Salzburg guide 

Sights and Monuments - In this article you will learn about famous sights in Salzburg such as Salzburg Castle, Residenzplatz, Mozarteum and others.

Accommodation - In this article you will find recommendations for different types of accommodation in Salzburg, from luxury hotels in the city center to pleasant guesthouses or cheap hostels.

Food and drink - What should you try in Salzburg?

Practical travel advice - What to visit, how to travel around the city, local customs, weather...

Festivals – There are many festivals held in Salzburg – here you can choose which one you like the most.

Celebrities - Information not only about the most famous native W.A. Mozart.

Weather - When does it rain, snow and what about temperatures? Four seasons in Salzburg.

Poem - What has artificial intelligence invented about Salzburg?

Salzburg is a beautiful Austrian city known for its history, cultural heritage and picturesque surroundings. In translation, Salzburg means "salt castle".

Salzburg is located in the north of Austria, not far from the border with Germany. It lies on the Salzach River and is surrounded by the Alps.

The city's rich history dates back to the Middle Ages, when the Archbishop of Salzburg resided here.

In Salzburg you will find a lot of historical and architectural treasures. Important monuments include the Salzburg Castle, the Cathedral of St. Rupert and St. Virgil, and also the Residenzplatz square with the Residenzbrunnen Fountain.

Salzburg is also famous as the birthplace of one of the greatest musicians of all time, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. His birthplace, Mozart's apartment building, and other places associated with his life are popular tourist attractions.

Salzburger Festspiele, a world-famous classical music festival, is held in Salzburg every summer.

Many buildings in Salzburg were built in the Baroque style, which gives the city a special atmosphere. Here you can for example take a walk through the Mirabell Baroque Gardens.

The historic center of Salzburg was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1996.

The surroundings of Salzburg offer beautiful scenery - Alps, lakes and picturesque villages.

Millions of visitors head here every year.

Landmarks and monuments

Salzburg Castle (Festung Hohensalzburg) - the landmark of the city. This impressive castle is one of the largest surviving medieval fortresses in Europe. It offers a wonderful view of the city and the Alps.

Cathedral of St. Rupert and St. Virgila (Salzburger Dom) - The cathedral in the city center is the symbol of Salzburg and is famous for its baroque interior and excellent organ.

Residenzplatz and the Residenzbrunnen Fountain - The Residenzplatz square is surrounded by several important buildings, including the Residenzbrunnen, one of the largest Baroque fountains in Central Europe.

Mozart's Birthplace (Mozarts Geburtshaus) – The musical genius Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in 1756 in this building on Getreidegasse. It now serves as a museum where visitors can view Mozart's personal items and musical instruments.

Getreidegasse - This picturesque street is one of the most famous shopping streets in the old town. It offers a typical Salzburg atmosphere with historic buildings, boutiques and traditional cafes.

Mirabell Gardens and Castle – These magnificent baroque gardens and castle were built in the 17th century. Here you can admire the famous flower arrangements, sculptures and views of the Hohensalzburg fortress.

DomQuartier - The DomQuartier complex includes several important historic buildings, including the Residenzplatz, the cathedral and the Residenzgalerie. Visitors can walk through these monuments and learn more about the city's history.

Mozarteum - This music school was founded in 1841 on the 50th anniversary of Mozart's death. It became an important center for the study of music. It attracts students from all over the world.

Accommodations

Salzburg offers a wide range of accommodation from hostels and apartments to guesthouses and hotels to the most luxurious 5-star options. The city hosts several important cultural festivals, so you better book your accommodation well in advance, as the city tends to be full during festivals.

At the top of the Mönchsberg hill you will find the luxurious 5* Hotel Schloss Mönchstein with a panoramic view of the city. The hotel is surrounded by a park with a large swimming pool. In the wellness center you can relax in the sauna or steam bath or enjoy one of the massages or cosmetic procedures. The local restaurant is decorated with a Michelin star.

