While Vienna is grand and important, Salzburg is photogenic and endlessly charming. At the base of the Alps, this is the place to visit in Austria beyond the capital, or perhaps even instead of the capital.
In addition to the gorgeous old town in Salzburg, visitors here tend to focus on Mozart-related sights, and those associated with the Sound of Music movie.
The Mozart birthplace and the Mozart resident can be a bit dry, but the Sound of Music bus tour is a blast, even for those who might not know the movie well.
If you are looking for a ski resort area you should head to Innsbruck instead, but if you want to experience the best parts of Alpine Austria you should focus on Salzburg and the area around it.
| Population | 146,600 |
| Area | 146,600 |
| Timezone | UTC+1 |
| Currency | Euro |
| Airports | Salzburg Airport W. A. Mozart (SZG) |
Mozart was born in Salzburg and they city continues to have classical music festivals throughout the year, but there is plenty to see and do even if that doesn’t sound exciting.
The wonderfully preserved Old Town area is worth most of a day and the fortress above the Old Town is another must-visit. You can take a cable car up and take a pleasant stroll back down for the best views.
| Rating | Price(USD) |
|---|---|
 | 23.66 - 37.63 |
| 59.14 - 67.74 |
| 61.29 - 145.16 |
| 66.67 - 166.67 |
| 112.90 - 251.61 |
Star Inn Hotel Salzburg Zentrum, by Comfort Doubles from €84/night | |
Our pick: The best cheap and central 3-star hotel in Salzburg |
| Type | Price(USD) |
|---|---|
| Hostel Bed | 19.35 - 26.88 |
YoHo International Youth Hostel Beds from €14/night | |
Our pick: The best cheap and central hostel in Salzburg |
Food and drinks are also good value for this part of Europe, even at some of the more touristy places in the Old Town and nearby. The Augustiner Brewery is a cheap and unforgettable evening for beers and traditional food.
| Budget breakfast | Your hotel or hostel will likely include a breakfast buffet. If not, a supermarket or bakery is your best bet. | $4.84 - $9.68 |
| Budget lunch | Bratwurst stands in Old Town are cheap, and other casual dining options are nearby. | $6.45 - $11.29 |
| Budget dinner | Sit-down dinners can be reasonable even in Old Town or the Augustiner Brewery. | $11.83 - $20.43 |
| Beer (.5L) | The Augustiner Brewery might be cheapest, but normal bars offer decent deals as well. | $3.76 - $6.45 |
There are walking tours of Old Town with different themes and they are the best way to experience the center because so much of it is a pedestrian zone.
The famous Sound of Music bus tours are even more fun than you might guess, and they are also an excellent way to see the nearby scenery even if you aren’t familiar with the movie and its songs.
| Month | High F | Low F | PRECIP (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 37 | 25 | 2.6 |
| February | 42 | 27 | 2.1 |
| March | 51 | 33 | 3 |
| April | 58 | 39 | 3.2 |
| May | 68 | 47 | 4.5 |
| June | 72 | 53 | 6 |
| July | 76 | 56 | 6.2 |
| August | 76 | 56 | 5.9 |
| September | 68 | 50 | 4 |
| October | 59 | 42 | 2.9 |
| November | 46 | 33 | 3.3 |
| December | 39 | 28 | 2.9 |
A noted saying in the area is “There is no bad weather, just inappropriate clothing”, though some visitors may agree with this motto, must will not. That’s why it’s a great idea to have a clear understanding of the seasons before vacationing.
Although Salzburg isn’t a ski town, it is still surrounded by snow covered mountains, making it a great winter vacation stay if you love winter sports. If not, you may find it too cold to do much outside.
Summer is viewed as the best time of year to visit with temps staying in the 60s and 70s. It is also the rainy time of year so remember to pack a rain jacket, just in case.
Fall and Spring experience a mixture of weather, depending on how close you are to winters’ start or end.
| 21 Mar | 6:10am | 6:21pm |
| 21 Jun | 5:09am | 9:10pm |
| 21 Sep | 6:52am | 7:09pm |
| 21 Dec | 7:54am | 4:18pm |
Hotels and hostels in Salzburg offer pretty good value for this region, although they can be crowded and/or sold out during the summer festival season, so booking ahead is critical.
Depending on the time of year you visit, you’ll notice different hotel prices. Summer (May through August) is considered the best time to visit with higher temperatures and flowers in bloom. This is also the time of year when most people visit and when you’ll find higher hotel prices.
Generally, the rest of the year sees less visitors with September and October serving as great months to travel if you’re looking for lower hotel rates while still being able to enjoy many outdoor activities outside of winter sports.
If you’re looking to stay in a fancy resort for relatively little money, try visiting between the months of November and February. Although this is the coldest and snowiest part of the year, it’s also a great time to save some money.
| Rating | Price(USD) |
|---|---|
 | 23.66 - 37.63 |
| 59.14 - 67.74 |
| 61.29 - 145.16 |
| 66.67 - 166.67 |
| 112.90 - 251.61 |
| Type | Price(USD) |
|---|---|
| Hostel Bed | 19.35 - 26.88 |
Salzburg has its own airport, but most visitors will start somewhere else and then arrive by train. Munich is only about 90 minutes away by regular trains, and is around 3 hours away by fast train.
Salzburg is quite compact and most hotels are in Old Town or just outside of it, or a little closer to the train station. If the weather is decent you can easily walk between all of these things, although there are taxis and a few buses that might come in handy.
| Type | Price(USD) |
|---|---|
| Taxi from airport to city center | 24.73 - 32.26 |
| 3km taxi ride in Salzburg | 8.60 - 13.98 |
| Bus ride in Salzburg | 2.80 |
| 24-hour bus pass | 6.13 |