Salzburg — Travelrags

Lonely PlanetAug 28, 2026

The Best Christmas Markets in Europe

Get planning your festive season with this guide to this year

25 things in this story

Schloss HellbrunnAttractionmarket with carollers, handicraft stalls, and Christmas train
Hellbrunn's baroque palaceSightpairs Christmas markets with northern lights
Hellbrunn Advent MagicMarketheld at Salzburg's Schloss Hellbrunn
Elsewhere
Grand-PlaceMarketBrussels, Belgiumstrikingly lit square with a fabulous tree
SenaatintoriNeighborhoodHelsinki, Finlandmarket on elegant 19th-century square
StriezelmarktMarketDresden, Germanyhas enraptured folk since 1434
Nuremberg's marketMarketNuremberg, Germanytwo million visit
Innsbruck's medieval old town marketsMarketInnsbruck, Austriafolk bands play and chalets sell decorations
Ravenna GorgeSightSchluchsee, GermanyChristmas market in the snowy Black Forest
RathausSightVienna, Austriamarket in front of the neo-Gothic building
SpittelbergQuarterVienna, Austriaromantic market in narrow Biedermeier lanes
Schloss SchönbrunnSightVienna, Austriamarket on the grounds with a magnificent tree
Golden RoofAttractionInnsbruck, Austriahuge tree glitters in front of it
MarktplatzNeighborhoodInnsbruck, Austriatraditional fairground rides and puppet shows
KiebachgasseNeighborhoodInnsbruck, Austriafairytale-themed street
Maria-Theresien-StrasseNeighborhoodInnsbruck, Austriamarket stalls and trees packed with twinkling lights
Place de BrouckèreNeighborhoodBrussels, Belgiumice and curling rinks and a merry-go-round
Pl Sainte-CatherineNeighborhoodBrussels, Belgiummarket spreads out here for shopping
Zagreb’sMarketZagreb, Croatiaright up there with Europe’s finest
FuliranjeMarketZagreb, Croatiamarket for carols, concerts, crafts and DJs
Ban Jelačić SqNeighborhoodZagreb, Croatiasnack on hot chestnuts and licitars
Winchester’s Christmas marketMarketWinchester, United Kingdomin the cathedral’s historic grounds
Raekoja platsNeighborhoodTallinn, Estoniaenormous tree towering above quaint wooden chalets
AleksanterinkatuNeighborhoodHelsinki, Finlandfestivities kick off with switching on the lights
Colmar in AlsaceNeighborhoodColmar, Francegingerbready, half-timbered old town hosts six markets

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Lonely PlanetAug 11

The best swimming spots and beaches around Salzburg

You may not expect to need a swimsuit to visit Salzburg, but swimming in clear mountain lakes and hiking to forest-backed beaches will soon prove you do.

16 things in this story

AlmkanalSightGreen banks shelter swimming spots, good for surfing at Almwelle.
SalzachseeSightLargest and most popular swimming area on the north side.
Lieferinger BadeseeSightSmallest of three lakes, surrounded by spacious lawns for sunbathing.
Elsewhere
FuschlseeSightFuschl am See, AustriaLake with swim spots against a backdrop of forested mountains.
Alpine BeachSightMondsee, AustriaLargest developed beach area with sandy beach, waterslides, buffet.
St LorenzSightMondsee, AustriaSweet swimming areas against the spectacular backdrop of Schafberg.
St Michael's basilicaSightMondsee, AustriaFamous large basilica used in The Sound of Music wedding scene.
Saalach RiverSightSalzburger Saalachtal, AustriaOne of the best regions for wild swimming in the foothills.
Grubhof bridgeSightLofer, AustriaRefreshing dip location along the Saalach River in Lofer.
InnersbachklammSightSalzburger Saalachtal, AustriaRock pool swimming location in the Salzburger Saalachtal.
SeehornseeSightSalzburger Saalachtal, AustriaSmall mountain lake reached by hiking in the Salzburger Saalachtal.
VorderkaserklammSightSalzburger Saalachtal, AustriaTamer bathing area suitable for young children.
mountain inn at the far end of the lakeRestaurantAltaussee, AustriaFilming location in the Bond film Spectre.
OffenseeSightEbensee, AustriaGorgeous spot with beaches, coves, forest, and mountain scenery.
AltausseerseeSightAltaussee, Austria
snack barFast foodEbensee, Austria

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Atlas ObscuraAug 11

19 Creepy Catacombs Around the World You Can Visit

Catacombs—underground rooms and tunnels used as cemeteries—date back to first-century Rome, but the most famous (and infamous) were created across Europe in the 17th century. Overcrowding in Paris’s more traditional burial spaces, as well as sanitation issues, led authorities to turn the miles of tunnels connecting quarries under the city into crypts. It’s believed that more than six million pe…

