The city is serviced by comprehensive rail connections, with frequent east-west trains servicing Vienna, Munich, Innsbruck, and Zürich, including daily high-speed ICE services. The city also acts as a hub for south-bound trains through the Alps into Italy. Salzburg Airport has scheduled flights to European cities such as Frankfurt, Vienna, London, Amsterdam and Zürich, as well as Dublin and Charleroi.

In addition to these, there is an even greater number of charter flights. In the main city there is a trolleybus and bus system with more than 20 lines and service every 10 minutes. Salzburg also has an S-Bahn system with four Lines (S1, S2, S3, and S11); trains depart from the main station every 30 minutes. Suburb line number S1 reaches the world famous Silent Night chapel in Bergdorf in about 25 minutes. Although you can buy simple single journeys for trips on local transport (mainly buses), the Tourist Information Centers (at the main station or dotted around the city) also offer a Salzburg Card.

This card allows you unlimited use of the local public transport as well as including free admission to various attractions including Salzburg’s zoo! Other attractions are available at a reduced rate and these include many local tours and organized excursions. (more…)

The Salzburg Card is highly recommended for visitors as it allows for unlimited public transportation, admission into several of the city’s main attractions, and discounts at various places.

By Air

The Salzburg Airport W.A. Mozart is located 2 miles southwest of the city centre. The Airport has regularly scheduled domestic and international flight.

Train

The Salzburg Hauptbahnhof, Salzburg’s mail rail station is on many of the major European rail lines with trains running through from several domestic and international destinations. Salzburg is served by IC Inter City and Euro City train services. Regular trains arrive daily from places including Vienna, Innsbruck and Munich. (more…)

By Bus/Tram

The city buses and trams provide quick, comfortable service through the city center from the Nonntal parking lot to Sigsmundsplatz, the city-center parking lot. Buses stop running at 11pm. Travelers can get a direct shuttle bus from Munich International Airport to Salzburg. The city itself is served by an extensive network of public buses including a limited night service. The bus station is situated opposite the main railway station.

By Car

Driving a car in Salzburg is definitely not recommended. In most places it’s impossible, since the monumental landmark center is for pedestrians only. Public parking lots — designated with a large P — are conveniently located throughout the city. If you’re driving into Salzburg, leave your car on the left bank of the Salzach River. You’ll find convenient underground parking lots like the one at Monchsberg, from which it’s an easy walk to the center and Domplatz.

By Taxi and Horse-Drawn Cab

You’ll find taxi stands scattered at key points all over the city center and in the suburbs. A “traditional taxi” — a Fiaker (horse-drawn cab) — will provide you with not only a ride, but a bit of history of the region as well. You can also rent a Fiaker at Residenplatz.
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Salzburg’s economy is strongly export-oriented, especially exports to the member countries of the EU. For many years Salzburg’s economy has occupied a leading position in Austria. On a European scale the province is one of the most dynamic regions.

In a recent survey of European regions Salzburg is listed as one of the top locations for investments. The above-average level of economic performance is reflected in the data on economic performance.

From 1995 to 2002 the Gross Regional Product of Salzburg has risen on an average of 3.5 per cent as opposed to the overall Austrian GNP of 3.3 per cent. In 2002 the Gross Regional Product of Salzburg reached 15.97 billion Euro.

Salzburg is at the Northern edge of the Alps and has a typical Central European climate with hot summers up to almost 40 degrees Celsius and cold winters down to minus 20 degrees Celsius.

So most of the year Salzburg has moderate weather conditions and should not keep you from planning your trip at pretty much anytime. Summers are warm and pleasant, although rainy days are common. Winters are cold, temperatures hovering just above or below freezing, with plentiful snow.

Maria Plain: church of pilgrimage

A church of pilgrimage and a Baroque gem in the outskirts of the city. Easily accessible by public bus, Maria Plain is the ideal destination for a quick trip.

Kleßheim Castle

A Baroque castle near the city that now hosts a Casino.

Liefering Parish Church

A mix of Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque art accumulates to this remarkable church North of the city. Easy to get to by car or public bus.

Glasenbachklamm: Hiking among fossils

Going by city bus only doesn’t keep you from proper hiking: The Glasenbachklamm Canyon is a beautiful piece of wilderness just outside of the city and a geological adventure. (more…)

Salzburg’s long history can be traced back to the Stone Age - but only in Baroque times it got really exciting! Here you will find a timeline with the most outstanding key events. Maybe you would also be interested in browsing the list of the Prince Archbishops. The first signs of settlements within today’s city limit date as far back as to Neolithic times. However, the first actual city that merged smaller Celtic communities was founded by Romans in 15 BC and named Iuvavum.

Traces of human settlements have been found in the area, dating to the Neolithic Age; probably it was later a Celt camp. Starting from 15 BCE, the small communities were grouped into a single town, which was named by the Romans as Juvavum. A municipium, from 45 CE it became one of the most important cities in the province of Noricum. Juvavum declined sharply after the collapse of the Norican frontier, such that by the late 7th century it had become a “near ruin”.

