Austria: There’s More to Salzburg Than Just The Sound of Music
We decided to hop over the border into Austria (country 75) and visit Salzburg following a trip to Munich, Germany for Mr ESLT’s birthday. A lot of people do it as a day trip. However, as we had the time and really wanted to see what Salzburg has to offer we decided to spend 4 days in the pretty city. We’re really glad we did. It gave us the opportunity to explore at a slower pace. It also allowed us to spend some time (possibly too much time) in the beer gardens. Salzburg is famous for being the filming location for the Julie Andrews classic, The Sound of Music. As neither of us has ever seen the film, we were intrigued to see if there’s more to the city than just places featured in the film. We had also not really done a lot of research before our trip. However, now having visited we can categorically confirm there’s more to Salzburg than just The Sound of Music.
Mozart
Long before ‘Do-Re-Mi’, there was The Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni and the Jupiter Symphony as Salzburg was also the birthplace of one of the most famous composers of all time, Mozart. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born on 27th January 1756. He is one of the city’s most well-known residents with a lot of people actually visiting Salzburg to discover more about the man himself.
Mozart was born in a third-floor apartment in the “Hagenauer Haus” at No. 9 Getreidegasse. It is one of the main streets in Salzburg’s Altstadt, more about it later. It is now the most visited museum in Austria. You can wander through the rooms where Mozart grew up, see original photographs of the family, read handwritten letters and see Mozart’s own violin, piano and clavichord up close.
Hohensalzburg Fortress
On top of the Festungsberg, a small hill in the centre of Salzburg sits the Hohensalzburg Fortress. It is one of the largest and best-preserved medieval castles in Europe and well worth a visit. Even though you can see the Fortress from most places in the city centre, nothing beats the views over the city from it.
Buying tickets in advance will save you a couple of Euros each. However, we simply bought our tickets on the day. Simply ride the funicular up to the Hohensalzburg Castle and enjoy stepping back in time.
Mirabell Palace and Gardens
Are you looking to explore a real palace on your next trip to Salzburg? Then add Mirabell Palace and Gardens to your list! This beautiful Baroque palace was built in the early 1600s. It is home to some of the most stunning gardens in Europe. Whether you’re a history buff or just looking for a place to relax, Mirabell Palace and Gardens is definitely worth a visit.
And the best part is, it’s only a short walk from the city centre. Therefore there is no need to worry about renting a car or taking public transportation. Just put on your walking shoes and enjoy.
Salzburg Cathedral
There’s something about big, old cathedrals that just makes you feel small. Maybe it’s the size of the building or the history that’s written into the stone. Or maybe it’s the way the light streaming through the stained glass windows casts a warm glow on everything inside.
The Salzburg Cathedral is one of those places that just takes your breath away. Built in the early 8th century, it’s one of the oldest churches in Austria. And at nearly 200 feet tall, it’s also one of the tallest. The inside of the cathedral is just as impressive as the outside, with ornate carvings and lavish gold leaf detailing. It’s no wonder that this sacred place is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Salzburg.
Getreidegasse
If you’re visiting Salzburg, you simply must walk down Getreidegasse. This historic street is one of the most charming in the city. Getreidegasse is also home to the Mozart House, where the famous composer lived when he was a young man.
It’s a pedestrianized street lined with shops, restaurants, and cafes. If you’re visiting Salzburg, you’ll definitely want to stroll down Getreidegasse and do some window shopping (or actual shopping, if you find something you can’t live without).
The Salzach River
The Salzach River is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Salzburg. And for good reason – it’s a beautiful spot for swimming, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding etc, especially on a summer day. Taking a river cruise and learning about the history and culture of Salzburg is highly recommended.
There are also a number of great restaurants and cafes along the river, meaning there is something for everyone and making it the perfect place to spend a leisurely day.
Beer Gardens
Looking for a place to enjoy some delicious beers in Salzburg? Look no further than the city’s many beer gardens! Salzburg’s beer gardens are the perfect place to relax and enjoy some refreshments, and they offer a great selection of both local and international beers. And of course, no trip to a beer garden would be complete without some traditional Austrian food to accompany your drinks.
So whether you’re looking to try some new brews or just want to relax in a beautiful setting, be sure to check out one of Salzburg’s beer gardens during your visit. Three of the best are Augustinerbräustübl / Müllner Bräu which is housed in an old monastery, Krimpelstätter and Weißbierbrauerei “Die Weiße”.
Hop On Hop Off Bus
Looking for a great way to see the city and affirm that there is more to Salzburg than just The Sound of Music? Then look no further than the hop on hop off bus. This bus tour offers a hassle-free way to see all the best sights of Salzburg at your own pace. You can hop on and off the bus as often as you like. There are even audio guides available in multiple languages so you can learn all about the city as you go.
The hop on hop off bus is a great way to see Salzburg if you’re short on time or if you want to explore the city at your own pace. So what are you waiting for? Book your ticket today.
We hope that this post has highlighted all the wonderful things to do. And also shown there is more to Salzburg than just the Sound of Music.
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