While many people may flock to Salzburg in the summertime due to the gorgeous weather, flowers in bloom, and the Salzburg Festival, Salzburg is also a magical experience in the wintertime. There are many fun and amazing things to do in Salzburg in the winter that you will not want to leave this magical town!
Want a guided tour to start out your trip and get acclimated to the city? Then check out Guru Walks for a free guided tour. You can book online to reserve your spot and pay what you wish when you get there. Check out the tours in Salzburg here.
Disclaimer: Special thanks to the Salzburg Tourism Board for hosting me at several attractions on my trip to Salzburg! As always, all thoughts and opinions remain my own. This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no cost to you!
Table of Contents
Where to Stay
TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Search for the best Salzburg hotels here!
The best place to stay in Salzburg is in the Old Town area. However, some of these hotels can be quite expensive, but so worth the splurge. The Radisson Blu Hotel Altstadt, Hotel Goldgasse, and Hotel Goldener Hirsch are good options. Check out this post for more information on where to stay in Salzburg.
When I studied abroad, I loved on top of the Monchsberg which I would not recommend if you are only visiting for a short time. On this trip, we opted to stay at Hotel Stein. This hotel was such an amazing location as it is right on the river across from the Old Town and within walking distance of the train station and many of the main sites.
Alternatively, to save some money, visitors can stay near the Mirabell Gardens at hotels such as the NH Collection Salzburg City, the Holiday Inn Salzburg City, or the Sheraton Grand Salzburg.
TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. You can always try searching Priceline Express Deals for a better price or try to price match a hotel.
Transportation
Salzburg is a very walkable city, especially around the Old Town area. For sights outside of the Old Town area, you can take the bus around. If you have a Salzburg Card, it includes transportation on the buses. There is also a Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus available.
From the train station, there are a ton of buses that run to the Old Town, and the trip will take 10 minutes. From the airport, you can also catch several buses that run to the Old Town. This trip will take about 20 minutes. Alternatively, you can Uber or use taxis, but it is not really necessary. This is a great airport transfer option if you do not want to take the bus.
Salzburg Card
One of the best things to do when spending three days in Salzburg is to buy a Salzburg Card. This pass provides admission to many tourist attractions, museums, and public transportation, including the cable car and Monchsberg lift. It also provides discounts to things like concerts, tours, and other cultural events.
Visitors can opt to buy a 1 day, 2 day, or 3 day pass. Prices are as follows for 2024:
January to April and November to December
- 1 Day: €28
- 2 Days: €36
- 3 Days: €41
May to October
- 1 Day: €31
- 2 Days: €40
- 3 Days: €46
This pass can save you a ton of money if you are going to visit all of these amazing tourist attractions in Salzburg. You can read more specifics about the Salzburg Card here. *Denotes you can use the Salzburg Card on these activities.
Things to Do in Salzburg in the Winter
There are so many amazing things to do in Salzburg in the winter, but the following are some of the favorites I have come to enjoy. Many of these events take place in December, but others can be enjoyed throughout the winter season.
Salzburg Christmas Markets
Cost: Free and Up
One of the best things to do in Salzburg in the winter is the Salzburg Christmas Markets. The Salzburg Christkindlmarket is one of the world’s oldest markets. Throughout the city, there are several different markets, but the largest one is located in the cathedral and Residenz Square.
At the markets, you can shop for all sorts of goods and specialty items. Grab delicious treats, snacks, and foods, as well as delicious gluhvein. If you opt to get a hot beverage, you will be charged a deposit for the mug, but you can get it back if you return it after you are done.
Grab a Beer at the Augustiner
Cost: €3.60 and Up
One of the best ways to get out of the cold weather is to head to a beer hall! The local beer hall, the Augustiner Brauhaus, is one of the best places to spend an evening. Here, you can grab a liter of beer, and there are a ton of food options. It is a great option for large groups, families, and anyone who enjoys chilling and drinking a beer. Visiting the Aug is one of the best things to do in Salzburg in the winter.
