Salzburg holidays

Harpsichords, singing nuns and curtain-wearing liebchens – as the home of Mozart and the Von Trapp family, Salzburg really is alive with the sound of music.

High-achiever

Known as Mozart's birthplace, the Rome of the North and the setting of The Sound of Music, Salzburg has charm, class and unique character in abundance.

Beautiful buildings

Sitting on the banks of the Salzach River, beneath the looming shadow of the 2nd century Hohensalzburg fortress, this UNESCO city is a blend of different architectural styles. It’s considered the Baroque jewel of the Austrian Alps, and Hellbrunn Palace and the magnificent Salzburg Cathedral are both must-sees, whether it’s your first trip to the city or not.

Food, glorious food

It’s also got the highest concentration of gourmet restaurants in Austria, which means plate after plate of regional wonder, from schnitzel to delightfully sweet apple strudel. If you’re staying in July and August, head to the old part of the city for seasonal Mozart exhibitions and tours. And if the very mention of Salzburg brings to mind Julie Andrews and milk maids, there are plenty of experiences and tours that will leave your heart singing.

Good to know

We’re all about giving support and sharing expertise. There won’t be a rep in resort, but they’ll meet you at the airport when you arrive and help get you on your way. If you’ve got any questions while you’re away, give us a call at our 24/7 TUI Service Centre. You can also check your info pack – it’s full of useful information and expert tips to make your holiday the best it can be.

Out and about

Here are some ideas of things to do when staying in Salzburg:

• Boat rides
• Gardens
• UNESCO site
• Castle
• Museum

Popular hotels in Salzburg

Top things to see and do in Salzburg

Shopping

Bargain buys

The daily Grünplatz market, which takes place in the University Square, is a great place for taking photos and finding delicious local produce for picnics. The third-largest market in Austria, Schrannenmarkt, also takes place once a week in front of St Andrew’s Church, selling everything from flowers to leather goods and local delicacies. If you want to shop like a local, head to Linzergasse for small – and significantly cheaper – independent shops.

Mid-range buys

Salzburg is known for being quite pricey, but you will find some fairly reasonably priced goods if you know where to look. The Europark Mall near the station is home to 130 high-street shops, while the traditional Getreidegasse has a huge selection of local manufacturers selling an array of foods, clothes and bits and bobs for the house. If you have a chance, make sure to check out Baroque Court Pharmacy, the oldest bookshop in the German-speaking world.

Designer buys

Designer goods aren’t hard to find in Salzburg. As well as the Designer Outlet Center near the airport, selling items from big-name brands such as Michael Kors and Hugo Boss at a substantial discount, you’ll also find luxury labels in the centre of town, too. The Geitreidegasse – Salzburg’s most famous and busiest shopping street – Judengasse and Goldgasse in the Old Town are also home to designer boutiques and jewellery shops, perfect for a bit of high-end retail therapy.

Nightlife

Laid-back evenings

For chilled evenings, have a wander around the bustling streets and settle down with a beer at one of Salzburg’s ten breweries. Regarded as the beer capital of Austria, Salzburg has been brewing for more than 600 years. One brewery in particular, Augustiner Brau, has the biggest beer garden in the city, so is perfect for catching the sunset.

Lively evenings

Compared to other major cities in Europe, Salzburg doesn’t have a well-renowned nightlife. However, there are some stylish and cosmopolitan bars – like the Imlauer Skybar – as well as huge beer halls like Sternbrau that seats up to 2,000 people. For a truly authentic Salzburg experience, book yourself onto a Mozart dinner and concert. With many musical and culinary delights, period costumes and overtures, it’s bound to be a night to remember.

Food & drink

Eating Out

As you’d probably expect of a city, Salzburg is full of coffee houses, beer gardens and fine-dining restaurants, and is said to have the highest concentration of gourmet restaurants of any city in Austria. You’ll find loads of eateries by the river, meaning you’ll not only have a lovely meal, but lovely views too. Make sure you try the local speciality, sacher torte chocolate cake - it’s mouthwateringly good.

Sweet treats at Café Sacher

Just outside the Mirabell Garden gates you’ll find Café Sacher, the original home of Austria’s greatest sweet, the sacher torte. The ornate, Parisian-style pâtisserie is a popular place for some fine-dining afternoon tea and cake.

Sophistication at Restaurant Esszimmer

Just across the river is Restaurant Esszimmer. It doesn't look like much from the outside, but the interiors are modern and stylish. The food is beautifully presented with incredible attention to detail, and the service is extremely attentive.

Get your cheese on at L'Osteria

Back across the river is L’Osteria, one branch of a chain of pizzerias. The pizzas are huge, the pasta is tasty and everything comes at a very good price – making it an excellent choice for adults and kids alike.

Getting about

Buses

Environmentally friendly trolleybuses running on overhead power lines are commonplace in Salzburg. More than 20 lines run every 10 minutes from bus stops across the city – timetables are available from the tourist information office. Regular buses, known as Postbuses, also connect Salzburg with lots of local towns nearby.

Ferries

Jump on a local ferry and sail down the River Salzach. It’s the most relaxing way to enjoy the city’s beauty. Several companies operate the river cruises and they can be booked at the many kiosks in the city.

Summer lifts

The Mönchsberg lift, which departs from the Gstättengasse in the city’s Old Town, transports you up to the Stadtberg – one of the six mountains that surround Salzburg – in just 30 seconds. Once at the top, you can explore the Museum der Moderne or take a gentle stroll through the nature preserve.

Trains

Salzburg’s main train station is located a 20-minute walk from the centre of the city. From here there are frequent services to Vienna, Innsbruck and Zell am See, as well as more international destinations like Munich, Zurich and Budapest. It’s also a hub for southbound trains through the Alps and into Italy. The S-Bahn – a suburban rail line connecting to Salzbug’s surrounding villages – also has services running every 30 minutes.

On foot

With lots of open squares, pedestrianised shopping streets and wide pavements, Salzburg is pretty simple to get around on foot. All the major attractions are pretty close together, too, so you can walk from the Neustadt (New City), across the river and over to the Altstadt (Old City) in under 15 minutes.

Walking

Walking

Despite being the fourth-largest city in Austria, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Salzburg isn't too strenuous on the legs. The River Salzach splits the city into two, with the New Town on its northern shores and the Old Town on its south. A casual meander along the promenade is a relaxing way to take in the sights and atmosphere, and walk off a well-earned dinner, while a stroll through the pretty lanes and historical squares is a best way to admire the array of Baroque buildings. If nature is more your thing, then you’ll be glad to know that 30% of the city is comprised of nature reserves – Park Kapuzinerberg being one of them. Grab some bits for a picnic and have a wander.

Average Weather in Salzburg

Facts about Salzburg

Currency
Euro
(EUR)
Language
German
Time zone
GMT +2
Flight duration
From 1 hour 50 minutes to 2 hours 15 minutes from Gatwick

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