Bad Gastein, Austria is a year-round resort, which is one of the most popular in the country. Here you can not only ride with the wind on the track, but also to improve your health in the healing thermal springs. The resort of Bad Gastein is built in the picturesque valley of Gastei at an altitude of 1 km. The ski resort of Bad Gastein is called by locals “Alpine Monte Carlo”, accordingly, a vacation here is expensive, but financial expenses are fully justified. Ski slopes and tourist infrastructure will delight even the most discerning tourists, while mountain villages will appeal to hiking enthusiasts.
Description of the Austrian resort of Bad Gastein
The Gastein Valley is located in the central part of the Alps. This place has been known for centuries due to its thermal healing springs. It is a popular destination for both athletes and those seeking to improve their health. Bad Gastein is a versatile ski resort that offers opportunities for recreation throughout the year.
Travelers who wish to ski on the slopes are accommodated in one of the local villages:
- Bud Gastein;
- Sport Gastein;
- Bud Hofgstein;
- Dorfgastein;
- Grossarl.
Ski slopes are equipped on both sides of the valley and lead directly to the villages. This arrangement makes it much easier and reduces the time needed to get to the slopes.
The ski resort of Bad Gastein in Austria offers a variety of technically safe slopes, as well as a children’s ski area called Dorfgastein.
An interesting fact! Tourists can spend their leisure time at the Bad Gastein Casino, the oldest casino in Austria. The casino is located in the Grand Hotel de l’Europe and covers an area of 600 square meters.
On the map of Bad Gastein, the resort is shaped like a horseshoe that encircles the mountains. The recreational areas are located on three levels, and the architecture combines old 19th-century buildings with modern structures that blend seamlessly into the mountainous landscape. In addition to the casino, another symbol of the resort is the waterfall.
The ski season at the Austrian resort begins in December and lasts until March. The slopes in Bad Gastein are quite challenging, so it may be difficult for beginners. The resort area is vast, offering excellent conditions for skiing and snowboarding. There are five ski areas with a total length of 200 km, connected by ski buses. This makes it easy and convenient to navigate the resort. There is a 90 km cross-country ski trail, as well as sports schools, swimming pools, and regular fairs.
Bad Gastein Tracks in Austria
The resort has several geographical areas for sports activities:
- Stubnerkogel — Schlossalm;
- Glaucogel;
- Sportgastein.
A cable car has been built near the central station in Austria – a great way to quickly, and most importantly comfortably, get to the mountain Stubnerkogel. In this part of the ski resort, the slopes are steep and difficult, mostly red.
It’s good to know! All the trails in this part of Bad Gastein are suitable for snowboarders.
You can get to the Schlossalm area at an altitude of 2 km via the Skizentrum Angertal, which is a great place for skiing lessons and is popular with beginners and families with children.
The Graukogel region is located in the shade, which is why the sun rarely shines here. As a result, the snow is of excellent quality and remains even during periods of thaw. The two best descents, the red and black descents, are located in the forest. These descents are challenging and require good physical fitness, and many of the ski lifts are technically outdated.
Sportgashain in Austria is the highest point of the ski resort, and the snow doesn’t melt even in warm weather. Due to frequent snow avalanches, the area has gained a dangerous reputation. The easiest way to get there is by bus, as the distance is 7 km. The black and red trails are suitable for fast skiing.
There are flat, comfortable cross-country ski trails with a total length of 90 km. There are 30 km directly in Bad Gastein.
Bad Gastein track map and other technical specifications
The elevation difference is from 0.8 m to 2.5 km.
Trails:
- length: 201 km
- most of the descents are of medium difficulty (red – 117 km)
- there are trails for beginners (blue – 60 km),
- For experienced tourists, there are challenging black trails (24 km).
Podveniki:
- total-51;
- eyebolts – 27;
- armchair type – 15;
- cabs – 9.
It’s interesting to know! Gastein is known as a paradise for snowboard enthusiasts.
Availability and quality of infrastructure
The ski slopes and thermal springs of Bad Gastein in Austria are not the only attractions in the resort area. The resort has excellent infrastructure for the comfort of tourists:
- radon tunnels;
- complex of baths and saunas;
- a riding arena;
- tennis courts;
- squash courts;
- possibility to take a sleigh ride;
- shooting gallery;
- ice rinks.
