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

Should you visit Salzburg or Positano?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salzburg or Positano, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Salzburg

Salzburg is a beautiful, musical, and cultural city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the live music, food, and shopping.

Positano

Positano is a charming, picturesque, and colorful Mediterranean village. Because it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors for a good reason. You'll find world class beauty here as well. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. Other popular activities here include food, beaches, and hiking.

Salzburg and Positano: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Salzburg or Positano?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Salzburg. Although Salzburg and Positano are popular destinations, Salzburg has more sights and attractions for tourists. Salzburg is very popular for its museums, nightlife, music, and shopping, while Positano attracts visitors for its food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and small town charm. Salzburg is famous for its elegant breakfasts, its classical music scene, and its role in the Sound of Music. It is also well known for The Salzburg Old Town. Positano is famous for its beautiful cliffside setting, its colorful buildings, and its quintessential Amalfi atmosphere.

The Salzburg Old Town

How is Salzburg different from Positano?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Salzburg is great for its historical sights. However, Positano does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Positano does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Positano is terrific for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Salzburg is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Positano is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. Seafood is the obvious choice along the Amalfi Coast but Positano is also famous for its salami, chestnuts, cheese, and figs.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in 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.

Is Salzburg or Positano Better for Nightlife?

Salzburg is a good destination for its evening party scene. However, Positano is not a good destination for nightlife.

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.

Most people don't head to Positano specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. The town has a relaxing nightlife that is usually centered around the clubs found at nearby resorts.

Is Salzburg or Positano Better for Music?

Salzburg is a must-visit destination for its music scene. However, Positano is not a live music destination.

Salzburg has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. 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.

Positano is not a live music destination.

Is Salzburg or Positano Better for Resorts?

Positano is terrific for its resorts. However, Salzburg is not a resort destination.

Positano offers an unforgettable resort vacation. The town has a number of luxury resorts including Le Sirenuse, Il San Pietro di Positano, and Hotel Le Agavi.

Salzburg is not a resort destination.

Is Salzburg or Positano Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Positano is a moderate Mediterranean village for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Salzburg is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Snorkeling is an option in Positano. There are snorkeling boat trips that you can book to enjoy exploring the undersea world.

Salzburg is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Salzburg or Positano Better for Beaches?

Positano is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Salzburg is not a beach destination.

Positano has a beach worth visiting. Like the rest of the Amalfi Coast, beaches near Positano tend to be pebbly instead of sandy. They can also get a bit crowded during the summer months. Still, the picturesque setting makes these beaches truly amazing. The main beach at the edge of town is Spiaggia Grande, but there are several others nearby as well.

Salzburg is not a beach destination.

Is Salzburg or Positano Better for its Old Town?

Salzburg and Positano both have world-class historical old towns that attract visitors.

Salzburg has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. 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.

The old town of Positano is one of the most recognized in the world. Exploring the old town, soaking up the atmosphere, and simply enjoying the colorful buildings is what a trip to Positano is all about.

Is Salzburg or Positano Better for Hiking?

Positano is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Salzburg is not a hiking destination.

Positano is a popular spot for hiking. The best way to explore the area out of town is on foot. There are a number of foot paths and trails that will take you through the stunning landscapes.

Salzburg is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Salzburg or Positano?

Salzburg is a must-visit destination for its shopping areas. Also, Positano is not as popular, but is still a nice Mediterranean village for shopping.

Many people travel to Salzburg specifically to go shopping. 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.

Positano is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The main street in town is lined with quaint shops that sell local lemon products, ceramics, clothing, and more.

Is Salzburg or Positano Better for Families?

Salzburg is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Positano is not as popular, but is still a nice Mediterranean village for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Salzburg. 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.

Positano is a family-friendly place to visit. Fun activities include boat rides, eating gelato, and hanging out at the beach. Some of the best family-friendly beaches are Spiaggia Grande, Fornillo Beach, and Arienzo Beach.

Is Salzburg or Positano Better for Couples?

