Croatia Guide
Czechia Guide
Hungary Guide
Poland Guide
Slovakia Guide
Slovenia Guide
City of Salzburg
Introduction
Salzburg is a federal state in western Austria, known for its stunning Alpine landscape and rich cultural heritage. With a population of 561,714 inhabitants, it occupies an area of 7,156 square kilometers.
Salzburg is Austria's wealthiest federal state per capita after Vienna, with a GDP of 29 billion euros as of 2018. Its GDP per capita stands at 154% of the EU27 average.
Tourism and Attractions
The state is Austria's second most important tourist region after Tyrol, attracting visitors year-round. Notable attractions include:
- Eisriesenwelt: The world's largest ice cave
- Großglockner Hochalpenstraße: A scenic Alpine road
- Salzkammergut: A picturesque lake district
- Liechtensteinklamm: One of the Alps' longest and deepest gorges
Cultural Heritage
The state capital, Salzburg city, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its Baroque architecture and as the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The region maintains a strong cultural identity with both Austrian German and Austro-Bavarian dialects being spoken throughout the state.
Attractions
| Salzburg ※ |
|---|
 Salzburg, a UNESCO World Heritage site nestled between the Eastern Alps and divided by the Salzach River, is a captivating blend of medieval and baroque architecture. The city's skyline is dominated by the magnificent Hohensalzburg Fortress, one of Europe's largest medieval castles, which welcomes nearly 1.2 million visitors annually. As the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Salzburg maintains its rich musical heritage, though it's also surprisingly the hometown of the energy drink Red Bull, created here in 1987. The city boasts Europe's oldest restaurant, St. Peter Stiftskeller, established in 803 CE and still serving traditional Austrian cuisine like Tafelspitz. Visitors can explore the charming Getreidegasse with its ornate wrought-iron guild signs, stroll through the stunning Mirabell Gardens, and sample local delicacies such as Mozartkugel chocolates and Salzburger Nockerl, a fluffy dessert shaped like the city's hills. A unique feature of the city is its professional mountain cleaners, who have been ensuring safety by inspecting over 300,000 square metres of mountainside for loose rocks for more than 350 years. |
Other attractions
Krimml Waterfalls
Schafberg
Bad Gastein
Golling an der Salzach
Oberndorf bei Salzburg
Sankt Gilgen
Werfen
Zell am See
Burg Kaprun
| Hohenwerfen Castle |
|---|
 Perched dramatically on a 155-metre rocky outcrop above the Salzach Valley, the 900-year-old Hohenwerfen Castle offers a captivating blend of medieval history and modern entertainment. Originally built in 1077 as a defensive fortress, it later served various purposes, including a rather grim stint as a prison in the 17th and 18th centuries. Today, visitors can ascend to the castle either via a scenic 15-20 minute forest walk or a convenient lift system, where they'll be treated to spectacular views of the Berchtesgaden Alps and Tennen Mountains. The castle's main attractions include guided tours through medieval chambers, including the torture chamber and knights' hall, whilst the highlight for many is the daily falconry shows featuring majestic eagles and falcons at the historic State Falconry. Film enthusiasts might recognise the castle from 'Where Eagles Dare' and 'The Sound of Music', whilst gamers may spot it from Call of Duty: Black Ops III. For those seeking refreshment, the castle's Burgschenke restaurant offers traditional Austrian fare, including Wiener Schnitzel and the local speciality Bosna sausage, all served in a cosy medieval atmosphere. |
| Eupedia's Rating System |
|---|
Cities, towns, villages & historic buildings
Natural attractions
|
: Top cities in Europe