The Kollegienkirche church is a stupendous example of Baroque architecture. Its plan uses a modified Greek cross design. The interior is worthy of any church in Austria. Open Mon-Sat 9am-7pm; Sun 10am-7pm. Winter hours close 3hrs earlier. Brrrr! Universitatsplatz.

Hohensalzburg Fortress is a military site, specifically, but as a cultural icon to Salzburg must be considered amongst the most important and photogenic structures in the neighborhood. Built in 1077, the outside is a gray stone castle, but inside you’ll find lavish state rooms such as the Golden Room (well-chosen name) and the Burgmuseum with its medieval art collection. Rainer’s Museum exhibits period arms & armor. And what would Medieval politics be without a church nearby the torture chamber? St. George’s Chapel is a late-Gothic structure outfitted in the 16th century with a 200-pipe organ still in use (word to the wise: listen from a distance or wear safety ear plugs). Special exhibitions for children make the fortress a Salzburg family activity spot, including the Welt der Marionetten, an interactive display teaching the world of marionettes. Open daily mid-Mar to mid-June 9am-6pm; mid-June to mid-Sept 8:30am-8jpm; mid-Sept to mid-Mar 9am-5pm; Marionette museum, Mar. 1-Dec. 31, daily 10-5. The best way to reach the fortress is to take the funicular railway—the Festungsbahn. Admission €3.60 fortress; €3.60 apartments; marionette museum €3.

Salzburg Restaurants
Austrian food is a combination of game meats or steak, chicken, and lamb with roasted or boiled veggies. Several beer gardens are perfect spots to spend an evening.

Augustiner Brau serves cloudy wheat beer brewed by Augustinian monks. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Augustinergasse 4, at the foot of Monchsberg.

Stieglkeller serves Salzburg’s own Stiegl. It has great views of the city, and in good weather you can sit outside. Festungsgasse 10, at Monchsberg.

For something unique and quite special, try Ikarus, located in a former airport hangar. On the sidelines you can walk among the classic airplanes displayed here. Open daily lunch and dinner. Wilhelm-Spazierstrasse 7.

Salzburg Nightlife
Rudolfskai street has most of the bars featuring live music, dance clubs, and cellar bars. Salzburg is a good place to bar hop to experience all the flavors the nightlife scene has to offer.

For a cultural evening, get advanced tickets (particularly in summer) for the Mozarteum. Mozart week is held here each January. Concerts scheduled here year round attract symphonic enthusiasts. The Mozarteum has to concert rooms at its main building on Schwarzstrasse (Mirabellplatz 1). Completed in 2006, a new building holds The Great Studio and Leopold-Mozart-Hall. Learn more at www.mozarteum.at.

Schloss Klessheim, off city center, houses Casino Salzburg. Men are required to wear jacket and tie, and you must present your passport. The casino offers a free shuttle, so check with your hotel for its route and pick-up times. Entrance is free. Open daily 3pm-3am.

For the kids, the Marionettentheater performs skits throughout the year. The theater is also known for its opera and its thrice yearly performance of Mozart’s Cosi fan Tutte (late Jan; May-Sept; Dec 25-Jan 6). Schwarzstrasse 24.

(return to the Salzburg, Austria main page here)