If you like history and luxury, check out the 4* Small Luxury Hotel Goldgasse, which is housed in a historic building from the 14th century on the pedestrian zone in the city center. In the local restaurant you can taste local specialties accompanied by Austrian wines.

Near the center, you can stay in the small family guesthouse The Little Guesthouse. You can park your vehicle or store your bicycles here for free. You can relax on the terrace or the adjacent garden.

If you prefer quiet, traditional accommodation outside the busy city center, you might be interested in the smaller 3* family hotel Bloberger Hof. The hotel is located about 5 km from the historic center of Salzburg. You can rent bicycles here for free or, for a small fee, e-bikes. The restaurant serves traditional Austrian dishes. There is a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains from the rooms and the covered terrace.

Hostel Institut St.Sebastian certainly belongs among the cheapest accommodation in the center. You can sleep here both in a shared room and in a double room with a private bathroom. Here you can cook in the shared kitchen, park your bikes in the storage room or relax on the roof terrace.

If you prefer apartments with their own kitchen, look at the aparthotel master Linzergasse, which is located in the center of Salzburg. It offers more than 20 apartments and you can also stay here with pets.

For a complete offer of accommodation in Salzburg, we recommend using A-HOTEL.com. You can also use Booking.com offer for Salzburg.

Food and drink

The most famous local dishes are sweets, so in Salzburg we exceptionally start with desserts:

Mozart balls - a world-famous confectionery product. They invented the recipe for this praline in Salzburg in 1890. It is made from high-quality pistachio marzipan, nougat cream and dark chocolate.

Salzburg gnocchi – a well-known sweet dessert made from whipped and baked egg whites. The shape is supposed to resemble the snow-capped peaks of the mountains around Salzburg.

Sacher Torte – This famous cake is an iconic dessert in Austria and has become famous all over the world. It is a chocolate cake with a layer of apricot jam, covered with chocolate frosting.

Kaiserschmarrn - or imperial jerky - another traditional Austrian dessert, this time made from pancake batter. It is served sweet with fruit sauce, sprinkled with sugar.

Schnitzel - Although originally from Vienna, Schnitzel is a popular dish throughout Austria. It is a slice of meat, usually beef or pork, that is salted, coated in flour, egg and breadcrumbs, then fried.

Erdäpfelsalat - Potato salad is used as a frequent side dish in Austrian cuisine. Boiled potatoes are mixed with onions, sour cream, vinegar and herbs.

Austrian wines - Austria is known for its quality wines, especially white varieties such as Grüner Veltliner and Riesling.

Weißbier – light beer is drunk even more than wine in Austria. Beer has been brewed in Salzburg since the 14th century. Today, you can find 10 breweries in the city and its immediate surroundings. Everyone brews a different beer, so you have plenty to choose from.

Practical advice before the trip

The main tourist attractions, including Salzburg Cathedral and Hohensalzburg Castle, are located in the historic city center (Altstadt). The entire center can be walked on foot, you can discover picturesque streets along the way. You can easily reach further parts of the city by bus or trolleybus.

Consider purchasing the Salzburg Card, a tourist card that gives you free entry to many museums and historical sites, as well as unlimited access to public transport.

You can buy tickets for major attractions online in advance to avoid queues. Most tourist spots also offer guided tours that can give you more information about the city's history and culture.

Try local culinary specialties such as mozart balls and visit traditional Austrian restaurants and cafes. You can also explore the local markets and souvenir shops.

If you have time to spare, explore the surroundings of Salzburg. The beautiful nature of the Salzkammergut (Salt Chamber) is easily accessible and offers beautiful lakes and mountain scenery.

Keep in mind that the weather in Salzburg can change quickly. Therefore, take suitable clothes with you, especially if you plan to visit mountainous areas.

Learn about local customs and etiquette. For example, the locals usually say "Grüß Gott" (Hello, God bless you).

