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If you're just starting out, I'd recommend renting or leasing an instrument before you spend hundreds of euros on it. Honestly, that's the best way to figure out if the saxophone is really for you - some people realize after a few weeks that it's not the right thing for them, and then you haven't made an expensive mistake right off the bat 😅
As for alto saxophones - I agree with the others on that, it's the right choice for absolute beginners. It's easier to handle than a tenor, and you'll get a decent sound faster. When it comes to quality, you don't need to go for the cheapest model, but you also don't need the most expensive line. There are reliable brands in the mid-range that are worth the money.
My last tip: Get yourself a good teacher, or at least someone who can guide you through a few sessions. They'll show you how to hold the thing properly and how to adjust the reeds correctly - that makes a huge difference in your sound and in your motivation to keep going.
An alto saxophone is the best choice to start with because it's easier to handle than the deeper variants and the sound becomes satisfying pretty quickly. When it comes to the brand, I wouldn't go too cheap - something like Yamaha or Jupiter costs more, but they last a long time and are more likely to keep you motivated to keep going instead of frustrating you after two weeks. Buying used is totally fine and saves money, just make sure you bring someone along who knows what they're doing and checks the instrument first. With a solid beginner-level sax and a good teacher, you'll get way further than with cheap equipment that's just annoying to play.
The biggest mistake is buying a cheap instrument and then realizing it sounds or feels so bad that you lose motivation - that happened to a friend of mine who picked up some 150-euro thing from an online marketplace and was frustrated after two weeks. Better to save up a bit longer and spend between 400 and 800 euros on a used or new beginner model from a more established brand, so you actually enjoy practicing. What the others said is right - alto sax really is the right place to start - but don't forget you'll also need a reed, a bocal, and maybe a case, so plan your budget realistically.
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