If you haven't settled yet on a destination to visit, either Salzburg or Vienna, I can help you decide on the best option that suits your needs.
I compare both cities side by side so that you get a better feeling for your preferred choice.
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No matter if you are time pressed or simply forced to choose between these two places for whatever reason, you can most certainly pick either one to visit.
Both, Vienna and Salzburg have their perks. Let's look at them and compare both cities.
Comparing Salzburg and Vienna side by side
Here are the pros and cons of visiting either Salzburg or Vienna, side by side.
| Salzburg | Vienna | |
| Location | Western Austria | Eastern Austria |
| Size | Salzburg city is the regional capital of the Salzburg region, and it's not all that large. | The capital of Austria. It's the largest city in the country. |
| Getting There | Salzburg has a small airport, which is great for all those who just want to see Salzburg. Yet, tickets to Salzburg are always way pricier and flights are not that frequent. Because it's a small airport, you will get through the security within minutes, which is a HUGE plus point. Alternatively, many actually choose to land at the Munich international airport and travel by train to Salzburg instead. | Vienna can be easily accessed via the Vienna international airport (Schwechat). You just need to grab a train from the airport to the city center, which is a 30-minute ride. Tickets to Vienna are always cheaper compared to Salzburg (and often also Munich!) and many airlines land and take off from the Vienna Schwechat airport. |
| Top Reason to Visit | Centrally located, Salzburg has a rich historical offering. It's different from Vienna, and the city is smaller, but Salzburg city has its charm. | Vienna is the imperial city of a lost empire. It was called the pearl of Europe and visitors looking to immerse in the history of the city and country, will appreciate a visit. |
| Other Notable Places Nearby | Salzburg has better day trip options and makes for a smarter base if you intend to stay for more than just a day. It's in the alps! This includes, Hallstatt, Sound of Music filming locations, Zell am See lake, Grossglockner High Alpine Road, Berchtesgaden national park, Munich, Kitzbühel area, Innsbruck. | Most visitors to Vienna, simply visit the city and stop there. Yet, international travelers don't seem to know these destinations yet: Wachau valley, Melk Abbey, Neusiedler lake, Baden bei Wien, Esterhazy Palace in Eisenstadt, Styria region, Bratislava in Slovakia. |
| Museums | Most visitors to Salzburg come to see the Mozart birth house museum and the exhibition in the Fortress Hohensalzburg. | Vienna is known as the city of museums and culture and no other place, except Paris in Europe, can beat this title. The most popular Vienna museums include the Art History and the Nature History museums. Paintings by Austrian artists, such as Klimt and Schiele, can be seen in Vienna. |
| Gardens and Palaces | Mirabell palace and gardens, Hellbrunn palace and water game experience, Fortress Hohensalzburg. | Schönbrunn palace with gardens and zoo, Imperial Hofburg palace and gardens, Belvedere palace and gardens. |
| Classic Music Concerts | The Jedermann is played yearly in the summer months in the city. You can take part in a Mozart concert. Salzburg is the birthplace of the renowned composer. | While you can also book a mozart concert in Vienna, you also get a chance to take part in other classic music concerts. After all, Vienna is the birthplace of classical music! This includes Vivaldi's Four Seasons concert in the beautiful Karlskirche church. Experiencing a soirée at the Vienna state opera is a must for every opera fan. |
| Public Thermal Baths | You won't find a Thermal spa (with natural spring water) in Salzburg, but you are situated near the Gastein valley. The town of Bad Gastein, was the former grand bathing hub of the rich and famous. Today, you can take in the mountain area while relaxing in a pool at the Bad Gastein Felsentherme or the nearby Bad Hofgastein Alpentherme. Both are top wellness spas! | Eastern Austria is known for its amazing public thermal spas. These spas can be accessed by the general public and include always a thermal bath area and a textile-free sauna “village”. I highly recommend a wellness day in one of these thermal spas. The Therme Wien is situated in Wien Favoriten, which is not all too far from the city center. A day trip to other Thermal baths nearby is also a great idea! |
