City Guide for Salzburg

I have to preface this article by telling you that I am a minimalist. For many people, purchasing souvenirs is a part of traveling. I am not one of them. I instead collect memories and photographs than fridge magnets and t-shirts. That’s why we will explore the topic of Souvenirs in Salzburg in a conscious…

The Salzburg Festival is the biggest, most iconic Festival for classical music globally. Therefore, it is also not only the most important cultural event in Salzburg but also the main event in Salzburg overall. The Festival consists of theatre and concerts, but the most important events are operas. However, the highlight of the Salzburg Festival…

Salzburg may be the second most famous Austrian city after Vienna, but it’s just a stone’s throw away from some of the countries most spectacular natural wonders. The Austrian lake district is one of them. St Wolfgang, a small village nestled on the shore of Wolfgangsee Lake, is a great example. Spend the morning hiking,…

My German guests told me that Berchtesgaden and Lake Königssee are not only known in the area but are widely considered the most beautiful nature destination in all of Germany. Thinking about it, I can imagine. It’s at least up there with Neuschwanstein castle and other popular destinations. But why are we talking about Tourist…

Have you heard of the Salzkammergut? The Salzkammergut is the Austrian Lake District, one of the most beautiful areas around Salzburg. You have probably heard about Hallstatt, which is the most popular day trip from Salzburg. But there is more to the lake district than Hallstatt. This article will introduce you to one of my…

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day. While you could argue about that, there is no arguing that a good breakfast is one of the greatest pleasures when traveling, especially when visiting a country that’s known for its hearty breakfasts. This article will point you to the best places for traditional…

Hellbrunn might be the most visited place in the surroundings of Salzburg. On the one hand, that’s because of its proximity to the city and because the castle and the trick fountains are included in the Salzburg Card. On the other hand, because Hellbrunn is included in every Sound of Music tour. In this article,…

Salzburg is small. You could see the main sights in a day or even half a day. However, there are many more things to do in Salzburg than just the essentials. We need the details to get the big picture. Therefore, this article is the antithesis of an itinerary for Salzburg in one day. The…

When looking for accommodation in Salzburg, you will find a variety of options. Most of them are good. Some of the hotels in Salzburg, however, stand out and offer an experience you couldn’t find anywhere else in the world. That’s what this article is about. In this article, you find out about the best hotels…

There are certain ingredients for the perfect day in Salzburg. In this article, I will give them to you. This article will help design your day from start to finish, so you don’t miss anything. Listen to the Episode on the Free Walking Tour Podcast instead! How to get to Salzburg? Austria borders seven other…

If you have been to Salzburg, you know that the old town is small. It’s just about 1.5 km². How many churches can there possibly be in the old town, you ask? In the old town of Salzburg, there are 22 churches. When walking the streets of Salzburg, you will find a church on every…

Like I tell you in many of my articles, Salzburg is small, but there is a lot to see. That also applies to museums. This guide to museums in Salzburg introduces you to all of the many museums in Salzburg. It explains what they are about and how to visit them. In many of my…

Many myths revolve around Mozart’s death. Some believe he was poisoned, and many think he was buried in a paupers’ grave. Why do we not know where his grave is, and is there really a Mozart skull in Salzburg? In this article, the facts are laid on the table, the secrets of Mozart’s death are…

In Werfen, there are the largest Ice Caves in the world. That’s why Werfen is one of the most popular day trips from Salzburg. But while the ice caves are the main attraction in Werfen, the first thing you will see when you arrive in Werfen is the Hohenwerfen fortress. Placed on a hill in…

When traveling, time is precious. We don’t want to miss out on any of the must-see sights. After all, we are often going to visit the same place once in a lifetime. At the same time, there are so many amazing destinations to travel that we not only need to budget money but also time….

