Our Salzburg Tours and Trips

Salzburg is Austria’s fourth-largest city and located on the western border with Germany. It’s also Austria’s most beautiful city, with a fairy tale atmosphere conjured by its views of the Eastern Alps, a skyline of Baroque towers and domes, and romantic musical history. The city was the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and the setting for The Sound of Music, so travellers wanting to explore a rich musical heritage will find lots to appreciate in Salzburg.

Salzburg Travel Highlights

The Altstadt (Old Town) is the centre of many of the city’s attractions. It’s where you’ll find Mozart’s childhood home on Getreidegasse, the most popular shopping street in the city. The home has been converted into a museum that traces Mozart’s early life while showcasing his childhood instruments. Also in the Altstadt, you’ll find the marble domed Salzburg Cathedral, constructed in the 17th century, and the Benedictine monastery of St. Peter’s Abbey. On its southern flanks, you’ll find Fortress Hohensalzburg, an 11th-century fortress overlooking the city from the hillside. The fortress is among the best medieval castles in Europe and is an essential stop on any trip to Salzburg, as it offers unbeatable views of the city.

Cross the river from the Altstadt and you’ll reach the 19th-century Neustadt (New Town), where you’ll find opulent Mirabell Palace and its stunning gardens. Further south in the city lies Schloss Hellbrunn, a Renaissance palace, as well as the Salzburg Zoo Hellbrunn, a popular spot for families and nature lovers.

A popular way of exploring Salzburg is on a music tour that either focuses on the life of Mozart or the popular stage and film musical of The Sound of Music. Take in a performance of Mozart’s symphonies or operas at one of the city’s orchestras, or journey into the Alps and see filming locations from The Sound of Music.

There are also fascinating sites nearby Salzburg. The Lake District around Wolfgangsee and Zwolferhorn offers stunning vistas for those who love the outdoors. Hitler’s infamous alpine retreat of Obersalzberg, known as the “Eagle’s Nest,” also lies just over the border inside Germany.

Salzburg Trip Information

Salzburg is a convenient location to get to and around. With the city’s proximity to both Munich and Vienna, Salzburg makes for an easy add-on to a long journey through Central Europe. Many travellers connect through these larger airports, but you can also fly directly into Salzburg on low-cost airlines. Likely the best way to get into Salzburg is by train, taking advantage of Austria’s excellent rail infrastructure and the renovated train station, Hauptbahnhof, with direct rail connections to Vienna, Linz, Munich, and Innsbruck. There are also daily trains to Berlin, Budapest, Prague, and Venice.

In the city, you can take advantage of a well-maintained bus system that gets you to the different neighbourhoods of the city. However, the Altstadt itself is pedestrian-only and eminently walkable. If you want to go a bit quicker, you can opt to bike through the city, as Salzburg is among Central Europe’s most bike-friendly cities. As with most medieval cities in Europe, Salzburg can accommodate car travel, but parking is limited and you’ll find many parts of the city, such as the aforementioned Altstadt, completely inaccessible for cars. Consider taking advantage of buses and taxis to get around town and leaving rentals for travel between cities.

Salzburg is a great city to visit all year round. At Christmas, it transforms into a magical fairy tale town, with a romantic winter atmosphere and easy access to nearby ski resorts. In July and August, the cultural scene hits full swing, with several open-air music and theatre festivals. These are the most popular times to visit Salzburg, so keep in mind that prices will be at their highest.