Leisure travel
Salzburg's Old Town (Alstadt Salzburg)
Salzburg's Old Town winds around with twisting streets and pastel-coloured houses. The city comprises several districts, but the Old Town is its main tourist area. It has winding streets like all good medieval towns do and pastel-coloured houses. Make sure to visit the busy shopping street of Getreidegasse while in Alstadt. Apart from the high fashion stores Like Prada and Hugo Boss, the Getreidegasse also entices passersby with its traditional inns and numerous high townhouses alongside guild signs in wrought iron.
Mozarts Birthplace
If you're a fan of classical music, visiting the house where Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born is an absolute must when in Salzburg. Highlights of the building include rooms once occupied by Mozart's family, a museum displaying numerous interesting mementoes, including his violin and portraits, and original scores for many of his compositions.
Salzburg Cathedral
With its mighty dome and two towers, the cathedral is Salzburg's most important sacred building. From a distance, it leaves an impressive stamp on the city skyline; but upon closer inspection, it reveals many surprising details. The baptismal font, the crypt and the art installation "Vanitas" are some sights to be seen here. In addition, many secrets have been associated with the seven bells and the three entrance doors.
Fortress Hohensalzburg
The Hohensalzburg Fortress, which sits on top of Festungsberg, is one of the largest castles in Europe and also the biggest fully preserved castle in Central Europe, offers a 360-degree view of Salzburg and its surroundings.
Residenzplatz
Residence Square is a spectacular central square found between the archbishops' residences in the heart of Salzburg's Old City. It is bordered on one side by New Residence with its famous carillon, the famous Salzburg Cathedral and old-styled townhouses that line both long edges.
Mirabell Palace and gardens
The Mirabell Palace and its gardens are one of the most important sites in the world. When Prince-Archbishops Salzburg died, his name was given to this palace as a memorial. In 1818, a fire destroyed much of the palace and its gardens. Today the building houses government offices, including those of the mayor. Several scenes in "The Sound of Music" were shot here, including the children running around the famous Pegasus fountain in the Gardens.
Schloss Hellbrunn
For more than 400 years, the trick fountains at Hellbrunn Palace have enchanted and amazed visitors with their water displays. The grounds around Hellbrunn Palace include both landscaped and natural biotopes. The palace's spacious parks are beautiful places to unwind, take a walk and enjoy outdoor sports.
St. Peter's Abbey and St. Peter's Church
St. Peter's Cemetery is a place of beauty and grandeur, with many famous personalities buried among its historic tombs. The so-called "Long Gallery" was built in the 17th century to house an impressive collection of paintings. The cemetery was the backdrop for a famous scene from the movie "The Sound of Music".
Skiing in Salzburg
The towns and ski resorts in Austria's Salzkammergut are picturesque; huge frozen lakes dominate the landscape, pastel-coloured buildings line cobbled streets, glacial wonderlands surround you—and natural thermal waters provide relaxation.
The 5 closest Ski regions with easy access from Salzburg are:
- St Johan
- Bad Gastein
- Zell am See
- Kitzbühel
- Schladming