#Salzburg: Mozart, coffee houses and your city as a campus!
Salzburg is a colourful and diverse place. It’s so much more than just Mozart’s birth town, “The Sound of Music”, the Salzburg Festival and Red Bull. Salzburg is a human rights city and home to the University of Salzburg; therefore, it is also a student city. Below, you’ll find out which special places students in Salzburg can discover. #yourcityyourcampus #studentcity
Studierendenmittwoch (“Student Wednesday”)
Students in Salzburg tend to go out on Wednesdays. This is because most students are only in town from Tuesday to Thursday, hence #studimittwoch (Student Wednesday) was born. Since the best parties in town happen on Wednesdays, getting up on Thursday (and sometimes on Friday) can be tough! But we’re in it together!
The city of Salzburg tries to make Wednesdays for students even nicer – and cheaper – by providing special offers. Just click on the left button to check them out!
SN Student Subscription
Salzburg’s most famous local newspaper is called Salzburger Nachrichten. If you want to stay up to date on what’s happening in Salzburg, Austria and the rest of the world, we recommend their special student subscription. Reading newspapers can also be a great way to improve your German skills! You can also read about events specifically for students.
You can often find a copy in the cafeteria of the Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences that you can take to read in the beautiful botanical garden or one of the cosy study spots at NLW.
Landestheater (the Salzburg State Theatre)
Students can often get cheaper tickets to performances at the State Theatre. Are you in the mood for dressing up after studying? Just take a look at the current programme and see what catches your fancy! Experiencing Salzburg can also mean experiencing culture.
(Free) sports
Playing sports can be good for our physical and mental health and it can also be a great way to meet new people!
How about founding your own ÖH-Club for doing sports together? You could also visit one of the many free-to-use outdoor sport and fitness facilities in a local park. Just click at the map to find out which physical activity suits you best.
Have you ever tried out USI, the university’s sport institute? USI offers a wide range of classes that aren’t too pricey! Tip: The most popular courses tend to fill up quickly, so we recommend creating a USI account right away.
USI also offers its own gym in the South of Salzburg with a free trial session and student-friendly prices. Students can even join some of their events, like indoor soccer and volleyball tournaments, for free.
Bonus tip: Each summer term, the USI festival Sports & Beats takes place in Rif, where you can work out and party simultaneously. Throughout the day, competitions in up to 5 different types of sports take place. In the evening you can celebrate your wins and forget about your losses. 😊 For those who participate in the tournaments, food, fruit, (isotonic) drinks – and also alcoholic ones in the evening – are free. Here you can find more info.
Hanging around Salzburg
Salzburg’s parks aren’t just ideal for working out and strolling along; you can also put up a hammock and chill! You can get them at the University of Salzburg shop or you can bring your own hammock. Note: If you want to set up a university hammock, don’t forget to use the enclosed foam to protect the trees. This tutorial teaches you how to easily set up your hammock, while this map – which you can also find at #studentplace – shows you where you can chill with your friends.
At the end of 2024, Salzburg became the first city in Austria to implement #nettetoilette (“nice toilet”). This means that more and more restaurants in the city allow you to use their toilets for free. In addition, some Öklos (mobile toilets made of wood) have been introduced. More about that in the radiofabrik’s newsletter .
Coffeehouse culture for students
#studyfriendlycafés in Salzburg are waiting for you: Especially during exam season, changing one’s location can be beneficial. If the weather doesn’t allow hanging out in the park, we recommend going to one of the many cafés in Salzburg. Besides Wi-Fi and power outlets, they offer a place to feel cosy and be productive, without the pressure of having to consume loads. Perfect for getting into the study zone!
How about a coffee on the rooftop terrace of Unipark?
That’s where Café-Eden Skybar is located! With its breathtaking location atop Unipark, you can enjoy the mountain views and fresh air, whilst experiencing a change of scenery for your successful study session.
Below you can find other #studyfriendlycafés in the city that are waiting for you to discover them!
Das Kaffeehaus
Studying is important, but so are proper breaks! Why not boost your brain power with a sweet treat? If you enjoy traditional Austrian pastries, Das Kaffeehaus might be for you.
Just like our university, Das Kaffeehaus makes sustainability and the common good a priority. Eggs and vegetables are delivered from local farmers and vegan cakes are on the menu daily. The cherry on top: On Wednesdays, students get a 10% discount on everything. The perfect conditions for a successful studying session.
