Getting There

By plane: Salzburg W.A. Mozart International Airport is located 4km from the city centre. You can get the No. 2 bus from the airport to the Hauptbahnhof (main train station). The journey lasts around 20 minutes and it costs €1.80 for a single ticket.

By train: The Hauptbahnhof is the main train station and is around a 15 minute walk from the city centre. Regular train services to destinations in Austria and across Europe run from here.

By bus: Frequent bus services connect Salzburg with other parts of Austria, as well as many locations around Europe. Many of these buses also leave from the Hauptbahnhof.

Getting Around

On foot: As a lot of Salzburg's compact city centre is pedestrianised, it's an easy place to walk around. Many of the main attractions are within walking distance of each other.

By 'Stadtbus': Salzburg has an environmentally friendly bus network known as the 'Stadtbus'. Frequent services run all across the city and into the surrounding areas.

By taxi: Taxis can be picked up at taxi ranks or hailed down throughout the city.

When visiting Salzburg, come prepared for hot summers and cold winters. The city's Alpine climate means that during the winter there's a big chance of snow. Summers are warm and sunny for the most part. However, Salzburg's climate is also notable for its Schnürlregen or 'string rain'. Sudden downpours fall in slanted lines, hence the name 'string rain'. This phenomenon, particular to Salzburg, can
happen at any time of the year. July and August are Salzburg's hottest months, while December and January are especially cold months, and temperatures can often drop below zero.

Embassies and Consulates

USA: +43 (0)1 313 390*
Canada: +43 (0)1 5313 83000*
Australia: +43 (0)1 506 740*
South Africa: +43 (0)662 622 035**
UK: +43 (0)1 716 130*
Germany: +43 (0)1 711 540*
Spain: +43 (0)1 505 5788*
Italy: +43 (0)1 712 5121*
New Zealand: +49 (0)30 206 210 (NZ embassy in Germany)
France: +43 (0)1 711 540*

*Located in Vienna
**Consulates

Flöckner, Linzer Gasse 66 Flöckner is a great choice for breakfast. They do a lot of specials, with muesli, yoghurt and orange juice costing less than €3. Sandwiches, soups, pizzas and a wide range of drinks are also offered. Open Mon-Fri 7am-6pm, Sat 8am-12pm. Free WiFi available.

Salzburg snack time Bosna Available from vendors around the city, Bosna (or Bosner) is a snack food that originated in Salzburg. Served in an open bun, it's made up of two bratwursts, and generally also includes onions, mustard and a sprinkling of spices. The classic Bosna costs around €3.

Shakespeare Café, Hubert Sattler Gasse 3 A café, bar and restaurant, the Shakespeare Café serves a varied selection of food including pastas, soups, salads and pizza. The 'Mittagsmenü', or mid-day menu, is really good value. It's generally 2 courses, but for a little extra you can choose another course as well. Open Mon-Fri 9am-1am, Sat 4pm-2am, Sun 4pm-12pm.

Café Tomaselli, Alter Markt 9 Café Tomaselli is styled like an old-school Viennese coffee house. Recognisable by its green and white table umbrellas, this café is spread over two floors. Ladies with trays bring around a wide selection of cakes for you to choose from, or alternatively you can sample one of the many ice-creams, hot dishes or drinks on the menu. Open 7 days 7am-9am.

Indigo, Rudolfskai 8 Indigo, which has several branches across Salzburg, serves sushi, soups, curries and salads. Here you can get ramen dishes and spicy couscous at low prices. It's small inside, with high benches and funky stools, and at peak times people are packed in like sardines. Open Mon-Thurs 10am-10pm, Fri/Sat 10am-12am, Sun 12am-8pm. Free WiFi available before 11.30am and after 2pm.

The Republic, Anton Neumayr Platz 2 A bar, club, café, restaurant and venue, the Republic has something for everyone. From its live music brunches on Sundays to club nights ranging from dance to salsa, it earns its 300,000 visitors each year. You can party inside at the funky bar areas or enjoy a drink outside under one of the many yellow, tree-like umbrellas. Open Sun-Thurs 8am-1am, Fri/Sat 8am-4am.

Murphy’s Law, Gstättengasse 33 This Irish bar is a very popular spot, which might have a lot to do with its happy hour every day from 7pm-8pm. During this time all beers and ciders are half price. Small with a lively atmosphere and friendly staff, there are tables outside too. With the bar’s beer card, if you buy nine pints you get the tenth free. Jugs of sangria are available for only €10. Open Mon-Fri 2pm-2am, Sat/Sun 11am-2am. WiFi available.

Rockhouse, Schallmooser Hauptstrasse 46 For live rock music, the Rockhouse is the place to check out when in Salzburg. Lots of gigs are held in this venue, which also has its own bar. With its stone walls and exposed piping on the ceiling, the bar's interior is dark and loud. The long bar area has a large drinks menu on the boards behind it and DJ decks are set up at the back of the room. Open Mon-Thurs 6pm-2am, Fri-Sat 6pm-4am. Closed on Sundays.

