Strasbourg or Salzburg

I've been to Strasbourg and Salzburg and while I enjoyed my time in Strasbourg, I would definitely opt for Salzburg. Strasbourg is a lovely city but I think that Salzburg hits more of your buttons. There is so much to do there, including cultural events, hiking, and enjoying the city's green space. You can see the breathtaking scenery of the surrounding Alps, visit rural areas outside of the city and walk through the historic center, which has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its lovely architecture and picturesque streets. In short, it has everything to make your trip a joy. Salzburg really is a wonderful destination and I don't think you would regret heading there.

I was just going to vote for Salzburg also. Been to both. Love both. Mardee just now said the exact same comments I was going to make!

Salzburg is better located for Passau, as well as being a nice visit. You need to work out some estimated train times. You're covering a lot of ground. Are you at least making a daytrip to Bruges?

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I have been to both,

Strasbourg, once in the city centre, once to the cathedral, many times to eat in a shopping centre in the outskirts (from Germany).

Salzburg, many times, often annually before covid.

Can anyone share notable differences between Strasbourg and Salzburg?

Strasbourg: cathedral, clock, nice atmosphere, convenient to the northern Black Forest in Germany, convenient to Colmar, convenient to Paris. Alsatian cuisine. I wouldn't encourage anybody else to do as I do which is when we are staying in the northern Black Forest area we hop over by car to eat at Flunch in a suburban shopping centre.

Salzburg: magnificent church, and cemetery, and church bakery, beautiful mountains all around, you can get Mozart Balls, cable car up into the mountains (scariest I have ever been on, and that's a lot), funicular and elevator to the Fortress which is highly impressive and views are great, the whole centre of the city is Baroque, it has 2 buildings given over to Mozart, one where he was born (I prefer that one) and one where he lived, it is neat because the major carpark is under the mountain, great Bier Garten at the Augustiner under the chestnut trees, we just love the place (and we don't drink alcohol at all and have great times there). The river flows through the town, everything is walkable but there are buses, oh did I say it is scenic. And music, oh the music. Very convenient to Munich, very convenient to Passau and Regensburg.

I live in France and have been to both cities. I enjoyed Salzburg immensely but if I were given the option of visiting either with a free ticket I would opt for Strasbourg in a minute. It's a much more interesting and diverse town. Salzburg is great. But in my opinion Strasbourg has more going for it.

Both are fantastic, and you won't be disappointed either way as both meet what you like. Ease of access and travel time (both from Brussels and to Passau) would be the main factors for me in this decision. You can also look at any day tours or walking tours to see what sparks your interest.

I have been to Strasbourg 3 times, Salzburg 4, but many, many more days in Salzburg. Both are very nice, but I think that since the goal is Passau and you only have 3 days, I would opt for Salzburg.

I have not been to Strasbourg but did a trip to Salzburg last year with my 12 year old daughter. Both of us loved our three days there immensely. Cannot recommend Hotel Wolf enough.

Thank you to all the responses. We have decided on Salzburg.