The Ultimate Salzburg Travel Guide: All You Need to Know
Planning a trip to Salzburg in Austria? I’m here to help. This incredible city is the perfect destination for a European city break, as well as a great addition to a larger European trip.
I must admit – Salzburg had never been on my list of ‘must-visit’ places. However, my mum had always wanted to explore Austria, so we decided to add it to our itinerary.
Turns out, Salzburg has become one of my favourite cities in Europe. It’s no secret that I’m not a city person, but surrounded by mountains, Salzburg has the perfect balance of nature, cultural sites, and history. I absolutely loved it.
It’s also well-connected to many other areas of Austria, including the country’s capital city, Vienna, the mountain town of Hallstatt, and the ski resort of Zell am See. This makes it the perfect city to add to your Austria itinerary.
In this Salzburg travel guide, I’ve shared all you need to know about visiting Salzburg, including how long to spend there, where to stay, what to eat and some helpful tips to help you get the most from your trip.
How many days to spend in Salzburg
Salzburg is a relatively small city, but you still need to spend a few days there to see all the sights.
Personally, I think two days is the perfect amount of time to see Salzburg’s highlights, while three days will allow you to explore some hidden gems or even go on a day trip from Salzburg.
If you only have one day in Salzburg, you can still see the main attractions, explore a museum, and try some of the amazing food.
However, if possible, I recommend spending at least two days in Salzburg to get the most out of your trip.
When is the best time of year to visit Salzburg?
Salzburg is a year-round destination, and it all comes down to what you want from your trip.
The spring and autumn are arguably the best times to visit. The crowds will be less overwhelming, and the city and surrounding mountains are open to be explored.
The summer is a great time to visit Salzburg, but with growing crowds, it can feel a bit overwhelming. July and August are known to be the peak season in Salzburg, so avoid these months if you don’t want to deal with huge crowds.
Side note: The Salzburg Festival typically takes place in August. This is one of the most important festivals in the world of opera and music. While an incredible experience, expect the city to be very busy.
Winter is also a fantastic time to visit Salzburg, especially if you want to try your hand at skiing. Salzburg is very close to ski resorts such as Zell am See, so it’s the perfect destination for a mix of mountains and culture.
If you choose to visit Salzburg in December, you’ll enter a winter wonderland of Christmas markets and festivities.
One thing to know about Salzburg in the winter is that many of the historic fountains are covered for protection. This might not be an issue, but if there’s a particular statue or fountain you want to see, be aware it might not be visible at the height of winter.
In my opinion, the shoulder season months of March, April, May, September and October are the best times to visit Salzburg.
Where to stay in Salzburg
Salzburg is a relatively small city, and it’s hard to go wrong with where you choose to stay.
Most of the accommodation areas and hotels are well within walking distance of the Old Town, restaurants and bars.
Here are some of the best places to stay in Salzburg.
The Old Town (Alstadt)
Salzburg’s Old Town is right in the heart of the city. If you choose to stay here, you’ll be close to the majority of attractions.
The only downside is that the city centre draws in the crowds. The streets can get very busy, and the accommodation tends to be more expensive.
Having said that, the city centre doesn’t have many busy roads, so it tends to be on the quieter side at night.
👉 Good accommodation options include the Radisson Blu, the trendy Hotel Stein (adults only), the historic Hotel Sacher, and budget-friendly Altstadthotel Kasererbräu.
The New Town (Neustadt)
Located just across from the Salzach River, Salzburg’s new town is a great place to stay in Salzburg. It’s close to the major attractions, such as Mirabell Gardens, and tends to be slightly cheaper than the main centre.
Despite its name, Neustadt was developed in the 17th to 19th centuries and is filled with historic buildings.
This is the area I stayed in and I can’t recommend it enough. We opted for these apartments by Mirabell. They have everything you need, are modern and perfectly located.
In my opinion, Newstadt is the best place to stay in Salzburg.
👉 Other accommodation options include the Hyperion Hotel, the budget-friendly Hotel Andra, and the impressive Sheraton Grand.
Nonntal
If you prefer peace and quiet, consider the residential area of Nonntal. Although still close to many of the historic attractions, Nonntal is known for its green spaces and proximity to the Salzburg countryside.
If you want to be well-located but away from the hustle and bustle, Nonntal is a fantastic choice.
One thing to be aware of is that there are limited restaurants in the area. If you want to eat out at night, you’ll need to walk into the city centre or take the bus/taxi.
👉 Accommodation options include Hotel Via Roma and Jufa Salzburg.
