Known as one of the world’s oldest Advent markets, the Salzburg Christmas market is one of the best to enjoy during December in Europe. In fact, the city of Salzburg, Austria is considered a jewel within the Austrian Alps.
In the late 15th Century, the “Tandlmarkt” was held in Salzburg’s Cathedral Square to celebrate Christmas. The name was then changed to the Nikolaimark or the Saint Nicholas’ Market in the 17th Century. Overall, it opens on the first Sunday of Advent and closes on January 1.
Just like the German Christmas markets, the Austrian Christmas markets are similar where they feature wooden chalet stands, heartwarming glühwein, smoked bratwursts, hand-made souvenirs and more!
Overall, Salzburg at Christmas is magical and I was able to truly experience it in December 2018. Before visiting Salzburg, Austria, I enjoyed the German Christmas markets in Munich, Germany. After spending 2 days in Salzburg, I then made my way to Budapest, Hungary and ended my time exploring the Christmas markets in Bratislava, Slovakia and Vienna Austria. In addition, I also got to enjoy a day trip to Hallsatt from Salzburg.
In this article, discover all the best things to do during the Christkindlmarkt season in Salzburg, Austria.
**Please note that this blog post uses affiliate links meaning that if you make a purchase via my affiliate link, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only promote and talk about products and services that I have used and like.
Pin the Below Image to Keep Handy
Where to Stay in Salzburg for Christmas:
Throughout the city of Salzburg, Austria there are a lot of great hotels for all budgets as well as rental properties and hostels to stay at.
Whenever I travel, I always enjoy staying in accommodations that are closer to the heart of the city and where all the action takes place. During the Salzburg Xmas market season, it is best to stay in and around the Old Town since everything is in walking distance.
Below are my recommendations on the best hotels near the Salzburg Christmas market:
Luxury Accommodation: Hotel Sacher Salzburg
Boutique Accommodation: Hotel am Dom
Mid-Budget Accommodation: Hotel Wolf
Budget Accommodation: Yoho International Youth Hostel
Traveling around Salzburg for Christmas:
Traveling to Salzburg for the Christmas markets is easy. Since Salzburg is located near the Austria-German border, I took the train from Munich Hauptbahnhof to Salzburg Hauptbahnhof (main train station). The train ride was less than two hours.
There is an airport in Salzburg called Salzburg Airport W.A. Mozart. This specific airport is known as the gateway to Austria’s renowned ski resorts. Two other airports to fly into, if you plan to visit the Salzburg Christmas markets are Munich International Airport and Innsbruck Airport. You can find affordable flights through Skyscanner!
Once you’re in the city of Salzburg for Christmas, the best way to get around is by either walking or talking the Trolleybus es in Salzburg. Overall, it is easy to take the trolleybus in Salzburg and all you really need is a map to see which lines to take around the city. The trolleybus stops at every major area in Salzburg and it even goes into some residential neighborhoods.
If you plan to do a road trip during your time in Austria and want to visit secluded, hidden gems, it is best to rent a car!
Christmas Markets in Salzburg, Austria 2022
From my personal experience, the Christmas market in Salzburg was one of the most beautiful! The language spoken in Austria is German, so just like every xmas market in Germany, the one in this lovely city is referred to as the Christkindlmarkt Salzburg!
The Salzburg Christmas market dates for 2022 are from November 17 to January 1. The main markets are located at the Dom and Residenzplatz. At these wooden stalls, that spread throughout the heart of the city, you can purchase traditional foods like pretzels, gingerbread cookies, wursts, homemade chocolates and glühwein along with artisanal crafts and toys like dolls.
If you’re wondering what to buy at the Salzburg Christmas market, I suggest getting a Christmas ornament to remind you of your magical experience in the Austrian Alps, wood carving décor for souvenirs, wool items to keep you warm during the winter and, of course, all of the delicious food!
