Where to Stay in Salzburg

Our Favorite Salzburg Hotels

· High-End Hotel: Accommodation
• A boutique hotel option in Salzburg is: Hotel Goldgasse.
• Inexpensive hotel option: Cocoon
• Family Hotel: Auersperg Hotel
• Best Pool: Schloss Mönchstein
• Near Train Station: K6 Rooms
• Near Airport: Hotel Himmelreich resort.

people walking down a street in front of a building

The Best Area to Stay in Salzburg

Straddling the Salzach River on the northern edge of the Alps, the Austrian city of Salzburg contains one of Europe’s prettiest old towns, with narrow medieval streets, gorgeous palaces and churches, and a fairytale castle sitting high above it all in a magnificent view. The city’s most renowned person is Mozart – if you are unfamiliar with the famed 18th-century composer, you will learn a great deal about him after a visit to Salzburg, where he is honored by several museums, squares, statues, and even a line of confections. The Mozart connection was also behind the founding of the annual Salzburg Festival, a fabulous summertime celebration of classical music and drama. Almost as prominent isThe Sound of Music, the beloved Julie Andrews musical set in, and partly filmed in, Salzburg.

Salzburg, though relatively small in size, draws most visitors to focus the bulk of their time within the Altstadt (Old Town), the historic core. It possesses the most atmospheric and beautiful part of the city; home to baroque churches, historic cafés, and major attractions such as Mozart’s Birthplace, Salzburg Cathedral, Dom Quartier Salzburg, St Peter’s Church and its famous cliffside catacombs, and the Hohensalzburg – Salzburg’s dramatic hilltop fortress. While some great hotels can be found here, they tend to cost more. You’ll find less expensive alternatives a brief walk across the river in Neustadt, the lower portion of which extends the historic feel of the Old Town and remains just as charming. This area contains the Mozart Residence as well as the beautiful Schloss Mirabell palace and the surrounding Mirabell Gardens, the city’s most elegant green space. You’ll find a larger selection of reasonably priced yet good quality motels and hotels near the main train station (Salzburger Hauptbahnhof) in Elisabeth Vorstadt, north of Neustadt. This district appears relatively modern and busy, lacking the character of the historic neighborhoods farther south but very convenient for train travel. On the southern edge of the city, Hellbrunn is best recognized for Schloss Hellbrunn, the city’s grandest palace (and home of the “Sound of Music Pavilion”), but also contains Salzburg Zoo and the Volkskundemuseum, an absorbing folk art museum. Hellbrunn allows for an easy bus ride from the city center, but also has some excellent hotels for those driving and wanting to avoid parking hassles in the old center. Finally, it’s worthwhile exploring the small, historic communities of the Salzach Valley beyond Salzburg, with the Alpine views expanding the farther south you travel. Trains will quickly transport you here from the city center, but you can also lodge in some lovely old-fashioned Austrian inns and guesthouses. The small town of Hallein is best recognized for its Celtic history and ancient salt mines (as well as being the home of the composer of “Silent Night”), while scenic Werfen contains stunning Hohenwerfen Castle, the mesmerizing ice caves at Eisriesenwelt, and yet more sites associated with The Sound of Music.

While exploring central Salzburg on foot is relatively uncomplicated, the city`s reliable public transportation setup is convenient to use for trips between the main train station (which necessitates a fairly lengthy walk from the Old Town) and vice versa, or to the surrounding suburbs. The system consists of “Obus” electrically-powered buses and trolleys, with a 24-hour travel card costing just €6.40. Having a rental car can be useful when touring the areas surrounding the city, but one is hardly needed within Salzburg itself – streets tend to be narrow, often crowded, and parking spots can be difficult to locate, especially in the Old Town.

Salzburg Travel Tips

  • Bicycle rentals are available through shops like aVelo and Radsport Wagner. Salzburg is an enjoyable place to ride bicycles (in summer), with numerous dedicated lanes and trails, particularly along the Salzach and all the way to Hellbrunn palace.
  • Each room at this extravagant lodging highlights perspectives of its own personal hot tub or heated unending pool. Luxury offices incorporate an indulging medical clinic, an unending pool, and Lycabettus Restaurant with the sole best dusk perspective terrace on the island. Entire Audit of Andronis Luxury Suites.