Die Weisse/Sudwerk, Rupertgasse 10 Both part of the same complex, Die Weisse and Sudwerk have a vibrant atmosphere. There's loud music, lots of conversation and a big beer garden to sit out in on warmer nights. Die Weisse is also the name of this micro-brewery's self-brewed beer. It comes in bottles or tall glasses and you can buy six bottles in the accompanying shop for €14.40. On Fridays and Saturdays mojitos are €4.90 all night. Shots are good value too, with a kamikaze costing only €2.50. Open Mon-Wed 5pm-2am, Thurs-Sat 5pm-3am. Closed Sundays.

Salzburg Museum, Mozartplatz 1 This museum has a very modern interior and displays a huge selection of art and artefacts from clothes to letters to paintings. Famous citizens from Salzburg and musical exhibits also feature heavily. Open Tues-Sun 9am-5pm, Thurs 9am-8pm, Mon in July/Aug/Dec 9am-5pm; admission €7, €5.50 on Sun.

The Sound of Music Tour You don't have to be 16 going on 17 to enjoy following in the von Trapp footsteps. The tour takes in places from both the movie and the true story including Hellbrunn Palace, Mirabell Gardens and Nonnberg Abbey. To book 'Sound of Music' tours visit www.hostelworld.com/tours.

Museum de Moderne Salzburg, Mönchsberg 32 You can reach this museum of modern art by using the bank of lifts on Gstätengasse. Exhibits include video installations and a room where kids of all ages can make some modern art of their own. Open Tues-Sun 10am-6pm, Wed 10am-8pm. Closed Mon; admission €8.

High on a hill Hohensalzburg Fortress, Mönchsberg 34 Up on one of the hills surrounding Salzburg, this fortress houses cannons, the Marionette Museum and more. The cable railway on Festungsgasse will take you straight up. Here you'll see great views over the city. Open Jan-Apr & Oct-Dec 9.30am-5pm, May-Sept 9am-7pm; combined admission €10.

Salzburg Residenz, Residenzplatz 1 The Salzburg Residenz consists of 15 opulent state rooms, showcasing renaissance and baroque treasures from tapestries to ceiling frescos. Here you'll learn about the Prince Archbishops who used these rooms. Open Tues-Sun 10am-5pm, closed Mon; admission €8.20.

January - Mozart Week During this festival, artists from all over the world perform symphonies to sonatas. It's a favourite with fans of classical music.

April - Salzburg Easter Festival Founded in 1967, this music festival is well-renowned across the globe. It includes opera, performances by top class conductors, youth orchestras and contemporary music.

May - Die Salzburg Dult There are lots of interesting things to try out during this week-long festival. Events range from exhibits to shows to amusement park rides.

May - Whitsun Festival Taking place over the Whitsun weekend, this festival is now in its second year. The focus is on Baroque music and events include opera, chamber music and choral concerts.

July-August - Salzburg Festival Since its beginning in 1920, the Salzburg Festival has become one of the world's most renowned festivals in terms of theatre, opera and music. Events take place over 5 weeks across the city and are very popular with visitors.

August - Frequency Festival One of Europe's biggest rock festivals, Frequency offers a great line up of well-known and up and coming acts. Bands from all over the world take part on five stages over three days.

August-September - Salzburg Art Bazaar You'll find this art bazaar at the Makart Bridge. Held over a series of weekends, more than 500 artists and exhibitors display their work. Hugely popular with tourists and locals, it can see around 50,000 visitors on busy days.

October - Culture Days This series of events, ranging from ballet to opera, features performances by both local and international artists.

October-November - Salzburg Jazz Festival The Salzburg Jazz Festival is an annual event that started in 1996. Some of the best local and international jazz musicians take part throughout the event.

November-December - Christkindlmarkt Open daily from the end of November until Christmas, the Christkindlmarkt is a favourite among visitors to Salzburg. Over 85 vendors offer a unique selection of products, great for Christmas gifts.

Alter Markt The Alter Markt area is a warren of narrow lanes and squares filled with boutiques, small shops and some stalls too. You'll find everything from clothes to Christmas decorations. There are also lots of places to sit with a coffee or have lunch or dinner. Many of these cafés have outdoor seating, so it’s also a good area for people-watching.

Climb every mountain The Untersberg Located near the picturesque town of Gartneau just 30 minutes outside of Salzburg, the Untersberg is the highest mountain near the city. Approximately 1.86km high, you can reach the peak by cable car. Once you're up there, you'll find amazing views even on cloudy days. Avid walkers will enjoy the different hiking trails all over the mountain top. Return trip in cable car costs €19.

Old Town Salzburg's Old Town is also the heart of the city centre. Famous for its well-preserved baroque architecture and a plethora of attractions, here is where you'll find Mozart's birthplace among many other places of interest. Museums, shops, restaurants, cafés and bars exist side by side here. A wander through Old Town will give you a real feel for this city.