The Life of Saint Rupert credits the saint with the city’s rebirth. When Theodo of Bavaria asked Rupert to become bishop c. 700, Rupert reconnoitered the river for the site of his basilica. Rupert chose Juvavum, ordained priests, and annexed the manor Piding. Rupert named the city “Salzburg”, and then left to evangelize among the pagans. The name Salzburg literally means “Salt Castle”, and derives its name from the barges carrying salt on the Salzach river, which were subject to a toll in the 8th century, as was customary for many communities and cities on European rivers. The Festung Hohensalzburg, the city’s fortress, was built in 1077 and expanded during the following centuries. Independence from Bavaria was secured in the late 14th century.

After the Roman Empire came to decay, Iuvavum was abandoned and fell into ruins. A monastery is documented from the 5th century, but it wasn’t until St. Rupert received the ruins as a present in 699 AD from the Duke of Bavaria that the city went uphill. Rupert became the city’s bishop, launched St. Peter’s Abbey and is until today the patron saint of Salzburg. The name Salzburg is documented since 755 AD. In 1077, work on the Fortress started. In 1166 a dispute between the archbishop of Salzburg and the German Emperor Barbarossa peaked in an arson that destroyed most of the city. (more…)

Salzburg is on the banks of the Salzach River, at the northern boundary of the Alps. The mountains to Salzburg’s south contrast with the rolling plains to the north. The closest alpine peak – the 1972 m Untersberg – is only a few kilometers from the city center. The Altstadt, or “old town”, is dominated by its baroque towers and churches and the massive Festung Hohensalzburg.

This area is surrounded by two smaller mountains, the Monchsberg and Kapuzinerberg as the green lung of the city. Salzburg is approximately 150km (93.75mi) east of Munich, Germany, and 300km (187.5mi) west of Vienna. The city itself is dominated by the river Salzach and the woodened hills. Rumor has it, that Salzburg is built on seven hills - just like Rome. In fact, Salzburg is often described as the most “Italian” city north of the Alps, since its architectural heritage often resembles Italian baroque.

In geographical terms, the hills are a bonus for their scenic forests, that provide visitors with stunning views - most prominently the Kapuzinerberg, the Mönchsberg, the Rainberg and of course the Festungsberg with Salzburg’s mighty fortress on the mountain top.

Salzburg is the fourth-largest city in Austria and the capital of the federal state of Salzburg. Salzburg’s “Old Town” with its world famous baroque architecture is one of the best-preserved city centers in the German-speaking world, and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. The city is noted for its Alpine setting.

It is the birthplace of Mozart and the setting for parts of the musical and film The Sound of Music. Salzburg is also a student city, with three universities. The city of Salzburg is nestled between two mountains Kapuzinerberg and Monchsberg and the River Salzach. It is a picturesque city with small alleyways, quaint colorful town houses, rich castles and palaces, with styled gardens and a large number of churches and monasteries.

The Fortress of Hohensalzburg, a 900 year old building which cannot be missed, is considered to be the most well-maintained Medieval Fortress in Europe. St. Sebastian is the city’s most impressive church, built in the Gothic style, with a well-tended cemetery. The city of Salzburg displays proof of the wealth and power of the Archbishop and the Catholic Church and is today home to approximately 150.000 inhabitants. (more…)

Upper Austria enjoys a moderate continental climate: summers are warm and pleasant with cool nights, and winters are sunny, with snow levels high enough for widespread winter sports. Summers are warm and pleasant with cool nights, and winters are sunny, with snow levels high enough for widespread winter sports.

In Vienna and other low-lying cities temperatures during the day can get uncomfortably hot over July and August. Winters are cold, below freezing in January and February. The ski season in the Alps runs from December to April but the mountains are also popular with hikers and climbers over the summer when the weather is usually warm and bright.

May-November is an excellent time to tour Austria. October is particularly nice—there are fewer tourists and the lines are shorter for museums, etc. A sweater is generally needed for evenings, even in summer.
The temperature is considerably colder as you go higher in elevation. Winters are cold and often drizzly in Vienna, but in the mountains it’s the best time for skiing you can also ski on a glacier during the summer.

Braunau am Inn
Eferding
Freistadt
Gmunden
Grieskirchen
Kirchdorf an der Krems
Linz-Land
Perg
Ried im Innkreis
Rohrbach
Schärding
Steyr-Land
Urfahr-Umgebung
Vöcklabruck
Wels-Land

Like the rest of Austria, Upper Austria is predominantly Roman Catholic. Approximately 7.2% of the population is of foreign origin, 53% of which is from former Yugoslavia. Other minority groups include those of Greek and Turkish origin.

