This Charming European Metropolis Is Identified for ‘The Sound of Music’ and Mozart — The right way to Go to

Anybody with an affinity for Mozart’s symphonies or a deep love of “The Sound of Music” has doubtless dreamed of touring to Salzburg. The fourth-largest metropolis in Austria, Salzburg was residence to the well-known composer for many of his life and served as one of many 1965 movie’s fundamental taking pictures places. Whereas many guests include plans to see Mozart’s Birthplace and recreate Julie Andrews’ most memorable scenes, it’s a vacation spot that Craig Mitchell, a information with Panorama Excursions, describes as a “nice all-arounder.”

“Salzburg has the proper steadiness of metropolis life, nature, artwork, and structure,” provides Gerhard Reus, the founding father of Free Strolling Tour Salzburg. It’s additionally extremely walkable — a top quality attributed to the 2 bordering mountains, Kapuzinerberg and Mönchsberg. “Traditionally, these acted as pure partitions, limiting the growth of the Outdated City. Till 1816, Salzburg wasn’t a part of Austria however an impartial church-state. The archbishops right here grew rich from the salt commerce, which funded the unimaginable Baroque structure,” he tells Journey + Leisure. And it’s due to this historical past, he explains, that the Outdated City is “compact, walkable, and filled with fascinating sights and complex particulars.”

There’s technically no dangerous time to go to this charming metropolis, but it surely’s notably magical through the holidays, when the Christmas markets convey out their twinkly lights, mulled wine, and stalls full of gingerbread, roasted chestnuts, and ornaments. Although he particularly calls out the market within the Hohensalzburg Fortress courtyard and the Hellbrunner Adventzauber, Mitchell recommends visiting all the Christmas markets you probably have the time.

Regardless of whenever you plan to go to Salzburg, the under information will assist you determine which lodge to e book, which actions to slot in, and the place to strive Wiener schnitzel and apple strudel.

Finest Accommodations

Resort & Villa Auersperg

“My best choice is Resort & Villa Auersperg, a family-run lodge with a heat, private contact that’s pet-friendly and superb for households,” says Reus. “It has a spa space, yoga lessons, and a concentrate on native, high-quality breakfast elements. Above all, it gives a very welcoming expertise.”

Resort Goldener Hirsch, a Luxurious Assortment Resort

Mitchell calls Resort Goldener Hirsch an “iconic location with a five-star environment.” Set within the Outdated City, the 70-room lodge blends its 600-year-old looking lodge heritage with modern-day conveniences. The spacious rooms and suites function vintage furnishings and conventional rugs in addition to roomy marble tubs and soundproof home windows.

Resort Sacher Salzburg

“If price range isn’t a priority and also you need a historic luxurious expertise, Resort Sacher can be my second decide,” says Reus. “Staying there’s like getting into imperial Austria of the nineteenth century — an expertise in itself.” Mitchell agrees, sharing that this can be a property that “combines heritage with consolation.”

Schloss Leopoldskron

The largest “Sound of Music” followers ought to contemplate staying at one place and one place solely: Schloss Leopoldskron, in any other case referred to as the house of the von Trapp household within the movie. There are 12 suites within the historic palace, two townhomes, and 55 rooms within the Meierhof (the previous administration constructing). Plus, you’ll get to benefit from the 17 acres of manicured gardens and unbeatable lake and mountain views.

Issues to Do

Go on “The Sound of Music” tour.

Mitchell says the Authentic Sound of Music Tour will present you “the highlights of the town in addition to the Lake District” and go away you considerably extra educated on the vacation spot as a complete. In the course of the four-hour tour, you’ll cease on the authentic taking pictures places from the film, together with Schloss Leopoldskron, Mirabell Gardens and Pegasus Fountain (the place Julie Andrews and the youngsters dance within the movie), and the gazebo.

Discover Mirabell Palace and Gardens.

Even when you aren’t embarking on a “Sound of Music” tour, a cease at Mirabell Palace and Gardens ought to nonetheless be a precedence. “It’s free, it’s stunning, and there are numerous hidden corners to find,” says Reus. For an much more “solely in Salzburg” expertise, e book tickets for one of many Mozart live shows hosted within the historic constructing’s Marble Corridor.

Soak up Salzburg from above.

There’s solely a lot of Salzburg you may see from the bottom — so Reus recommends heading as much as larger elevations. “A number of choices make this straightforward: the Mönchsberg elevator to the Museum of Trendy Artwork, the funicular as much as the fortress, or just strolling alongside Mönchsberg or Kapuzinerberg,” he says. “The view allows you to grasp the fantastic thing about Salzburg and its distinctive setting.”

See a present on the Salzburg Marionette Theatre.

Often known as one of many oldest persevering with marionette theaters on the planet, the Salzburg Marionette Theatre is a enjoyable, family-friendly exercise within the metropolis. Its technique of puppet and determine theater was additionally named on the Intangible UNESCO Cultural Heritage checklist in 2016. Reveals vary from classical operas and fairy tales to performs and musicals — together with, after all, “The Sound of Music.”

Stroll across the historic heart.