  • The Salzburg Card (€30–45 in peak season) offers complimentary entrance to most tourist attractions and free public transit in the city for 1, 2, or 3 days. It’s ordinarily a really good deal, if you intend to visit the main museums and to use the transportation system multiple times daily; the two Mozart museums plus the funicular to the castle alone will cost around €38.
  • You’ll come across significantly more English speakers in cosmopolitan Salzburg than rural Austrian towns, yet not all shop assistants and restaurant staff will comprehend you. Try studying a few words and numbers in German before departing. (Austrians do communicate in German, while using a different accent than Standard High German).
  • Free wifi access is offered at Salzburg Airport, and in public spots across the city center thanks to “ Salzburg Wireless” – look for the “#SalzburgSurft” network.

The Best Places to Stay in Salzburg

a city street filled with lots of tall buildings

Best Places in Salzburg for…

  • Best Place to Stay for First Timers/Sightseeing: Altstadt or Neustadt
    It makes the most sense to stay in the historic heart of Salzburg if possible. The Altstadt (Old Town) is the most gorgeous and atmospheric part of the city, but Neustadt across the river also has lots of charm, home to places like the Mozart Residence (Mozart-Wohnhaus), Schloss Mirabell, the stunning Mirabell Gardens, and the historic Linzer Gasse main street. You`ll also find slightly cheaper hotel rates in this part of town – accommodation in the Altstadt tends to be expensive. Whether you lodge in the Old Town or Neustadt, you`ll be within walking distance of the city`s primary attractions: the vehicle-free main street of Getreidegasse, Mozart`s Birthplace (Mozarts Geburtshaus), the Salzburg Museum, monumental Salzburg Cathedral and the Residence of the Prince Archbishops, the cliffside catacombs of St Peter`s Church, and the mesmerizing Hohensalzburg castle high above the city. You`ll also have access to the best restaurants, bars, and shops in the city
  • Most romantically charming destination: Altstadt and Hellbrunn.
  • The Old Town is without a doubt the most charming area of the city, with its remarkable towers and domes set against the magnificent castle high above. It`s packed with delightful streets and impressive Baroque structures, home to many cozy cafes and eateries. Couples often lock padlocks to the Makartsteg bridge, reserved for pedestrians connecting the Old and New sections, while architectural gems like the Cathedral, Nonnberg Abbey, and St Peter’s Church invite exploration filled with art and history. Some pricier but outstanding hotels here create a romantic backdrop: Boutiquehotel am Dom and Hotel Goldgasse are superb recommendations, with the luxurious Hotel Goldener Hirsch being the finest of all.

    You could also spend time south of the city center at Schloss Hellbrunn, the elegant 17th-century summer palace built for the Prince-Archbishops of Salzburg. The palace and especially its extensive gardens rarely seem busy – the neighboring park is laced with trails and contains the Monatschlössl, the “mini” palace built to enhance the view from Hellbrunn. Partners often visit the “Sound of Music Pavilion” (transported here from Schloss Leopoldskron), where the famous “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” scene from the movie was filmed in the 1960s.

  • Best Place for Nightlife: Altstadt and Neustadt
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  • Salzburg is not renowned as a hotspot for nightlife, yet there are various bars and pubs spread throughout the city. Three key areas to seek out bars include: along Rudolfskai (beside the river) and Anton-Neumayer-Platz in the Altstadt downtown district, and on and around Steingasse across the river in Neustadt (all within walking distance of each other). Along Rudolfskai you`ll find Shamrock and O’Malley’s Irish bars, the cozy City Alm (Rudolfskai 26), and several additional bars, while over on Anton-Neumayer-Platz/Gstättengasse we enjoy the cocktails at Flip, the DJs at Soda Club and Half Moon Club,Mentor’s Bar Kultur, and Murphy’s Law, yet another Irish pub. (Salzburg residents veritably appreciate Irish pubs.) The finest traditional beer hall is the Augustiner Bräustübl Müllnerbräu, located a bit further north at Augustinergasse 4-6).

    Nearby on Steingasse, the Watzmann Cultbar and Saitensprung number among the numerous bars worth exploring, proving more popular with locals than visitors. The finest place for live entertainment in the town is the Rockhouse, situated a bit farther north at Schallmooser Hauptstrasse 46.

    • Salzburg’s leading beer manufacturer is Stiegl-Brauwelt – the biggest independent brewery in Austria. Guided tours of the brewing facility, bottling plant, and attached museum are available outside the city center.

