I’m ashamed to admit that this 24-hour guide to Salzburg has been a work in progress since we returned from our road trip to Europe.
I’m equally ashamed to admit that, before our visit, my knowledge of Salzburg was limited to the movie The Sound of Music (I know, I don’t like myself now either).
But listen, I still have hope. To enlighten ourselves, we spent a full day exploring Salzburg.
Two things immediately struck me about Salzburg. First of all, the city has a calm feel that is mostly reserved for small villages. Secondly, Salzburg is so rich in history that walking around its streets feels like a privilege.
I hope this guide helps you spend less time planning and more time exploring this historic attraction!
Why you should visit Salzburg
Salzburg’s beauty is something that most cities try to emulate. It has an indescribable charm. Surrounded by the stunning Alps, the city is a treasure trove of Baroque architecture, iconic rusted copper roofs, charming shops and a relaxed lifestyle.
Is 24 hours enough in Salzburg?
- The correct answer is “no”. Our time in Salzburg felt too short and I can’t wait to come back and see more. However, if you are interested in visiting top attractions, 24 hours in Salzburg is enough.
Best time to visit Salzburg
- spring This is a wonderful time of year to visit Salzburg. We visited in May and walked the streets comfortably in light jackets. The weather is pleasant, flowers are in bloom, and the city is full of spring energy. The only thing that’s obviously missing? Crowds of tourists. But hey, you won’t hear me complain.
- Salzburg’s Christmas markets are world-famous, so winter It’s also a great time to visit. I can only imagine how beautiful those iconic domes look under the snow. Note that winter temperatures hover around 40 degrees, so you’ll need to dress accordingly (ie: wear layers).
- this summer Seasons are a blessing and a curse. Crowds and temperatures rise, and so do prices. However, the Salzburg Festival takes place during the summer, so if you enjoy performing arts, this will be the season to visit. If you’re not interested in the performing arts and your schedule is flexible, I recommend avoiding the summer and booking a trip in September or October.
What language is spoken in Salzburg?
- Most people in Salzburg speak the Austrian-Bavarian dialect of German. We learned basic phrases such as hello (Hello), goodbye(off Widson), please(Bits),Thanks(eggshell).
- But mostly we rely on English and it’s easy to communicate.
Interesting facts about Salzburg
- Salzburg is considered the beer capital of Austria. In fact, two of the city’s oldest breweries still exist today: Steigl-Braquerei and Augustiner Brau. We will cover both aspects in our itinerary.
- Salzburg was once an independent country until it was annexed by the Austrian Empire in 1816. It still exists to this day.
- Although the city is considered small, it has 27 churches, 4 universities and 15 museums.
did you know? The name Salzburg translates to “Salt City” and was given when salt mining was the city’s lifeblood.
Sound of Music Tour
- If you’re a fan of “The Sound of Music,” this tour is perfect for you (cost $50 per person). The tour offers bus, walking and biking options, giving participants the opportunity to visit original filming locations. The tour is very popular, with approximately 300,000 visitors taking part each year.
Since we only had 24 hours in Salzburg, we decided to skip the Sound of Music tour. We didn’t have enough time to take advantage of this experience, but many people highly recommended it!
Is the Salzburg Card worth it?
It depends on what you plan to explore during your visit. The pass includes public transport and admission to major attractions such as:
- salzburg fortress
- Mozart’s former home and birthplace
- Hellbrunn Palace
- Salzburg Museum
Other perks include a river cruise, a cable car ride to the next town, and (my favorite) a visit to Steagall Brewery with three 200ml beer tastings.
In my opinion, this pass is worth it if you plan to visit the Salzburg Fortress, as the entrance to the fortress alone costs $15 per person. It should be noted that most attractions in Salzburg close around 5 p.m.so to get the most out of your card, you need to make the most of your time.
24-hour tour of Salzburg, Austria
Enjoy breakfast in Fingerlos.
- This may sound strange, but Finferlos produces the best eggs! I’m not kidding, try it yourself. The guy next to us ordered a three-tier tray filled with breakfast. I want to order this next time, with eggs of course.
Visit Mirabell Palace and Mirabell Gardens.
- look familiar? Mirabell Palace was featured in “The Sound of Music” (Maria and the children danced around the Pegasus fountain while singing “Do Re Mi”). There are no tickets required to enter the palace or explore the gardens.
- While exploring the palace we learned that Mirabell Palace is also a music venue. I can’t think of a more stunning setting to enjoy the magic of an orchestra.
When exploring Mirabellgarten, be sure to stop by Hedge Theater (one of the oldest in the northern Alps) and Zwerglgarten (Dwarf Garden).
- There were originally 28 dwarfs in the dwarf garden, but due to my wife’s misgivings, she asked that they be removed and destroyed, leaving only 17. The dwarfs were auctioned off and forgotten until they returned to the garden 100 years later.
