My Favorite Places in Salzburg

For the past two months, I have had the incredible honor of living in the beautiful city of Salzburg. It’s far more magical than it looks in photos.  The heart of the city features the Danube river, flanked by fairytale pastel colored riverfront architecture.  The entire city is surrounded by green (or snow-covered) hills, depending on the season.  Around every corner are steeples, fountains, green gardens, little pubs and shops waiting to be discovered. Like most of Europe, it has that magical effect of allowing you to experience the ancient and modern simultaneously.  Hi, 'Medieval Fortress Wifi.'

If you ever have the opportunity to visit, you must! (it’s a little over 2 hours from Vienna, Austria and a little over an hour from Munich by train).  Here are some of my favorite spots:

For a great view: ‘Hohensalzburg Festung’ (“High Salzburg Fortress,” or the city castle)

You’ll probably recognize this iconic medieval castle if you’ve ever seen photos of Salzburg.  It’s worth a trip up on the ‘Festungsbahn’ (‘fortress train’) to tour the castle, and get the best 360 degree view of the city that exists.  Or, if you’re feeling fit and fabulous, walk it!  Not worth it on a cloudy or hazy day, because you’ll lose many of the mountain tops that make the view so breathtaking.  Included with your ticket is a decent audio guide tour which gives you a little Salzburg history, and there’s a fabulous museum up top with some original furniture, weapons, musical instruments, pottery, and more.

 Castle View on a snowy day (L), and pictured on a sunny day with my cousin Robin (R)

For an Austrian brewery with traditional food and a great view: Stiegel Brauwelt

If you’re interested in beer or beer tasting, this is a great place for you.  Disclaimer: This may not be the absolute BEST traditional Austrian food (obviously I’m not an expert, as I’m not Austrian), but it’s certainly SOME of the best. The awesome thing about this is that you get delicious beer on tap from Salzburg’s most famous brewery, an incredible view of the city, AND traditional food in a traditional atmosphere.  When my husband and I hiked up to the fortress (not by choice, the festungsbahn was closed for maintenance), this place was like a mirage on the climb up. We could hardly believe our eyes, and tastebuds.  For beer: I recommend the organic unfiltered.

View from our table

Favorite Sound of Music spot: Mirabell Garden Fountain

Did you know much of the movie “The Sound of Music” was filmed in and around Salzburg?  Take a walk through Mirabell Gardens and TRY not to sing “Do-Re-Mi” while you twirl.

For a bite to eat with a fun atmosphere (if you’re tired of schnitzel and potatoes): Afro Café

Modern African-inspired dishes like Chickpea soup, Ostrich burgers, and a giant salad bowl with bacon all on the menu.  Whether you need a break from being on your feet during the day, or you’re looking for a place where the kitchen is open late, it’s a fun little colorful grotto in which to escape.  Also, bonus: it’s really close to the entrance of the Modern Art Museum!  http://www.afrocafe.at/en/

Photo (C): Salzburg-City Guide.at

  

For Modern Art:  Museum of Modern Art

Like most museums, it features an original collection that remains all year, and a constant rotation of interesting exhibits.  Everything has either a written or audio translation in English, and the museum also features an awesome restaurant and an incredible city view.  Perfect if you have a few hours.

View from MoMA

For a beautiful nature walk: The Kirsche and surrounding walking trails and parks around Parsch

You can get to these hills via the 6 or 7 bus line, and it's wonderful to hear running water and experience some quiet time in the foothills. 

Kirsche

walking paths 

For tacos: Die Cabreras

BEAUTIFUL PLACE! Family owned, natural ingredients, lovely story, delicious salsas and handmade shop items for sale, and the best pulled-pork tacos I’ve put in my mouth in all of Austria.  Read more: http://diecabreras.com/

Pork tacos and fresh-squeezed pineapple juice, with an assortment of housemade salsas! 

For a quick overview on Salzburg’s History: The Salzburg Museum

The Salzburg Museum, specifically the 2^nd floor, details the history of Salzburg, up to the present. It doesn’t take long, but I was fascinated to find out how the city went from being poor and industrial to a major tourist attraction.

For a tailored wine tasting experience: Magazin

Magazin is actually on one side a fancy restaurant featuring local ingredients, and on the other a Wine Shop with expert sommeliers (who speak perfect English) and tasting tables available day and evening.  I was taken there by a friend who actually writes for Fodor's Tourism Guides, and it's one of her favorite places.  It’s a great spot to go share a bottle of wine with friends that has been hand selected for you, or by you, and if you drink it there, you get the wine at a discounted price. 

http://www.magazin.co.at/de/magazin2

 For a quick, affordable bite of Italian food before or after an opera:  L’Osteria

L'Osteria is a quick walk across Theaterplatz from the Salzburg Landestheater, which features operas, plays, musicals and ballets. I can only personally speak for the aromas, the atmosphere, the Italian speaking staff, and the place being constantly packed, as I am wheat and dairy free and can’t eat most of the menu.  However, everyone I’ve ever taken to the restaurant has DEVOURED their plate of pizza or pasta without talking to me, so I feel like the food (besides the house salad) has to be amazing. Bonus: they have Buffalo Mozarella, the real deal.

There are so many other places worth visiting, foods worth tasting, and buildings worth touring, but here is a humble little sampling of my favorites if you’re ever looking for ideas.  Happy traveling, friends!