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Salzburg – a brief overview
Mozart and The Sound of Music, medieval forts and modern art, traditional coffee houses and stylish bars; variety is the spice of Salzburg. It’s a city steeped in history with a hilltop fortress looking down onto the UNESCO World Heritage Old Town or Altstadt, crammed with centuries-old shops and museums.
Foodies will find a surprising choice of restaurants, cafés and beer houses, while green space is never far away, with Mirabell Gardens on the River Salzbach and Kapuzinerberg Mountain for city views. As the birthplace of Mozart, it celebrates its prodigal son through music and food with the chocolately Mozartball.
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Top 10 sights in Salzburg

Mozart’s Birthplace
5020 Salzburg
Austria
Tel: (0662) 844 313
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Opening times:
Daily 0900-2000 (Jul-Aug)
0900-1730 (Sep-Jun)
The three-storey house where Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born on 27 January 1756 is packed with exhibits, including portraits, his childhood violin and the clavichord on which he composed several pieces.
Mozart’s Residence
5020 Salzburg
Austria
Tel: (0662) 8742 2740
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Opening times:
Daily 0900-2000 (Jul-Aug)
0900-1730 (Sep-Jun)
Rebuilt after its destruction in WWII, Mozart lived here with his family from 1773 until he left for Vienna in 1781. Exhibits include portraits, compositions and his original fortepiano.
Hohensalzburg Fortress
5020 Salzburg
Austria
Tel: (0662) 8424 3011
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Opening times:
Daily 0900-1900 (May-Sep)
0930-1700 (Oct-Apr)
High above Salzburg city is the 900-year-old citadel, Hohensalzburg Fortress, with its funicular mountain railway, medieval apartments, Fortress Museum and summer concerts.
The Sound of Music tours
5020 Salzburg
Austria
Tel: (0662) 8898 7330
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Opening times:
Daily tours; times vary
Film fans can book tours through the tourist office to visit film locations such as Leopoldskron Palace, the Von Trapp family home and the wedding setting of Mondsee Church.
Salzburg Museum
5010 Salzburg
Austria
Tel: (0662) 620 8080
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Opening times:
Tue-Sun 0900-1700
In an impressive building on Mozart Square, the interactive Salzburg Museum uses art, facts and multimedia to tell the city’s story. There’s a World of Children for younger visitors.
Hellbrunn Palace and Trick Fountains
5020 Salzburg
Austria
Tel: (0662) 820 3720
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Opening times:
Daily 0900-1630 (Apr and Oct-Nov)
0900-1730 (May-Jun and Sep)
0900-2100 (Jul-Aug)
A summer residence commissioned in 1612 by Salzburg’s Prince Archbishop, tours go around the elegant pleasure palace and its unique Wasserspiele fountains.
Museum der Moderne Salzburg (MdM)
5020 Salzburg
Austria
Tel: (0662) 842 220 403
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Opening times:
Tue and Thurs-Sun 1000-1800
Wed 1000-2000
Formed of two spectacular buildings, Museum der Moderne Mönchsberg on Mönchsberg cliff, has a vast modern art collection, while the city’s MDM Rupertinum hosts changing exhibitions.
Salzburg Cathedral (Dom)
5020 Salzburg
Austria
Tel: (0662) 8047 7950
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Opening times:
Mon-Sat 0800-1700
Sun 1300-1700 (Jan-Feb and Nov)
Mon-Sat 0800-1800
Sun 1300-1800 (Mar-Apr and Oct-Dec)
Mon-Sat 0800-1900
Sun 1300-1900 (May-Sep)
The baroque masterpiece of Salzburg’s cathedral has Mozart’s baptismal font while the adjoining Dommuseum is packed with art and Renaissance curios.
Stiegl – World of Brewing
5020 Salzburg
Austria
Tel: (0662) 8387 1492
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Opening times:
Daily 1000-1900 (Jul-Aug)
1000-1700 (Sep-Jun)
Guided tours of this interactive beer exhibition, brewery and museum include the World of Enjoyment where visitors can try young beer (jungbier) and take photos by the beer tower.
Salzburg Zoo
5081 Salzburg
Austria
Tel: (0662) 820 1760
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Opening times:
Daily 0900-1630 (Nov-Feb)
0900-1730 (Mar)
0900-1800 (Apr-May and Sep-Oct)
0900-1830 (Jun-Aug)
Home to around 1,200 animals in a 14-hectare (35-acre) zoological garden, residents include white rhinoceros, poison arrow frogs and free-flying griffon.
