salzburg - two nights or three?
I am going to western europe May and have my itinerary almost prepared. I am thinking of spending 3 nights in vienna and then taking a train to Salzburg, arriving there late afternoon. What I am trying to figure out is whether to spend 3 night there or 2 night and then go somewhere else for a night before I take a train to switzerland.
Any suggestions would be helpful.
Also, any moderately priced hotel recommendation? City center would be ideal but I don't mind staying outside and taking bug everday.
Many thanks!
megan
palo alto, usa 4/3/08
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We liked the Hotel Bergland which is about a 10 minute walk from the old town:
http://www.berglandhotel.at/
It is in a residential area close to restaurants and shopping. Nice folks and a good breakfast.
2 or 3 nights depends on your style of travel. We like walks, cafes, eating out and sights. Salzburg could keep us busy for three nights. If you are more focused than us, 2 nights may do it.
Regards, Gary
http://www.ente.at/
Hi Megan, ... see the hotel at above link. It's right in the center of Salzburg's Alt Stadt... the rooms and the restaurant are memories you would treasure... historic place, too. You should make a reservation. ... Gute Reise!.. P.
pension eliabeth in salzburg very close to train 10 min walk. inexpensive. 3 nights and than you could vist hallstat and bad ischl. www.pension-elisabeth.at
My daughter,15, and I spent two nights in Salzburg last summer,then on to Vienna. We also liked the Bergland Hotel, easy walking to all the sights. Three nights would allow a day trip to Berchtesgaden, which is about 22 km away and can be reached by bus. Very scenic area.
Three nights would give you 2 full days in Salzburg. We were there for a week many years ago, and found lots of wonderful things to do. There are a number of advertised concerts you could enjoy in the evening. The castle is fabulous -- the walk along the top of the hill and back into the city is well worth exploring. There are a number of museums that we felt were worth our time. Just walking the streets and exploring some of the markets, shops, churches, and gardens are interesting. Salzburg is a beautiful city -- I would spend some time there.
Two nights in Salzburg is enough - more than enough if you plan on staying only in town. The countryside is full of 'have-to visits', so you are forewarned. The ice caves at Werfen and near Hallstadt, salt mines to ride through, the entire Salzkammergut, and hikes nearby. In Bad Ischl the gondola will transport you right into Alpine paradise.
My tip for lodging - don't stay in Salzburg. It's pricy and over-booked. Instead stay in a nearby town with good bus transportation. I put up my friends at the Gschirnwirt in Eugendorf b. Salzbg., just northeast (www.gschirn.at) and they loved it.
We have reservations at the hotel Perry recommended and after much research I feel it is going to be wonderful. We will be staying there next weekend and will be back hone on the 27th, I will update you on our stay then.
My wife and I stayed 2 nights and could have stayed longer. But there were too many other things we wanted to experience. Either way, you're good.
I spent three nights--Friday through Sunday--and it was just right. Do try to catch a concert. And, if you are a Sound of Music fan (and even if you're not) the SOM tour was great fun. Just take the Bob's tour that Rick Steves recommends. It's a small van vs. a big bus. The luge ride was great and you see some of the countryside. I stayed at the Rick Steves recommended Goldene Krone and it was fine. You can walk to everything from there.
Pam
I am also planning a trip for Sept. to Vienna, Salzburg and Prague. Instead of leaving in the morning from Vienna to Salzburg (and thus missing a half day of sightseeing), I'm taking a 5:40 p.m. train that gets me into Salzburg at around 8:30. That leaves us two full days in Salzburg. I plan to buy food in Vienna and have dinner on the train. We're staying at the Weisse Taube in the Old City.
okay megan, here's where you have to do a little soul-searching and decide what is best for you . . .
Vienna is the cultured city scene with very cool things to do. You could spend a month in Vienna and barely touch the surface.
On the way to Salzberg Melk and Krems are worth a visit, so that might be a great distraction for a few days . . .
As previous posters have mentioned, the countryside around Salzburg has many attractions - salt mines, lakes, Halstatt, and on, and on, and on.
There is lots to do in Salzburg to, but depending on when you visit, Salzburg is the tourist traps to end all tourist traps - you will either love it or hate it. But you must see it, because there is great stuff to see, but maybe only a day . . .
So you need to decide - do you want mainline tourist stuff? Country sights? Mountain experience? Hordes of tourists? Laid back? Culture?
Having said all that, the bus system in Salzburg is great.
Hi Megan,
... On our first visit to Salzburg, we had planned a three-day visit. We happened to find a brochure prepared in English by the official Tourist Bureau, we think, which happened to be called THREE DAYS IN SALZBURG. It covered many attractions, of course, and on a day-by-day, not-too-much-any-one-day, basis. That was long ago, but maybe it's still available at the Salzburg Visitors Bureau. If not, a person with your ingenuity could, no doubt, figure out what to do with those 3 days. One of the things we enjoyed a lot was visiting the little castle (with outside restaurant/ garden) up on top of Kapuzinerberg (it's the mountain directly across the Salzach river from the Hohensalzburg (Salzburg castle)). You don't need to hike up, necessarily, though we've done it twice. You can get a taxi to drive you to the top. Anyway, have a good time in Salzburg!.... P