Salzburg

Surrounded by stunning Alpine scenery and boasting a delightful mix of old and new, Salzburg is a city full of charm, which visitors are sure to fall in love with. Located just next to the German border, Salzburg, as the fourth largest city in Austria, is also one of the country's most popular tourist destinations  alongside Vienna.

The birthplace of Mozart, which has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was also chosen to be the filming location for the iconic musical The Sound of Music, thanks to the city's magical mix of beautiful countryside and historic architecture.

What to see in Salzburg

Explore the city's picturesque historic centre, strolling through its narrow streets, admiring its beautiful squares, and seeing how many places you recognise from famous scenes of The Sound of Music. Amongst its many fascinating monuments, don't miss a visit to:

• Hohensalzburg Fortress: constructed in 1077, this is one of Europe's largest and best-preserved castles, and is one of Salzburg's most iconic monuments. Walk up, or take the Festungsbahn funicular railway up, for panoramic views over the city. Inside, marvel at the Medieval decoration of the princely chambers and - if you dare - see the centuries-old torture instruments on display.
• Birthplace of Mozart: opened in 1880, the museum located in the house where the world-renowned composer was born has become a place of pilgrimage for music lovers. The rooms are still preserved as they were, and instruments played by the artist are on display for your viewing pleasure.
• Salzburg Cathedral: this beautiful Italian Baroque style cathedral, complete with a mighty dome that was destroyed by bombing in World War II, is the city's most important religious building. Despite its lengthy history and fair share of fires and destruction, many years of restoration means the Cathedral remains as flawlessly magnificent as ever.
• Hellbrunn Palace: built in 1612 as a summer residence for the Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg, Mark Sittich von Hohenems, Schloss Hellbrunn is an architectural gem set in stunning gardens.
• Salzburg Museum: the city's museum offers an excellent overview of Salzburg's history, culture and art, located in the beautifully restored Neue Rezidenz Palace.

Magical scenery

Many visitors to Vienna decide to dedicate a day of their trip to Salzburg, a charming place that is well worth a visit. The city's historic centre is a true fairy-tale treasure, and exploring the Medieval, Romanesque and Baroque buildings that line its cobbled streets is a fantastic way to see this beautiful city.

How to get to Salzburg from Vienna

There are several ways to reach Salzburg from Vienna:

• English language guided tour: by far the easiest and most comfortable way to visit Salzburg from Vienna is to book a tour that includes transportation and an English-speaking guide. If you want to experience the best of Salzburg, reserve our full-day trip here.
• Train: the train journey between Vienna and Salzburg takes about two hours and 30 minutes each way, and there are departures every hour.
• Rent a car: if you'd prefer to drive, why not hire a car to travel there? Follow this link for great car rental deals.