What to do in Salzburg
Despite being a small city, there’s no shortage of things to see and do in Salzburg. I’m working on a whole guide on what to do in Salzburg, but here’s a quick summary of the top things to include in your itinerary.
Join a Sound of Music Tour
The iconic movie ‘The Sound of Music’ was filmed in Salzburg in the 1960s. Despite not being overly popular with locals, the film helped to put Salzburg on the tourist map and attracts hundreds of thousands of people every year to see the many filming locations in the Salzburg area.
Now, there are several ways to experience The Sound of Music in Salzburg, including a bike tour and a bus tour.
Wander the Old Town
The Old Town (Alstadt) is filled with iconic sights to add to your Salzburg itinerary. From Mozart’s Birthplace to the Hohensalzburg Fortress, there is no shortage of things to do in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
I recommend dedicating at least one full day to exploring the Old Town on foot. Here are some unmissable spots:
- Get views of the city from the Hohensalzburg Fortress (take the funicular up to the top)
- Visit the Salzburg Cathedral (Dom zu Salzburg)
- Wander around Residenzplatz and see the Horse Fountain
- Try some local food, including a bread roll from Stiftsbäckerei, Salzburg’s oldest bakery
- Visit St Peter’s Abbey and enter the catacombs
- Find various Sound of Music filming locations
- Go shopping on Getreidegasse, a historic shopping street in the Old Town
- Walk up to Nonnberg Abbey for epic views of the mountains
Visit a museum
Salzburg has several museums well worth visiting. Some of the top museums include Mozart’s Residence, Mozart’s Birthplace, DomQuartier, and the Modern Art Museum.
Try some local food
Salzburg is home to some of the best food in Austria, and there are several dishes well worth trying. I’ve shared some of these further down in this post, but some of my favourite restaurants in Salzburg include:
- Zum Zirkelwirt (Austrian)
- Cafe Bazar (For traditional Austrian cakes and pastries)
- Zwettler’s Wirsthaus (Austrian food)
- Yuen (For Asian food)
- Yoji (For sushi, including vegetarian)
- Humboldt (Great brunch spot)
- The Heart of Joy (Vegan restaurant)
- 220 Grad (Coffee spot)
Go on a day trip
Salzburg is an excellent base for exploring further afield, both independently and as part of a group tour.
Some of the best day trips from Salzburg include:
- A day trip to Werfen and the Werfen Ice Caves
- To the mountain town of Hallstatt
- Berchtesgaden to see Eagle’s Nest
- To Untersberg and ride the Cable Car into the mountains
- For a bit further afield, consider Munich or Zell am See
Is the Salzburg Card worth it?
As with most major cities in the world, it’s possible to buy a tourist card that gives you access to several of the top attractions. In Salzburg, it’s called the Salzburg Card.
The card is available for 24, 48, or 72 hours and includes entry to most attractions and public transportation within the city.
So, is it worth it? Well, it depends. If you want to visit several of the museums, then yes, it likely will be worth it. If you only plan to see one or two of the attractions, then you’ll probably save money by paying the direct entry fees.
I suggest deciding on which museums and attractions you want to see, adding up the entry fees and working out if you’ll save money purchasing the Salzburg Card.
Despite visiting a couple of the museums, I opted not to get the card. It was cheaper to pay the upfront fees for where I wanted to go.
However, my mum (who I was travelling with) did get the card. She wanted to see a few more of the attractions and museums than I did, and she certainly saved a bit of money.
Best things to eat in Salzburg
Salzburg is an excellent place to try some traditional Austrian food. The city is renowned for its culinary scene and boasts some of its own local delicacies.
Here are some must-try foods in Salzburg:
Salzburger Nockerl: For those with a sweet tooth, a Salzburger Nockerl is a must-try. The desert is a local favourite and you’ll find many restaurants with it on the menu. The dish is almost like a soufflé crossed with a dumpling, and it’s often served with raspberry sauce.
Kasnocken: This was one of my favourite Austrian dishes, and a great option for vegetarians. The dish consists of Austrian dumplings that are tossed with cheese.
Schnitzel: One of Austria’s most popular dishes, you’ll find schnitzel served all over the country, but Salzburg is one of the best places to try it. It’s traditionally pork or veal that is breaded and fried.
Apple Strudel (Apfelstrudel): This traditional Austrian dessert is a must-try while in Salzburg. Similar to a warm apple pie, the Austrians know how to perfect this sweet treat.
