Salzburg holidays

The daily Grünplatz market, which takes place in the University Square, is a great place for local produce. The third-largest market in Austria, Schrannenmarkt, also takes place once a week in front of St Andrew's Church, selling everything from flowers to leather goods and local delicacies. If you want to shop like a local, head to Linzergasse for small – and significantly cheaper – independent shops.

The Europark Mall near the station is home to 130 high-street shops, while the traditional Getreidegasse has a huge selection of local manufacturers selling food, clothes and bits and bobs for the house. If you have the chance, make sure to check out Baroque Court Pharmacy, the oldest bookshop in the German-speaking world.

You'll find luxury labels in stores at the centre of town. The Geitreidegasse is Salzburg's most famous and busiest shopping street. Judengasse and Goldgasse in the Old Town are also home to designer boutiques and jewellery shops.

There's only one way to spend a low-key evening here, and that's seated in one of the city's 10 breweries. Regarded as the beer capital of Austria, Salzburg has been brewing for more than 600 years. Augstiner Brau is one to add to your list – it serves beer by the pitcher and has a huge garden where you can watch the sunset. Plus, there's sparkling wine and spirits on the menu for any non-beer drinkers.

You won't find a big nightlife scene in Salzburg, but that doesn't mean there's nowhere to party. You've got a few clubs, trendy bars and authentic Irish pubs dotted around the city, as well as huge beer halls like Sternbrau that seats up to 2,000 people. Most are on Rudolfskai, a mile-long street famous for its late-night venues. For a truly authentic Salzburg experience, book yourself onto a Mozart dinner and concert. You'll enjoy food, music and period costumes too.

Salzburg is full of coffee houses, beer gardens and fine-dining restaurants, and is said to have the highest concentration of gourmet restaurants of any city in Austria.

These bread dumplings are a staple in Austrian cuisine. You'll find them soaking up the sauce in a hearty stew or – if you're ordering spinach-flavoured ones called spinatkodel – served as a side with cheese and butter. There are also sweet versions made with apricots and cinnamon.

You can't go wrong with schnitzel. It's an Austrian classic made of thinly sliced meat – like chicken or pork, and sometimes veal – that's simply breaded and fried until golden brown. For something different, try a Salzburger schnitzel. They come stuffed with mushrooms, ham and cheese.

Environmentally friendly trolleybuses running on overhead power lines are commonplace in Salzburg. More than 20 lines run every 10 minutes from bus stops across the city.

Jump on a local ferry and sail down the River Salzach. It's the most relaxing way to enjoy the city's beauty. Several companies operate the river cruises and you can book them at the kiosks throughout the city.

The Mönchsberg lift, which departs from the Gstättengasse in the city's Old Town, transports you up to the Stadtberg, one of the six mountains that surround Salzburg, in just 30 seconds. At the top, you can explore the Museum der Moderne or take a gentle stroll through the nature preserve.

Salzburg's main train station is located a 20-minute walk from the centre of the city. From here there are frequent services to Vienna, Innsbruck and Zell am See.

With lots of open squares, pedestrianised shopping streets and wide pavements, Salzburg is pretty simple to get around on foot. All the major attractions are close together, and you can walk from the Neustadt (New City), across the river and over to the Altstadt (Old City) in under 15 minutes.

The River Salzach splits Salzburg into two, with the New Town on its northern shores and the Old Town on its south. A casual meander along the promenade is a relaxing way to take in the sights and atmosphere, while a stroll through the pretty lanes and historical squares is the best way to admire the architecture.

An impressive 30% of the city is comprised of nature reserves. Park Kapuzinerberg is one of the most popular. Grab some bits for a picnic and have a wander.