What makes Salzburg extra special during Advent season (the days leading up to Christmas Day) is that it was the location of where the Christmas song Silent Night was written by John Mohr.
The market itself is also located around Hohensalzburg Fortress, near the Cathedral of Salzburg. It’s stunning and you will hear the choir sing carols as you stroll through the market with your glühwein.
You can find other Salzburg Christmas markets situated around the Old Town. I also found markets in the Hellbrunn courtyard, Mirabell Square and other parts of the city.
Things to do in Salzburg at Christmas:
Visit Mozart’s Birthplace:
Prior to traveling to Salzburg for the Christmas markets, I had no idea that it was such a popular music city. Not only was Silent Night written in Salzburg, but the city is also the birthplace of Mozart!
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in 1756 in the “Hagenauer Haus” in the Old Town of Salzburg. Nowadays, the house that he was born in is one of the most visited museums in Austria!
When you enter Mozart’s Birthplace, you could take a walk through the original rooms. You can also see the original certificates, letters and memorabilia (such as a violin and clavichord) from Mozart’s life.
In addition to visiting Mozart’s Birthplace, you can enjoy a Mozart Dinner Concert!
Walk through Hohensalzburg Fortress:
A must see when visiting the Salzburg Christmas market is Hohensalzburg Fortress. This fully preserved fortress is located on a cliff that overlooks the entire Baroque city. You could either walk up to it, which I did, or ride the funicular to the top.
Once you make your way to the top, before you get to the fortress, take a moment to admire the gorgeous views of Salzburg and the surrounding Austrian Alps!
When you get to the fortress, you could see the medieval chambers and the museum, which holds artifacts from the prince-archbishops. In addition to immersing yourself in the history of Hohensalzburg Fortress, there is also a mini Christmas market to check out!
If you have time, get tickets to see a show at the Magical Theater as well.
See the Dom zu Salzburg:
One of the most iconic landmarks in Salzburg, by the Christmas market, is the beautiful Dom zu Salzburg, also known as the Cathedral of Salzburg. Overall, the cathedral has a stunning dome and two towers, which leaves a lasting impression on Salzburg’s skyline.
A few important facts about Dom zu Salzburg are that it was where Mozart and John Mohr (who wrote Silent Night) were baptized. The architecture of Salzburg’s cathedral shows a tribute to early Baroque. It’s a site you cannot miss out on seeing it during a Salzburg, Austria Christmas.
Enjoy The Sound of Music Museum:
The heartwarming movie of The Sound of Music was also taken place in and around Salzburg! If you were someone who grew up watching this classic like I did, then I recommend checking out the Sound of Music Museum in the city!
At this museum, you can watch video clips from the movie and check out artifacts from the Von Trapp family! In addition, you can also do a private day tour from Salzburg to the rural Alpine areas and smaller towns of where The Sound of Music movie took place.
Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to do this tour during my Christmas market trip to Salzburg, but I’d consider it when I travel back to the Austrian Alps in the future. (It’s an ideal tour to take during the warmer months!)
Get Lost in Salzburg Old Town:
One of the best things to do in Salzburg is to wander through the Old Town. The city itself is stunning, clean and safe during Advent season, it’s magical!
Salzburg in Christmas market season does a great job decorating the streets with festive decorations, lights and other stunning details. They also have alleyways that are dreamy! Throughout the Old Town are a lot of boutique shops to enjoy.
Best Places to Eat in Salzburg, Austria:
In addition to the Christmas market, there are a lot of great restaurants to enjoy in Salzburg. From authentic Austrian-German food to Italian cuisine and more, you will not go wrong with the restaurants in this beautiful city!
Below are the restaurants I ate at during my time in Salzburg at Christmas:
Zum Zirkelwirt (Austrian-German Restaurant): This amazing and authentic Austrian-German restaurant is situated five minutes from the main Salzburg Christmas market, by foot.
It’s situated in an adorable house and the staff is welcoming! During my evening at this cozy spot, I enjoyed an Austrian beer with a delicious chicken schnitzel salad with pumpkin oil. It was amazing!
