A fairytale town that acts as a gateway to the Alps. The well-preserved old town, the interesting sights, the beautiful landscapes and the unique musical culture of the city of due to Mozart will delight you!
A few words about the city
Salzburg is the fourth largest city in Austria and the capital of the federal state of the same name. It is located near the border with Germany (Bavaria) and has always been an important crossroads between north and south. The city's name comes from the German word Salz, meaning salt, and Burg, meaning castle. Salzburg acquired great wealth from mineral salt, while of course it was protected by a fortress, which today is considered the most important attraction of the city. Furthermore, the fact that the great composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born there is of great commercial and tourist importance for the city. In addition to the house where he was born, you will see his face and name on various commercial products such as liquor, chocolates, etc.. Finally, it has a population of 155,886 within the city and 362,000 in the wider metropolitan area. So I have selected for you what I think is worth paying attention to for someone visiting the city for the first time.
Hohensalzburg
If one were looking for the landmark of the city, it would be without a second thought the Hohensalzburg Castle (Hohensalzburg) or simply Salzburg Castle. It is one of the largest and best-preserved medieval castles in Europe, built in 1077, on the green Festungsberg hill, by order of the Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg. In the hundreds of years that have passed since its construction, the castle has undergone countless conversions and extensions, while it has been used for various purposes. Today the visitor can admire its amazing architecture, the historical rooms and the museums it hosts, offering a glimpse into the life and history of that time. What makes it stand out from other fortresses, however, is its location, since from the top one can admire the panoramic view of the whole of Salzburg, the Alps and the Salzach River. The ticket costs 14.50 euros and includes, in addition to the entrance to the castle, the price for the cable car that will take you from the old town to the top of the hill!
Schloss Mirabell – Mirabellgarten
And as a self-respecting Central European city, Salzburg couldn't of course be without an impressive royal palace! The Mirabell Palace (Schloss Mirabell) is part of the Historic Center of the city, which has been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The original palace was built in 1606 by Archbishop-Prince Wolf Dietrich Raitenau as a gift for his beloved Salome Alt, while its current neoclassical appearance dates from around 1818, when the building was restored after a severe fire. The interior of the palace stands out for its impressively decorated rooms, elaborate paintings and beautifully crafted ceilings, while the stunning rooms and halls are often the venue for concerts and events. One of the most famous rooms of the palace is the Marble Hall, which is considered one of the most beautiful wedding halls in the world! Also, the gardens of the Mirabell Palace (Mirabellgarten) do not go back in beauty! They were designed in a baroque style, being ideal for relaxing and walking. In fact, they are considered one of the most beautiful in Europe, since they are famous for their special flower arrangements and dozens of statues of heroes of Greek mythology, crafted by the Italian sculptor Ottavio Mosto. Entrance to the palace courtyard and gardens is free!
Salzburger Dom
The Salzburg Cathedral (Salzburger Dom) is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful Renaissance buildings in Central Europe. The original church was founded by Saint Rupert in 774 on the ruins of a Roman city, while it was rebuilt in 1181 after a fire. The building we see today is a typical example of Baroque architecture, which dates from 1614 and is dedicated to the local Saints Roberto and Virgilio! Inside the church, the famous organ and the gold-plated frescoes on the ceiling stand out, while among the most recognizable elements of the temple are the twin bell towers and the huge statue of the Virgin Mary in front of the entrance! Finally, inside the Cathedral you will also find the pool where the composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was baptized. Entrance costs 5 euros.
Residenzplatz
In the heart of the old town, right next to the Cathedral, you will find the palace square (Residenzplatz). It is the most impressive and liveliest square in Salzburg, which of course takes its name from the former royal residence (Residenz) that dominates there. This particular square is surrounded by various beautiful buildings, luxury shops, historic cafes and restaurants, while it is considered a meeting point for locals and tourists. Residenzplatz is also used as a gathering place for cultural, political, sporting and festive events, and is always buzzing with life at all hours of the day. Finally, the trademark of the square is its baroque fountain (Residenzbrunnen). It was built by the famous artist Tomasso di Garona between 1656 and 1661 and is one of the largest and most beautiful in Central Europe!
Mozarts Geburtshaus - Mozart Residenz - Mozartplatz
As soon as one sets foot in the city, one will understand the frenzy surrounding the name of Amadeus Mozart. The great composer was born in Salzburg and the locals try to take advantage of it in every way. The house where he was born (Mozarts Geburtshaus) and lived the first years of his life is considered one of the most important attractions of the city. Today it functions as a museum, where you will have the opportunity to see up close Mozart's personal items, such as sheet music, musical instruments, etc., while you will learn everything about his life and career. Entrance costs 15e.
The home where the Mozart family lived from 1773 to 1787 (Mozart Residenz) is also worthy of attention! The "House of the Dance Teacher" as it was nicknamed, today functions as a museum. There you will admire, in addition to Mozart's grand piano, many original documents and portraits. The exhibition provides a number of interesting facts about the history of the house, Mozart's years in Salzburg and the life of his family. The entrance costs 13.5e.
