Travel Guide: Salzburg

The other day I shared all about my trip to Prague. Today I’m taking you to Salzburg, the city of Salzburger Nockerl, the Von Trapps and, of course, the setting of The Sound of Music. Here is my Travel Guide to Salzburg: where to stay, when to go, what to eat and see and I’m even sharing an interesting story or two along the way!

Why Go

Salzburg is a city of music and mountains. The birthplace of  the famous composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, you’ll often find musicians performing on street corners. Because it is surrounded by mountains, you can enjoy city life and take a hike all in the same day. And, as I said before, it is the home of the Von Trapp family and the site of the filming of The Sound of Music. It’s a city that is proud of its culture and you’ll actually see women walking around in their dirndls, a buttoned-up dress and a colorful apron, and men in their lederhosen, embroidered leather shorts with suspenders. Needless to say, it’s a place ripe with tradition and charm!

When to Go

Salzburg is beautiful in the summer, but just like Prague it can be a bit busier during school vacation months. We actually were there during the Salzburg Music Festival but found crowds to be reasonable and the festival really added to our trip! 

If you are into winter sports, November to February is peak visiting time for you as there are many ski resorts just outside the city. 

Where to Stay

We stayed at Hotel NH Salzburg City and it was lovely. Clean, well-kept and centrally located, it had the most comfortable bed for a hotel that I’ve ever slept in! Though breakfast is not included in the base price of the room, you can choose to add it. Either way, you’ll have a reasonably priced place to rest your head in the heart of Salzburg.

If you’re looking for a more authentic place to stay, try the Hotel Goldener Hirsch, though you defintely will pay for the ambience.  

What to See

Mirabell Gardens are gorgeous, especially in spring and summer when its in full bloom. You can get a peak at Hohensalzburg Fortress from many points in the city, but we actually climbed up to the top and not only was it fun to see inside, it also gave us an incredible view of Salzburg. As fans of the Sound of Music, we also made the trek to Nonnberg Abbey, where Maria Von Trapp was a postulant prior to becoming a part of her famous family. 

If you take The Sound of Music Tour, you’ll also get to see a lot of the country side surrounding Salzburg and the adorable town of Mondsee. The graveyards in the city are a site to see with gorgeous grave stones and floral arrangements. If you have the time, check out a marionette show at the Salzburger Marionetten Theater. We actually saw a production of the Sound of Music which really capped off our experience!

Where to Eat

Salzburg is famous for many delicious treats which makes it a city after my own heart. We enjoyed the famous Salzburger Nockerl At Cafe Mozart and it is much more delicious than it looks. We also dined at Café Bazar, right on the Salz River with a beautiful view of Hohensalzburg Fortress. The Café has hosted the likes of Marlene Dietrich, Arthur Miller and Seiji Ozawa, just to name a few of its famous clientele. 

What to Bring Home

While I would’ve loved to have brought home some Mozart balls, I didn’t think they would make the trip. But if you want to take the chance, they are delicious! One of the more famous souvenirs is the Mozart Rubber duck. I brought one home to my uncle who has a rubber duck collection. You can also find beautiful lederhosen and dirndls in traditional shops – great for costume parties! We came home with a lot of Sound of Music merchandise which you can find pretty much anywhere. 

My Favorite Memories

The guide on our Sound of Music tour was hysterical. It felt like we were getting a comedy show along with a tour of the filming sites from the iconic movie. If you do book this tour, ask for Peter (if he is still there), you will not regret it! 

I also loved relaxing at the Café Bazar. With the view, ambience and the superior service, I felt like I was Marlene Dietrich back during the golden days of film! 

Next up, Budapest so stay tuned for that!