Café Konditorei Fürst (Austrian Café): Located in the heart of Old Town Salzburg is the famous café that holds the Salzburger Mozartkugel. In 1890, Salzburg confectioner Paul Fürst created a treat that is known around the world. The Mozartkugel is made from marzipan and pistachio surrounded by nougat and dark chocolate. It’s delicious!
Not only could you enjoy a Mozartkugel at Café Konditorei Fürst, you can also savor their freshly baked cakes, homemade chocolates, coffee or a hot chocolate, which I had.
Trattoria La Stella (Italian Restaurant): On my second evening, I was in the mood for Italian food, so I enjoyed a delicious Margherita pizza from Trattoria La Stella, which is located in one of Salzburg’s squares in the Old Town.
Other great restaurants in Salzburg:
- Restaurant Brunnauer (Austrian Restaurant)
- Balkan Grill (Bosnian Restaurant)
- Bärenwirt (Austrian Restaurant)
- Gasthaus Hinterbrühl (German Restaurant)
- M32 (Mediterranean Restaurant)
I hope you all enjoyed discovering the best things to do in Salzburg during Christmas market season. If you have any questions, please email me at info@browneyedflowerchild.com.
Basic Facts of Austria:
Currency: Euro, Capital: Vienna, Time Zone: Central European Standard Time
*Anything could happen during your travels. Always make sure you are insured in case there are unforeseen circumstances such as lost luggage/theft, natural disasters, personal liabilities and more. Click here to get insured for your next trip.
In addition, a great and secure luggage storage to utilize during your summer Europe trip is Nannybag! It is easy to use; all you do is download the Nannybag app, type in the city that you will be visiting and when you plan to arrive and depart. At a small cost per luggage, Nannybag will list the stores, restaurants or hotels where you could drop your bag off at the city you are visiting.
Nannybag is also insured against theft, loss and breakage. It’s a convenient way to store your bags when you are traveling from one city to the next in Europe.
Shop my Salzburg Look:
Click here to shop my Poshmark closet!
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Where to Stay in NYC at Christmas: 14 New York Hotels
6 Best Christmas Markets in Zurich, Switzerland
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Leave a Comment
Known as one of the world’s oldest Advent markets, the Salzburg Christmas market is one of the best to enjoy during December in Europe. In fact, the city of Salzburg, Austria is considered a jewel within the Austrian Alps.
In the late 15th Century, the “Tandlmarkt” was held in Salzburg’s Cathedral Square to celebrate Christmas. The name was then changed to the Nikolaimark or the Saint Nicholas’ Market in the 17th Century. Overall, it opens on the first Sunday of Advent and closes on January 1.
Just like the German Christmas markets, the Austrian Christmas markets are similar where they feature wooden chalet stands, heartwarming glühwein, smoked bratwursts, hand-made souvenirs and more!
Overall, Salzburg at Christmas is magical and I was able to truly experience it in December 2018. Before visiting Salzburg, Austria, I enjoyed the German Christmas markets in Munich, Germany. After spending 2 days in Salzburg, I then made my way to Budapest, Hungary and ended my time exploring the Christmas markets in Bratislava, Slovakia and Vienna Austria. In addition, I also got to enjoy a day trip to Hallsatt from Salzburg.
In this article, discover all the best things to do during the Christkindlmarkt season in Salzburg, Austria.
**Please note that this blog post uses affiliate links meaning that if you make a purchase via my affiliate link, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only promote and talk about products and services that I have used and like.
Pin the Below Image to Keep Handy
Where to Stay in Salzburg for Christmas:
Throughout the city of Salzburg, Austria there are a lot of great hotels for all budgets as well as rental properties and hostels to stay at.
Whenever I travel, I always enjoy staying in accommodations that are closer to the heart of the city and where all the action takes place. During the Salzburg Xmas market season, it is best to stay in and around the Old Town since everything is in walking distance.
