Margot Bigg is a journalist who has lived in the UK, the US, France, and India. She’s the author of Moon Living Abroad in India and Moon Taj Mahal, Delhi & Jaipur and a co-author of Fodor's Essential India and Fodor's Pacific Northwest. Her stories have appeared in Rolling Stone India, National Geographic Traveler, Sunset, and VICE.
Margot Bigg is a journalist who has lived in the UK, the US, France, and India. She’s the author of Moon Living Abroad in India and Moon Taj Mahal, Delhi & Jaipur and a co-author of Fodor's Essential India and Fodor's Pacific Northwest. Her stories have appeared in Rolling Stone India, National Geographic Traveler, Sunset, and VICE.
Hi, I'm Margot!Margot Bigg is a journalist who has lived in the UK, the US, France, and India. She’s the author of Moon Living Abroad in India and Moon Taj Mahal, Delhi & Jaipur and a co-author of Fodor's Essential India and Fodor's Pacific Northwest. Her stories have appeared in Rolling Stone India, National Geographic Traveler, Sunset, and VICE.
Hi, I'm Margot!Margot Bigg is a journalist who has lived in the UK, the US, France, and India. She’s the author of Moon Living Abroad in India and Moon Taj Mahal, Delhi & Jaipur and a co-author of Fodor's Essential India and Fodor's Pacific Northwest. Her stories have appeared in Rolling Stone India, National Geographic Traveler, Sunset, and VICE.
It’s hard to deny the enchantment of Christmas in Salzburg. Every year, just before Advent, elegant light displays and myriad Christmas markets spring up all around the historic Old Town, infusing Salzburg with festive cheer. Few people know this better than Michaela Mur, who—along with colleagues Karin Priewasser and Carolin Berka—helps visitors immerse themselves in the spirit of the season on the Salzburg Christmas Market & City Tour.
“I created this tour because I want to share the town’s unique atmosphere with everyone who loves Christmas,” says Michaela. “The Christmas spirit has a contagious effect and puts you in a jolly, heartwarming mood.”
Christmas is a big deal in Austria, and Salzburg does a fantastic job at bringing yuletide cheer to locals and visitors alike. During the holiday season, the city is adorned with decorations such as lights and nativity scenes, and many churches host daily caroling sessions.
Salzburg is also known for its Christmas markets, where you can snack on treats such as gingerbread, pancake-like kaiserschmarren, and traditional vanillekipferl (crescent-shaped Christmas cookies flavored with vanilla), while you sip on festive drinks such as mulled wine and haustrunk (hot cider). Don’t miss a stop at the Christmas Museum to learn about the evolution of the holiday in Austria, either. Fans of the great Christmas carol “Silent Night” take note: Joseph Mohr, the song’s composer, was baptized in the Salzburg Cathedral (as was Mozart).
For an extensive selection of festive treats, head to the Grunmarkt farmers market at University Square (closed Sundays), where you can warm up with local favorites such as wiener schnitzel or hearty beef broth with frittaten (sliced pancakes). If you’d rather just cozy up with a mug of warming orange punch, head straight to Sporer on the Getreidegasse, Salzburg’s celebrated shopping street. While apfelstrudel (apple strudel) is not a Christmas-specific treat, it’s certainly a must-try for any visitor to Salzburg, no matter the season. Some of the tastiest can be found at Cafe Habakuk.
While Salzburg's Christmas markets provide the ultimate holiday shopping experience, especially if you're in the market for things like nativity scenes or ornaments, there are also plenty of standalone shops to pick up some perfect holiday gifts and souvenirs. The aptly named Christmas in Salzburg shop is one such place, selling decorations and ornaments throughout the year.
Alternatively, head to the Salzburg Old Town (Altstadt) to pick up edible treats. Pirker is a local favorite for Lebkuchen (similar to gingerbread), while R. F. Azwanger has been selling all sorts of local delicacies, from liquors to jams, for over 350 years.
Salzburg’s famous Hotel Sacher is a great place to cozy up for the holidays, featuring seasonal decor and special Christmas Eve and Christmas Day set meals. Hotel Weisse Taube is an ideal option for history buffs—it’s likely that Joseph Franz Mohr of “Silent Night” fame was born in the structure that now houses this boutique property. Hotel Goldener Hirsch—which dates to the 15th century—is another festive choice, particularly if you want easy access to Salzburg’s celebrated Christmas markets.
Along with Salzburg’s many Christmas markets and its Christmas Museum, the Austrian city offers all sorts of fun activities to help make spirits brighter. For a quintessential Christmas experience, take a horse-drawn sleigh ride in the Salzach River Valley or sign up for a Christmas cookie and apple strudel–making class. While you’re in town, don’t miss the chance to attend a special Advent or Christmas dinner at the Fortress Hohensalzburg's Panorama Restaurant, either; or, sign up for a package that includes dinner and a Mozart and Christmas carol concert.
