Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in Salzburg in 1756, and the city takes immense pride in its musical genius. With two dedicated Mozart museums and a vast range of Mozart-themed items, you’re bound to learn everything about the Austrian composer and find plenty of memorabilia.
If you feel like you need a snack after exploring the museums and shopping, there are even chocolate balls named Mozartkugeln to boost your energy.
Chocolate is a big deal here, and there’s even a local rivalry over which Mozartkugeln are the most authentic. We started with the Mirabell brand, but the original Mozartkugeln come from Paul Fürst. You can buy these from the elegant Conditorei Fürst, and they’re the best, in our opinion—based on personal taste, of course.
Beyond chocolate, you’ll find Mozart CDs, umbrellas, music boxes, fridge magnets, postcards, perfumes, watches, jewelry, pencils, dolls, t-shirts, and books. It’s amazing how the high demand for Mozart-related items matches the abundant supply; everyone seems to buy something Mozart-themed while in Salzburg.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the choices, remember: you can never go wrong with chocolate!
Regarding the Mozart museums, we only managed to visit one. By late afternoon, the air felt depleted, and the crowded environment made it hard to focus on the exhibits. For a better experience, we recommend visiting earlier in the day when it’s less crowded and there’s more fresh air.
One thing that struck us during our visit to Salzburg was how casually people wore their traditional outfits: dirndls for women and lederhosen for men. At first, we chuckled when we saw couples walking by in these outfits, but we soon realized it’s as natural for Salzburg residents as wearing regular smart clothes. Even young hipsters proudly sport lederhosen with skull t-shirts and Converse sneakers, suggesting this national attire will endure for generations.
Now, I feel like getting a pair of lederhosen!
Salzburg isn’t just about old traditions; it also boasts what’s claimed to be the oldest restaurant in the city, Stiftskeller St. Peter.
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