Is Salzburg Worth Visiting? 9 Reasons to Convince You YES
Are you wondering whether Salzburg is worth visiting? I’m here to say: absolutely, yes, it is.
Famous for The Sound of Music, being the birthplace of Mozart, and surrounded by the Austrian Alps, Salzburg is a fantastic destination to visit, especially if you love culture, history, music, and mountain scenery.
It’s also a great place to experience traditional Austrian food and charm, with easy connections to other top spots in Austria.
In this post, I’ve attempted to answer the question ‘Is Salzburg worth visiting?’ by sharing nine good reasons you should consider planning a trip there.
I honestly loved Salzburg. I wasn’t too sure what to expect, but it’s a calm city that has a little bit of everything. It’s certainly a city I would love to return to one day.
Reasons to visit Salzburg
It’s where The Sound of Music was filmed
In 1964, Salzburg was the backdrop to the famous movie ‘The Sound of Music’. Although not popular in Austria, the film helped put Salzburg on the map for tourists worldwide.
For movie fans, it’s possible to explore several of the filming locations for The Sound of Music in Salzburg. Not only is there the iconic Sound of Music Tour, but it’s also possible to do a self-guided walking tour or join a cycling tour to walk in the footsteps of the Von Trapp family.
I personally loved Fräulein Maria’s Bicycle Tour. The guides are fantastic, and it’s perfect for the whole family.
If you’d prefer to do your own self-guided tour of the filming locations, here are the must-include spots on your itinerary, most of which have free admission.
- Mirabell Palace and Mirabell Gardens
- St Peter’s Abbey & Cemetery
- Nonnberg Abbey
- Residenzplatz
- Schloss Leopoldskron viewpoint
- Hellbrunn Palace and Fountains
It’s a beautiful city
Surrounded by the Austrian Alps and filled with historic buildings and cobblestone streets, Salzburg is an incredibly beautiful city.
If you prefer to avoid big urban cities with skyscrapers, office buildings, and busy roads, then Salzburg may be the answer.
Salzburg really couldn’t be more different to the Austrian capital of Vienna, and it’s a much better option for those who prefer being close to nature and away from city chaos. On the banks of the Salzach river, the city has plenty of open green spaces and beautiful mountain views.
The charming Old Town feels particularly special. With its baroque architecture, historic city squares, and traditional shops, walking through the city centre feels like stepping back in time.
It’s easy to get to the mountains
One of my favourite things about Salzburg is its setting and location. Right by the Austrian Alps, cities don’t get much more beautiful or well-located than this (for nature lovers, at least).
On a clear day, it’s possible to see the breathtaking mountains from the city centre. This helps to give it a less urban feel, and it means you can easily escape the city chaos.
If you hire a bike in Salzburg, you can be in the countryside within twenty minutes. Several bike tours take you out into the countryside, including the Fräulein Maria Bike tour (my personal favourite), which includes stops at Schloss Leopoldskron, Hellbrunn Palace and a cycle along the Salzach River.
It also means it’s the perfect city to base yourself if you want to see some of the Austrian Alps. It’s easy to take day trips to areas such as Werfen to visit the Ice Caves, Untersberg to ride the mountain cable car, and Berchtesgaden to visit the Eagle’s Nest.
It’s also possible to visit the stunning mountain town of Hallstatt from Salzburg. Here, you’ll find breathtaking mountain views and the Hallstatt Salt Mines, the oldest salt mine in the world.
With an international airport and excellent public transportation links to towns such as Zell am See and Innsbruck, Salzburg is also a fantastic city to add to the beginning or end of a hiking or skiing trip.
It’s filled with history and culture
Salzburg is a fantastic destination for culture buffs. Aside from being where Mozart was born, the city is home to the world-famous Salzburg Festival. Held every year in July or August, the festival celebrates the city’s deep musical and cultural past, including its connection to Mozart.
With concert festivals, opera & theatre performances, and exhibitions all over the city, the Salzburg Festival is one of the world’s most prestigious cultural events.
Salzburg’s Old Town (Altstadt) is also designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, boasting a wealth of historic buildings and culturally significant sites.
If you’re a fan of history and culture, don’t miss visiting the following attractions while in Salzburg:
- Attending a midday concert at Salzburg Cathedral (book tickets in advance)
- Wander around ResidenzPlatz and visit the DomQuartier museum
- Take the funicular up to Hohensalzburg Fortress and visit one of the exhibits
- Explore St Peter’s Abbey and Cemetery, one of the oldest monasteries in the region
- Visit one of the museums, including the Museum of Modern Art
It’s the birthplace of Mozart
Salzburg is the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, one of the world’s most celebrated composers.
Back in the 1700s, Mozart was born in “Hagenauer House”, right in the heart of Salzburg’s Old Town. Today, it’s possible to enter Mozart’s birthplace and explore the museum dedicated to Mozart.
Mozart’s Birthplace is one of the most popular museums in Austria, and it’s an absolute must-visit for any fan of his work, and even those who are less familiar. Inside, you’ll be able to explore the original rooms, admire a collection of artwork and exhibits and learn more about his famous music.
You can also enter the Mozart Residence, the house where the Mozart family lived in the late 1700s.
Mozart is celebrated all around the city, and you’ll even find a statue dedicated to him in Mozartplatz.
Don’t miss trying a Mozart Ball while in Salzburg. This local confectionery consists of pistachio cream and marzipan, and is coated in chocolate.
