Opinions: stay in Berchtesgaden or Salzburg?

We love the Berchtesgaden-Ramsau area. It is absolutely stunning. The link to where we stayed is below. We based here for 3 days to do Salzburg, the Konigsee and even Halstatt.

We are not high maintenance when it comes to lodging and prefer family run B and B's to hotels. This place had amazing views and the couple that run it are very hospitable. The breakfast was plentiful and our room lovely.

http://www.mayringerlehen.de/englisch/haus.php

Happy travels!

We stayed in Berchtesgaden one night and then continued on to Salzburg. They both have gorgeous but different scenery.
Eagles Nest is a very worthwhile stop. The huge elevator that travels up inside the mountain, shows you how paranoid Hitler was. We had a little problem finding it as there was little signage.

I have stayed in both. I prefer Salzburg because the city is so amazing. I love to roam around, walk along the river and get stunning Salzburg views from the bridges. However, if all you are doing is visiting Eagles Nest and then leaving the area, Berchtesgaden is closer. Salzburg would only make sense if you have time to enjoy the city.

I'm just the opposite. I enjoy non-city settings much more than cities. I've visited Salzburg four times, never slept there. Twice I was just passing through, once for an evening from Freilassing, and once as a day trip.

On the other hand, I've visited Berchtesgaden four of five times, depending on how you count it (one time was two consecutive day trips from Freilassing, then three overnight stays of eight nights total).

I might go back, but I prefer to overnight in Freilassing or Berchtesgaden with only day trips to Salzburg.

I've never had trouble finding the Eagles Nest. First, you can not drive to it yourself. There are special buses up the private road from Obersalzberg to the nest. If you are using on public transportation, there are regular buses (No. 838, I think) from Berchtesgaden to the Busabfahrt at Obersalzberg.

I love Salzburg, but the mountains around Berchtesgaden are hard for Salzburg to beat. Like Lynne, I also am a fan of Ramsau bei Berchtesgaden, but I stayed in a really nice Ferienwohnung (holiday apartment) at Anfanglehen. Bring some German language skills -- the owner does not speak a lick of English!