Finally, in the center of the city there is an entire square dedicated to Mozart (Mozartplatz). In its center stands proudly the statue of the composer, which was to be erected in 1841 on the 50th anniversary of his death. However, the unveiling of the monument was delayed by a year because a Roman mosaic was found on the ground, which took time to recover. Finally, on September 4, 1842, the statue was solemnly unveiled, in the presence of Mozart's sons.
Getreidegasse
As I mentioned above, the entire old city of Salzburg is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. But if I had to single out just one part of it, it would be the Grain Alley (Getreidegasse). It is the most picturesque and at the same time the most commercial street of the city, where shops have been operating continuously since the 14th century until today! There, and more specifically at number 9, is the house where Mozart was born, while you will be impressed by the colorful signs of the shops. Finally, Getreidegasse is suitable for endless walking, shopping in dozens of shops and luxury boutiques, eating in traditional restaurants and in general it is the ideal place to enjoy the lively atmosphere of the city!
Schloss Hellbrunn
Hellbrunn Palace (Schloss Hellbrunn) is located in the southern part of Salzburg, in the Murgz district, and was the country residence of Prince-Archbishop Markus Zitikus. It was only intended as a day residence in the summer, as the Archbishop usually returned to Salzburg in the evening, so there is no bedroom in the palace! It was built in the early 17th century in the Baroque style and took its name from the "transparent spring" that fed it. What makes it stand out is its striking yellow facade, the richly decorated halls, the beautiful gardens and the dozens of impressive fountains. This particular palace is ideal for combining sightseeing with relaxation. Children especially will love it, as the water suddenly and powerfully shoots around them from small, hidden holes in the ground, bathing everything in coolness. Entrance to the palace costs 13.5e, while with the same ticket you also have access to the zoo which is very close by!
Museums
There are many museums and art galleries in Salzburg that deserve special attention, but four stand out! The first of these is the Museum of Modern Art (Museum der Moderne), which is located in an impressive building with a unique view of the city. There you will come into contact with modern and post-modern art, through works of graphic art, photographs, art and multimedia performances. The entrance costs 14e.
The other museum worth visiting in the city is the Museum of Natural History and Technology (Haus der Natur). It is essentially a large museum complex, which includes one of the most beautiful aquariums in Central Europe, a science center, a zoo with reptiles, a section dedicated to the human body, a dinosaur hall and a crystal world. Entrance costs 12e.
Equally interesting is the Toy Museum (Spielzeugmuseum), where young visitors have the opportunity to come into contact with the exhibits and play with them. Admission for children costs 2e, teenagers 2.5e and adults 5e.
Finally, you should not miss the Red Bull Hangar-7. It is a themed "museum" or mall, owned by the Red Bull company and known for its impressive architecture and collection of airplanes, helicopters and Formula 1 racing cars. One can spend the whole day there, as in addition to the exhibits, there are dozens of cafes and restaurants. Admission is free.
How to go
Thessaloniki is connected by air to Salzburg and Salzburg W. A. Mozart Airport, via Eurowings. With proper planning, one can find tickets starting from €146 round trip. From there you can fly to another Austrian or German city and reach Salzburg by train or bus.
Where to stay
Salzburg is a highly touristic city all year round, which means that there are plenty of accommodations, but they are very expensive for what they offer. I'd suggest avoiding the old city, where the prices are outrageous and there's a general panic, and look for something a little further out. So my suggestion is Das Jedermann Boutiquehotel, a boutique hotel, with spacious and fully equipped rooms, capable of fulfilling your every expectation.
How to move
Salzburg's main tourist attraction centers on its historic center, which is easily accessible on foot. However, if you need public transport, the city has a very modern system. It has trolleys and buses, which cover the entire town and many of them operate 24 hours a day! Depending on the number of days you will be staying in the city, I suggest that you issue tickets accordingly, as this way you will save a lot of money. Finally, taxis in Salzburg are relatively expensive and rarely used.
What to eat
Local cuisine in Salzburg includes many dishes with Bavarian and Tyrolean influences, as well as Austrian favourites. Some of the most popular dishes in the area are, of course, the schnitzel, vanilla-flavored dumplings (Salzburger Nockerl), vanilla Cremeschnitte, Kasnocken which looks like Mac 'n' Cheese, fried chicken (Backhendl), apple strudel and pasta with spinach (Spinatknödel). To try local authentic flavors I recommend Barenwirt, for coffee or dessert Café Tomaselli and for the famous local breads Stiftsbackerei St. Peter.
Useful information
In Salzburg we travel with a new type of Passport or Police ID, where the details are written in Latin characters.
In Salzburg the language used is German. But the majority, even the elderly, speak English, so ask for clarification in English.
The currency of the country is the Euro.
Salzburg is one hour behind Greece (GMT +2).
There is no Greek embassy or consulate in Salzburg, so if you need anything you should contact the nearest one, which is located in Vienna at Argentinierstrasse 14 and its phone number is (00431) 50615.
Getting to and from Salzburg Airport is simple as there are continuous buses every fifteen minutes (the number 10) that take you to the main train station!
In winter the cold in Austria is particularly "bitter" and snow is a common sight in Salzburg. The climate is warmer from April to early October, which is the ideal time to visit.
Recommended excursions → Vienna, Graz, Innsbruck, Munich
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Mouzakidis Pantelis
