There are some cities that when you walk through them look like a fairy tale like those of J. Tolkien or the Brothers Grimm... They have something magical and leave you with indelible images that you carry with you for a lifetime! You will feel something like this when you visit Salzburg (Salzburg) a jewel city at the foot of the Alps... But let's start from the beginning.
A major economic power since the time of the Roman Empire, due to the mining and trade of salt (salz), Salzburg has developed throughout its history and “flourished” particularly from the Renaissance onwards. The birthplace of Mozart was once the main crossing point in the Alps. However, the two world wars left the city in obscurity and oblivion. In 1965, the incredible commercial success of the five-Oscar-winning musical “The Sound of Music” put Salzburg back in the spotlight.
When to go?
There is honestly no season in which Salzburg falls behind. The autumn the yellowish color of the leaves gives the area a special beauty. winter The snow makes the atmosphere in the city even more magical, while at Christmas, over 100 stands with decorations, local products, delicacies and everything else you can imagine attract crowds of tourists. spring the scenery changes with thousands of flowers flooding the verdant basin crossed by the Salzach River. The summer the city moves to the rhythm of music as the famous Salzburg Festival, which this year celebrates its 100th anniversary, captivates residents and visitors for 43 days.
How to get there
The shortest way is via Munich, which is about an hour and a half away. From Vienna, it is about 3 hours away through a beautiful route that crosses beautiful lakes. Most people choose Salzburg as a day trip. However, we recommend that you stay at least one night and immerse yourself in the magic of the “city of music”.
What to see
Before you decide what to see, do some market research and choose the Salzburg Card with which you have access to all the attractions, while on the card's site you can also find affordable packages accommodation.
– Start your day at the Palace and the colorful gardens Mirabell, which are classified as important monuments of the city's cultural heritage. The baroque palace of 1606 will impress you!
– At the exit of the gardens and heading towards the Salzach River you will encounter the Mozart's house, which houses a small museum with the great composer's piano, original documents and portraits. There is also a Mozart house which I will tell you about in a moment.
– Nearby is the house where the internationally renowned conductor with Greek roots was born and lived for many years. Herbert from Karajian.
– Crossing the river you will pass by the pedestrian bridge Makartsteg where thousands of padlocks have managed to rename the structure into… “Bridge of Love”.
– The old city now stretches out in front of you (Old Town) which, with its famous Baroque architecture, constitutes a UNESCO World Heritage Site in its entirety.
– On the street Getreidegasse the heart of the city beats! You will encounter shops, galleries, cafes, restaurants, perfume shops, jewelry stores, etc. with elegant doors that are often adorned with the date of construction of the building and the name of the original owners. The street's trademark is the medieval iron signs of the shops that give you a sense of another era...
– At number 9 on Getreidegasse is the house that Mozart was born in 1756. The “yellow house” is one of the most visited museums in Austria, where you will learn a lot about the life of the great composer and see furniture and objects from that era.
– At the end of the road you will find yourself at Residence Square an impressive square with a beautiful baroque fountain in the center. Around the square there are a number of museums and interesting buildings such as the cathedral, the city museum, the DomQuartier (seat of the archbishop), the Monastery of St. Peter, the Christmas museum etc. With the Salzburg card you will enter everything without extra charge.
– A walk to the fortress is also essential (Hohensalzburg ), which dominates Salzburg with panoramic views of the city and the Alps. It was built in 1077 by order of the Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg and is one of the largest and best-preserved medieval castles in Europe. To go up, you will take the cable car from Festungsgasse.
– If you are a fan of motorsport, at Salzburg airport (yes, there is that too!) a futuristic glass building houses the Hangar 7 (Hangover 7). Inside you will find a collection of historic airplanes, helicopters and Formula 1 racing cars, the Red Bull aircraft fleet, Michelin-starred restaurants, a bar and a cafeteria.
– If you have another day at your disposal, you can visit the particularly remarkable zoo, as well as the palace Hellbrunn with the ornate fountains, located together on the outskirts of the city.
What to try
Wherever you are in the city, your eye will fall on the well-known chocolates Mozart! You will taste them together with a range of liqueurs and spirits. The most famous dessert of Austria is the Sachertorte. This is a classic Viennese chocolate cake with jam and hard chocolate icing. You will taste it at Sacher café but also in Café Tomachelli, which is considered the oldest coffee shop in Austria (operating since 1700)! If you are a lover of good coffee and are looking for sophisticated flavors and inspired accompaniments, then the Afro cafe is what you are looking for. When you get hungry, try street food at Salzburger Grill Snack Bar, while you will find authentic Austrian flavors in the traditional beer garden Augustiner Braustüebl. For a gourmet dinner with a view of the city and the castle, a good suggestion is IMLAUER Sky Bar & Restaurant.
Closing
In Salzburg, the “Melody of Happiness” still resonates! Anyone who has been captivated by the magic of Mozart’s world-famous city can never escape it. The harmonious interplay of landscape and architecture, art and culture, lends a special charm that leaves no one unmoved… Bye!
