Language - German
English is becoming more widely spoken by the younger generations as it is taught at school. It is useful to know some numbers and a few short phrases to get you around. See our printable phrase guide to get you started.
Currency - Euro €1EU =$1.19USD = £0.68GBP (02/06)
Cash machines or ATMs are widely available and accept all major credit cards and those displaying the PLUS or CIRRUS logos.
Time - Central European Time (Gmt+1Hr)
Clocks forward(+1) last Sunday in March, back last Sunday in October, (-1)
Phone - Country Code +43
To use local payphones you need a Telekom Austria Calling Card, available from post offices, Metro stations and Tabaks.
| Ambulance | 144 |
| Fire | 122 |
| Police | 133 |
| Medical Assitance | 141 |
| Tourist Office | 889 87330 | Mozartplatz 5 |
| St Johannsspital-Landeskrankenanstalten (Hospital) | 0662/44820 | Mullner Hauptstrasse 48 |
| Mozart's Birthplace | 84 43 13 | Getreidegasse 9 |
| Salzburger Verkehrsverbund | ||
| (Bus Ticket Off.) | 0662/4480 1500 | Schrannengasse 4 |
| Salzburg Airport | 0662/8580 | Innsbrucker Bundesstrasse 96 |
| Train Information | 05/1717 | |
| DÃœRrnberg Saltmines | 06245/835110 | Hallein |
| Ice Caves Eisriesenwelt | 06468/5248 | Werfen |
Getting there and getting around
Takes domestic and international flights daily. Connection to city centre is a 10min drive or by local bus n.2 every 10mins to the main train station, journey time 20mins, single ticket €1.80 from the bus driver or the newsagent inside the terminal.p
Situated 200km from Salzburg, this recently opened airport is connected by train, journey time 90mins or there is a transfer bus available.
The central train station Salzburg Hbf is a major hub for the international rail network. Austria is well serviced by both ÖBB , the Austrian rail company and the German one Deutsch Bahn ( DB ). Timetables are online and easy to follow.
What to see in Salzburg.
Yes this garden did feature in some scenes of the Sound of Music. Originally the Palace was called Altenau , built in 1606 by Prince Archbishop Wolf Dietrich for his mistress Salome and their 10 children. The marble staircase inside was built by Raphael Donner and leads up to the marble room, popular among those getting married. The landscaping and architecture reflects the wealth that was being created during the rule of the Prince-Archbishops (16-18thC). In the gardens is a small hut called the Zauberflotenhauschen where Mozart is said to have written the Magic Flute. Also check out the garden of Gnomes .
Mozart lived here for a short while between 1773 and 1780 with his family after leaving the less comfortable dwelling on Getreidstrasse. The building was reopened in 1996 after an extensive restoration programme from damage done during WWII. The life and works of Mozart are documented and an audio guide provides commentary and music. Open daily 9am-5.30pm, admission €6, €4 students. There are combination tickets available for here and the Gebertshaus museum, €9 adult and €7 students.
Recently reopened with a new interpretation on the living space. Mozart was born and lived here with his family until he was 17 when he wasn't touring the music halls of Europe. There are artefacts such as his first violin, viola, fortepiano, clavichord and his prized concert violin. Open daily 9am-6pm, admission €6, €5 students.
The construction started in 1077 by Archbishop Gebhard V. Helffenstein to protect his 'interests' from the ruling Emperor Heinrich IV. The succession of Archbishops that followed continued to live in the fortress, expanding as they went until finally finishing it in 1681. The end result is a mix of styles and construction techniques. The Archbishops had already moved to the less militant looking Residenz in 1595. The fortress is considered the largest completely preserved castle in Europe and the Bergmuseum contains displays of medieaval torture instruments and artworks. The Rainermuseum houses armoury exhibitions. Access is either a long walk up the hill or the Festungsbahn funicular, behind the St Peterskirche, it runs every 10mins, 9am-9pm; fortress open daily Oct-Mar 9.30am-5pm, Apr-Sep 9am-6pm, admission only €3.60, admission, guided tour and funicular €12.
The church is dated to 1327 and was a former chapel dedicated to St Blaise. The marble relief on the outside depicts St Sebastian and used to adorn the town gate.
Inside here are 2 huge theatres in what was originally the riding school and stable for the Archbishops. Austria holds many music festivals throughout the year, the most popular is the Salzburg Festival (Festspiele) held during July and August with many famous names performing here. The larger hall seats over 1000 people. After WWII ended they decided to enlarge the Festhaus an so blasted a thundering 2 million cubic feet of rock out of the terrace to make extra space between the 2 houses.
