I’m embarrassed to admit that this 24-hour guide to Salzburg has been in the works since we returned from our long road trip through Europe.
I’m embarrassed to admit that before our visit, my knowledge of Salzburg was limited to the movie Sound of Music (which I don’t like myself anymore either).
But listen. There is still hope for me. In an effort to enlighten ourselves, we spent a whole day exploring Salzburg.
I was in two minds about Salzburg. First, the city feels tranquil in a way that is mostly limited to small towns. Second, Salzburg is so rich in history that wandering its streets feels like a privilege.
We hope this guide will help you spend less time planning and more time exploring this historic delight!
Why you should visit Salzburg
Salzburg is beautiful in a way that most cities try to emulate. It has a charm that is difficult to explain in words. Surrounded by the enchanting Alps, the city is a treasure trove of Baroque architecture, rusted copper roofs, charming shops and a relaxed way of life.
Is 24 hours enough time in Salzburg?
- No is the correct answer. My time in Salzburg felt too short and I can’t wait to go back to see more. But if you want to see the best sights, 24 hours is enough from Salzburg.
Best time to visit Salzburg
- spring This is a great time to visit Salzburg. We visited in May and were comfortable wandering the streets in light jackets. The weather was sunny, flowers were blooming, and the city was filled with the spirit of spring. The only thing noticeably missing? Crowds of tourists. But you won’t hear me complaining.
- Salzburg’s Christmas market is world famous. winter It would be a great time to visit too. I can only imagine how beautiful that iconic dome will look under the snow. Winter temperatures reach around 40 degrees, so it’s a good idea to dress accordingly (read: layers).
- that summer Seasons are both a blessing and a curse. Crowds and temperatures rise and prices follow suit. However, the Salzburg Festival takes place in the summer, so if you’re interested in performing arts, now might be the time to visit. If you’re not interested in the performing arts and have a flexible schedule, you might want to avoid the summer and book your trip in September or October instead.
What languages are spoken in Salzburg?
- Most people in Salzburg speak the Austro-Bavarian dialect of German. hello(hey), goodbye (to See you again), please (please) And thank you (thank you).
- But it mostly relied on English and it was easy to get around.
Interesting facts about Salzburg
- Salzburg is considered the beer capital of Austria. In fact, two of the city’s oldest breweries, Steigl-Braquerei and Augustiner Brau, still exist today. We will cover both in our itinerary.
- Salzburg was an independent country, but was annexed to the Austrian Empire in 1816. A place that remains to this day.
- Despite being a small city, it has 27 churches, 4 universities, and 15 museums.
Did you know? The name Salzburg translates to “Salt City”, a name given when salt extraction was the city’s lifeblood.
The Sound of Music Tour
- I recommend this tour to any Sound of Music fan (cost $50 per person). Tours are available by bus, on foot, and by bike and allow participants to visit the original filming locations. This tour is so popular that about 300,000 visitors participate annually.
With only 24 hours left in Salzburg, we decided to skip the Sound of Music tour. We didn’t have enough time to take advantage of this experience, but so many people highly recommended it!
Is the Salzburg Card worth it?
It depends on what you plan to explore during your visit. The pass includes access to public transportation and major attractions, including:
- Hohensalzburg Fortress
- Mozart’s home and birthplace
- Hellbrunn Palace
- Salzburg Museum
Other perks include a cruise on the river, a cable car ride to the next town, and (my favorite) a tour of the Stiegl brewery with a tasting of three 200ml beers.
In my opinion, if you plan on visiting the Hohensalzburg Fortress, I think the pass is worth it since the entrance fee to the fortress alone is $15 per person. Remember that most attractions in Salzburg close around 5pm.So, make sure you take your time to get the most out of your card.
24 hours in Salzburg, Austria
Breakfast at Fingerlos.
- It may sound strange, but Finferlos makes the best eggs! It’s not a joke. Try it yourself. The man next to us ordered a three-tier tray full of breakfast. Next time, of course, I’d like to order the egg side as well.
Visit Mirabell Palace and Mirabelgarten.
- Does it look familiar? Mirabell Palace was featured in The Sound of Music (where Mary and her children dance around the Pegasus Fountain singing “Do-Re-Mi”). There is no entrance fee to enter the palace or explore the gardens.
- While exploring the palace, we learned that Mirabell Palace is also used as a music venue. I can’t think of a more wonderful setting to enjoy the magic of an orchestra.
Be sure to stop by while exploring Mirabelgarten. Hedge Theater (One of the oldest north of the Alps) dwarf garden.
- The Dwarf Garden originally had 28 dwarves, but due to a suspicious wife’s request for their removal and destruction, only 17 remained. The dwarves were auctioned off and forgotten until they returned to the garden 100 years later.
Please note: Dwarf Garden is closed during winter.
Salzburg Cathedral
- Perhaps the most iconic building in Salzburg. The three bronze doors leading to the cathedral depict the themes of faith, hope and love (the greatest of the three is love).
