The Christmas Markets of Salzburg | Top 7 Things to See and Do during Christmas in Salzburg | 7 Best Places to Visit during Christmas in Salzburg, Austria
Prologue
During the Christmas of 2016, we went for a Christmas Market trip across three beautiful cities in Austria, namely Innsbruck, Hallstatt, and Salzburg. This journey holds an exceptional place in our hearts as it was our first Alpine Christmas Market visit and our first ever experience of a ‘White Christmas.’ So based on that, today I’m going to take you along with me on a ride across the top 7 things to see and do during Christmas in Salzburg, the ‘Land of Mozart.’ Let the journey begin!
And if you want to know about the Christmas Markets in Innsbruck, please read our article The Christmas Markets of Innsbruck | Top 14 Things to See and Do during Christmas in Innsbruck | 14 Best Places to Visit during Christmas in Innsbruck, Austria, or if you want to know about the Christmas Markets in Hallstatt, please read our article The Christmas Markets of Hallstatt | Top 7 Things to See and Do during Christmas in Hallstatt | 7 Best Places to Visit during Winter in Hallstatt, Austria.
About Austria
Austria is a mountainous landlocked Alpine country in Central Europe with just 32% of its land below 500 meters (1,640 feet). The majority of the people speak German, which is also the official language of the country. Croatian, Hungarian, and Slovene are the other official languages in the area.
This little country endured more than a quarter-century of social and economic turmoil, as well as a Nazi dictatorship, in the decades after the collapse of Austria-Hungary, the multinational empire of which it had been the heart, in 1918. Nonetheless, Austria was able to develop into a stable and socially progressive nation with a flourishing cultural life reminiscent of its earlier days of international musical glory thanks to the establishment of permanent neutrality in 1955, which coincided with the withdrawal of Allied troops who had occupied the country since the end of World War II. The historic Vienna (Wien), the former seat of the Holy Roman Empire and a city famed for its architecture, is Austria's capital.
Welcome to Salzburg: The Land of Mozart
The saying “If it’s baroque, don’t fix it” applies perfectly to Salzburg - the fairy-tale Old Town, tucked away among high hills, appears much as it did when Mozart lived here 250 years ago. Your gaze is raised inch by inch to exquisite domes and spires, the imposing cliff-top fortress, and the mountains beyond as you stand beside the fast-flowing Salzach River. It’s a setting that the lordly prince-archbishops and Maria would be proud of.
A city with booming culture, delicious gastronomy, manicured parks, peaceful side alleys where classical music wafts from open windows, and concert venues that perpetuate musical heritage 365 days a year lies beyond Salzburg’s two biggest money-spinners – Mozart and The Sound of Music. The view, the skyline, the music, and the history of every place you visit lift your spirits higher than Julie Andrews’ octave-leaping vocals.
Top 7 Things to See and Do during Christmas in Salzburg
1. Visit the Christmas Markets at Domplatz (Salzburg Cathedral Square), Residenzplatz (Residence Square), and Hohensalzburg Fortress Courtyard
As you gaze out over the city's snow-covered rooftops, domes, and towers, the pealing of innumerable church bells will remind you that Christmas is approaching, and the Salzburg Christmas markets will warm you up. It's the perfect time of year for a romantic stroll through the city's hilltops, which provide a spectacular perspective of the city and the cheerful buzz of the Salzburg Christmas Markets will strike you as you return to the town. The aromas of toasted almonds, hot roasted chestnuts, freshly baked apples, and gingerbread hearts, along with nativity figures, Christmas Tree ornaments, toys, and warm knitwear create a one-of-a-kind ambiance.
Salzburg Christkindlmarkt at Domplatz (Salzburg Cathedral Square) and Residenzplatz (Residence Square)
The main Christmas Market of Salzburg (Salzburg Christkindlmarkt), which dates back to the 15th century, is located at Domplatz (Cathedral Square) and the adjacent square Residenzplatz (Residence Square), in the center of the Old Town. The Christmas Market on Salzburg's Cathedral Square has almost everything you could ever wish for - local folk customs and traditional Christmas tree decorations, gifts for big and small, incense to help you create a festive atmosphere in your own home, and a variety of delectable treats in the form of Austrian specialties, mulled wine, and hot punch.
Advent Market at Hohensalzburg Fortress Courtyard
Another iconic Christmas Market is the Advent Market in the Hohensalzburg Fortress Courtyard. If you take the funicular up the mountain to Europe's largest fort, you'll notice lit-up wooden booths. As you approach this cheerful Salzburg Christmas market, stock up on wrapping and tags, handpick the shiniest decorations, and dine on delectable treats.
Other Christmas Markets in Salzburg
Apart from these three Christmas Markets, if you have time, you could also visit the Christmas Markets at Hellbrunn Palace, Mirabell Palace Square (Mirabellplatz), and near St. Leonard Pilgrimage Church (Wallfahrtskirche St. Leonhard).
2. Enjoy the Christmas Decors
Across the Old Town, you can find Christmas decors - big and small, Christmas street lightings, and various other decorations.