As of the last census, which took place in 2001, the population of Upper Austria is 1,376,797. To the right are historical population figures of the state. Austrians of German mother tongue, by far the country’s largest group, form 91.1% of Austria’s population. The remaining number of Austria’s people is of non-Austrian descent, many from surrounding countries, especially from the former East Bloc nations.

The Austrian federal states of Carinthia and Styria are home to a significant Slovenian minority with around 14,000 members Austrian census; unofficial numbers of Slovene groups speak of about 40,000). So-called guest workers and their descendants also form an important minority group in Austria. Around 20,000 Hungarians and 30,000 Croatians live in the east-most Bundesland, Burgenland.

The first reference to Oberosterreich appeared in 1264, discussing a region above the Enns River partitioned by King Ottokar II of Bohemia. Formally, it was called “Osterreich ob der Enns” (Austria above the river Enns). In 1490, the area was given a measure of independence in the form of status as a principality, but this was taken away in 1564 at the hands of the Hapsburgs.

In 1918, the name Oberösterreich was first formally used. When Austria was annexed by Adolf Hitler, Upper Austria became the Reichsgau of Oberdonau. After 1945, it reverted to its earlier name.

Upper Austria was separated from Lower Austria during the reign of King Ottokar II Premysl. From 1489 to 1493 the Habsburg Emperor Frederick III ruled the Holy Roman Empire from Linz. The Mondseeland region was acquired in 1504. The Inverted became part of Upper Austria after the War of Bavarian Succession in 1779. Since then the province has existed within its present borders. It was given the name Upper Austria in 1919.

Today’s Republic of Austria is a small country located in the center of Europe. The origins of present-day Austria can be traced far back into history. The country has been populated since pre-historic times, and numerous peoples have passed through it.

As a nation at the heart of Europe, Austria has had its full share of the continent’s history, including the suffering. Over the centuries it developed from a border region into a powerful empire and a multinational entity which collapsed at the end of the First World War.

Upper Austria one of the nine states or Bund slander of Austria. Its capital is Linz. Upper Austria borders on Germany and the Czech Republic, as well as on the other Austrian states of Lower Austria, Styria, and Salzburg. With an area of 11,980 km² and 1.3 million inhabitants, Upper Austria is the fourth largest Austrian state by land area and third largest by population.

Upper Austria is Gentle hilly landscapes covered in mysterious forest, gushing rivers meander through romantic valleys, fruitful plains with blooming meadows and corn fields. In the south and southeast majestic mountains rise up into the sky and frame crystal-clear seas.

Upper Austria is drained by the Danube River and three of its tributaries, the Inn, the Inns, and the Traun, and includes a large part of the Salzkammergut resort area. Agriculture is still an important branch of the economy, with dairy farming and cattle breeding being the most important.

There are salt mines, oil wells, and gas fields in the region and a large number of electric power stations. Industry is centered at Linz, Steyr, the Traun and Ager valleys, and Ranshofen. Manufactures include chemicals, iron and steel, aluminum, processed foods, motors, trucks, ships, beer, agricultural machinery, sports equipment, shoes, optical utensils, and textiles.

The area of Upper Austria was included in the Roman province of Noricum. In 1156 it was made a duchy by Frederick I and given to the Babenberg dukes of Austria. The province was invaded by the Turks in the 16th cent. It was a site of battles during the Thirty Years War (1618-48) and during the campaigns of Napoleon.

Geography of Carinthia

The federal province Carinthia is Austria’s southern-most province. It is the only one that is located in the south of the main alpine mountain range. In the west it borders on East Tirol, in the north on Salzburg Province and on Styria, in the east on Styria and in the south on Slovenia and Italy.

As Carinthia has an expanse of 9,533 km², it is ranked fifth among the Austrian provinces. Approximately 90,000 of the 550,000 citizens of Carinthia live in Klagenfurt, the provincial capital. The province is divided into the following 8 districts: Feldkirchen, Hermagor, Klagenfurt-Land, St. Veit an der Glan, Spittal an der Drau, Villach-Land, Völkermarkt and Wolfsburg. It is also divided into two cities with their own statutes which are Klagenfurt and Villach as well as into 131 municipalities.

The region Carinthia has deeply fissured rock and is surrounded by mountains: in the west and in the north by the Hohen Tauern mountains and by the Gurktal alps, in the south by the Carnic Alps and the Karawanken mountains and in the east by the Pack and the Koralpe Alps. The main river of Carinthia, the Drau river, runs through the region from the west to the east and divides it into Upper and Lower Carinthia. The most important affluents are: Möll, Lieser, Gail, Gurk and Lavant.

In Carinthia there are 1,270 lakes including the mountain lakes. The largest and most important swimming lakes are the Wörther See lake, the Millstatter See lake, the Ossiacher See lake as well as the Weißensee lake, the Faaker See lake, the Keutschacher See lake and the Klopeiner See lake.
The Hohe Tauern national park and the Nockberge national park as well as the numerous nature reserves which were founded in order to maintain the old cultural areas, the beauty of the landscape and the specialities are also worth mentioning.