Start your day in Salzburg by marvelling the narrow cobbled streets that wonderfully bend their way towards the Old town/Alstadt. I can never help but take note of the record shop you pass that presents classical music CDs outside in abundance – you may well see Street vendors dotted around the Old Town that sell Mozart CDs alone. Such enterprises represent the pride the people of Salzburg have for Mozart, a city unsurprisingly deemed ‘The City of Mozart’.
Mozart has been widely celebrated in Salzburg, so much so that the famous Mozart chocolates sell by the truck load today, even outside of Salzburg. In 1890 Paul Furst was the confectioner who invented the dark pistachio and Marzipan covered chocolates – the ‘Mozartkugal’. The iconic blue and silver wrapped chocolates can be bought for €1.50 each from the Furst cafes/chocolatiers/shops. There are a number of Furst shops dotted around the Old Town.
Once at Motzartplatz, have a good look at the statue of Mozart in the middle of the courtyard – I always think it is a good idea to spend a long minute or two by looking carefully at monuments and statues. They always carry an important meaning. There must be a worthy reason why prince archbishops used the proceeds of the valuable salt trade to pay for the work of expensive Italian sculptors. Anyway, I digress; the museum is located in Mozartplatz if you want to understand more about Salzburg’s history.
There is a reason why I like to wear walking boots when I go to Salzburg. Like in lots of European cities, the best way to get the most out of Salzburg is simply to roam and wonder. There is much to be discovered by walking. If you are looking for a good view over the old town, river and surrounding mountains, there are a number of places I recommend. The most obvious place is at the top of the Festung Hohensalzburg: the 900 year old citadel. Walk around the top for amazing views of the River Salzach, the Alps and the Old Town’s delightful spires. On the way down a good option is to stop for a drink at the Steigl beer garden.
If you are really after a ‘Berlin Style’ roof top bar terrace however, the perfect place is on the other side of the river. If you head across the river from the old town, as if you are heading for Mirabel gardens, made famous I’m sure you’ll know, by The Sound Of Music, you will see the Hotel Stein on the river front. You can access the lovely bar on the roof terrace by entering the elevator and heading to the top floor. The views of the old town are majestic – a perfect place for a beer or cocktail.
For more amazing views of Salzburg, walk to the Museum der Moderne and follow steps up the hill on the Monchsberg hill side. The tough climb up the steps is soon rewarded with a wonderful view across the spires and roof tops of Salzburg. No doubt for the Sound of Music lovers, images will flash through your minds of Maria and the children singing their hearts out. Even if you’re not, I’m afraid to say that you’ll probably remember it too!