Travel Guide: Salzburg Easter Festspiele
/The Past is Present
“Organising a musical and theatrical festival in Salzburg means reviving ancient living traditions in a new way; it means doing things in a new way in ancient, meaningful and exquisite places, what was always done there […].” (Hugo von Hofmannsthal, Festspiele in Salzburg, 1921).
Salzburg, Elisabethkai, Salzach river. Photo Credit: Hans-Peter Merten, The Image Bank / Getty Images
Salzburg Easter Festspiele celebrates centuries of artistic expression in a city Hofmannsthal called “the heart of the heart of Europe.” Settled on the Salzach River, Salzburg began as a Celtic settlement and later became the Roman town of Juvavum. Around 700 CE, St. Rupert founded the Benedictine Abbey of St. Peter and the Nonnberg Nunnery, establishing the city’s religious roots. Salzburg was made a bishopric by St. Boniface in 739 and was raised to an archbishopric in 798. The city’s architecture and culture earned it the nickname “the German Rome” due to its blend of Italian Renaissance and Baroque influences.
For the modern-day traveler, Salzburg Easter Festspiele is an opportunity to see and experience the city under artistic conditions that reflect the many moods and tones that shaped classical Europe. From whimsical fountains at Wasserspiele Hellbrunn to two-star Michelin dining at Ikarus and romantic stays in inspiring remodeled 18th-century structures like Hotel & Villa Auersperg, Salzburg is calling.
The Festival Experience
In his introduction to the 2025 Salzburg Easter Festival, Artistic Director Nikolaus Bachler reflects on our wounded times and the redemptive power of music. He describes music as “both the wound, the miracle, and the redemption,” setting the tone for a festival centered on transformation and hope. Highlights include Mussorgsky’s Khovanshchina and Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony, conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen with the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, as well as Mendelssohn’s Elijah under the baton of Maxim Emelyanychev. With a diverse lineup featuring three orchestras and four conductors, Bachler invites audiences to discover a program rich in emotional and artistic depth.
Salzburg skyline. PHoto Credit: KhongkitWiriyachan, iStock / Getty Images Plus
Spring brings fresh air and blooming trees to Salzburg, and the city’s charm sets the perfect stage for standout events like a sweeping opera gala with arias from Macbeth, Rusalka, and Andrea Chénier or an orchestral concert featuring Sibelius’s Second Symphony and Cello Concerto. You might catch a late-night set of Finnish tango with soprano Helena Juntunen or see Angelin Preljocaj’s powerful dance work Requiem(s). Between performances, Salzburg offers quiet beauty and rich history, making it more than a music festival but a full cultural retreat.
From April 12 to April 21, there are countless opportunities to nurture the artist in you in Salzburg. When you step outside of the performances, enjoy a continuation of elation, falling into plush beds with the music still ringing or hearing the starting note between glasses as you cheer over a Michelin star meal to the experience of a lifetime.
Salzburg Spa & Slumber
Salzburg skyline with Festung Hohensalzburg and Salzach river. Photo Credit: kanuman, iStock / Getty Images Plus
Perched atop the Mönchsberg hill, Hotel Schloss Mönchstein offers a serene and luxurious conclusion to your day. The superior 5-star hotel provides panoramic views over Salzburg, enveloped by a tranquil 14,000 m² park that offers both privacy and peace. The fairy-tale 16th-century exterior leads to rooms or suites adorned with priceless antiques and marble bathrooms, seamlessly blending historic charm with modern comforts like air conditioning and high-speed Wi-Fi. The hotel's Glass Garden restaurant is housed within a striking glass dome and offers breathtaking city vistas alongside its Michelin-starred cuisine.
Start your day at the outdoor infinity pool and hot tub while soaking in the stunning Salzburg skyline. End the day at Mönchstein Spa with a steam and sauna. The hotel's proximity to the city center ensures that Salzburg's historic sites and the festival are within easy reach, and a short stroll through the park leads to the Mönchsberg lift, which grants convenient access to the old town center.
Alternatively, if sleeping atop a hill away from the action isn’t for you, and you fancy a stay similar to stars like Tom Hanks, Hotel Sacher puts you on the Salzach River closer to the action.