Below are my recommendations on the best hotels near the Salzburg Christmas market:
Luxury Accommodation: Hotel Sacher Salzburg
Boutique Accommodation: Hotel am Dom
Mid-Budget Accommodation: Hotel Wolf
Budget Accommodation: Yoho International Youth Hostel
Traveling around Salzburg for Christmas:
Traveling to Salzburg for the Christmas markets is easy. Since Salzburg is located near the Austria-German border, I took the train from Munich Hauptbahnhof to Salzburg Hauptbahnhof (main train station). The train ride was less than two hours.
There is an airport in Salzburg called Salzburg Airport W.A. Mozart. This specific airport is known as the gateway to Austria’s renowned ski resorts. Two other airports to fly into, if you plan to visit the Salzburg Christmas markets are Munich International Airport and Innsbruck Airport. You can find affordable flights through Skyscanner!
Once you’re in the city of Salzburg for Christmas, the best way to get around is by either walking or talking the Trolleybus es in Salzburg. Overall, it is easy to take the trolleybus in Salzburg and all you really need is a map to see which lines to take around the city. The trolleybus stops at every major area in Salzburg and it even goes into some residential neighborhoods.
If you plan to do a road trip during your time in Austria and want to visit secluded, hidden gems, it is best to rent a car!
Christmas Markets in Salzburg, Austria 2022
From my personal experience, the Christmas market in Salzburg was one of the most beautiful! The language spoken in Austria is German, so just like every xmas market in Germany, the one in this lovely city is referred to as the Christkindlmarkt Salzburg!
The Salzburg Christmas market dates for 2022 are from November 17 to January 1. The main markets are located at the Dom and Residenzplatz. At these wooden stalls, that spread throughout the heart of the city, you can purchase traditional foods like pretzels, gingerbread cookies, wursts, homemade chocolates and glühwein along with artisanal crafts and toys like dolls.
If you’re wondering what to buy at the Salzburg Christmas market, I suggest getting a Christmas ornament to remind you of your magical experience in the Austrian Alps, wood carving décor for souvenirs, wool items to keep you warm during the winter and, of course, all of the delicious food!
What makes Salzburg extra special during Advent season (the days leading up to Christmas Day) is that it was the location of where the Christmas song Silent Night was written by John Mohr.
The market itself is also located around Hohensalzburg Fortress, near the Cathedral of Salzburg. It’s stunning and you will hear the choir sing carols as you stroll through the market with your glühwein.
You can find other Salzburg Christmas markets situated around the Old Town. I also found markets in the Hellbrunn courtyard, Mirabell Square and other parts of the city.
Things to do in Salzburg at Christmas:
Visit Mozart’s Birthplace:
Prior to traveling to Salzburg for the Christmas markets, I had no idea that it was such a popular music city. Not only was Silent Night written in Salzburg, but the city is also the birthplace of Mozart!
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in 1756 in the “Hagenauer Haus” in the Old Town of Salzburg. Nowadays, the house that he was born in is one of the most visited museums in Austria!
When you enter Mozart’s Birthplace, you could take a walk through the original rooms. You can also see the original certificates, letters and memorabilia (such as a violin and clavichord) from Mozart’s life.
In addition to visiting Mozart’s Birthplace, you can enjoy a Mozart Dinner Concert!
Walk through Hohensalzburg Fortress:
A must see when visiting the Salzburg Christmas market is Hohensalzburg Fortress. This fully preserved fortress is located on a cliff that overlooks the entire Baroque city. You could either walk up to it, which I did, or ride the funicular to the top.
Once you make your way to the top, before you get to the fortress, take a moment to admire the gorgeous views of Salzburg and the surrounding Austrian Alps!
When you get to the fortress, you could see the medieval chambers and the museum, which holds artifacts from the prince-archbishops. In addition to immersing yourself in the history of Hohensalzburg Fortress, there is also a mini Christmas market to check out!
