There are many tourist attractions in Salzburg, Austria. Many people know it from the film the Sound of Music, but there is a lot more to the place than that.
Location
If traveling by car from Germany, you can get in by way of the A1 (Salzburg – Vienna) or the A8 (Munich – Salzburg) autobahns. The train station in the city is called Hauptbahnhof and is located at the Salzach Rivers north side.
A train journey from Munich to the city takes 90 minutes. There are also buses from Cesky Krumlov that will take you to the city.
What to See
The Schloss Hellbrunn used to be the summer home of the archbishops. Today it is one of the main tourist attractions in Salzburg. It has several beautiful gardens and fountains. There is also a playground for children.
The Hohensalzburg Fortress on the other hand, can be reached only from a mountain. Inside is a museum filled with weapons from the medieval age. Concerts are also held here. Other places worthy of a visit are Mozarts Geburtshaus (Mozarts birth house) and the Alter Markt Square. You can also visit the Getreidegasse, renowned for its many shops.
History
The city is the fourth biggest in Austria. Its name translates to “Salt Castle”. According to researchers, it was so called because of the barges that hauled salt on the Salzach river.
There is evidence that humans were already living in the area sometime during the Neolithic Age. Around 15 BCE, several communities emerged. From the 14th century onwards, the city would become the seat of power of an independent state.
Cost
The bus fares cost about 1.100 CZK (44 EUR) from Cesky Krumlov. If you are going to use the autobahn, you have to pay for the Austrian Motorway “Vignette”. The cost varies depending on the type you buy. Once in the city, the cost of the bus tickets is about 2 Euros. A one week ticket costs 12 Euros.
Other Info
The Salzburg Zoo is open from 9 am until 11 pm everyday, a popular destination for kids. The Schloss Mirabel is next to the River Salzach. It is widely recognized for its beautiful architecture, especially the wedding hall. The Toy Museum (Spielzeugmuseum) is the biggest repository of toys in the country.
Another one of the tourist attractions in Salzburg is the Museum of Modern Art. It showcases contemporary art as well as some international masterpieces. The world famous Salzburg Festival takes place in July.
