Salzburg
Singing the praises of Salzburg is easy. The hills actually are alive with the sound of music. Salzburg is the birthplace of Amadeus Mozart, and home to the Sound of Music Tour, and the five-week long Salzburg Summer Music Festival. But music isn’t the only thing happening in Salzburg. The town oozes charm and keeps the postcard industry in business.
Nestled in the Alps and resting on the Salzach River, Salzburg was built by three bishop-princes in the late-16th and early-17th century. The town has a distinct Italian flavor and fairytale skyline of medieval spires, domes, belfries, and turrets. The old town, on the south bank of the river, is a Baroque masterpiece of churches, courtyards, and fountains. Salzburg transports you to another time and place – its atmosphere, the music, the history, the food, and the Alps – is what it’s all about.
Salzburg is great almost any time of year, depending on what you want to do. You can ski in the Alps year-round, though fall and winter are best. Summer, though packed with tourists, offers the Salzburger Festspliele with all kinds of classical and dramatic open-air performances.
Almost entirely German, the locals, who are used to travelers from virtually everywhere, speak English, as well as some of the neighboring languages. Bring your phrasebook for back up.
- Pictures |
- Things to do |
- Nightlife |
- Dining |
- Shopping
Salzburg Pictures
Things to do in Salzburg
As you wander the city, follow little streets framed in baroque architecture to see all the history in the churches, the opera houses, and of course, the fortress. On the left bank of the Salzach river in the Old Town is an abundance of historic sights, like the birthplace of Mozart and the Von Trapp experience. The huge, medieval Castle Hohensalzburg overlooks the Salzburg from its perch almost 500 feet above the city. In addition to the torture chambers, it has a tower and a couple of museums.
If the backdrop of the Alps isn’t enough for you, you can stop and smell the roses at the baroque Mirabell Palace. Though it currently houses the city government, there are exquisite gardens – designed in 1606 – sitting behind the Palace. Maria von Trapp and the children are rumored to have stopped here for a rest and a song, and the Gardens are still used for classical concerts in the evenings.
Nightlife in Salzburg
Beer gardens are a staple of Austrian life, so there’s no dearth of bars and clubs. Check out the Old Town (for a good college crowd), and along both sides of the river. The riverbanks provide a great setting for outdoor cafes. Sit and eat and drink coffee (or beer) and watch the people go by. Don’t forget to get a pastry. Try Tomasselli, a hoity-toity cafe, for a touch of snooty elegance.
Dining in Salzburg
Many restaurants change venue throughout the day, from elegant cafe in the morning or afternoon, to restaurant in the evening, to bar at night. Mozartkugeln (chocolate pastry in honor of Herr Mozart), salzburger nockerln (light mixture of stiff egg whites), and other traditional foods (”schnitzel with noodle” anyone?) are available just about everywhere, as are a pretty good range of international fare.
Shopping in Salzburg
Salzburg doesn’t have the shopping opportunities of, say, Vienna, but you can find some great local specialties like dirndls, lederhosen, and petit point (stitchery and needlepoint). Two great shopping areas are Getreidegasse and a slightly quirkier Residenzplatz. Shopping on weekends is a challenge, as stores are generally only open Saturday mornings.
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