Salzburg in Photos

Words and Photography by Pete Heck
Our train left Ljubljana early on a Sunday morning, bound for our 29th country visited together.  We had become quite familiar with the Alps in Slovenia, but were excited to see and experience them from across yet another border. We were on our way to Austria!

As our train rolled along Dalene slept, and I watched out the window as we became enveloped by the mountains. The sad feelings of leaving Slovenia were somewhat dissipated as our train rolled through the beautiful countryside into Salzburg’s central station.

Not only is Salzburg the birthplace of the famous composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, it was also the setting for the popular movie “The Sound of Music”. To top it off, the city is a mecca for hiking enthusiasts and is considered a jewel of the Alps.

So what’s the first thing we did? Well, grab our camera and go strolling, of course.

And one thing we discovered…Salzburg sure is pretty.

Salzburg is a mecca for hiking enthusiasts and is considered a jewel of the Alps.

Salzburg from Above

The best way to see the city is from above.  Paths line the hill above town and you can get views of the old-center, the spires of many churches and the famous Hohensalzburg Castle.

The Fortress

Salzburg Cathedrals

One can enjoy a solitary and peaceful walk through the cemetery located just outside the Inner Old Town.

Outside Salzburg Cemetery

Salzburg Cemetery

Built in Baroque style, the Mirabell Palace Gardens attract quite a few photographers.

Mirabell Garden

There are plenty of cafes to rest in, and watch life pass by.

A Salzburg Cafe

And the city certainly will not let anyone forget that it’s the home of one of the most famous composers.

Mozart Statue Salzburg

Despite the hoards of tourists walking around, we managed to find some solitude and enjoy the beauty that Salzburg has to offer.

Our stay in Salzburg was kindly provided by Wimdu. A review of our experience can be found here.
36 Comments... Read them below or add one of your own
  • Viktorija Curtright
    August 29 2012

    What kind of camera do you use for travel?

    • Pete
      August 30 2012

      Hello Viktorija, we carry a Canon 600D and a GoPro Hero2. I am going to update our photography page very soon to list our equipment and such.

  • Chrystal McKay
    August 29 2012

    I have wanted to visit Salzburg for a long time. It certainly does look like a jewel. I look forward to the rest of your posts on the city! 😀

    • Pete
      August 30 2012

      Thanks Chrystal. Despite the amount of tourists there, I thought the city was quite serene tucked in between the Alps.

  • August 29 2012

    As a HUGE “Sound of Music” fan, Salzburg is high on my must-visit list. Plus, it looks gorgeous! That photo of Mirabell Gardens is stunning!
    Amanda recently posted..Ice, Ice, Baby – Glacier Hiking in Alaska

    • Pete
      August 30 2012

      Thanks Amanda. I got lucky with that shot. I had to wait for quite a while so no other people were in my shot. It was fortunate to get a photographer taking a shot of me 🙂

  • OMG, Austria is love! I just love these photos and the palace gardens is an awesome place to snapped for the day.

    I can stay here forever enthralled.

    Cheers 🙂
    Wends of Journeys and Travels recently posted..My Letter to Dr. Jose

  • August 30 2012

    Only you could make Austria look appealing, I’ll admire these photos from afar as I know I’ll never go.
    Ayngelina recently posted..Keeping it weird in Portland

    • Pete
      August 30 2012

      Dalene tends to agree with you, just wait until the post tomorrow.

  • jan
    August 30 2012

    I was in Salzburg in my early twenties and remember a huge chess board in a square. I love the sound of music – you must find a green hill to run on singing “the hills are alive”! Maybe indulge in a little yodelling on the side? Have Fun

    • Pete
      August 30 2012

      Funny thing is neither Dalene nor I have seen “The Sound of Music”…. Maybe we should get on that.

      Thanks Jan 🙂

      • August 31 2012

        How have you NEVER seen the Sound of Music?!?!?!?

  • August 30 2012

    I kind of feel sorry for people living there. Most Europeans have never seen Sound of Music in my experience, so it ends up being a foreign thing of people wanting to see specific mountains and random churches.

