Precisely because the city is so compact, your address makes a big difference. Do you want to wake up in the middle of the Old Town, stay by the Mirabell Gardens, be close to the train or have a lake outside your window? Here are five good areas and hotels in several price ranges.

The Best Areas in Salzburg

• Old Town - best area for first-time visitors
• Mirabell & Linzer Gasse - best area for couples and walks on both sides of the river
• Hauptbahnhof & Elisabeth-Vorstadt - best area for train travellers and a smaller budget
• Nonntal & Leopoldskron - best area for families and a quieter stay
• St. Gilgen on Lake Wolfgang (Wolfgangsee) - best area for nature and lake views

Below, I’ll take you through the areas one by one, with a map, the key practical facts and three hotels in each, sorted from the most expensive to the cheapest.

1. Old Town - best area for first-time visitors

• Distance from the centre: You’ll be staying right in the centre. Residenzplatz, Salzburg Cathedral and Getreidegasse are all within a few hundred metres of each other.
• Transport: Much of the Old Town is pedestrianised, so you’ll walk to most places and rarely need a bus or taxi.
• Time from Salzburg Airport: Trolleybus 10 runs to the Old Town in around 15 minutes and line 2 in around 23 minutes. The airport is about 4 km from the centre.
• Price range: €€€ to €€€€. The Old Town is usually the most expensive place to stay, especially during Advent.
• Safety: Generally safe. Getreidegasse can get very crowded in the middle of the day, so keep a close eye on bags and pockets.

The Old Town is my top pick if it’s your first visit to Salzburg. The famous squares, churches and streets are so close together that you can walk from the cathedral to Getreidegasse in a few minutes and forget about transport altogether. The whole historic centre is on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, and it shows in the baroque façades and the small courtyards between the buildings.

Getreidegasse is the area’s best-known street, with wrought-iron signs hanging above the shops. At number 9, you’ll find Mozart’s Birthplace, which is now a museum displaying, among other things, his childhood violin. The street is at its most charming early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when many of the day visitors have moved on.

See hotels in the Old Town here.

From the southern part of the Old Town, it’s a short way up to Hohensalzburg Fortress, which the tourist office calls the largest fully preserved castle in Central Europe. You can take the funicular or walk up the path. The funicular can be closed for maintenance at times, so check the website before you head there.

The Old Town lies on the left bank of the Salzach, and from the quay along the river you can look across to Mirabell and the Kapuzinerberg. In the evening, many of the narrow streets go quiet when the shops close, but the restaurants around the squares keep the area lively. This is where you get the most Salzburg out of every walk.

The downsides of staying here are the price and the space. Many rooms are in older buildings, and several hotels are on pedestrianised streets where car access is limited. If you’re coming by car, expect to use a multi-storey car park some distance away. I’d choose the Old Town for two or three nights when you want to spend your time on the city and not on transport.

Places to Stay in the Old Town

Boutiquehotel am Dom - small boutique hotel a few steps from the cathedral

Boutiquehotel am Dom is on Goldgasse, around 100 metres from Residenzplatz, and it’s my most expensive suggestion in the Old Town. The hotel is in a historic building, the rooms have air conditioning, and there’s a breakfast buffet every morning.

I’d choose it for a couple who want the best-known squares right outside the door. The downside is that the hotel is on a pedestrianised street, so a car and luggage take a bit of planning, and some guests mention noise from the street.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Beautiful location, quiet and comfortable room, fantastic staff and a good breakfast.”

See photos and book Boutiquehotel am Dom here.

Hotel Elefant - historic hotel on a side street in the middle of the Old Town

Hotel Elefant is on Sigmund-Haffner-Gasse, around 200 metres from Residenzplatz, in a building with roots going back to the 13th century. There’s a 24-hour reception, a bar and a lift, and the rooms range from economy double rooms to executive rooms.

It’s my mid-range pick if you want to stay right in the centre without paying for a boutique hotel. Some guests mention noise from the neighbouring rooms and miss having coffee and tea in the room, so it’s a hotel for sleeping well and spending the day out.

One guest praises the staff on Booking.com: “Excellent and friendly staff who were very helpful with directions and local maps.”

See photos and book Hotel Elefant here.

Altstadthotel Weisse Taube - historic hotel in the quiet end of the Old Town

Altstadthotel Weisse Taube is on Kaigasse in the quieter eastern part of the Old Town, around 200 metres from Residenzplatz. The building dates back to the 14th century, and there’s a lift, a breakfast buffet and rooms for two, three and four people.