The historic 5-star hotel pairs imperial elegance with modern luxury. It offers individually styled rooms featuring antique furniture, original artwork, and plush marble bathrooms. Some suites even include private balconies overlooking the water or the festival’s nearby venues.
Start your morning with a coffee and a slice of the world-famous Original Sacher-Torte at Café Sacher, or enjoy classic Austrian dishes like Wiener Schnitzel and Tafelspitz at the refined Sacher Grill. In the evening, unwind at the Sacher Bar with a signature cocktail and river views. The hotel is steps from Mirabell Gardens, Mozart’s residence, and the Salzburg Festival’s main stages, making it an ideal centrally located base for festival-goers who want to be fully embedded in the experience.
Time to Dine
The Michelin Guide steers the ship, and in Salzburg, there is no wanting for fine dining options because they are all around you. Hotel Schloss Mönchstein has the benefit of being home to the two-star Glass Garden, but your palate will thank you for leaving the hotel to find the next meal.
Under the guidance of Executive Chef Martin Klein, Ikarus presents three set menus: the guest chef menu, the "Ikarus Menu," and a vegetarian alternative, with shorter versions available to cater to diverse preferences. Dishes are inspired by modern, international, and national culinary influences, while a backdrop of historic airplanes and racing cars seamlessly integrates Salzburg's rich aviation heritage into the culinary journey. The expansive and elegant décor is matched by their attentive front-of-house team, which ensures a memorable dining experience.
Austria, Saltzburg, aerial view. Photo Credit: Peter Adams, Stone / Getty Images
When approaching SENNS Restaurant and looking at maps on your phone, you may be confused when you see the historic industrial Gusswerk complex, a former bell foundry. Inside, the open kitchen serves as the restaurant's centerpiece amidst the chic modern furnishings, creating an inviting atmosphere. Here in the center of the ring, chefs Andreas Senn and Christian Geisler craft a creative set menu that showcases meticulous attention to detail and a harmonious balance of flavors. The restaurant blends industrial heritage with contemporary design in its dining experience. With two Michelin stars, it is a staunch competitor to summon any guest at Hotel Schloss Mönchstein away for the evening.
Outside the Festival
History can be heard and seen on the stages of Salzburg Easter Festspiele and even more so on the streets and in the hills surrounding Salzburg. Mozart’s birthplace is moments away from Hotel Sacher, but stepping out back of Hotel Schloss Mönchstein puts you on a course to the set of The Sound of Music. The movie was famously filmed in the area, and 2025 marks 60 years since then. In addition to the festival, events and performances will take place to commemorate the movie.
Born in Salzburg on January 27, 1756, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart spent his formative years in a modest third-floor apartment downtown. Today, the meticulously preserved rooms house a museum showcasing personal artifacts, including Mozart's childhood violin and clavichord.T There are portraits and original documents that provide a glimpse into his journey from prodigious child to musical genius. The mood is set with soft lighting and background music to create an ambiance that transports visitors back to the 18th century, allowing them to experience the environment that nurtured Mozart's unparalleled talent.
A short trip from the city, the "Sound of Music Trail" in Werfen, Austria, offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the iconic scenes of the beloved film. This 1.4-kilometer path leads from the town center to the Gschwandtanger plateau, the picturesque location where Maria and the von Trapp children sang "Do-Re-Mi" with the majestic Hohenwerfen Castle as a backdrop. Along the way, benches invite hikers to rest and soak in the stunning alpine scenery. The trail begins near the Werfen Tourist Office and ascends through charming wooded areas. It features interactive exhibits and informational panels that delve into the film's history and its connection to the region.
Auf Wiedersehen
Salzburg is a city that sings even when the festival isn’t there. Through its cobbled streets, hilltop fortresses, grand concert halls, and quiet corners where echoes of history ring ceaselessly. To experience the Salzburg Easter Festspiele is to take part in something timeless: a celebration of music, place, and spirit that transcends centuries. The memories of wandering from stage to spa, from mountaintop views to riverbank cafés, from Mozart to Maria von Trapp won’t leave you soon. Whether you come for the culture, the cuisine, or the cinematic memories, one thing is sure: Salzburg will stay with you.
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