Salzburg holidays

How to reach Salzburg

• Flight time: Flights to Salzburg from London take about 2 hours, while from other major UK airports like Manchester and Edinburgh, flights start from around 3.5 hours, including a stopover.

• Transfer time: From Salzburg Airport, either the No. 2 or No. 10 buses take 15 to 25 minutes to reach the central train station and run every 15 to 20 minutes. By taxi, the same journey takes 15 to 20 minutes.

• Price: The airport bus is a budget-friendly option at about €2.70. A taxi costs around €15–€20.

Best time to visit Salzburg

Salzburg is charming year-round, but the best time to visit depends on what you want to experience.

• March to May: Spring is lovely in Salzburg, with flowers blooming and temperatures ranging from 10 to 20°C. This is an excellent time for outdoor activities and sightseeing with moderate rainfall.

• June to August: Summer is high season, with temperatures averaging between 20 and 25°C. The city buzzes with festivals like the Salzburg Festival in July and August. Longer days have plenty of sunshine and low rainfall.

• September to November: Autumn offers a quieter, picturesque setting with temperatures from 10 to 20°C and low rainfall. This period is perfect for hiking and exploring without the summer crowds.

• December to February: Winter transforms Salzburg into a snowy wonderland, ideal for enjoying the festive atmosphere as the city hosts charming Christmas markets. Temperatures range from -2 to 5°C, with approximately 60–90mm snowfall a month.

Practical information

• Spoken languages: German is the official language. English is widely understood in tourist areas, but learning a few basic German phrases is appreciated.

• Local habits and customs: Austrians are generally formal and polite. It’s customary to greet with a firm handshake and maintain eye contact. Punctuality is valued, so always be on time for appointments and reservations.

• Currency: Austria uses the Euro (€). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, but it is always good to have some cash on hand for smaller establishments.

• Getting around: Salzburg has an efficient public transport system. A single bus or train ticket costs around €3. Consider getting the Salzburg Card, which offers free public transport and entry to many attractions (24 hours €28, 48 hours €36, 72 hours €41).

• Electricity and plug types: Austria's supply is 230V and uses the standard European plug types C and F. UK travellers will need a plug adaptor.

• Time zone: Salzburg is in the Central European Time Zone (CET), which is 1 hour ahead of GMT.

• Required travel documentation: UK travellers just need a valid passport to enter Austria. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days.

Best things to do in Salzburg

Salzburg, often hailed as the city of music, offers a wealth of attractions, combining its rich history, beautiful architecture and cultural vibrancy. Here's a look at some of the best things to do during holidays to Salzburg.

Viewpoints and panoramas

• Hohensalzburg Fortress: Perched on Festungsberg hill, this massive fortress offers stunning views over Salzburg. You can reach it on Austria’s oldest funicular or by walking up.

• Kapuzinerberg: This lovely, forested hill on the eastern side of Salzburg offers panoramic views of the city and the Alps. The hike up is rewarding and not too strenuous.

• Mönchsberg: This mountain provides another fantastic viewpoint, especially from the terrace of the sleek concrete-and-glass Museum der Moderne. The Mönchsberg lift makes the ascent easy and quick.

The best districts

• Altstadt (Old Town): Wander through Salzburg’s historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where the network of alleys and squares – Alter Markt, Residenzplatz, Mozartplatz – boast charming streets, Baroque and Renaissance buildings, impressive churches, excellent museums and Mozart's birthplace.

• Linzergasse: This lively street north of the Salzach River is known for its shops, cafés and historical sites, such as St. Sebastian's Church and Cemetery.

• Nonntal: A picturesque area just south of the Old Town, home to the impressive Stift Nonnberg (Abbey), the oldest continuously running nunnery in the world.

Parks and gardens

• Mirabell Gardens: Famous for their beautiful design and scenes from The Sound of Music, these gardens are perfect for a leisurely stroll and great views back across the city. Don’t miss the Pegasus Fountain and the Dwarf Garden.

• Hellbrunn Palace: Located on the city's edge, this palace is known for its whimsical trick fountains (wasserspiele) that delight visitors, especially in the summer months.

• Schloss Leopoldskron: As featured in The Sound of Music, with stunning views out over the lake from its garden terrace, Leopoldskron Palace is now a hotel and can be visited to stay, just for breakfast or on a tour.

Historical monuments

• Salzburg Cathedral: This 17th-century Baroque cathedral dominates Domplatz with its impressive dome and twin towers. Inside, you'll find beautiful ceiling frescoes and the font where Mozart was baptised.

• Residenzplatz: Home to a collection of important Baroque buildings – the Archbishop's Residenz and the Residenzgalerie – this square is central to Salzburg's ecclesiastical heritage.

