„In Salzburg, every street is a gallery, every view a masterpiece.“, Salzburg Day Trip
Salzburg, the fourth largest city in Austria, is world famous for its rich culture and history. Salzburg impresses with its unique combination of historical architecture, cultural wealth and breathtaking nature. The town is nestled between the Mönchsberg and Kapuzinerberg hills and the Alps in the background, giving it a picturesque backdrop. Located on the Salzach and surrounded by the Alps.
Salzburg’s role as a center of Baroque art is particularly fascinating: many buildings were designed by Italian architects and give the city a southern flair. Another highlight is Salzburg’s music and festival tradition: In addition to the Salzburg Festival, jazz, world music and modern events also attract a wide audience. The nearby nature, including the Salzkammergut lakes and the mountains, also makes Salzburg a perfect starting point for outdoor activities.
We spontaneously decided to take a little trip to Salzburg and see the city, especially at Christmas time. We experienced all of this:
Walking through the city center of Salzburg:
Salzburg’s city center, also known as the Old Town, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and impresses with its baroque architecture and historical atmosphere. Characterized by narrow streets such as the famous Getreidegasse and magnificent squares, it offers a unique flair. Important sights such as the Salzburg Cathedral, the Residenz and Mozart’s birthplace are located here.
The old town invites you to stroll, shop and enjoy: boutiques, traditional shops and cozy cafés give it a special charm. It is also a cultural center with theaters, concerts and events such as the Salzburg Festival. The picturesque location between Mönchsberg and Salzach makes the city center an unforgettable experience.
Trying Mozartkugeln:
The Mozartkugeln are a world-famous Salzburg specialty and a culinary landmark of Austria. They were invented in 1890 by Paul Fürst, a confectioner in Salzburg, who created the praline in honor of the composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The original Mozartkugel consists of a combination of the finest pistachio marzipan, nougat and dark chocolate.
To this day, the ball is made by hand according to the traditional recipe, especially in the Fürst pastry shop, which is proud to sell the original. The Mozartkugeln are artfully dipped in chocolate and dried on wooden sticks, which gives them their characteristic shape and a special taste.
Shopping in Salzburg:
The first word that comes to mind when I think of shopping in Salzburg is sweet. We walked the entire grain alley. This is a shopping street in downtown Salzburg. This is a bit tight for the amount of people there. But what I found really nice is that all the shops have to adapt to the city. The signs and displays all have strict specifications so that they fit into the overall image of the city.
There is almost every brand you can imagine. But what is noticeable is that there are more expensive brands there, as well as many traditional costume shops. Many of them were really nice, but that was also the price. The grain alley runs through the entire city center and there are also many historical buildings on it. As well as the Mozarthaus.
Looking at the Mozart House:
The Mozarthaus in Salzburg, known as Mozart’s birthplace, is a historical highlight and one of the city’s most visited attractions. It is located at Getreidegasse 9 and was the home of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who was born here on January 27, 1756. Today the house is a museum that offers insights into the life and work of the famous composer.
We didn’t visit the house from the inside because there were a lot of tourists. But of course I informed myself about it. Original instruments, portraits and documents are on display that illustrate Mozart’s work and his everyday life. Mozart’s original children’s violin is particularly fascinating. The birthplace attracts music lovers from all over the world and makes Salzburg’s rich musical culture tangible.
Lunch at Koller + Koller:
The Koller + Koller restaurant in Salzburg is a popular meeting place for connoisseurs who appreciate modern cuisine in a stylish ambience. Centrally located in the old town, the restaurant combines tradition with contemporary elegance. The menu offers a diverse selection of dishes based on fresh, local ingredients. Whether Austrian classics, creative fish dishes or vegetarian delicacies – all tastes will get their money’s worth here.
The tasteful interior, combined with a relaxed atmosphere, makes Koller + Koller an ideal place for special occasions or an enjoyable lunch. I opted for the classic dishes such as beef soup with cheese dumplings and goulash as the main course. I was a bit more experimental with the cocktail and ordered a white peach cinnamon spritz. Delicious!
Capture the fortress:
The Hohensalzburg Fortress is Salzburg’s impressive landmark and one of the largest fully preserved castles in Europe. Located high above the city on the fortress hill, it was built in 1077 under Archbishop Gebhard and steadily expanded over the centuries. You can get to this castle either by train or on foot. But be careful, the climb is not long, but it is very steep.
The castle served as a protective structure and representative seat of the Salzburg archbishops. Today it is a popular excursion destination and offers breathtaking views over Salzburg and the surrounding landscape. Visitors can explore the historic interiors, including the magnificent Princely Rooms and the Castle Museum. The fortress is not only a cultural highlight, but also an impressive example of medieval architecture.
Café & cake time:
The Café Maestro by Eden in Salzburg is located on Hofstallgasse directly opposite the Festival Hall. It combines culinary enjoyment with a stylish, cultural atmosphere. The café offers creative fusion cuisine, including vegan and vegetarian specialties, as well as fine tapas. The homemade cakes and desserts, including coffee specialties from an Italian factory, are particularly popular.
I enjoyed a cappuccino and a chestnut tart. Finally, how could it be otherwise, I drank an Aperol Spritz.
Check out the Christmas market:
The Salzburg Christmas market on the Cathedral and Residenzplatz is one of the oldest and most atmospheric Christmas markets in the world. Nestled in the historic setting of the old town, it enchants visitors with festive lighting, traditional handicrafts and Christmas sounds.
Numerous stands offer handmade gifts, Christmas tree decorations and culinary delicacies such as mulled wine, gingerbread and roasted almonds. The varied supporting program includes choral singing, Advent readings and children’s activities such as the popular crafts.
I have to admit that what fascinated me the most this time at the Christmas market were the stalls with the decorations. That’s why I bought an elves and an Advent wreath here.
Summary:
It’s safe to say that we saw and experienced a lot in just a few hours. Salzburg is a small city with a lot of charm and history. I think you really notice how young and old come together. The city is well preserved and you can tell that a lot of importance is attached to keeping it that way.
What I personally find or what I noticed is that there are more older people there. That’s not meant in a bad way at all, but I think it’s noticeable that the average age, at least in the old town, is a little higher. This doesn’t apply to tourists. The city of Salzburg is a bit more traditional and that is part of its charm.
Conclusion:
a great city for a day trip
Adress:
Salzburg, Austria
Tip:
try the original mozart balls (mozartkugeln)
_____________________
RELATED POSTS
_____________________