3. Relish a Horse Drawn Carriage Ride and Ice Skating at Mozart Square (Mozartplatz)
It's virtually mandatory to romp through the snowy pathways of Mozart’s city marveling at the astounding Austrian architecture in a horse-drawn carriage. Also, don’t forget to hire a pair of skates and go ice skating in the ice skating rink at Mozart Square (Mozartplatz).
4. Visit the Salzburg Cathedral
Salzburg's Cathedral is the city's religious center and most important piece of church architecture. It is the most spectacular early Baroque edifice north of the Alps, with its majestic facade and massive dome.
The cathedral stands out as a marvel of baroque art, crowned by a bulbous copper dome and twin spires. Faith, hope, and compassion are symbolized by bronze gateways that lead into the Cathedral. Both the exquisite stucco and Arsenio Mascagni's ceiling frescoes chronicling Christ's Passion lead the eye to the polychrome dome in the nave.
5. See Salzburg from the top of Hohensalzburg Fortress
The Mönchsberg, high above the rooftops of the Baroque historical area, is home to the Hohensalzburg Fortress. This icon of Salzburg, the largest completely restored castle in Central Europe, brings millions of tourists to the ‘City of Mozart’ every year. The ramparts of the castle provide fairytale views of the Old Town and the Salzburg Cathedral.
Archbishop Gebhard ordered the fortification to be built in 1077, irrevocably altering the Salzburg skyline. His successors continued to enhance the fortress architecture in the years that followed. In 1500, Archbishop Leonhard von Keutschach gave the complex the appearance we see today. The fortress's initial aim was to defend the principality and archbishops from foreign attacks. Foreign soldiers have never taken it in all these years.
6. Walk across the Makartsteg or Marko-Feingold-Steg bridge (Love Lock bridge)
Salzburg is most known as the setting for ‘The Sound of Music’ and as Mozart's birthplace. However, for hundreds (if not thousands) of lovers, it's a site where you may broadcast your love to the world by securing it with a padlock to Makartsteg Bridge. The Hohensalzburg Fortress, high on the hill above this medieval city, is visible from the bridge, which is located in the heart of this UNESCO World Heritage site.
7. Stroll the banks of the River Salzach at sunset
Take a stroll along the banks of the River Salzach up to the Makartsteg bridge to catch a bird’s eye view of the Old Town of Salzburg (Hohensalzburg Fortress, Salzburg Cathedral, and St. Peter’s Abbey). At sunset, it is a sight to behold.
Visiting Salzburg
Best Time to Visit: The shoulder seasons of spring (April to June) and fall (September to October) are the ideal times to visit Salzburg. Compared to the busiest travel months of the summer, they have nicer weather and fewer people in the city. But, going during the summer could be ideal if you want to see the well-known Salzburg Festival, which typically takes place in July and August. However, we visited Salzburg during the third week of December since we wanted to enjoy the Christmas ambiance.
Number of Days to Stay: We suggest booking a minimum of two or three days to really experience Salzburg and the nearby sights. This will provide you plenty of time to take in the city's cultural attractions, absorb the Old Town's historical significance, and tour the many museums and sites. You may even plan a day trip to the adjacent Salzkammergut Lake District.
Best Place to Stay: Salzburg's Old Town (Altstadt) is the best place to stay if you want to have a very authentic experience. All major sites are within walking distance of this district, which is full of old buildings, cobblestone streets, and quaint squares. In the Old Town, there are plenty of hotels, guesthouses, and boutique lodging options to suit a range of spending limits and tastes. We stayed in the Old Town.
Best Way to Arrive: Flying into Salzburg Airport, which is only a few kilometers from the city center, is the most practical way to arrive in Salzburg. The airport provides connectivity to important cities in Europe for both local and international flights. To get to your lodging in the city center, you can take public transit, a shuttle bus, or a taxi from the airport. During our Austrian Christmas Market trip, we first flew into Innsbruck from the Netherlands. Thereafter we spent three days in Innsbruck (including a day trip to Hallstatt). Then we traveled by train from Innsbruck to Salzburg, explored the city for another three days, and then flew back to the Netherlands from Salzburg.
Best Local Mode of Conveyance: Since Salzburg is a relatively walkable city, walking is the most convenient method to take in all of its sights. The Old Town's streets and alleys are simple to navigate because it is small and pedestrian-friendly. Additionally, Salzburg features a well-functioning bus and tram system that may transport you to nearby towns and villages or to sights farther out from the city center. Renting a car can be a convenient choice if you intend to explore the Salzkammergut region or the surrounding Bavarian Alps, but it is not required for navigating Salzburg itself.
Epilogue
So that brings us to the end of our journey across the top 7 things to see and do in Salzburg during Christmas. Please let us know in the comments below if you enjoyed reading this article.
And if you want to know about the Christmas Markets in Innsbruck, please read our article The Christmas Markets of Innsbruck | Top 14 Things to See and Do during Christmas in Innsbruck | 14 Best Places to Visit during Christmas in Innsbruck, Austria, or if you want to know about the Christmas Markets in Hallstatt, please read our article The Christmas Markets of Hallstatt | Top 7 Things to See and Do during Christmas in Hallstatt | 7 Best Places to Visit during Winter in Hallstatt, Austria. Until then, merry traveling and happy shooting!
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