If this all sounds like a dream to you, you’re in luck! As with any city, there are certainly tourist traps and pricey hotels, but we’re always happy to be a trusted friend, scoping out the best budget hotels for you — hotels that might be low in cost but don’t skimp on everything you’ve come to expect from a comfortable vacation.

Related: Our top picks for free (and cheap) things to do in Salzburg

Our favorite budget hotels in Salzburg

Here are our top budget hotel picks for Salzburg.

Pension Elisabeth

Neighborhood: Schallmoos
Doubles from $68

With a sun-soaked courtyard and leafy plants dotted all throughout the building, Pension Elisabeth is warm and welcoming, and it’s one of our favorite budget hotels in Salzburg. Simple rooms are clean and offer flat-screen televisions and free Wi-Fi. Save even more by booking a room with a shared bathroom, or “splurge” (the rates are still very cheapo-friendly) on an en suite room. We even spied rooms with balconies and views of the Alps! Let Pension Elisabeth welcome you to Salzburg.

The bar at Hotel Drei Kreuz.

Drei Kreuz

Neighborhood: Schallmoos
Doubles from $59

We won’t lie to you, the decor at Drei Kreuz is nothing to write home about. But rooms are still clean and offer everything you need for a comfortable trip: private bathrooms, televisions, free Wi-Fi and cheap breakfast. The staff is kind, the rooms are fairly spacious, and two rooms even have kitchenettes. You’ll also find plenty of cheap eats all along the street. Score that room with a kitchenette before it is gone.

A charming courtyard at Hotel Krone 1512.

Hotel Krone 1512

Neighborhood: Right Bank
Doubles from $84

This historical charmer is located along a pedestrian-only street lined with old pastel buildings. In fact, the Hotel Krone 1512 itself is tucked into a 15th-century structure complete with vaulted ceilings and an ivy-covered patio. In the rooms, you can find modern televisions, free Wi-Fi, private bathrooms with bathtubs plus views of the city or garden. Just outside, you’ll find plenty of adorable shops and cafes. Book a dreamy room today.

We love the old-world feel of the Adlerhof Hotel.

Adlerhof

Neighborhood: Elisabeth-Vorstadt
Doubles from $104

Whether you prefer old-world charm or something more streamlined and minimalist, Adlerhof is ready to appease you. Some rooms feature hand-painted headboards and local furnishings, while others are modernly styled. Both options are equally pleasing, and you’ll find flat-screens, private baths and free Wi-Fi. We recommend a room in the front for more privacy and better views. Breakfast is free, and there are plenty of great cafes nearby. What are you waiting for? Reserve a room!

A stylish room at the Bergland Hotel.

Bergland Hotel

Neighborhood: Schallmoos
Doubles from $118

If you’re looking for an interesting place for your home base, the Bergland is it. It’s eclectic and bright in a fun way, with splashes of bright red among the knickknacks. Even the hotel lounge feels like a destination on your itinerary, with its shelves bursting with books, plenty of plant life and a bar to enjoy your nightcap. Among the playful decor, rooms also have flat-screen TVs, refrigerators, kettles, private bathrooms (that are quite beautiful for a bathroom!) and free Wi-Fi. Initiate your Salzburg trip planning by booking a room at Bergland.

Book a budget hotel in Salzburg

Looking for more picks in the land of Mozart? Browse our Salzburg hotel guide.

The post The best budget hotels in Salzburg for 2024 appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

And if you’re not careful, you could spend a fortune before the time it takes to listen to Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21.

For a trip down the less-touristy path, follow our tips on the best cheap (and free) activities in this stately city in Austria.

Cheap and free things to do in Salzburg

Toy Museum

Bürgerspitalgasse 2
Tel.: +43-662-62 08 08-300
Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday
Admission: €5

To every city’s expensive modern art museum, there is a cheaper, quirkier collection to check out. Enter Salzburg’s Spielzeugmuseum (Toy Museum), home to Austria’s largest collection of European toys. If you’re a die-hard toy train fan, you’ll find plenty to feast your eyes on; if not, the inoffensive €3 admission is worth it for a chuckle.

If you have children in tow, make sure to stop for one of the Punch and Judy shows, offered every Tuesday and Wednesday at 3 p.m. Check the museum’s Web site for a complete list of children’s programs.

Schloss Mirabell

Mirabellplatz 4
Tel.: +43-662-80722334
Hours: 8 a.m.-6 p.m
Admission: Free

One of Salzburg most photographed attractions is also free to visit! Schloss Mirabell is as elegant as can be, with marble statues, grand hallways and perfectly manicured gardens stretching in all directions. The palace was built under Prince Archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau as a present for his concubine Salome Alt.

Nowadays, Schloss Mirabell is best known for being a coveted place to tie the knot; couples must reserve their weddings here at least a year in advance. The palace also offers a concert series, though attending a performance is not free.

Museum of Historical Musical Instruments

Bürgerspitalgasse 2
Tel.: +43-662-62 08 08-300
Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday
Admission: €5 (or free with admission to the Toy Museum)

If you visit the Toy Museum, your ticket is also valid for admission to the Museum of Historic Musical Instruments. If the centuries-old pianos start giving you déjà vus of the exhibit at Mozart’s House, check out the collection of audio samples demonstrating the ancient instruments’ sounds.