| Shopping | Take a stroll along the world-famous Getreidegasse in the old town, and you will come across locally-run boutiques, a Christmas and Easter shop and luxury brand stores. The McArthurGlen Outlet opposite the Salzburg airport offers a tax refund. | Visit the upscale luxury stores in the Kohlmarkt, im Graben and in the Kärntner Straße near the Stephans old town square. The Marierhilferstrasse has been known as a general shopping lane. Your nearest shopping mall to the city center is the Wien Mitte Mall. |
| Special Traditional Events | The region of Salzburg, with the capital, is known for its traditional winter events. This includes the Krampus run in early December and the Perchten parades in January. Besides, the city follows old catholic holidays. That means special fairs are planned in spring and in fall, such as the Rupertitag. | Summer solstice celebrations in the Wachau are part of an age-old tradition. Experience big bonfires along the Danube river, torches in the vineyards and fireworks on and around the 21st of June. |
| Christmas Markets | Salzburg has some lovely Christmas too, such as the old town Christmas market, the market at the Mirabell palace or the Christmas market at the Hellbrunn palace. | Nothing in this world beats the offerings of the Vienna Christmas markets. Light effect shows, stalls from nearby cross-country artisanal sellers and the most dazzling Christmas atmosphere, all in one place. |
| Food and Drink | Salzburg is mainly known for the Salzburger Nockerl dessert. Reserve a table in the oldest restaurant in the world, the St. Peter Stiftskulinarium. The people of Salzburg, and the world, swear that the best Bosna is served at the legendary Balkan Grill Walter. Austria's most popular bear comes from Salzburg. The Stiegl brewery can be visited! | The unofficial food capital of Austria is most definitely Vienna. Vienna is home to the Sachertorte cake, the Apple Strudel, the veal Wiener Schnitzel, the Wiener Sausage, and the traditional coffee house tradition. Vienna is also at the center of the Austrian wine regions. The pride of the city is the Gemischter Satz wine. |
| Walking Tours | The city isn't that large, and guided walking tours are not all that common. | You will find plenty of guided walking tours in Vienna. They even offer a walking tour to the obscure age-old Vienna cemetery. |
| Offerings for Families with Kids | The house of nature (Haus der Natur) is a popular museum among kids. Nonetheless, most attractions in Salzburg are made for adults. | Families with older kids, and also adults, will want to head to the world's oldest theme park, the Prater. Here you will find Vienna's landmark, the Giant Ferris wheel. If you have small kids, head to the charming Böhmischer Prater. Kids will love the Haus des Meeres, which is an aquarium in a former Nazi Flac tower. Moreover, the technical museum is a joy! |
| Hotel Room Prices | As a rule of thumb, cities in Western Austria are pricier than the east. This also applies to Salzburg. Nonetheless, the quality of service tends to be spot on. | Yes, you will find outrageously pricey, but also stunning, hotels in Vienna, but all in all, they tend to be slightly cheaper compared to Salzburg. That said, the quality of rooms in eastern Austria, including Vienna, cannot be compared to the West. (There, I said it) |
| Getting Around | Walking, cycling, O-bus. | Walking, tram (called the Bim), U-Bahn metro subway. Public transport is better in Vienna. |
Photos to compare
You need to see both cities to understand how to prioritize between the two destinations.
Both are great cities to experience, but if you have to pick one, go for the one that inspires you the most!
We took these photos over the years and across various seasons.
Salzburg Photos
Vienna Photos
Videos to compare
We have done several walking tour videos over the years in both cities. Use these videos to compare and make your own assessment of what to expect.
Tips and Thoughts
If you can make room to visit both, do that! You won't have that many opportunities in your life to see these stunning old-world cities.
You can choose one of the two cities, either Salzburg or Vienna, to make as a base for 3 nights and on a spare day, visit the other city on a day trip.
The train connection between Vienna and Salzburg is a dream. It takes only 2 ½ hours at most to travel between these two cities.
If you must pick one of the two cities for whatever reason, compare, and asses which one meets all your green checkmarks and prioritize to see that one.
I, personally, wouldn't be able to pick a favorite between the two, but if I had to decide, I'd go for the bigger one of the two, Vienna.
Vienna is larger, and you will be busy for days there. Salzburg, on the other hand, has a limited offering, BUT you can take part in some wonderful day trips from there.
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