Café Kowalski
With its unique architecture, Café Kowalski, located on top of the City Library, is a true eye-catcher. Whether you live in Lehen, feel like strolling through the City Library’s rich collection of books or use one of the many workspaces to work on your thesis, this café is the perfect spot! Just follow the red carpet in the library to get to the elevator and then up you go! Why not prepare for your next exam whilst admiring the view of Maria Plain, the mountains, the fortress and the city itself? Kowalski stands for inclusion and sustainability and also boasts atmosphere and friendliness.
Cup&Cino
Your train has been cancelled or is delayed and your pile of work is getting higher and higher? Then Cup&Cino is the place to be! With its convenient location, it’s a safe haven for all commuters! Surely, most of us have passed it, since it’s located next to the roundabout between Kongresshaus and the train station, and can be reached easily using public transportation. If going there becomes a habit (we’d understand!) you receive a bonus card and get the 11th coffee or bagel for free. The café is also planning on setting up a newsletter, informing you about discounts. Students are more than welcome at Cup&Cino and we could truly feel that when we were there.
220grad
At the heart of the Old Town, you’ll find Café 220Grad with its locations in Nonntal and Rupertinum. A modern atmosphere allows for productive study sessions, on Wednesdays even until 8pm! Delicious coffee, fresh from its own roastery, and unlimited free water will activate your brain cells. The water will be delivered to you once you unpack your bag, immediately making you feel welcome. A special bonus is the café’s student discount: Every Wednesday €1.20 is deducted from all coffees and cakes.
Note: 220grad is very popular (we also get it!), so it might get quite busy and noisy in there – so don’t forget your headphones.
FIT.smartfood
FIT.smartfood in Maxglan is a great alternative to the library. Yummy drinks and nutritious meals await you! They also offer a student meal – just ask for it. Wi-Fi and (a limited number of) power outlets are also available. Whether you’re in the mood for a cosy study date or a relaxed evening, this restaurant has it all. Don’t forget: FIT.smartfood usually hosts “Afterwork Wednesday“ with live DJ, starting at 6pm. A great location for taking a break!
Timeless
Whether you’re an early bird or a night owl when it comes to studying, Timeless will make you feel welcome. The café is even open until 11pm every day!
A balanced meal is vital for concentration. A yummy lunch, waffles with ice cream or homemade burgers are just a selection of the treats you can order. Trust us: You and your study group certainly won’t be feeling hungry!
Be aware that it can get quite loud, so we recommend bringing your headphones for a deep study session.
Coffeehouse
The laid-back vibe of the spacious Coffeehouse, with its many cozy chairs, armchairs, and sofas, lets us unwind and makes it a great place for studying. Power outlets are plentiful and the Wi-Fi is reliable and fast. With a big cup of coffee and the diverse weekly menu, the café is a place where you can spend hours. Once your bonus card is full, you get a free coffee as a reward!
Coffeehouse is a popular study spot in Salzburg! If you’ve had enough of studying, you can also attend events like poetry slams, live music or book presentations. Everything a student’s heart could wish for!
Academy – Raum für Ideen („room for ideas“)
In Academy Bar, the name says it all: Throughout the day, “Von zehn bis vier” (“from ten to four”; from Mondays to Wednesdays and sometimes on additional pop-up days) you can ponder your ideas for uni whilst enjoying yummy treats at a fair price. Stay up to date on their Insta (@academy_salzburg) .
Students can get the breakfast “morning kick” (including iced tea of the day 0,3l, a granola bowl and hummus plate with salad and pickled vegetables) for €15 instead of €17.50. For €6, students can get “Topf der Woche” (“pot of the week” – sometimes a soup, sometimes a stew). Enjoy this brain booster while studying and making use of the café’s free Wifi. Tipp: Veronika will tell you about the other daily options. Afterwards, you can take a walk and continue pondering whilst walking through “Kurgarten”, the beautiful park adjacent to Mirabell Castle.
If you have some money to spare, you can also buy a non-alcoholic drink in advance for those who are going through a financially challenging time.
By the way, it’s also worth visiting Academy Bar in the evening.😊
Your café is still missing on our list? Feel free to contact us!
You want more?
Besides studyfriendly café recommendations, we have many other tips and tricks for students in Salzburg. Just check out Markt der Möglichkeiten.
Pictures Cafés: Felix Kappen