Salzburg is much more than just the city of Mozart and the Sound of Music. The state of Salzburg has a diverse landscape, that works well as both a winter and summer travel destination.
Even though the city of Salzburg catches much of the limelight and attracts masses of tourists, the state of itself, colloquially called SalzburgerLand, also has bountiful attractions. Among skiers and snowboarders, SalzburgerLand is already firmly on the map as a winter destination. Travellers arriving in the summer have discovered the beautiful lakes in the north of the state and hiking on the spectacular Almenweg, among other highlights.
Diverse landscape
Most of SalzburgerLand is pure alpine scenery. The state’s highest mountain is Grossvenediger, 3662 metres / 12014 ft. Furthermore, it can also brag about having the longest and deepest gorge in Austria, Liechtensteinklamm. Nonetheless, not all of the state is mountains. North of Salzburg city, the landscape takes a gentler approach. First, rolling hills gradually ease onto the plains that continue into Germany.
Winter sports
During the winter months, December to April, the ski resorts attract winter sports fans from all over the world. We could make a long list of known and lesser-known ski resorts in SalzburgerLand. For example, check out Filzmoos, a brilliant winter destination for families. Some places even allow you to ski in the summer, such as the high-altitude ski resort at Kitzsteinhorn, which has a glacier to keep the skiers happy. When most of the snow has melted, hikers venture out on easy, middle, or advanced hiking trails. Besides that, you will find an opportunity to enjoy almost any kind of outdoor adventure that you could think of.
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A hiker’s paradise
There are simply countless choices of hiking trails in the state. From easy scenic walks in the lake district north of Salzburg to high-altitude routes for seasoned hikers. Common for all of these hikes – they are balsam for your body, soul and spirit. Well-marked trails combined with easy access and a plenitude of accommodation make it easy for you to get the best out of a hiking vacation in Salzburgerland.
Silent Night
In contrast to SalzburgerLand’s untamed alpine nature, there are also umpteen more gentle attractions worth a visit. The tranquil lakes Wallersee, Obertrumer See, Mattsee and Grabensee in Salzburger Seenland, are lovely places, perfect for a few days of swimming, golfing and relaxation. The Christmas carol Silent Night, written by Franz Xaver Gruber with lyrics by Joseph Mohr, was first time performed on Christmas Eve 1818 in the town of Oberndorf. Today you can visit a memorial chapel on the site, where the carol became a Christmas icon. The church itself was destroyed by floods in the 1890s.
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Steeped in history
The state of Salzburg(erLand) has a long and proud history and has managed very well on its own. The state used to be an independent prince-bishopric for more than 400 years until it was annexed by Austria in 1805. SalzburgerLand’s location in Central Europe has many times put it on the centre stage of turbulent European history. As a result of this, the state has an abundance of mediaeval castles. Many castles, such as Burg Mauterndorf and Burg Hohenwerfen, are well-preserved and give visitors a congenial look into life in the Middle Ages.
The city of Salzburg
Mozart’s birthplace, the state capital of SalzburgerLand and one of central Europe’s most visited cities is an obligatory destination. Beyond its architecture, historical sights and cultural heritage, Salzburg has an exceptional natural backdrop. Situated on the banks of the river Salzach at the foothills of the Alps, is nothing but picture postcard perfect. Nonetheless, to do the city justice, you need to spend at least three days. Otherwise, you’ll just run around headless, seeing just bits and glimpses, of the marvellous city.
For more info, check out this link: SalzburgerLand Tourism
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