Salzburg City Breaks

A guide to Salzburg

Perched high in the Austrian Alps, historic Salzburg has all the allure of a quaint chocolate-box Alpine village, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and silvery lakes. A UNESCO world heritage city, it is sure to captivate lovers of history and art, and visitors will encounter a refreshingly relaxed pace of life, and a cultured classical music legacy. As the birthplace of Mozart, the city celebrates its most famous son with pride and enthusiasm, and sees memorials, museums and gardens dedicated to his life and work, with any visit simply a must for lovers of classical music. The city hosts a spectacular festival of his music each year, featuring world class orchestras, lavish balls and special open-air concerts which take place throughout the summer months.

The historic birthplace of Mozart

Salzburg is an extremely popular haunt all year round, and boasts the highest visitor numbers per capita of any comparable city in Europe. The old town is a magical district of former royal palaces, beautifully manicured public parks and ancient abbeys and churches. The most dominating feature of the city is its fairytale Festung Hohensalzburg Castle, which houses elegant state rooms and offers dramatic views of the city and mountains. Other essential visits include the striking Salzburger Dom Cathedral, the evocative 6th century Abbey of St Peter, the lavish imperial Palace of Helbron, and the rose beds and fountains of the world famous Mirabelle Gardens. It is part of cinematic history, made famous in the Sound of Music and attracts thousands of star struck devotees each year.

Incomparable natural beauty

Salzburg is not just about refined history and culture. The city is home to three universities and has an almost bohemian, youthful ambience, with a myriad of trendy bars and clubs. Dining out is a real gastronomic pleasure, with a host of fine dining establishments and plenty of traditional Tyrolean cafes and restaurants. Adventure seekers in Salzburg will want to head to the challenging pistes of nearby Gastein and trendy Kitzbuhel, both reachable in just an hour from the city centre. Skiing can combine the best of both worlds - great fun and exhilaration and the most inspiring museums, historic landmarks and classical entertainment. Summer visitors can enjoy some of the region’s most beautiful mountain scenery, that is a popular haven for hikers, birdwatchers and even extreme sports enthusiasts.