Go Venture Beyond.blog

Jump on the train from Vienna for a few hours, and you’ll end up at close to the German border, nestled by the Alps, is the wonderful town of Salzburg. The Austrian landscape is one of the most breath taking in Europe, and the gallant aesthetic of Salzburg really is one of the most underrated spots on the continent.

The main station is rather straightforward to navigate, and my hotel was just a short walk down the road. Arte Hotel Salzburg really is worth a stay, its high rise rooms give a grand view of the mountains, and with a mini bar included in the bill, a lovely bonus! Next to the hotel is a rather convenient 24hr self service store, with vending machines providing all sorts of goods, handy if you need something.

Salzburg isn’t a huge city, the old town, where most of the attractions are located, is about 20 minutes walk from the station. Though the city is served by a vast network of buses, a cheap 24hr ticket can cover you if you don’t feel like walking around.

The walk to the Old Town can be a bit longer as one of the big attractions, Mirabellgarten is on route. This absolutely stunning palace garden provides a magnificent view, with the centrepiece of the city, Fortress Hohensalzburg, taking centre stage (more on that later!). The park is open all day, so no worries about closing times. You can easily get lost within yourself wondering the palace grounds and taking photos. Even in winter, the garden looked amazing, I can only imagine what it looks like in full bloom in the summer months.

Salzburg’s most famous son is the one and only, Mozart. The legendary composer can be seen everywhere in the old town, Getreidegasse. The narrow streets are filled with boutiques and cafes. Offering plenty opportunities for some retail therapy and food. If you are a fan of Formula 1, make sure to pop by the Red Bull World store. It’s easy to get led astray among this charming district, but if you want to get to one of the best vantage points in the city, make your way towards the western side of the town, and find the entrance to Museum der Moderne.

Salzburg is surrounded by mountains, The Mönchsberg, rising over 500m up, is easily one of the most accessible. While you can take the scenic route, via the stairs around the back of the town, you can take the lift to the top, which you can take from the foyer of the Museum der Moderne, which is also located at the top too. For a couple of euros, you can buy a return ticket, a small price for a spectacular view. Once you arrive at the top, make your way to the panoramic viewing deck, to be welcomed by a picturesque sight, straight out of a fairy tale. The antique roofs of the old town, with the rising alpine mountains in the horizon paint a stunning backdrop. The focal point of this once again being the imposing fortress, looming high above the city.

There is also a restaurant located at the summit, where you can also drop in for a coffee break. Relaxing with a latte with this magical view was bliss. If you are feeling adventurous, explore the path back down. It can be somewhat scary at the dead of night, but the path is very well lit and guided.

For the following day, the first destination was the fortress, the iconic 11th century fortress can be seen throughout the city, and vising it is an absolute must. The avoid any queues, it’s best to book tickets online, which also includes a ride on the express car, which takes you up the cliffside in a matter of minutes. I wouldn’t recommend the walk up, unless you are very comfortable with some serious gradients! The fortress itself is quite the complex. the surrounding walls offer some amazing views, so take those in before making your way inside. The suggested route is sign posted, and once you scan your ticket, the sign posted route takes you on a trip though the fortress battlements, various chambers and the outlook post at the very top. Be careful, it can get very windy up here!

After a spot of lunch, after all that walking, I made my way back over the Salzach river,. To another spot I had discovered online. On the northern banks of the town, facing the Fortress, is another smaller mountain, on which the monastery Kapuzinerkloster sits. Navigating the small streets of the town, I came across some narrow steps, narrow….steep steps! It took a while, but following the winding path up was worth it. As you approach the banks of the mountain, you are presented by the postcard shot. The snow-capped mountains piercing the skies, with the striking old town at the forefront, with the flowing river powering through. There are some benches to sit down and take take in the sight before you, but do be careful walking around here, it is still a steep mountainous part of town, the paths are very rocky, so watch your step while taking your snaps!

I only spent 2 days in Salzburg, but it was more than enough to explore the rather small town centre, and visit all the points of interest. If you are ever in Austria, a visit to this splendid city should 100% be on your list! It truly is a place made for your Instagram feed!