City break in Salzburg

If you love classical music, you'll love Salzburg. The city has had a strong connection to music for a long time. With the birth of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1756, this connection only grew stronger. As a child prodigy, Mozart became court concertmaster in 1769 and concertmaster at the age of 16. Salzburg is still strongly influenced by Mozart today, and on your city break you will find many squares, streets, restaurants, and monuments commemorating Mozart.

But it was not only Mozart that made Salzburg famous. Salzburg's old town has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. The mix of spectacular architecture from the Baroque, Renaissance and Middle Ages simply has to be experienced. The perfect harmony of tradition and modernity makes the baroque city a gem, embedded in the magnificent panorama of the surrounding mountains.

The flair of a Mediterranean baroque metropolis captivates not only by its beauty and elegance, but also by its youthfulness. The Salzburg Festival is the largest concert series in Salzburg and attracts music lovers anew every year. In addition to the Salzburg Festival, there are the Mozart Weeks in January, the Salzburg Easter Festival and the Salzburg Whitsun Festival.

From Switzerland, Salzburg can be reached by train in around 5 to 7 hours, depending on the point of departure. There are direct trains from Zurich, while from Bern, Basel and Geneva one change is usually required. The train journey leads through impressive alpine landscapes and offers a relaxed start before you arrive in the world-famous Mozart city on the Salzach.

The top 5 attractions in Salzburg include the Old Town of Salzburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; Hohensalzburg Fortress, which overlooks the city; the DomQuartier, home to the Residenz and the cathedral; Mirabell Palace with its gardens; and the musical legacy of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. These attractions are mainly located in the historic city centre and can easily be explored on foot or with just a short walk.

Among the hidden gems in Salzburg are city walks up the Mönchsberg and Kapuzinerberg hills, offering views of the old town. Places such as Steingasse and neighbourhoods like Nonntal provide a glimpse into local daily life away from the tourist hotspots. For concerts outside the major festival venues, there is Jazzit Salzburg with jazz and exchange concerts, Rockhouse Salzburg for rock, indie and pop acts, as well as concert series at the Mozarteum University featuring classical and contemporary music.

Salzburg is served by ÖBB Nightjet night trains, which stop at Salzburg Central Station. Direct Nightjet services operate on routes including Vienna–Salzburg, Milan–Salzburg and Rome–Salzburg. Travellers from other regions often take a direct night train to Munich, Vienna or Innsbruck, before changing trains to Salzburg in the morning.

Four days is generally considered a good length of stay for a city break in Salzburg. During this time, you can easily fit in the main sights of the old town, several museums and cultural events such as concerts or exhibitions. There is also time for one or two day trips to the surrounding area, for example to lakes or the Alpine regions.