It’s small, calm and easy to explore
If you’re like me and not the biggest fan of giant cities, I’ve got good news for you – Salzburg isn’t your typical major city.
Firstly, Salzburg is very walkable. I don’t think I used public transport once within the city itself. Most of the sights are within walking or cycling distance from the city centre, and it’s the perfect place to explore without having to worry about taxis and public transportation.
I also found Salzburg to be a very calm place. Yes, it can get busy with tourists, but when it comes to traffic and general hustle & bustle, Salzburg is one of the calmest cities I’ve visited.
It’s also very easy to escape that ‘city feeling’. The Salzach River runs right through the heart of Salzburg, and the riverbanks are a beautiful place to relax.
Salzburg is also a very green city, filled with numerous parks and green spaces. When visiting Salzburg, it doesn’t feel like you’re in one of Austria’s major cities.
It’s home to incredible Austrian food (and coffee shops)
Austria is known for its tasty food, and there is no better place to get acquainted with local dishes than Salzburg.
The city is filled with traditional Austrian restaurants where you’ll find local favourites, such as Apple Strudel, Kaspressknödel, Wiener Schnitzel and Salzburger Nockerl.
I also loved the coffee shop and bakery scene in Salzburg. There are countless traditional coffee shops which serve up the most incredible pastries and coffee.
However, there are also several more modern places to try. Close to Salzburg Cathedral is 220Grad, which serves some of the best coffee I have ever had in my entire life (and I don’t say that lightly).
I also recommend My Mom’s Bakery for some delicious pastries. They serve a variety of cakes and sweet treats, including several flavours of cinnamon swirls (the Biscoff one is DIVINE).
You can visit all year round
Salzburg can be visited throughout the year. There’s no bad time to visit, and each season comes with its own benefits. This makes it an excellent destination for a city break at any time of year.
The summer months are considered the high season in Salzburg, with July and August being particularly busy. Despite the crowds, it’s still a great place to visit.
Iconic spots such as Mirabell Palace come to life in the summer, with the beautiful gardens filled with blooming flowers. The city’s riverbanks are also perfect for relaxing and enjoying the sunshine, with several cafes and bars offering stunning views on those sunny summer days.
If you prefer to avoid the crowds but still want favourable weather, consider a visit in the spring or autumn.
Salzburg is also an excellent option for those wanting to experience Europe at Christmas, as the city hosts a renowned Christmas Market known as the Salzburger Christkindlmarkt.
It has a bit of everything
One of the best things about Salzburg is how it seems to have a little bit of something for everyone. There are some fantastic cultural spots; it’s filled with history, home to world-class food, and it’s close to the mountains.
History buff? Visit one of the many museums.
Interested in Austrian culture? Explore Mozart’s birthplace or visit during the Salzburg Festival.
Want to try delicious food? Make a reservation at one of the many Austrian restaurants.
Bored of the city? Head into the mountains for the day.
Want to experience the nightlife? Try a rooftop bar with views over the river.
Is Salzburg worth visiting for one day?
One day in Salzburg is enough time to explore the main historic sites of the Old City, and potentially even add in a morning or afternoon tour. So, yes – it is worth visiting Salzburg for one day.
However, if you can, I recommend spending at least two days in Salzburg. This will allow you to get a better feel for the city, spend more time exploring the many attractions and trying some of the delicious Austrian food.
If you happen to be visiting another destination in Austria, such as Zell am See or Innsbruck, certainly consider adding Salzburg to your travel itinerary. The airport is well-connected to other destinations in Europe and has connecting flights to international destinations, including New York.
For those with one day, I also suggest looking into the Salzburg Card. The card includes entry to many of the museums and attractions, allowing you to see as much as possible in just 24 hours.
Salzburg vs Vienna: Which to choose?
If you only have time to visit either Salzburg or Vienna, choosing between the two can be tricky. Both cities are very different, and there are pros and cons to both.
Personally, I much prefer Salzburg to Vienna. Salzburg had much more character, felt less overwhelming, and just felt overall nicer. It’s in a beautiful setting with the river and the mountains, and the Old Town (Altstadt) feels very different to other European cities.
While Vienna is also a fantastic place to visit, it shares similarities with many other major European cities. I also didn’t think there was a lot to do there, especially if you’re not into visiting lots of museums (which is the case for me).
Here are some pros and cons for when it comes to choosing between Vienna and Salzburg.
Vienna pros:
- There are lots of museums
- Excellent for opera fans
- Very international feel to it, with plenty of restaurants serving different cuisines
- Good nightlife
Vienna cons:
- Feels similar to other European cities
- Not in the best location for easy day trips (other than Bratislava or Hallstatt)
- Far from the mountains
- Feels very busy, with lots of traffic
- Not a lot to do away from the museums
Salzburg pros:
- Small, walkable city, and most attractions are a short walk from each other
- In an excellent location and close to the mountains, with a variety of day trips
- Much calmer than Vienna, with less traffic and fewer busy roads
- Full of character and charm
- An excellent place to try local Austrian food
- More variety of things to do
Salzburg cons:
- You can see most of the main city centre sights in a day (but plenty of other things to do)
- Some people might find it too quiet at night/lack of nightlife
Although I prefer Salzburg, that doesn’t mean Vienna isn’t still a good choice. If you love museums and big cities, there’s no reason why you won’t enjoy a trip to Vienna.
So, is Salzburg worth visiting? Yes, yes and yes! Salzburg is a wonderful city, and I believe it has the perfect balance of city sights and nature. It’s a fantastic destination to spend a couple of days exploring.