Please note: The Dwarf Garden is closed during the winter.
salzburg cathedral
- Arguably the most iconic building in Salzburg. The three bronze doors leading to the cathedral depict the themes of faith, hope and love (love being the largest of the three doors).
- The cathedral has 7 bells, one of which is the second largest bell in Austria. Can you imagine the crisp sound of those happy bells? That alone is reason to return!
- Fun fact: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Joseph More (lyrics to “Silent Night”) were both baptized in Salzburg Cathedral.
salzburg fortress
- Salzburg Fortress is one of the largest intact fortresses in Europe. It sits high on a hillside and offers stunning views of Salzburg below. You can hike to the fort via a convenient cable car. Tickets for the fort are about $15 per person, and cable car tickets are about $23 for two people.
mozart’s birthplace
- Mozart’s childhood home was transformed into a museum for public viewing. Whether you consider yourself a music lover or not, this historic gem should not be missed. Admission is approximately $12 per person. It is worth mentioning that photography is not allowed inside.
saint peter’s monastery
- This is a lovely historic church that’s worth a visit even for a short trip, especially since there’s no admission fee. This is one of the oldest monasteries in the world, founded in 696. If you have a thing for gorgeous churches, this monastery is not to be missed. Also, don’t miss Austria’s oldest cemetery, just behind the church (admission $2).
Steagall Brewery
- This brewery offers the best view of Salzburg Cathedral. We stopped to rest our legs and get out of the rain. Patio seating outside is a great place to enjoy a grapefruit beer and enjoy the view.
Explore the old town
- My favorite area to explore is old town (Old Town) because it feels like stepping back in time. Salzburg’s Old Town is considered so beautiful that it was designated a UNESCO site (the largest UNESCO site by land area).
- My favorite old town street is Gottlade LaneAn alleyway lined with shops with wrought iron signs. We stopped at a shop that specialized in eggshell Christmas decorations – what a unique souvenir!
Stroll around Steingasse
- Steingasse is a historic cobbled street near the river in old Salzburg with stylish shops and pretty homes. This picturesque street is not long and can be walked in 15 minutes.
Go early in the morning to avoid the crowds and enjoy the quiet and lovely nature of the area.
Augustin Blau
- This is a traditional monk-run brewery with a beer garden that has been in operation since 1621. I’ve never seen a beer garden like this before. The first step is to pick up a ceramic mug before heading to the gas station. With a beer in hand, you’re free to wander around the brewery and sample Austrian delicacies (think bratwurst and sauerkraut, warm bread and fish).
- With food in hand, happy customers can enjoy their meals outside under the shade of ancient chestnut trees. Bonus: The brewery offers tours by appointment for about $14 per person for groups of 10 to 30 people. I plan to revisit this brewery again and again, it’s one of my favorite breweries!
Saint Sebastian Cemetery
- This is the final resting place of Salzburg’s most famous families and celebrities. This is a beautiful Baroque cemetery where Mozart’s father and wife are buried, as well as the famous doctor Paracelsus, known as the father of modern medicine.
Interesting facts: Although Mozart is arguably the most famous name in Salzburg, his final resting place is in St. Marx’s Cemetery in Vienna. The exact location of his grave is unknown, but a headstone was erected to mark the site, although this is nothing more than an educated guess.
Take a cooking class!
- What better way to immerse yourself in a culture than to learn the local cuisine? We signed up for an apple pie cooking class and had a great time! We met a couple from Chicago and spent the evening chatting and eating with them. We made a reservation Edelweiss Cooking School And paid $100 for two people.
Side note: I know cooking classes are a little pricey, but I am a huge advocate of supporting the local community. I would rather invest my money in a lifetime of memories than buy cheap souvenirs any day of the week.
Getting to Salzburg:
- Via the airport: Salzburg W. A. Mozart Airport is located just 2 miles from Salzburg city centre. A 20-minute bus ride from the airport to the city center costs $3 per person. A taxi ride from the airport takes 15 minutes and costs $18 to $20.
- By train: If you arrive by train, you will arrive at Salzburg Hauptbahnhof, a scenic 20-minute walk to the Altstadt.
Where to stay in Salzburg:
- As budget travelers we decided to stay Hotel Salzburg Hofwirt. We had a great experience and felt this hotel was great value for money. It’s centrally located and we were close to everything – restaurants, shops, historical attractions, and more.
Visit Salzburg
- Salzburg is a pedestrian city through and through. We chose to move around on our own two feet and enjoy a pleasant stroll. The old town is very walkable.
- We drove to Salzburg but made sure to park as soon as possible. Based on our experience, we strongly recommend avoiding driving in the city.
Day trip from Salzburg to Berchtesgaden
If you have time I can go on a day trip high It is recommended that you visit Berchtesgaden – a region full of history. If you have a car, it only takes 30 minutes to get to Berchtesgaden. If you take public transport, there is a train connecting Salzburg to Berchtesgaden, which takes less than an hour.
This concludes our quick 24-hour guide to Salzburg. I hope you enjoy this city as much as we do, it’s breathtaking.
Antonina
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