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Country information
Country overview
Austrias landscape is of a beautiful and great diversity. As a travellor, you will find the majestic Alps as well as the green valleys of the Danube. Austria is known for it’s historic architecture, impressive museums and galeries but also for it’s high class ski regions. Mozart, Schubert and the inventor oft he psycho-analysis, Sigmund Freud,
were born here and are some of it’s most famous and influential sons. When it comes to architecture, the buildings oft he Habsburgers are especially valuable. This dynasty dominated central europe for seven centuries and left a great heritage which includes for example the opera house in Vienna.
Geography
Mountainous Austria is a landlocked country at the heart of Europe, bordered by Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany, the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic, Hungary, Slovenia and Italy. The diverse landscape can be divided into five sections: the Eastern Alps (62.8%), the Alpine and Carpathian Foothills (11.3%), the Pannonian Lowlands (11.3%), the Vienna Basin (4.4%) and the Granite and Gneiss Highlands or Bohemian Massif (10.1%). Austria’s highest mountain is Grossglockner (3,798m/12,465ft) found in the Alps’ Hohe Tauern range, and, on its way from the Black Forest in southern Germany to the Black Sea, the winding River Danube flows for approximately 360km (220 miles) through the country.
Nearly half of Austria is covered with forests, with the lower regions particularly densely wooded. Fir predominates above 488m (1,600ft), and gives way to larch and stone-pine beyond 1,219m (4,000ft); the Alpine foothills consist predominantly of arable land and grassland (above 610m/2,000ft); the Pannonian region is characterised by scrub and heathland.
General knowledge
Key facts
Population: 8,7 million (January 2017)
Population Density (per sq km): 100
Capital: Vienna (Wien).
Language
German is the official language. Regional dialects are pronounced and within the different regions of the country one will encounter marked variations from Hochdeutsch, i.e. ‘standard’ German.
Currency
Euro (€) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2, 1 and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.
Electricity
230 volts AC, 50Hz. Round two-pin European plugs are standard.
Public holidays
Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2019 – December 2020 period.
2019
New Year’s Day: 1 January 2019
Epiphany: 6 January 2019
Easter Sunday: 21 April 2019
Easter Monday: 22 April 2019
National Holiday: 1 May 2019
Ascension Day: 30 May 2019
Whit Sunday: 9 June 2019
Whit Monday: 10 June 2019
Corpus Christi: 20 June 2019
Assumption Day: 15 August 2019
Republic Day: 26 October 2019
All Saints’ Day: 1 November 2019
Immaculate Conception: 8 December 2019
Christmas Day: 25 December 2019
St. Stephen’s Day: 26 December 2019
2020
New Year’s Day: 1 January 2020
Epiphany: 6 January 2020
Easter Sunday: 12 April 2020
Easter Monday: 13 April 2020
National Holiday: 1 May 2020
Ascension Day: 21 May 2020
Whit Sunday: 31 May 2020
Whit Monday: 1 June 2020
Corpus Christi: 11 June 2020
Assumption Day: 15 August 2020
Republic Day: 26 October 2020
All Saints’ Day: 1 November 2020
Immaculate Conception: 8 December 2020
Christmas Day: 25 December 2020
St. Stephen’s Day: 26 December 2020
All information subject to change.
Flight and accommodation
Nightlife in Salzburg
Riverside cocktails, beer houses, live music and the sounds of Mozart are all part of Salzburg’s diverse nightlife.
Die Weisse
5020 Salzburg
Austria
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Using only traditional recipes to brew beer, you can also dance until the early hours here.
Republic Café
5020 Salzburg
Austria
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This restaurant-café transforms into a bar by night with live music, cocktails and on some nights, contemporary cultural performances.
Rockhouse Salzburg
5020 Salzburg
Austria
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An ever-changing schedule of live bands, club nights and after-show parties, Rockhouse also opens as a bar when no events are scheduled.
Monkeys Bar
5020 Salzburg
Austria
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On the banks of the River Salzach, this relaxed bar is a great sundowner spot for views over the Old Town of Salzburg.
Landestheater
5020 Salzburg
Austria
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Showing opera, concerts and ballets since the 18th century, this legendary theatre is also home to the Mozarteum Salzburg Orchestra.
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Restaurants in Salzburg
From rustic restaurants serving Austrian fare to historic restaurants and concept dining, Salzburg isn’t short on choice.
Zirbelzimmer at Hotel Sacher Salzburg
5020 Salzburg
Austria
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Price: Expensive
Elegant surroundings, tasting menus and terrace views of Salzburg’s Old Town. Stop at the café for a slice of Sachertorte.
Carpe Diem Finest Fingerfood
5020 Salzburg
Austria
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Price: Expensive
Gourmet finger food and classic dishes at this stylish restaurant and bar.
