Hey all! So here is my situation..I am planning to travel to Austria (mid-June) right before Prague and after a week in Croatia and was looking to make it to both Salzburg and Vienna. However my friend in Prague who I will be staying with recently told me to visit on a weekend as it would be easier for them to accommodate me. Thus as a result of this news I must eliminate either Salzburg or Vienna to allow my stay in Prague to fall nicely into the weekend. I should also mention that I have been to Salzburg before, but it was for a day and a half and the half day(early evening when I initially arrived) was spent drinking in the hostel and the whole(next) day was spent on a tour of the ice caves in Werfen. I absolutely loved the feel of the city though, and I told myself that I would someday love to go back and see more of the city as opposed to spending it on a day trip to the ice caves and such. Having said all this, I have heard good things about Vienna, naturally. I am always looking to travel to new places as well, so that would be fitting for me to travel to Vienna, a place I have never been. So my general question is this: should I satiate my appetite for Salzburg and go back there or go to Vienna and see somewhere new? And again yes I have been to Salzburg but did not spend any time at all seeing the actual city. I would appreciate any and all input..thanks all! Anthony
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8319 posts
I would suggest that you go return to experience Vienna. It's one of my favorite cities anywhere. It's another music city, like Salzburg, and the museums and palaces of the Hapsburgs are very interesting. We always stay at K&T Boardinghouse, which has two properties in fantastic center city locations.
Posted by
Nederland, CO
1530 posts
My personal preference is Salzburg. We've been there 3 times, and once to Vienna. I do tend to limit my time in big cities however, and to me that's one of the biggest differences. To me Salzburg has a much more intimate feel, and I love the hills, and surrounding area. I would say Vienna has more in terms of museums and Palaces. They are both wonderful so no matter what you decide you can't go wrong.
Posted by
Myrtle Beach, USA
12313 posts
The time you have to spend should dictate. Salzburg can be visited in a couple of days. Vienna needs more time.
Posted by
Orlando
516 posts
Very hard choice. Since you've already been to Salzburg I would go with Vienna.
Posted by
Stuttgart, Germany
3050 posts
Both cities are wonderful as others have said, but I agree with the people who are recommending Vienna. I didn't know much about it before I went, and was really surprised at how wonderful it was and how much I loved it. It is a big, world-class city though, without the stunning natural setting of Salzburg. But Salzburg, while charming, only has a fraction of the things to do that Vienna does. The "sights" in Salzburg proper can easily be seen in a day with plenty of time for drinking in cafes and whatnot. I spent 3 full days in Vienna and still didn't get to see everything I wanted to.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
258 posts
Vienna! I have been to Salzburg several times (and do love it; it IS an incredibly pretty, small city), but that said, Vienna is just 1 of Europe's great, world-class city destinations The culture, atmosphere, world-class art museums, palaces, cathedrals/churches, monuments, cafe culture, food, etc. just make Vienna a city one can return to time and time again. And if it's your very FIRST time there, then even better! What I also love about it is that it's a city certainly marching ahead/modernizing (especially in regards to some of the modern art museums/architecture), while also showing great reverance for the past. Fact is, you can't go wrong with either (I would probably vote for Salzburg if, for example, you were spending time in Munich, as they are SO close together), but if FORCED to choose ONE, I, personally, would opt for Vienna in a heartbeat. At the end of the day, of course, go with whatever your gut tells you. One suggestion would be to get Rick's guide to Austria (no one is more eloquent than Rick in describing a European destination) and read up on both; then, based on your personal tastes/preferences, etc. , it might be to easier choose. Have a great time, wherever in Austria you end up. Oh, and enjoy Prague, another spectacular city you are sure to love.
Posted by
Modesto, California
101 posts
I would also urge Vienna and recommend the K&T Boardinghouse.
Posted by
Lake Forest, CA, USA
1633 posts
Both cities are beautiful. It really depends on how much time you plan on visiting. I've been to both and I prefer a smaller city and, therefore, Salzburg.
Posted by
Southwest, Florida
325 posts
A very tough choice. Both are fantastic. If forced to choose I'd pick Salzburg. While you have been there, you didn't get much of a chance to experience it. The city is very pretty and the church bells are wonderful. If you choose Salzburg, I would suggest, if you have the time, to do a day trip to St Gilgen/ St Wolfgang im Salzkammergut
Posted by
Portland, Maine, USA
171 posts
I think it would depend on the method of transportation to Prague. I took the train from Vienna to Prague direct and it was still a long ride. It would be that much longer from Saltzburg to Prague.
Posted by
Ann Arbor, Mi
3696 posts
I would choose Salzburg.... because you have really not experienced Salzburg, and since you are going to Prague (a big city) I would balance it with the smaller city. I enjoyed Vienna, but I also prefer smaller cities.... so, no help here as it appears to be split decision. Go on your instincts. You could pair Vienna on anothe rtrip with Budapest...
Posted by
Southwest, Florida
325 posts
Terry Kathryn brings up an excellent point. When we went to Vienna, I never gave Budapest a thought and later realized that I should have tried to fit in even a long day trip for an overview. This might suggest doing Vienna and Budapest on another trip.
Whatever you choose, your trip will be exciting
Posted by
Southwest, Florida
325 posts
Terry Kathryn brings up an excellent point. When we went to Vienna, I never gave Budapest a thought and later realized that I should have tried to fit in even a long day trip for an overview. This might suggest doing Vienna and Budapest on another trip.
Whatever you choose, your trip will be exciting