 15 and 25 mins, relying at the direction. Salzburg may be somewhat simple to get to via teach from maximum primary Eu towns, together with close by Vienna, Munich, Zurich, and Innsbruck. Tickets can also be bought from ÖBB, Westbahn, or Rail Europe.
Tips on how to Get Round
“Salzburg is really great for spontaneous exploration since walking between sights only takes minutes, and most of the city can be explored in a day or two,” says Reus. That mentioned, someone visiting Salzburg will get pleasure from two issues: a excellent pair of strolling sneakers and a Salzburg Card, which permits separate journey on maximum folk transportation throughout the town. To be had for twenty-four, 48, or 72 hours, the cardboard starts at round $30 for adults and comprises one-time admission to the town’s vacationer sights and museums and reductions on occasions, live shows, and alternative tours. Together with your card in hand, you’ll be able to significance Salzburg’s community of buses and electrical trolleys to seamlessly navigate via your itinerary.