The aim of this article is to present traditional restaurants with a variety of recommended dishes. These restaurant recommendations are in different areas of the old town, for different times of the day, and with a distinct character to enable you to taste a variety of Austrian food while experiencing the particularities of each of…

Considering that the city of Mozart is most famous for classical music, it can be surprisingly hard to find quality concerts in Salzburg. If you know where to look, however, and with a bit of luck, there are plenty of musical highlights. In this article, I will guide you in the right direction. Student Concerts…

Mozart was born in Getreidegasse in Salzburg, Austria, in the year 1756. The Mozart family rented the third floor of house number 9 and lived there until Mozart was 17 years old. When Mozart was born, Salzburg was still an independent church-state, and Getreidegasse was the heart of bourgeois life in Salzburg. Most of the…

Sausages are the most typical Austrian street food. Actually, sausages and the other delicacies available at the sausage stand are the only authentic Austrian street food. Sausage stands in Austria, however, are more than mere food vendors. They are a world on their own. They evolved as social institutions in the course of the 19th…

Kitzsteinhorn is advertised as the top of Salzburg. While it is not the highest mountain in the province of Salzburg, it’s close to it, and it’s the highest mountain you can reach by cable car. But how to reach Kitzsteinhorn from Salzburg? That’s what I will answer in this article. I will tell you how to…

If I could only recommend one sight in Salzburg, it would be the Hohensalzburg fortress. First of all because of the three viewing platforms, but also because of the building, the museums, the funicular, and the history that is inseparably linked to the city. That’s what this article is about. This article is a Brief…

Many summer mornings I got up at 5 am to hike one of the city mountains next to my house and take photos. Yes, hiking in Salzburg city is so close. In this article, I will present you with three hiking options in the center of Salzburg and provide all the information you need for…

Are you wondering why Viennese coffee house culture became part of the UNESCO world heritage? In this article, I will tell you why and point you to the best Viennese Coffee houses in Salzburg. I only recommend two places because you won’t stay in Salzburg forever, and my goal with this website and with the Free…

Are you planning a trip to Salzburg and are looking for day trips? The Salzkammergut, Lake District, is one of three main areas to visit on day trips from Salzburg, and this article will tell you everything you need to know about the town of St Gilgen in the Lake District. If you were looking…

A visit to Mauthausen Concentration Camp is a humbling experience to say the least. Mauthausen was a slave labor camp built by the Nazis to exterminate unwanted opponents. When it opened in 1938, Mauthausen was the only concentration camp in category III and the deadliest apart from the extermination camps. In this article you find…

Easter in Austria marks the beginning of Spring and the beginning of my favorite season. Tourist season. But Easter is far from a random holiday in spring. In fact, Easter is the most important Christian holiday, despite Christmas being more popular. In this article, you will find out why Easter is important, how we celebrate…

Nowadays, about 60 percent of the Austrian population is Catholic. While that doesn’t seem much, this was different not long ago. At the end of the second world war, more than 90 percent of Austrians was a member of the Catholic Church. That’s how it has always been, and therefore most of the Austrian holidays…

The best way to get from Vienna to Salzburg is the train. The train is fast, practical and affordable. In this article, however, I would like to offer alternatives that are either more convenient, cheaper or more exciting. If you just want to travel from Vienna to Salzburg without sightseeing, saving money or extra comfort,…

The most convenient way to travel from Salzburg to Vienna or from Vienna to Salzburg is by train. There are two train companies and trains between Vienna and Salzburg run at least every half an hour. The prices are moderate and the journey takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes. In this article, you find…

Are you planning a trip to Salzburg and wonder what the Must-See Sights in Salzburg are? Don’t worry. We got you covered. No matter if you join the Free Walking Tour or not, Salzburg is the perfect destination for independent sightseeing. The old town of Salzburg is walkable, and it’s easy to find the must-see…

You can explore the essentials of Salzburg in a day or two. If you are a curious traveler, you could keep going and won’t run out of new discoveries in the old town. However. If you have more than a day or two, I strongly advise you to take a day trip from Salzburg. May…

In this article, you will learn everything about public transport in Salzburg and how to use it most effectively. Because Salzburg is small and walkable, you may not need any public transportation. Therefore, the transportation options in this article are listed from the most recommended to the least recommended according to necessity. Getting to Salzburg…

I don’t like modern art. But I walked and cycled the streets of Salzburg for years on my tours and got used to the many strange statues. They grew on me and I am now a fan. Not for the sake of modern art, but because of Salzburg and because the Salzburg Foundations art has…

Hallstatt, the Eagles Nest, and the Ice Caves. These are the most popular places to visit from Salzburg and for a reason. Each of those places is surrounded by stunning natural beauty. Due to their popularity, however, the amount of people visiting in summer is enormous. If you are longing for nature and want a…

