Salzburg: Christmas Markets, Fortress Views & Surprisingly Great Beer

Charming, historic, and decked out for the holidays—Salzburg in winter is a festive dream with a few fun surprises thrown in..

Salzburg in winter feels like walking through a snow globe. It’s cozy, classy, and dressed to the nines for the holidays. We stopped here for two nights after Christmas, on our way to Prague, and this small but mighty city delivered some of the best Christmas magic of the season—plus beer, Mozart, and a completely unexpected VR escape room.

WHAT WE DID

What We Loved

Even in a short stay, Salzburg kept us busy with festive sights, fortress climbs, and a few fun surprises.g.

🏰 Hohensalzburg Fortress – One of the largest preserved castles in Europe and impossible to miss. We took the funicular up and spent the afternoon soaking in the views and exploring the old fortress walls. The city below looked straight out of a storybook.

🎵 Mozart’s Birthplace – A quick stop, but worth it. Whether or not you’re into classical music, there’s something cool about walking through the home of one of the most iconic composers in history.

🌿 Mirabell Palace & Gardens – Even in the cold, these gardens had a quiet elegance. Sound of Music fans will recognize the backdrop, but it’s also just a lovely walk near the center.

🛍 Getreidegasse – Salzburg’s most charming street. Picture wrought-iron shop signs, narrow cobblestones, and a great mix of boutiques and snack stops.

🍺 Stiegl Brewery – This 500-year-old brewery was one of our favorite surprises. The beer was excellent, the food was hearty, and the museum added just enough history to feel like we were doing something cultural between beers.

🕶️ VR Escape Room – We weren’t expecting to end our Salzburg visit ducking lasers in virtual reality, but here we are. It was spontaneous, weirdly fun, and a great switch-up from the classic sightseeing trail.

If We Had More Time…

We squeezed in a lot, but Salzburg has more to offer—and we’ve already got a return list.

🎶 A Sound of Music Tour – We skipped it this time, but next visit, we’re going full Julie Andrews.

🎨 Museum of Modern Art – Located on a cliff with an elevator through the mountain? That alone makes it worth adding to the next itinerary.

🛶 Hellbrunn Palace & Trick Fountains – Only open in warmer months, but we’re curious (and maybe a little nervous) about the “surprise water show.”

🧁 Café Tomaselli – One of the oldest coffeehouses in Austria and a Salzburg institution. We’ll save room for torte next time.

🎭 Marionette Theater – Salzburg is famous for its marionettes, and this theater stages full operas with puppets. A little quirky, a lot intriguing.

WHAT WE ATE

You can’t visit Austria without diving into the classics—and we definitely did. From rich, hearty comfort food to pub favorites, Innsbruck delivered. But it also threw us a curveball we didn’t expect: amazing burritos.

Wiener Schnitzel –Crispy, golden, and bigger than the plate. A cold-weather classic.

Sachertorte – Crispy, golden, and bigger than the plate. A cold-weather classic.

Goulash – Rich, hearty, and what you want after wandering cobblestone streets in winter.

Christmas Market Snacks – Pretzels, roasted nuts, and anything on a grill.

WHERE WE STAYED

NH Salzburg City, which was an easy walk to the Old Town and close to everything we wanted to see. The rooms were comfortable, the location was super convenient, and it had that modern, no-fuss vibe that worked perfectly for a short winter stay. You can book it here.

Should You Visit Salzburg?

bsolutely. Salzburg is small but packed with atmosphere. It’s festive without being overdone, walkable without feeling cramped, and has just enough cultural weight to balance out the beer and bratwurst. Whether you come for the music, the markets, or the marionettes, Salzburg is totally worth a stop.

Salzburg: Christmas Markets, Fortress Views & Surprisingly Great Beer