On a business trip to Salzburg, the picturesque city in Austria!
Tips for your next business trip to Salzburg!
Salzburg is the city of famous composer Mozart and the Von Trapp family from The Sound of Music, but of course it is also known for its magnificent Baroque buildings and palaces. It is a city with not only wonderful cultural and historical experiences but it also has an interesting business landscape that offers many possibilities and opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors. Salzburg is Austria's fourth largest city with about 150,000 inhabitants (after Vienna, Graz and Linz) but is, however, the most popular destination for tourists. In this blog, we would like to take you on a business trip to Salzburg and try to give you the inside scoop on what this city has to offer.
Flying to Salzburg
Salzburg is easily accessible, the distance from Amsterdam is 773 km. There are 6 airlines flying on this route and this amounts to about 368 direct flights per week. So this offers a wide range of possibilities for your business trip! In about 1hour and 45minutes you fly from Amsterdam, but some airlines also offer direct options from Rotterdam, Eindhoven, Brussels and Düsseldorf. From the airport it is about 4km to the city center and possible to travel to the center by line bus 2 or 10. Of course, a cab or car rental is also suitable for a trip from the airport to the center.
Fun fact: Next to the runway is Hangar-7, this is a futuristic building owned by Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz that houses old aircraft and vehicles that have been used in (air) races sponsored by Red Bull. Among other things, Sebastian Vettel's Formula One race car is on display here. Admission is free.
Doing business in Salzburg
Salzburg is conveniently located in the heart of Europe and has good connections to other European cities through its airport and train network. For this reason, it also hosts many conferences and business events. Austria in general is committed to sustainability and environmental friendliness, this provides many opportunities for companies that want to focus on greener technologies and sustainable practices.
Here are some tips to make doing business as smooth as possible:
- The feed and trade language is German. In internationally oriented companies, communication is also done in English. In written contact, do pay close attention to spelling, especially when communicating in German. Spelling or grammatical errors come across as sloppy and are not appreciated.
- Austrians value formality in business interactions. In this regard, pay attention to titles and last names when addressing your business associates until permission is given by the person to switch to more informal language. They are also formal in terms of dress; a neat professional appearance is appreciated.
- In Austrian business culture, business gifts are not common, should you still want to take something with you? Provide a work related gift but preferably without a company logo or a typical Dutch souvenir, do not give personal or expensive gifts.
- Austrians are fairly reserved people, business is handled efficiently but not always very quickly. Do not be pushy to your business associate but it is important to maintain regular contact to maintain interest and work on a good business relationship.
Gute Nacht!
Salzburg offers an array of accommodation options, ranging from luxury hotels to cozy boutique hotels. We are happy to share some of the best hotels:
- Hotel Sacher Salzburg: This hotel offers elegant rooms and suites overlooking the Salzach River and the Old Town. It is known for its luxury and traditional Austrian style.
- Hotel Stein: This modern hotel has one beautiful rooftop terrace overlooking the old town and fortress Hohensalzburg. A great place to stay in this city!
- Hotel Schloss Mönchstein: Located on a hill above Salzburg, this castle-like hotel offers breathtaking views of the city and mountains. It is a true haven of luxury and comfort.
- Hotel Bristol Salzburg: A renowned five-star hotel, centrally located and known for its elegant rooms and gourmet restaurants.
- Arthotel Blaue Gans: This is Salzburg's oldest hotel and combines a contemporary feel with historical charm. It is a stone's throw from the Salzburg Cathedral.
Photos source: Hotel Bristol Salzburg.
Free time away from appointments?
Salzburg offers a wide range of attractions should you have some time to unwind outside of appointments. The locations below should not be skipped then:
- Hohenzalsburg Castle: One of the most prominent sights of Salzburg is the Festungsberg, with the Hohenzalsburg on top. Just the trip there by cable car is worth going here. This medieval fortress offers not only spectacular views of Salzburg and surrounding mountains, but also a fascinating journey through the city's history through 3 museums.
- Altstadt: This historic part of Salzburg is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and for good reason. Altstadt is a romantic set of winding streets, old buildings, hidden squares and photogenic vistas. The Getreidegrasse is the most famous street in Altstadt, as this is the shopping street of Salzburg, and at the end of this street is the beautiful view of the old church of St. Blasius.
Mozart's Geburtshaus: This is the house where composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born and raised. It is now a museum dedicated to his life, music and legacy. - Mirabell Castle: This is an ornate palace surrounded by beautiful gardens, whose terraced gardens are famous for their symmetrical design and stately statues. These gardens were also featured in "The Sound of Music." From the outside it looks like a stately building but inside there are beautifully decorated rooms and ballrooms, of which the Marble Hall is by far the most beautiful. Admission to gardens and castle is free.
- Salzburg Cathedral: The imposing Salzburg Cathedral, a magnificent example of Baroque architecture, is an important religious and architectural monument in the city. The chimes of this cathedral are so beautiful, according to experts, that no other church bells in Austria can match them.
Sample local delicacies
Wiener Schnitzel, Käsespätzle, Apfelstrudel, Sachertorte, Marillenknödel: Austrian cuisine is widely known and immensely delicious! We have found below a number of restaurants that serve these typical Austrian dishes in a typical setting with lots of wood, rich fabrics and baroque influences. Reservations are recommended!
- St. Peter Stiftskeller: Located in the historic center of Salzburg, this is one of the oldest restaurants in Europe, with a history dating back to the 9th century.
- Gasthof Goldgasse: This restaurant offers a modern take on traditional Austrian cuisine, housed in a historic building in the heart of the Old Town.
- Zwettlers Stiftskeller: This restaurant offers an extensive menu of Austrian dishes, from Goulash to trout from the local lakes. The atmosphere here is informal and lively.
In addition, of course, tasting local Austrian beers should not be missed during a trip to Salzburg! For example, pay a visit to the Stiegl Brewery, where several tours are held daily and which is also the largest private brewery in Austria. Or visit one of the following 3 breweries:
- Augustiner Bräustübl: One of the most famous breweries in Salzburg. There is a large beer garden where you can relax and taste different beers.
- Die Weisse Brewery & Beer Garden: This is Austria's most famous wheat beer, and this brewery and restaurant offers a range of home-brewed beers.
- S'Kloane Brauhaus: A cozy brewery and restaurant where you can enjoy hui brewed beers. This place is popular among both locals and tourists.
Photo source: Augustiner Bräustübl
Salzburg seamlessly combines business and pleasure, allowing you to enjoy the beautiful surroundings, Austrian gastronomy and warm hospitality in addition to a successful business trip. We hope these tips help you make the most of your business trip to Salzburg. Curious about more tips, information or the best travel options? We are here for you! Gute Reise!
Travel Well!
Anne van den Berg
Business Travel Consultant
