Salzburg or Cesky Krumlov??
 

Hi we are going on a Tauck river cruise and one day we have to pick!! I do love Sound of Music!!

thanks!!

Salzburg. Cesky Krumlov was cute, the castle is interesting, but the town is small. Salzburg is touristy but really beautiful and charming.

Fish or chips.
Head or tails.

Salzburg

Salzburg is in a country where they nearly elected a Nazi like guy
If it can help select a destination ....

I think it really depends on the other towns/cities you'll be visiting and time of year. If you'll be making other Austrian stops, my vote would be for Cesky Krumlov. I was in Salzburg during peak tourist season. There were just too many people. The same can be said for Cesky Krumlov but it is positively charming with such unique architecture. I took way more pictures in Cesky. True, it's small and there isn't much to do. But, I loved it.

Salzburg is in a country where they nearly elected a Nazi like guy
If it can help select a destination ....<<

I often choose my trip destinations based on politicians that almost won elections

The problem is not with the politician.
It lies with the guys who vote for him/her.
50% who have no problem voting for far right... reminds me of Adolf. But ... wait. ... wasn't he Austrian ?

One question is how many of the huge mass of people who voted for Hofer were voting for someone who they perceived as a right-wing extremist, and how many were voting for someone who would work to limit migration, no more no less. When Hofer's party, the FPO, was in office in the early 2000's I don't believe they instituted anything at all similar to a new 3rd Reich, nor has the current FPO government, now ruling in coalition in Burgenland and Upper Austria attempted anything too outlandish.

Salzburg - way more to do/see there.

Sorry - don;t worry about losing politicians. We have enough of a problem here with Lying Donald.

It’s hard to put into words how pretty Salzburg is You can ask anyone about Austria, and they will recommend Salzburg, but Salzburg doesn't give you the "flavor" of the Sound of Music unless you take one of the wonderful SoM Tours. Can't say enough good things about these tours - great.

Cesky Krumlauf Castle is beautiful but it is a long way from where your boat docked and you have wasted much of your very limited time getting to/from. For this one take a look at the beautiful photos online of the castle and put it on a "to do list" for the future. Also for your list add the amazing hamlet of Hallstatt which is accessed by an hour train ride from the Salzburg train station to Hallstatt where you then board a boat for a very short ride across the lake to the hamlet. This is one of the MOST beautiful hamlets I have ever seen (and I have seen many). Check out Hallstatt before you might select Cesky Krumauf.

sBsmith

I absolutely love Salzburg and have been numerous times. However, the last time we were there, the crowds were horrible and it was very warm.

When we visited Cesky Krumlov, it was rainy and pretty miserable weather. The castle is beautiful and it is a lovely setting.

I would say it depends on what time of year you go and whether it is peak tourist season.

We have visited both cities several times in good weather and in bad; in early spring and in early summer. If you are truly a SOM fan, then Salzburg is your destination. You can take an SOM tour and still find yourselves with time to appreciate the AltStadt.

If I were in your position I would choose Salzburg. Though we have enjoyed a memorable lunch on a rainy, miserable day in Cesky Krumlov, and a perfectly sunny, shoulder-to-toursit-shoulder visit in nice weather, Salzburg holds considerably more opportunities for enjoyment on a day outing.

I hope this is helpful.

For one day, I don't think it really matters, it is just a personal decision. Someone has mentioned logistics that might affect you choice, and that makes sense.

While I do think Salzburg has more to do, because of that I would probably pick Cesky Krumlov if you only have one day. It is also more isolated and doesn't fit into most itineraries very easily. So assuming this isn't your only time in Europe, I think you can fit Salzburg into another trip more easily, such as with Vienna or other parts of Austria, or perhaps Germany, lots of choices. And then you could do the S of M tour and spend a couple days in Sazlzburg. CK doesn't fit in anywhere, people have to go through a lot of logistics to add that to any trip. You can easily see the highlights in one day or even part of a day.