48 hours in Salzburg – Weekend Edition
Salzburg In Less Than 48 Words
Salzburg is Austria’s fourth largest city, and is best known as the birthplace of Mozart and as the setting for the “Sound of Music.” This picturesque baroque city does not end at that, however, but attracts everyone with its Alpine backdrop and UNESCO-protected historic center.
Hohensalzburg Castle (Photo by Craig Elliott)
First 24 Hours
You can fly into the affable city of Salzburg via the Salzburg Airport, which is the second largest airport in Austria. Also known as the W. A. Mozart Airport, it is located 3.1 kilometers southwest of the city center. From there, you can catch the trolleybus 77, which will take you on a 25-minute ride to the Salzburg main station for €1.70. Alternatively, you can hire a taxi to take you directly to the city center, but at a much greater price.
Salzburg sprawls over peaks and foothills, and is divided into two regions: the old city and the new city. To know more about the city attractions and transportation, you may visit the main tourist office (north side of Mozartplatz, 00 43 662 889 870, website). There you can also get there a Salzburg Card, which allows you unlimited public transport, as well as free admission to the city’s attractions. It will cost you around €27 for a full 48 hours.
CHECK IN: Get your bearings back at Salzburg’s hotels
Once in the city, you can get the much-needed rest at Salzburg’s excellent hotels. One of the best in the city is the Hotel Goldener Hirsch (Getreidegasse 37, Salzburg 5020, 0662 80840, website). It is an elegant hotel located at the old city’s center, with friendly staff and luxurious rooms. A nice alternative is the Sheraton Salzburg (Auerspergstrasse 4, Salzburg 5020, (43) (662) 889990, website), which offers a convenient location near city attractions, plus complete amenities.
A cosy room of Hotel Goldener Hirsch (Photo from Google images)
You can also try out the Hotel Sacher Salzburg (Schwarzstrasse 5 – 7, Salzburg 5024, 0662 889770, website). It provides a greatview of the old town and the river, and has elegant and luxurious rooms.
HOHENSALZBURG: Let’s take a view
A nice attraction in Salzburg is the Hohensalzburg Castle, which is found atop the Festungsberg hill. You can reach it via a ride on a funicular train from the Kapitelplatz station, which runs daily from 9 am to 5 pm. It will cost you anything like €8.90. The site itself is considered to be among the largest medieval castles in Europe, and features imposing walls, battlements, courtyards, and towers. However, the highlight there is going up to the state rooms of Leonhard von Keutschach. There, you will be rewarded with sweeping views of the cityscape, especially the mountains and valleys to the south.
SALZBURG CATHEDRAL: Go to church
Salzburg Cathedral (Photo by RC Designer)
Another popular tourist attraction in Salzburg is the Salzburg Cathedral (Domplatz 1a, 5010 Salzburg, +43/662/80 47- 1870, website). It is a 17th century Baroque-style cathedral, dedicated to St. Rupert of Salzburg. However, it is best known as the site of Mozart’s baptism. The site is also home to a Cathedral Museum inside which you’ll see displays of art treasures from the last 1,300 years, as well as 17th century natural objects. The museum will also give you a nice view of the city. It is open daily between 10 am and 5 pm (11 am to 6 pm on Sundays and holidays). Admission will cost around €6.
SILENT NIGHT MUSEUM: Silent Night, Holy Night
You must make it a point to visit the Silent Night Museum (Steingasse 9, A-5020 Salzburg, +43 662 878374, website). It is best known as the place where Father Joseph Mohr wrote the popular Christmas carol “Silent Night” after the church organ broke down just before Christmas Eve. Inside, you’ll find various exhibits about the story of the carol. The site is open daily from 11 am to 8 pm (closed on Sundays), and admission will cost you around €2.50.
GEBURTSHAUS MOZART: See the birthplace of one of the greatest music artists
Don’t forget to pay a visit to the Geburtshaus Mozart (Getreidegasse 9, Salzburg A-5020, +43 (0)662 84 43 13). It is also known as “Mozart’s Birthplace”, and was the former home of the Mozart family. The site is today a museum conceived as a memorial to the great composer. Inside, you will see exhibits such as his childhood violin, his concert violin, his clavichord, his pianoforte, his portraits, and letters. You’ll also see dioramas about how the interpretation of his operas had differed as time went by. It is open daily between 9 am and 6 pm, and admission will cost around €5.50.
