Easter is a wonderful time: a spirit of optimism, the start of spring and big children’s eyes – “when will the Easter bunny finally come?” We also can’t wait for winter to make way for happy Easter experiences. Grab your family and head to Salzburg. A colorful program awaits you in this traditional city!

Salzburg is known worldwide for its illustrious musical history – the nickname “City of Mozart” says it all. But not only Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart left his mark in Salzburg, Herbert von Karajan is also a son of the city. No other conductor of the past century is considered more influential than Karajan and one of his many legacies is the Easter Festival, which takes place in Salzburg every year.

What is the Easter Festival in Salzburg?

Herbert von Karajan founded the Easter Festival in 1967 as an opera production with a strong focus on music. In the early years, Wagner operas were always performed and for more than three decades the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra played the music. In the meantime, the Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden has taken over this task. What has remained the same is that the festival still takes place over the Easter weekend and focuses on one opera. Due to the high standards of the Easter Festival, some of the biggest names on the classical music scene find their way to Salzburg every year.

Combine your Easter vacation with the Easter Festival

The festival knows how to uphold this claim every year without compromise. If you want to enjoy exquisitely performed music, there are few festivals in the world that can satisfy this need better. To ensure that your festival weekend at Easter is a well-rounded experience, you should also leave nothing to chance when choosing a hotel. Opt for one of the most renowned addresses in Salzburg’s old town: our Hotel Stein combines luxury, comfort and the best location – you can be at the Easter Festival venue in just 7 minutes on foot. Our Hotel Goldgasse with its unique festival rooms is also within walking distance of the festival venues.

Psychologically, the Easter weekend marks the end of winter. Easter markets are particularly good at symbolizing this transition into spring. At last, it’s time to get out and about again, to socialize and enjoy the spirit of optimism. The artisans may have just the right accessory to give your home the finishing touch for the upcoming spring season. We tell you where the two most important Easter markets near Salzburg take place.

Easter market in the Gwandhaus

Culinarians are in the right place at the Salzburger Gwandhaus. The terrace becomes a delightful oasis with hearty delicacies, Austrian wines and sweet pastries. While you enjoy, your children can go on an Easter egg hunt.

Distance to the Amadeus Hotels: 3 km | 8 minutes by car

Easter market in the Krämerhaus near Hof

Are you looking for tasteful craftsmanship to beautify your home for the spring season? Then it’s worth the twenty-minute drive to Hof near Salzburg. Lovingly created decorative items await you

Distance to the Amadeus Hotels: 16 km | 22 minutes by car

The first flowers are already showing their heads, temperatures are rising and nature is coming back to life. Perfect for an excursion – just pack your provisions, put on good shoes and get out of the city. Salzburger Land offers the perfect conditions for Easter hikes or bike tours.

Easy Easter hikes

Nobody wants to exhaust themselves after the winter season, but there is nothing better than the first hike of spring. Head out to Wallersee or Mattsee and enjoy the lake landscape with the magnificent mountain panorama in the background on an easy tour along the shore.

Cycling and biking in the Salzkammergut

Instead of lacing up your hiking boots, you can also hop on a bike. Simply hire one from one of the many rental stations in Salzburg or the surrounding area and go on your first spring tour. We can particularly recommend routes on the Salzkammergut cycle path or in the lake district.

Image credits ©TSG, B. Brunauer