Salzburg Old Town

Salzburg's old town is a jewel of baroque architecture beneath the great clifftop Hohensalzburg Fortress, a UNESCO ensemble of domes, spires, squares and narrow lanes on the Salzach river. The birthplace of Mozart and the backdrop of The Sound of Music, it wears its music and its beauty lightly, one of the loveliest small cities in the Alps.

The main sights

• Getreidegasse - the famous narrow shopping lane and Mozart's birthplace.
• The cathedral and squares - the baroque cathedral and the grand Residenzplatz.
• Mirabell Gardens - the formal gardens of Sound of Music fame.
• Hohensalzburg Fortress - the great fortress on the cliff above (its own entry).

When to go

Spring to autumn for mild weather and the gardens; December for a beloved Christmas market; summer for the famous Salzburg Festival, when the city is packed. Early or late in the day the lanes are quieter.

Before you go

It is very popular, so the old town and Sound of Music sites are busy, especially in summer and during the festival, when rooms are scarce and dear. It is compact and walkable. Its charm is the ensemble and setting as much as any single sight.

Nearby

Hohensalzburg Fortress crowns the cliff above; Hallstatt and the Salzkammergut lakes are within reach.

Key facts