St Peter Stiftskeller
5020 Salzburg
Austria
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Price: Moderate
Believed to be the oldest restaurant in Europe, seasonal local cuisine makes this a good choice.
Gasthaus Zwettler’s
5020 Salzburg
Austria
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Price: Moderate
In a building dating back to 1516, Zwettler’s serves Austrian food and beer brewed with water from the Untersberg mountains.
Afro Cafe
5020 Salzburg
Austria
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Price: Cheap
African-inspired food and township art sets the tone in this colourful, socially minded café.
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Calendar of events
Salzburg Easter Festival
13 – 22 April 2019
Website
Venue: Large Festival Hall
Annual festival founded by Herbert von Karajan in 1967 and focusing on one opera production. Also includes several other choir and orchestra concerts.
Chamber Concerts at the International Mozarteum Foundation
1 – 29 August 2019
Website
Venue: Mozarteum
Hosted by this prestigious organisation, the Chamber Concerts at the International Mozarteum Foundation presents a performance programme that includes chamber concerts and a ‘Young Artists’ concert cycle. Audiences are given the opportunity to experience a range of different performances ranging from outstanding soloists to rousing group orchestral performances.
Salzburg Festival
20 July – 31 August 2019
Website
Venue: Various venues across Salzburg
The festival has a long and established history that dates back to 1920 and has been staged every year since. Having grown in popularity over the years, the modern day event is now held over five weeks during the summer. It puts on a packed programme of opera, drama and concerts in venues across the city.
The Salzburg Jazz Autumn (Herbst) Festival
17 – 20 October 2019
Website
Venue: Various venues
Features concerts, films, exhibitions and international jazz stars.
Salzburg Christmas Market
November – December 2019
Website
Venue: Cathedral Square
Traditional Christmas market dating back to the 15th century.
Hour of Commemoration - Mozart's Mother's Birthday
25 December 2019
Venue: St Aegidius Parish Church
Mozart’s mother’s was born on Christmas Day in 1720, and the city of Salzburg celebrates her birthday with a special service and performance at St Aegidius parish church in St Gilgen where she was christened. Visitors can enjoy performances of pieces by Mozart, Haydn and other great composers by a chamber ensemble.
New Year's Concert
31 December 2019 –
1 January 2020
Venue: The Grosses Festspielhaus (Large Festival Hall)
As part of the Salzburg Festival’s winter programme, revellers can welcome in the New Year in elegant style listening to some of Mozart’s most famous works at the spectacular New Year’s Concert. It takes place in the Grosses Festspielhaus (Large Festival Hall) in the centre of this magnificent town, the birthplace of the famous composer. After the classical performance, visitors can head out into the square amongst the beautiful baroque buildings to watch the spectacular fireworks display light up the night sky on the stroke of midnight. The fun continues on New Year’s Day when the streets are filled with musicians and orchestras performing for the crowds.
All information subject to change. Please check the dates on the relevant event organizer’s website.
Flight and accommodation
Hotels in Salzburg
Grand hotels in historic buildings, rustic Alpine-style guesthouses, riverside rooms and boutique options,
there is something for all budgets in this picturesque town.
Hotel Bristol
5020 Salzburg
Austria
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Category: Expensive
Run by the Huber family for 75 years, this grand, luxury hotel is opposite Mozart’s Residence.
Hotel & Villa Auersperg
5020 Salzburg
Austria
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Category: Expensive
Luxury family-owned hotel with rooftop spa, 55 rooms and suites plus 23 rooms in the renovated villa.
Am Dom
5020 Salzburg
Austria
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Category: Moderate
Boutique design hotel in an 800-year-old townhouse in Salzburg’s historic centre.
Motel One Salzburg Mirabell
5020 Salzburg
Austria
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Category: Cheap
Excellent value modern hotel with spa, lounge bar and some river-facing rooms.
Jedermann
5020 Salzburg
Austria
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Category: Cheap
Rooms and suites, some with small gardens, in this modern, city-centre hotel at great prices.
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Best time to visit
Today: Wednesday, 20.02.2019 02:15 UTC

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Climate & best time to visit Austria
The best time to visit Austria is June to September for those seeking sunshine and low rainfull, whilst November to March are ideal for those seeking winter sports.
