Fancy a European getaway with a difference? Have you considered Salzburg? This surprising little Austrian city has a lot to offer the discerning traveller looking for a unique destination so read on if you know nothing about Salzburg but are interested in a location that offers beauty and a wealth of culture…..

Salzburg literally means “salt fortress” and is famous mainly for being the birthplace of Mozart and for its incredibly well preserved historical city centre which the UNESCO declared a World Heritage Site in 1997. This delightful city with its cobbled streets, horse-drawn carriages and tempting coffee shops was used as the setting for part of the famous film – The Sound of Music starring Julie Andrews. It would appear that there is more of a fan following of this film outside of Austria than within the country itself and those foreign fans can get their fix of musical fun by tagging along at one of the Sound of Music Tours offered in and around the city.

Salzburg is located on the banks of the River Salzach, north of the Alps, so the stunning baroque architecture is not the only beauty that you can find here, a short trip out of the city will take you to places of spectacular natural beauty too. The locals here speak Austrian German and a German dialect known as Austro-Bavarian. If you know a little German, you should get by just fine.
Tourists generally flock to a few main sights which include the Salzburg Cathedral, Mozart’s birthplace and residence, the Hohensalzburg Castle and the whole historical part of the town centre. The Salzburg Music Festival which takes place every year over the summer months also attracts a lot of visitors to Salzburg so bear this in mind if you are planning to visit the city in July or August as flight prices go up and budget accommodation in Salzburg fills up early,

You can see pretty much all that the city centre has to offer in a weekend but a four or five day break is ideal if you intend to take a trip out of the city and get a glimpse of those beautiful Alps. Salzburg – a great choice in my opinion for an original European city break

Salzburg is a surprisingly popular tourist destination which bustles all year round with a whole range of events and attractions. Apart from the city’s busy calendar of concerts and markets, some of the main highlights for tourists to Salzburg are its old fashioned charm, natural beauty and its history as the birthplace of Mozart. Its proximity to Vienna also makes it popular for a short city break. Here are my tips on things to do and things to avoid in this charming Austrian city:

Do….

Find some nice accommodation in Salzburg with decent rates and a central location so that you can save on the hotel and public transport and spend on eating out or visiting local attractions.

Try the local specialities such a good beer in one of the beer gardens and eat a delicious Mozartkugel (chocolate, nougat, marzipan and pistachio ball).

Visit the Grunmarkt (a market) which is on from Monday to Saturday from 7 am to 7 pm. This lovely market sells everything from sweets and pastries to locally grown agricultural products, including some fantastic cheeses.

Don’t…

I would advise that you steer clear of the obvious tourist traps though such as buying tacky Mozart related souvenirs or paying a fortune for a coffee in the most touristy bar in town and getting rude service to boot! Although a little embarrassing, a horse-drawn carriage ride through the cobbled streets of the old town is great fun!

There really is something to do every season in Salzburg: you can enjoy a hike in the nearby hills (featured in the musical – the sound of music) and enjoy open-air classical concerts in the warmer months and try your hand at skiing in the winter or luxuriate at one of the local thermal spas after a trip to a Christmas market.

Salzburg has obvious potential to attract tourists and you can’t blame the locals for exploiting its charm a little. With beautiful Baroque architecture, Disney-like church spires, an elaborate cake culture and a past steeped in classical music…Salzburg is a feast for the senses. Be warned though that there is a fine line between tacky and classy which is often blurred in Salzburg but you’ll be surprised how quickly you get used to it and how much fun it can be.