Salzburg can be visited for a variety of reasons. The Salzburg itinerary is jam-packed with all the best activities, meals, and transportation options for a day trip or a weekend getaway.
The fourth-largest city in northwest Austria, Salzburg, roughly translated as “salt fortress,” has breathtaking views of the Eastern Alps at the German border. Well, most people know that Salzburg is both the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the most significant classical musician of all time and the location where the iconic musical film “The Sound of Music” was filmed.
The baroque buildings, gorgeous gardens, and medieval strongholds, among other magnificent features, contributed to Salzburg’s 1997 inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
At the foot of the Alps and closer to the German border sits Salzburg. Since it’s the biggest city nearby if you have more time you may use it as your base to visit sites like Hallstatt and Berchtesgaden. In the 2020 winter, I went to Salzburg and felt a similar sensation of being overwhelmed.
Table of Content
Travel Guide
One Day Trip to Salzburg
Salzburg Card
If you’re thinking about traveling to Salzburg, Austria, you might be asking whether the Salzburg Card is cost-effective. In addition to providing free transport and discounts at several restaurants, museums, and retail establishments, the card grants free entrance to many of the city’s most well-known attractions.
Is the Salzburg Card so worthwhile? This is dependent upon how long you intend to stay in the city and how many things you intend to see. The card might not be worthwhile if you’re only visiting Salzburg for a day or two. The card might, however, lead to significant cost savings if you’re staying for a week or more and want to visit several of the city’s attractions.
It’s particularly helpful if you desire to go to the Modern Art Gallery simply for the look and take advantage of many other benefits. The price of a 24-hours card is €24, a 48-hours card is €32, and a 72-hours card is €37. Salzburg hotels and card packages start at €119.
A day is all it takes to fall in love with Salzburg and I don’t think that I need this card because I just visited this only one day so I never bought it.
Obtain the Salzburg Card in advance of your trip. All of the major tourist sites are free to enter, and there are also funiculars and public transportation available. This city pass is well worthwhile, even if you only stay in Salzburg for a single day.
Quick Tip
You’ll most likely be travelling to Salzburg by rail if you just have one day there. In that situation, you may pick up this card at the train station’s tourist information centre. In the old town, you may also purchase it in the Mozartplatz. It’s possible that your hotel in the city may sell you this card as well.
It’s good to know that the card’s validity begins when you use it, not when you initially purchase it.
One-Day Trip to Salzburg
I’ll give you some recommendations on what to include in your one-day plan for Salzburg below. Fortunately, since walking is the simplest method to get to Salzburg, you can visit all of these locations. Consider purchasing the Salzburg Card if you still want to go about the city on public transportation.
The Hohensalzburg Fortress
In this area of Austria, there are several varieties of beautiful castles, including Hohensalzburg Castle. This castle, which dates to the 11th century, is situated (as the names indicate) up on a mountain with a stunning sight of Salzburg and the surrounding area. This huge castle is the biggest in all of Central Europe and also is notably well-preserved. No trip to Salzburg would be complete without a close-up look at this magnificent castle, which serves as the city’s indisputable icon. You are offered yet another stunning sight of the city from Hohensalzburg, and there are several museums. These consist of the primary historical Fortress Museum as well as other particular sites like the Marionette Museum and the Altes Zeughaus, with its emphasis on combat.
The third floor is the best part of the Hohensalzburg Fortress trip. The Princes’ Chambers are located there and have authentic decor from the early 1500s. The breathtaking view of Salzburg and the surrounding area was the best of the fortress tour. We also visited the museums, although to be totally honest, we didn’t find them all that attractive.
While it is basically feasible to hike towards the castle, if you prefer a simpler option, you can simply take the funicular, which departs from the city center. Even if the ride costs a little more, you avoid a hard climb.
Entrance fees to the Hohensalzburg Fortress
With the Salzburg Card, Admission is FREE; otherwise:
Adults: 12.20 euros;
kids: (6-14 years) $7.00
Families $27.10
If you have a Salzburg Card, the Funicular is free. Otherwise,
it costs €8.60 for adults and €4.70 for children aged 6 to 14.
Salzburg Cathedral
The Salzburg Dom is likewise located at the Residenzplatz. The Cathedral, which is located in the middle of the square, is the most respected structure in the entire city of Salzburg. With its twin domed towers and white marble exterior, it is difficult to overlook. The dom is among this city’s most stunning structures from my perspective The inside of this baroque-style dom, which dates back to the 7th century, is richly decorated.
The three gates of Salzburg Cathedral’s entry stand in for the three holy qualities of Faith, Hope, and Love.
The Dom is typically open every day of the week, and sometimes, concerts are held there. It costs €5 to enter the church, and if you arrive about midday, you could catch an organ recital!
Mozart’s Birthplace
Salzburg is connected with Mozart. With the exception of the crowds of people who have gathered to honor the life of this renowned composer, this ordinary Austrian flat fades into the neighborhood. Everywhere throughout the city, from Mozart’s monument and plaza to his birth home, you can see proud reminders that this is the place where Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born.
The bright yellow home where Mozart was birth and the house where he spent a significant portion of his life are both worth visiting if you’re interested in Mozart and his life.
The eight-room flat from the Mozart Residence’s first floor is now a museum. You may learn more about Mozart’s life in Salzburg as well as the lives of his nearest relatives by giving this place a visit.
The display features many genuine papers, Mozart’s historical pianoforte, and a few family pictures. You may learn a lot from the given audio tour if you spend the time listening to it all; in that case, plan on spending one to one and a half hours there).
Alternatively, you might simply decide to listen to some information about a couple of the exhibits and spend around 30 minutes touring the museum. I would just spend a day in Salzburg because there is so much more to see and do there.
It takes around an hour to complete and costs about €12 to see the Mozarteum, a life-story museum at his birthplace (2022 admission). if you’re interested, a must-read!
The Mozart Residence is accessible every day from 9 am until 5:30 pm. It is open from 8.30 am to 7 pm in July and August.
Helpful info
It’s good to know that, if you can only visit one of Salzburg’s two Mozart residences, most visitors choose Mozart’s Birthplace. Although it doesn’t take long, a trip to the Mozart Residence is arguably considerably more thrilling. While admission to the two Mozart residences in Salzburg is fairly expensive, the Salzburg Card grants free admission to both attractions. So, if you do get the card, I suggest going to both of them.
Shopping at Getreidegasse Street
Take a stroll along Getreidegasse Street, where the greatest stores in Strasbourg are situated, along with Mozart’s birthplace, if you enjoy shopping.
Despite the fact that there are modern establishments here, this street is worth visiting even if you don’t enjoy shopping because every establishment still has a traditional nameplate hanging above its door. Additionally, if you’re seeking authentic Austrian apparel, come here!
The St. Blasius Church, a modest but attractive-looking church, is also located at the end of this street. It is well worth a quick visit!
Don’t forget to explore at least some of the numerous side alleys. Some of them are particularly attractive and have their own modest stores inside. They connect this street to other roads in the middle.
Getreidegasse may get rather busy throughout the day, particularly on weekends, even though it is relatively peaceful while the stores are closed. But going here also involves dealing with the masses.
Useful to Hear
Visit the neighboring Franciscan Abbey’s gothic church if you desire to be away from the throng and somewhat off the usual route. You may also stop at Marstallschwemme and Pferdeschwemme for a brief photo opportunity.
Advice
If you have the chance, Salzburg will not let you down. I wasn’t really sure what to anticipate before I went, so I’m pleased I got to spend the whole day admiring everything.
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