The original structure was completed in 767AD, by Abbot and Bishop Vergil from Ireland, and was burnt down 8 times. The latest remodelling went with the Baroque style and included detailed sculptures. The four saints at the bottom represent Saints Rupert, Peter, Paul and Vergil. Looking down on them are the four evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John while standing on the next level up is Moses with his tablets and Elias. The bronze doors were late additions in 1957 representing Faith, Charity and Hope. Mozart was christened here and later held the position of concert master. Free admission but donations are requested.
The cemetery may look familiar to some, but no, they did no filming here. The producers of the Sound of Music were impressed with it but decided to recreate it on a sound stage for that famous scene rather than film in it. The catacombs behind the St Peterskirche were inhabited by religious hermits seeking solitude. Admission €1, May -Sept Tue-Sun, 10.30am-5pm; Oct-Apr, Wed-Sun, 10.30am-3.30pm.
What to nosh on in Salzburg.
Take one very thinly slice piece of veal or pork, coat in breadcrumbs, shallow fry and serve with fries and a squeeze of lemon. Be warned, they can be huge, often hanging off the plate so be hungry.
A typically Bavarian dish the Bratwurst is common in both Germany and Austria. Simply cooked and put inside a crusty roll topped with mustard you can find these virtually everywhere.
Austria is famous for its beer production, and Salzburg's top brew is Stiegl. The best place to sink a few of these is in the Biergarten, or beer garden during the warmer months or inside the Beisl (pub) next to a roaring fire. The alcohol contents are usually between 4.9% and 5.4%.
Traditionally the word means late harvest wine but now these taverns are setting up all over. They can only sell wine from their own estates and can only open for 10 months of the year. Many are in the outer suburbs and small villages and they also serve traditional Austrian-Bohemian fare. Expect lots of meat, dumplings, pickles, sausages and cheese.
If you are sitting down in a café or restaurant the waiter will bring the receipt to the table, either on the serving tray or if requested. You pay to the waiter or leave the amount in the paying book. Tipping is normally 10% or just round up the amount with the change if service has been good.
The history lesson is over so now for the evening cultural experience. Most of the younger generation gravitate to the biergartens on Rudolfski or the authentic beerhall Augustiner Kloster-Mülln on Augustinerg 4, with most pubs staying open until 11pm or 12am. For those wanting a bit of music and movement there is the Cave Club , Leopoldskronstrasse 5, specialising in hardcore techno and live DJs. Keep in mind the difference between the terms club and nightclub. Nightclub in Austria means the adult lap and pole dancing variety so if you're just looking to dance you're looking for a dance club or disco club .
More things to do in Salzburg
This settlement is an easy day trip from Salzburg, either by bus or train. The saltmines were a main source of wealth for the Archbishops, hence the name 'Salzburg' from the 'salz' or salt that was mined and processed here in Hallein and then exported from Salzburg. The daily tours are available from April-October, 9am-5pm, November-March 11am-3pm, admission €16. A good level of fitness and suitable footwear is recommended.
Another excellent day trip is to see the largest ice caves in the world. Take the train 48km south of Salzburg to Werfen, from there you can take a taxi-bus to the parking area at the base. There is a cable-car (€9 roundtrip) up to the cave entrance or if you feel really fit you can walk up. The caves stretch for about 42km over several levels from 1500m above sea level with frozen waterfalls, dramatic ice formations and cavernous interiors. Daily tours operate May-October 9am-4.30pm every half hour, a combined tour and cable car ticket costs €17. Appropriate footwear and clothing for cold temperatures is essential.
The Hills are alive to the sound of thousands of fans every year trekking around Salzburg reliving the musical talents of the Von Trapps. There are various outfits offering complete tour packages and day trips around the sights seen in the film with opinions divided on the quality. A lot of the buildings are private residences and only provided exterior shots but there are some places that can be seen up close. Daily tours run all year long, basic tours last 4hrs, from €35 per person. There are now also Sound Of Music dinner and show events available if you're really looking for the full SOM experience.
High speed ADSL connections are fast becoming popular with many new modern internet cafes popping up all over the place. You can expect to pay up to €4 per hour. These are some websites you may find useful during your stay :
Salzburg Festival - music festival held in July and August loaded with opera, classical, orchestral, dramatic and concert performances. 2006 is the 250th anniversary of Mozart's birth.
Salzburg Easter Festival - held at the end of May, to celebrate the religious Ascension, includes classic car rally.
These won't make you into an SAS commander but they may help avoid some difficulties as you travel around.