Salzburg (city)

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Image:Euro2008Host.png
Wals-Seizenheim Stadium

Euro 2008
UEFA
The old town of Salzburg
The old town of Salzburg

Salzburg [1] is a city in central Austria, near the German/Bavarian border with a population of some 148,000 in 2005. If you've seen the movie The Sound of Music [2], you may think you know all there is to see in Salzburg. Admittedly, it's tough not to burst into song when you're walking along the Salzach River, or climbing up to the Hohensalzburg fortress which looms over the city. But there's a lot more to this compact, courtly city than Julie Andrews and Mozart's birthplace.

The city will be one of the eight host cities in the 2008 European Football Championships.

[edit] Understand

Salzburg is the fourth-largest city in Austria (after Vienna,Graz and Linz) and the capital of the federal state of Salzburg. It's "Old Town", with its world famous baroque architecture, is one of the best-preserved city centers in the German-speaking world, and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.

[edit] Origins of name

The name Salzburg literally means "Salt Castle", and derives its name from the barges carrying salt on the Salzach river, which were subject to a toll in the 8th century.

[edit] Early history and medieval period

Traces of human settlements have been found in the area, dating to the Neolithic Age and later a Celt camp. Starting from 15 BC, the small communities were grouped into a single town, which was named by the Romans as Juvavum. Little remains of this time.

The Festung Hohensalzburg, the city's fortress, was built in 1077 and expanded during the following centuries. Independence from Bavaria was secured in the late 14th century.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By Car

Salzburg is well connected to both Wien (Vienna) and Munich, Germany via the autobahns A8 (Munich - Salzburg) and A1 (Salzburg - Vienna). There is a Austrian Motorway "Vignette" you have to purchase. The price varies depending on if you buy a yearly or 10 day vignette.

Driving around Salzburg can be a pain. The road names are small and written in a "Traditional" German font which can be hard to read. The best bet is to get into the city, find a parking space, and travel by foot. Be sure that if you are driving in cold weather to be prepared for snow. Snow chains should be recommended, in extreme weather.

[edit] By train

Salzburg's train station, the Hauptbahnhof, is centrally located. From Munich to Salzburg is about an hour and a half long train ride, and international trains operate from Zurich, Zagreb, Ljubljana and Budapest to name a few destinations. Intercity trains operate very frequently (especially to Vienna where services are almost hourly).

[edit] By plane

  • Salzburg W.A. Mozart International Airport, Innsbrucker Bundesstraße 95, ☎ +43 662 8580 7911, [3]. The Salzburg W.A. Mozart International Airport (IATA: SZG) is situated about 20 minutes from the centre of the city. Connection with the city is provided by a trolley bus [4]. The airport has direct connections from Amsterdam, Berlin, Birmingham, Coventry, London, Maribor, Palma de Mallorca, Paris, Saint Petersburg, Vienna, many German cities, and Zurich.  edit

[edit] Get around

The best way to get around Salzburg is by foot. There is a network of city buses (StadtBus, with numbers from 1 to 8. 24 hour ticket: €4.20. One week ticket: €11.40), which cover the whole city star-shaped from the center. If you travel by bus make sure you don't catch any of the last buses. They'll take you several miles out of town with your only way back by walking or taxi, should you be fortunate enough to wave one down. With that said if you need to get somewhere late at night it may be best to either take a taxi or walk.

