Salzburg is the fourth largest city in Austria and is located on the banks of the Salzach River. It touches the northern boundaries of the Alps. The city has rolling plains in the north and mountains in the south. The closest alpine peak is the Untersberg. The city has a population of 210 thousand people.
Salzburg is the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the composer. His birth house is turned into a public museum. Salzburg is also the setting for parts of the musical and film the Sound of Music. Film fan might recognizes the water gardens of Hellbrunn Castle and some sections of the gardens of the 17th century palace Schloss Mirabell. Salzburg has many beautiful attractions of kitsch and class.
The center of the city, the Altstadt or “Old Town”, is known for its world famous baroque architecture. The center is listed as a UNECO World Heritage Site. It is a pretty compact city, so you can easily walk from one point to another. Walking through the city you will come across baroque towers, churches and mansions. There is also the massive fortress Festung Hohensalzburg and many museums.
Travelers to Salzburg need a valid passport. A visa is only necessary for stays of more than 90 days. In the surroundings of the city you can visit the ice caves or salt mines, the Silent Night Chapel in small city Oberndof or the mountains of the Alps.