Visiting Salzburg for the first time? The Old Town is the easiest place to stay for most travelers, while other areas can be better for trains, quieter nights, or a lower budget.
This guide covers the best areas and hotels in Salzburg to help you choose the right base for your trip.
Best Hotels in Salzburg: Quick Picks
Short on time? Here are some of the best hotels in Salzburg for different types of trips. Click a name to check availability.
- Best for first-time visitors: Boutiquehotel am Dom – Right in the Old Town near Salzburg Cathedral.
- Best luxury hotel: Hotel Sacher Salzburg – A famous 5-star stay on the Salzach River.
- Best for Sound of Music fans: Schloss Leopoldskron – Stay in the palace used as a filming location.
- Best boutique hotel: Hotel Stein – An adults-only option with a rooftop terrace and city views.
- Best budget option: Altstadt Hotel Hofwirt – Good value near Linzer Gasse and the Old Town.
- Best for families: JUFA Hotel Salzburg City – Spacious rooms and easy access to the historic center.
Old Town: Best for First-Time Visitors
Salzburg Old Town is the easiest area to stay if you want to be close to the city’s main sights. You’ll be near the cathedral, Getreidegasse, Mozart’s Birthplace, and the fortress, with plenty of restaurants and cafés around you.
It is also the most atmospheric part of Salzburg, especially in the evening when the streets become quieter.
I recommend this area for your stay in Salzburg:
- If it is your first time in Salzburg
- If you want to walk to most major sights
- If you like historic streets and old buildings
- If you want plenty of restaurants and cafés nearby
The area is the perfect spot to discover:
- Salzburg Cathedral
- Getreidegasse
- Mozart’s Birthplace
- Hohensalzburg Fortress
The Best Hotels in Salzburg Old Town
Boutiquehotel am Dom – €220 A small boutique hotel in the heart of the Old Town, just a short walk from Salzburg Cathedral. It is a great choice if you want to stay right in the historic center.
Radisson Blu Hotel Altstadt – €210 A historic hotel with a central Old Town location and easy access to the river, shops, and main sights.
Small Luxury Hotel Goldgasse – €200 A stylish boutique option on a quiet Old Town street. It works well for couples who want a more intimate stay while still being close to everything.
Neustadt & Mirabell: Best for a Central Location
Neustadt sits just across the river from the Old Town and is a great choice if you want a central location without staying inside the busiest historic streets.
You’ll be close to Mirabell Gardens, Linzer Gasse, cafés, shops, and the main station, while the Old Town is still easy to reach on foot.
I recommend this area for your stay in Salzburg:
- If you want to be close to Mirabell Gardens
- If you want easy access to the Old Town
- If you are arriving by train
- If you prefer a lively area with restaurants and cafés
The area is the perfect spot to discover:
- Mirabell Palace and Gardens
- Mozart Residence
- Linzer Gasse
- Kapuzinerberg
The Best Hotels Near Mirabell Gardens
Hotel Stein – €220 A stylish adults-only hotel near the river, with a rooftop terrace and easy access to both Neustadt and the Old Town.
Hotel IMLAUER & Bräu – €180 A comfortable 4-star option close to Mirabell Gardens and the main station. It works well if you want a central location with easy transport links.
IMLAUER Palais Mirabell – €190 A classic boutique option directly opposite Mirabell Gardens, with an excellent central location between the Old Town and the main station.
Hotel Sacher Salzburg – €450 A famous 5-star hotel on the Salzach River, with a central location between the Old Town and Mirabell. It is a strong choice if you want a classic luxury stay close to the main sights.
Altstadt Hotel Hofwirt – €150 A practical budget-friendly option near Linzer Gasse, with easy walking access to the Old Town. It works well if you want a central location without paying Old Town prices.
Leopoldskron & Nonntal: Best for a Quiet Stay
Leopoldskron and Nonntal are good choices if you want a calmer stay while still being close to Salzburg Old Town.
This area has more green space, mountain views, and some of Salzburg’s most memorable historic buildings. It is especially popular with Sound of Music fans.