It isn’t a cheap hotel, but it’s usually the cheapest of the three here. The downside is that several rooms are small, and some guests mention noise from outside and from other guests. For a family, the larger rooms can be a good way to stay in the Old Town without booking two rooms.

Here’s what one guest says on Booking.com: “Good location, excellent rooms and friendly staff.”

See photos and book Altstadthotel Weisse Taube here.

2. Mirabell & Linzer Gasse - best area for couples and walks on both sides of the river

• Distance from the centre: Around 500-600 metres from Makartplatz and Linzer Gasse across the river to Residenzplatz.
• Transport: You can walk across the bridges to the Old Town in a few minutes. From Makartplatz, it’s a little over a kilometre to the Hauptbahnhof.
• Time from Salzburg Airport: The tourist office gives around 15 minutes to the centre by taxi or bus. Allow a little longer if you have to walk the last stretch.
• Price range: €€ to €€€€. From classic luxury hotels by the river to simpler city hotels close to Mirabell.
• Safety: Safe and busy. There’s more traffic around Makartplatz and the bridges than in the Old Town, so use the pedestrian crossings.

The other side of the Salzach is my suggestion if you want to stay centrally but with a bit more breathing space than in the Old Town. The area stretches from Makartplatz and the river up towards Mirabell and out along Linzer Gasse, and from here you can walk across the bridges to the Old Town in a couple of minutes. The view back towards the cathedral and the fortress is a bonus on your evening walk.

The Mirabell Gardens are the area’s big draw. The baroque gardens are free to visit and open daily from early morning until dusk, and from the paths you have the fortress in the background. The Marble Hall in Schloss Mirabell is also used for concerts, so check the programme before you travel.

See hotels near Mirabell here.

Linzer Gasse is a pleasant shopping street with smaller shops and places to eat, and it leads up towards the Kapuzinerberg. The street often feels less busy than Getreidegasse, even though it’s close to the sights. The hotels are in both older town houses and newer buildings.

From Makartplatz, you can walk across the Makartsteg footbridge straight into the Old Town, and the Staatsbrücke is just a few steps away. The area is also a good choice if you arrive by train, because the walk from the station is shorter than to the Old Town. So you get a central address with slightly easier logistics.

I’d especially choose the area for a couple or a long weekend when you want the Old Town close by as well as a more everyday feel around your hotel. The downside is that the hotels by the river and Makartplatz are on busy roads, so ask for a room facing the courtyard if you’re a light sleeper.

Places to Stay near Mirabell & Linzer Gasse

Hotel Sacher Salzburg - classic luxury by the river

Hotel Sacher Salzburg is on Schwarzstraße by the Salzach, around 100 metres from Makartplatz and a short walk across the river from the Old Town. There are restaurants, a bar, Café Sacher with the original Sachertorte and a spa, and several rooms and suites have river views.

It’s my suggestion for a special occasion, when the hotel should be part of the experience. The prices are high, including for the little extras, and some guests mention that the rooms vary in size. So read the description of the specific room type before you book.

One delighted guest writes on Booking.com: “Simply perfect, I can’t ask for more in my whole life.”

See photos and book Hotel Sacher Salzburg here.

Boutiquehotel Amadeus - boutique hotel on Linzer Gasse

Boutiquehotel Amadeus is on Linzer Gasse, around 650 metres from Residenzplatz on the other side of the river. There’s a lift, a sun terrace, a 24-hour honesty bar where you note down what you take, and coffee, tea and cake during the day. The rooms range from single rooms to junior suites and a family apartment with two bedrooms.

I’d choose it for a couple or a small family who want to stay on a lively street with a short walk to both sides of the city. The breakfast is simple, and there’s no air conditioning in the rooms, which some guests mention.

One guest describes their stay like this on Booking.com: “The place was perfect for our stay, with spacious rooms and comfortable beds.”

See photos and book Boutiquehotel Amadeus here.

Hotel andrä - modern and cheaper base near Mirabell

Hotel andrä is on Hubert-Sattler-Gasse, around 150 metres from Schloss Mirabell and about 750 metres from the Hauptbahnhof. The rooms range from the small Cozy rooms to larger Deluxe and Signature rooms, and some have views over the city or towards the fortress. There’s a continental breakfast buffet with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.

It’s my cheapest suggestion in the area and a good choice if you want a modern base between the station and the Old Town. There’s no traditional reception, and check-in and check-out are contactless, so don’t expect the same service as at a classic hotel.

One guest praises the decor on Booking.com: “The rooms were beautiful and wonderfully decorated.”

