The Design Lover’s Guide to Salzburg, Austria

Tucked between the Alps to the south and Germany to the west, the Austrian city of Salzburg is beloved for its gorgeous mountain scenery and charming city center, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Once the seat of an important ecclesiastic principality, Salzburg is where Italian and German culture met and mingled over the centuries. The extremely well-preserved city center boasts a wealth of Italian Renaissance and Baroque architecture that lends the cobblestoned streets their romantic character. Thought Salzburg is lovely year-round, it’s especially nice to visit in summer, when the famous Salzburg Festival transforms this city of 150,000 people into a nonstop party featuring galas and performances by top international stars. This year’s edition is especially exciting thanks to an ongoing partnership with Swarovski, which contributed half a million crystals to the costumes. Herewith, AD’s roundup of the top reasons design lovers should plan a trip to Salzburg.

Where to Stay

Though Salzburg has plenty of hotels, two stand out for their style, heritage, and service. Hotel Goldener Hirsch, a Luxury Collection Hotel, boasts more than 600 years of history and has hosted famous guests including Elizabeth Taylor and Luciano Pavarotti. The design evokes a quaint Austrian country manor, with antiques and patchwork carpets.

The Hotel Sacher Salzburg—a member of Leading Hotels of the World—is decidedly more opulent. Founded by the son of Franz Sacher, who invented the famous Sacher torte, this classic grand dame has been receiving distinguished guests since 1886. Privately owned, it’s now managed by the second generation of the Gürtler family, which took over the property in 1934 and just refurbished 25 rooms on the fourth floor.

Where to Eat & Drink

According to Alexandra and Matthias Winkler, the second generation of the Gütler family, “the restaurant M32, designed by Matteo Thun, ranks among the probably most spectacular restaurants within Salzburg’s culinary scene.” The must-visit restaurant is perched high up on Mönchsberg Hill, boasting fantastic views over the city. Alexandra and Matthias also recommend “Schloss Aigen, a country manor with an elegantly rustic interior, a chestnut-shaded courtyard and delightful Austrian cuisine; Carpe Diem with one Michelin star and two Gault Millau Toques on the famous Getreidegasse boulevard; Esszimmer, awarded with three toques and one Michelin star; and of course the gourmet restaurant Zirbelzimmer at the Hotel Sacher with finest regional cuisine.” A great option for coffee, cakes, and strudel is the charmingly old-school Café Tomaselli, which was once frequented by Mozart.

What to Do

As Mozart’s birthplace and the setting for The Sound of Music, it’s no wonder that music is a crucial part of Salzburg’s identity. Every year, the Salzburg Festival (currently running until August 30) brings world-renowned opera singers and musicians to the city for an impressive lineup of performances. The world-class productions feature costumes embellished by Swarovski crystals, which has partnered with the festival for the past six years. “It was really important for us as an Austrian company to team up with another Austrian institution that really celebrates culture,“ Nadja Swarovski tells AD. “It’s really kind of like the jewel in a crown, and that’s something that Austria can be so proud of—that history and that heritage.”

Whether you’re in town for the Salzburg Festival or not, there are plenty of other things to see and do. “The must-see places in Salzburg are certainly the fortress, the cathedral, St. Peter’s Church, and the catacombs, as well as the Mirabell Palace with its beautiful gardens,” Alexandra and Matthias Winkler tells AD.

Where to Shop

“At the Getreidegasse boulevard you will find shops of designer brands and numerous lovely boutiques, such as Prada or Hermès, and Trachten Stassny, where you’ll find exclusive traditional clothing and beautiful Austrian dirndls,” according to Alexandra and Matthias Winkler.

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