There are many places around the world that don’t feel like a good match straight away, while others take some time and need to grow on you. Some, however, are perfect for solo travellers as soon as you arrive, and Salzburg is one of them.

Quaint, safe, beautiful, and easy to explore, Salzburg in Austria gives that welcoming feeling regardless of whether you arrive by plane, train, car, or even parachuting in if you’re the adventurous type!

From the old architecture to the mountain scenery to the (actually clean) river paths, Salzburg never fails to impress.

For a solo trip, I’ll detail some reasons why this gorgeous Austrian gem is worth a visit. Flights to Salzburg are simple to find online from the States, so once you’ve got that sorted, the next step is enjoying your time here with delicious food, friendly people, epic landscapes, and great nightlife.

Safe and secure

It’s rare that you’ll ever feel scared or uncomfortable in a city like Salzburg, especially if you’re a girl travelling alone. The city is often ranked first in safest cities in Austria, regardless of whether you’re strolling around the Old Town or dancing in one of the many nightclubs.

Salzburg city centre is thankfully not known for having chaotic traffic lanes, aggressive street vendors, or dangerous areas to watch your purse. The level of English is high in Salzburg, too, so you’ll never be far away from someone who can help you out if necessary.

Easy to explore

A big perk about Salzburg is that it’s far from the size of somewhere like New York or London, but thankfully compact enough to sightsee on foot. Almost all major city highlights can be reached on foot or by bike, meaning you don’t have to constantly jump in and out of buses and subways.

Plus, the best thing about exploring a city by foot is the slower, relaxed pace and letting everything come to you. You’ll find hidden streets and charming cafes and shops that might not be listed online, then it feels like you won’t have to check your phone and how to get there like a bigger metropolis.

Culture everywhere you look

Thankfully, you don’t have to be one of those people who needs to run everything by your travel partner each morning. Feel like wandering around some museums, gardens, and galleries? Then do it. Want to sample the local delicacies and drink a few coffees along the way? By all means.

Salzburg’s highlights include the Hohensalzburg Fortress, Mirabell Palace and Gardens, Mozart’s residence, as well as countless churches, cathedrals, and cobbled streets in the Old Town.

Plus, depending on what time of year you visit, there are always tons of concerts, markets, and events that will still be a lot of fun alone. Many lakes, mountains, and countryside villages are reachable by bus if you want to get out and see some real Austrian nature.

You can’t visit Salzburg and not spend a day trip checking out some other spots around Austria like Hallstatt, Fuschlesee, or Untersberg along the way.

If you’re staying at a hostel, for instance, you may well find that a bunch of people also want to see some nature. If you don’t mind a bit of company for the day, then it’s a great chance to connect with other travellers.

The city is alive (with the sound of music) all through the year, with big bands occasionally making a stop there, as well as classical music performances being a major hit. The Salzburg Festival in summer and Christmas markets in winter are lively, atmospheric, and provide a great snapshot of just why this city is so much fun and enjoyable even when alone.

The Salzburg food scene

While some travellers find it hard to eat at a restaurant alone and instead simply buy takeaway food or fast food, you shouldn’t have to do this in Salzburg. The city has a strong café culture and there you’ll find many locals and tourists simply sipping their coffee and eating their cakes with just a newspaper, book, or phone for company.

Beer halls will happily accommodate solo diners with shared tables that invite interaction, so you’ll rarely find it hard to strike up a conversation if you’d like one.

Salzburg is famous for big, robust dishes that are probably best eaten on an empty stomach! Options like goulash, apple strudel, soups, and dumplings are all tasty and affordable when you want something away from the usual burgers, pizzas, and pastas.

Shopping therapy

There’s a lot to unpack through the Salzburg streets if you find that shopping is your favorite hobby. There are countless boutique shops and markets selling items native to Austria, as well as indie gems and bigger chain stores all providing that shopping thrill.

Walking around the Old Town is the best way to see what Salzburg has to offer from retail, and you’ll find that it’s sometimes better to travel alone so that there’s nothing holding you back from visiting just one more shop on your trip!