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
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absolute max | absolute min | Ø absolute min | Ø absolute min | relative humidity | Ø precipitation | days with deposit > 1mm | sunshine duration | |
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Jan | 14 °C | -29 °C | 2 °C | -5 °C | 82 % | 63 mm | 11 | 2.1 h |
Feb | 20 °C | -26 °C | 4 °C | -3 °C | 79 % | 59 mm | 10 | 3.2 h |
Mar | 24 °C | -21 °C | 9 °C | 0 °C | 74 % | 66 mm | 11 | 4.1 h |
Apr | 27 °C | -4 °C | 14 °C | 3 °C | 70 % | 83 mm | 12 | 5.1 h |
May | 32 °C | -2 °C | 18 °C | 7 °C | 69 % | 129 mm | 13 | 6.1 h |
Jun | 35 °C | 0 °C | 21 °C | 11 °C | 71 % | 154 mm | 15 | 6.7 h |
Jul | 37 °C | 3 °C | 23 °C | 12 °C | 71 % | 160 mm | 15 | 7.2 h |
Aug | 36 °C | 4 °C | 23 °C | 12 °C | 75 % | 153 mm | 14 | 6.5 h |
Sep | 32 °C | -1 °C | 20 °C | 9 °C | 78 % | 90 mm | 10 | 5.7 h |
Oct | 28 °C | -5 °C | 15 °C | 5 °C | 80 % | 67 mm | 9 | 4.4 h |
Nov | 23 °C | -14 °C | 8 °C | 0 °C | 81 % | 74 mm | 10 | 2.6 h |
Dec | 18 °C | -27 °C | 3 °C | -3 °C | 82 % | 71 mm | 12 | 2.0 h |
year | 37 °C | -29 °C | 13 °C | 4 °C | 76 % | 1169 mm | 142 | 4.6 h |
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Phone calls & Internet
Telephone
Country code: +43
Mobile telephony and Internet
Since June 2017, EU citizens traveling within the EU, and also in Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein have been able to use their cell phones and surf the Net without incurring any extra charges: In other words, customers pay the same price for phone calls, text messages and data volume as they do at home. Restrictions do apply to the constant use of SIM cards abroad, however, and caps may be set on data packages. For full details, contact your mobile telephony provider in your country. Travelers using a SIM card from a non-EU state do not benefit from the new arrangement.
Free Internet access via Wi-Fi is possible in many busy tourist spots. When using public Wi-Fi networks, it is a wise precaution to ensure encryption of all passwords, credit card details and banking TANs entered. Use of a VPN app or security software to check the safety of a hotspot is recommended.
Flight and accommodation
Shopping in Salzburg
Key Areas
Salzburg is a treasure trover for shoppers. Long-established shops, global chains and independent stores can be found in the Old Town on the streets of Getreidegasse and Judengasse. It’s worth exploring the narrow passageways in the Old Town for unusual and traditional shops such as the old archbishops’ pharmacy on Alter Markt, the Holzermayr chocolate shop and Anton Koppenwallner’s goldsmith’s shop.
Markets
Salzburg’s farmers’ markets include the daily green market (Grünmarkt) at Universitätsplatz, organic food Bio-Bauernmarkt at Kajetanerplatz on Fridays, plus Thursday’s Schrannemarkt at Mirabellplatz, Austria’s third largest street market selling leatherwear, clothes, food and trinkets. From the end of November, Salzburg’s Christmas markets take over the town.
Shopping Centres
Austria’s award-winning Europark Shopping Center (Europastrasse 1) has won awards for its architecture and is home to over 130 stores. Other places include FORUM 1 next to the train station and McArthur Glen Designer Outlet near the airport.
Flight and accommodation
Traveller etiquette
Social Conventions
Austrians tend to be quite formal in both their social and business dealings. They do not use first names when being introduced, but after the initial meeting first names are often used. Handshaking is customary when saying hello and goodbye. It is considered impolite to enter a restaurant or shop without saying Guten Tag (good day) or, more usually,
Grüss Gott (common greeting which literally means ‘greet God’); similarly, to leave without saying Auf Wiedersehen (goodbye) can cause offence. If invited out to dinner, flowers should be brought for the hostess. The Church enjoys a high and respected position in Austrian society, which should be kept in mind.
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Health
Ticks often live in heavily forested areas during the summer months in some of the more easterly parts of Austria and can create discomfort and, in very rare cases, serious infection to people who are bitten. Tick-borne encephalitis is endemic and travellers likely to find themselves in wooded areas from spring to autumn should take a course of injections. Rabies is present in Austria, although there have been no incidents reported in recent years. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten seek medical advice without delay.
Flight and accommodation
Visa & Immigration
IATA Travel Centre
The IATA Travel Centre delivers accurate passport, visa and health requirement information at a glance. It is a trusted, centralized source for the latest international travel requirements. The IATA Travel Centre is the most accurate source available because it is based on a comprehensive database used by virtually every airline, and information is gathered from official sources worldwide, such as immigration and police authorities.