Why Salzburg?
After spending two weeks in Germany, we needed to make our way to Croatia for the next leg of our flight-free journey to Turkey. We learned that Salzburg was not only the farthest point reachable using the Deutschland-Ticket, but also a well-connected hub for buses heading to the Balkans. We were only passing through Salzburg for two nights on our way to Opatija, but we wanted to share our experience of having a fantastic stay in a local campsite and a full day in the city, all within a budget of (well) under £100 per day for two people.
We were expecting everything in Salzburg to be quite pricey, but we were pleasantly surprised by the abundance of free activities. Moreover, two of our favourite things on this trip—beer and camping—turned out to be more affordable here than anywhere we had been in Germany.
Accommodation:
Fantastic Value at Only 23 Euros for 2 People and a Tent
We stayed at Camping Schloss Aigen in Salzburg, which offered exceptional value at just 23 Euros for 2 people and a tent (no car or bike). The campsite provided a spacious and relaxed atmosphere, a welcome change after the slightly cramped experience at Königssee. What I particularly appreciated were the wooded spots designated for tents, tucked away from the motorhomes. Onsite amenities include a beer garden and a kitchen. The only downside is that it's a 15-minute walk to the nearest bus stop. However, the walk takes you through a peaceful and picturesque area.
Exploring Salzburg:
Our Day on a Shoestring Budget:
We leisurely walked along the Salzach River into the Old Town. The scenic hour-long stroll along the peaceful riverbank is lined with parks and trees. Both riverbanks are exclusively reserved for pedestrians and cyclists. Cycling seemed like an even more enjoyable way to reach the city if you had a bicycle with you.
We marvelled at the breathtakingly beautiful and impeccably clean UNESCO World Heritage Old Town.
We hiked up to the High Salzburg Fortress to enjoy panoramic views from the North and South terraces.
We explored numerous churches and were treated to an impromptu classical performance by a practising organist.
We visited Europe's oldest dwarf garden, which is part of the Mirabell Garden and palace complex. This was an absolute highlight—don't miss it!
We cooled off with sheep's milk ice cream from Eisl Eis (try the cheese, honey, and cinnamon flavour!).
For dinner on a budget, we indulged in a giant slice of spinach burek from the Balkan Bäckerei for just a few Euros.
We savoured tasty, fresh, and reasonably priced beer while mingling with local merrymakers at the Augustiner Bräu. Friendly locals assured us that this was the best beer in all of Austria.
We sought refuge from a sudden and heavy storm in a rock bar, mustering the courage to return to our campsite in the rain.
Getting There and Departure:
When leaving Königssee, we opted for the direct bus to Salzburg from Berchtesgaden. This required an additional 3.10 Euros on top of our D-L ticket (which we wouldn't have needed if we had taken a regional train). However, the bus not only got us to Salzburg more quickly but also allowed us to disembark in the southern part of the city, conveniently close to our campsite.
We departed from Salzburg Süd on the first long-distance bus. Knowing we wanted to visit Croatia and spend time along the Adriatic coast, we extensively researched our options and ultimately booked a FlixBus to Opatija via Ljubljana. The total cost came to about 35 Euros per person (with a 20% discount for first-time users available online!). The buses were equipped with multiple power sockets, offered comfort and cleanliness, and were notably punctual. We even arrived in Opatija approximately 45 minutes ahead of schedule, a welcome relief as we were setting up our tent in the darkness.
To Be Continued...
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