The organ in St. Peter’s Church. JNH53

St. Peter’s Church and Catacombs

Sankt Peter Bezirk 1
Tel.: +43 -662-844576
Hours: Open daily from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
Admission: Free (€1 to visit the Catacombs)

The self-proclaimed “oldest cloister in the German-speaking world,” St. Peter’s Church dates back to 696. (The church also boasts the oldest library in Austria.) Visiting the church is free, so stop by to admire the Baroque-style ceilings or to catch a performance on the church’s organ.

Outside, St. Peter’s Cemetery houses centuries-old tombstones. For €1, visitors can access the Christian catacombs in the cliff face above the cemetery.

Hangar-7

Salzburg Airport
Wilhelm-Spazier-Str. 7A
Tel.:+43-6620-2197
Hours: Open daily from 9 a.m.-10 p.m.
Admission: Free

Located near the Salzburg airport, Hangar-7 is a restaurant and bar complex that also houses “The Flying Bulls” aircraft. While the aircraft exhibit — complete with large Red Bull logos stenciled on each plane’s side — smacks of sponsorship, Hangar-7 does showcase some interesting work from a variety of international artists. Though Hangar-7’s dining options come with a hefty price tag, stopping by to gaze at the art (and marvel at the super-modern building) is completely free.

The post Salzburg: Our favorite free (and cheap) things to do appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

But there’s so much more to Austria’s 4th largest city than Mozart and The Sound of Music. And surprisingly, visiting Salzburg, Austria doesn’t have to put a big dent in your budget, and 2014 promises plenty of fun, hip events on tap. From free jazz festivals and mountain skiing with free shuttles to ancient (and affordable) beer halls and discounts on major attractions, here are some highlights on what to see in 2014—and how to save along the way.

Your key to Salzburg

If you really want to see the best sights in the city, the first thing to do is purchase the all-inclusive Salzburg Card. It only costs €36 for 72 hours (or €23 for 24 hours and €31 for 48 hours), and it gives you access to  attractions including Mozart’s Birthplace and Residence, the Cable Railway up to Hohensalzburg Fortress, Hellbrunn Palace and Gardens, all of the city museums, and many more.

On top of that, you also get free use of the city’s public transportation system. For one low price, you get an an in-depth look at the culture and history of Salzburg, and you get to explore the city on your own schedule.

Getting hip to the performing arts scene

When the weather warms up, so does the art and music in Salzburg. Fans of creative theater will enjoy the performing arts festival Summer Scene that runs from June 25 to July 5. Many of the events are free, and the festival brings a vibrant buzz to the city.

Dance music lovers probably already have the Electric Love Festival on their calendar (July 10-12), and you should too. This three-day event brings the best DJ’s from around the world to spin tunes for a loving  audience of young Europeans and global citizens who want to dance the night away under the Austrian skies.

If you enjoy the sounds of a different kind of beat, then make sure to visit during the fall when Jazz & The City comes to life. From October 22 to 26, the best music clubs open their doors including cool hotspots like Rockhouse, jazzit, republic, and argeKultur. You can see top international stars and up-and-coming artists hit the stages and town squares of Old City for a memorable five-day event where every single show is free!

Sip the city’s ancient beer culture

Since the 14th century, Salzburg has been brewing beer for its citizens from monks to Mozart. It started out as a movement by religious orders, but today the modern beer scenes keeps moving forward thanks to ambitious newcomers. One of the best places to experience the 600-year old tradition is at the  Stieglbrauerei (founded in 1492!) or the classic Augustiner Bräu establshed by monks in 1621 that holds Austria’s largest beer garden. Don’t miss this bustling spot where locals and tourists drink fresh beer from traditional steins.

Get a sneak peek inside a private airplane hangar

If you don’t know that Red Bull is an Austrian/Salzburg brand, you will find out very quickly when you see the company’s presence everywhere. One of coolest contributions by Red Bull is Hangar 7, an airy architectural gem near the airport that’s home of the owners’ impressive private car and aircraft collection. You will find Formula 1 and NASCAR race cars, historic and modern jetplanes, and even the capsule and space suit of Felix Baumgartner’s famous stratosphere jump.

Hit the slopes with the help of  a free shuttle

When you’re ready for a break from the city, you can spend a day hitting the slopes at one of Austria’s popular mountain resorts. Salzburg provides a complimentary ski shuttle direct to Flachau Winter Resort. The ride is only about an hour, so you can be feeling the fresh powder beneath your feet by mid-morning.

And if you’re looking for even more skiing and snowboarding, Salzburg is perfectly located at the foothills of the Alps—all of the major resorts are easily accessible. Ride the slopes during the day, and enjoy a night on the town in the evening! Now that’s Salzburg living.

Sleeping for cheap

EuroCheapo has a range of excellent and affordable stays from hostels starting at $60 a night to four-star hotels around $90. Check out our hotel guide for rates and more information.