Birthplace of the musical genius, Mozart (Photo by sohum)
DINNER TIME: Recharge after sightseeing tours in Salzburg with dinner at its posh restaurants
You may then proceed to a delectable dinner at the superb restaurants seen all over the city. One of the best dining experiences is available at Alter Fuchs (Linzer Gasse 47-49, Salzburg 5020, +43/(0)662/88 22 00, website). It serves an excellent traditional Austrian cuisine, with fast service and a pleasant atmosphere of a cavern-type structure. Don’t forget to try the ribs and beef goulash.
A nice alternative is Fingerlos (Franz-Josef-Strasse 9, Salzburg, 662-87 42 13, website). It is a spacious restaurant with a very lively ambience (frequented by many locals), plus a wide selection of coffee, cakes, and other snacks. You can also try out Zum fidelen Affen (Priesterhausgasse 8, Salzburg 5020, 0662 877361), which offers excellent service and an authentic Austrian cuisine. You can have a taste of India in Austria at Saran Essbar (Judengasse 10 | Altstadt / Mönschberg, (0662) 84 66 28), which serves up delicious Indian dishes.
Next 24 Hours
Your next 24 hours in Salzburg may be spent to see the other attractions of the city. One of the must-sees in the city is the Mirabell Palace (Mirabellplatz 4 Salzburg, 43 662 80 72 2406). It is a Baroque-style palace built by Prince Arbishop Wolf Dietrich in 1606. However, it is most known for its picturesque Mirabell Garden, which is fondly remembered as the garden where Maria of the “Sound of Music” danced and sang “Do-Re-mi.” Admire its lavishly-landscaped hedges, Baroque fountains, and floral décor. Entrance there is free.
Entrance to Mirabell Garden (Photo by Rhiannon Boyle)
HAUS DER NATUR: Learn more about natural history
Another popular tourist destination is the Haus der Natur (Museumsplatz 5, 5020 Salzburg, 0662 8426530, website). It is Salzburg’s natural history museum, and is a wonder world for visitors interested in the natural world. Inside, you will find an array of exhibits about various aspects of nature, as well as a Science Center, a reptile zoo, and an aquarium. At its top floor, you will see a small restaurant where you can get a quick bite after exploration. The site is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm, and admission will cost €6.
DREIFALTIGKEITKIRCHE: Go to church again
Dreifaltigkeitskirche (Photo by deadside)
You can also try Dreifaltigkeitskirche (Dreifaltigkeitasgasse 14, Salzburg A-5020). It is better known as the Holy Trinity Church. It was designed in 1694 by Fischer Von Erlach, featuring a Baroque style with Roman influences and a marble facade. The church is most known for its dome, twin towers, and magnificent interior with the fresco of the Holy Trinity. The site is open daily between 9 am and 5 pm.
SALZBURG ZOO: Unwind with wild animals
Animal lovers will definitely want to visit the Salzburg Zoo (Anifer Landesstr. 1 | 5081 Anif, +43 (0)662/820176-0, website). It covers an area of nearly 400 hectares, and features a collection of over 800 animals from 140 different species. You can see Austrian animals from the Alps as well as other exotic creatures kept in state-of-the-art cages and enclosures. The site is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm, and admission will cost you around €9.
NIGHTLIFE: Indulge in Salzburg’s vibrant nightlife scene
At night you may experience the thrill of Salzburg’s bars and clubs. One of the most popular is Segabar (Rudolfskai Judengasse 15, Salzburg 5020, 662-846-898, website). It hosts spectacular live performances, with an interior lit up with neon lights, and is frequented by the young and trendy.
A nice alternative is Altstadt Keller (Rudolfskai 26, Salzburg, AT 5020, 662-849-6880), which is a pub that mixes traditional live music with an authentic Austrian ambience and a very friendly and welcoming crowd. You can also try out the Shamrock Irish Pub (Rudolfskai 12, Salzburg, AT 5020, 662-841-610), a traditional Irish pub frequented by the young and trendy crowd for its friendly and casual ambience.
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