  • Best Place for Food and Restaurants: Altstadt and Neustadt
    Though some of the finest eating places in the city lie beyond downtown ( Ikarus near the airport terminal at Hangar-7, and Senns Restaurant farther north, are brilliant examples), you’ll get by far the most choices in the Old Town and Neustadt – both regions are similarly great, even though you’ll uncover cheaper menus in the latter. On the northern edge of the Old Town, Esszimmer is the ideal place for a splurge, highlighting the Michelin-starred innovations of Chef Andreas Kaiblinge, while Gasthaus Hinterbrühl is the perfect spot to example classical Austrian fare (from roasted pork to schnitzel). There are also historic spots like Café Tomaselli, which is touristy but an essential stop for coffee and cake, as well as Cafe Sacher over in Neustadt, outpost of the renowned Viennese maker of sachertorte (chocolate cake), and far less busy than the flagship in Vienna itself Four SeasonsThompsonLimelightPatterson InnRitz-Carlton
  • In Salzburg, a traditional delicacy you`ll frequently encounter on restaurant menus and being sold throughout the city is the sweet, fluffy soufflé known as Salzburger Nockerl. Another signature local snack that`s virtually everywhere is the Salzburger Mozartkugel, also referred to as “Mozart balls”, a sweet treat consisting of marzipan and pistachio surrounded by nougat and chocolate, which was originally created in 1890 at the Cafe Konditorei Fürst.

  • Best place for shopping: Altstadt
    While locals tend to do much of their shopping at the large shopping centers on the outskirts of the city, the Old Town (Altstadt) still provides many purchasing opportunities – and it`s not all geared towards visitors. Traffic-free Getreidegasse is traditionally the main street, lined with stores specializing in fashion, shoes, watches, and more. Austrian brands predominate here (naturally there`s a Red Bull World store promoting the city’s most famous international product), but Tommy Hilfiger, Benetton, Longchamp and other designers also have outlets along or near Getreidegasse. For traditional dirndl-style outfits (known locally as “tracht”), consider Trachten Stassny (no.35), Wenger (no.29), or Madl (no.13). The 600-year-old Schlosserei Wieber metalworking shop (no.28) has become a tourist attraction in its own right, while the Stiftsbäckerei St. Peter (bakery) on Kapitelplatz dates back to the 12th century. Fresh local produce and snacks such as giant soft pretzels can be purchased at the daily “Grünmarkt” market on Universitätsplatz.

    EUROPARK Salzburg is the city’s biggest shopping complex, with over 100 stores – it’s a brief train or bus ride from downtown. Designer Outlet Salzburg is near the airport, providing discounted fashion from major labels.

  • Safety in Salzburg

    As you ascend to the three vistas, you’ll likely encounter marmots and mountain goats, and perhaps even see a black bear if luck is on your side (though that might likely be in the meadows on the way down).

The 5 Best Areas in Salzburg for Tourists

1. Altstadt (Old Town)

a city street with tall buildings and a clock tower

The historic center of Salzburg known as Altstadt is where most of your time should be spent. Situated at the base of the hill called Mönchsberg, on the south (left) side of the Salzach river, it possesses a truly beautiful collection of alleyways, charming plazas, medieval churches, and historic cafés. The cobbled, pedestrian-only main street called Getreidegasse is mainly a shopping avenue today that can become crowded with tourists but also includes Mozart`s Birthplace (Mozarts Geburtshaus), one of Salzburg’s most significant attractions. This is where the renowned composer was born in 1756 and now serves as a fascinating museum dedicated to his early years. Venturing further into the Old Town will lead you to a series of stately plazas. The Alter Markt is home to historic Café Tomaselli, established in 1700, while Mozartplatz shelters the primary tourist information center and the vast Salzburg Museum, containing its diverse collections of paintings, musical instruments, ancient coins, manuscripts, toys, and folk art. In between stands Residenzplatz, Salzburg’s grandest square, flanked by Salzburg Cathedral and the Residenz itself, home to the Prince Archbishops that once governed the city. Collectively known as the Dom Quartier, you can tour the magnificent 17th-century State Rooms, admire the rare paintings in the Residenz galerie, and visit the Cathedral Museum and the adjacent Museum of St. Peter’s Abbey. The western side of the cathedral peers onto austere Domplatz, and another elegant church, Franziskaner Kirche, while the southern side is dominated by Kapitelplatz, home to the peculiar Sphaera art installation (a giant gold ball) and the Kapitelschwemme, an ornamental pond and fountain framed by the castle perched on the hill beyond.

South of Kapitelplatz lies St Peter’s Church, with a fabulously ornate interior design from the Rococo period and beautifully landscaped cemetery, but best known for the catacombs cut into the adjacent cliffs by the region’s early Christian residents. Nearby is the base for the FestungsBahn funicular rail transport rising steeply some 400ft (120 meters) above the city to the 11th-century Hohensalzburg, Salzburg’s picturesquely situated hilltop fortress. This former sanctuary for the Prince Archbishops merits around half a day of exploration, with multiple museums and galleries inside, as well as magnificent views of the city, two restaurants, and the Royal Residences.

