Salzburg is known as the city of Mozart, but in my opinion, it’s also the city of Sacher torte. At Salzburg Christmas Market, you can experience both.
In this guide, I share the unconfirmed dates for 2024, opening times, locations and what you can expect from a winter trip.
Salzburg Christmas Market
Situated in front of Salzburg Cathedral, with glimpses of the famous Hohensalzburg fortress above, Christmas in Salzburg is traditional, musical, and magical.
The wooden market chalets display unique handmade crafts perfect for your holiday shopping, while the backdrop of Salzburg’s baroque architecture enhances the market’s attraction.
Like Vienna, Salzburg has several large and small markets, some within Salzburg’s city centre and others in the surrounding towns and villages.
Dates and Location
Salzburg Christmas Market dates: 21st November 2024 to 1st January 2025 (unconfirmed).
Location: Dom (Cathedral Square) and Residenzplatz. At the base of the famous Hohensalzburg fortress.
Opening times:
Monday to Thursday: 10am to 8:30pm.
Friday: 10am to 9pm.
Saturday: 9am to 9pm.
Sunday and holidays: 9am to 8.30pm.
Christmas Eve: 9am to 3pm.
Christmas Day: Open 11am to 6pm.
Boxing Day: 11am to 6pm.
27th to 30th December: 10am to 8:30pm.
New Year’s Eve: 10am to 1am.
New Year’s Day: 10am to 6pm.
Admission: Free.
Ice skating: Yes, Ice Magic at Mozartplatz.
Vegetarian: Yes, plenty of options.
Vegan: Yes, plenty of options.
Gluten free: Yes, but limited.
Accessible: Yes.
Pet-friendly: Not recommended.
Reason to visit: Chocolate gingerbread, Mirabell Gardens, Austrian folk traditions.
Recommended tour: Salzburg City and Christmas Markets tour.
Salzburg weather in winter: Temperatures average 4°C / -2°C (high / low) in December.
Where to stay: Hotel Wolf is a cosy, classic Austrian hotel 2 minutes from Residenzplatz.
OTHER MARKETS IN SALZBURG:
Mirabell Square: 21st November to 24th December 2024 (unconfirmed).
Hohensalzburg Fortress Courtyard: 1st to 18th December 2024 (unconfirmed).
Advent Magic in Hellbrunn: 21st November to 24th December 2024 (unconfirmed).
St. Leonhard Advent Market: Weekends in December.
Stern Winter Market: 21st November 2024 to 6th January 2025 (unconfirmed).
Convenient Hotels
I suggest staying in the Altstadt, Salzburg’s historic Old Town, as it’s close to many of the city’s sights and attractions. Hotel Wolf is one of the nicest hotels in this area.
If that hotel doesn’t suit you, this guide to central hotels in Salzburg, based on my travels in Salzburg, lists several excellent options that cover all budgets.
Event Location
Recommended Tours
This is Salzburg’s most popular walking tour. A local guide will take you to several important landmarks and points of interest, including the historic Getreidegasse, Mozart’s Birthplace and Salzburg Cathedral.
As an alternative, you might like to take this food tour to learn about the local culture through its cuisine. There are a lot of interesting dishes unique to this part of Austria.
Christmas in Salzburg
If you’re looking to visit more destinations this winter, read my Austria Christmas Markets Guide for 2024 for details and where to go and what to see.
Regional Specialities
Vanillekipferl: A crescent-shaped biscuit that is popular throughout the year. It’s made with ground almonds or hazelnuts, lightly flavoured with vanilla and dusted with icing sugar.
Stollen: Originating from Germany but widely enjoyed in Austria, Stollen is a traditional fruit bread enriched with candied fruit, nuts, spices, and occasionally marzipan and covered in icing sugar.
Bratapfel: These baked apples are cored and filled with a mixture of nuts, sugar, and spices, often accompanied by whipped cream.
Kletzenbrot: A dense, sweet fruit bread traditionally baked for Christmas. ‘Kletzen’ refers to dried pears that are then mixed with other dried fruits, nuts and spices.
Erdäpfelsalat: A favourite in Austrian households, erdäpfelsalat is a potato salad typically served on Christmas Eve. This vegetarian dish is made with boiled potatoes, onions, vinegar and oil and is often garnished with fresh herbs.
At the Food Stalls
Lebkuchen: Gingerbread-like biscuits that are synonymous with winter markets. The recipe typically includes honey, spices and nuts, resulting in a sweet treat with a slightly spicy flavour. They come in various shapes and are often beautifully decorated.
