Find Your Holiday Magic In A Charming Austrian City With Iconic Musical Heritage

Europe can be a magical place to visit during the holidays. As the calendar starts to creep towards Advent, many beautiful old cities transform into festive wonderlands during Christmas market season, particularly in the German-speaking countries. One of these enchanting locales is Salzburg, Austria: one of Europe's most walkable cities.

Classical music fans might know Salzburg as the birthplace of Mozart. Hollywood musical fans might consider the city a main character in the beloved classic "The Sound of Music." You might even think of Salzburg when you hear "Silent Night" (the iconic Christmas carol was born there). Regardless, there's no question that Salzburg is a city of music. And during the holidays, everything from symphonies to brass bands to Christmas carols are incorporated into the cheery yuletide atmosphere from mid-November until January. So if you're looking for a wondrous place to soak up the season that will be an experience to remember for the whole family, take a trip to Salzburg.

The Christmas market in Salzburg (Christkindlmarkt) is one of the oldest of its kind in the world. It has roughly 100 stands that aren't rented but owned, so visitors tend to have their favorite vendors they return to each year. Among the many delights you'll find at the market are delicious foods, mulled wine, toys, textiles, and florals. Each day they have events for the whole family: reading of Christmas stories for children, tours, concerts, visits from the "Christ Child," and even Krampus parades.

From there, it's a quick stroll over to Mozartplatz for ice skating at the foot of the Mozart monument. Don't worry about packing your own skates, they're available for rent. Right behind the statue, you'll find the Salzburg Christmas Museum, which currently features an exhibit called "Celebrations between Advent and New Year from 1840-1940".

If you're traveling with the kiddos, don't miss the Hellbrunner Advent market located right outside Salzburg (and also one of the shooting locations of "The Sound of Music"). Among the many children's activities they offer, kids can have a fairy tale scavenger hunt, write a letter to St. Nick at the Christmas post office, and ride the shiny Christmas train all in a whimsical setting surrounded by 700 beautifully decorated trees. Just make sure to give them a break in between attractions to prevent meltdowns. (Here are some of Rick Steves genius tips for traveling in Europe with kids.) Pro tip: if you have a Salzburg Card, public transportation, admission to all of the museums, and entrance to many of the attractions is free.

For classical music fans, a trip to the stunning Hohensalzburg Fortress is a must. During advent, you can enjoy a series of Christmas concerts performed by Salzburg Mozart Ensemble and the Mozart Chamber Orchestra of Salzburg. Would you like to visit the site where "Silent Night" was performed for the very first time? There's a museum for that. If you happen to visit on Christmas Eve, there is a memorial service for the song's creators every year at 5 p.m. One of the most visited museums on the planet is right in the heart of Salzburg: Mozart's birthplace. Here in the apartment where Mozart spent much of his early life, you'll find three floors of exhibits filled with artifacts and instruments from the life of one of the world's most influential musicians.

Make sure to add a stop at Salzburg Cathedral to the itinerary. With its fascinating history and incredible architecture, it's a must see. Tours are at 2 p.m. daily. Concerts are regularly held here as well if you want to experience music in this one-of-a-kind venue. But if the schedule doesn't allow, we recommend stopping in for their unique organ concerts playing around noon every day except Sundays and holidays. Tickets are around $9 in the cathedral vestibule.