Two years ago, we had a trip planned to Austria and Germany when everything was suddenly canceled just before we were set to leave due to renewed Covid lockdowns. It was one of those disappointments that lingered—not just because of the travel itself, but because of how long we had been looking forward to it.
Since then, this trip stayed on our minds. It became one of those “someday” plans we would come back to in conversation again and again, wondering when we might finally get the chance to make it happen.
This year, everything finally aligned, and not only did we get to take the trip, but our timing brought us right into the beginning of the Christmas market season in Europe. Salzburg is one of the most magical cities to visit in Europe during the Christmas season.
We flew into Munich and immediately boarded a train to Salzburg, where our journey truly began. From the moment we stepped off the train in Salzburg, we could already feel the shift into something special.
A Day in Salzburg
- Arriving in Salzburg & First Impressions
- Salzburg Fortress Views
- Ice Skating in Mozartplatz
- Mozart’s Birthplace
- Spielzeug Museum (Toy Museum)
- First Signs of Christmas in Salzburg
Arriving in Salzburg & First Impressions
We arrived at our hotel, dropped off our luggage, and immediately set out to explore.
Our first walk took us along the Salzach River, where we were met with our first real views of Salzburg. The city already felt different in the soft winter light, with the river moving steadily beside us as we began to settle into the pace of the day.
We crossed the river on the Makartsteg Bridge—often called the “love lock bridge”—covered in symbols of lasting affection. From one side, we could see the historic old town; from the other, one of Salzburg’s many churches sitting quietly along the water.
Salzburg’s old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for its stunning blend of Renaissance, Baroque, and Gothic architecture developed over centuries. Even in these early moments, we could already see festive touches beginning to appear as vendors and stalls prepared for the upcoming Christmas season.
Salzburg Fortress Views
The next morning, we picked up our Salzburg City Cards and headed toward the funicular up to Hohensalzburg Fortress. One of the best ways to explore Salzburg is with the City Card, which makes it easy to visit multiple sites in a short stay.
At the top, we were greeted with sweeping views of Salzburg spread out below us. Church bells rang somewhere in the city, adding to the atmosphere in a way that felt almost cinematic.
The fortress itself is one of the largest preserved medieval castles in Europe, with origins dating back to the 11th century. Standing above the city, it immediately gives you a sense of just how important this stronghold once was in protecting and shaping Salzburg’s history.
Inside the fortress complex, there are several museums that give deeper insight into its long and layered past. Visitors can explore exhibits ranging from military history to daily life in the fortress over the centuries.
The Fortress Museum and Regiment Museum highlight its strategic importance, while the Prince’s Chambers offer a glimpse into the more refined side of life within the castle walls. Together, these spaces make it easy to spend hours wandering through different eras of Salzburg’s story all in one place.
One of the most memorable stops for us was the Marionette Museum. This exhibit showcases beautifully crafted figures used in traditional storytelling performances, including scenes inspired by The Sound of Music.
Seeing the Von Trapp family represented in marionette form was such a unique and unexpected detail, and it added a creative and cultural layer to the fortress experience that we didn’t expect but really enjoyed.
Ice Skating in Mozartplatz
Back in the city center, we made our way to Mozartplatz for a little ice skating.
Because the Christmas markets had not yet officially opened, the square felt unusually quiet, and we had the rink almost entirely to ourselves. It was one of those rare travel moments where everything feels unhurried, and we could simply enjoy being in the middle of such a historic setting.
We took advantage of the family skate option, which included skate rentals for a reasonable price and was paid in cash on site. Just a helpful note for visitors—cash is still commonly used for smaller seasonal activities like this in Salzburg.
Skating here, in a square dedicated to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, made the experience feel even more special. Salzburg is famously his birthplace, and being able to enjoy something as simple as ice skating in the heart of the old town added a quiet charm to the day.
Mozart’s Birthplace
We also visited the Mozart’s Birthplace, where Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in 1756.
Walking through the rooms filled with instruments, portraits, and manuscripts gave a deeper sense of his early life and the environment that shaped his musical genius. One of the most engaging parts of the museum was a listening room where visitors could follow along with his compositions while hearing the music in real time.
It was a fascinating look into the life of one of the world’s most influential composers, and it added meaningful context to everything we were seeing throughout the city.
Spielzeug Museum (Toy Museum)
Our last stop of the day was the Spielzeug Museum.
This multi-floor museum is filled with toys from different eras, along with interactive spaces designed for hands-on play. Each floor has themed rooms showcasing different styles of toys and creative play experiences, making it just as engaging for adults as it is for children.
What stood out most was watching our daughter naturally connect with other children while playing, despite not sharing a common language. It was a simple but powerful reminder that play is universal, and this museum is built around exactly that idea.
First Signs of Christmas in Salzburg
As we walked back toward our hotel, we began to notice more Christmas lights, decorations, and stalls coming to life throughout the city.
Even before the markets officially opened, Salzburg already felt festive. The combination of historic streets, glowing lights, and anticipation for the season made the entire city feel like it was quietly preparing for something magical.
Even in late November, Salzburg already felt fully immersed in the Christmas season, with markets, lights, and decorations appearing throughout the old town.
Salzburg was everything we had hoped for and more—historic, beautiful, and quietly magical in the winter light. After years of waiting to finally take this trip, it felt especially meaningful to experience it here at Christmastime, when the city was at its most festive. It was the perfect beginning to our journey through Austria, and one we won’t forget anytime soon.
Salzburg was just one part of our Christmas journey through Germany and Austria, and each city brought its own version of holiday magic.
Thanks for coming along on this visit to Salzburg. May you always be strengthened by history and uplifted by music.
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