21 things in this story

The Catacombs of St. Peter’s AbbeySightServed as a sacred burial site and hermitage.
Elsewhere
Templo ExpiatorioPlace of worshipLeón, MexicoNeo-Gothic church providing entry to an underground world.
Catacombs of Washington, D.C.SightWashington, United StatesCreated by Franciscan monks to channel the Holy Land.
Petrovaradin FortressSightNovi Sad, SerbiaHidden underground military galleries, a four-story network.
Old St. Patrick’s CathedralSightNew York, United StatesCatacombs open to the public for candlelight tours.
Delmonico familyPlaceNew York, United StatesFounders of New York’s oldest surviving restaurant.
Sanità districtNeighborhoodNaples, ItalySite of Greek-era catacombs with oldest surviving Christian art.
St. Paul’s and St. Agatha’s catacombsSightRabat, MaltaHolds one of the finest surviving examples of an agape table.
Fontanelle Cemetery CavesSightNaples, ItalyCave complex used as a burial ground since the 1500s.
Santa Maria delle Anime del Purgatorio ad ArcoSightNaples, ItalyBegan burying Naples’s poor and unclaimed in 1638.
Catacombs at Templo ExpiatorioSightLeón, MexicoLabyrinth of catacombs formed from seven interconnected crypts.
Warstone Lane Cemetery CatacombsSightBirmingham, United KingdomTiered, semicircular catacombs resembling a Roman amphitheater.
Maltese Catacomb ComplexesSightRabat, MaltaComplex holds tombs for over 1,000 bodies.
Igreja de São Francisco CatacombsSightPorto, PortugalCatacombs hold tombs for members of the Franciscan order.
Ta’ Bistra CatacombsSightMosta, MaltaLargest catacomb complex found outside Rabat.
The Sacconi Rossi CryptSightRome, ItalyCrypt decorated with bones of deceased brothers.
Melník Chapel of BonesSightMelnik, CzechiaVault holds exhumed bodies from plague-ridden cemeteries.
Klatovy Catacomb MummiesSightKlatovy, CzechiaVentilation system naturally mummified bodies.
Museum Romeinse Katakomben (Roman Catacombs Museum)MuseumValkenburg, The NetherlandsFaithful reproduction of Roman catacombs in a quarry.
Capuchin Monastery CatacombsSightPalermo, ItalyNearly 8,000 corpses dressed in their Sunday best.
Catacombes de ParisMuseumParis, FranceHolds remains of six to seven million Parisians.

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Lonely PlanetJul 16

"The Sound of Music" filming locations to visit in Salzburg

Cinematically beautiful Salzburg is even dreamier in person than onscreen, with settings that send your soul soaring.

21 things in this story

Stift NonnbergSightHear Gregorian chants at 5:15pm weekdays, 5pm Saturdays, 4:30pm Sundays.
ResidenzplatzSightMaria sings "I Have Confidence" and splashes fountain horses.
ResidenzbrunnenSightMaria playfully splashes its water-spouting horses.
Residenz palaceSightDesigned by Vincenzo Scamozzi, inspired by Rome.
FelsenreitschuleTheatrePremier venue of the summertime Salzburg Festival.
St Peter'sSightOldest abbey, church, monastery in German-speaking world.
Schloss MirabellAttractionGardens have fountains, muses, parterres, and rose gardens.
Festung HohensalzburgSightSalzburg's 900-year-old fortress crowning the hillside.
ZwerglgartenGardenDwarf Garden with Pegasus statue and steps appeared in film.
Schloss HellbrunnAttractionGardens have ponds, sculptures, leafy avenues, and trick fountains.
Schloss LeopoldskronAttractionRococo palace with dreamy views; has 12 luxurious suites.
UntersbergSightPeak where von Trapp family climbs to escape Nazi-occupied Austria.
SalzkammergutSightRegion east of Salzburg with lofty peaks and jewel-colored lakes.
Sound of Music SalzburgAttractionScheduled to open autumn 2026 at Hellbrunn Palace.
Fräulein Maria’s Bicycle TourPlaceHalf-day bike tour rolling from palace to plaza, park to abbey.
Tänzerin sculptureSight
Elsewhere
Basilica Minor St MichaelSightMondsee, AustriaStriking lemon-and-white, twin-towered baroque facade.
Tennengebirge AlpsSightWerfen, AustriaMountains rise above the Salzach River and Werfen.
Sound of Music TrailTrailWerfen, Austria1.4km trail twisting up to Gschwandtanger lookout.
Burg HohenwerfenSightWerfen, AustriaMedieval fortress crowning a clifftop.
EisriesenweltSightWerfen, AustriaWorld's largest accessible ice caves.

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