Salzburg holidays

As the hometown of Mozart, the crooning Von Trapp clan and the world-famous Salzburg Festival, it’s no wonder this Austrian city claims the title ‘stage of the world’. A holiday to Salzburg has a way of elevating the senses. From baroque cathedrals and cheesy ‘spaetzle’ (egg noodles) to modern art and a world-class beer scene, see why Salzburg will have you singing from the mountaintops.  

Salzburg holiday highlights

Salzburg
Salzburg
ALBIN NIEDERSTRASSER

Honor Mozart

No holiday to Salzburg is complete without stopping by No.9 Getreidegasse, birthplace of the musical prodigy. Move on to the Mozart Residence where he’d grow into history’s most important composer. Mozart Week takes place at the end of January. Plan a winter getaway to hear artists from around the world at one of the most spectacular classical music events. 

Relive an iconic movie

Not only did the real Von Trapp family once reside here, but much of the 1965 Oscar-winner ‘The Sound of Music’ was shot in the city. Join Fraulein Maria’s Bicycle Tour to see key filming locations. Catch a performance at the Salzburg Marionette Theatre or sing for your supper at the Sound of Salzburg Dinner Show.

Explore the Alps

A holiday to Salzburg puts you within yodelling distance of the Alps, which you can climb via cable car. Learn how the city got its wealth at the Salzburg Salt Mine, riding the original mine train and sailing across a subterranean salt lake. Werfen, the world’s biggest ice cave, extends for miles into the mountain and is accessible from May to October.

Salzburg: Know before you go

Language

German

Currency

Euro (€)

Time zone

UTC+1 (CET) and UTC+2 (CEST)

High season

July – August and January – March

Low season

May and October

Find the best time to go to Salzburg

Weather in Salzburg

March – April: As the ski season winds down, temperatures climb upwards of 10°C. Rain showers are likely, so don’t forget your umbrella.

May – August: Warm, pleasant days make this the perfect window for outdoor activities and excursions to the surrounding hills. It’s also the rainiest time — plan a museum day if the weather turns.

September – October: Comfortable daytime temperatures and chilly evenings mean you’ll want to pack layers. Don’t miss the Mirabell Gardens’ autumn foliage.

November – February: Bundle up for temperatures that dip below freezing. The city gets covered in snow, a cosy backdrop for the city’s Christmas markets. Hit the slopes at the nearby ski resorts.

Events in Salzburg

Mozart Week (January to February): This popular classical music festival celebrates the famous Salzburg-born composer with orchestra and chamber concerts, plus recitals by renowned musicians.

Salzburg Music Festival (July to August): Established in 1920, this prestigious music and drama festival showcases concerts, opera and theatre performances by international artists at venues across the city.

St Rupert’s Day Fair (September): Held around Salzburg Cathedral in honour of the city’s patron saint, this traditional festival features fairground rides, brass bands and market stalls selling regional specialities.

Christmas markets (November to January): Get into the festive spirit at one of Salzburg’s Christmas markets. Don’t miss the market on Domplatz and Residenzplatz, one of the city’s most famous.

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The best neighbourhoods in Salzburg

Altstadt

Towering over the UNESCO-listed Altstadt (Old Town) is Hohensalzburg Fortress. To reach it, take the cable car up Festungsberg mountain. As you climb enjoy views of spires and cupolas poking over the Old Town and Alpine peaks in the distance. This is the best neighbourhood in Salzburg to immerse yourself in the city’s baroque beauty.

Good for: Mountain peaks, fortress, cable car

Mulln

Located by the Salzach River, this small neighbourhood — named after the mills once found here — is a beer-lover’s paradise. It’s home to the historic Augustiner Brau, whose beer was first brewed by monks. Today the brewery has the biggest beer garden in Salzburg. Line your stomach at the impressive delicatessen arcade where food stalls offer pretzels, sausages, dumplings and more.

Good for: Beer garden, history, river walks

Elisabeth-Vorstadt

If you’re wondering where to stay in Salzburg on a budget, Elisabeth-Vorstadt is a smart choice. This neighbourhood is prized for its walkability and proximity to some of the city’s key attractions. You’ll also find a collection of shops and small parks. Don’t miss Jazzit, a jazz club housed in the former Salzburg communist party headquarters.

Good for: Parks, shops, jazz club

Things to do in Salzburg

Salzburg
Salzburg
Tourismus Salzburg GmbH

Free things to do

It may be one of Austria’s most expensive cities but you’ll still find free things to do in Salzburg. Check out Formula 1 racing cars at Hangar-7 Museum. Go to a student concert at Mozarteum University and you might catch another Mozart in the making. The Salzburg Walk of Modern Art brings a fresh contemporary edge to the city’s historic backdrop. 

