Venturing through an ancient city split by the beautiful Salzach River is an experience of a lifetime. Salzburg river cruises give you the chance to visit one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations. The historic city is known as the home of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who is regarded as one of the greatest composers of all time. It’s also famous for outstanding architecture. 

​The greatest part about choosing to cruise Salzburg’s Salzach River is the ease of use. The city is divided on both sides of the river, so your cruise will literally go right down the middle of the city. It makes it extremely easy to get to all parts of the city you’d love to see.

The Salzach River itself flows down into the Danube in its course, making it an easy reach for Danube river cruises. Because of this, the city of Salzburg is often included for those already traveling the Danube, making it the perfect trip off the beaten path. If your Danube cruise features an excursion to Salzburg, you're in for a treat.

River cruise into Austria's outstanding architecture

Hohensalzburg Fortress from a Salzburg river cruise

Other than the added travel-quickness in cruising through Salzburg, you’ll be able to experience the city’s world-class architecture. It has buildings that date all the way back to the late 600s. The oldest building is St. Peter’s Abbey, established in the year 696. There are multiple amazing sites throughout the old church and monastery that make it perfect for an afternoon stop before returning to the cruise ship for dinner. 

If you’re a lover of architecture, there’s plenty more buildings and features in the city to take in while you walk or bicycle around. Here, we’ve put together a short list of some of our favorite architectural masterpieces to look for on your cruise through Salzburg.

• Hohensalzburg Fortress. This massive castle is bound to be one of the first sights you’ll find when your ship comes into Salzburg. It lies up on a hill and overlooks the entire city. The castle got its name from the German word Höhen -- which means “heights” -- and the city of Salzburg. It was created in the 11th century by archbishops to protect the city below. Today, the fortress remains a fine example of medieval architecture. 
• DomQuartier Salzburg. A truly beautiful complex located in the city, this area houses some amazing examples of Baroque-style architecture. Located in the area are the Salzburg Cathedral and the monastery quarters St. Peter’s Abbey. The DomQuartier houses the Salzburg Museum and some other great exhibits as well. Though its buildings and the items in exhibits are extremely old, the DomQuartier itself was established as a museum and art district in 2014. Because of this, you’ll find a unique mix of old and new in this unique square.
• Mirabell Palace. Currently the location for several government offices, this stunning residence was built in the 1600s in the Neoclassical style. It housed many different royals and leaders in the past.. It was re-finished in the 1800s after a fire, so parts of the building are newer than others. This palace also has a beautiful garden that you’ll be able to explore and relax in on a walking tour through the area. It’s Marble Hall is a popular place where -- if you’re lucky -- you might be able to glimpse a wedding or concert.

Tour Mirabell Gardens with Salzburg river cruises

These locations, along with St. Peter’s Abbey, are a few of our favorites when visiting Salzburg. The greatest part about looking for architecture in one of Austria’s most popular cities is how easy it is to find it. While in some large cities you can go miles without finding examples of fine architecture, in Salzburg it’s around every corner -- and always close to your cruise ship.

Experience Austrian dining with Salzburg river cruises

A serene Austrian city would be incomplete without fantastic food to enjoy. Salzburg delivers just that: delicious food. It has plenty of offerings and Austria’s cuisine is nothing to shy away from. Salzburg’s native food is most closely related to that of Germany. Meats, pretzels, and pastries are common. In addition, Austrian beer is popular to pair with just about anything. ​

The city offers plenty of different options when it comes to dining, so your Salzburg river cruise is sure to entertain. Salzburg has plenty of brewpubs and cafes if you’re looking for a quick snack or a meal that’s easier on your wallet. If you’re feeling something more upscale, the city is a hotspot for skilled chefs. You’re bound to find something that’ll match what your taste buds are in the mood for. 

If you’re in the mood to do a bit of cooking yourself, you can take a cooking class at Salzburg’s own Edelweiss Cooking School. There, you’ll learn to cook Austrian cuisine firsthand. The school offers classes that are perfect for foodies looking to get an in-depth experience before returning to the ship.

Regardless of how you plan to experience Salzburg’s excellent dining scene, there’s a few key foods that are definitely worth a try. Here, we’ve listed a few of Salzburg, Austria’s best foods to sample.

• Tafelspitz. Austria’s national dish, Tafelspitz is easy to find across the city. It’s boiled beef served with apples and horseradish, all marinating in a mouth-watering beef broth.
• Wiener Würstchen. This sausage hails from Vienna, Austria and is also extremely easy to find. It’s a delicious quick meal when on the go, exploring the city.
• Apple Strudel. This dish is found all over the world, so you’ve most likely tried it before. Though it's easy to find, the apple strudel was created in Austria. Thus, Salzburg has some of the most authentic and well-made versions you can find.
• Wiener Schnitzel. Another of the country’s national dishes, wiener schnitzel is easy to find across all Salzburg. It’s a delicious fried delicacy, made with veal. Much like Würstchen, this is a quick snack when about town.
• Sachertorte. This decadent dessert is a sponge cake made with chocolate and apricot. You’ll be able to find it in several cafes and high-end dining establishments throughout the city. 

Eat Austrian Tafelspitz on a Salzburg river cruise

Cruising the Salzach River

The Salzach River provides the perfect backdrop and home base for your trip to Salzburg. That’s why we make the case that cruising is the best way to make the most of your experience. Not only is the river beautiful in its own right, but it provides easy access to the city. Since it goes right down the middle of Salzburg, you’ll be able to get exactly where you want to go in no time -- with easy access to walking and bicycle tours as well.

The Salzach itself is a gorgeous scene. With the backdrop of Salzburg’s Baroque architecture in the background, the river is well lit with neat grassy banks. Your ship will pass under historic bridges and by many of the city’s best buildings. 

Once your cruise gets to its destination, you’ll be able to get out and explore one of the most popular cities in Europe. Afterwards, you can return to the ship for a good night's sleep and rest up for the next day's adventure. It’s simply the best way to experience beautiful Salzburg, Austria. We love cruising the Salzach and can’t recommend it more for your next European vacation. When you’re ready to plan your trip, contact us to enjoy this experience of a lifetime.