If you have time, get tickets to see a show at the Magical Theater as well.
See the Dom zu Salzburg:
One of the most iconic landmarks in Salzburg, by the Christmas market, is the beautiful Dom zu Salzburg, also known as the Cathedral of Salzburg. Overall, the cathedral has a stunning dome and two towers, which leaves a lasting impression on Salzburg’s skyline.
A few important facts about Dom zu Salzburg are that it was where Mozart and John Mohr (who wrote Silent Night) were baptized. The architecture of Salzburg’s cathedral shows a tribute to early Baroque. It’s a site you cannot miss out on seeing it during a Salzburg, Austria Christmas.
Enjoy The Sound of Music Museum:
The heartwarming movie of The Sound of Music was also taken place in and around Salzburg! If you were someone who grew up watching this classic like I did, then I recommend checking out the Sound of Music Museum in the city!
At this museum, you can watch video clips from the movie and check out artifacts from the Von Trapp family! In addition, you can also do a private day tour from Salzburg to the rural Alpine areas and smaller towns of where The Sound of Music movie took place.
Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to do this tour during my Christmas market trip to Salzburg, but I’d consider it when I travel back to the Austrian Alps in the future. (It’s an ideal tour to take during the warmer months!)
Get Lost in Salzburg Old Town:
One of the best things to do in Salzburg is to wander through the Old Town. The city itself is stunning, clean and safe during Advent season, it’s magical!
Salzburg in Christmas market season does a great job decorating the streets with festive decorations, lights and other stunning details. They also have alleyways that are dreamy! Throughout the Old Town are a lot of boutique shops to enjoy.
Best Places to Eat in Salzburg, Austria:
In addition to the Christmas market, there are a lot of great restaurants to enjoy in Salzburg. From authentic Austrian-German food to Italian cuisine and more, you will not go wrong with the restaurants in this beautiful city!
Below are the restaurants I ate at during my time in Salzburg at Christmas:
Zum Zirkelwirt (Austrian-German Restaurant): This amazing and authentic Austrian-German restaurant is situated five minutes from the main Salzburg Christmas market, by foot.
It’s situated in an adorable house and the staff is welcoming! During my evening at this cozy spot, I enjoyed an Austrian beer with a delicious chicken schnitzel salad with pumpkin oil. It was amazing!
Café Konditorei Fürst (Austrian Café): Located in the heart of Old Town Salzburg is the famous café that holds the Salzburger Mozartkugel. In 1890, Salzburg confectioner Paul Fürst created a treat that is known around the world. The Mozartkugel is made from marzipan and pistachio surrounded by nougat and dark chocolate. It’s delicious!
Not only could you enjoy a Mozartkugel at Café Konditorei Fürst, you can also savor their freshly baked cakes, homemade chocolates, coffee or a hot chocolate, which I had.
Trattoria La Stella (Italian Restaurant): On my second evening, I was in the mood for Italian food, so I enjoyed a delicious Margherita pizza from Trattoria La Stella, which is located in one of Salzburg’s squares in the Old Town.
Other great restaurants in Salzburg:
- Restaurant Brunnauer (Austrian Restaurant)
- Balkan Grill (Bosnian Restaurant)
- Bärenwirt (Austrian Restaurant)
- Gasthaus Hinterbrühl (German Restaurant)
- M32 (Mediterranean Restaurant)
I hope you all enjoyed discovering the best things to do in Salzburg during Christmas market season. If you have any questions, please email me at info@browneyedflowerchild.com.
Basic Facts of Austria:
Currency: Euro, Capital: Vienna, Time Zone: Central European Standard Time
*Anything could happen during your travels. Always make sure you are insured in case there are unforeseen circumstances such as lost luggage/theft, natural disasters, personal liabilities and more. Click here to get insured for your next trip.
