Salzburg (state)

Salzburg (German: Salzburg or Salzburgerland) is one of the smaller states of Austria. It has an area of about 7,100 km² and there are 500,000 people. Most of the area is covered by the Alps and only the northern part is flat. There you can find the largest city and capital of the state, Salzburg. The most important forms of income are tourism and agriculture. The arts are an important part of the Salzburger tradition: home to Mozart, the annual Salzburg Festival, and the mystery play Jedermann (Everyman). Salzburg state also shares much of its rural regional culture with neighboring Bavaria and Tyrol. This makes it a wonderful place to experience both the high culture of the Mozart era and the true alpine Austrian culture at its purest.

Cities

Untersberg and the Salzach valley

A traditional farmhouse in the Salzburg area

• 1 Salzburg — capital of the state of Salzburg and largest city in the area
• 2 Bad Gastein
• 3 Bischofshofen
• 4 Flachau
• 5 Hallein
• 6 Hüttschlag
• 7 Großarltal
• 8 Kaprun
• 9 Krimml
• 10 St. Johann im Pongau
• 11 Oberndorf bei Salzburg — famous for being the place the "Silent Night, Holy Night" carol was first performed
• 12 Tamsweg
• 13 Wagrain
• 14 Zell am See
• 15 Radstadt and a mountain nearby named 1 Roßbrand where you can enjoy the view of the Dachstein.

Other destinations

• 2 Hohe Tauern National Park

Understand

Salzburg, also known as SalzburgerLand, is one of the nine Austrian states. It lies in the north of Austria and is renowned worldwide as the City of Mozart. The cityscape is characterized by its city mountains, the flowing Salzach River, and the prominent Hohensalzburg Fortress visible from afar. Salzburg borders Freilassing in the Federal Republic of Germany (Bavaria, Berchtesgadener Land district) to the northwest, while the rest of the city area adjoins the district of Salzburg-Umgebung, commonly known as the Flachgau region.

Historically, Salzburg was founded as an episcopal see in 696 and became a seat of the archbishop in 798. It is built on the site of the ancient Roman settlement of Iuvavum.

As of 2020, Salzburg had a population of approximately 156,872. Beyond its association with Mozart and famous festivals, Salzburg boasts historic landmarks, museums, and a vibrant culture that make it a captivating destination for visitors.

Tourist information

• Salzburg State Board of Tourism

Get in

By plane

1 Salzburg Mozart Airport

2 Munich Airport (IATA: MUC)

By train

Salzburg is served by many national and international railway lines. Most lines meet at Salzburg Main Station. The most important lines are:

• Vienna - Salzburg - Munich / Innsbruck (Westbahn)
• Graz - Liezen - Bischofshofen - Salzburg (Ennstalbahn)
• Klagenfurt - Schwarzach-St.Veit - Bischofshofen - Salzburg
• (Hannover -) München - Wörgl - Kitzbühel - Zell am See - Schwarzach-St.Veit

By car

Salzburg is traveressed by the A10 Tauern Autobahn crossing the state in north-south direction. Additionally there is the east-west connection via B320 (Ennstal) - B311 to Zell am See, where it turns north towards Lofer. Further westwards the B168 runs via Mittersill, where it crosses the north-south running Felbertauern route, till the Gerlospass, where it passes over to Tyrol.

Get around

Salzburg is serviced by the OEBB (Austrian Federal Rail Service). There are Intercity services to all major cities around plus a good network of regional trains (S-Bahn).

Salzburg City is located at the Westbahn railway line which runs between Vienna and Munich/Innsbruck. On this route also private operator Westbahn operates services bewteen Vienna and Innsbruck at a highly competitive price.

See

Hohenwerfen castle

• 1 Krimmler Wasserfälle. Europe`s tallest waterfalls (updated Mar 2023)
• 2 Hohenwerfen Castle (Village of Werfen - about 40 km (25 mi) south of Salzburg). The castle was built in the 11th century by the bishops of Salzburg. Besides the castle and its dungeons, the big attraction is probably the falconry museum with its air shows. There is also a sizable collection of weapons on display.  
• Rossbrand - the inscription on the summit cross reads "My God, this land is beautiful!" - this refers to the view that Rossbrand has to offer from the height of 1,768 m. Here one can enjoy the view of the Dachstein and the Hochkönig. It's only 2.5 hour hike from Radstadt, or alternatively one can take the bus that runs three times a day from Radstadt Postamt during the summer.
• 3 Ice Caves (Eisriesenwelt). April to October: 09:30 - 15:45. Frost caves, reachable by a cable car, and can be explored on foot following a signposted route through this fascinating underground ice world. Closed during winter months, opening hours depending on weather conditions. Warm clothes are a must! (updated Mar 2023)

Do

Take the cable car (or walk up!) up to the Festung Salzburg (Salzburg Castle) for a guided tour of the castle offering outstanding 360 degree views of the surrounding countryside as far the over the German border.

Numerous Sound of Music tours are also available as are a variety of coach group tours of various regional sights.

The region is famous for its Alpine Lakes, so do be sure to check them out including the Mondsee near Salzburg City made famous by the "Sound of Music".

1 Schafbergbahn (Schafberg Railway), Sankt Wolfgang im Salzkammergut, Upper Austria. Ride a metre-gauge, steam-operated cog railway that began service in 1893. (updated Oct 2016)

• 2 Kitzsteinhorn. One of the tallest accessible mountains in Salzburg with winter sports amenities. (updated Mar 2023)