Maroni: Roasted chestnuts or maroni are another classic snack. Sold from small carts, these chestnuts are roasted on an open fire, filling the air with a distinctive aroma.
Bauernkrapfen: A local favourite, bauernkrapfen are akin to doughnuts but unique to Austria. They’re deep-fried, dusted with powdered sugar, and traditionally served plain, but they can sometimes be found with various fillings.
Würstel: From classic bratwurst to the spicier käsekrainer filled with cheese, these hearty snacks are usually served in a bun with mustard or ketchup.
Glühwein: Mulled wine is perfect for fighting off the winter chill. Stalls typically serve it in a decorative mug that you can keep as a souvenir or return for a refund.
Schupfnudeln: Finger-shaped potato dumplings that are typically pan-fried and served with sauerkraut, or sweet versions are dusted with cinnamon sugar and served with apple sauce.
What to Buy
Mozartkugeln: Named after the famed composer and Salzburg’s most famous person, Mozartkugeln are round chocolates filled with marzipan and nougat. They come nicely packaged and make excellent gifts. You’ll find various brands, but for a truly local treat, look for those from Fürst, the original producer.
Ornaments: Artisans craft these beautiful decorations from various materials such as glass, wood, or tin.
Traditional Austrian Clothing: Items such as lederhosen, dirndls and Tyrolean hats are unique to this region.
Local Artwork: Artisans from Salzburg and the surrounding area often have stalls selling their work, from delicate watercolours of the Salzburg skyline to more abstract interpretations of the local scenery.
Austrian Linens: Austria is known for its high-quality textiles; you can often find beautiful linens, embroidered tablecloths and pretty tea towels.
Things to Do in Winter
Salzburg has so much to offer visitors. The old town is UNESCO World Heritage-listed, offering a special and unique cultural experience.
You’ll find castles, palaces, museums, churches and theatres within the Old Town. You can visit each of them, sometimes for free but otherwise for a reasonable cost.
The city’s most notable attraction is Hohensalzburg Fortress, the white stone fortress that overlooks the baroque city. You can generally catch a glimpse of it from all parts of the city.
I suggest taking the funicular to the fortress as a quick and comfortable way to reach it. You can purchase a ticket when you arrive or buy a castle entrance ticket with the funicular included.
Another highlight is the Mirabell Palace and Gardens. The formal gardens are incredibly beautiful, even in winter, and here you’ll find it has its own Christmas market.
Mirabell Palace is located on the opposite side of the river to the Old Town, but it’s not far; you can easily walk across the bridge to get there or take a short taxi ride.
From the bridge, you can see the river, old town, and fortress skyline. Try to visit at sunrise if you can; you won’t be disappointed with the views and beautiful light at that time of the morning.
Salzburg’s official tourism website is an excellent resource for the latest information on visiting Salzburg and elsewhere in Austria.
Main Markets and Events
Advent is an important time of the year in Salzburg, and the Salzberger Christkindlmarkt has been a traditional event since the 15th century.
Salzburg Christkindlmarkt – The main Christmas market and festival at Residenzplatz.
Hellbrunn Christmas Market – A family-friendly Advent market at Schloss Hellbrunn.
St Leonhard Advent Market – A quiet market with authentic arts and crafts where the proceeds go to charity.
Mirabell Palace Market – One of Salzburg’s most beautiful locations, the Mirabellplatz Christmas market focuses on unique products and local, traditional food.
Folk Traditions – Parades feature the Austrian folk characters Krampus and Perchten.
The Christmas Museum – A unique museum on Mozart Square.
Sustainability Tips
Public Transport: Take advantage of the extensive and efficient public transport system, including buses and trains. The city’s compact layout also makes walking or cycling feasible.
Local, Seasonal Food: This city has abundant markets selling locally grown, seasonal produce. Purchasing these supports the local economy and reduces the carbon footprint associated with long-distance food transport.
Renewable Energy: Salzburg’s electricity network relies on hydropower. By staying in accommodation using this sustainable energy source, you’ll help lower emissions.
Food Waste: When visiting food stalls and eateries, order only what you can eat. If you can’t finish, ask if you can take the leftovers. Many stalls may provide compostable takeaway containers.
Souvenirs: Consider buying souvenirs from regional artisans to support their important work and the local economy.
Sustainable Meals: Austria is known for its hearty meat dishes, but many restaurants in Salzburg offer vegetarian and vegan options. Choosing plant-based meals, even occasionally, can contribute to a more sustainable society.
If you have experienced Christmas in Salzburg or elsewhere in Austria and would like to share your experience, leave a comment or review below.
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Recommendations are independently chosen based on personal travel experiences and extensive research.
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