The 9 Salzburg Christmas Tours That Sell Out First

1.Salzburg Christmas Cookies and Apple Strudel Cooking Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 183 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $72Our pick

In a small Salzburg cooking school built into a cliff, a chef guides you through apple strudel and Vanilla Kipferl cookies. You stretch pastry, season apples, bake your desserts, and eat goulash soup while they cook. The 90-minute English class includes tastings and extra cookies to take home. Leonardo, Johan, Nonna, and Ishmail have led sessions.

“If you are looking for something fun and active to do in Salzburg, this is it! Our group of six ranged from 13-58 years old and each of us enjoyed our time making strudel and Christmas cookies. The hosts were detailed in their demonstration and then provided assistance as each group about to make our own strudel. Everything turned out delicious and we left with the ability to replicate the strudel at home. So fun! We’d definitely take another of their classes if we had a chance.”

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2.Christmas/Advent Concert & Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 154 reviews · from $93

Ride Salzburg’s funicular to Fortress Hohensalzburg, dine above the old town, and hear Mozart, Bach, Haydn, and Vivaldi performed by the Salzburger Advent Ensemble. Choose Classic or VIP dining, with VIP seating offering the best concert positions. Allow 3.5 hours, and note that drinks cost extra.

“Such a magical experience! The perfect way to spend Christmas Eve on a beautiful date with my husband. The music was incredible with such a stunning location. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal as well.”

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3.Christmas Horse-Drawn Sleigh/Carriage Ride from Salzburg

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 154 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $151

Leave Salzburg at 9:00 am for Ramsau am Dachstein, a mountain village at more than 3,700 feet. Enjoy free time for lunch, then settle under warm blankets for a horse-drawn sleigh ride. Guides such as Walter, Daniel, Leo, and Lisa add local stories along the way. Snow conditions vary, so the ride can be magical or simply scenic.

“Even though it was unseasonably warm and there was no snow, that didn't take away from the fun and romance of a sleigh ride in the Alps. The mountains had plenty of snow to make for great photography. The lunch in Ramsau was outstanding. Leo the guide and Roland the driver were both exceptional, kept everyone entertained and safe.”

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4.Christmas/Advent Concert at Fortress Hohensalzburg

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 54 reviews · from $49Best value

You’ll ride the funicular from Festungsgasse to Hohensalzburg Fortress for a 90-minute Christmas concert by the Salzburger Advent Ensemble. Expect Mozart, Bach, Vivaldi, and Salzburg Advent music in a decorated castle hall, with city views before and after the performance. Concerts begin at 8 pm, with extra shows at 5 pm and 8 pm on December 25 and January 1.

“Easy to get to as the funicular ride was included. Having booked it online 24 hours earlier, my tickets were waiting at the door on arrival. The castle was warm, atmosphere was beautiful with Christmas decorations up.”

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5.Mozart and Advent/Christmas Concert with Dinner at Fortress Hohensalzburg

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 36 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $102

Ride the funicular up to Fortress Hohensalzburg, dine in the Panorama Restaurant, then hear a chamber concert of Mozart, classical works, and traditional Salzburg Christmas music in historic fortress rooms. Choose classic, VIP, or Golden VIP dining. Drinks are extra on most options, and smart-casual dress is expected.

“Restaurant was nice. A set menu with little options. Small portions but tasty food. Wine a bit on the expensive side. Good table service. Concert was excellent. Drinks at a good value there. If doing again I would just book the concert and eat elsewhere before.”

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6.Salzburg Christmas Eve Tour to the Silent Night Chapel

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 35 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $90

Travel by coach from Mirabellplatz to Oberndorf, where the carol *Silent Night* was first performed. You’ll visit the chapel, see the Christmas market, and attend a multilingual Christmas Eve service outdoors. Guides including Naomi Mogil, Thomas, Kylie, and Hacky have led the trip. Expect crowds, cold weather, and plenty of standing.

“We had a great tour to the Silent Night chapel. The 4 buses that left were all pretty crowded. Thankfully, we had the best tour guide, Naomi Mogil , and she spoke in both English and German. She gave us all the interesting facts as we headed to Oberndorf. There were a lot of people at the service but not as many as I had thought. The market shops were nice but there were only a few of them. The view from the river was spectacular and we had a wonderful sunset. The service was done mostly in German and Silent Night was only sung in German (we heard the…”

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7.Silent Night Oberndorf Christmas Eve Tour from Salzburg

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 32 reviews · 4 hours · from $88

Spend four hours on Christmas Eve traveling from Salzburg to Oberndorf, walking snowy paths beside the Salzach, and joining candlelit festivities at the Silent Night Chapel. An English or German-speaking guide, including guide Kylie on some departures, explains the carol’s origins before it is sung in several languages. Dress warmly, as the chapel holds only 12 to 15 people.

“Great communication, our tour guide Kylie was awesome. She had such a great and fun energy. Not too much to see once the service got going and as predicted it was super cold but such a lovely thing to do on Christmas Eve. Really enjoyed it.”

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8.Salzburg Christmas Market & City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 29 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $348

Walk Salzburg’s decorated old town with an English-speaking guide, visiting the Residenzplatz market, cathedral, St. Peter’s, Getreidegasse, and Alter Markt. You’ll hear local Christmas stories, learn about Mozart and Silent Night, taste gingerbread, and take home a Salzburg Christmas mug. Ursula may lead the walk.

“I was so excited to book this tour because I've always dreamed of making it to this Christmas Market in Salzburg. I got more than I expected. Ok, I may not have purchased a lot from the market. My husband kept reminding me that we were traveling light. The atmosphere, the everything about it was simply amazing. Our tour guide, Ursula, is from Salzburg - about as local as you can get - and very well versed in the history of the city. We were treated to Glühwein and some of the local foods. We went to sites that would otherwise have been overlooked if left alone to explore. She…”

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9.Mozart and Advent/Christmas Concerts at the Fortress Hohensalzburg

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 18 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $51

Spend about 90 minutes hearing Mozart, his contemporaries, and traditional Salzburg Advent music inside Hohensalzburg Fortress. Your mobile ticket includes the Fortress Railway up and down, but not hotel transfers, food, or drinks. Arrive early to find the station and enjoy the city views before the 8 pm concert.

“An awesome venue for a wonderful evening of music. I was by myself and met the people around me who we were so friendly. You can get a glass of wine before the music starts and I thought that was a nice touch. I also loved that we had time to explore the fortress before the show.”

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