The Altstadt is Salzburg's hub, its gold star, the sine qua non of its touristy appeal. Its medieval almond-shaped layout is crowded with well-preserved baroque architecture, church spires, and 14th-century townhouses. Although these lovely structures have been sullied by luxury shops, pricey cafes, and gaudy window displays of Mozartkugeln, various charms endure.

Wrought-iron shop signs figure prominently against a backdrop of mountains (Mönchsberg in the south and Kapuzinerberg in the north) and noble fortresses. And although the tourists pushing through winding, narrow streets can be a headache, expansive town squares give the throngs room to disperse. Mozart's Geburtshaus, countless churches, and a cluster of museums in the westernmost tip are a few of the bigger attractions.

more about Altstadt