Salzburg is one of the best places to visit in Austria and once you visit, you will fall in love with this magic city. However, as always, when visiting a new city, it can be difficult to figure out where to stay. This guide will help you determine where to stay in Salzburg for your first visit.
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Best Area to Stay in Salzburg
Salzburg is a larger city than you might realize, which can make it difficult to figure out where to stay in Salzburg. While I lived on the Monchsberg during my study abroad time, I do not recommend staying here, especially for first-time visitors, as it is quite an extensive climb.
Altstadt (Old Town)
The Alstadt or Old Town is my preferred area to stay, especially if it is your first time in Salzburg. It is the most centrally located area and closest to the majority of the main attractions. There are many restaurants in this area, and you can easily walk everywhere you will want to go. The downside is many of the hotels here are small and expensive, and this area can get very crowded.
Neustadt (New Town)
The Neustadt, or New Town, is another great area to stay in Salzburg. This area is still conveniently located to the majority of the tourist attractions, close to many of the restaurants, and you can still walk most places from the Neustadt. Hotels here are cheaper than the Altstadt, there are most options, and it is not as crowded as the Altstadt.
Mülln
This small neighborhood of Salzburg is located just north of the Altstadt area and is a bit quieter than the Old and New Town areas. It is located near the ever-popular Augustinerbrau and is still within walking distance of many of the main sites. The downside is a lot of the area closes early and it is primarily a residential area.
Nonntal
This area is located slightly southeast of the Alstadt neighborhood but is still very close to all of the main sites. Nonntal has many restaurants from various cuisines and is a short walk to the Altstadt.
Elisabeth Vorstadt
Elisabeth Vorstadt is one of the cheaper areas to stay, and it is close to the Salzburg train station. It is also more of a residential area, but there are still many restaurants and stores in the area. This area is a bit of a walk or a short bus ride from the center of Salzburg.
While there are some options on where to stay in Salzburg, there are still many other areas visitors could stay in. However, these are the most accessible to see the sites of Salzburg and have some of the best hotels.
Best Hotels to Stay in Salzburg
Now that we have covered some of the best areas of where to stay in Salzburg, these are some of the best hotels I recommend to stay at.
Hotel Stein
Cost: €€
My absolute favorite hotel to stay at in Salzburg is Hotel Stein. This hotel is conveniently located along the Salzach River. While it is technically in Neustadt, it is a very short walk across a bridge to the Altstadt. It is both affordable and in a fantastic location. The only downside (or upside) is that it is adults only so no children are allowed.
NH Collection Salzburg City
Cost: €€
The NH Collection Salzburg City is another good option for where to stay in Salzburg. Located in Neustadt, this hotel is a couple blocks away from the Mirabell Garden. NH Hotels are a large chain, so if you want consistency and a well-known brand, this is a great option. While it is about a 10-minute walk to the Old Town, it is still a good option if you want to save some money.
Radisson Blu Hotel Altstadt
Cost: €€€
If you want another great chain hotel option located in the Altstadt, the Radisson Blu Hotel is a fabulous option. It is located along the Salzach River, near Mozartplatz, so it is hard to get more centrally located than that. The downside is the price. Rooms tend to run close to €300/night.
Hotel Goldgasse
Cost: €€€
If you want a modern boutique hotel right in the middle of everything in Salzburg, the Hotel Goldgasse is one of the best options. It also has a very popular restaurant to eat at and gives direct access to the popular Goldgasse street. A downside of this hotel is the hefty price tag.
Hotel Goldener Hirsch
Cost: €€€
Located near the end of the main street in the Aldstadt, Hotel Goldener Hirsch is another popular luxury option for where to stay in Salzburg. This 5 star hotel is also part of the Marriott family, so it may be possible to book this hotel on points. However, I would only recommend doing that if you plan on staying 5 nights or have a free night certificate. The only downside to this hotel is the price!
Holiday Inn Salzburg City
Cost: €€
For those looking for the cheapest hotel that is not a hostel but still a nice hotel, the Holiday Inn Salzburg City is a fabulous option. It is about a 20-minute walk to Old Town, but the price per night is usually under $100, or you can use a small amount of IHG points to book here. There are still many restaurants in this area, and it is only a 15-minute walk to the train station, making this hotel a good option if you plan on doing a lot of day trips from Salzburg.
Sheraton Grand Salzburg
Cost: €€
The Sheraton Grand Salzburg is a great hotel in the Neustadt area of Salzburg. This is also a part of the Marriott family, so you can use points to stay here. The hotel is located near the Mirabell Gardens and a short walk from the Old Town. it is also just across the river from the Aug, so it could be considered a bit more central than the other hotels.
Hotel Sacher Salzburg
Cost: €€€
The Hotel Sacher Salzburg is the most luxurious hotel in Salzburg. It is the most well known 5 star hotel that offers elegant suites, amazing views, and the original Sacher-Torte. It is located in the Neustadt along the banks of the Salzach River. This hotel is best for those who want luxurious and large rooms.
Johannes Schloessl
Cost: €€
If you are looking for one of the most unique places to stay in Salzburg, check out Johannes Schloessl. This guesthouse is located in the Mülln neighborhood and has great views of the surrounding area. Johannes Schloessl is also a great option for solo travelers because they have single rooms. The downside is that it is a bit of a walk into Old Town.
Hotel Kasererbraeu
Cost: €€
The Hotel Kasererbraeu is located in the Nonntal neighborhood of Salzburg, close to the Festung Hohensalzburg, making it a short walking distance to many of the sites. It dates back to 1342, so it is a great place for history lovers, but it has been recently renovated. It has been family-run for several generations. It is reasonably priced and also has options for solo travelers.
Hostels
For those who want much cheaper accommodations, I recommend doing a search on Hostel World to look for dorm and hostel options. While my hostel days may be over, you cannot beat it when you can get a room for $20/night.
Overall Review of Where to Stay in Salzburg
- Budget: Holiday Inn Salzburg City
- Midrange: Hotel Stein
- Luxury: Hotel Sacher Salzburg
- Location: Radisson Blu Hotel Altstadt
- On Points: Sheraton Grand Salzburg
- Solo Travelers: Hotel Kasererbraeu
Other Thoughts on Where to Stay in Salzburg
The Salzburg Card is a great option for transportation around the city and to see some of the main sites. I also recommend visiting Salzburg in the wintertime as it is so gorgeous, and there are many fun and unique things to do. There are many options for where to stay in Salzburg, and it will be a fantastic place to visit.
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