As the setting for the popular film, The Sound of Music, and the birthplace of perhaps the most famous classical composer ever, Wolfgang Mozart, there is plenty to see in Austria's fourth-biggest city. Add to that the splendid baroque buildings sat beside the Salzach River and you have one of the most celebrated destinations in the German-speaking world.

Once you have explored every nook and cranny of the city, there are even more attractions left to see in the surrounding region, which are best discovered by car given the wonderfully scenic roads. A good place to start is a trip to nearby Oberndorf, just a 20-minute drive outside of Salzburg. This is the home of the Silent Night Memorial Chapel, the place where one of the most famous Christmas songs was composed and first played - Silent Night. Get here during the festive season and you could be a part of the special Christmas Eve service that takes place here. The little chapel is perched on top of a hill and is nearly always covered with a layer of snow at Christmas.

Untersberg, a 2,000-meter high mountain 10 miles south of the city, is another destination just a short drive away that is a must-see. For those that are up to the potent challenge, a walk to the top this snowy peak poses can be rewarding, while an easier route is to take the breathtaking cable car ride that ascends the full 1,300 meters from the mountain's base. The views of Salzburg from here are the best on offer.

Once you've filled your lungs with fresh Alpine air and have developed a taste for further exploration, head farther south to the legendary ice caves near Werfen, less than 30 miles from Salzburg. Salzburg economical car rental rates As the largest ice caves in the world, get ready for what promises to be an unbelievable sight, and don't forget to bring warm clothes as the temperature inside very rarely climbs above freezing, even in the height of summer.

For a fascinating look at a WWII relic, visitors to Salzburg can head 20 miles north just across the German border to Berchtesgaden, home of the Eagle's Nest, the former residence of Nazi leader Adolf Hitler. Constructed on top of the 1,800-meter high Kehlstein in the Bavarian Alps, the building was built as a present to celebrate the fuehrer's 50th birthday in 1939.

The property has become an object of fascination for WWII enthusiasts, although Hitler is only thought to have visited the property around 10 times. The intriguing building features an elevator constructed into the mountain and the building itself is now used as a restaurant with stunning views for miles across Bavaria and back into Austria.

The area south of Salzburg is best-known for its excellent skiing and numerous first-class ski resorts like Zall am See, Obertauern and Saalbach are just a short drive away. Keen skiers can buy a Salzburg Super Ski Card which is valid for 23 ski resorts within the Salzburg region, most of which are within a 90-minute drive of the city. Whether you want a pass for just three days to tackle the nearest slopes to the city at Untersberg, Hintersee and Postalm, or plan a longer tour, there is a ski pass available that will suit you.

For those that make a trip to Salzburg in the summer, there are still plenty of warm weather attractions in the vicinity. Hiring a car, it is possible to reach the idyllic Salzkammergut region in less than an hour. Salzburg car hire easy online booking Like Salzburg, this is an area that is protected by UNESCO, a land of stunning lakes flanked by towering mountains offering numerous outdoor activities like trekking, cycling, bathing and golf. Wolfgangsee is one of the more popular lakes in the area, completely surrounded by mountains reaching close to 2,000 meters. A cable car and rack railway shuttle visitors up two of the peaks bordering the lake, Zwolferhorn and Shafberg respectively.

Many people that visit Salzburg end up staying within the confines of the city, but there is nothing like getting in a car and exploring the surrounding area with its cliffside roads and attractions to last a dozen holidays and more.