The Salzburger Glockenspiel, even though not many tourists climb the tower, is one of the landmarks of the town. It’s located right in the heart of the old town at residence square. Public tours only happen on Thursdays and Fridays in summer, but when Gemma and I decided to climb the tower in December 2019,…

I recently read on a popular travel blog, focused on local culture, that Mozart chocolate balls are one of the Salzburg population’s favorite foods. You will find Mozart chocolate at every corner of the old town when visiting Salzburg. But who is eating all that chocolate? Mozart chocolate comprises Marzipan, Nougat, and pistachio, covered in…

The nearest mountain from Salzburg, apart from the three house mountains in the city of Salzburg, is Untersberg. With almost 2000 meters of altitude and jagged cliffs, a hike to the peak of mount Untersberg is a challenge even for experienced hikers. The top of Untersberg, however, is accessible by public transport from Salzburg for…

The Salzburg cathedral, with its turquoise, copper dome, and its white interior, is in the center of the old town. With its distinctive appearance, it will dominate each of your landscape photos from Salzburg. Surrounded by the main squares, it’s not only an attraction but the center of attention in the old town for locals…

Austria is famous for its coffee house culture. There is a difference, however, between the best coffee and the best traditional Austrian coffee houses. Traditional Austrian coffee-houses are more about the atmosphere than about good coffee. If you are like me, a coffee lover, and always keen on finding the best specialty coffee beans together…

When looking for budget accommodation in Salzburg, you will come across the Yoho hostel. You notice that the Yoho stands out from the competition. Are you wondering if the Yoho is the best hostel in Salzburg? In this article is a detailed Yoho Hostel review. I will tell you about my connection to the hostel, why the…

The eagle’s nest is located in my favorite area for day trips from Salzburg. Most people visiting the eagle’s nest, stay in Salzburg, and do the eagle nest as a day trip. The eagle’s nest is only 30 kilometers from Salzburg, and public transport is convenient. You take two public buses, and then a shuttle…

The more I explore places around Salzburg, the more I appreciate when places are still off the beaten path. As much as I love being among fellow travelers and as much as I am dedicated to tourism, as much I begin to enjoy being with myself and finding peace while exploring my home country on…

The Ice Caves in Werfen, Austria are the largest Ice Caves in the world. They are convenient to reach from Salzburg, and besides the Lake district and Berchtesgaden, the Werfen Ice Caves in summer are the most popular day trip to take while staying in Salzburg. What I liked about my last visit to the…

The largest Ice Caves in the World, the Werfen Ice Caves, are only 38 kilometers from Salzburg, and everything is set up for you to reach the Werfen Ice Caves from Salzburg. They are the main attraction in the town of Werfen and easy to reach on your own by public transport. Let me tell…

Hallstatt is a small village in the Austrian Salzkammergut, located at the shore of the Hallstattsee. It is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Austria. In this article, you will find out how to go to Hallstatt from Salzburg. You can reach Hallstatt by bus 150 from Salzburg to Bad Ischl, where you…

In this article, I will tell you about the three most popular Austrian fast food dishes and where to find the best Austrian street food in the old town of Salzburg. Original Bosna at the Balkan Grill in Getreidegasse Food in Salzburg, in other parts of Austria and even in Bavaria, is similar with few…

In another article, I wrote about the Salzburg Card and how to use it. The Salzburg Card is the best deal if you want to save money while visiting all the sights.  I understand, however, if you are on a budget. You only want to hang out, take pictures, and inhale the city. There are plenty of Free Things to…

I am not only passionate about meeting people and introducing them to my city but also about landscape photography in Salzburg. In this article, I will tell you about the best viewpoints in Salzburg and give you tips on how to get the best out of your landscape photography in Salzburg. #5 Müllner Steg Bridge…

The Salzburg Card allows you admission to most of the attractions in Salzburg at a fixed price. There are 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hour Salzburg cards, allowing you free admission within those timeframes. You can visit all the museums, head out to Hellbrunn Palace where the trick fountains are, and take a river cruise and a cable car to the peak of Untersberg. It also includes buses to these places and public transport in the…