Salzburg Old Town & Castle - Candid tips by Howard Hillman

Salzburg
Old Town and Castle

Travel tips you can trust

Why
Salzburg Old Town and Castle
are special

They are impressive and well-preserved. Each is a world famous Salzburg icon.

Top 3
Salzburg attractions

Old Town (overall)

Alstadt (German name) is an historical urban area with picturesque baroque buildings and narrow streets. It's compact enough to explore easily on foot.

Castle

This medieval Hohensalzxurg (in German) sits high on a hill and is one of Europe's largest castles. Though its interior attractions are modestly appealing, the castle offers a marvelous view of the city and, to a lesser degree, of the Alps. A funicular takes you up from the town.

Getreidgasse

This long, narrow, and well-touristed shopping street is lined with interesting baroque facades.

Other popular attractions

They include Mirabell Castle (don't miss its gardens and Marble Hall), Mozart Dinner Concert (musicians and singers are entertaining but the food is wedding banquet quality) Mozart's Birthplace

More
Salzburg Old Town & Castle
tips & insights

Music

For bygone centuries, the city has been closely associated with music. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born and reared here. And the famous film musical "Sound of Music" used the baroque old town for many of its scenic backdrops.

Name

Salzburg translates "salt castle". Salt mining and shipping were major industries in the region.

Location in Austria

Salzburg lies approximately 300 kilometers (180 miles) west of Vienna.