[edit][add listing] See

Schloss Hellbrunn
Schloss Hellbrunn
  • Schloss Hellbrunn, Fürstenweg 37, ☎ +43 662 820372-0 (, fax: +43 662 820372-4931), [5]. Open 1 Apr-1 Nov, Apr, Oct 9AM-4:30PM; May, Jun, Sep 9AM-5:30PM; Jul, Aug 9AM-10PM (only trick fountains from 6PM). Once an archbishop's summer palace with lots of clever fountains and pretty gardens. When you take the tour stand next to the guide otherwise you'll get wet. Hellbrunn is surrounded by vast gardens, including a good children's playground with swings and flying fox, and a cold wading pool, and is a perfect place for a picnic or a long walk through the green. In the Steintheater (Stone Theatre), the first opera in Middle Europe was conducted. If you're travelling with children this is the place to visit because children and adults alike are amused. Adults: €8.50, Students (19-26 years old): €6, Children (4-18 years): €3.80, Family ticket (2 adults, 2 children): €21.50.  edit
  • Getreidegasse — A long yet narrow street running parallel to the river in the centre of town, with lots of shops, famous for the old (or old-style) signs of profession outside each store.
  • Hohensalzburg Fortress (Festung), Mönchsberg 34, ☎ +43 662 84 24 30-11 (, fax: +43 662 842430-20), [6]. Located on top of a mountain, the Festung offers breath taking views of Salzburg and the Alps. One area of the fortress offers visitors the chance to look down on a field below to find only one house, the executioner's residence. It was believed to live anywhere near the executioner was bad luck. Inside the fortress is a museum of medieval weapons, life on the fortess, and torture instruments. Public concerts are often held here in the evenings, reservations are recommended. On nights with concerts, it is possible to remain within the walls past dark. To avoid the vertical hike up to the Fortress, a funicular is available to ride, for a fee. Adults: €9.80, Children and youths (6-19 years, groups only): €5.10, Children individual (6-14 years): €5.60, Family ticket: €22.60.  edit
Mozarts birth house
Mozarts birth house
  • Mozarts Geburtshaus (Mozart's birth house), Getreidegasse 9, ☎ +43 662 84 43 13 (, fax: +43 662 84 06 93), [7]. Open daily 9AM-6PM (Last admission: 5:30PM), open until 7PM Jul-Aug. The Mozart family lived in this house in the heart of Salzburg from 1747-1773, where W.A. Mozart himself was born on 27 January 1756. The house is now a popular museum devoted to Mozart and his family, with interesting memorabilia and letters. Well worth a quick visit. Adults: €6, Youths and school groups 15-18: €2, Children and school groups 6-14: €1.50.  edit
  • Schloss Mirabell, ☎ +43 662 8072 2334, [8]. M,W,Th 8AM-4PM; Tu,F 1PM-4PM. Located right next to the Salzach river and the Mozarteum University of Music and Arts lies a beautiful castle with gardens, built by an archbishop for his beloved courtesan. Watch out for the "Garden of Dwarves" and the Garden of Roses. Inside, you find the marble stairs of Raffael Donner, and the world's most beautiful wedding hall, the Marble Hall. If you plan to marry there, reservations should be made at least a year in advance.  edit
  • Salzburg Zoo, Anifer Landesstr 1, ☎ +43 662 820176-0 (), [9]. Adults: €8, Students (Under 27): €6, Children (4-14): €3.50.  edit
  • Toy Museum (Spielzeugmuseum), Bürgerspitalgasse 2, ☎ +43 662 620808-300 (, fax: +43 662 620808-320), [10]. Adults: €2.70, Seniors, Children, youth (16-26): €2, Students (6-15): €0.80.  edit
  • Museum of Natural History (Haus der Natur Salzburg), Museumsplatz 5, ☎ +43 662 84 26 53 - 0 (), [11]. Open daily 9AM-5PM. Adults: €4.50, Seniors (60+) or with a pass: €4, Students (Under 27) and Children (4+): €2.50.  edit
  • Salzburg Museum of Modern Art (Museum der Moderne Salzburg), Two locations: Wiener Philharmonikergasse 9, and Mönchsberg 32, [12]. Open Tu-Su 10AM-6PM, W 10AM-8PM, closed M.
  • St. Sebastian Cemetery — Holds not only the graves of Mozart's wife Constanze Weber-Nissen, but also the must-see Mausoleum of Archbishop Wolfdietrich.
  • Salzburg Cathedral (Salzburger Dom).
  • St Peter's Church, Cemetery, and Catacombs — Perhaps most remarkable are the small catacombs carved into the nearby cliffside. Climb up for a couple of small chapels and a nice overlook.
  • St Francis Church (Franziskanerkirche).
  • The Untersberg [13] — The mountain is perennially popular with tourists due to its proximity to the city of Salzburg, less than 16 km (10 mi) to the north of the mountain and within easy reach by bus. A variety of paths lead to the top, but most people use the cable car that lifts passengers over 1300m to the Geiereck peak. The cable car runs from the 'St Leonhard' station in the town of Gartenau to the station at the Geiereck peak.