In addition, a great and secure luggage storage to utilize during your summer Europe trip is Nannybag! It is easy to use; all you do is download the Nannybag app, type in the city that you will be visiting and when you plan to arrive and depart. At a small cost per luggage, Nannybag will list the stores, restaurants or hotels where you could drop your bag off at the city you are visiting.
Nannybag is also insured against theft, loss and breakage. It’s a convenient way to store your bags when you are traveling from one city to the next in Europe.
Shop my Salzburg Look:
Click here to shop my Poshmark closet!
12 Comments
Hello! Were you in Hallstatt between the 24th to 26th of December (Christmas time)? I’m thinking of paying a visit over Christmas and wondering if it’s a good idea!
Hallstatt is so beautiful in the wintertime, we have been there last year as well! And we haven’t been in Salzburg yet, but it looks so beautiful on your photos, that now we’re also planning a visit there! 😀
Hi there! Your photos are so dreamy! My husband and I are planning to go to Salzburg and Hallstatt for 3 nights just to relax and enjoy the winter before we fly out to Hamburg for a wedding. We should be there 9th December or so, I was just wondering – Is it already snowing by then? I’d love to witness some snowfall so was just wondering if the time you visited was the same and if you did have the chance to experience snowfall. Thanks!
What a magical experience this looks like! There is nothing quite like a European Christmas, and your post and gorgeous images make me want to travel so much! Beautiful!
So cool you were here during X-mas! We were planning to go this year, but hey… it looks like such a dream!
Hi there! Loved your website!
Me and my family are planing to stay in Hallstatt from december 22 to 26. Do you know if restaurants are open during Christmas Eve night for us to have a Christmas dinner?
Leave a Comment
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Where to Stay in NYC at Christmas: 14 New York Hotels
Hello! Were you in Hallstatt between the 24th to 26th of December (Christmas time)? I’m thinking of paying a visit over Christmas and wondering if it’s a good idea!
Hi Judith, I was there the second week in December. Hallstatt doesn’t have a Christmas market, but it is so adorable and the perfect place to celebrate the holiday. Also if you are planning on visiting the European Christmas markets, I recommend going earlier since most of them end on Christmas Eve. 🙂
Hallstatt is so beautiful in the wintertime, we have been there last year as well! And we haven’t been in Salzburg yet, but it looks so beautiful on your photos, that now we’re also planning a visit there! 😀
Ah yes, I loved Hallstatt! Also Salzburg is so beautiful too. I stayed there for two days and did my day trip from there. 🙂
Hi there! Your photos are so dreamy! My husband and I are planning to go to Salzburg and Hallstatt for 3 nights just to relax and enjoy the winter before we fly out to Hamburg for a wedding. We should be there 9th December or so, I was just wondering – Is it already snowing by then? I’d love to witness some snowfall so was just wondering if the time you visited was the same and if you did have the chance to experience snowfall. Thanks!
Hi Simone,
Thank you so much! You’re going to love both Salzburg and Hallstatt. If you’re going to be in Hallstatt around December 9, there is a high chance you will see snow. I went around that time last year and it was a winter wonderland! You will probably see snow in Salzburg too since it is also in the mountains. 🙂
What a magical experience this looks like! There is nothing quite like a European Christmas, and your post and gorgeous images make me want to travel so much! Beautiful!
It sure was incredible Kerrin! Thank you! 🙂
So cool you were here during X-mas! We were planning to go this year, but hey… it looks like such a dream!
Yes, it was so amazing! I hope you get to go next year. 🙂
Hi there! Loved your website!
Me and my family are planing to stay in Hallstatt from december 22 to 26. Do you know if restaurants are open during Christmas Eve night for us to have a Christmas dinner?
Hi Clarissa, thank you! I don’t know exactly what restaurants host Christmas dinner since I wasn’t there exactly at Christmas. I would contact Seehotel Grunner Baum, Im Kainz, Das Kainz, Gasthof Simony, Restaurant zum Salzbaron, Gasthof Zauner to name a few.