About
Salzburg is a city in Austria, close to the German border, set among Alpine peaks. It is the birthplace of Mozart, and its baroque old town is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city is also known to many visitors as the setting of The Sound of Music, which gives a first visit a familiar pull even before you arrive.
What the old town offers
The historic centre is compact enough to explore on foot. Its baroque streets and squares reward slow wandering, and the mountains rise close behind the rooftops, so views of the peaks are rarely far away. Much of the city's character comes from this combination of an intact old town and a dramatic natural backdrop.
Who it suits
- Music lovers, drawn by Mozart's birthplace and the city's musical heritage.
- Film fans, interested in the places associated with The Sound of Music.
- Walkers and architecture enthusiasts, who will find the baroque old town rich to explore.
- Visitors seeking mountain scenery, since the Alps frame the city on every side.
Salzburg works well as a stop of a day or several, whether you come for its cultural sites, its historic streets or the mountains beyond the city. Its position near the German border also makes it a convenient point for travelling onward through the region.