Bad Gastein

A Belle Époque spa town in the Hohe Tauern mountains, with a waterfall rushing through its centre—ski in winter, hike in summer, and soak in thermal baths or visit the healing galleries.

Bad Gastein sits at the head of the Gastein Valley (Gasteinertal) in the south of the Austrian state of Salzburg, at about 1,000 m, backed by the Hohe Tauern range and about 100 km from Salzburg. The town grew up around its radon-rich thermal springs and in the 19th century became a health resort for European royalty and nobility—Austria's Empress Sisi and German Emperor Wilhelm I both came here—leaving behind a cluster of grand Belle Époque hotels built into the hillside. The Gastein Waterfall plunges more than 300 m right through the town centre, creating the town's most iconic view. In recent years the old hotels have been renovated one after another and art and design hotels have moved in, bringing the town back to life.

There are three main things to do. First, spa and wellness: the Felsentherme in town, the Alpentherme in Bad Hofgastein down the valley, and the Gastein Healing Gallery in Böckstein, a former gold mine. Second, winter skiing: the Ski amadé pass covers ski areas including Stubnerkogel, Graukogel, Sportgastein and Schlossalm in Bad Hofgastein, with the season running from about early December to early April. Third, summer hiking: take the cable car up Stubnerkogel to cross the suspension bridge, or head into valleys on the edge of Hohe Tauern National Park such as the Kötschachtal and Nassfeld. Getting there: direct trains run from Salzburg or Vienna to Bad Gastein station (about 1.5 hours from Salzburg), right in the town centre; the Tauern Railway's car shuttle trains go through the mountain from Böckstein to Carinthia. The town is spread across a steep slope with many steps, so it's best to stay in the centre or near the cable car stations; plan on 2–4 days. Many hotels provide a free Gastein guest card that includes valley bus rides and other discounts.

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Itineraries