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

Should you visit Vilnius 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 Vilnius 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.

Vilnius

Vilnius is a surprising, undiscovered, and authentic city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Salzburg

Salzburg is a beautiful, musical, and cultural city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. 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.

Vilnius and Salzburg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Vilnius or Salzburg?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Salzburg than Vilnius. While Vilnius 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 Vilnius is known for its nightlife. Salzburg is more touristy than Vilnius 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. Vilnius is popular for its authentic old town and long running history.

The Salzburg Old Town

How is Vilnius different from Salzburg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Salzburg is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Vilnius is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

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 Vilnius. The city has fascinating museums relating to Soviet times. These include the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights and the Lithuanian Diaspora Art Museum. Other notable sights include the Three Crosses Monument and the St. Anne's and Bernardine Church Complex.

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

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

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.

Vilnius is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The food is hearty with plenty of meat and potatoes. There are also soups and herring dishes as well as great desserts. Popular dishes in the area include cepelinai (meat filled potato dumplings), kibinai (a pastry), and potato pancakes.

Is Vilnius or Salzburg Better for Nightlife?

Vilnius is a well-known place for its evening party scene. Also, Salzburg is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Vilnius offers plenty to do in the evening. The large student population is at the heart of the city's nightlife scene. You'll find most of the activity centered around three streets - Vilniaus, Islandijos and Vokiečių. These areas have a number of bars and clubs, and they draw the biggest crowds.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Salzburg. The city has a number of trendy bars, pubs, and clubs where you can enjoy music and a lively atmosphere.

Is Vilnius or Salzburg Better for Music?

Salzburg is an amazing city to visit for its live music scene. However, Vilnius 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.

Vilnius is not a live music destination.

Is Vilnius or Salzburg Better for its Old Town?

Salzburg is an amazing city to visit for its old town. Also, Vilnius is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town charm.

Salzburg offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. 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.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Vilnius. The old town is filled with history, architecture, and churches. It's also where you'll find Vilnius University. At the heart of the area is Pilies Gatve (Castle Street), which has shopping, cafes, and restaurants.

Is the Shopping Better in Vilnius or Salzburg?

Salzburg is an amazing city to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Vilnius is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Vilnius has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. For quaint shops, head to old town, particularly around Pilies Gatve. The city also has an open air market, Kalvarijų Turgus, that is popular on Saturdays. There are also a few shopping malls around town.

Is Vilnius or Salzburg Better for Families?

Salzburg is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Vilnius is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Vilnius is a family-friendly city. The city has a number of historic sights, but once your kids have had their fill, you can head to one of the outdoor or indoor play areas in the city center. There's also a toy museum and an Energy and Technology Museum that kids will enjoy. After a busy day, make sure you grab some ice cream to lift everyone's spirits.

Is Vilnius or Salzburg Better for Couples?

Salzburg is an amazing city to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Vilnius is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Vilnius is a good city for couples to visit. The city is filled with viewpoints, from hill tops to towers, where you can enjoy romantic views over the landscape. You can also dine in a local restaurant or enjoy a picnic in one of the outdoor settings.

Is Vilnius or Salzburg Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Vilnius and Salzburg are great destinations for backpackers.

Vilnius is a great city to visit for backpackers. For backpackers who want to escape the crowds, this off-the-beaten path European capital is a great option. It has history, charm, and an authenticity that is hard to find in a more touristy area. It's also an affordable city, with hostels and plenty of cheap places to eat.

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.

Is Vilnius or Salzburg Better for Students?

Salzburg is an amazing city to visit for students. Also, Vilnius is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

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.

Plenty of students visit Vilnius. The city is small but charming with a number of places where international students can study. It's an affordable city with a lively atmosphere and an authenticate and genuine personality.

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

Salzburg is notable for its public transit. Also, Vilnius is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Salzburg has some very good public transit options. Trolleys and buses make it easy to get around town.

Vilnius has some public transit options. Bus and trolleybuses are available.

Is Vilnius or Salzburg a more walkable city?

Salzburg is notable for its high level of walkability. Also, Vilnius is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Vilnius is a somewhat walkable city. The old town is the most walkable part of the city.

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

Should I spend more time in Salzburg or Vilnius?

How long in Vilnius or Salzburg?

In either Vilnius or Salzburg, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Salzburg than Vilnius because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-4 days is a good amount of time for Vilnius, and 3-5 days is enough time in Salzburg.

Families should spend more time in Salzburg than Vilnius. 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 Vilnius. 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 Vilnius 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 Vilnius or Salzburg?

The beautiful city of Vilnius offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Salzburg, you'll find shopping and museums. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Vilnius or Salzburg?

Vilnius 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. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Vilnius, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

In Salzburg, you'll find museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Vilnius or Salzburg?

Vilnius 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.

Salzburg is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Salzburg has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Vilnius or Salzburg?

Vilnius 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Salzburg. Many people enjoy the live music and food when visiting Salzburg. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Vilnius, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Lithuania, 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 Vilnius and Salzburg, we can see that Salzburg is more expensive. And not only is Vilnius much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Vilnius would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vilnius 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 Vilnius.

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

Which is Bigger, Vilnius or Salzburg?

Vilnius has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Salzburg. When comparing the sizes of Vilnius 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 Vilnius 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 Vilnius or Salzburg in the Summer?

Both Salzburg and Vilnius are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Vilnius in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Salzburg for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Vilnius is around the same temperature as Salzburg. Typically, the summer temperatures in Vilnius in July average around 18°C (65°F), and Salzburg averages at about 20°C (68°F).

It's quite sunny in Salzburg. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vilnius. Vilnius usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Salzburg during summer. Vilnius gets 219 hours of sunny skies, while Salzburg receives 227 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Vilnius usually receives less rain than Salzburg. Vilnius gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Vilnius or Salzburg in the Autumn?

Both Salzburg and Vilnius during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Vilnius for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Salzburg because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Vilnius is generally cooler than Salzburg. Daily temperatures in Vilnius average around 8°C (46°F), and Salzburg fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the autumn, Vilnius often gets less sunshine than Salzburg. Vilnius gets 94 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Salzburg receives 108 hours of full sun.

Vilnius usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Salzburg. Vilnius gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Vilnius or Salzburg in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Vilnius and Salzburg. The winter months attract visitors to Vilnius because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, 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 Vilnius can be very cold. Vilnius is much colder than Salzburg in the winter. The daily temperature in Vilnius averages around -5°C (23°F) in January, and Salzburg fluctuates around -0°C (31°F).

Vilnius usually receives less sunshine than Salzburg during winter. Vilnius gets 36 hours of sunny skies, while Salzburg receives 44 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Vilnius usually receives less rain than Salzburg. Vilnius gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Vilnius or Salzburg in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Vilnius as well as Salzburg. The natural beauty are the main draw to Vilnius this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Salzburg for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Vilnius is cooler than Salzburg. Typically, the spring temperatures in Vilnius in April average around 7°C (45°F), and Salzburg averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In the spring, Vilnius often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Salzburg. Vilnius gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Salzburg receives 155 hours of full sun.

Vilnius usually gets less rain in April than Salzburg. Vilnius 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 Vilnius