Salzburg

The 11th-century Hohensalzburg Castle stands on a rocky outcrop approximately 394ft (120m) above the city. Although originally built by Archbishop Gebhard to repel attacks from the neighbouring Bavarians, the present-day fortress was largely rebuilt in the early 16th century by Archbishop Leonhard Von Keutschach, who added the grand state apartments.Visitors can walk around the courtyard and outskirts of the fortress at no cost unless they take the guided tour around the state apartments. The tour finishes at two small museums that display a selection of weapons, uniforms, and armour, together with instruments of torture such as the Schandmasken which petty criminals had to don as punishment for their crimes. The castle can be reached by funicular or by a walking path.

Address : Mönchsberg 34

Website : www.salzburg-burgen.at

Telephone : +43 662 8424 3011

Opening times : 9.30 am to 5pm January to April; 9am to 7pm May to September; 9.30am to 5pm October to December. Times may vary on holidays.

Admission : €15.50 for guided tours

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in 1756 at his family's home in Getreidegasse. The house has since been converted into a museum displaying exhibits which include the violin played by Mozart as a child, his concert violin and clavichord, a pianoforte, and various portraits. The museum was first opened in 1880, by the International Mozart Foundation, and restored in 1994.It is now said to be one of the most frequently visited museums in the world. Tours of the museum are available but need to be arranged in advance. A basic tour of the exhibition takes about an hour. The museum provides a fascinating introduction to the Mozart family and how they lived, as well as detailing the early life of Wolfgang Amadeus.

Address : Getreidegasse 9

Website : www.mozarteum.at

Telephone : +43 6 6288 9400

The Salzkammergut is a lake area spanning Upper Austria, Salzburg, and Styria, and was formerly home to the salt mines of the Hapsburg Empire. The many lakes and mountains in the region lend themselves to a variety of activities such as water sports, golf, cycling, and hiking, as well as relaxing at the beautiful shore and hillside retreats.Take some time out to enjoy the local kaiserschmarrn (sugared pancakes with raisins), lebkuchen (gingerbread) and krapfen (doughnuts), and the spectacular scenery in one of Austria's most lovely regions. Parts of the region have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, including the towns of Hallstatt, Obertraun, Gosau and Bad Goisern.

Dating as far back as the 17th century, Schloss Kleßheim Palace was used by Adolf Hitler during World War II and today serves as a casino with an elegant atmosphere and beautiful gardens. The palace also featured in the 1965 film The Great Race starring Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis, and Peter Falk.The casino holds some historical interest because of the association with Hitler during the war, and the eagles displayed at the palace entrance are reminiscent of the Third Reich. However, the main appeal is the chance to gamble and party the night away in style!

Address : 2.5 miles (4km) west of Salzburg in Wals-Siezenheim

Website : https://www.salzburg.info/en/sights/fortress-palaces/klessheim-palace

The cathedral is one of the city's most recognisable symbols and the massive south tower, standing at 445 feet (136m) tall, is a dominant feature on the Vienna skyline. The 343 steps can be climbed for a fantastic view over the city. St Stephan's Cathedral is the most important religious building in the city and is one of the greatest Gothic structures in Europe. It has been in a state of continual preservation and repair since its original construction in the 12th century due to fire, city sieges and bombardment.The cathedral is built of limestone and has an ornately patterned and richly coloured roof covered by glazed tiles. The interior is rich in wood carvings, sculptures and paintings and has numerous chapels and altars, as well as the catacombs, which can be visited on a guided tour. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was married here, had children baptised here, and his funeral was held in the Chapel of the Cross.

Website : www.stift-stpeter.at

Guarded by a water-spouting giant, Swarovski Crystal World is one of the most popular attractions in Tirol. The museum is underground, featuring 14 interconnected rooms with an eclectic multimedia gallery showcasing dazzling work by Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, Salvador Dali, and Marc Chagall, among others, all featuring the distinctive glint of the famous Austrian crystals.Another popular sight is the largest crystal in the world, located in the first room. Just a 15-minute drive from Innsbruck and less than two hours drive from Salzburg, Swarovski is a popular excursion from both cities. The Swarovski Crystal World gift shop has an equally sparkling array of souvenirs available at lower prices than in town, with the opportunity for a tax rebate for foreign visitors.

Address : Herzog-Friedrich-Strasse 39

Website : kristallwelten.swarovski.com