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Your guide to Salzburg’s best boutique hotels

Whether you’re a first-timer or seasoned visitor looking for a special stay in Salzburg, these properties were selected by the Austrian Tourist Office for their prestigious ‘Austria Collection’. This is why…

1. Arthotel Blaue Gans

The Arthotel Blaue Gans is the oldest inn in the city of Salzburg, dating back 660 years.

Arthotel Blaue Gans restaurant in Salzburg, Austria.
The arthotel Blaue Gans is the oldest inn in the city of Salzburg.

It boasts a prime location in the heart of the historic centre, which has been declared a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, and is only a short walk from Mozart’s birthplace.

 

Today the historic walls of the inn pop with modern design and contemporary art, making it both a timeless classic and a haven for the well-travelled and well-read.

 

From €164 a night.

 

Address: Arthotel Blaue Gans, Getreidegasse 41- 43, 5020 Salzburg

2. Hotel Sacher Salzburg

Hotel Sacher Salzburg
Another room in the Hotel Sacher Salzburg.

Opened in 1866, this historic hotel offers magnificent views of Salzburg.

 

The family-owned, five-star hotel combines elegant luxury and tradition and prides itself on impeccable service.

 

After a major refurbishment, all 113 rooms and suites are now decorated with original paintings, antiques, precious rugs and silk wallpaper to enhance the historically-rich setting.

 

At the legendary Café Sacher Salzburg, the world famous Original Sacher-Torte is served with traditional coffee specialities, while The Sacher Bar comes with a riverside terrace popular with locals and visitors alike.

 

From €385 a night.

 

Address: Hotel Sacher Salzburg, Schwarzstraße 5-7 , 5020,  Salzburg

3. Hotel Schloss Mönchstein

Hotel Schloss Mönchstein in Salzburg, Austria.
Hotel Schloss Mönchstein is set on Mönchsberg Mountain in a three-and-a-half-acre castle park.

Located in the heart of Mozart’s home city of Salzburg, this five-star hotel boasts unparalleled views over the city, idyllically set on Mönchsberg Mountain in a three-and-a-half-acre castle park.

 

Meanwhile inside are just 24 exclusive rooms and suites, each individually designed as either a ‘Viennese studio’ or in a more traditional style with precious antiques.

 

While there, make time to savour the award-winning cuisine at the hotel’s restaurant, or relax in the outdoor infinity pool and whirlpool.

 

From €450 a night.

 

Address: Hotel Schloss Mönchstein, Mönchsberg Park 26, 5020, Salzburg

4. Romantikhotel Gmachl

The Hirnböck-Gmachl family has run this boutique spa and wellness hotel for 23 generations.

Romantik Hotel Gmachl
Take full advantage of the spa at Romantik Hotel Gmachl.

Located in a small town three miles outside the city of Salzburg, the hotel is famous for its romantic setting with beautiful gardens set amongst the luxury accommodation.

 

It is the perfect hideaway for discerning travelers.

 

From €274 a night.

 

Address: Romantikhotel Gmachl, Dorfstraße 14, 5161 Elixhausen, Austria

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5. Hotel Goldener Hirsch Salzburg

Hotel Goldener Hirsch
Hotel Goldener Hirsch is situated in Slazburg’s Old Town and is a 5 minute walk from Mozart’s birthplace.

Hotel Goldener Hirsch has retained all its romantic charm as a former 15th century guest house and added the sophistication and ambience of a modern five-star hotel.

 

The vaulted ceilings, taxidermy and staff’s traditional Austrian dress create an atmosphere of both comfort and distinction.

 

A collection of antiques and handmade furniture reflects the hotel’s 600-plus years in Salzburg.

 

Being in the center of the medieval old town makes it a great location for strolling the historic centre of Slazburg.

 

From €215 a night.

 

Address: Hotel Goldener Hirsch Salzburg, Getreidegasse 37, 5020 Salzburg, Austria

 

For more information on what to do and where to stay in Austria, read our guide here.