Shopping

Getreidegasse is the shopping capital of Salzburg. Here you can buy ‘Mozartkugel’, chocolate balls filled with marzipan, pistachio and nougat. These bite-sized delights were made to mark the hundredth anniversary of Mozart’s death. Pine schnapps is another local treat, made from a tree that grows at high altitudes.

Take in the culture

Founded in 1920, the Salzburg Festival attracts 250,000 drama and music enthusiasts annually. The six-week extravaganza takes place between July and August. Get a Salzburg Card for one-time free entry into Salzburg museums. It’s also good for attractions like the catacombs of the 12th-century St Peter’s Abbey, carved into the Monchsberg mountainside.

Places to eat

For a memorable dining experience, book a table at St Peter Stiftskulinarium, one of the best restaurants in Salzburg for atmosphere. Located within St. Peter’s Abbey and carved into the mountainside, it’s reputedly the oldest restaurant in Europe. Leave room for the Salzburger nockerl, a sweet souffle shaped to resemble the hills surrounding the city.

Nightlife

Beer is the lifeblood of this city, and its 11 breweries are a major part of the nightlife in Salzburg. With its three beer gardens, two halls and five lounges, you could settle in for the night at Sternbrau. And if you feel like partying, head to Gstattengasse for bars and clubs.

Family-friendly things to do

The Trick Fountains at Hellbrunn Palace are a favourite during summer, and one of the best things to do with family in Salzburg. Built for the pleasure of Prince-Archbishop Markus Sittikus, the palace’s crowning jewel (from his majesty’s perspective) are the gardens’ hidden water jets, which he used to soak unsuspecting guests. Prepare to get wet!

Plan your holiday to Salzburg

Budget

With a bit of planning, a cheap holiday in Salzburg is doable. Start by picking up the Salzburg Card, which gives you free transport and admission to some of the city’s biggest attractions. Expect to pay around 15 euros (€) for a meal in an inexpensive restaurant. If you need to catch a taxi, a short ride will cost around €10.

Day trips from Salzburg

See frozen waterfalls and ancient ice sculptures at the Dachstein Caves, an hour and a half from the city. On the way there, check out the village of Hallstatt, known for its 16th-century Alpine houses and funicular railway. Got a bit more time to spare? Hop on a two-hour train to Innsbruck to see the Nordkette mountain range and the Imperial Palace.

Getting around Salzburg

Walking is a popular way to navigate this small city. You’ll also find a reliable and well-connected system of public buses and trains. Pre-book for cheaper tickets or ride for free with the Salzburg Card. This is a bike-friendly city with many cycling paths. Hire an e-bike from one of the various rental services.

FAQs about Salzburg holidays

The majority of locals here speak German. Every city has its own unique lingo, so it's worth picking up some common phrases to use during your city break in Salzburg.
With temperatures reaching a high of 26ºC (79ºF), July is the warmest month in Salzburg.
Austria is consistently ranked one of the safest countries in the world. However, take the same precautions on your holiday to Salzburg as you would anywhere else. LGBTQ+ travellers are welcome. The Queer City Tour shines a light on how the community has shaped Salzburg’s history.
Organise your Salzburg holiday for January and you'll be there when the weather is at its coolest. -10ºC (14ºF) is as cold as the city gets.
The official currency in Salzburg is the euro (EUR). It's helpful to carry some cash during your trip to Salzburg, but digital payments and cards are typically accepted in most places.
With an average rainfall of 17 cm, May is the rainiest month to go on a Salzburg holiday. When the skies open up, venture indoors and enjoy the city's shopping malls, art galleries, cafes and more.
May is when airfares are most affordable, so start searching for Salzburg flights and hotels during that month. Use the savings to treat yourself to a more upscale hotel or extend your holiday with a few more nights.
As a walkable city with most attractions located within the Old Town, it’s possible to do a lot on a weekend break to Salzburg. For adventures into the Alps, be prepared to add on another two to three days.
From Hohensalzburg Fortress to Mirabell Palace and Gardens, this city lines up one attraction after another. Get ready for your next great adventure by making a list of the top things to do in Salzburg.
Save big on short breaks to Salzburg by buying the Salzburg Card. This covers museums, attractions and transport. The card is available for 24, 48 or 72 hours. Be aware the cost of accommodation skyrockets during the Salzburg Festival and Christmas markets.