At this year’s TRAVELBOOK AWARD 2025, Austria’s most beautiful old town was also chosen. Salzburg received the most votes, landing it in first place. Find out here why Salzburg’s old town made it to the top and what there is to see.
The Historic Center is a World Heritage Site
The Austrian city of Salzburg is located very close to the German border and at the foot of the Eastern Alps. The city, or rather the historic center, is divided into two halves by the Salzach River. The part of the old town on the left bank is the older section and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This includes the Kaiviertel, the Festungsberg, and the Mönchsberg.
Many associate Salzburg primarily with one of the world’s most famous composers: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. He was born in Salzburg. His birthplace, now a museum, is also located in the old town on Getreidegasse.
What Makes Salzburg’s Old Town So Special
In 1996, Salzburg’s historic old town was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It covers an area of 237 hectares, with around 1,000 protected objects in this area. The preservation of this cultural heritage is taken very seriously by the people of Salzburg. The protection of the World Heritage Site is even enshrined in the city’s constitution.
What makes Salzburg’s old town so special is not only its historical and cultural heritage but also its location. Against a picturesque backdrop of mountains right by the river, you can stroll through the historic alleys and admire numerous churches and old buildings. Just the view up to the Hohensalzburg Fortress, which towers above the roofs of the baroque old town on the Festungsberg, is a special highlight when visiting Salzburg.
A Visit to the Historic Old Town of Salzburg
When visiting Salzburg’s old town, it’s best to let yourself be carried through the historic center on foot. There’s something to see at every corner. Particularly popular is the birthplace of the musical prodigy, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. He spent his childhood and youth on the third floor of the building. The first museum was opened there in 1880. Over the years, it has been continuously expanded, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the 18th century. The apartment has been reconstructed, and there are original documents, letters, and memorabilia documenting Mozart’s life in Salzburg.
Mozart’s birthplace is located on Getreidegasse, which is also worth a visit. The alley is characterized by so-called Durchhäuser. Thanks to them, you can quickly take a shortcut through one of the passages. The Durchhäuser are decorated with inscriptions, engraved house marks, and coats of arms of former residents. A real highlight awaits at Getreidegasse 3. According to the Salzburg Tourism Office website, a whale rib hangs from the ceiling there, with a small dried shark hanging from it. It is a remnant of the colonial goods trade that was already established there in the 14th century.
The historic Getreidegasse is worth a visit
Salzburg is also known as the “Rome of the North”–the reason being the numerous churches in the old town. If you want to see them all and learn more about their history, you can participate in a special city walk. On the so-called church tour, you can learn more about the churches and monasteries.
If you want to walk in the footsteps of the UNESCO World Heritage, the ideal starting point is at Domplatz. This is located directly in front of Salzburg Cathedral in the heart of the baroque old town. Among the numerous churches in Salzburg, the cathedral with its mighty dome and two towers is the most significant sacred building in the city. Inside the cathedral is the bronze baptismal font where Mozart was once baptized. Domplatz is also the setting for the popular Christmas market and the “Jedermann” of the Salzburg Festival every year.
Salzburg Cathedral is a real highlight when visiting
A special highlight is also Mirabell Palace and its associated Mirabell Gardens. The entire complex is a listed monument and is also part of the UNESCO World Heritage. The palace now houses the offices of the mayor and city administration. The Marble Hall, the former banquet hall of the prince-archbishop, is worth seeing. It is considered one of the most beautiful wedding halls in the world. The garden is worth a visit in almost any season. Historical sculptures, vases and fountains, labyrinths, ornaments, and thousands of blooming flowers create a baroque atmosphere.
The perfect baroque atmosphere is offered by Mirabell Gardens
If you want to see the city from above, you can do so from the Mönchsberg, which rises in the middle of the old town. Its highest point measures 508 meters–but it is much more than just a viewpoint. For locals and tourists, it is a recreational area thanks to numerous green spaces and forest paths. The Museum of Modern Art is also located on the Mönchsberg.
From the Mönchsberg, you have a wonderful view over Salzburg’s old town
If you want to stroll a bit, you should visit Linzer Gasse. It is considered the main artery of the right Salzburg old town. It existed already in Roman times and was the most important road leading out towards Linz and Vienna. After a fire in 1818, the historic townhouses from the 14th and 15th centuries were almost completely restored. In addition to traditional crafts, international fashion chains can now be found in the alley. From Linzer Gasse, you can take an old staircase up to the Kapuzinerberg–from there, you have an incomparable view over the old town.
Methodology for the TRAVELBOOK AWARD
Salzburg can thus celebrate the TRAVELBOOK AWARD in this category. However, we say it every year: All nominated regions, countries, and others for the TRAVELBOOK AWARD are already winners. Even if they didn’t achieve overall victory. Because: Every country had already made it to the shortlist beforehand–meaning it was selected from a large number of contenders in a category.
The TRAVELBOOK editorial team asked the community on Facebook and Instagram for help and consulted experts from the travel industry to create the shortlist. TRAVELBOOK readers then cast nearly 150,000 votes and chose their trend travel destinations for 2026.
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