Best time to visit Salzburg, Republic of Austria

• Salzburg Festival — one of the world's most prestigious classical-music and drama festivals, running for almost a century every summer; also look for Baroque-focused Easter and autumn festivals.
• Giant chess — play or watch on the oversized board painted on the ground past the cathedral, heading away from the river.
• Football — catch a match at Red Bull Arena (FC Red Bull Salzburg, capacity 32,000) or follow local alternative SV Austria Salzburg at their smaller Max Aicher Stadium.
• Christmas markets — from late November until Christmas, the squares around the cathedral fill with stalls selling decorations, winter clothes, crafts, and traditional hot snacks.
• Cycling — rent a bike and explore over 100 km of paths; ride the riverbank routes to Freilassing (35 min), Oberndorf, or Hallein (about an hour each).

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• Hohensalzburg Fortress — one of Europe's largest medieval castles, built in 1077 and expanded over centuries, looming above the Altstadt with panoramic views.
• Getreidegasse — the Altstadt's bustling shopping street, lined with tall townhouses and known as the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
• Salzburg Cathedral and Domplatz — the grand Baroque cathedral anchors a cluster of squares that form the spiritual heart of the Old Town.
• Mozartplatz and Residenzplatz — graceful squares featuring a Mozart monument and an impressive fountain, surrounded by arcaded buildings.
• Mönchsberg and Kapuzinerberg — the two wooded hills that embrace the city center, offering walking trails and lookouts over the rooftops and river.

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• Summer (mid-June to August) — warmest weather and the famous Salzburg Festival, but also the busiest and most expensive period; book well ahead.
• Late spring and early autumn (May–June, September) — pleasant temperatures, fewer crowds, and many outdoor cafes and sights still in full swing.
• December — the Christmas markets transform the cathedral squares with festive lights, mulled wine, and crafts; expect cold weather and holiday-season crowds.
• Winter sports season (January–March) — reliable snow in the surrounding Alps makes Salzburg a good base for skiing and winter walks, with lower city-hotel rates outside festival dates.

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• Salzburg Card — available for 24, 48 or 72 hours and includes free admission to major attractions, free public transport, and the fortress funicular, Untersberg cable car, and panorama boat.
• Public transit tickets — buy a 5-ticket strip or 24-hour pass from the vending machines; single tickets bought on board cost more. The Salzburg Verkehr app allows mobile purchase.
• Overnight mobility contribution — starting May 2025, overnight guests pay a small daily fee (initially €0.50) and can use all public transport in the state of Salzburg for free.
• Travel from Munich — many international visitors fly into Munich; the train takes about 1½ hours and the Bayern Ticket covers regional trains between Bavaria and Salzburg.
• Winter driving — snow tires are mandatory from October to April; carry chains for mountain roads in heavy snow, and consider leaving the car at a park-and-ride lot.

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