A Salzburg travel guide – Mozart symphonies, bishops’ palaces and the crispest apple strudel

A whirl of baroque music and palaces or a film set for The Sound of Music - there’s a Salzburg city break for everyone. Book a Salzburg hotel to discover your favourite things about this cultured Alpine city.

Cultural highs

Salzburg will forever be associated with composer Mozart. Explore Mozart's Birthplace before catching a recital in Schloss Mirabell's chandelier-lit Marble Hall. Life-like marionettes perform opera at the opulent Salzburg Marionettentheater nearby. Salzburg hotels are at a premium during the summertime Salzburg Festival of classical music. The hilltop Museum of Modern Art showcases works by Austrian artists like Gustav Klimt, while the baroque Rupertinum highlights contemporary photography. Sing like Julie Andrews as you pedal past film landmarks on a Sound of Music bike tour.

Hearty dining

When the first snow dusts the Alps surrounding the city, cocoon yourself in a wood-panelled tavern for Austrian soul food like Tafelspitz (boiled beef) with horseradish and dumplings. The Old Town's tangle of cobbled lanes hide leafy summer beer gardens and brewpubs for foaming Stiegl beer with pretzels. Elegant cafés serve apple strudel with coffee. Take home Mozartkugeln, chocolate-coated marzipan balls, as a reminder of your Salzburg city break.

 

 

Imperial history

High on Mönchsberg hill, 900-year-old Hohensalzburg Fortress reflects the power of Salzburg's prince-archbishops. You can skirt the ramparts for panoramic rooftop views. The frescoed state apartments of the baroque Residenz Palace played host to a budding Mozart, who gave his first court concert here aged six. Slip back to medieval times with a walk along cobbled Steingasse on the River Salzach's right bank. For a nostalgic trip through the ages, visit the interactive Salzburg Museum.