[edit][add listing] Do

  • Casino Salzburg, 5071 Wals-Siezenheim, ☎ +43 662 85 44 55, [14]. Open daily except for December 24. Slot machines: noon-3AM, Live games: 3PM-3AM. Free admission.  edit

  • Chess — Giant chess board painted onto the ground, past the cathedral (traveling away from the river). You'll have to wait your turn, but its worth it.

[edit] Tours

A number of companies run coach tours in and around Salzburg. By far the most popular of these are dedicated to the locations featured in The Sound of Music.

  • Panorama Tours: Sound of Music [15]. Daily, leaves at 9:30AM and 2PM, 4 hrs duration. Adults €37, children (4-12) €18. Panorama also offers tours to other locations: the Ice Caves [16], the Bavarian Mountains [17] and to Berchtesgaden.
  • Salt Mines — There are a few different salt mine tours available in Salzburg's immediate surroundings. A good one is Salzwelten Salzburg in Bad Dürrnberg. Getting there is easy with the Salz Erlebnis Ticket, available at the train station; it covers the local train and a bus transfer (round-trip), admission, and the (required) Salzwelten tour. The tour is great for families, although children under 4 are not allowed on the tour. Put on white coveralls, ride a trolley into the mine, and use wooden slides to descend into the lower levels. A café and picnic benches are available on-site, as well as a small reconstructed Celtic village that includes a playground. Allow about 2 1/2 hours for the tour and the Celtic Village. Open 9AM-5PM Apr-Oct; 10AM-3PM Nov-Dec. Adults €16.50; Students/Juniors €9.90; Children €8.30. Family and Group tickets are available. Salz Erlebnis Ticket: Adults €22.00; Children €12.70; Families with the ÖBB VORTEILScard €48.80.

[edit] Festivals

For almost a century, Salzburg has hosted the world famous Salzburg Festival [18], with operas, concerts, and theater plays in different locations throughout the city. It was founded by Hugo von Hoffmansthal, Max Reinhardt and Richard Strauss in 1920. It takes place in July and August, the most famous piece is the "Jedermann" ("Everyman") by Hugo v. Hoffmansthal, being conducted in front of the dome every year.

More recently, festivals also take place during Easter time (with mostly Baroque music), and in autumn (Jazz music).

The annual Frequency festival (mainly Alternative Rock) with world famous acts takes place only a few kilometres from the center of Salzburg.

[edit] Salzburg Card

Depending on how long you want to stay in Salzburg and how much you want to pack into one day the Salzburg card could be a good investment, it includes:

  • Free single admission to all the city's attractions.
  • Free use of public transport throughout the city, including fortress funicular, panorama boat & cable car Untersberg.
  • Attractive discounts for cultural events.
  • Discounts for various tours and excursions.

More information on the official Salzburg website [19].

[edit][add listing] Buy

  • Mozartkugeln (Mozart balls) are a chocolate candy inspired by the famous composer, Salzburg's most famous son, Mozart. Try the original version at Café Fürst; be aware, though, they are rather expensive, with a small box costing as much as €7. The more widespread Mirabell brand is sold in many tourist shops, but they are also available at most local grocery stores for a lot less.

[edit][add listing] Eat

[edit] Budget

Saran Essbar
Saran Essbar
  • Wilder Mann, Getreidegasse 20. Traditional Austrian fare. edit

  • Zipfer Bräuhaus, Sigmund-Haffner-Gasse 12 (Near Universitatsplatz, Philharmonikergasse). A fair choice of traditional food.  edit

  • Augustiner Bräustübl, Lindhofstrasse 7 (near Muller Hauptstr, or Augustinergasse 4, On the Mönchsberg, bus stop Landeskrankenhaus), ☎ +43 662 431246, [20]. Beer garden with self-brewed beer, and market-like shops to buy food. You can bring your own food (not drinks!) if you want.  edit

  • Stiegl Keller, Festungsgasse 10. A cellar up on a mountain, serving traditional food and the famous Stiegl beer right from the barrel. edit

  • Heisse Kiste — Great street food (in German Heisse Kiste translates to "hot box"). Open nights until late! Located on the Salzach river at the base of the Linzergasse.
  • Spicy Spices, Wolf-Dietrich-Strasse 1. Very small restaurant with cheap vegetarian food. edit

  • Saran Essbar — Great schnitzel, as well as the dumpling. Run by a very nice guy. Also surprisingly excellent Indian fare for central Salzburg.
  • Brunello , Mühlenstrasse 31, 662 19924. Italian food, you get served for €5-10 per person.
  • Gyros, Wittenbergplatz 40, 662 5525. Greek cuisine, €20 per person.
  • Bua-Thai , Albrechstrasse 47, 662 22112. Thai food, €5 for a snack.
  • Zur Steinquelle, Gipsstrasse 78, 662 27651. Deutsches Essen, good value for money €15.
  • Chiko , Bismarckstrasse 2, 662 20841. Spanish food, paella rica, good value for money €15.

