Off to Austria, the pearl of Central Europe? Here’s where to stay in Salzburg, Mozart’s birthplace!
Salzburg (« salt castle » in the Bavarian language, due to the city’s flourishing trade) is a splendid Austrian city of 150,000 souls – the country’s fourth largest in terms of population – nestled at the foot of the Alps on the border withGermany and divided between Gothic and Baroque styles: this striking blend led to its inclusion on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. A city of culture that has been torn between Austria and its German sister over the centuries, it is one of the most emblematic places in Central European culture: a witness to the many conflicts in which it has been embroiled, in turn a prize of war, a diplomatic gift and a Catholic stronghold, it proudly displays the countless monuments that bear witness to its rich and tormented history.
Today, the city is firmly rooted between heritage and modernity, and offers a wide range of cultural activities, including the prestigious Salzburg Classical Music Festival. If you’ve decided to stay in this bastion of classical music and Baroque architecture, we’d like to give you a few tips for finding the ideal accommodation in Salzburg.
Downtown
Photo credit: Flickr – Alain franchi
Salzburg’s Old Town is breathtakingly beautiful, with its winding pedestrian-only lanes and the famous Getreidegasse, a lively street whose stores feature distinctive wrought-iron storefronts. It’s a pleasure to wander through the historic heart of the city along the Salzach River – the river that runs through the city – and catch a glimpse of the birthplace of Mozart, the city’s ubiquitous personality, before admiring the Gothic buildings, each more sumptuous than the last. All in all, a visit to the city center is a must during your stay!
For those wondering where to stay in Salzburg’s city center, there’s a plethora of accommodation on offer: hotels and apartments for rent are readily available on a budget.
Lehen
Photo credit: Flickr – Michael
The Lehen district is a lively place, home to many trendy restaurants and sophisticated accommodations sometimes offered on rental platforms. The area has all the amenities you need for a comfortable stay, and we can’t recommend enough that you take your children to play at Lehner Park Spielplatz, or enjoy a Bratwurst, those succulent fried sausages on every corner.
Salzburg-Aigen
Photo credit: Flickr – oachkatzlschwoaf_sbg
Further south, Salzburg-Aigen is a peaceful residential area where life is good: in short, the ideal choice if you want to stay in Salzburg while enjoying the peace and quiet of the footpaths along the Salzach. Here’s a tip: visit the Heiliger Johannes der Täufer, a charming little church dedicated to John the Baptist, then stroll through the many tree-lined parks in the area, where you’ll find a wealth of fascinating anecdotes about the city.
Left bank of Salzburg
Photo credit: Flickr -Trevor Bowling
To the south of the city center are many breathtaking treasures, including the Hohensalzburg Fortress, an impressive 11th-century fortified castle overlooking the city and said to be its guardian. If your stay in Salzburg is a pretext for culture, the Left Bank is the perfect place to visit: some of the city’s most beautiful buildings can be seen here, including St. Rupert’s Cathedral, the Kapitelschwemme (a period horse pool) and the Residenzbrunnen, a famous fountain worthy of a work of art. In this part of the city, a number of youth hostels provide simple, welcoming accommodation for juniors at a modest price compared with what’s on offer in the city center.