TRAVEL SERIES || A Day in Salzburg
Our vision is to take you on day trips to cities around the world. Featuring the best local hangouts so you can experience life like a local on your adventures. Join us for A Day In Salzburg.
One of the things we love the most about European cities is there's usually a 'new town' area where buildings are more modern, contrasted against well preserved 'old towns' brimming with history and character. Salzburg, known as the City of Mozart, where Mozart spent much of his living years composing and performing, is one such city we thoroughly enjoyed on our tour across Europe.
Can we interest you in a game of giant chess?
HISTORY || Hohensalzburg Castle
Mönchsberg 34, 5020 Salzburg
Get an early bird ticket to visit the castle, when it’s a bit quieter and also comes with a discount. The online ticket includes the ride up by funicular, saving you the extra steps up to the castle. There are various souvenir shops, a food stand and a restaurant at the top in case you need to replenish.
Inside the castle you can learn all about the history of the fortress, the archbishops who resides here, and the development of the castle’s history alongside international events.
Majestic mountains as seen from the Hohensalzburg Castle.
BREAKFAST & CAKE || Cafe Tomaselli
Alter Markt 9, 5020 Salzburg
Designated Cake Servers roam the room with a platter full of delicate pastries.
The oldest cafe in town where there are “cake ladies” carrying a giant platter of delicate cakes for you to choose from. We had two of their cake, both of which were very tasty, and also a very cheese ham and cheese omelette which came piping hot - a detail we appreciate in the frigid winter weather.
One of the delicious cakes.
You can enjoy all-day breakfast at Tomaselli Cafe.
ARCHITECTURE || Salzburg Cathedral
A seventeenth-century Baroque cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Salzburg. Marble columns, intricate sculptural work and delicate painted frescoes are only a few of the reasons for design and architecture enthusiasts to visit.
FRESH PRODUCE & MEATS || Outdoor Market
There was a slight drizzle of rain as we in the early afternoon, when we visited the Parish Church St.Andrä along Mirabellplatz.
Fresh produce, meat and cheese vendors surrounded the plaza, tempting us to buy snacks to bring home. As the winds got stronger and the rain picked up speed, we found shelter at no other than an outdoor wine vendor, where we sipped Glühwein made with rosé.
Cheery wine vendor served up numerous cups of mulled wine to passerby.
WANDER & EXPLORE || Old Town
One thing we love about European cities is there’s always an old town component, where the streets are lined with cobblestones, the shops are small and quaint, and the cuisine authentic and delicious. There are various museums for you to visit, but one you will definitely want go visit is the Modern Art Museum, both for the art and for the M32 restaurant at the very top. From the restaurant terrace you can also take stunning photos of the Salzburg castle. The streets light up in the evening along with the various sightseeing highlights, creating a beautiful nighttime landscape.
Feel like getting a late night snack before turning in for the day? There are plenty of booths to grab a bratwurst. From spicy, cheesy to veal options, you will need to make a few stops to sample all the flavours!
LUNCH || Kocherei & Co.
Here you experience the best of authentic Austrian flavour with modern updates to the dishes. We especially enjoyed "The Mozart Balls", a delicious concoction of chocolate mousse mixed with nutty, pistachio bits. Read all about our visit to this bright, modern eatery here.
HISTORIC DESIGN || Mirabell Palace
Mirabellplatz, 5020 Salzburg
While visiting during the winter means the gardens aren’t as vibrant with the lack of florals, you can still pay a visit to the marble hall, even pay for a ticket to enjoy a musical performance of Mozart’s masterpieces in the Marble Hall. Tickets are available on site.
HISTORY || Mozart's Birthplace
Getreidegasse 9, 5020 Salzburg
You can’t leave Salzburg without visiting Mozart’s Birthplace. Grab a ticket and wander through the various rooms housing trinkets used by Mozart, a piano he used for his performances, and learn about his family members who were also celebrated musicians. Unfortunately no photos are allowed inside, but that gives you more time to learn about him via the free app on the Apple store.
MUSEUM || Museum der Moderne
Wiener-Philharmoniker-Gasse 9, 5020 Salzburg
Visit in the evening to take the lift up to the top of the mountain, where you can capture stunning views of the river dividing the old and new town area.
Stunning night view of Salzburg.
EAT || Zum Fidelen Affen
Priesterhausgasse 8, 5020 Salzburg
We strongly recommend (almost demand) that you visit this cozy, authentic restaurant serving the best Wiener schnitzel we’ve ever had. This restaurant has a long history and used to be a student bar before it was converted into a restaurant. The Wiener schnitzel with the potatoes are both appetizing and satisfying. We were supremely impressed that the schnitzel stayed crispy and delicious even after we spent 15 minutes taking photos! Upon inquiring with the owner Michael, he said the item can even be enjoyed cold as a takeaway. Cue our minds being blown.
Read about our visit to Zum Fedelin Affen here.
SOCIAL || Carpe Diem Finest Fingerfood
Getreidegasse 50, 5020 Salzburg
After an evening stroll around old town following your dinner meal, stop into Carpe Diem Finest Fingerfood for a late night snack, slice of cake, or a nightcap. This expansive space houses a lounge, terrace and cafe downstairs and a dining room, bar, and private meeting/dining rooms upstairs. Enjoy their fabulous line up of miniature savoury cones while taking in the evening social scene in Salzburg where locals and visitors mingle.
Read our feature article on this eatery here.
There is so much to see in Salzburg we had to eat double the number of our usual meals to fit in all the fantastic eateries. We recommend you start your day early to visit as many of the lovely sightseeing spots and leave plenty of time to admire the majestic architecture at each set along the way. We hope you have a wonderful time in Salzburg!
