Ah, Salzburg. The very name conjures up images of Baroque Europe, accompanied by strains of Mozart and Haydn. Hundreds of years later, Salzburg retains its medieval charm – lavish palaces and cathedrals are set against a stunning backdrop of the snow-capped Alps. Tributes to Mozart, who was born in Salzburg, can be seen throughout the city – from his statue at Mozartplatz, his residence-turned-museum, to the multiple shops selling Mozartkugeln (or Mozart balls), chocolate-coated marzipan balls bearing the wigged musician´s image.
View of Salzburg's Old Town from the Salzach River ©Veronica Lo
Famous sites within Salzburg’s Altstadt (Old Town), which is internationally recognized as a UNSECO World Heritage Site, include the Salzburg Cathedral, Hohensalzburg Castle, Residenz Palace, and Nonnberg Abbey. The view along the banks of the Salzach river is stunning both in the morning and the evening.
After crossing the river, you can visit the Mirabell Palace, noted for its fantastic gardens. The Salzburg Museum, definitely worth a visit, has excellent state-of-the-art interactive exhibits that explain the complicated and turbulent evolution of the city. And make sure you take a stroll down Getreidegasse (which is hard to avoid anyway), where you’ll encounter numerous elegant shops with quaint wrought-iron signage – keep an eye out for the antiques shops for some inexpensive keepsakes.
In summer you can pair your visit to Salzburg with a hiking tour or a music festival (one of the most popular is the Salzburg Festival). In winter, you can accompany your visit with some world-class skiing in the Alps. At any time of the year, if you’re a Sound of Music enthusiast (you know who you are, don´t be afraid to admit it!), there are lots of options for day tours where you can visit all the famous scenes from the musical. Many hostels can put you in touch with tour operators with pick-up and drop-off service.
As a bonus, Salzburg is relatively inexpensive to visit. If you plan to stay for more than a few days, a ´Salzburg Pass´, which most hostels sell, will give you a deal on entrance fees to most attractions. There are lots of affordable hostels, but they fill up quickly, so book at least a few weeks in advance. Eating in also cheap, relative to European standards: even a classy restaurant will only set you back about 9 euros for an excellently prepared wiener schnitzel.
If you’re really counting your change, try the ‘Salzburg special’: a grilled double-wiener in a bun, or head to the kebab place on Getreidegasse, where the friendly Turkish owners will charge a mere 3 euros for a delicious kebab sandwich. And for dessert, don´t forget to order Apfelstrudel with your coffee, or visit Fürst Confiserie for authentic hand-made Mozartkugeln.
