Couple at Kapitelplatz in Salzburg | © Tourismus Salzburg / A. Hechenberger

Only Salzburg can do that: 7 tips for your city trip

Mozart city, festival city, church city or rather beer capital? Any attempts to pigeonhole Salzburg are in vain. Because: Salzburg is all that and so much more. Salzburg is quite simply unique – in every respect. This is also illustrated in our 7 tips for your city break in Salzburg.

1. Nibble on Mozartkugeln & follow in the footsteps of the musical genius

The original Salzburg Mozartkugel is a dream made of marzipan, nougat and pistachio, covered in the finest dark chocolate. Invented in 1890 by Salzburg confectioner Paul Fürst, it quickly became the town's most famous praline and quickly found numerous imitators. Today there are more than 10 (!) different Mozartkugeln in Salzburg alone, all of which are waiting to be sampled on a "Tour de Mozartkugel". Since Mozart's spirit can be felt throughout Salzburg's Old Town, you can get closer to the musician on more than just a culinary level on your discovery walk. Sooner or later you will also pass by Mozart's birthplace and residence as well as numerous other sights that have a connection to the city's most famous son. In addition, several concert series, festivals and events keep his musical legacy alive throughout the year.

2. Explore Salzburg's Getreidegasse & its charming passages.

The Getreidegasse (lit. grain street) – contrary to what its name suggests – was never used to sell grain. However, even in Roman times it was one of the city's most important traffic routes and today it is known primarily as a Shopping street. Its passages, i.e. houses with a public passageway, lend it a unique charm. They offer delightful insights and views into small courtyards with picturesque arcades. Also, many chic little boutiques are hidden here, but also traditional handicraft businesses such as the Sporer liqueur and punch manufactory or the Kirchtag umbrella manufactory. If you get hungry, you should also keep an eye out for the Balkan Grill. At this small, unobtrusive stall you can get the best Bosna in all of Salzburg – two pork sausages wrapped in lightly baked white bread rolls and served with onion, chopped parsley and spices.

3. Be there when the whole town becomes an (open-air) stage.

You cannot imagine Salzburg without its music culture. All year round, it creates a magical atmosphere throughout the town – not only during the festival season. In the first half of the year, top-class festivals such as the Mozart Week or the Salzburg Easter Festival win over their fans. In summer, the famous and popular Salzburg Festival is joined by the Sommerszene, a festival for contemporary performative art. Things continue just as musically in autumn: During the Salzburger Kulturtage music festival for instance, various cultural institutions put on an inspiring range of performances – such as hip-hop dancers dancing to the greatest Broadway musical hits or well-known actors giving readings with musical accompaniment. At Jazz & The City, restaurants, bars and even churches are transformed into venues every year with free admission. The Take The A-Train Festival, which is largely free of charge, also offers an unusual range of venues. A number of bands offer wide-ranging programme of varied musical styles at the coolest locations in and around Salzburg's main railway station. Every year, the traditional Salzburg Advent Singing and the contemporary circus festival Winterfest mark the musical end of the year.

4. Pay a visit to the town's landmark in the heart of Salzburg

Hohensalzburg Fortress towers majestically above the baroque roofs of the Old Town. As an unmistakable part of Salzburg's world-famous silhouette, it is an imposing eye-catcher visible from afar. As the largest completely preserved castle in Central Europe with a history stretching back over 1,000 years, it is a real sight that never fails to fascinate visitors from near and far. It takes about 10 minutes to get up there on foot, or it's easier and a little faster with the fortress funicular. Once at the top, you will be rewarded with a breathtaking view. If you venture behind the thick walls of the castle, you will also gain exciting insights into the life and work of Salzburg's prince archbishops.

5. Be in a Christmas mood all year round.

Salzburg is made for the most wonderful time of the year. The Christmas markets here are among the most beautiful and oldest in the world. The traditional events never fail to enchant and delight visitors, and when the scent of hot chestnuts, spicy mulled wine and delicious biscuits wafts through the alleyways of the old town, even the grumpiest of Christmas grinches has a smile on their face. Wondering what all this has to do with your city holiday? Quite simple: in Salzburg's Christmas Museum you can get into a contemplative mood even when it's 30 degrees and the sun is shining. As a city of culture through and through, Salzburg naturally also has a suitable museum or sight to offer for every other interest.

6. Relaxing outdoors in the countryside after a visit to a museum

In Salzburg, the enjoyment of culture and nature go hand in hand like in hardly any other town. So if you've had your fill of museums, you'll be happy to know that the town is surrounded by picturesque mountains and that it takes less than 10 minutes from the Old Town to get to the countryside. Not only Salzburg's city mountains, but also the surrounding towns are easy to reach and are wonderfully suitable for finding peace and relaxation or for sporting activities such as hiking or cycling.

7. Stop at the beer cellar above the roofs of the city

Last but not least, you should definitely pay a visit to the Stieglkeller. It is located in the middle of Salzburg's city centre, below Hohensalzburg Fortress, and invites you to linger – and of course to drink beer – in its cosy guest garden with a unique view of Salzburg's Old Town. And it's no wonder that the beer tastes good here. After all, Salzburg, with its traditional but also very lively beer culture, is considered the secret beer capital of Austria.

Holidays in Salzburg – simply unique!

From the one and only Mozartkugel, to an old town that becomes a stage, to a stop in a cellar above the rooftops of the city: there is so much that makes Salzburg simply unique that it is definitely also worth staying longer than one or two nights. Maybe you can turn your short trip into a longer holiday to enjoy Salzburg to the full?