• Mozart's Birthplace: Located on Getreidegasse, the main street in Salzburg’s Altstadt, this museum is dedicated to the life and work of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, one of Salzburg’s most famous sons.

Day trips in the area

• Salzkammergut: A short drive from Salzburg, Austria’s lake district offers idyllic scenery and charming towns like Hallstatt and St. Wolfgang. Perfect for hiking, boating, cycling or just relaxing.

• Berchtesgaden: Located in Germany, in the extreme southeast of Bavaria, but easily accessible from Salzburg, this area is known for its beautiful landscapes, great mountain walking and historic sites like the Eagle's Nest.

• Werfen: Located 40km south of Salzburg, Werfen offers a great day of sightseeing at the moody Hohenwerfen Castle and the Eisriesenwelt ice cave network, which can be accessed by cable car.

Activities for families in Salzburg

A fantastic destination for families, Salzburg holidays offer a variety of activities that cater to children and parents alike.

• Zoos and aquariums: The Salzburg Zoo, located near Hellbrunn Palace, is home to a wide range of animals in plenty of space. The mountains form a beautiful backdrop to it all.

• Parks and playgrounds: Mirabell Gardens is beautiful and child-friendly, with a playground where children can burn off some energy. The Hellbrunn Palace features extensive gardens with water games that are sure to delight younger visitors.

• Interactive museums: The Museum of Natural History and Technology (Haus der Natur) is very popular with children, with interactive exhibits on space, the human body and dinosaurs. Go mid-week if you want to avoid the crowds.

• The Sound of Music Tour: This tour visits many of the film's iconic locations and includes a sing-along component that families will love. It’s a great way to see the city and keep children entertained. Watching the film before you go helps.

• Salzburg Marionette Theatre: This theatre performs puppet shows, often including beloved fairy tales and operas, making it an enchanting experience for children and adults alike.

Free things to do in Salzburg

Exploring Salzburg doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Here are some great free activities to enjoy:

• Stroll through the Old Town: The historic centre of Salzburg is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is perfect for a leisurely walk. Enjoy the beautiful architecture, narrow streets, charming squares and the impressive Salzburg Cathedral.

• Hike the hills: The hills around Salzburg, Kapuzinerberg and Mönchsberg, for example, are just a short walk from the centre and provide a peaceful retreat and wonderful views over the city.

• Explore Mirabell Gardens: These beautiful gardens are free to enter and perfect for a relaxing stroll. The intricate designs and historical statues are sure to impress.

• Salzburg Festival: While tickets for events can be expensive, you can often catch free open-air concerts and performances during the festival, making it a great way to experience Salzburg’s cultural scene.

Nature and outdoor activities

• Climb the Untersberg: Just a short way out of the city, the Untersberg mountain offers fantastic hiking trails with breathtaking views of Salzburg to the north and the Alps to the south.

• Cycling along the Salzach River: Rent a bike and explore the scenic paths that run alongside the river, offering beautiful views of the city and surrounding countryside.

• Paragliding: For the more adventurous, paragliding off the nearby Gaisberg mountain provides an exhilarating experience and stunning aerial views of Salzburg.

Local dishes in Salzburg

One of the great delights of holidays to Salzburg is indulging in its delightful array of traditional Austrian dishes and drinks. The city is particularly famous for its desserts, many of which reflect the city's historical connection to music and local culture.

Some typical dishes

• Wienerschnitzel: A classic Austrian dish, this breaded and fried veal cutlet is typically served with potato salad or lingonberry sauce.

• Tafelspitz: A boiled beef dish often served with horseradish, apple sauce and potatoes. It’s a hearty and satisfying meal deeply rooted in Austrian culinary traditions.

• Backhendl: Breaded and fried chicken, typically served with potato salad and a wedge of lemon.

• Kasnocken: Small dumplings served with melted cheese and crispy onions, often considered comfort food in the Alpine regions.

Sweets and desserts

• Apfelstrudel: A beloved treat, this famous pastry is filled with apples, cinnamon, sugar and raisins.

• Mozartkugel: Named after the city's most famous resident, these chocolate balls filled with marzipan and nougat are a must-try.

• Sachertorte: A dense chocolate cake with a layer of apricot jam, which epitomises Viennese confectionery craftsmanship.

• Salzburger Nockerl: A sweet soufflé-like dessert dusted with powdered sugar, said to resemble the snow-capped mountains surrounding Salzburg.

Local drinks

• Stiegl Beer: Salzburg’s own Stiegl Brewery produces a variety of excellent beers, including the popular Stiegl Goldbräu.

• Almdudler: A traditional Austrian herbal lemonade-style soft drink, often enjoyed as a refreshing non-alcoholic option.

• Schnapps: Various fruit brandies are produced in the region, with apricot (Marillen) schnapps being particularly popular.