Salzburg Exploration

Our journey began in Salzburg, where we spent three magical nights. The city welcomed us with a fresh dusting of snow, transforming its already charming streets into a picture-perfect winter scene. Salzburg, with its rich history and vibrant culture, had no shortage of things to offer. From strolling along the river to retracing the footsteps of Mozart, and reliving the scenes from The Sound of Music, the city provided endless fascination.

One of our favourite experiences was visiting the Augustiner Brewery. This historic brewery was a standout highlight of our trip—sipping steins of freshly brewed beer paired with Austrian culinary delights such as Currywurst  from local vendors made it a must-visit. We’ve been to many breweries in our time, but this one left a lasting impression.

We also indulged in Salzburg’s delectable cuisine. Everywhere we went, the food was top-notch. If we were to pick our favourite to recommend for dinner the winner would be S’Kloane Brauhaus. We enjoyed some tasty authentic food with a local feel about it.

Best Viewpoints In Salzburg

No trip to Salzburg is complete without climbing to one of the city’s incredible vantage points. The Hohensalzburg Fortress is an iconic site perched above the city, offering stunning views and a rich history. You can explore the fortress itself and learn more about Salzburg’s past while gazing out at the snow-covered city below.

Another fantastic viewpoint is from Mönchsberg Palace (Schloss Mönchsberg). The walk up is rewarding, and from here, you can capture the cityscape with the fortress in the background, providing perhaps an even more breath taking panorama.

Day Trip to Hallstatt

Our visit to Hallstatt was a dream come true. This idyllic lakeside town looks like it belongs on a postcard, with its charming wooden houses nestled against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains. We’d long anticipated a trip to Hallstatt, and it did not disappoint. Spending 3-4 hours here was the perfect amount of time to soak in its beauty before heading back to Salzburg. Although accommodation in Hallstatt can be expensive, it’s an ideal spot for a day trip. The town’s allure lies in its scenery, and we found that exploring it in just a few hours was more than enough.

Next, we took a scenic train ride to Innsbruck, using it as a stopover before heading to St. Anton. Innsbruck was the perfect place to explore, do some shopping, and indulge in apple strudel—a delicious must-try. We stumbled upon some fantastic bars and restaurants for a drink, and each spot had its own cozy, wintery vibe.

FloJos offered a good place for a late night drink as we watched the final for Germany vs Austria in the Ice hockey. We really enjoyed this bar as the owner looked after us, the food awesome as well.

Skiing Innsbruck

One of the city’s best features is its proximity to the mountains. On a whim, we decided to spend a day at Schlick 2000, a ski resort just outside the city. It was incredibly easy to get to—a bus picked us up right from our hotel and took us straight to the slopes. Though the ski area was smaller compared to St. Anton, it was reasonably priced, and we had a great time skiing with fewer crowds. Food and drinks here were also more affordable than in St. Anton, making it a great choice for a spontaneous day trip.

Finally, we arrived at St. Anton, greeted by piles of snow and a lively atmosphere. The ski village had an energetic buzz, with slopes that were steeper and more challenging than those we’d experienced in France. Despite facing a mix of weather conditions—including some rainy days—we thoroughly enjoyed our time on the mountain. Over five days, we explored different runs each day and embraced the vibrant après-ski scene.

We spent our evenings rotating between the hotspots: Basecamp, Mooserwirt, Krazy Kanguruh, and Taps—each offering a lively mix of German music, beer, and good vibes to cap off a day of skiing. St. Anton’s après-ski culture is renowned, and it certainly lived up to the hype. Whether on the slopes or in the village, there was never a dull moment.

There is no shortage of areas to Ski to with plenty of awesome places to stop for lunch or a drink with a view. Whilst on the mountain one of our favourite places were The Hospiz restaurant and Ulmer Hütte, both providing great places to stop inbetween runs.