German is spoken in Austria, but in tourist areas you can almost always communicate in English without any problems.

Festivals

Salzburg is known for its rich cultural heritage, which is why it hosts many festivals throughout the year. Some of the most important festivals in Salzburg include:

Salzburger Festspiele (Salzburg Festival) - This prestigious festival of classical music and theater takes place every year from July to August. They consider it one of the most important cultural events in the world and it brings first-class performances of classical music, opera and theater.

Mozartwoche (Mozart Week) - This festival is dedicated to the life and work of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who was born in Salzburg. Held every year in January, it includes concerts, operas and other Mozart-related events.

Salzburger Jazz-Herbst (Salzburger Jazz Autumn) - A jazz festival held every autumn brings a wide variety of jazz performers and styles to Salzburg. Concerts are held at various locations throughout the city.

Osterfestspiele (Easter Festival) - Another festival focused on classical music. The Easter Festival takes place during the Easter season. It offers concerts, operas and other cultural events.

Apart from the main festivals, you can visit many other cultural events, concerts and art exhibitions in Salzburg throughout the year. It's always a good idea to check up-to-date information and festival dates before planning a visit, as they can vary each year. However, the Salzburg festivals provide a unique opportunity to experience the rich cultural scene of this historic city.

Celebrities

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) – undoubtedly the most important resident of Salzburg, one of the greatest music composers in history. Mozart was born in Salzburg and his birthplace is now a museum dedicated to his life and work.

Christian Doppler (1803-1853) - physicist and mathematician, known for the Doppler effect. He was born in Salzburg. Its discovery is related to the observation of a change in wave frequency, which has important applications in physics and medicine.

Herbert von Karajan (1908-1989) - one of the most recognized conductors of the 20th century. He came from Salzburg and was the artistic director of the Salzburg Festival for many years.

Max Reinhardt (1873-1943) - famous Austrian director and producer. He greatly contributed to the development of the Salzburg Festivals. In his honor, they named Max-Reinhardt-Platz, one of the main squares in Salzburg, after him.

Joseph Mohr (1792-1848) - Catholic priest and poet. He wrote the text of the Christmas carol "Silent Night". Mohr served as a priest in the church of St. Nicholas in the town of Oberndorf near Salzburg.

Weather

Salzburg has a predominantly mild continental climate with four distinct seasons.
During the summer months, temperatures rise to 25-30 °C during the day, and cool down at night. It often rains in summer.

It doesn't rain much in autumn, but temperatures gradually drop.

Winter in Salzburg is usually cold, average daytime temperatures drop to zero, nighttime temperatures below freezing. It snows quite often here.

In spring, temperatures begin to rise, with daytime temperatures gradually increasing, although nighttime temperatures can still be cool. In the spring, Salzburg blooms and is covered in bright colors.

Salzburg has a pleasant climate that allows visitors to enjoy a variety of activities throughout the year. The best time to visit may depend on specific interests. The summer months are usually the warmest and offer ideal conditions for walking and outdoor activities, while in winter, Salzburg attracts skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts.

A poem about Salzburg according to artificial intelligence

In the heart of the Alps, where the mountains bend,
Salzburg stands with its pride and beauty.
Booming music dances in the air,
Mozart's notes that sound proudly in the heart.

Roofs ancient, as in a dream fairy tale,
Hohensalzburg Castle watches over the city.
With every step the magic of history,
In the ancient streets of love full of melody.

The Salzach River hugs the city,
Bridges connect the past with the present.
A piece of history shines in every square,
As the sun on every house bends down to us.

Clouds caress Salzburg with their gentle touch,
Eternal summer is dreamed of in the Mirabell Gardens.
Jazz notes dance in the air,
And the beat of life pulsates under Salzburg.

Salzburg, the city of dreams and melodies,
Where music embraces the mountains in a tender embrace.
In the heart of Europe your song sounds
Salzburg, I will find a piece of my paradise in you.