Has anyone been in Salzburg over Christmas? We would love suggestions for places to stay for our group of 7 (either one or two apartments, for 3 nights). We know restaurants will close on Christmas, so we want to be sure we have cooking facilities. We hope to stay in a great location for walking to everything.
Also, any special recommendations for things to do on Christmas eve or Christmas day?
Thanks very much!
For a quaint B&B or small room with kitchenette, look at Haus Ballwein or Pension Ballwein--family owned. I have stayed here numerous times. It is located on Moosestrasse--a 20 minute bus ride into downtown Salzburg.
I have not been there at Christmas but we are staying in an apartment in Vienna in Oct. Suggest you take a look at VRBO dot COM or Homeaway (overlapping listings). There are quite a number of short term apartments available in central Vienna. Both web sites have lots of information/photos/reviews. We have used VRBO in Rome, London and in the Cotswolds as well as numerous times in the states with good results. I do shop carefully and try to get a street address so I can google the location with street view. When I was searching Vienna I did notice that there was often a premium charge for Christmas and also sometimes a 7 day minimum (3 days minimum is more normal). But hotels and everyone else will be doing the same thing in that season.
Good luck!
Robbie
Salzburg is wonderful over Christmas the markets even go on a few days after to New Year. The day you need to plan for is actually Christmas Eve (24th) many things will close from midday on. Even the fortress has a last entry at 2pm (but it is open Christmas Day). For wonderful free entertainment go to church. There are many beautiful churches in the city and the music at Christmas time in Mozart's home town is incredible. Midnight mass is often the best. Some of the tourists style dinner and music concerts keep going through Christmas and one is served at the Hohensalzburg fortress. Salzburg famous for Christmas so you may find more available than you think.
