A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bucharest vs. Salzburg for Old Town, Couples, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Bucharest or Salzburg?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Bucharest and Salzburg. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Bucharest

Bucharest is a historical, less touristy, and undiscovered city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Salzburg

Salzburg is a beautiful, musical, and cultural city. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the live music, food, and shopping.

Bucharest and Salzburg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bucharest or Salzburg?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Salzburg than Bucharest. While Bucharest is larger than Salzburg, Salzburg has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Salzburg is more popular for its museums, food, music, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Bucharest is known for its big city activities. Salzburg is more touristy than Bucharest and is known for its elegant breakfasts, its classical music scene, and its role in the Sound of Music. It is also home to The Salzburg Old Town. Bucharest is popular for its wide avenues and longstanding religious institutions.

The Salzburg Old Town

How is Bucharest different from Salzburg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Salzburg and Bucharest. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bucharest or Salzburg?

Salzburg is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Salzburg. There are many historic sights to explore including Mozart's birthplace, the Mozart Residence, the Salzburg Museum, and the many stunning churches and concert halls.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Bucharest. The city is rich in landmarks and historical buildings. Popular sights include the Romanian Athenaeum, the Palace of the Parliament, Stavropoleos Church, and Curtea Veche.

Is the Food Better in Bucharest or Salzburg? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Salzburg is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Salzburg. The old town is filled with charming restaurants that serve local specialties including schnitzel, tafelspitz, and strudel. The city is also known for it's impressive breakfast spread that is often served on a three tiered cake stand and includes cheeses, salami, fresh fruit, pastries, olives, jams and more.

Bucharest is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Many Romanian recipes have been passed down through the generations and they still use traditional flavors. You'll see some German or Hungarian influences, but the flavors are still uniquely Romanian. Popular dishes include ciorba (tripe soup), cabbage rolls, and mici (grilled meat rolls).

Is Bucharest or Salzburg Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Bucharest and Salzburg.

Bucharest has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city has come to life with its party scene, with many bars and clubs that you can choose from. There are rooftop bars, chic dance clubs, and cozy pubs where you can pass the evening. You'll find most of the upscale clubs in the northern part of the city, with a more casual scene found in the downtown areas around Universitate and Romanā.

If you're looking for night time activities Salzburg has a few options to choose from. The city has a number of trendy bars, pubs, and clubs where you can enjoy music and a lively atmosphere.

Is Bucharest or Salzburg Better for Music?

Salzburg is renowned for its live music scene. However, Bucharest is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Salzburg Although most people think of Mozart and the Sound of Music when they think of this city, there are also many music festivals, including the famous Salzburg Music Festival, as well as concert venues and an independent music scene that is excellent.

Bucharest is not a live music destination.

Is Bucharest or Salzburg Better for its Old Town?

Salzburg is renowned for its old town. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

The old town of Salzburg is one of the most recognized in the world. This beautiful old town is filled with cafes, restaurants, and churches. You can enjoy local music performed by street performers as you soak in the atmosphere and the regular chime of the church bells really gives the city personality. There are also frequent markets and shops to explore.

Bucharest has an old town worth visiting. The old town dates back to the 15th and 16th centuries, with much of the historical charm seen in the architecture. Many of the buildings have been restored, but others are still awaiting repairs. This gives the area a sense of authenticity that you often miss in other old towns.

Is the Shopping Better in Bucharest or Salzburg?

Salzburg is renowned for its shopping opportunities. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Salzburg make it a world-class shopping destination. The city's historic heart is filled with boutique shops, chocolate markets, and charming local vendors. It's fun to peruse the many shops that line the streets while you shop for local souvenirs.

Bucharest has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The residents love fashion, and you'll find many shopping centers around town where you can find a good deal. In addition to the many malls, there are also antique shops, flea markets and boutique clothing stores where you might find a hidden gem.

Is Bucharest or Salzburg Better for Families?

Salzburg is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Bucharest is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

Salzburg is a very kid-friendly city. Kids who know the Sound of Music will enjoy visiting the setting of a number of scenes from the movie. There are even popular Sound of Music tours that take you to the gardens where they sang "Do Re Mi" and out of town to the church where Maria married the Captain. The city also offers Marionette Puppet shows, cooking classes, castles and more around town that everyone can enjoy.

For families, Bucharest is not always the best place to visit. Kid-friendly activities include kid's play areas, museums such as the Museum of the Senses, and water centered activities like rowing in the park or visiting the wellness center Therme.

Is Bucharest or Salzburg Better for Couples?

Salzburg is renowned for its romantic activities. However, Bucharest is not particularly known for couples.

Salzburg is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. The town offers a romantic setting with elaborate breakfasts, beautiful architecture, live shows, and plenty that couples can enjoy. You can simply wander around old town or explore the many gardens around town. Couples will also enjoy the concerts and music that the city is so famous for.