See photos and book Hotel andrä here.

3. Hauptbahnhof & Elisabeth-Vorstadt - best area for train travellers and a smaller budget

• Distance from the centre: Around 1.6 km as the crow flies from the station to Residenzplatz and just under 1 km to the Mirabell Gardens.
• Transport: Trains, regional buses and trolleybuses all meet at the station. Among others, bus 150 leaves from here towards St. Gilgen and Wolfgangsee.
• Time from Salzburg Airport: Around 15 minutes by taxi or bus, according to Salzburg’s tourist office.
• Price range: € to €€€. This is usually where you’ll find the cheapest hotel rooms close to the centre.
• Safety: The station area is busy from morning to evening. It’s generally safe, but keep an eye on your belongings and stick to the well-lit main streets at night.

The area around Salzburg Hauptbahnhof is my practical choice if you’re coming by train or want to keep the budget down. Elisabeth-Vorstadt isn’t the most charming part of Salzburg, but you’re close to the platforms, and Rainerstraße leads you straight down towards Mirabell and on across the river to the Old Town.

It’s a particular advantage if Salzburg is part of a longer trip. The city works well on a route that also takes in Munich or Vienna, and it’s nice to be able to wheel your suitcase from the train to the hotel. If you’re also spending the night in Bavaria, you’ll find my suggestions in the guide to where to stay in Munich.

See hotels near the Hauptbahnhof here.

If you land at Salzburg Airport, the city’s tourist office gives around 15 minutes to both the centre and the main station by taxi or bus. If you fly into Munich instead, you can read how to get from Munich Airport to the city centre and take the train on from there.

Rainerstraße and the streets around it have more newer hotels with lifts and more uniform rooms than the historic buildings in the centre. That’s an advantage with heavy luggage, a pushchair or limited mobility. On the other hand, expect a walk of around 20-25 minutes every time you want to go to the Old Town, or take the trolleybus.

The downside is the atmosphere in the evening. The streets right by the station are dominated by traffic and larger hotels, and it’s a fair walk to the charming streets. So I’d choose a hotel in the southern part of the area towards Mirabell if you want to go into town several times a day, and stay right by the station if you have an early departure.

Places to Stay near the Hauptbahnhof

Hotel Imlauer & Bräu - traditional hotel with a restaurant and beer garden

Hotel Imlauer & Bräu is on Rainerstraße, around 550 metres from the Hauptbahnhof and 350 metres from Mirabell. The hotel has a traditional restaurant serving Austrian dishes, a beer garden in season and a 24-hour reception. The rooms range from small double rooms to premium suites and several types of family rooms.

Imlauer & Bräu is at the pricier end of the area and a good compromise if you want to be able to walk to both the train and the Old Town. Some guests find that a few rooms are cramped and more worn than in the photos, so it’s worth choosing one of the larger categories.

One satisfied guest writes on Booking.com: “The staff were incredibly helpful and friendly, and the hotel was extremely clean and comfortable.”

See photos and book Hotel Imlauer & Bräu here.

Cocoon Salzburg Hauptbahnhof - modern hotel right by the station

Cocoon Salzburg Hauptbahnhof is on Rainerstraße, only around 175 metres from the station. There’s a bar, outdoor seating, bike parking and bike hire, and the rooms range from compact Urban Cocoon rooms to larger Roomy rooms and triple rooms.

I’d choose it for a short trip by train, when a good bed and a quick arrival matter most. The smallest rooms are small with limited space for luggage, and some guests mention noise from the street.

One guest singles out the staff on Booking.com: “Everyone on the staff was sweet, friendly and helpful and always with a smile.”

See photos and book Cocoon Salzburg Hauptbahnhof here.

a&o Salzburg Hauptbahnhof - cheap mix of hotel and hostel by the station

a&o Salzburg Hauptbahnhof is on Fanny-von-Lehnert-Straße, around 250 metres from the station. It’s a mix of hotel and hostel with private double and family rooms as well as dorms, and there’s a 24-hour reception, a bar, a guest kitchen and billiards.

It’s my budget pick when price matters most. Book a private room if you want peace and quiet, as guests mainly mention noise in the dorms. The guest kitchen is simply equipped, so don’t count on cooking bigger meals here.

One guest writes briefly on Booking.com: “The room was exactly as described.”

See photos and book a&o Salzburg Hauptbahnhof here.