[edit] Mid-range

  • Bärenwirt, Plainstraße. Traditional food, traditionally furnished restaurant, rather cheap, fabulous beer from the close by Augustiner Bräu.
  • Japan Restaurant, Linzergasse. Simple Japanese (and/or Chinese) restaurant with food of good quality (e.g. the best Ramen in town) for €8.50.
  • Raschhofer. Traditional, yet somewhat updated, Austrian fare. They serve excellent "Kaiserschmnarrn" a "breakfast" (yet really a desert). It's located on Alpenstrasse.
  • Zirkel Wirt, Papagenoplatz, Old Town. Delicious traditional and some not-so-traditional food, vegetarian-friendly, great beer, good atmosphere.
  • Gabler Bräu, Linzergasse. Traditional food of high quality, a big selection of salads from the self-service-menu for aprox. €7.
  • ARGE Nonntal, Nonntal. A pub within a building for (rather) young culture.
  • SOG, Erzabt Klotz Straße 21. Excellent and affordable Italian food.
  • Der Schmuggler, Laufenerstrasse 7, 83395 Freilassing, [21]. This is a cafe/pub across the border in Freilassing offering good beer and a hearty meal. Good value. Popular with the locals. There is also a pool table.

[edit] Splurge

  • Hubertushof, Filzmoos. Chef Johanna Maier was awarded 4 toques (the only woman in the world with four toques!)
  • Obauer, Werfen. Chef Rudi Obauer was awarded 4 toques.
  • Hangar 7, [22] — If you seek a special environment for your dinner this is the place, a top-cuisine restaurant and a great bar close to the airport.
  • K+K Restaurant — Excellent Austrian fare in a romantic intimate setting. Just steps away from the Salzburg Cathedral on Mozart Plaza. A 3 course meal for two people with a bottle of wine was about €90.

[edit][add listing] Drink

[edit] Beer

  • Augustiner Bräustübl, Lindhofstrasse 7, ☎ +43 662 431246 (), [23]. Beer garden with self-brewed beer, and market-like shops to buy food. You can bring your own food (not drinks!) if you want. On the Mönchsberg, bus stop Landeskrankenhaus. edit
  • Stiegl Brauwelt, Bräuhausstrasse 9, [24]. Bus stop Bräuhausstrasse on Line 1. Tour the brewery and museum and have a Stiegl in the brewery's own pub and beer garden. edit
  • The Shamrock, Rudolfskai, [26]. Guinness, cider, German and Austrian beer as well, occasional live music, and a nice atmosphere. Popular with local university students. Expect the place to be packed on a weekend night. edit
  • The Denkmal, Hellbrunner Strasse. Near the Justizgebäude bus stop. The Denkmal is a private club, so expect to pay a few Euro for a one-night temporary "membership" (just ask the bartender). Small, cozy, fun atmosphere, popular with university students. Sometimes has live music. edit

[edit] Café

  • Tomaselli, Alter Markt. A traditional Viennese coffee house, the oldest of Salzburg. Try the Einspänner and a Sacher cake!
  • Fürst, Alter Markt. Exquisite pastries, and the place to buy the original Mozartkugel, invented by confectioner Paul Fürst in 1884.
  • Republic, Griesgasse (Bus Stop, Mönchsbergaufzug). A modern café with good breakfast, and a variety of cultural events (Jazz Brunch, Clubbing, special theme parties at night). Turns into one of the most popular places to be during night.
  • Shakespeare, Hubert Sattler Gasse (close to Mirabell castle). Art café with good Chinese kitchen, cheap lunch menus during the week.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Camping

  • Nord-Sam, (email: [27]) — Decent sized site with a pool, shop, washing facilities, and on a bus route. By car via A1 Salzburg-Wien (Vienna), exit Salzburg-Nord. Follow signs to Nord-Sam after the traffic lights. Takes about 20 minutes to get into the city and is in a peaceful residential area with a supermarket (Spar) a short walk away.
  • The surrounding area has many campsites easily accessible by road [28].

