Where to stay in Salzburg

Salzburg is small, so no part of it is really far. The difference is how much you climb, how much the same room costs, and how quiet the evenings are. Three areas cover almost every case: the Old Town for a first visit, across the river for a longer, quieter stay, and near the main station when price decides.

The Old Town — by the fortress, few real hotels

Everything that makes a first impression of Salzburg, the Getreidegasse, the cathedral, the fortress above, sits a few minutes' walk from here; the festival fills it first every summer. The streets are narrow and protected, so a larger hotel with a lift or its own car park is not the rule here. There are more guesthouses and rooms in historic buildings than standard hotel floors.

1 dayThis area is also where the one-day plan starts:Salzburg in 1 day →

Across the river, near Mirabell — just as close, quieter

Across the Salzach, around the Mirabellplatz and the gardens, the streets are wider and quieter at night. The Makartsteg footbridge reaches the Getreidegasse and the cathedral in a few minutes on foot. There are more standard hotels here too, alongside the guesthouses, so a last-minute room is easier to find.

Hidden gemsKapuzinerberg and Steingasse are on this same side of the river:The Salzburg the six-sight list leaves out →

Near the main station — cheaper, with a ride

Around the main railway station sits the densest supply of cheaper rooms and hostels in the city. The same station is also where the train to Hallstatt and to Vienna leaves from. The Old Town is a short bus ride away or a longer walk along the river; anyone saving on the room counts that part of the day into the plan.

Getting aroundHow the bus or a walk gets you from the station and the airport to the centre:Getting around Salzburg →

What to check before booking

• Distance is measured from the Old Town on foot. Salzburg is small, but the hill and the river change how long something actually takes on foot; the city boundary on a map says little about it.
• Festival season raises the price across the whole city, Old Town included. Choosing an area then changes the view from the room; the price climbs everywhere alike, and the detail sits on the page about when to go.
• Floor and lift in historic buildings. The Old Town is a protected district, so a lift is not everywhere. Ask before booking if that matters.

When to goWhich weeks of the year are busiest, festival and Advent alike:The best time to visit Salzburg →

FoodWhat to eat nearby, whichever area you pick:What to eat in Salzburg →

BudgetWhat else goes into the daily sum, beyond the bed:What Salzburg costs →

Day tripsHalf-day or full-day trips, and where each one starts:Day trips from Salzburg →

MistakesCommon mistakes when booking a place to stay and planning around it:Mistakes everyone makes in Salzburg →