4. Nonntal & Leopoldskron - best area for families and a quieter stay

• Distance from the centre: Around 800 metres from Nonntal to Residenzplatz. Schloss Leopoldskron is about 1.2 km from Residenzplatz.
• Transport: You can walk into the Old Town along the foot of the fortress hill. It’s a long walk to the Hauptbahnhof, so take a bus or taxi for that.
• Time from Salzburg Airport: The airport is just under 4 km from here as the crow flies. Allow roughly 15-25 minutes by taxi depending on the traffic.
• Price range: €€ to €€€€. Mid-range hotels in Nonntal and a historic palace by the Leopoldskroner Weiher lake.
• Safety: A quiet residential area. The paths by the lake and in the green spaces are dark in the evening, so stick to the lit roads.

Nonntal is my suggestion for families and for anyone who wants a quiet stay without losing walking distance to the Old Town. The neighbourhood is on the south side of the fortress hill, and from here you can walk to the cathedral in about a quarter of an hour. It’s more of a residential area than a tourist area, and that means quieter evenings.

Right above the neighbourhood is the Stift Nonnberg convent, and further up the path you reach the fortress. With children, Hellbrunn is an obvious day out a good 3 km south of Nonntal. The pleasure palace was built in the early 17th century, and its trick fountains surprise visitors with water from jets and spouts. The palace and the trick fountains open seasonally from spring to autumn, so check the times before you head out there.

See hotels in Nonntal here.

Leopoldskron is a little further west by the Leopoldskroner Weiher lake, where the historic Schloss Leopoldskron is reflected in the water. It’s even quieter here than in Nonntal, but the distance to the Old Town becomes a proper walk of more than a kilometre.

The neighbourhood is also a good choice if you’re coming by car. Two of my three hotel suggestions have free parking, and you avoid driving in towards the pedestrianised streets of the Old Town. On the other hand, there are fewer restaurants than in the centre, so most evenings you’ll probably end up walking into the Old Town to eat.

I’d choose the area for a family or a couple staying for several days who want walks and green surroundings as part of the holiday. For a single night, I’d stay more centrally. The Booking.com link searches for Nonntal, so check the address on the map if you want to stay close to the Old Town.

Places to Stay in Nonntal & Leopoldskron

Schloss Leopoldskron - historic palace by the lake

Schloss Leopoldskron is by the Leopoldskroner Weiher, around 1.2 km from Residenzplatz. The hotel consists of the palace itself, where the suites are, and the Meierhof building, where most of the standard rooms are. The breakfast buffet is served in the palace, and there’s free private parking and a gym.

It’s my luxury pick if you want to stay in historic surroundings with the lake right outside. However, guests describe some of the rooms in the Meierhof as simpler and more worn than the palace, and there’s no air conditioning, so choose your room type carefully.

On Booking.com, one guest writes: “The hotel exceeded our expectations.”

See photos and book Schloss Leopoldskron here.

JUFA Hotel Salzburg City - family-friendly hotel below the fortress

JUFA Hotel Salzburg City is on Josef-Preis-Allee in Nonntal, around 650 metres from the fortress and just under 900 metres from Residenzplatz. There are family rooms, a playground, a playroom, a games room and a restaurant with children’s menus, and some rooms have views of the fortress.

It’s my mid-range pick and the most obvious hotel in this guide for a family with children. Parking costs extra, and some guests feel that the rooms are small and that the breakfast is expensive for what’s on offer.

One guest notes on Booking.com: “Everything about the hotel was excellent.”

See photos and book JUFA Hotel Salzburg City here.

Hotel Via Roma - smaller hotel with free parking

Hotel Via Roma is on Nonntaler Hauptstraße, around 300 metres from the centre of Nonntal and a little over 1 km from Residenzplatz. There’s a garden, a bar, breakfast and rooms ranging from standard rooms to studios and a one-bedroom apartment.

It’s usually the cheapest of my three suggestions in the area, and the free parking makes it an obvious choice if you’re coming by car. However, the spaces are limited and can’t be reserved, and some guests find the rooms a little old-fashioned.

One guest says on Booking.com: “A good hotel with very friendly staff.”

See photos and book Hotel Via Roma here.

5. St. Gilgen on Wolfgangsee - best area for nature and lake views

• Distance from the centre: Just under 25 km east of Salzburg’s centre as the crow flies.
• Transport: Bus 150 from Salzburg Hauptbahnhof stops in St. Gilgen. Allow roughly an hour’s journey, and check the current timetable.
• Time from Salzburg Airport: There’s no direct bus. Allow roughly 40-50 minutes by car or taxi and longer by public transport via the Hauptbahnhof.
• Price range: €€ to €€€. Smaller hotels and guesthouses, several of them with free parking.
• Safety: A quiet and safe holiday resort. In winter, roads and paths can be slippery, so bring proper footwear.