[edit] Hostels

  • Youth and Family Guesthouse Salzburg - Hostelling International, Josef Preis Allee 18, ☎ +43 662 84 26 70 (, fax: +43 662 84 11 01), [29]. Breakfast and linens included. Ammenties included: internet, café/bar, and a common room. The Sound of Music is shown nightly at 8PM in the common room. €15.50-43.  edit
  • YoHo (International Youth Hotel Salzburg), Paracelsusstraße 9, ☎ +43 662 879649 (, fax: +43 662 87 88 10), [30]. €16-28.  edit
  • Landesberufsschülerheim Aigen - Hostelling International, Aignerstaße 34, ☎ +43 662 623248 (fax: +43 662 623248 4), [31].  edit

[edit] Budget

The view from a room in the Stadtalm for €13 a night.
The view from a room in the Stadtalm for €13 a night.
  • Gasthaus Hinterbrühl, Schanzlgasse 12, ☎ +43 622 846798 (fax: +43 622 841859), [34]. Edge of old town in a building constructed in 1380, the plumbing is slightly more modern. €37-70 (without breakfast) or €42-85 (with breakfast).  edit

[edit] Mid-range

  • Hotel-Pension Adlerhof, Elisabethstrasse 25, ☎ +43 622 875 236 (, fax: +43 622 873 663), [35]. A small family-run bed & breakfast, very close to the train station. €48-120 (low season) to €59-140 (high season).  edit

  • Hotel Auersperg, Auerspergstraße 61, ☎ +43 662 88 9 44 0 (), [36]. Part of the Golden Tulip chain but with an independent feel, this hotel is just off the Linzergasse, close to all old town sights and a pleasant 5-10 min walk into the city centre. The hotel is incredibly good value, with lots of friendly welcoming touches, free mulled wine, a fantastic rooftop sauna/spa/winter garden complex (also free) and free wi-fi internet access all over the hotel. Breakfast buffet included and served until 11AM. Friendly staff too! €85-180 (low season) to €120-240 (high season).  edit

  • Hotel Trumer Stube, Bergstraße 6, ☎ +43 662 874776 or +43 662 875168 (, fax: +43 622 874326), [37]. Family-run three-star hotel just off the Linzergasse, close to all old town sights. Hosts are exceptionally friendly and knowledgeable. Breakfast buffet included. €89-125 (low season) to €133-161 (high season).  edit

You can also try to compare and book hotels online with the Salzburg Hotels Guide [38].

[edit] Splurge

  • Best Western Hotel Elefant, Sigmund-Haffner-Gasse 4, ☎ +43 662 843397 (fax: +43 662 840109 28). One of Salzburg's most ancient buildings, over 700 years old. The hotel is situated in a quiet alley off the world famous Getreidegasse. Over the hotel's 400-year history, its purpose was, and still is, to serve its guests according to the best in Austrian tradition. edit

  • Hotel Hölle, Dr -Adolf-Altmann-Str 2, ☎ +43 662 820 760 (, fax: +43 662 820 760 18), [45].  edit

[edit] Contact

[edit] Internet

Salzburg has a growing number of options available for email and internet contact:

  • Internetcafé Cybar, Mozartplatz 5, +43 662 844 822, [46], [47]. Open daily 9AM-10PM. Conveniently located in the city centre, this internet café offers terminals and wireless connection for users with laptops.
  • BigNet Café, in Judengasse.

[edit] Get out

  • If you get tired of the city, you can visit the ice caves [48] south of Salzburg, or the ''salt mines [49] close to the city.
  • Oberndorf, a small city next to Salzburg where Silent Night, Holy Night, the famous Christmas song, was composed and premiered. You can see the Silent Night Chapel there.
  • For people who prefer nature to sights, hiking on the Untersberg' [50], a trip to Salzkammergut [51] or the Königssee [52], or a visit to Bad Ischl [53] may be interesting.
  • Freilassing is a small German town just across the border, 10-15 minutes by train. Some locals prefer to shop here as goods are slightly cheaper than in Austria.
  • Salzburg is about 2 hours from Munich, Vienna, Passau and it is only a stones throw from The Alps.

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!
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