GENERAL

Occupying a location of storybook splendour on the banks of the River Salzach with commanding mountains rising majestically in the background, Salzburg is a beautiful city, famously immortalised in the Sound of Music.

In terms of architecture, holidays to Salzburg offer a dizzying array of wonders. Towering over the city from its hilltop perch, the formidable Hohensalzburg Castle is the largest fully-preserved fortress in Central Europe, and dates back to 1077. Salzburg Cathedral is one of Europe's leading examples of early-Baroque architecture, whilst the ancient St Peter's Abbey and Monastery was founded in the 8th century.

Salzburg is a city rich in culture - thousands of events are held here each year - and nowhere is that more evident than in its music scene - the city is the birthplace of Mozart after all. Guided tours of the renowned Festival Halls are offered - where the premier concerts, ballet and opera performances are held during the world-famous Salzburg Festival. The festival itself is held annually in the summer.

There are various exceptional museums and galleries to explore on holiday in Salzburg. The most celebrated is the impressive Baroque Residenz, which houses works by numerous European Grand Masters including Rubens and Rembrandt. The house where Mozart was born is also an interesting museum that is well worth seeing.

One place that is truly unmissable for any Salzburg holiday is the Unesco World Heritage-listed historic centre - a lovely network of narrow streets and alleys, cobblestone paving and charismatic squares. It's here you'll find the best of Salzburg's shops, restaurants, pavement cafÚs and traditional beer taverns selling local specialities. The most famous shopping street is Getreidegasse; home to all manner of high-fashion boutiques, jewellers, music stores and shops selling traditional Austrian handicrafts.

Salzburg at its heart is also a lively student town with a pretty buzzing nightlife. There is a great choice of bars and clubs, as well as live music venues, whilst there is also a glamorous casino.

Interested in similar destinations?

Take a look at the beautiful Alpine cities of Innsbruck and Geneva , or Austria's historic capital itself Vienna