Weekend getaway options in the Austrian Alps
Having arrived on a misty morning, Salzburg immediately delivered on its reputation as one of Central Europe's most dramatic small cities. Ringed by the Untersberg range and bisected by the Salzach, it is a place where baroque architecture, mountain terrain, and pop culture mythology exist in surprisingly close proximity.
Our first stop had to be the hulking Untersberg, right in the immediate vicinity of the city. With intermittent cloud cover and a fantastical funicular ascent, we made our way up to the summit. The mist made the peaks feel mystic and otherworldly, rolling in and out of the ridgeline.
Right off the edge of the Salzburg Altstadt, walk to the Stiegkeller to ride the FestungsBahn up into the heart of the fortress. Once there, take in the panoramic views in every direction, stroll inside the fortress walls, and visit exhibits that transport you through the history of this European town.
Back down in the heart of the Old Town, a short distance from the market you will find the charming little cemetery, Petersfriedhof, one of the oldest Christian burial sites in the German-speaking world.
Panoramic views in every direction, a leisured stroll inside the fortress.
No trip to Salzburg is complete without indulging in its most iconic tie to popular culture: the Sound of Music. A short bus ride outside the main city centre will bring you to Leopoldskron Palace, one of the two filming locations used for the Villa Trapp, home of the fictional Von Trapp family.
With that, our short day in Salzburg comes to a close. Other must-see spots include the Mirabell Gardens and the Dom Quarter in the Old Town, both easily walkable from the Altstadt.
Location
Salzburg, Austria
Our weekend getaway to Salzburg occurred in the Fall of 2021 after quite an eventful two years. © Zubin John