New Year's Eve in the Old Town of Salzburg

Christmas celebrations end on December 26. However, the Christmas market on the Residenzplatz and Domplatz keeps working until January 1. From the 27th, stalls with traditional New Year's symbols appear on the city's streets.

Since all the presents have already been given on St. Nicholas' Day and Christmas, it is customary in Austria to give a symbolic gift for the New Year: plush or marzipan piglets, chimney sweeps, or shamrock clovers, which represent luck, prosperity, and happiness. Market visitors can also order a lucky horseshoe engraved with good wishes from blacksmiths who open their workshops in the old town.

At noon on December 31, the preparations for New Year's Eve (called in Austria Silvester) are completed. A stage is set up on the Kapitelplatz. Street traders sell gifts and various delicacies of Austrian cuisine. Look and taste especially delicious Viennese Schnitzels, potato doughnuts, baked apples, spicy Bosna sausages, Käsekrainer sausages with cheese, sweet Kaiserschmarrn with apple mousse. Various hot and cold beverages are available, including sparkling and mulled wine, hot glühmost from apple wine, punch, liqueurs, schnapps and strong bock beer. The food tents are open until 00:30 on New Year's Eve.

The entertainment program starts at 14:00 on the Kapitelplatz. Musicians on stage perform vibrant music across various genres, from jazz to folk. In the late afternoon, animators give children and adults dance lessons. After 18:00, DJs create a festive atmosphere with hits from the 80s and 90s. The main New Year's Eve concert begins at 21:00. One of the local modern bands performs famous covers of legendary rock and pop artists. You can also wait for the New Year while skating on the Mozart Ice Magic Rink.

At 23:55, the cathedral bells ring majestically, and Strauss waltz melodies resound from the fortress. The highlight of the New Year Party is a magnificent fireworks show. The best places to watch it are Kapitelplatz, Domplatz, near the Festival Houses, or from the banks of the Salzach River. I recommend a hike on one of the city's hills, Mönchsberg or Kapuzinerberg, from which the city fireworks can be seen perfectly.

The city authorities prohibit private fireworks and firecrackers, which makes New Year's Eve much more enjoyable. However, the rules are often broken.

After the New Year's meeting, the party continues on the Residenzplatz until 01:00 in the morning. Those seeking more fun can continue the night at one of the many pubs downtown.

Restaurants on New Year's Eve offer complex dinners with various concert programs. A dinner with a musical program costs about 200-300 euros per person. Every public transportation bus line on New Year's Eve runs every 20 minutes until morning. THE RIDE IS FREE!

On the morning of January 1, relaxing classical music is played in the city center. Stands with drinks and food are open from 10:00. From 12:00 to 15:00, a DJ entertains visitors with modern music from the stage on the Residence Square, and animators give dance lessons. Working days start on January 2. January 6 - Epiphany is the last holiday, which ends the series of holidays until Easter.

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Please send your inquiry by email or through the contact form, including the tour date, tour name, number of participants, and preferred meeting point. I’ll get back to you promptly with accurate details and pricing.

How much does your service cost?

Estimated prices are as follows: Salzburg walking tours: €200–€300 | Half-day tours (Salzburg and nearby areas by minibus): €350–€450 | Full-day tours: €700–€950 | Final rates vary based on distance, itinerary, and tour customization.

How many people can fit in your minivan? Can our baby sit on our lap?

My minivan comfortably seats up to eight passengers. For safety reasons, children must have their own seats; lap-sitting is not permitted. Child booster seats are available free of charge upon request.

What does your service cover?

Qualified guide service in Salzburg (Professional Austria Guide since 2006). Customized tour planning based on your preferences. Travel in a Volkswagen Caravelle T6 minivan with room for up to eight passengers. There are no additional charges for tolls or parking.

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Entrance fees, accommodations, meals and drinks.

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Can we hire you to be just a driver for us?

Yes, that’s possible; however, it wouldn’t change the price. As a licensed tour guide with extensive knowledge and high qualifications, my time is valued differently than that of a regular taxi driver.

We’ll be driving our own car. Can we hire you just as a guide?

Yes, you can, but I wouldn’t really recommend it. When I’m driving my van, I know exactly where to go, when to slow down, and where to stop, which lets me focus fully on explaining and sharing insights without worrying about navigation. Plus, my van is spacious and offers much better visibility compared to a sedan. The price difference is minimal, so it’s usually worth it to let me handle the driving.

Can you give us a tour in a smaller car for a lower price?

No, I can only provide tours in a van.

There are more than eight of us. Could you assist with booking a larger bus?

Please note that arranging a large coach can be time-consuming because bus companies require detailed information to calculate costs and secure a deposit. For this reason, I usually prefer not to handle tourist bus bookings directly. However, I’m happy to provide contact details for transportation companies or help organize an additional minivan with a professional guide if needed.

Can we hire you for a few days?

I also offer multi-day itineraries tailored to your needs.

Can you give us a tour of just the town of Hallstatt?

I don’t offer tours just of Hallstatt. However, I provide full-day itineraries from Salzburg that cover the Lake District, including Hallstatt, or full-day tours focused specifically on the Hallstatt region.

Can you give us a half-day tour from Salzburg to Hallstatt?

Yes, I can. However, please keep in mind that a half-day usually means about 4 hours. The round trip from Salzburg to Hallstatt takes around 3 hours by car. That would leave you with only about 1 hour to explore Hallstatt itself. Hallstatt is indeed one of the most picturesque towns in the Salzkammergut Lake District, but it’s just one gem among many. Instead of focusing solely on Hallstatt, I’d recommend visiting a few other beautiful towns and lakes nearby. This way, you’ll get to experience the authentic charm of Austria beyond the usual tourist spots.

Is it possible for us to join a group tour with you?

I don’t organize group tours. As a one-person company, my services are focused on private or customized tours only.

Would you be able to take photos for us during the tour we've booked with you?

I really enjoy photography! I’d be happy to snap some photos of you using your own device at no extra cost. However, if you're looking for high-quality, professionally edited images, I can use my Nikon camera and provide expert post-processing. This premium photography service is available for an additional €100.

Can I book a tour by calling you?

You're very welcome to get in touch! However, I kindly ask that you send me a message first with some basic information about your preferred tour, date and group size. Once we've exchanged the essentials, we can gladly arrange a phone call if needed. Looking forward to hearing from you!