    I have been several times to Salzburg and it really doesn’t grab me. I like Vienna so much better.

    Is the castle open to go through? I have never been, but I don’t remember exactly why.
    Andrew recently posted..Turkish Food – Beyond the Döner Kebap

    • Pete
      August 30 2012

      Well we’ve never seen the film either if it is any consolation (and we didn’t jump on any SOM tour).

      It didn’t really grab Dalene either (make sure to read tomorrow’s post to find out why..)

      Yes the castle is open to go through, but like everything else in the city, it is pretty expensive and from what we have heard, not really all that worth it other than the view. Although, I think the views I got from “free” spots were pretty good.

  • Steph (@ 20 Years Hence)
    August 30 2012

    Yes, Salzburg is fantastic! I’ve only been to 2 places in Austria—Vienna & Salzburg—but Salzburg was by far my favorite. Even though it rained almost the entire time I was there, it was too pretty to hold that against it!

    • Pete
      August 30 2012

      We never did make it into Vienna, but we’ll save that for our next venture into Europe. Salzburg was indeed a nice little stop for me.

  • Elle
    August 30 2012

    I was just in Salzburg last March – it sure is prettier with blue skies but I agree, it’s a stunning city! I loved the little shopping street and pretzels on every corner.

    • Pete
      August 30 2012

      LOVED the pretzels! I probably ate way too many of them.

  • August 30 2012

    Salzburg was cold and grey and damp when I was there years ago, but I still loved the city. Great snaps!
    Raymond @ Man On The Lam recently posted..7 (More) Habits of Highly Ineffective Hotels

    • Pete
      August 30 2012

      Thanks Raymond. When we arrived we were greeted with rain and grey skies. But the sun eventually did come out and I’m glad. Did you jump on any cheesy Sound of Music tour and sing along?

      • August 30 2012

        Alas, I did not. I do remember some funky graveyard with skulls though. Or maybe I was just in the bad part of town? 🙂

  • August 30 2012

    Fantastic pictures! Been ages since I was in Salzburg…

    • Pete
      August 30 2012

      Thanks Federico. I really enjoyed the city, probably because our B&B was way out in the burbs and we got to see life outside the tourist zone.

  • August 30 2012

    Pretty, indeed! I’ve heard that Salzburg is wonderful to visit during the Christmas holidays, too.

    • September 1 2012

      It would be pretty to see in the snow, that’s for sure!

  • Ali
    August 30 2012

    I haven’t been to Salzburg, but it looks like a nice city to check out. I’m beginning to like mountainous countries more and more lately.
    Ali recently posted..What If You Don’t Speak the Language?

    • September 1 2012

      You and me both! Mostly for the moderate temperatures, but also for the gorgeous views. 😉

  • Emily in Chile
    August 30 2012

    I love that shot of the Palace Gardens – so colorful! I’m sure the bright blue skies didn’t hurt the views either.

  • August 31 2012

    I’m still staring at that first picture waiting for the vonTrapps to come bounding over the horizon.

    • September 2 2012

      We never saw that movie! SHAME!

  • Susan
    September 1 2012

    Love the photo of the Mirabel Garden with the Palace?Monastery? in the background. My favorite photos are of people taking pics back. It always reminds me that we are all background at one time or another! Salzburg looks stunning. I’ll have to add it to the list!

  • September 8 2012

    What amazing captures! It certainly looks so pretty! I especially loved the first shot.
    Arti recently posted..An Interview With BlogAdda and A Food Feature

  • October 30 2012

    Really great pictures! I would love to visit the city soon, but I will wait for a better weather 🙂

  • March 27 2013

    Stunning shots. Austria is like a storybook!
    Cristina recently posted..Where to Eat in Barcelona: Cerveceria Barnabier

  • November 5 2017

    It’s been a long time I haven’t been there, but next year we will move back to Salzburg. I think you need to live abroad for a certain amount of time to fully appreciate the beauty of this city if you grew up in it. I love the pictures, even if I have been to each and every spot in the past.

Leave a Comment

CommentLuv badge

css.php