Salzburg, Austria

Salzburg is located in the so-called Salzburger Becken (Salzburg Basin), on the northern border of the Alps, surrounded by the Kapuzinerberg (636m), the Mönchsberg (508m) and the Gaisberg (737m). Although there are official districts, not all of them are of interest when giving an overview of Salzburg. There are a few districts that have a distinct feel to them, but it is the city's historic Altstadt (Old Town) that deserves the most attention.

In 1997, Salzburg's Altstadt (Old Town) was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the category of cultural monuments worth preserving for future generations. This should speak for itself, and the Altstadt should be on every visitor's "to-do" list. Because the city center is not very big, you should be able to find your way around fairly easily. Classic Salzburg is a feast for the eyes, with impressive buildings dating back to the baroque period dominating the scenery. Different epochs can easily be distinguished from one another, with Italian baroque features standing side-by-side with examples of Austrian individualism. The Salzach River acts as a natural border to the Old Town, and the traffic-ridden Rudolfskai stretches out alongside it. Another natural feature that encloses the Old Town is the Mönchsberg, a big rock face that used to protect the city's treasures from unwanted guests during the Middle Ages.

Salzburg's cathedral is without a doubt the main attraction in the Altstadt. It is flanked by two squares, the Residenzplatz (a good place to see open-air concerts during summer) and the Kapitelplatz (also used for concerts and theater performances). The nearby Residenz, the "new" Residenz, the Franziskanerkirche (Franciscan church) and the Kollegienkirche (Stiftskirche) of Saint Ruprecht are only a stone's throw away from each other. Towering above all these attractions is the Hohensalzburg Fortress on the Mönchsberg (Monks' Mountain).

In the western part of the Old Town, you can admire the Kollegienkirche, Mozart's birth house, the two famous festival halls - Festspielhäuser - and the so-called "Pferdeschwemme", once a spot where horses could get a drink of water. The Getreidegasse, one of the most expensive streets in Salzburg, is also situated here, with Church of St. Blasius at its western end. The Getreidegasse has always been the Linzergasse's elegant counterpart, though the latter lies on the other side of the Salzach River. It is one of the main traffic routes linking the districts on the right of the river to the city; heading west, it is also one of the main roads for those traveling to Linz and Vienna. The area around the Mirabell Palace is pure Austrian charm. The elegant palace, which is situated on the northern side of the river, has a beautiful park, which is elegantly landscaped in the style of bygone centuries. The square in front of the palace is best known for its market, the Schrannenmarkt. Farmers from all over the province meet here once a week to sell their high-quality produce. The small stalls around the Church of St. Andrä further ensure that the area has a lively feel about it.

The area to the north of Salzburg is mainly residential and the buildings are more modernized the nearer you get to the main train station. Head northwest and you will soon discover that the charming older buildings, such as those found in proximity to Mirabell Palace, are few and far between. The station itself is central to the city's infrastructure as the main means of connecting Salzburg to Austria's provincial regions, most of which can also be reached by bus.

Taxham

A big US-style shopping mall is situated in the Taxham district and is called Europark, the city's largest shopping-and-leisure center for a rainy afternoon. Nearby, you find Salzburg's soccer stadium, home to the local premier-league team, sponsored by Red Bull.

Aigen

The district of Aigen, in the southern part of town, is known as a rather a well-to-do area. Living there could cost you a small fortune, as real estate prices tend to be extremely high.