On the south-eastern border of Germany, less than two hours from Munich, lies the small but spectacular city of Salzburg. Often overlooked by travelers intent on visiting the capital city, Vienna, Salzburg can provide a fantastic quick break and also makes a perfect addition to your Swiss holiday. Tell us about your travel style to receive a custom-built itinerary featuring Europe’s best architecture, music, and countryside adventures.

Salzburg Cityscape

This Austrian city is full of Baroque beauty and has a vibrant festival scene throughout the year. Music, gastronomy, beer culture and access to nature make Salzburg an ideal destination.

Perhaps the most famous native son of Salzburg was Wolfgang Amadaeus Mozart, who was born there in January, 1756. For fans of history and classical music, there are many sites associated with the Mozart family that are open to the public. In fact, there’s an entire week dedicated to the composer called Mozart Week, where you can attend special concerts and operas, take special tours, see rare films and immerse yourself in all things Mozart. It happens every year at the end of January. Mozart week has been a regular festival in Salzburg for 70 years.

Even if you miss Mozart week, it is possible to see opera and hear classical music almost every day of your journey. That’s why Salzburg is called the “stage of the world”. Each summer, the city hosts the Salzburg Festival from the middle of July to the end of August. You can enjoy numerous live performances and concerts from theatre to jazz, chamber orchestra to church music, local artists to famous performers. For fans of electronic music, there is even a festival called Electric Love, featuring some of the world’s top DJs, performing outdoors under the open sky for an entire weekend in July.

Mozart
Mozart

Each October, usually during the third weekend, Salzburg plays host to a festival called Jazz & The City. Various sites across the city host local and international jazz stars and the best part is that the festival is completely free. In addition to music, there is food and drink and some restaurants will offer special festival menus. There’s also a handy phone app to keep track of all the events and venues. And it’s not just traditional jazz but experimental, global beats and electronic genres too.

For lovers of Baroque architecture, Salzburg is the ideal destination. Much of its 17th and 18th century architecture was commissioned by Austrian Prince-Archbishops, who were influenced by the grandeur of Rome. Wanting to create a “Rome of the North”, they commissioned Italian architects to design many of the main sights of the city. The seat of the Prince-Archbishop’s power was a palace complex called DomQuartier. This historical collection of buildings is now a UNESCO heritage site and is open to the public for tours. You may wish to opt for a guided tour to learn more about the residences, the cathedral and especially, Saint-Peter’s Abbey, all incredible examples of Baroque splendor.

If all the sight-seeing works up an appetite, why not indulge in some of Salzburg’s culinary specialties: fried chicken, schnitzel and bratwurst, sweet and savory dumplings, chocolate and of course, beer. Did you know that the oldest restaurant in Europe is still welcoming guests in the heart of the city after more than twelve centuries? St. Peter Stiftskulinarium or better known as simply “the Peter”, has been serving meals since the year 803. The restaurant is a great place to try traditional dishes or indulge in special menus like the Mozart Dinner or holiday menus on Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day and Christmas.

While Austria may not be as well known for beer as Germany, Salzburg has a beer culture going back hundreds of years. The first commercial breweries began making beer at the end of the 14th century. By the 19th century, there were as many as 75 breweries in operation. Today, two of the oldest are still pulling pints: Stiegl-Brauerei and Augustiner. For a little perspective consider that Stiegl-Brauerei first opened in 1492, the same year Christopher Columbus was sailing across the Atlantic ocean en route to discovering the “New World”. Augustiner opened in 1621, the same year that the Pilgrim settlers of Plymouth Colony would celebrate a harvest feast with the native Wampanoag People.

Beer in Austria

The recipes for traditional brews like pilsner and lager haven’t changed much since then but because Austrian breweries don’t follow the same laws as brewing beer in Germany, you can also find bolder and more experimental options. There are special beers made for seasonal festivals like Märzenbier for Oktoberfest or Bockbier for Christmas and Easter. Certainly the best way to taste the famous beers of Salzburg is by visiting the breweries directly or joining a guided beer tour of the city.

Austrian wine has been gaining in notoriety across the world and one of the most popular regions, including vineyards around the city of Salzburg, is called Bergland. Bergland wines are light, refreshing and pair perfectly well with the local cuisine. About 75% of production is for white wine and 25% of grapes go to producing red wines.

Along with the key varieties of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, local varieties are also cultivated. These include Sonstige, Grüner Veltliner and Muskateller. Our travel consultants will help you plan a day out among the vines and with wine tasting at some of the best-known wineries of the region.

Winery, Salzburg

You can also stay in the city and go for a private wine and charcuterie tour accompanied by a professional sommelier. With some of the strictest wine producing laws in the world, find out what makes Austrian wines so unique.

Another way to see Salzburg’s surroundings is to explore the nearby foothills and mountains of the Eastern Alps. Hiking trails abound and range in difficulty from easy, family-friendly strolls to technical treks along high-alpine ridges. There’s nothing more iconic than the sound of cow bells in a flower-filled meadow or the sight of a waterfall at altitude. You’ll find that trails are very well marked and maps are available in print as well as on various digital applications. For the ultimate mountain experience, book a day or half-day adventure with a local guide.

If you plan on visiting in the fall, you can take part in the tradition of Almabtrieb or the seasonal procession of herds (cattle and goats) as they descend from their alpine meadows at the end of the summer grazing season. Adorned with flowers and ribboned headdresses, these four-legged beauty queens are picture perfect.

For horse lovers, every October, there is a procession of Halflingers in nearby Ebbs, a short drive or train ride from Salzburg, where there’s a parade of young horses and a presentation of each of the breeding stallions.

Austria hiking cows

Each of these experiences are truly unique and have an authentic, festive vibe with food, music and vendors selling local crafts and specialties. You don’t even have to leave the city to celebrate the fall season. The Salzburg Harvest Festival opens in late August and there are events lasting until the end of October. See traditional costumes, hear folk songs and dancing, eat seasonal specialties and engage with the local traditions of Bauernherbst or “Farmer’s Autumn”.

Fans of the beloved 1965 hit musical movie Sound of Music will certainly want to indulge in a Sound of Music tour in and around Salzburg. Not only can you sing your favorite lyrics as you spin around an alpine meadow, but you can also explore several of the most iconic filming locations right in town.

Sound of Music

The Leopoldskron Palace, used as the filming location for the Von Trapp family home, is now a luxury hotel. Even if you’ve never seen the movie, this tour is a fun way to incorporate many of the major sites of Salzburg with the added bonus of seeing the landscape further afield. It’s also a great option for those traveling with children or multi-generational family trips, as there’s something for everyone and every age to enjoy.

You can see that Salzburg is a small city with a big soul. From music to architecture, a distinct food and beverage culture, year-round festivals and the nearby Alps, Salzburg is a delightful destination for any type of traveller. It’s the perfect choice if you’re looking to add a few extra days to your Switzerland itinerary or make it a major stop on an Austrian travel adventure (along with Vienna of course). It’s also a great choice when planning a trip to Munich, Germany. Want some additional travel inspiration? Be sure to check out our other blogs highlighting some of these cities and more!