The Old Town features many intriguing attractions for art aficionados such as the contemporary works showcased at the Museum der Moderne Salzburg and its cliffside branch on Mönchsberg mountain; the performance centers at the Salzburger Festspiele complex; medieval frescoes preserved at Nonnberg Abbey; and the Stefan Zweig Centre honoring the beloved Austrian writer. Younger visitors may enjoy learning about the natural world at the Haus der Natur, the city’s museum of natural history.

Staying in the Altstadt offers the most atmospheric part of the city, but rates tend to be high. The choice across the river in Neustadt (or further north near the train station) provides a much wider selection and lower prices.

  • The Best Hotels in Altstadt (Old Town)
    The Arthotel Blaue Gans is situated in Salzburg, Austria. Reach them at +43 662 8424910 The Boutiquehotel am Dom hotel can be reached by telephone Hotel Goldgasse is located in Salzburg, Austria. Hotel phone: +43 662 842765
    Pink Plantation House can be reached at +1 758 452 5422 Hotel Schloss Mönchstein has a contact number of +43 662 8485550
    Radisson Blu Altstadt can be contacted at +43 662 8485710
  • Best Midrange Hotels
    The Hotel Elefant lodging can be contacted by phone at +43 662 843397
    Altstadthotel Weisse Taube • Hotel phone: +43 662 842404
    Hotel Kasererbraeu • Hotel phone: +43 662 842445
  • Best Hostel
    The Stadtalm Naturfreundehaus hotel in Salzburg, Austria is located at https://www.booking.com/hotel/at/stadtalm-naturfreundehaus.en-gb.html?aid=346426&label=salzburg. Their phone number is +43 662 841729.

2. Neustadt

The “Right Bank”of the Salzach comprises the “Rechte Altstadt” (“Right Old Town”) and Neustadt (“New Town”) neighborhoods. Crossing the Staatsbrücke bridge, the charming Platzl, a small square, appears to continue the Old Town, with Linzer Gasse, the primary walkway, running north from here. To the east lies most of the Kapuzinerberg, a wooded hill named for the Capuchin church at the summit. Below it is the cobbled Steingasse, one of the city’s most atmospheric roads. Heading north into the Neustadt, the Mozart Residence ( Mozart-Wohnhaus) overlooks the busy Makartplatz, dominated by the elegant Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church. Mozart lived in the Residence between 1773 and 1780, and the small but illuminating museum here accompanies the Birthplace with exhibits about his life and music (don’t miss the small wooden pavilion in the courtyard, the famous “Magic Flute House” where Mozart composed his opera “Die Zauberflöte” in 1791). The other major highlight in Neustadt is Schloss Mirabell, a 17th-century palace, and the surrounding Mirabell Gardens, Salzburg’s loveliest park.

3. Elisabeth Vorstadt

North of Neustadt, the region of Elisabeth Vorstadt around the primary train station (Salzburger Hauptbahnhof) once housed a working class and immigrant population. Heavily damaged in World War II, it has recently undergone renovation, emerging as an alternative commercial center around the train station (focused on Südtirolerplatz). In addition to shopping complexes and some recently constructed, reasonably priced hotels, live music venues such as Jazzit have helped bring prestige to the area. There is not much to see here, though, and the dining and drinking scenes lack excellence – the main reason to stay here is convenience for the train station, and cost, with hotels here often much cheaper than in the Old Town. You can easily walk to the Altstadt (around 20–30 minutes), but there are also numerous trolley buses that make the trip.

4. Hellbrunn

Found roughly 5.5 kilometers south of Old Town, Schloss Hellbrunn was constructed in the early seventeenth century as a grand summer retreat for Archbishop Markus Sittikus, the ruler of Salzburg at that time. Touring the lavish rooms and extensive gardens is a highlight for visitors today (those interested should look out for the pavilion used in the film The Sound of Music). The neighboring park contains the Salzburg Zoo and the Volkskundemuseum, a small museum with enlightening displays about Austria’s rich folk traditions.

• Bus #25 runs to the palace from the Old Town in around 15 minutes, so there’s no need to spend the night here.

Drivers may want to consider the cluster of excellent hotels (see below) just off the main highway (E55) south of Hellbrunn palace. However, these locations are not very convenient for exploring the city center.