Mozart Balls (Mozartkugel): Mozart Balls are a famous Austrian confectionery that were invented in Salzburg in the 1800s, and named after the famous composer. It typically consists of a pistachio cream centre with marzipan and is coated in chocolate. You’ll find them all over the city, but the original shop, Konditorei Fürst, sells the best ones.
Is Salzburg safe to visit?
Yes! Salzburg is generally a very safe city to visit, as is Austria as a whole.
Of course, crime can occur anywhere in the world, and Salzburg is no stranger to petty crimes such as pickpocketing. When walking around the city, ensure your belongings are in a safe place. I use a cross-body bag to keep my valuables close to me at all times.
Although phone snatching isn’t as common in Salzburg as in other cities (looking at you, London), it’s not a sensible idea to walk around with your phone out and on show. This makes it easy for criminals to snatch your phone and make a quick getaway.
Having said all of this, I felt very safe in Salzburg and would happily visit as a solo female traveller.
Salzburg packing list
What you pack will entirely depend on what your plans are, but here are a few essentials to remember.
Comfortable shoes: Salzburg is a very walkable city, and you often don’t need to use public transport much (depending on where your accommodation is). Even so, I suggest packing comfortable shoes as you can easily do 20,000 steps in a day in a city like Salzburg.
Cross-body bag: Europe has become a hub for petty crimes, such as pickpocketing and phone snatching. I suggest using a cross-body bag that can sit on the front of your chest or waist to keep your valuables safe.
Rain jacket/umbrella: Salzburg is surrounded by the mountains and the weather can be unpredictable.
Appropriate clothes for the season: Austria follows the traditional seasons; summers can get very hot, and winters can be very cold. Ensure you have suitable clothing for the weather.
Reusable water bottle: It’s safe to drink the tap water in Austria; in fact, Austria is known to have some of the cleanest drinking water in the world. Save money and take a reusable water bottle with you. There are water refill stations around the city, and cafes always seemed happy to fill mine up.
Reusable shopping bags: Austria is very conscious about protecting the environment and imposes charges on the purchase of plastic bags. I recommend carrying a reusable bag in case you want to buy something.
Insect repellent: In the summer, the bugs and midgets can be a little bit annoying in Salzburg. I suggest packing some insect repellent to avoid any irritating bites.
Sun protection: Don’t forget to pack sun protection, especially if you plan to head into the mountains. The sun can be very strong there, and many of the trails are completely exposed.
Other tips for visiting Salzburg
Have cash and change: It’s useful to have some small change in Salzburg. While most places now accept cards, smaller businesses and market stalls sometimes prefer cash. You’ll also need coins to pay for public toilets.
Tipping in Austria: Tipping isn’t customary in Austria, but it is appreciated. I found that most restaurants didn’t include it on the bill, so we often rounded up the amount by 5-10%.
Consider taking a day trip: Salzburg is well-positioned for exploring other nearby attractions and towns. Consider taking day trips from Salzburg to Werfen, Hallstatt, and even Munich.
Start your day early: Salzburg is one of the most popular places to visit in Austria, and many of the attractions can get very crowded. Try to start your day as early as possible to avoid the worst of the crowds.
Book in advance: If you’re visiting Salzburg in the peak season or summer, book any activities you want to do in advance. It’s not uncommon for the popular tours, such as The Sound of Music, to sell out well in advance.
How to get around Salzburg
Luckily, Salzburg is a very small city, and for the most part, you won’t need to worry too much about public transport. In fact, I didn’t once need to use a bus or train to get around the city itself.
Having said that, the city does have a good bus network. You can buy tickets from small convenience stores or via the Salzburg Verkehr app.
Cycling is another popular way to get around Salzburg, with bike lanes available throughout the city. You can hire a bike from one of the many shops that are dotted around the city.
Uber is also available in Salzburg.
Summary: Is Visiting Salzburg worth it?
Yes, yes and yes again. In fact, I’m so convinced that Salzburg is worth adding to your Austrian itinerary that I’ve written a whole guide to convince you to visit.
I absolutely loved Salzburg, and I wouldn’t hesitate to visit again in the future. Despite being a city, it doesn’t feel overwhelming, and there is plenty to see and do. It’s got the perfect balance of nature, cultural sights, history and a great food and drinks scene.
It’s calm, beautiful and surrounded by incredible mountains. If you’re looking for a hiking trip, Salzburg is on the doorstep of many incredible hiking destinations, including the wonderful Zell am See.
I’m so glad I finally made it to Salzburg.