Salzburg and Positano are both world-class to visit as a couple.

Salzburg has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.

Positano is a great city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. It is a picturesque coast town that is both romantic and fun. Wandering through the streets and sampling Italian food make this the perfect honeymoon getaway.

Is Salzburg or Positano Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Salzburg is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Positano is not as popular, but is still a nice Mediterranean village for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Salzburg. 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 Positano. The town has a handful of great hostels that make the Amalfi Coast accessible to backpackers on a budget.

Is Salzburg or Positano Better for Students?

Salzburg is a must-visit destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Positano 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.

Positano is not popular with students.

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

Salzburg is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Positano is not as popular, but is still a nice Mediterranean village for its public transit.

The public transit in Salzburg can get you to most places easily. Trolleys and buses make it easy to get around town.

Positano has a few public transit options. You can walk everywhere once you arrive, and the SITA bus travels to and from the town.

Is Salzburg or Positano a more walkable city?

Positano is terrific for its ease of walking around. Also, Salzburg is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its walkability.

It is easy to get around Positano on foot. The town is best explored on foot. You can wander the quaint streets or take the foot path to the beach or nearby castles.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Positano or Salzburg?

How long in Salzburg or Positano?

Both Salzburg and Positano have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Positano than in Salzburg. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Salzburg, and 2-7 days is enough time in Positano.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Salzburg than Positano 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 Salzburg or Positano?

The beautiful city of Salzburg offers museums and nightlife. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Positano is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and food. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Salzburg or Positano?

Salzburg is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

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

Five days in Salzburg or Positano?

Salzburg is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Salzburg, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Positano is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Positano, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Salzburg or Positano?

Salzburg is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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.

Positano is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. It is common to spend one week here. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Positano has to offer. This Mediterranean village offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Austria, The Best 10-Day Tours in Austria, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Italy, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Salzburg and Positano, we can see that Positano is more expensive. And not only is Salzburg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Salzburg would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Salzburg 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 Positano would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Positano than you might in Salzburg.

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

Which is Bigger, Salzburg or Positano?

Salzburg has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Positano. When comparing the sizes of Salzburg and Positano, 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 Salzburg or Positano?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Salzburg or Positano in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Salzburg as well as Positano. Many travelers come to Salzburg for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Positano in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Salzburg is cooler than Positano in the summer. The daily temperature in Salzburg averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Positano fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Positano. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Salzburg this time of the year. In the summer, Salzburg often gets less sunshine than Positano. Salzburg gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Positano receives 313 hours of full sun.

Salzburg usually gets more rain in July than Positano. Salzburg gets 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Positano receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Salzburg or Positano in the Autumn?

Both Positano and Salzburg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Salzburg in the autumn for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Positano for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Salzburg is much colder than Positano. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Salzburg in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Positano averages at about 17°C (63°F).

Salzburg usually receives less sunshine than Positano during autumn. Salzburg gets 108 hours of sunny skies, while Positano receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Positano. In October, Salzburg usually receives less rain than Positano. Salzburg gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Positano receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Salzburg or Positano in the Winter?

Both Positano and Salzburg during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Salzburg for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Positano because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Salzburg can be very cold during winter. In January, Salzburg is generally much colder than Positano. Daily temperatures in Salzburg average around -0°C (31°F), and Positano fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Salzburg often gets less sunshine than Positano. Salzburg gets 44 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Positano receives 115 hours of full sun.

Positano gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Salzburg usually gets less rain in January than Positano. Salzburg gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Positano receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Salzburg or Positano in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Salzburg and Positano. The spring months attract visitors to Salzburg because of the natural beauty. Furthermore, the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Positano this time of year.

Salzburg is cooler than Positano in the spring. The daily temperature in Salzburg averages around 11°C (51°F) in April, and Positano fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Salzburg usually receives less sunshine than Positano during spring. Salzburg gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Positano receives 189 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Salzburg usually receives less rain than Positano. Salzburg gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Positano receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Positano and Salzburg