Salzburg was the third city of our 2016 Winter Trip. We'd always heard of it before but never had the chance to go. We were very excited; we'd said goodbye to Vienna in the snow. Salzburg welcomed us with rain from the morning. The next day we woke up to a snowy day. ☃😬
We liked Salzburg very, very much. With it being Mozart Week and with the snow, it was something else!
If you haven't read it, the Salzburg Guide is here too! 👈👈
Come on, let's look at the places to visit in the city of Salzburg! 👇👇
1. SALZBURG FORTRESS - HOHENSALZBURG FORTRESS
This magnificent fortress, built in 1077 by Archbishop Gebhard, has kept its grandeur for almost 10 centuries. With the last change to the fortress in the 1500s, again by Archbishop Leonhard von Keutschach, it took on the look that will greet you.
Almost all the castles visited as tourist sights today were designed and built for defence in their time. Indeed, Salzburg Fortress was also built to protect the princes and archbishops from enemy attacks.
** Archbishop is a rank that Christian clergy can hold, and we could describe it as a regional bishop.
Incredibly, the fortress is open almost all year round. If you go to the fortress on a snowy day like us, entry to the fortress may not be allowed for safety reasons. They let you go up to a certain point. Another nice thing about the fortress is that since 1892 you've had the choice of going up on foot or using the fortress funicular, the 'Festungsbahn'. The funicular leaves every 10 minutes. Of course, in peak season it's probably more frequent. When you get up to the fortress, a palace from the Middle Ages, palace rooms and a way of life greet you. The Marionette and Rainer Regiment Museum take you on a lovely journey into the past.
I'm sure you'll love the unique views. Also, at Salzburg Fortress, also a fortress of love, concerts are given in good weather.
Note: As I mentioned above, the fortress is open to visitors every day. You can visit between 09.30 - 17.00 in October - April and 09.00 - 19.00 in May - September. Looking at entry tickets to the fortress, there are two kinds. The first is known as the 'Standard Ticket'. It covers the Prince's chamber, the Marionette and Rainer Regiment Museum, the Magical Rooms, the State Rooms and the audio guide. The ticket price for going up on foot is 11.50€ for adults and 6.60€ for ages 6-14. Going up by funicular, it's 15.20€ for adults and 8.70€ for ages 6-14.
The second ticket is known as the 'Basic Ticket'. Compared with the standard ticket, it covers everything except entry to the Magical Rooms and State Rooms. The ticket price for going up on foot is 9.20€ for adults and 5.20€ for ages 6-14. Going up by funicular, it's 12€ for adults and 6.80€ for ages 6-14. There may be a discount on online ticket purchases. If you're sure you're going, you can choose that.
Getting there: Getting to the fortress by car doesn't seem very possible. We can say the only way to go is on foot. 👣👣
Even though we said on foot, don't worry, it's not that far. The fortress's location is very good, almost in the city centre. You can get there after about 20 minutes' walk.
2. MOZART'S HOUSE - MOZART'S BIRTHPLACE
This house at number 9 on Getreidegasse is on record as the house where Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born. The master of art who comes to everyone's mind when you say Salzburg opened his eyes to the world here on 27 January 1756. Mozart spent his childhood and youth here with his mother, father and sister Nannerl.
The house where Mozart, who moved to another house in 1773, was first born has been turned into a museum for us travellers and Mozart fans from all over the world. In fact, the Mozarteum Foundation, which first turned the house into a museum in 1880, has constantly developed and expanded this house over time. It's at the top of our list of places in Salzburg you shouldn't come back without seeing. In the museum everything is displayed in its original form, and you can tour the museum in about a 1-hour tour. In the apartment where Mozart's neighbours lived, you also pass through an authentically rebuilt middle-class home. Besides furniture from the 18th century, you can also discover tools and utensils used in daily life.
Note: You can visit Mozart's house every day between 09.00 - 17.30 from September to June, and between 08.30 - 18.30 in July - August. But admission closes 30 minutes before closing time. Ticket prices are 11€ for adults, 4€ for students aged 15-18 and 3.50€ for children aged 6-14
Getting there: Since the museum is in the city centre anyway, you can easily get there on foot. 👣👣
3. MIRABELL PALACE AND GARDENS
Looking at the history of the name of this lovely palace in Salzburg, it appears as a woman's name in Italy. 'Mirabile' means admirable and 'Bella' beautiful.
As with the fortress, this place was also under the rule of the princes and archbishops. In their time, the princes and archbishops apparently used this palace as a banquet hall.
The Mirabell Gardens were completely redesigned in 1690 by Archbishop Johann Ernst von Thun. The geometric form typical of Baroque architecture can still be clearly recognised. The visual orientation towards the cathedral and the fortress increases the grandeur of the gardens.
Today the Marble Hall is considered one of the most beautiful wedding halls in the world. In Mozart's time it was also used for musical feasts. Mirabell Palace looks back on a colourful history. Today Mirabell Palace is home to the municipal offices and the mayor of Salzburg. And today wonderful musical feasts are also held in the lovely Marble Hall. For details, I'm leaving the link.
Note: You can visit Mirabell Palace every day between 08.00 - 18.00. You can visit the Marble Hall on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday between 08.00 - 16.00, and Tuesday - Friday between 13.00 - 16.00. The Mirabell Gardens open to visitors from 06.00 in the morning. You can tour this lovely garden and palace for free.
Getting there: You can easily get to this palace and garden, very close to the city centre, on foot. Get ready for lots of walking! 😄
4. GETREIDEGASSE
We'd talked a lot about this street under the shopping in Salzburg heading too. Getreidegasse is the heart of the old town, its attraction, and the street with Mozart's House. Naturally it has become a place that countless visitors from around the world can't overlook and that's constantly flooded with visitors. Besides a range of international fashion chains, Getreidegasse enchants travellers and tourists with its traditional inns with a long past and its unique businesses.Getting there: You can easily reach this street, right at the centre of the old town, on foot. In Salzburg you can get almost everywhere on foot. 😄👣
5. DOMQUARTIER SALZBURG
The DomQuartier offers a unique feast of cultural buildings in the heart of the city of Salzburg. In the magnificent state rooms, history comes alive. The museum tour lets you watch the city's distinctive views. The architectural complex we know today as the DomQuartier was once the centre where the prince-archbishops held power. It's made up of the Cathedral and the Residence and St. Peter's Abbey on Benedictine Street. With a single entry ticket you can visit five different Salzburg museums.
The DomQuartier's historic rooms host various collections focused especially on Baroque history. By taking the horse-drawn carriages leaving from in front of the DomQuartier, you can do a pleasant tour of Salzburg.
Note: You can visit this historic building and rooms Wednesday - Monday between 10.00 - 17.00. In July - August it's open every day, and you can visit between 10.00 - 17.00. As for entry fees, it's 12€ for adults, 5€ for ages 6-14, and free for children under 6.
Getting there: It's about 300 metres from Getreidegasse, that is the centre of the old town. Again, you can easily get there on foot. 😄👣
To read the other posts of this lovely trip of ours, click our 2016 Winter Trip post.
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