Visitor's Guide to Salzburg

Since I spend a lot of time in Salzburg, I figured I would write a visitor's guide similar to the one I made for Munich.

Considering I only go to Salzburg a couple times a week, at most, this may not be as thorough, but I will do what I can! To read more of my posts on Salzburg, or to see more photos click here.

Obviously the list will also continue to grow and I will do my best to update it when I stumble upon great things.

These are some of the restaurants + stores that I enjoy and hopefully some helpful info for tourists. Please let me know if you have questions or are planning a trip by commenting on any post. I'll do what I can to help!

Reasons to visit Salzburg

• It's UNESCO's largest world heritage site (Old Town).
• Baroque architecture - they claim everything to be the largest Baroque (fountain, church, etc.) North of the Alps.
• Music - not only do they have the 'living rock' Festungsberg, but they also have everything Mozart (despite the fact he wasn't very fond of Salzburg - but that's another story)
• The Sound of Music
• Mirabell Gardens
• This is a great map of the city from the tourist office.

Some of my favorite restaurants - addresses and locations can be found on the respective websites.

Inexpensive

• Indigo - fast and healthy alternative if you are tired of Austrian (meat heavy) food. Rice and noodle dishes, as well as soups and salads.
• St. Paul's Stube - frequented by college students.
• Vogel frei - international menu with fair prices.
• cappomio - stylish locale with Italian meals. 2 locations.
• Public Market - located in front of the Collegiate Church - typical sausages, produce stands, and Salzburger pretzels.

Austrian food + beer

• Steigl beer is Salzburg's beer. If you would like to visit the Steigl brewery check out Brauwelt. If you just want to try it check out the local grocery.
• Some speciality dishes from Austria include Kaiserschmarrn and Strudel.

Nicer meals

• St. Peter's Keller - one of Europe's oldest restaurants dating back to 803.
• Magazin - a unique and simple restaurant that also offers cooking seminars. Austrian fusion food with Mediterranean and Asian influences.
• M32 - a beautiful restaurant with the most spectacular views
• Restaurant Riedenburg - also has a beautiful 3 course lunch for 18€.

Unique / Specialty

• Carpe Diem - 'finest finger foods', partly owned by Dietrich Mateschitz (owner of Red Bull energy drink). I have seen the Carpe Diem tea brand for sale in the US.
• Bio Bistro Spicy Spice - vegan / vegetarian . Located at Wolf-Dietrich Straße 1.
• Spoon - Asian inspired dishes.  [unfortunately this is closed]
• Demel - a great place for teas, confections, and other sweets. (one of my favorites - amazing gelato) [sadly, closed]
• Fingerlos - exquisite pastries and an all around nice café. (another favorite)
• Braun - an interesting array of unique chocolates.
• Hotel Sacher - includes a café, where you can sample Austria's famed Sacher Torte. If you don't care to sit down, I suggest purchasing a 'würfel' (cube) of cake at the gift shop on the side.
• Fürst Café - purveyors of the original Mozartkugel candy. I recommend the Millennium (champagne) truffles.
• Tomaselli Café - family owned for over 300 years.

Shopping

• Interio - home design shop.
• Billa - grocery in the old town with a fair variety.
• vom fass - specialty wines, vinegars, and oils.
• Kaslöchl - specialty cheese shop with cheeses from all over Europe.
• Christmas in Salzburg - huge selection located at Judengasse 10 in the Altstadt.
• Egg shop - directly across from the Christmas store. Check out their hand painted eggs in the windows... very impressive!
• Getreidegasse - walk down the small walkways that branch off of this main shopping street as well - there are some small, but sweet shops in the courtyards.
  
  *my favorite gifts to take home are : Mozartkugeln, Fürst Millennium truffles, or an ornament to bring home and remember your trip.
  
  Tourist information offices

• Pick up brochures and other information about Salzburg and surrounding cities. Locations at the Train station (platform 2) and in Mozartplatz.

Public Transport

• Bus 100 will take you to the Hauptbahnhof (train station)

Best City Views

• Hohensalzburg Fortress - be aware if you walk, you'll still have to pay to get to the top. I suggest taking Austria's oldest funicular up to the top.
• Art Museum - my personal favorite. For 3€ you can take the elevator for a beautiful view and check out the museum gift shop for some modern gifts. (M32 Restaurant is located at the top)

Popular things to do in and around Salzburg

• Take Austria's oldest funicular up to the Fortress
• Sound of Music bus tour - please note it lasts a long time.
• If you come with children check out the Natural History Museum
• Visit the Mirabell gardens
• Check out a concert
• St. Peter's church
• Eat at the Stiftskeller, which is one of the oldest restaurants in Europe - dating back to 803!
• Salzkammergut - lake district
• Schloss Hellabrunn - palace with trick fountains on the outskirts of town

If you have a car:

• Hallein Salt mines - learn about the history of salt + visit the mines that made Salzburg wealthy.
• Eagle's Nest - Hitler's retreat near Berchtesgaden
• Eisreisenwelt - largest system of ice caves in the world