TRAVEL TIPS
Tours
The Old City, composed of several interconnecting squares and narrow streets, is best seen on foot. Salzburg's official licensed guides offer a one-hour walking tour (€9) through the Old City every day at 12:15, and a 1½-hour tour (€10) every day at 2, which start in front of the Information Center at Mozartplatz 5. A Salzburg Card reduces the fee.
Several local companies conduct 1½- to 2-hour city tours. The tours are by minibus, since large buses can't enter the Old City, and briefly cover the major sights, including Mozart's birthplace, the festival halls, major squares, churches, and the palaces at Hellbrunn and Leopoldskron. Bob's Special Tours is well known to American visitors—the company offers a 10% discount to Fodor's readers who book directly with them (not through their hotel). Salzburg Panorama Tours and Salzburg Sightseeing Tours offer similar tours.
To reach spots buses can’t, ride along with one of Fraulein Maria’s two daily 3½-hour bicycle tours (€26).
Bob's Special Tours. Bob's small vans allow access to the narrow streets of Salzburg that lumbering buses can't maneuver. Explore the city, nearby mountain regions, or "The Sound of Music" filming highlights on daily and seasonal tours. Experienced multilingual guides are available. Rudolfskai 38, Salzburg, Salzburg. 0662/849511; www.bobstours.com. Daily and seasonal tours €45–€90; private tours €90 per hour.
Fräulein Maria's Bicycle Tours. Ride through the streets of Salzburg singing the soundtrack favorites and learn a surprising amount of the city's history with fellow movie and musical fans on these "Sound of Music"–themed small group bicycle tours. Guides share the von Trapp family cheer rain or shine with riders of all ages and abilities—inclement weather gear, tandem bikes, children's bikes, trailers, and baby seats are offered at no additional cost. Feeling adventurous? Try the full-day 25-km (16-mile) bike tours of Mondsee in Salzburg's Lake District. Mirabellplatz 4, Salzburg, Salzburg, 5020. 0650/3426297; www.mariasbicycletours.com. Sound of Music Tour €26; Lake Tour €59.
Salzburg Panorama Tours. One of the most reliable, respected tour companies in the area, offering a variety of themes and ways to become acquainted with Salzburg and the surrounding areas, either by bus, on foot, or in a luxurious private car. The "Original Sound of Music Tour" hits the movie location highlights and includes much about the city itself. Experts introduce the modern masterpieces of the UNESCO World Heritage City during the walking "PanoramARCHITECTour." Bus pickup is available at several local hotels; the website gives details. Schrannengasse 2/2, Salzburg, Salzburg, A-5020. 0662/883211; www.panoramatours.com. From €19.
Salzburg Sightseeing Tours. One of the oldest tour companies in the city, Salzburg Sightseeing Tours offers prepackaged programs including the best of the city, "Sound of Music" locations, and nearby Alpine highlights, or custom tours. Their yellow hop-on, hop-off buses stop at the most famous Salzburg landmarks, with informative recorded audio guides between stops. The complete circuit (without getting off) takes an hour. All tickets include free access to all local Salzburg buses, as well as the Gaisberg Bus (No. 151) Mirabellplatz 2, Salzburg, Salzburg, 5020. 0662/881616; www.welcome-salzburg.at. Hop on, hop off €16; "Sound of Music" €35; other tours from €18. Hop-on, hop-off: daily 9:15–4:45, every 30 min; "Sound of Music": daily 9:30 and 2.
