City Breaks the Local Way: Highlights Away from the Crowds

Been there, done that? Austria’s cities are easy and popular weekend getaways from the UK. And they certainly don’t lack bucket list attractions, be it Mozart’s birthplace and all the “Sound of Music” filming locations in Salzburg (especially during the 60th anniversary year!) or Schönbrunn, Belvedere Palace and St Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna. However, that really is just half the story: There’s a lot more to discover in our cities once you’ve scratched the surface.  

The best way, of course, is to ask the people that actually live there for their favourite spots and insider tips around town. Let us show you what city breaks in Salzburg, Innsbruck and Vienna could look like for travellers who’ve already ticked off all the major sights (or just want to add some local hotspots to their travel itinerary).
 

VIENNA: HANG OUT WITH ARTISTS, SWIM ON A BOAT OR TAKE A WALK AT CEMETERY 

Austria’s capital beyond all the famous sights – how to spend a day like a local.

• Eat, drink, and shop in the artsy Spittelberg district. Vienna’s creative scene hangs out in Spittelberg, around the corner from Mariahilfer Straße shopping street. Wander through the romantic Biedermeier streets, eat in traditional restaurants such as Amerlingbeisl, and get some unique gifts in the small boutique shops. Trendy MuseumsQuartier is also just a stone’s throw away.
• Treat yourself to traditional candies. Visitors with a sweet tooth will love the Zuckerlwerkstatt (“Candy manufactory”) in the first district. Here, candies are made by hand according to recipes dating back to the 18th and 19th century. Their signature treats are the so-called silk candies, shaped like miniature pillows and traditionally filled with chocolate.  
• Marvel at street art or swim on a boat. Vienna’s Danube Canal, in the heart of the city, is the city’s number one street art gallery. Walk from Schottentor to Schwedenplatz (or the other way around) and, if you’re visiting in summer, stop at a beach bar or two along the way. Neni and Strandbar Hermann are especially popular. You can also go for a swim on the floating Badeschiff.
• Walk a walk at the Vienna Central Cemetery. The Viennese have a slight obsession with death. So, it probably comes with little surprise that one of their favourite places to walk, jog or cycle around is the Vienna Central Cemetery, the resting place of musicians such as Franz Schubert, Ludwig van Beethoven or Falco, and Europe’s largest cemetery. Love quirky sights? Head straight to the Funeral Museum.
• Spend a day at the water. Beaches and water sports in the city? Absolutely! Vienna’s Old Danube is quickly accessible by underground line U1 from the centre, yet feels like a different world. Stand-up paddle-boarding, sailing, kayaking, swimming, or just chilling out at the shore over a BBQ, you name it, it’s all possible here. This area is a local favourite on hot summer days.

SALZBURG: GO SURFING AND SAMPLE THE CITY'S SIGNATURE HOT DOG AND BEERS 

Where to eat, drink, and enjoy the sunset like a local in Mozart’s hometown.

• Have coffee and cake at Tomaselli: Family-owned Cafe Tomaselli at the Alter Markt has been around for more than 300 years, making it Austria’s oldest coffee house. Order an Einspänner (espresso topped with whipped cream) or a Melange (espresso topped with steamed milk) along with one of their many cakes and strudels.
• Surf in the city: Summers can get quite hot in Austria, so why not add some refreshing water sports to the city break itinerary? Salzburg has its very own surfing wave at the Almkanal (canal), one of the city’s best kept secrets. It’s open all year round except for a few weeks in September. Hit the wave yourself or watch others master their skills!
• Enjoy the most popular hot dog in town. Around lunchtime, you’ll notice crowds of locals lining up in front of Balkan Grill in Getreidegasse. That’s because the tiny place serves everyone’s favourite hot dog. While “Bosna” (grilled pork sausages in a white bread roll with onions, fresh parsley and a secret spice mix) are originally from Bulgaria, this place (and its signature hot dog) have become a city institution.
• Have a pint (or two) at Augustinerbräu: Salzburg is considered the beer capital of Austria, with no less than eleven breweries dotted around town. The best place to taste local brews is Augustinerbräu, the largest beer inn in town. The beer is sold in stone-made pitchers and right from wooden barrels.
• Watch the sunset from Kapuzinerberg: While not the only place to watch the sunset in Salzburg, the Kapuzinerberg mountain is most locals’ favourite one. Climb up the 261 steps of the “Imbergstiege” staircase, then marvel at the Old Town to your feet and snap some cheesy Instagram shots.  
   

INNSBRUCK: EAT STRUDELS, TAKE A HIKE AND SIP A COCKTAIL AT A ROOFTOP BAR 

Innsbruck’s locals love the urban-outdoor lifestyle. Here’s how you’ll fit right in!

• Try the locals’ favourite strudels. Strudel-Café Kröll, in a small street just around the corner from the famous Golden Roof, has been the locals’ go-to place for strudels since it opened in 1976. Choose from apple, mango or plums and savoury options filled with vegetables or meat.
• Discover the city on a bike. Sure, a bike can get you from A to B, but it’s also a great way to discover the hidden corners around town at your own pace, especially in a bike-friendly city like Innsbruck. And if you’re up for a more physically challenging tour, take the cable car up the mountains and hop on a mountain bike. Bike rentals and guided tours are widely available.
• Hang out with the city’s creative crowd While the name might suggest otherwise, ”Die Bäckerei”, literally “The Bakery“, isn’t quite the place to get your morning coffee (even though they do have a cafe and bar). It’s a cultural hub with all kinds of events from opening mic nights to exhibitions, flea markets, and live gigs.  
• Get active at Innsbruck’s local mountain. Innsbruck’s locals love to spend their spare time outdoors and Patscherkofel makes a quick nature escape from the city. Take the cable car up, then head on a hike (or ski in winter), enjoy a picnic with spectacular views, or sample traditional Tyrolean delights at family-run inns.
• Sip a drink with a 360° view. Hotel aDLERS has one of the most popular rooftop bars in town, frequented by locals and visitors alike. Take the lift up the 12th floor, then stay at their aDLERS Bar for a cocktail (or coffee earlier in the day) or make your way right to the top for the Havana Bar, scoring with stunning views and regular rooftop parties.  
   

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