Nestled in central-west Austria on the banks of the Salzach River and just north of the Alps, Salzburg is one of the world’s most imminent cities for music, architecture, mediaeval and baroque culture.
From Mozart and The Sound of Music to its countless castles, church spires and courtyards or squares with fountains – Austria is truly a place where everything comes to life and reminisces of the beautifully simple life from centuries ago.
5 Highlights to Experience Music, Mozart and Culture in Salzburg, Austria
There are literally hundreds of sites, streets, cafes, spots, pubs, beer gardens, churches and abbeys for you to visit when you’re traveling or taking a vacation to Salzburg. Here are the 5 highlights that you definitely don’t want to miss to really get into the culture of Mozart and experience the hills of Salzburg come alive!
1) The Salzburg Castle or Hohensalzburg Fortress
Festung Hohensalzburg
900 years old and going strong, the Hohensalzburg Fortress is the best preserved and largest mediaeval castles in Europe.
Located in the Alstadt or old section of town, you definitely won’t miss Hohensalzburg from afar. As one of the biggest castles in Europe, Hohensalzburg was first built in 1077 and used to protect clergy and Salzburg’s population. Through the 1500’s, more was added and the castle evolved in its use from a military fortress to a prison camp in the 1800’s and today, a tourist attraction. Before you visit, check the calendar of events and see if you can take part in one of the Fortress Concerts along with a candlelight dinner in this massive castle.
Don’t forget to visit the Salzburg Dom (Salzburger Dom) and the Residenz Palace (Fursterzbischofliche Residenz), two of the other famous historical attractions in Salzburg.
2) Getreidegasse, Oldest and Busiest Street in Salzburg
Getreidegasse
Nearby the Salzburg Dom mentioned above, you’ll find the busiest street in Salzburg – and the priciest. This is also the oldest road in the city, as it was used during Roman times and was the only road leading from here to Bavaria. From mediaeval times to today, this area attracts the rich: those visiting for the Salzburg festival, tourists, those looking for Mozart‘s birthplace and shopaholics.
3) The Beer Garden!
Müllner Bräu or Augustiner Bräustübel
From the land of beer gardens or “bier gartens,” the best way to wind down after a long day of craning your neck at spires and steeples, visit the Augustiner Biergarten for a litre served in an Austrian stein mug.
Originally, this abbey was founded by Augustinian monks in 1605 where they began brewing and fermenting in 1621, making their specialized beer. The beer is said to be one of the best in the world and is also super cheap – but the food is a bit more expensive. Today when you visit, you’ll find beer halls and a beer garden where you can sit under chestnut trees and relax with your stein filled with beer.
4) The Salzburg Festival
Die Salzburger Festspiele
Festivals have been a big part of Austrian culture since the Middle Ages, including extravagant costume balls and parties. The modern Salzburg Festival began in 1919 so that Salzburg’s traditional classical music and opera would be preserved and celebrated. Today, the festival offers a rich and diverse music and drama from Mozart to today’s playwrights.
Because it really is all about Mozart in Salzburg, here are a few places you won’t want to miss. Visit the Mozartplatz Square, where a memorial to Mozart is situated. There’s also the house where Mozart was born in 1756 and where he worked and lived later – situated on Getreidegasse. Finally, you can’t leave Salzburg without trying a Mozartkugel – a chocolate invented in 1890 after Mozart. It is filled with pistachios, marzipan and nougat and is made by hand even to this day!
5) The Sound of Music Tour
Who hasn’t wanted to spin around on an Austrian hill, arms swinging ‘round singing, “the hills are alive. . .”? Surprisingly, most Austrians haven’t even seen the movie, The Sound of Music, but it’s a huge attraction in Salzburg since many of its sites provided the filming locations of the musical featuring Christopher Plummer and Julie Andrews.
Today, you can take a “Sound of Music Tour” that will take you to the filming locations in Salzburg and the surrounding area. You’ll learn about behind-the-scenes stories, be able to sing along and even spin on a hill, if you’re interested. There are also hill climbing and hiking tours available for those who are more about the adventure than the music!
Last but not least – don’t forget to sit and enjoy a Klein Brauner – or black coffee with a little milk – in one of Salzburg’s many well-known cafes. You can sit, sip coffee, people watch and not be bothered all morning or afternoon. Ah, the life of a European!