Mönchsberg Overlooking the city, Mönchsberg is home to some of Salzburg's most well-renowned attractions namely the Hohensalzburg Fortress and the Museum de Moderne. You can also wander through the woods or take a minute to appreciate the breathtaking views of the city.

Hellbrunn If you fancy getting out of the city for a while, Hellbrunn is a great choice. Not only will you find the Hellbrunn Summer Palace, Salzburg Zoo and a huge park to wander around, you can visit the world famous trick fountains. These fountains are fascinating and a lot of fun. It's an enjoyable challenge to avoid some kind of splashing.

Mirabell Market, beside Mirabell Garage The Mirabell Market is popular with locals looking for a good bargain and it's a great place to go to get a real taste of Austrian markets. Here you'll find local dresses, hats and flowers, as well as many stalls belonging to local farmers selling fruit and vegetables. Open Thursdays 6am-1pm.

Getreidegasse This is, without a doubt, one of the prettiest shopping streets in the world. All shops on this street must display a wrought iron guild sign. Along Getreidegasse, you'll find clothes shops, souvenir shops and much more. Chain stores mix with local names here. The street, for all its contemporary brand names, has an old timey feel to it and is a favourite with visitors.

To market, to market University Square Market, Universitätsplatz If you're looking for handcrafts and souvenirs, check out the outdoor market on Universitätsplatz. It's comprised of lots of stalls and vans, selling everything from woodcrafts to flowers to soaps to baskets. There are also many food stalls in the market, which are particularly busy at weekends. Open Mon-Fri 7am-7pm, Sat 7am-3pm.

Linzer Gasse Shops on Linzer Gasse also display some elaborate guild signs. Here you'll find many smaller stores and boutiques. From clothes to jewellery to traditional Austrian costumes to CDs to souvenirs, it's all here. This is a good place to buy Mozartkuglen, as the shops in this area generally seem to sell them for less than places across the river in the city centre.

Goldgasse This is a street filled with more upmarket and smaller stores and boutiques. If you're interested in some high class gifts, this is a great place to go jewellery shopping. There are also lots of boutiques.

Get a Salzburg card With so many of Salzburg's places of interest charging admission, this card can be a really good option. You could visit the Untersberg, use the cable car and pop into the Hellbrunn trick fountains, all for free. It also allows you to use public transport free of charge. The cards are valid for 24, 48 or 72 hours and cost €24, €32 or €37 respectively.

Visit the Salzburg Cathedral This 17th century baroque Cathedral, where Mozart was baptised, is well worth a visit. When you get inside, check out the large dome and intricate ceiling designs. Ornate pews and organs can also be seen here. Open Mon-Sat 8am-5/6/7/8pm, Sunday 1pm-5/6/7/8pm; admission free.

Try not to burst into song as you wander around Mirabell Gardens Home to some locations used in the movie 'The Sound of Music', they first opened to the public in 1854. Today you can sit by the fountains, stroll through the hedge theatre or check out the 28 dwarf statues in the dwarf garden. Open daily, 6am-dusk; admission free.

Stroll through St. Peter's Cemetery Close to the exit of the fortress funicular, it is filled with very ornate graves, complete with lanterns, decorated headstones and flowers. Some of these markers are very old, and belong to many notable citizens of Salzburg including members of Mozart's family. Open Apr-Sept 6.30am-7pm, Oct-Mar 6.30am-6pm; admission free.

Not all black and white Play chess on the giant chess board in Kapitelplatz Painted on the ground in the square behind the Cathedral, the chess board is often surrounded by people waiting to take a turn and onlookers. You'll also find a few tall barrels with traditional chess sets assembled on top of them here. Free admission.

Begin your day with a breakfast special or just a coffee and a pastry at Flöckner on Linzer Gasse. Wander down the street looking at the shops.

From there walk back to Mirabellplatz where you can catch the No. 25 bus to Hellbrunn (above). Here you can visit the trick fountains and the palace or stroll through the park.

Head back into the city centre to find somewhere to eat. The Alter Markt area is filled with cafés and restaurants to choose from, such as Café Tomaselli.

After lunch walk towards the funicular on Festungsgasse, which will take you up to Mönchsberg. Here you'll can visit Hohensalzburg Fortress.

Make your way back down and head towards Getreidegasse. You can unburden your wallet at one of the many stores or just stroll along and check out all the fancy guild signs.

It's not far from here to Salzburg Cathedral, which is well worth a visit. Behind the Cathedral you can check out giant chess board painted on the ground in Kapitelplatz.

From traditional Austrian dishes to Italian to many others, you’ll no doubt find somewhere for dinner in the area around Getreidegasse or nearby Griesgasse.

Just a short walk from here you’ll find Murphy's Law, an Irish bar with a lively atmosphere and great drinks offers.

Why not end the night at the Republic on Anton Neumayr Platz. Have a drink outside or party at one of the venue's club nights in the funky bar areas inside.