What To Buy In Salzburg, Austria

what to buy in salzburg
Hannah
Hannah 
Updated
| 5 min read

With sunlight that turns the beautiful, Baroque architecture, golden and dramatic mountain scenery, the scenic town of Salzburg looks like a fairy tale come to life. Gorgeous panoramas, a quaint Old Town, handsome gardens, and fascinating museums characterize this delightful Austrian town. The beauty of Salzburg has remained unspoiled since the days that Mozart lived here, and the town brims with unparalleled charm and fantastic attractions. Ramble through the city and admire the stunning architecture of sites like the Salzburg Cathedral and Hellbrunn Castle, or climb to the top of Mönchsberg for stunning panoramas of the city and the Austrian Alps. Explore the beautiful Old Town, where you can visit Mozart’s Birthplace and the Salzburg museum, then head over to the scenic Mirabell Gardens to amble among the fragrant, flowery lanes. The impressive Hohensalzburg Fortress overlooks the elegant spires of the town below, and the lavish rooms are also well worth an excursion! From Sound of Music tours to historic museums, Salzburg has plenty to keep your days busy and beautiful. Commemorate your trip to stunning Salzburg, and pick up a souvenir before you leave! This list contains ideas for what to buy while you are in town.

1. Sachertorte

Sachertorte
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user David Monniaux used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Your sweet tooth will thank you for ordering a slice of this delicious treat! This Viennese specialty was first created in 1832 by Franz Sacher for Prince Wenzel von Metternich, and remains a popular treat seen in cafes today. Sachertorte is a decadent style of cake that has two layers of apricot jam spread between soft, chocolatey sponge batter. The cake is then covered with dense, dark chocolate icing and served with a scoop of unsweetened whipped cream. Ordering a slice (or two!) of Sachertorte is a must when you visit Austria. Be sure to stop by the Sacher Hotel, where Sachertorte is considered a status symbol. Check out all the merchandise related to the torte and take one home.

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2. Schnapps

Schnapps

This popular, fiery drink will also make a fantastic souvenir to take home. Schnapps are derived from fruit syrups or artificial flavorings added to a basic, grain spirit. As such, there is a great variety in the types of schnapps you will see in an area, mostly in gift shops. Around Austria, schnapps most commonly refer to distilled fruit brandies, and are a delicious, warming drink that are perfect on a cold, wintry day. Look out for popular flavors like apple, cherry, and pear!

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3. Mozartkugel (Mozart Ball)

Mozart ball
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user [Unknown] used under CC BY 2.5

These delectable treats will satisfy any sweet tooth and won’t take up much room in your suitcase. A Mozartkugel, known as a Mozart ball in English, are sugar confections that are covered in chocolate and have a nutty taste. Named after the city’s most famous resident, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, these sweets were created in 1890 by Paul Fürst, a Salzburg confectioner. The recipe has remained the same since the treat was first made, and consists of a vibrant pistachio marzipan wrapped in a thin layer of nougat and rolled into a ball shape. The whole thing is then coated in dark chocolate, and wrapped in foil. Boxes of Mozartkugeln can be found in tourist and confectionery shops throughout Salzburg.

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4. Snow Globe

Souvenir Snow Globe
Source: Photo by user Garry Knight used under CC BY 2.0

While you may not be able to stay in Salzburg forever, you can take a piece of this beautiful city with you in the form of a snow globe. Snow globes make wonderful collector’s items since they contain landmarks such as the Cathedral, Mirabell Palace or even the Fortress. They can often be found in the city’s main tourist office and shop. Take home a miniaturized view of Salzburg and remember all the amazing places you visited whenever you shake up the snow.

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5. Von Trapp merchandise

The Sound of Music Christopher Plummer and Julie Andrews
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user 20th Century Fox used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

One of Salzburg’s many attractions is the fabulous Sound of Music tours that take visitors to original film locations around the city and offer some history about the 1965 musical about the signing Von Trapp family. Whether you travel by bus, on foot, or by bicycle, these tours provide a unique perspective as you explore the city. Commemorate your tour and pick up a Sound of Music souvenir. From clothing to CDs, there is plenty of Von Trapp merchandise to be found in stores throughout the city.

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6. Tracht

Tracht
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Naturpuur used under CC BY 4.0

Some of the most iconic representations of the area around Germany, Austria, and Switzerland are the colorful, traditional costumes called tracht. The most common types of tracht are the vibrant lederhosen and dirndls. These folk costumes vary regionally, which makes these garments beautiful symbols of the area you visited on your trip! These special costumes are typically worn for specific festivities or holidays, but you can find the beautiful embroidered and colorful clothes at stores all throughout Salzburg.

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7. Homemade Christmas Decorations

Salzburg - Residenzplatz Christkindlmarkt - 2016 11 21 - 2
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Eweht used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Salzburg is beautiful at all times of the year, but the city has a particular charm around Christmas. At this time of the year, the historic market places are transformed by sparkling shops, glittering trees, and the sweet songs of local choirs fill the air. While the air may be frosty, you’ll be toasty as you ramble among the store fronts and drink steaming mugs of mulled wine. While you’re browsing through the stores, keep your eyes peeled for the beautiful handmade Christmas decorations like Weihnachtspyramide, which are wooden Christmas pyramids or miniature Mozarts or tracht-clad animals baubles.These decorations are wonderful souvenirs.

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8. Hand-Decorated Easter Eggs

Easter Eggs 29
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Werner100359 used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Beautifully fragile and gorgeously crafted, hand-decorated eggs are a breathtaking souvenir from Salzburg. These elegant ornaments tend to be made from glass, and painstakingly painted with all sorts of intricate designs. While many people associate this type of decorated egg with the Easter holiday, you will find a lot of these ornaments for sell at the spectacular Christmas markets. These stunning creations vary in design, price, and size, so you’ll be sure to find one, or maybe a baker’s dozen, that will catch your eye.

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9. Rubber Duck

Ducks
Source: Pixaby

For a more whimsical keepsake, these rubber ducks might quack you up. In tourist shops, you will find these comical toys painted to represent many of Salzburg characters, including the town’s most famous musician, Mozart. There are also ducks painted in the traditional tracht of lederhosen and dirndls! These ducks would be a unique and cheerful memento from your trip to Austria.

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10. Bear Wearing Lederhosen

Teddy bear
Source: Pixabay

This adorable toy would be a lovely gift for any child. Wearing the area’s recognizable lederhosen costumes, these teddy bears are soft, cuddly, and available at most tourist shops in Salzburg. The bears come in quite a few different sizes and styles, so you’re sure to find one that catches your eye.

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Souvenirs of scenic Salzburg

With brilliant cultural activities, shopping, and gorgeous attractions, Salzburg, Austria, is simply stunning. Bring a piece of this marvelous destination back home with you and pick up a souvenir. The items on this list are a great place to start, and there are tons more of unique options in shops throughout the city.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
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Hannah is a freelance writer, list making aficionado, and world traveler currently based in Germany. She is an avid explorer, and believes in creating new experiences to put on her bucket list to...Read more

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