St. Gilgen is my suggestion if you’d rather wake up by a lake than in a city. The small town is at the western end of Wolfgangsee in the Salzkammergut, and you can use it as a base for both day trips into Salzburg and walks by the water. It takes a little more planning, but you get a completely different kind of peace in the evening.

According to the Wolfgangsee tourist office, bus 150 from Salzburg stops at all the relevant stops in St. Gilgen, so you can easily manage without a car. With a car, though, it’s easier to combine the town with several lakes in the area, and several of the hotels have free parking.

See hotels in St. Gilgen here.

In the middle of town is the valley station of the Zwölferhorn cable car, and the gondolas take you up in 11 minutes with views over the lakes and mountains. The cable car takes a break during parts of the year, so check the operating times before you plan your day.

The town is small, and the hotels are close to each other around the centre and the lakeshore. In summer, the lake is the big draw, while winter is quieter and some places close for periods. So check that the hotel and the activities you want to do are open on your dates.

The downside is the distance. If you want to see a lot of Salzburg, or if it’s your first trip, I’d stay in the city and visit Wolfgangsee on a day trip. St. Gilgen is best suited to a longer holiday where the lake and the mountains are just as important as the cathedral and Mozart.

Places to Stay in St. Gilgen

Seehotel Billroth - hotel right on the lakeshore

Seehotel Billroth is on the shore of Wolfgangsee, around 700 metres from the centre of St. Gilgen. The hotel has a private beach area, a garden, a tennis court and free parking, and several room types have lake views, including double rooms and suites.

The hotel is the most expensive of my three suggestions by the lake and a good choice if the view is the whole point. Some guests feel the hotel needs updating and that the breakfast is simple, so it’s mainly the location you’re paying for.

The view features heavily in the reviews, and one guest writes on Booking.com: “Lovely big room with a view of the calm lake.”

See photos and book Seehotel Billroth here.

Hotel Radetzky - central hotel a few minutes from the lake

Hotel Radetzky is on Streicherplatz in the middle of St. Gilgen, only a couple of minutes’ walk from the lake. There’s a restaurant, a bar and breakfast, and you can choose between double rooms, studios and apartments, some of which have lake views.

Radetzky suits you if you’d rather stay in the middle of town than right down by the water. There’s no lift, and some guests mention the church bells, so bear that in mind if you’re a light sleeper or have heavy luggage.

Another guest sums it up like this on Booking.com: “Good hotel, lovely staff, very clean, large and clean room, central location.”

See photos and book Hotel Radetzky here.

Haus Mayerhofer - guesthouse with a breakfast buffet and free parking

Haus Mayerhofer is a small guesthouse on Salzburgerstraße, around 100 metres from the centre and about five minutes’ walk from the lake. A breakfast buffet is served, parking is free, and most rooms have a balcony. You can also choose an apartment with one or two bedrooms.

It’s my budget pick by Wolfgangsee and a good place for a couple or a family who want a simple and personal stay. There are only a few parking spaces, and some guests mention unstable Wi-Fi in a few rooms.

One guest highlights this on Booking.com: “Lovely staff, and the room was very clean.”

See photos and book Haus Mayerhofer here.

Where should you avoid staying in Salzburg?

For a first trip, I wouldn’t stay on the outskirts of Salzburg just to save a little on the hotel. Addresses by the motorway or in the business parks mean longer bus journeys, and you lose the advantage of Salzburg being a city you can walk around. The same goes for hotels across the border in Germany, which can look close on the map.

I also wouldn’t choose St. Gilgen if you only have a weekend, because the journey there and back takes time. And in the Old Town, I wouldn’t book on location alone. Read about the room size, street noise and car access before you decide.

The Old Town is the obvious choice for a first visit, when you want the cathedral, Getreidegasse and the fortress right outside the door. Mirabell and Linzer Gasse are the quieter alternative on the other side of the river, and here you’ll find both classic luxury and simpler hotels.

If you’re coming by train or are on a tight budget, the area around the Hauptbahnhof is the most practical. Nonntal suits families and several quiet days, while St. Gilgen is for you if you’d rather have a lake view than city life.

If you’re building Salzburg into a longer trip through Austria, you can also use my guides to the best areas to stay in Vienna and the best things to do in Vienna. The train connects the two cities, so they fit well together on the same trip.

The post Where to Stay in Salzburg? The 5 Best Areas & Places to Stay appeared first on Destination Well Known.