Salzburg

Salzburg, Austria

Salzburg means “Salt Castle”, referring to its massive fortress and the white gold from the mountains in the South. Situated on both sides of the Salzach River, the city is close to the foothills of the Alps and the Bavarian border. The historic UNESCO Listed “Old Town” (Altstadt) centre, with its rich mix of art and architecture hasn't changed that much since Mozart's day. The graceful domes and spires are set alongside the beautiful clifftop fortress and the surrounding mountains. This city is a unique combination of scenic Alpine landscape and architectural richness, which has led to Salzburg’s reputation as one of the world’s most beautiful cities.

Salzburg is full of charm with spacious squares, hidden inner courtyards and small alleyways and you really can’t say you have seen the Mozartstadt until you have strolled along the Gardens of Mirabell Palace. The modern City Hall is still as attractive as it was when Fräulein Maria and the Trapp children danced between thousands of flowers around it.

Any visit to this vibrant city would not be complete without seeing the house and birthplace where Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in 1756 and the one he used to live and work in later in life, both are popular museums today. The Festung Hohensalzburg (Salzburg Castle) is one of the biggest castles in Europe and provides its visitors with stunning views over the valley. The Salzburger Dom, the city’s Cathedral in all its Baroque glory was opened in 1628 and has proved to be Salzburg′s top attraction ever since. Hellbrunn Palace, Park and its Trick Fountains were the Prince Archbishop′s private passion and a lavish Baroque masterpiece.

The surrounds of Salzburg also offer quite a few opportunities for day trips with the Lakes area and the Salzkammergut, both being popular for water sports. The mountains in the south are great for hiking and other Alpine sports. There is so much to see and do in the Salzburg region to consider on your next trip.

Check out some of our popular City Breaks!