Your Winter in Salzburg
Historic streets. Magical moments.

In Salzburg, Christmas lives in every detail. Historic streets, festive markets and music in the air make the city timeless and full of quiet magic.

With its baroque backdrop and alpine setting, Salzburg feels like a stage made for winter. The city’s old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a harmonious blend of architecture, tradition and modern life. Winding alleyways, domed churches, and grand squares lead visitors from one festive scene to the next, while the mighty Hohensalzburg Fortress watches over the rooftops below. Music, history and beauty converge here in the smallest of spaces.

At the heart of it all is Salzburg’s most famous son: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. His birthplace in the Getreidegasse remains one of the city's most visited landmarks, and his legacy lives on in concert halls, museums and daily life. Culture pulses through Salzburg year-round, with over 4,500 events annually – including the world-famous Salzburg Festival.

Winter also brings cinematic charm. “The Sound of Music”, filmed in and around Salzburg, has enchanted generations worldwide. Visitors can explore original filming locations or see the musical come to life at the Salzburg Marionette Theatre – a nostalgic experience for all ages.

Whether you’re here for music, history, or the atmosphere of twinkling lights and crisp mountain air, Salzburg offers a season full of magical contrasts: small in size, grand in feeling.

Facts & Figures
Population:approx. 157,997 (as of 2024)
Province:SalzburgerLand
Area:65.68 km²
Elevation:424 m
Favourite viewpoints:Kapuzinerberg, Mönchsberg and Gaisberg mountains

Christmas market season:
20 November 2025 - 24 December 2025

Salzburg Guest Mobility Ticket
Free public transport for all overnight guests in SalzburgerLand.

Festive cheermeets heartwarming traditions
Why visit Salzburg
  • Several charming Christmas markets within walking distance in the UNESCO-listed old town

  • Mozart’s birthplace and a city filled with music, lights and winter atmosphere

  • The iconic Hohensalzburg Fortress offering panoramic views and festive concerts

  • Original Sound of Music locations and live performances at the Salzburg Marionette Theatre

  • Baroque beauty meets alpine charm – perfect for exploring in snow-dusted silence

  • Warm cafés, delicious local treats and colourful traditions around every corner

  • A magical setting for families, with cosy Advent spots and historical flair

FAQs

By plane:
Salzburg W. A. Mozart Airport is the second-largest airport in Austria and served by several different airlines.

By train/bus:
There are direct trains and buses from all across Austria and ideal connections from Germany.

By car:
From within Austria, take the A1 or A10 motorway to Salzburg, from Germany the A8 motorway.

Salzburg combines storybook scenery with family-friendly experiences. Children can explore the real-life settings of The Sound of Music, visit Mozart’s birthplace, or ride the funicular up to Hohensalzburg Fortress for sweeping views and castle adventures. The compact old town is easy to explore on foot, and the mix of music, history and seasonal charm makes Salzburg a magical place for all generations to enjoy together.

Salzburg is best known as the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the setting for The Sound of Music, and for its baroque old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is also famous for its classical music scene, historic fortress, and stunning alpine backdrop.

You'll find Christmas markets dotted all over the town of Salzburg. The best-known are located on Cathedral and Residenz Square, Mirabell Square, and Hohensalzburg Fortress. About a 20-minute bus ride away from Salzburg you'll find Hellbrunn Palace with another beautiful Christmas market.

Experience Salzburg in winter

The festive season in Salzburg

Salzburger Nockerl & Mozartkugel

There is hardly a more famous Austrian dessert than the Salzburger Nockerln. Made of eggs, granulated sugar, flour and vanilla sugar, it's like biting into a cloud of sweet dreams - a must-try! If you want to make them yourself, we have the recipe for you here.

Take home the Salzburg Mozartkugel, invented by the confectioner Paul Fürst in 1890, as your favourite souvenir. It is still made using the same traditional manufacturing process and recipe as back in the day and remains a handmade specialty without artificial additives or preservatives.

Let us entertain you

Insider Tip

Salzburg Marionette Theatre

Tucked between Mirabell Gardens and the Salzach River, the Salzburg Marionette Theatre has been bringing handcrafted figures like the Queen of the Night and Maria von Trapp to life since 1913.

Recognised by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage, this private theatre continues to enchant audiences of all ages with its opera and fairytale productions. Guided backstage tours reveal the magic behind the scenes – from carving and painting to performance.

Get in touch

Tourism Salzburg

Auersperggasse 6

5020 Salzburg

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