Salzburg’s historic heart is a delegated UNESCO World Heritage Web site, and inside this space, you’ll discover the Outdated City (Altstadt). Mitchell recommends strolling across the Outdated City — hold a lookout for Getreidegasse (the well-known purchasing road the place you’ll discover Mozart’s Birthplace), Outdated Metropolis Corridor, and Salzburg Cathedral — and visiting Hohensalzburg Fortress, one of many largest absolutely preserved castles in Central Europe.

Finest Buying

Getreidegasse

“By way of actual purchasing experiences, it is Getreidegasse,” says Reus, noting that locals are likely to go to the purchasing facilities on the outskirts of the town versus the purchasing road within the Outdated City. Together with quite a lot of outlets and cafes, the Getreidegasse options attention-grabbing structure — particularly the by means of homes, public passageways that run by means of buildings.

The Salzburg Schranne

“If it is a Thursday, I’d suggest going to Mirabell Sq. for the farmers’ market,” says Reus. Held in entrance of Andräkirche Salzburg, the market brings collectively farmers, meals stands, and different native and regional producers promoting flowers, snacks, and humanities and crafts.

Linzer Gasse

“Outdated City is finest on Saturdays with markets and all of the outlets open,” says Mitchell. “The Linzer Gasse is my favourite space.” The purchasing road is the “little sister” of the Getreidegasse, and it’s full of a lineup of outlets, eating places, and different stop-worthy moments that radiate each historical past and sweetness. 

Finest Eating places

Augustiner Bräu Mülln

Visiting Augustiner Bräu, the biggest beer corridor in Austria, is a should for each Reus and Mitchell.  “It’s a completely totally different world inside, usually bustling with individuals having fun with liter mugs of beer — even on quiet weekdays,” says Reus. “The meals courtroom lets teams pattern small parts of varied native meals to share, so everybody can get a style of Salzburg.”

Andreas Hofer Weinstube

Reus says Andreas Hofer Weinstube is “essentially the most conventional, with a country environment that feels genuinely native.” The institution has been round for over 100 years and serves up entrees like spaetzle, schnitzel, and spaghetti bolognese.

Meissl & Schadn

In response to Reus, Meissl & Schadn on Getreidegasse is “a bit upscale, but it surely’s doubtless the perfect place for schnitzel in Salzburg.” Pair it with potato salad or parsley tomatoes, and wash it down with a carafe of the home wine. Simply don’t neglect to save lots of room for apple strudel, a beloved Austrian dessert.

IMLAUER Sky Bar & Restaurant

At IMLAUER Sky Bar & Restaurant, Mitchell says you may anticipate “nice meals with panoramic views of the town.” Look out upon the fortress as you take pleasure in a cocktail, adopted by a steak or Wiener schnitzel (when you haven’t but gotten your fill) and Salzburger Nockerl, one of the well-known desserts in Salzburg.

Gasthof Goldgasse

Mitchell describes Gasthof Goldgasse as a “petite conventional eatery in the midst of the Outdated City.” Housed in a 700-year-old constructing, the restaurant gives a comfy ambiance and a menu that includes each classics and up to date interpretations of regional delicacies.” Principal programs embrace pan-fried sausage, veal cutlet, and Chateaubriand.

Finest Time to Go to

Mitchell says Salzburg delivers in all 4 seasons, however he recommends the autumn months when you “wish to revel within the harvest environment,” or winter “for fewer crowds and comfy instances within the metropolis.” Reus echos his sentiment, sharing that September and October are “excellent.”

“Fall colours are stunning, the climate is usually nonetheless nice, and the crowds are much less,” he says, including that “Rupertikirtag in late September is an excellent time to expertise Austrian traditions at an area honest, just like Oktoberfest.” Reus additionally notes that December is “magical for the Christmas markets, although it’s a trade-off with shorter days and unpredictable climate.” February and March are chilly and moist, however he says these months “supply essentially the most genuine expertise with out the same old vacationer crowds.”

The right way to Get There

Positioned between Vienna and Munich, Salzburg is definitely reachable by aircraft or prepare. For those who’re flying, W. A. Mozart Airport (SZG) will likely be your remaining vacation spot, however these touring from the USA will doubtless join by means of Frankfurt, Munich, or London. From SZG, you may hop on both the No. 2 or No. 10 public bus into the town; it takes between 15 and 25 minutes, relying on the route. Salzburg can also be comparatively straightforward to get to by prepare from most main European cities, together with close by Vienna, Munich, Zurich, and Innsbruck. Tickets could be bought from ÖBB, Westbahn, or Rail Europe.

The right way to Get Round

“Salzburg is admittedly nice for spontaneous exploration since strolling between sights solely takes minutes, and a lot of the metropolis could be explored in a day or two,” says Reus. That stated, anybody visiting Salzburg will profit from two issues: an excellent pair of strolling sneakers and a Salzburg Card, which permits free journey on most public transportation inside the metropolis. Accessible for twenty-four, 48, or 72 hours, the cardboard begins at round $30 for adults and contains one-time admission to the town’s vacationer sights and museums and reductions on occasions, live shows, and different excursions. Along with your card in hand, you should use Salzburg’s community of buses and electrical trolleys to seamlessly navigate by means of your itinerary.