Red Bulls Hockey Game
Cost: €24+
During the winter season, the EC Red Bulls Hockey team plays at the hockey arena in Salzburg. This makes for a fun thing to do in Salzburg in the winter and an exciting evening of watching a hockey game and cheering on the Red Bulls. The EC Red Bulls are a pretty highly-ranked team, so grab your hockey scarf, bundle up, and watch an entertaining hockey game!
Attend a Concert*
Cost: €24+ (20% discount with Salzburg Card)
Another fun way to get out of the cold weather is to attend a concert at the Alte Residenzplatz. These are put on several times a week, sometimes every day. You will need to check the schedule online to see what is available during your visit. There is also sometimes a Mozart Concert at the Mirabell Palace.
These are a series of 45-minute concerts that include piano or string instruments. With your Salzburg Card, you get a discounted ticket. You cab get tickets online ahead of time or 30 minutes before in front of the entrance to the concert.
The concert takes place in a small room in the residence and focuses on the music of Mozart (of course). The idea was to model these concerts after the court concerts they once had in previous times. These concerts are one of the fun things to do in Salzburg in the winter.
Salzburg Advent Festival
Cost: Varies
The Salzburg Advent Festival is a fun thing to do in Salzburg in the winter. This festival takes place at the Residenzplatz and has over 200 participants to perform an outstanding show full of singing and music. It usually takes place in the first couple of weeks in December.
Wander the Old Town
Cost: Free
During the holiday season, the Old Town of Salzburg is completely decorated so it makes for one of the best things to do in Salzburg in the winter. You cannot go wrong strolling through the streets, doing some window shopping, and taking in the views of the Old Town. A Salzburg Old Town walking tour is great if you want to learn more about the area.
Ice Skating in Mozartplatz
Cost: €6
Hours: 10am-10pm
Another one of the best things to do in Salzburg in the winter is to go ice skating in Mozartplatz. There is a small ice rink set up that has an amazing view of the surrounding area. Around the rink are plenty of stalls to enjoy a hot beverage after skating. You can bring your own skates or rent some there.
Untersbergbahn*
Cost: €32 or included with Salzburg Card
Hours: 9am-4pm
The Untersbergbahn is a cable car that goes up one of the mountains near Salzburg. The ride to the top takes 8.5 minutes and offers amazing views of Salzburg and the surrounding region. This is one of the best things to do in Salzburg in the winter due to the snow and winter sports offered in the area.
Visitors can opt to ride the cable car up and enjoy the views and the snow. Alternatively, those who want more adventure and excitement can hike up or down the Undersberg or, during some parts of the winter season, enjoy the ski run here.
You can easily get here by catching bus 25 or 28, which is included with your Salzburg Card. Once you have enjoyed the views outside, there is also a small cafe where you can grab a bite to eat or a hot beverage.
Visit Mozart’s Birthplace and Residence*
Cost: €20 combined ticket or included with Salzburg Card
When visiting Salzburg, you will not want to miss visiting Mozart’s birthplace and residence. These two buildings showcase Mozart’s life in Salzburg from his birth until his death. The birthplace is located on the main street and the residence is located by the Mirabell Gardens.
Mirabell Gardens
Cost: Free
While the Mirabell Gardens may be prettier in the spring and summer when all of the flowers are blooming, it is also one of the best things to do in Salzburg in the winter when it is covered in fresh snow! These are the gardens where the “Do Re Me” song from the Sound of Music was filmed, so it is something you definitely will not want to miss. You can also take a Sound of Music Tour.
Weather in Salzburg in the Winter
The winter weather in Salzburg can get quite chilly, especially after a snowstorm. Temperatures typically range from 20-40 degrees. You will want to make sure to have a warm coat along with the rest of the winter accessories to ensure you stay warm during your time!
Final Thoughts on Best Things to Do in Salzburg in the Winter
There are so many amazing and fun things to do in Salzburg in the winter. You can easily spend a week exploring the area and enjoying all of the winter festivities. If you have more time, make sure to visit Munich and Vienna in conjunction with a Salzburg trip or check out one of the many day trips from Salzburg.
