bettyo70

Hi Everybody,

Trying to plan a quick trip to one of these cities.

Which do you prefer -- Vienna or Salzburg... and why?

Thank you!

Dutch

betty - how short? If only a couple of days, choose Salzburg. Salzburg is smaller, more scenic, and charming.

Which fits in better with your itinerary?

Ingo

I agree with Dutch - Salzburg if you only have two or three days. Vienna is too big and you'll be sorry to miss so many attractions.

Although ... I didn't enjoy Salzburg much. Somewhere around here must be my trip report.

I.

Christina

It depends on the goal, they are completely different cities, they can't really be compared. You probably know that, just read about them and what is in each, and choose based on your interests. Vienna is a huge capital city with large museums and an important history as the capital of the Austrian Empire and Republic, massive architecture and unique importance in the musical world, as far as I'm concerned. Salzburg is a small city, although attractive and seems to mainly push its Mozart claim, although it's a nice town. But there isn't at all the same kind of things to do and see there, as Vienna.

bettyo70

Thank you for all of your quick responses!

Christina: Yes, due to this being a shorter trip... perhaps Vienna would be too overwhelming. I'll do a little more research. But it sounds like Salzberg would be more enjoyable this time around.

Cheers!

Dutch

Ingo - I enjoyed Vienna more myself. Salzburg was too loaded with tourists. And I don't care if I ever see another Mozart ball. (Whatever those chocolate things are.)

I'll be looking for your TR>

tcreath

I absolutely agree on the Mozart Balls! I am so tired of Mozart by the time I leave Salzburg.

I personally like Salzburg okay but for me its the surrounding countryside that makes it a great destination.

Tracy

Passerine

In the late fall or winter, I would pick Vienna. It's a captivating city (to us, anyway) and there is more than enough to keep you busy for a few days. If your trip is longer than four days, you could easily squeeze in a day trip to Salzburg or another city like Graz--well worth seeing if not as well known.

Some of the more popular sights in Salzburg like Schloss Hellbrunn are closed in winter. That may affect your decision.

In warmer months, we'd call it a toss-up. If you'd like to mix some city activities with hiking, then perhaps Salzburg is a better bet. In either case, while making your plans, be aware of festivals and other events that make hotel choices scarce or expensive, or both.

I like both cities (all three if you include Graz).

FWIW, if you pick Salzburg and you have more than four days, do a day trip to Munich.

AisleSeat

When are you going. If at Christmas, Salzburg wins. If you are tagging on to Bavaria. Salzburg wins. If you are flying from big city to big city its Vienna. They are very different and it is a little bit like comparing London to the Cotswalds. What are you looking for? Vienna has history art and architecture. Salzburg has Mozart, Churches, Charm, and the Sound of Music.

Ingo

Glad to know I am not the only one ... I am so tired of Mozart.

Btw, here's my trip report:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35116123

I.

laverendrye

To paraphrase Samuel Johnson: "Sir, when a man is tired of Mozart, he is tired of life."

Underhill

Well said@ I'd go as far as to say that Mozart IS life.

However...I too got very tired of all the Mozart stuff in Salzburg, as well as the crowds--especially in December.

danon

central Vienna is not that big . True, there is a lot to see in the city, but you can pick one or two things among : the opera, museums, galleries, concerts, churches...

blackduff

Visiting Vienna is not that big to visit. You can see many of the items within the ring road in the part of Vienna. You can see this area within a day or two.

You will have to be a walker to see everything but it's easily done within one day.

Salzburg is nice place to visit but the amount of places or the quality of the places you can see are not the same as Vienna.

My vote would be Vienna, except it really gets cold in the winter time.

Blackduff

Cathinjoetown

Vienna, for sure. And, here's a wonderful hotel that will make you think you are back in turn-of-the-century Vienna (but not OTT)--Hotel Koneig von Ungarn. It's just behind the cathedral--excellent rooms, service and food.

Cathinjoetown

It's Koenig von Ungarn

Cathinjoetown

Multiple brain cramps:

Hotel Konig von Ungarn

gradyghost

To all you Salzburg doubters including Ingo and Underhill:

We are spending the week before Christmas in Salzburg and we will have a good time! I will report how good after the visit.

Then we are spending Christmas week in Vienna with the Boys Choir, SRS, Demel, the Opera and Lord knows what else. Thereafter, on to Prague for the New Year, with all of your admonitions about that city in mind. I can't wait. Gradyghost

DAX

I think you will Grady! Twice we spent a week in Salzburg and then drove to Vienna on Christmas day. I hope you'll have snow this winter because both places will be so much better if they are covered with snow. We made a stop at the abbey in Melk on one freezing cold Christmas day to see the incredible library & church. It was a nice break for the long drive to Vienna.

betty, I would recommend Salzburg if you enjoy a charming small town with baroque architecture and Vienna if you prefer a baroque city life with major museums. You just can't go wrong with either choice though.

frankdaddy

Absolutely Vienna... Coffee shops, the Square, The Famous Horses, The Palace, all in one city. The famous architecture, great food. What am I leaving out?