- The cathedral has seven bells, one of which is the second largest bell in Austria. Can you imagine the clear sound of those happy bells? That alone is reason enough to come back!
- Fun fact: Both Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Josef Mohr (who wrote the lyrics to “Silent Night”) were baptized in Salzburg Cathedral.
Hohensalzburg Fortress
- Hohensalzburg Fortress is one of the largest intact fortresses in Europe. It is perched high on a hilltop and offers great views of Salzburg below. You can take the convenient cable car and hike up to the fortress. Admission to the fort is approximately $15 per person and the cable car fare is approximately $23 per person.
Mozart’s birthplace
- Mozart’s childhood home has been converted into a museum for the public to enjoy. Whether you’re a music fanatic or not, you shouldn’t skip this historic gem. Admission is approximately $12 per person. It’s good to know that photography is not allowed inside.
st peter monastery
- It’s a beautiful, historic church that’s worth a visit during a short trip, especially since there is no entrance fee. This is one of the oldest monasteries in the world, having been founded in 696. If you like ornate churches, you cannot miss this monastery. Likewise, don’t miss Austria’s oldest cemetery, just behind the church (entrance fee $2).
Steagle Brewery
- This brewery has the best view of Salzburg Cathedral. We stopped by to rest our legs and get out of the rain. Outdoor patio seating is a great place to enjoy a grapefruit beer and take in the view.
Explore the old town
- My favorite area to explore is old town (Old Town) Because it feels like going back in time. Salzburg’s old town is considered so beautiful that it was designated as a UNESCO site (largest UNESCO historic site based on land area).
- My favorite street in Altstadt Grain AlleyAn alley lined with shops, recognizable by their wrought-iron signs. We stopped at a store that specializes in eggshell Christmas ornaments. What a unique souvenir!
Take a walk down Steingasse
- Steingasse is a historic cobbled street close to the river with trendy shops and pretty houses in Salzburg’s old town. This picturesque street is not very long and can be covered in 15 minutes.
Go early in the morning to avoid the crowds and enjoy the quiet and beautiful nature of the area.
Augustiner Brau
- This is a traditional brewery run by monks and has been operating a beer garden since 1621. I’ve never seen a beer garden like this before. The first step is to pick up a ceramic mug before heading to the gas station. With a beer in hand, wander through the brewery and sample Austrian cuisine (skewers and sauerkraut, warm bread and fish, etc.).
- With food in hand, happy customers can enjoy their meal outdoors in the shade of an old chestnut tree. Bonus points: The brewery offers scheduled tours for groups of 10 to 30 people, which cost about $14 per person. I plan to visit this brewery again and again as it is one of my favorite breweries!
St. Sebastian Cemetery
- It is the final resting place of many of Salzburg’s most prominent families and celebrities. It is a beautiful baroque cemetery containing the tombs of Mozart’s father and wife, and the famous physician Paracelsus, known as the father of modern medicine.
Interesting facts: Although Mozart is the most famous name to come from Salzburg, his final resting place is in Vienna’s St. Marx Cemetery. The exact location of his grave is unknown, although this is nothing more than an educated guess, but a tombstone has been erected marking the spot.
Take a cooking class!
- What better way to immerse yourself in a culture than learning the local cuisine? We signed up for an apple strudel cooking class and had a really great time! We met a couple from Chicago and spent the evening talking and eating with them. We made a reservation through Edelweiss Cooking School and paid $100 for two people.
Side note: I understand cooking classes can be a bit pricey, but I’m a big advocate of community support. I would rather invest my money in lifelong memories than buy cheap souvenirs all week long.
How to get to Salzburg:
- From the airport: Salzburg Mozart Airport is located just 3.2 km from Salzburg city center. It’s a 20-minute bus ride from the airport to the city center for $3 per person. A taxi from the airport takes 15 minutes and costs $18-$20.
- By train: If you arrive by train, you will arrive at the beautiful Salzburg Hauptbahnhof, a 20-minute walk to the Old Town (Altstadt).
Where to stay in Salzburg:
- As budget travelers we decided to stay at Hotel Hofwirt Salzburg. We had a great experience and felt the hotel was great value. Located downtown, steps from everything including restaurants, shops, and historic sites.
Explore Salzburg
- Salzburg is a walking city. We decided to use our own two feet to get around and enjoyed a beautiful walk. The Altstadt is very pedestrian friendly.
- We arrived in Salzburg by car, but made sure to park as quickly as possible. In our experience, we recommend avoiding driving in the city.
Berchtesgaden day trip from Salzburg
If you have time for a day trip, highly We recommend a trip to Berchtesgaden, which is full of history. If you have a car, Berchtesgaden is a 30-minute drive away. If you’re using public transport, a train connects Salzburg with Berchtesgaden in less than an hour.
This concludes our brief 24-hour guide to Salzburg. We hope you enjoy this city as much as we do. It’s breathtakingly beautiful.
Antonina
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