Bucharest is not always the best place to visit for a couple. The city has some romantic settings such as wandering down Victory Avenue or exploring the historic Cotroceni Neighbourhood. There are also several gardens and a number of nice cafes to explore.

Is Bucharest or Salzburg Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Salzburg is well known for backpackers. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Salzburg is a great city to visit for backpackers. This is a popular city to visit, so there are plenty of amenities for backpackers. If you want to save a little money, you can stay and eat outside of old town where the prices are a little less.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Bucharest. The city is affordable, but it's often overlooked by backpackers. Part of the charm for many is the sense of authenticity that can often be hard to find in travel these days.

Is Bucharest or Salzburg Better for Students?

Salzburg is renowned for students. However, Bucharest is not popular with students.

Salzburg is a very popular place to visit for students. International students appreciate the high quality of life, excellent educational opportunities and unique European setting that makes this city special. There are also a number of beautiful places just outside of town that you can explore, as well as many travel connections to other popular cities in Europe.

Bucharest is not popular with students.

Is Bucharest or Salzburg Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Bucharest and Salzburg.

The public transit in Bucharest can get you around easily. Public transit options include trams, buses, and trolley buses.

Salzburg offers a very effecient public transportation network. Trolleys and buses make it easy to get around town.

Is Bucharest or Salzburg a more walkable city?

Salzburg is well known for its high level of walkability. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Salzburg is a very walkable city. The old town is very walkable, but if you stay outside of the main tourist areas, you'll likely want to take a bus.

Bucharest is a somewhat walkable city. Many of the tourist attractions are within a walkable area.

For even more information, also check out Is Bucharest Worth Visiting? and Is Salzburg Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Salzburg or Bucharest?

How long in Bucharest or Salzburg?

In either Bucharest or Salzburg, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Salzburg than Bucharest because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bucharest, and 3-5 days is enough time in Salzburg.

Families should spend more time in Salzburg than Bucharest. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Salzburg, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Salzburg than Bucharest. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Salzburg that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Salzburg than Bucharest if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Salzburg.

One day in Bucharest or Salzburg?

The city of Bucharest offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

You'll find nightlife and live music around the quaint city of Salzburg. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Bucharest or Salzburg?

Bucharest is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Bucharest, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

You'll find live music and food around the historic destination of Salzburg. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Bucharest or Salzburg?

Bucharest is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful city of Salzburg. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in Bucharest or Salzburg?

Bucharest is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Salzburg is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bucharest, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Romania, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Austria, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Austria.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bucharest and Salzburg, we can see that Salzburg is more expensive. And not only is Bucharest much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bucharest would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bucharest and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Salzburg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Salzburg than you might in Bucharest.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bucharest Expensive? and Is Salzburg Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bucharest or Salzburg?

Bucharest has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Salzburg. When comparing the sizes of Bucharest and Salzburg, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Bucharest or Salzburg?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Bucharest or Salzburg in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bucharest and Salzburg. Many visitors come to Bucharest in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Salzburg for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Bucharest is a little warmer than Salzburg. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bucharest in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Salzburg averages at about 20°C (68°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Salzburg this time of the year. In Bucharest, it's very sunny this time of the year. Bucharest usually receives more sunshine than Salzburg during summer. Bucharest gets 289 hours of sunny skies, while Salzburg receives 227 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bucharest usually receives less rain than Salzburg. Bucharest gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bucharest or Salzburg in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Bucharest as well as Salzburg. Most visitors come to Bucharest for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Salzburg because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Bucharest is generally a little warmer than Salzburg. Daily temperatures in Bucharest average around 13°C (55°F), and Salzburg fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the autumn, Bucharest often gets more sunshine than Salzburg. Bucharest gets 177 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Salzburg receives 108 hours of full sun.

Bucharest usually gets less rain in October than Salzburg. Bucharest gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bucharest or Salzburg in the Winter?

Both Salzburg and Bucharest are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Bucharest because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Salzburg this time of year.

It's quite cold in Salzburg in the winter. The weather in Bucharest can be very cold. Bucharest is much colder than Salzburg in the winter. The daily temperature in Bucharest averages around -1°C (29°F) in January, and Salzburg fluctuates around -0°C (31°F).

Bucharest usually receives more sunshine than Salzburg during winter. Bucharest gets 71 hours of sunny skies, while Salzburg receives 44 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Bucharest usually receives less rain than Salzburg. Bucharest gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bucharest or Salzburg in the Spring?

Both Salzburg and Bucharest during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city are the main draw to Bucharest this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Salzburg for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Bucharest is a little warmer than Salzburg. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bucharest in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Salzburg averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In the spring, Bucharest often gets more sunshine than Salzburg. Bucharest gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Salzburg receives 155 hours of full sun.

Bucharest usually gets less rain in April than Salzburg. Bucharest gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Salzburg and Bucharest