Exploring Salzburg Above and Below

Famous as the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and the location of The Sound of Music, Salzburg is consistently one of the most popular holiday destinations in Austria. While keeping true to its cultural and historic roots (along with many palaces and fortresses, Altstadt, the city's ‘Old Town’, with its well-preserved Baroque architecture, is a UNSECO World Heritage Site), it is also one of the most modern cities in Europe.

After arriving in Salzburg, airport transfers transport thousands of visitors to the city on a daily basis. They are attracted here by the city’s cultural, commercial, natural, and historical attractions. Below, we list a few of the city’s most popular sites - from the very common to the extraordinary, and whether you’re climbing high, staying level, or going underground.

Stay Grounded

There’s definitely a lot to see in the lovely city of Salzburg. Airport transfers are a great way of getting an overview and determining which sites you want to visit, as you will pass many of them on the way to your accommodation. Mirabell Gardens at the other side of Salzach River, with its Pegasus Fountain, Rise and Dwarves Gardens, and Hedge Theatre, should definitely be on your itinerary. For a more historic and sombre experience, check out one of the city’s many museums, such as the Museum of Natural History (Haus der Natur), which houses one of the most beautiful aquariums in the world, or the original Museum of Modern Art on Wiener.

There are also plenty of tours to be had – including bike tours and rickshaw rides - if you want take advantage of the beautiful weather and see more of the glorious countryside. Families can pay a visit to the zoo, which is home to around 800 different species of animals - there’s also a petting zoo for the youngsters.

Go Under

While giving you a good basic overview of the attractions of Salzburg, airport transfers cannot give you the complete experience. Surprisingly, some of the best attractions of the city are not on the ground, but deep under it! Schedule a trip to the Berchtesgaden and Hallein salt mines, just outside the city. Visitors can take a tram ride, not only to see the beautiful underground caves, but also to learn all about how salt mining shaped the city’s history. If you’re not afraid of the cold, you can also check out ice caves of Werfen, which boast an average temperature of 0° C, even in the height of summer! Step through the entrance of the cave, measuring 18 metres high and 20 metres wide, into a winter wonderland of ice palaces, giant ice formations, and ice caverns stretching nearly 42 kilometres long. You'd swear you were in a different world entirely.

Climb High

If you don't fancy the idea of going underground, well, the only place to go is up! If you’ve always wanted to ski or play winter sports, this is the place for you. The city is home to more than 100 ski schools, offering classes in skiing, snowboarding and other winters sports, ranging from kindergarten level to expert. If you’re already a skier and just want to get a few hours of practice in, you’ll definitely enjoy time on the slopes. If you’re bringing in your own equipment, Salzburg airport transfers can take all sorts of sports equipment and baggage, but do let them know beforehand. You can also join a ski tour or ski safari.

Lukas Johannes is a driver for Shuttle Direct. If you’re looking for Salzburg airport transfers, Shuttle Direct provide pre-booked shuttles to major destinations all over Europe. Wherever you travel, Shuttle Direct can make sure that you don’t miss your car on your holiday abroad.