The home of Mozart is a bustling cultural capital, framed by beautiful mountains and packed full of medieval lanes and striking architecture.
Salzburg's picturesque architecture makes it a treat to stroll around, as do its musical celebrations and range of gastronomic treats. The city is situated on the Salzach River, and that's a good place to begin your visit too – try the rich variety of the Salzach Galleries (Salzachgalerien), a wonderful open market along the banks of the riverThe western shore is where you'll find the Old Town (Altstadt), whose ancient buildings have stood for centuries. It has been granted World Heritage Site status, and any changes to the built environment are strictly regulated. Some of the historical landmarks here include Mozart Square (Mozartplatz) and the Salzburg Cathedral (Salzburger Dom).The 16th century rulers of the city looked down from their opulent Residenz palace down onto the Residenzplatz. Their former home contains luxuriously appointed salons and a collection of fantastic paintings by a number of world-famous painters, including Rembrandt. Check out Mozart's Birthplace (Mozarts Geburtshaus) along Getreidegasse, a street from the Middle Ages which is home to the classiest fashion shops, but where you can also buy authentic souvenirs.Monchsberg mountain stands guard over the Old Town – take the cable train up to Hohensalzburg Fortress (Festung Hohensalzburg) at the top to see one of biggest and most imposing castles in Europe.Another place from which to get some of the best vantage points over Salzburg (particularly at sunset) is the Kapuzinerberg, a high hill on the east banks of the Salzach.For a day out of the city, take a trip to the ornate baroque Hellbrun Palace (Schloss Hellbrun). Its immaculate gardens contain delightful novelty Trick Fountains – a big favourite with the young, and with the young-at-heart.A visit to the home town of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart would of course not be complete without plenty of music. The best time for lovers of classical music to come is when the Salzburg Festival (Salzburger Festspiele) is on during the summer. Follow the guided tour of the many local locations from the famous family film, The Sound of Music. Mirabell Palace will be included in any tour, with its many memorials and elegant gardens.Salzburg is well known for its high-quality choice of food: enjoy a coffee, have a top-class meal, or visit a beer hall or a brewery such as Augustiner Brewery. Cafe Tomaselli offers a charming old-world experience with cakes and strudels on sale in the longest-running cafe in the city.
