Salzburg or Budapest?
 

Hello,

We (myself, my husband, 16 year old son and 6 year old daughter) have a few days to spend in either Salzburg, Austria or Budapest, Hungary and we're not sure which.

Any suggestions/opinions would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Salzburg is a relatively small city, with nice surroundings for day trips, quaint center and quiet and "gemuetliche " restautrants. But, xduring festioval time, it's fairly quiet.

Budapest is a vibrant, capital city. While there are a few nice outings, such as to Danube narrows, the focus of your stgay stay will most lkekly be the city and the many attractions it has to offer. In fact, it really is two cities with two distinct chaarters - - - Buda and Pest.

Given a choice, I would pick Budapest.

I have yet to visit Salzburg, although I have visited several other places in Austria, but I have been back to Budapest three times. So, clearly, I would vote for Budapest.

Salzburg is a charming city - worth a couple of days - and I would definitely return. However, Budapest is a major tourist center, has much more to see and do - and to me has a lot more AHA! sights.

English is spoken somewhat more frequently in Salzburg - but the tourist infrastructure in Budapest has blossomed in the last 10 years - and travel is no more chalenging than western europe.

I have been to both Salzburg and Budapest. I would choose Salzburg, I've been twice and would return again. Once you get to the Old Town city center of Salzburg it is easy to get around. It's a beautiful city, safe, good shopping and great food. There are a fair number of tours and places to visit surrounding Salzburg and just walking around the city, riding the funicular up to the Hohensalzburg Fortress and lots of little spots around the city make it a fun time. It is a very English friendly city.
Budapest is a large city and a bit more of a challenge to navigate in a short time period. I enjoyed it but it isn't a place I would return.
If you have a few days and would consider somewhere else, I would pick Prague hands down. It is one of the most amazing cities I have visited in Europe. The old town is fairly easy to navigate and there are tons of things to see and do. A little more challenge with language but still pretty English friendly. I wouldn't plan less than 2 days there. I want to go again!!

I'm glad you mentioned Prague agearing because we have 3 full days in Prague just before we go to either Salzburg or Budapest. I am really looking forward to Prague!

Others have given you some great info about how they differ. From my perspective, Salzburg can be seen in the time frame you mention ("a few days"), whereas Budapest deserves more than that IMO. That, to me, is an argument in favor of Salzburg. But both are wonderful, if for different reasons.

What month are you travelling? And what do you enjoy?

I live in Budapest and love it. Salzburg is a very charming smaller city. We went last summer for the musical festival. I would not go there during the back half of July if I did not love classical music.

Did you consider other places? (I am just curious why these 2 locations vs Vienna, Bratislava (a city I lived in for 18 months)' krakow, munich, etc.)

Thanks everyone for all of these suggestions.

Worldinbetween you ask some good questions. We will be traveling in the last half of July 2013. My son enjoys biking and long distance running. My 6 year old daughter enjoys kid things and swimming. I love hiking and walking. My husband likes beer and talking to people:) He has a bad leg, can walk but cannot hike. We all enjoy eating international cuisine and checking out what a new place has to offer be it country or city. I think we will be happy in either place.

We will be coming from Prague on our way to Venice so that is why we are choosing another place en route or close enough to the route. Krakow seems too far. Munich would probably work but then I feel like we would be backtracking somewhat. I never thought of Bratislava ... I'll look it up.

If you want to get a sense of what we do in this area.... You can check out my blog...

Www.worldinbetween.wordpress.com

During the music festival... I might scratch off Salzburg ... Late July can be smoking hot in Budapest.

You could look for options in Slovenia... We are going to the coast of Slovenia next month. I will let you know how it goes!

If I were doing that in July I think I'd stop in Innsbruck, or somewhere in the Dolomites - I liked Castelrotto. Somewhere in the mountains where it would be cooler.