The post Beyond Mozart: The hip and affordable guide to Salzburg in 2014 appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Take a look at photos we hunted down of recent festive happenings at the Salzburg Christmas markets. These are truly a few of our favorite things…

Hand-painted egg ornaments

Hundreds of thousands of hand-painted egg tree ornaments are available at the annual Christmas markets. The fragile gems come in various patterns and designs, but traditional holiday symbols, like poinsettias and ivy, seem to be the most popular.

Photo courtesy of jon gos)

Santa Clauses on the march!

Photo courtesy of Savannah Grandfather

Ok, who doesn’t love a good Santa costume, especially when it’s a legitimate throwback to another era entirely, and worn by an enthusiastic teenage boy? (Or is that Harry Potter?) Bonus points if you can figure out what he’s handing out. Anyone want a coupon for a shave?

Carriage rides through the streets of Salzburg!

Photo courtesy of Savannah Grandfather

Horses and garland, and riding, OH MY! We love that Salzburg dresses up its carriages just in time for Santa’s sleigh ride.

Tell us, Cheapos: What are your favorite things about Salzburg Christmas markets?

See also: Our list of recommended budget hotels in Salzburg.

The post Salzburg Christmas Markets: A few of our favorite things appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Note-worthy souvenirs

Salzburg, the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, is home to numerous music festivals, classical concerts, and innumerable musical performances.

The Slazburger Festspiele (Salzburg Festival), from late July to the end of August, is the year’s biggest musical celebration. Events take place daily in locations around the city and music ranges from the delicate and regal sounds of the pianoforte to the more pedestrian picks of the electric guitar. And, drum roll… all the programs have, err, programs! Take a few home so you’ll never forget the sounds of Salzburg.

You can also grab copies of concert schedules, guides, flyers, and pamphlets inside the Schloss Mirabell palace as well as in the Domplatz (Cathedral Square).

Cheapo tip: Don’t forget to take note of the unique street musicians in Salzburg. Most artists sell their own CDs for less than €10.

While you’re at it…

Rock some Amadeus! Take home a few Mozartkugal chocolate balls. First concocted in 1890 by Paul Fürst, the kugal is a ball of green pistachio marzipan covered in a layer of nougat, then dunked in dark chocolate. Das ist sehr lecker! Fürst has four confectionaries located around Salzburg. Ten pieces cost $12 USD.

Photo above by LinksmanJD; A kiosk advertises musical concerts in Salzburg.

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Not surprisingly, the city’s tourism industry doesn’t shy away from a little “Do-Re-Mi.” Movie-related reminders are available throughout the city (on chocolate and marzipan), a marionette show packs ’em in, and of course, more than one bus tour will shuttle you from sight to sight.

These “Sound of Music” bus tours are popular with the tourist set, as they offer audio commentary, an easy ride, and lots of photo-ops. The bus is especially convenient for reaching those locales outside the city, such as the lovely St. Gilgen and Lake Wolfgang, the rolling hills behind the opening credits. These tours can get pricy. Panorama Tours offers the four-hour “Original Sound of Music Tour” for €37 for adults ($53) and €18 for children ($26).

Do it yourself Sound of Music tour

However, you don’t need to take a bus tour to visit many of the locations used in the film.

The website Visit Salzburg offers a “do it yourself” Sound of Music tour, with background information on sights used in the making of the movie. Most of the locations listed are in central Salzburg, and many can be visited for free.

Their free walking tour includes the Nonnberg Nunnery (where the nuns sing “Maria”), Mirabell Castle and Mirabell Gardens (the place where Maria and the children sing “Do-Re-Mi”), and the Felsenreitschule and Festival Halls (the stage where the Trapps perform during the Salzburg Festival). For more information, check out Visit Salzburg’s website.

Salzburg’s tourism office offers additional “Sound of Music” locations on their website, Salzburg.info. Sights here include St. Peter’s Cemetery and Leopoldskron Palace. (Read the whole tour here.)

Also see: Our reviews of cheap hotels in Salzburg.

The post Salzburg: Free “Sound of Music” walking tour appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

We didn’t climb Mönchsberg, the mountain from which we snapped the photo. Instead, we entered a building in Museumsplatz, pressed a button the size of a dog’s paw, and took a bizarre James Bond-ish elevator straight up through the mountain rock.

Mönchsberg stands approximately 523 meters high and forms a fitting backdrop for the spires of the Altstadt. It provides a quick escape from the Altstadt’s tourist-congested bowels on a summer day, and offers a host of afternoon diversions. Numerous hiking paths, outdoor sculptures and installations, and a huge panoramic terrace are among the delights.

The mountaintop is also home to the second component of Museum der Moderne, the first of which — Rupertinum —can be found in the Altstadt. The gray, box-like museum, designed by the Münich architect firm Friedrich Hoff Zwink, is visible from the ground and showcases contemporary international art. It can be accessed for an additional €8.

Tickets for the Mönchsbergsaufzug (Mönchsberg Lift) are €3.80 roundtrip and €2.50 one-way. If you’re feeling particularly frugal (and energetic) you can reach the top of Mönschberg from the stairs at Toscaninihof in about 15 minutes.

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