ferienregion.infoWhy the Salzburg region?
Where else does a World Heritage city sit an hour’s drive from a national park? Mozart and the Hohensalzburg fortress in the morning; in the afternoon the Krimml Waterfalls – at 385 m Austria’s highest – or the Grossglockner High Alpine Road up to 2,571 m. In Werfen waits the Eisriesenwelt, the largest ice cave in the world, and in Zell am See-Kaprun the Kitzsteinhorn glacier keeps snow into early summer. Nowhere does Austria come more concentrated.
Best time to visit
| Period | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| June – September | Mountain summer: the High Alpine Road, waterfalls and swimming lakes (Lake Zell) |
| July – August | Salzburg Festival – the city is full and pricey, plan early |
| December – April | Ski amadé: one of Europe’s largest ski alliances; glacier skiing into early summer |
| May & October – November | Shoulder season: the ice cave (May–Oct) is quiet; thermal baths in Gastein |
The most beautiful spots
City of Salzburg
The Getreidegasse, Mozart’s birthplace and the fortress above the domes – the old town is UNESCO World Heritage and rewarding for a two-day visit.
Zell am See & Kaprun
Lake Zell against the Glockner range; above it, the Kitzsteinhorn glacier ski area with the “Top of Salzburg” viewing platform at 3,029 m.
Krimml Waterfalls & Grossglockner
Europe’s highest free-falling waterfalls thunder 385 m down in three stages. Add the most famous panoramic road in the Alps, up to the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe.
Gastein valley
Belle-époque flair in Bad Gastein with a waterfall in the middle of town, thermal springs and the healing gallery – mountain and spa holiday in one.
Where to stay
For city lovers: book Salzburg hotels outside the festival weeks and prices stay moderate. In the mountain regions, guesthouses and holiday apartments dominate; Zell am See is internationally sought-after and pricier than, say, the Gastein valley or the Lungau.
See hotels in the Salzburg region* Find holiday rentals*Activities & tours
Classics: Hohensalzburg fortress and “Sound of Music” tours, toll tickets for the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, Eisriesenwelt guided tours (dress warmly!) and the Gastein thermal baths. Secure festival tickets months ahead.
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