5. Salzach Valley

With more time it is worth heading to the untamed and rough Salzach Valley south of Salzburg, deeper into the true Alps, for a sample of the city`s lovely countryside. Part of the Tennengau region, the main towns and villages along the river are effortlessly reachable from Salzburg using public transportation (Hallein is just a 15 minute train ride), but a vehicle is needed to explore the hilly areas beyond the central valley.

Your first destination should be Hallein, nicknamed the “Town of the Celts” thanks to its connections with an ancient Celtic community best explored at the excellent Keltenmuseum. The Celts were drawn by the Hallein Salt Mine (Salzwelten Salzburg), worked for thousands of years and later one of the main sources of wealth for the Salzburg archbishops – a guided tour takes visitors into the heart of the mine. Nearby, the Keltendorf open-air museum is a reconstructed Celtic village popular with kids (there’s a huge playground attached, and a salt manufactory). Hallein’s small historic center, with its medieval streets and houses is also well worth exploring. The Stille Nacht Museum commemorates the life and work of the composer Franz Xaver Gruber, creator of beloved Christmas carol “Silent Night” in 1818.

TAO Morro Jable is another group of apartments located in Fuerteventura that I suggest exploring. Situated in Morro de Jable, they are only a five-minute walk from Matorral Beach. Additionally, the port town of Morro de Jable with several tours departing to spot whales and dolphins off Fuerteventura is just a ten-minute walk away.

– If you journey down here note that many of the attractions are free or with lowered pricing if you utilize the Tennengau PLUS-Card (you should be able to obtain one from your lodging for free). Public transportation to and from Salzburg is also free with the card.

Other Salzburg Neighborhoods

We’ve examined our favorite neighborhoods to visit and stay in more detail previously. With additional time the following places are also deserving of being explored:

  • Salzburg Open-Air Museum (Salzburger Freilichtmuseum: Salzburger Freilichtmuseum): Located around 11 kilometers southwest of the Old Town, Salzburg’s largest museum features over 100 historical structures preserved from rural areas surrounding the city, plus old taverns and a working steam engine. Bus number 180 runs from Salzburg main train station to the museum in approximately 35 minutes.
  • Untersberg: This Alpine massif consisting of six peaks south of Salzburg offers spectacular views and ample hiking opportunities, though most people take the cable car up (the Untersbergbahn) from the tiny village of Sankt Leonhard (around 24 minutes by bus from the Old Town). It’s perhaps most recognized for featuring in the opening scene of The Sound of Music. You can stay near the cable car base at the excellent Hotel Untersberg or the cheaper Gasthof Simmerlwirt. You can also stay at the top of the mountain – Zeppezauerhaus offers basic rooms, but staying here is an incredible experience.
  • Leopoldskron: The popular movie Sound of Music inspired guided tours throughout the countryside surrounding Salzburg, with many locations from the iconic film found outside the city. Schloss Leopoldskron served as the primary residence of the Von Trapp family as depicted in the movie – it`s now an upscale hotel, though one-hour guided tours are offered to non-guests (the gazebo from the movie, used in a key scene, was relocated to Hellbrunn Palace). The real former home of the actual Von Trapp family is in Aigen (Traunstrasse 34), south of the city center. Converted into the Hotel Villa Trapp in 2008, it closed amidst the COVID pandemic.
  • Klessheim: Soccer enthusiasts may want to head out to Klessheim to see Austrian Bundesliga team FC Red Bull Salzburg play at the Red Bull Arena. Nearby Schloss Klessheim is home to Casino Salzburg providing all the common entertainments from slots and roulette to poker. Most visitors take buses or taxis here from the city center, but Hotel Gasthof Kamml and the more affordable Hotel Lilienhof are good possibilities for drivers.
  • There is little purpose to stay near the city`s Salzburg Airport (Flughafen Salzburg) to the west of downtown unless having an early departure. If needing to remain close, the most convenient option is the Airporthotel Salzburg, but slightly farther, the Hotel Himmelreich is significantly better quality. Aviation fans will want to venture out here to see the futuristic Hangar-7 museum complex housing the 30 aircraft of the Flying Bulls fleet (established by Austrian aviation enthusiasts and the Red Bull energy drink company in the 1980s), a collection of Formula 1 racecars, art exhibits, a couple bars, and the highly rated Restaurant Ikarus.

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Welcome to my travel website! I’m Mary Howard, an American who has been exploring the world full-time for 8 years.

Together with my husband, Intan, we often find ourselves in our second home, Bali, but our adventures take us to exciting destinations all over the globe.

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