Are you dreaming of a family trip to Salzburg, Austria in the winter or summer?
You can't go wrong with either time — I promise. We’ve visited Saltzburg with our littles during both seasons, and I have to say it’s a tough choice… both are great seasons in Salzburg!
The Case for Summer (or Spring):
On the one hand, you can see the Mirabell Gardens in their full, blooming glory. You can tour the Hellbrunn Palace, and enjoy getting splashed by the famous trick fountains (during wintertime it would be too cold). Our daughter, just over one at the time, was mesmerized by their intricate fountains. Also another fun family excursion? Walking up to the top of Fortress Hohensalzberg (the castle is worth exploring, plus the views are top-notch). You can take a funicular up and down as well (called the "FestungsBahn") if you're not in the mood for a trek.
For families with older kids (ours have been too little to appreciate it), you might want to check out a Sound of Music tour. My sister and I did one when we were in our early 20s, and had a surprisingly fun time!
You could also pair a Salzburg trip with a visit to one of the nearby lakes. We went to Zell am See after exploring Salzburg, but there are also so many other lakes in the region worth checking out (my parents, for example, love Lake Hallstatt).
The Case for Winter:
Two words: Christmas markets. Also, the last time we went over winter, there was snow blanketing the town, which made it magical. But brrr was it cold, so if you do go in the chilly season, be sure to bring your thick winter coat.
You can still go up to the fortress (in the winter, I would just go up with the FestungsBahn in case the road is slippery). You can also do a Sound of Music tour, but you might just not want to get out of the bus as much (if it's super cold!).
You can also combine a winter Salzburg trip with either a ski/snowboard excursion (there are a number of nearby mountains — including at Zell am See) or head to Munich (just over an hour away by train) for more Christmas Markets.
How we got there: What's great about visiting Salzburg is that it's just so easy to get there from Munich (as I mentioned, it's only about a one-hour train ride away). You could rent a car, but you really don't need one to get around. Now, if you're coming from Vienna by train you'll arrive in a little less than three hours.
Where we stayed: When we went in the summer, we stayed at an apartment rental right by the Mirabell Gardens. I would recommend an apartment rental if you're traveling with a baby or toddler in the spring or summer (our place had a deck, and we could enjoy the views once our daughter was asleep). When we went back a few years later in the winter we stayed at the Sheraton Grand Salzburg. It was lovely, but if it's your first time in Salzburg and you want a "cutesy" vibe, I would suggest staying right in the heart of town. My sister and I, in our 20s, splurged on a stay at the Hotel Goldener Hirsch, which had all the charm and boutique aesthetic.
So what’s your vote, summer or winter in Salzburg? Or both? And to see our trip in real life, here's my reel below on Instagram @biworld_littletravelers.
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