I recommend this area for your stay in Salzburg:
- If you want a quieter area outside the busiest streets
- If you like parks, lakes, and mountain views
- If you are a Sound of Music fan
- If you do not mind walking a little farther to the Old Town
The area is the perfect spot to discover:
- Schloss Leopoldskron
- Leopoldskroner Weiher
- Nonnberg Abbey
- Hohensalzburg Fortress
The Best Hotels in Leopoldskron & Nonntal
Schloss Leopoldskron – €320 A unique historic stay beside the lake, with mountain views and a strong connection to The Sound of Music. It is a great choice if you want a peaceful setting with easy access to central Salzburg.
Hotel Schloss Mönchstein – €580 A luxury castle hotel above the city with panoramic views, a quiet setting, and easy access to the Old Town.
JUFA Hotel Salzburg City – €140 A practical family-friendly option in Nonntal with spacious rooms and easy access to the historic center.
Salzburg Main Station: Best for Train Travel & Budget
The area around Salzburg Hauptbahnhof is one of the most practical places to stay if you are arriving by train or planning day trips.
It is not as charming as the Old Town, but it usually gives you easier transport, modern hotels, and better value. Mirabell Gardens and the historic center are still easy to reach.
I recommend this area for your stay in Salzburg:
- If you are arriving or leaving by train
- If you are planning day trips from Salzburg
- If you want better value than the Old Town
- If you prefer modern hotels and easy transport
The area is the perfect spot to discover:
- Salzburg Main Station
- Mirabell Gardens
- The Salzach River
- The Old Town, a short bus ride or walk away
The Best Hotels Near Salzburg Main Station
H+ Hotel Salzburg – €170 A modern option directly beside the main station, with a very convenient location for train travelers and day trips.
arte Hotel Salzburg – €190 A stylish high-rise hotel near the station with modern rooms and wide views over Salzburg.
Cocoon Salzburg – €160 A modern lifestyle hotel close to the station, with a relaxed design and easy access to public transport.
What’s the Best Hotel in Salzburg?
If you want one hotel to check first, Boutiquehotel am Dom is a strong choice for most first-time visitors.
It is right in Salzburg Old Town, close to the cathedral, Getreidegasse, Mozart’s Birthplace, restaurants, and many of the city’s main sights. The central location makes it especially convenient for a short stay when you want to explore mostly on foot.
Where to Stay in Salzburg: Summary of the Best Hotels
Here’s a quick comparison of the best hotels in Salzburg covered in this guide.
| Hotel | Area | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Boutiquehotel am Dom | Old Town | €220 |
| Radisson Blu Hotel Altstadt | Old Town | €210 |
| Small Luxury Hotel Goldgasse | Old Town | €200 |
| Hotel Stein – Adults Only | Neustadt & Mirabell | €220 |
| Hotel IMLAUER & Bräu | Neustadt & Mirabell | €180 |
| IMLAUER Palais Mirabell | Neustadt & Mirabell | €190 |
| Hotel Sacher Salzburg | Neustadt & Mirabell | €450 |
| Altstadt Hotel Hofwirt | Neustadt & Mirabell | €150 |
| Schloss Leopoldskron | Leopoldskron & Nonntal | €320 |
| Hotel Schloss Mönchstein | Leopoldskron & Nonntal | €580 |
| JUFA Hotel Salzburg City | Leopoldskron & Nonntal | €140 |
| H+ Hotel Salzburg | Main Station | €170 |
| arte Hotel Salzburg | Main Station | €190 |
| Cocoon Salzburg | Main Station | €160 |
Planning the Rest of Your Salzburg Trip?
If Salzburg is part of a longer Austria trip, these guides can help you plan what comes next:
- Salzburg Itinerary – Plan the main sights and make the most of your time in the city.
- Hallstatt Day Trip – Everything you need to plan a day trip from Salzburg to Hallstatt.
- Where to Stay in Hallstatt – Compare the best areas and hotels if you want to spend a night there.
- Best Time to Visit Austria – Compare the seasons before planning the rest of your trip.