Hunting enthusiasts can try their luck in the forests surrounding the resort area. Children can enjoy exciting animation and entertainment programs. The modern fitness center is open to all who enjoy sports and want to continue their training during their vacation. Bad Gaststeiner in Austria is a unique three-level resort that offers natural beauty, mountain landscapes, and hiking opportunities.
Bars and restaurants
As for restaurants, most of them welcome guests on the mountain peaks. There are 16 bars on the territory of the ski resort, the most popular of which is Gatz.
Attractions
In addition to skiing and wellness treatments, the resort offers an extensive entertainment program. The Felsenbad Wellness and Sports Complex is a great place for families to relax and enjoy sports. The Congress Center is a fun place to spend time with children, including rides and activities.
Shopping
The central part of the ski resort area in Austria is ideal for fans of shopping, where most of the shops are concentrated. By the way, visiting the center of Bad Gastein will be interesting for tourists who like exciting excursions. Vacationers can visit the Gastay Waterfall, an original Health Gallery built in abandoned mines where gold used to be mined. A railway line leads to the wellness center. For travelers, an exciting attraction is organized – guests can try to wash gold on their own.
An interesting fact! The first gold in Austria was mined in the 14th century, and some of the tools are on display at the local museum. The area surrounding the museum is decorated in an old-fashioned style, with medieval houses, stables, and outbuildings.
Museum
The Gastein Museum has been operating on the territory of the ski resort since 1936. It features rare minerals collected in the vicinity of Bad Gastein, traditional clothing of the local residents, and works of art by artisans and artists.
Types and cost of ski passes
| Number of days | Adult | Teen Age | Child |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,5* | 93,50 € | 70,50 € | 47 € |
| 3 | 158 € | 119 € | 79 € |
| 6 | 266 € | 199.50 € | 133 € |
* — by purchasing a 1.5-day pass, tourists gain access to all the slopes and descents in Bad Gastein.
Prices are indicated for the high season: from 22.12.2018 to 04.01.2019 and from 26.01.2019 to 15.03.2019.
Official websites:
- gastein.at
- gastein.com
- skigastein.com – check out all the ski pass prices here.
- tirol.info
Thermal springs of a resort in Austria
The resort in Austria began to receive its first tourists in the 19th century, when the main attraction was the thermal springs of Bad Gastein. The prices were quite high, so wealthy people and high-ranking officials came here to improve their health. Since then, Bad Gastein has been known as the “Royal” resort. It is known that the Austrian Empress Elisabeth of Bavaria, Emperor Wilhelm I, and Sigmund Freud lived in the resort for seven years in the first half of the 20th century.
At the beginning of the last century, the resort began to develop actively – already in 1905, the railway was launched, and by the middle of the century, tourists were welcomed by numerous hotels. Towards the end of the last century, Bad Gastein lost its popularity, and hotels were closed en masse. Half a century later, the situation changed dramatically: in addition to the main value – thermal springs, an excellent ski area was equipped here.Therapeutic factors
The water in the healing springs is heated to +50 degrees and is rich in radon. It is used for bathing, ingestion, and inhalation. Radon galleries more than 2 km long have been built on the territory of the springs, and the air enriched with radon is useful for inhalation.
An interesting fact! The tunnels in Austria were opened to tourists after the miraculous recovery of local miners from rheumatic pain.
Indications for visiting thermal springs:
- pathologies of the musculoskeletal system;
- vascular pathologies;
- diseases of the oral cavity;
- gynecological pathologies;
- metabolic disorders.
The Felsenbad Gastein wellness complex is very popular. The modern center was built in a park. The complete reconstruction was completed in 2004. The wellness area covers more than 600 square meters, and a sauna complex has been built.
You can swim in two font pools. There is also a nudist relaxation area on the roof. There are children’s pools with attractions, a shallow pool for the youngest, as well as a thermal pool for toddlers.
After such a rest, you will probably want to eat, for this purpose, visit the “Wellness” restaurant with an open area, a picturesque view of the mountains. The menu includes snacks of local and also European cuisines.
Where to stay
There are many luxurious hotels in the resort area, but many tourists prefer to book rooms in historic hotels. One of the unique features of the ski resort is the striking contrast between its historical and modern architecture. The resort is home to a number of historic buildings that have been preserved alongside the new spa and hotel complexes.
It’s useful to know! In Bad Gastein, Austria, you can rent accommodation in hotels and apartment hotels. The difference between them is in their equipment. Apartment hotels usually have kitchen areas.