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What the European heatwave means for your summer travel plans

    Rachael Thompson Rachael Thompson
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    Temperatures are soaring this summer, breaking records across Europe and the UK. 

    Euro summer is a feeling like no other. But when a heatwave hits? The dream trip quickly turns into a sweaty mess. Extreme heat is sweeping Europe and the UK this week, with record-high temperatures impacting travel plans across the continent.

    And while Australian summers are typically hotter in absolute temperature, many European cities aren’t equipped for high temperatures, resulting in unbearable weather.

    Why is it so hot in Europe?

    Signs of a hot summer loomed in May, when the mercury hit unprecedented spring highs. Now, extreme high temperature warning alerts have been issued in countries such as Spain, Italy, France, England, the Netherlands and Germany.

    France saw its hottest day on record on Wednesday, with an average temperature of 30°C across the day and night. This surpasses the average temperature for June, which is 15°C to 25°C. Dozens of people have died, including 40 from drowning.

    In Spain, 212 deaths have been linked to the heatwave.

    The UK recorded its hottest June day ever on Wednesday with temperatures soaring to 36.1°C. In an article published by the Met Office – the UK’s national meteorological service – Professor Stephen Belcher CBE, Met Office Chief Scientist, shared his concerns about June’s heat. “To see temperatures like this in the UK in June is sobering. Events like this bring home the implications of climate change, with very high temperatures and humidity bringing significant health implications from heat stress, as well as impacts to a range of sectors such as transport, energy and water supply,” he said.

    Heatwaves are becoming increasingly common in Europe and the UK, neither of which is prepared for such extremes. The World Meteorological Organization reported that in 2025, at least 95% of Europe experienced above-average annual temperatures and that the continent was heating up twice as fast as the global average.

    How travel is impacted

    A pharmacy sign displaying 40 degrees Celcius
    A pharmacy broadcasting local weather data. (Credit: Getty/Dragoncello)

    During a heatwave, power grids, water systems and transport networks can be affected, resulting in disrupted itineraries for travellers. In France, power outages have left thousands without electricity and early closures have been implemented for two of Paris’s biggest attractions, the Eiffel Tower (early afternoon rather than late at night) and the Louvre (two hours early). Eurostar cancelled its London to Paris and Paris to London services from the 22nd to the 25th, and major UK rail companies have been advising travellers to avoid using trains where possible, or to travel during early hours.

    If a heatwave is predicted, being flexible with your itinerary and having fully refundable/changeable tickets is key, as extreme heat can force the cancellation of outdoor activities, impact rail and flight services and change the opening hours of sites and eateries.

    Why does summer in Europe often feel hotter than summer in Australia?

    people swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris
    People swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris to cool off. (Credit: Rachael Thompson)

    With some of the highest UV levels in the world, Australians are no strangers to the heat, adapting well to intense weather. But our infrastructure is largely equipped to withstand soaring temperatures with climate-responsive passive design, refrigerated air conditioning or evaporative coolers, as well as swimming spots aplenty.

    Buildings in Northern and Western Europe and the UK, however, are constructed to retain heat and handle frosty winters. The lack of universal air conditioning means it generally feels hotter even though the temperature on your app might not look it. During a heatwave, it can feel like you’re in a sauna as cities act like heat traps.

    How to stay cool and prepare for another heatwave

    Relief is expected across Europe and the UK later this week, but more heatwaves are still possible in the coming months. Summer heat typically peaks in July and August.

    Public transport often doesn’t have air conditioning, and buses in particular can be swelteringly hot. If you’re heading outside or your accommodation has no air conditioning, it’s worth buying a spray bottle and a handheld fan from a pharmacy or tourist stand. Check ahead of time if restaurants and cafes have air conditioning and make a booking in advance. The highest temperatures typically hit between 3pm and 6pm, so aim to head outdoors outside of these hours.

    Rising temperatures invite travellers to enter a more intentional era of seeing the world. Now more than ever is the time to embrace lower-impact “coolcations” and off-season getaways.