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Guide to Salzburg, Austria
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Click to go to Flight Prices for Salzburg
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SalzburgNot only one of the most picturesque cities in Austria, but in the whole of Europe, Salzburg is a city of historic and commercial districts divided by the beautiful Salzach River. Traveling from east bank to the west, there is a feeling of transformation - that youre moving into an extensive past of both intrigue and strain. Though a number of buildings in the old town of Salzburg were destroyed in WWII, the city rebuilt and restored the structures to their former glory and now they stand as testaments to Austrian architectural brilliance. Whether youre caught in traffic on the roads or sidewalks of the new city or delving into the alleys of Altstadt, youll get hooked on the charm that lures in millions of visitors each year.
When to go:
Travelers pack up and head out for Salzburg throughout the year, but there are a few factors that you may want to run yourself by before buying that plane ticket. Most visitors to Salzburg arrive during the months of summer, in particular, July and August. The remaining months of the year see a steady decline in crowd volume and pricing, whereas winter is the cheapest and quietest of all seasons (of course, youre probably best-off avoiding holidays like Christmas and Easter) when celebrations and festivals bring in hoards of city and suburban dwellers alike. Salzburg is especially beautiful in the autumn, when the hills are no longer green but a full palette of radiance.
Getting there and around:
Fliers from the UK and Europe need not worry about the availability of flights to Salzburg. The citys airport accommodates both international and domestic flights, though it may seem that more tend to originate from across the Austrian border. You will delight in the airports closeness to the hubbub of the city, and a bus will definitely be suitable for the 4km ride. If youre carrying a bit more luggage than a bus can make room for, youll have to settle for the higher fare of a taxi, though you can get direct access to your hotel a great perk.
There is a great opportunity for those looking to take in the full Salzburg experience: the Salzburg Card. With the card, you can gain free access to 25 attractions and obtain heavy discounts to many more, while never having to pay for transportation. However, if you choose to forgo the Salzburg Card for a self-determined adventure, youre best traveling through old town by foot and new town by bus. If youve got a nice, warm, sunny day on your hands, you may want to take advantage of the opportunity of renting a bicycle.
Attractions:
Salzburgs most-frequented destination is the 11^th -century fortress known as Hohensalzburg, one of Europes grandest castles. It is situated on a hill 400ft tall, allowing one, even at the castles base, to view both the cityscape and the mountain peaks to the south. Visitors can either walk or ride the cable car up to the site, and we recommend taking advantage of the full tour package the castle staff have to over: a complete tour of the interior, a view from the lookout tower, and access to museums. Near Hohensalzburg stands the Stift Nonnberg, a Benedictine convent in existence since 700AD.
In the center of the old city stands Haus Der Natur, a complete nature and science experience. Everything from botanical displays to reptilian terrariums can be found here, and you dont want to miss the marine segment, with a total of 36 water tanks.
The most famous face to come out of Salzburg is of course that of Mozart, and youll be pleased to know that the city has transformed his residence (Mozart-Wohnhaus) into one of the superb tributes to a musical legend in the world. Tours are provided not by human guides, but by handheld devices given at the point of entry, offering a seamless interactive experience while walking through the halls and rooms where Mozart did much of his work.
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