Hotels in Bad Gastein with the best reviews on Booking:
- Alpenblick Hotel has a spa center;
- Mondi-Holiday Bellevue is a beautiful hotel in the center of the resort area, with a fitness center and a swimming pool.
- Barenhof is a modern hotel in the central part of the resort area with a wellness center, and the cable cars are just a few minutes away.
The resort offers a wide range of apartments, from budget-friendly to luxurious. The most popular include:
- «Haus Klaffenbock», decorated in a traditional Alpine style. The average rating from guests is 9.8/10. During the high season, the price for 4 nights starts at 360 euros for 4 nights.
- «Appartement Anne» has a balcony with a scenic view of the valley. The guest rating is 9.4/10, and prices for accommodation during the ski season start at 380 euros for 4 nights.
- «Haus Franzis» offers family rooms. The apartments are located near the ski lifts and the center of the village. High season rates start at 510 euros for 6 nights
It’s good to know! Six nights in hotels in Bad Gastein will cost you an average of 420€ to 1200€.
Bad Gastein in Austria in the summer
Bad Gastein is a year-round resort area, where it is comfortable to relax at any time of the year. In summer, people come here to undergo treatment in thermal springs, visit cosmetic procedures in SPA-salons, and walk through picturesque places.
Walking around Bad Gastein is quite exciting, and here are some of the most interesting places to visit.
Farmers ‘ Market
On Fridays and Saturdays, a market is held in Bad Hofgastein, Austria, where farmers offer their products, such as sausages, cheeses, souvenirs, and baked goods. In the summer, the fair is open on Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Trail of Legends
There are many fairy tales and legends associated with the Gastein Valley. The route begins in Unterberg and ends in Klammstein. There are signs along the way, and you can also purchase a book with exciting fairy tales.
Klammstein Castle
The attraction is located at the beginning of the Gastein Valley, and it is the oldest building in the resort. In the past, the castle protected the residents of the settlement, and today it houses a restaurant where you can try knightly dishes, as well as a museum. The restaurant is open every day except for Mondays.
Water mills
The ancient landmark is located near the Sonnberg Cafe, which has a terrace on a picturesque hill overlooking the scenic landscapes of the Gastein Valley. The tour is sure to be interesting even for children.
Walking tours
Of course, you can walk around the city on your own, slowly, enjoying its atmosphere, but if you speak English or German, it will be much more interesting to walk around the city as part of a tour group and listen to the story of an experienced guide. The tour can be purchased at the local tourist office located at Tauernplatz, 1.
During the tour, tourists visit the central part of the resort, the thermal spring, local churches, the glacier mill, and the Bad Gastein Museum.
How to get to Bad Gastein
There are several ways to get to Bad Gastein:
- by public transport;
- using the transfer service;
- in a rented car.
The most convenient way to get to the resort is from Salzburg and Munich.
Salzburg – Bad Gastein
The distance between the settlements is a little over 100 km. A railway runs through the resort area, so you can take a high-speed train from any Austrian city to Bad Gastein.
Trains leave Salzburg every two hours, with the first train departing at 8 a.m. When planning your route, keep in mind that there are no night trains. All flights are direct, so you won’t need to transfer.
Useful information! The journey takes 1.5 hours, and the ticket costs around 9 euros.
For tourists who are carrying ski equipment or traveling in a group, it is more convenient to book a transfer. The journey takes only 1 hour and 15 minutes. In this case, the transport is provided to the airport building, and there is no need to travel to the train station.
Given the quality of the local roads, it is convenient to get from the airport to the resort by renting a car. There are rental offices at the airport, and you can arrange transportation in advance using a special service. To rent a car, you will need a passport, driver’s license, and a credit card with the required amount. The two towns are connected by the A10 highway, which takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes to drive.
Munich – Bad Gastein
The distance between the settlements is 224 km.
By train
A high-speed train departs from Munich to the resort four times a day. The journey takes 3.5 hours. Trains depart from the train station. A ticket in a regular car costs 29 euros, and a ticket in first class costs 59 euros.
By car
You can also book a transfer directly from the airport to the resort, which will take a little less than three hours. If you plan to travel around Austria on your own, you can rent a car. Take the A8 expressway or the nearby A10 highway, which will take about 2.5 hours.
Bad Gastein, Austria, is radically different from other European resorts. The main difference is the old atmosphere, buildings of the century before last, which is why people come here not only to ski, to improve their health in thermal springs, but also to plunge into a special Austrian flavor.
