Austria / Zell am See & the Hohe Tauern / Bad GasteinBad Gastein
Belle Époque Spa Town Over a Waterfall
A steep spa town of grand old hotels built round a waterfall that crashes through its centre, in the Gastein valley on the main line south from Salzburg. People come for the warm radon springs (the Felsentherme pool, and the healing tunnel in the old gold mine at Böckstein), for walks and lifts on the Stubnerkogel with its suspension bridge, and in winter for the Ski Amadé slopes. Several of the grand hotels have been restored and others stand empty. About 1.5 hours by train from Salzburg.
Highlights
- The waterfall through the town centre
- Thermal pools fed by the radon springs
- Stubnerkogel lift and suspension bridge
- Belle Époque hotels on the gorge
- Ski Amadé slopes in winter
Things to do
- Thermal pools at the FelsenthermeAfternoon · 3h
- Waterfall walk through the old townMorning · 1h 30m
- Stubnerkogel lift and the suspension bridgeMorning · 3h
- Hike on the Gastein valley high trailMorning · 4h
Tours & tickets
Tourisma may earn a small commission if you book — it never changes your price.
When to go
Best time: June – September; December – March (snow)
Heads up
Ski Season Prices
Winter is high season: rooms cost most and are hardest to find from Christmas to New Year and in the February school holidays, when many hotels sell only week-long stays. January (outside the holidays) and March are better value.
Worth knowing
Between Seasons: Hotels and Lifts Closed
After Easter until late May or June, and in November, many hotels, restaurants and lifts close between the ski and summer seasons, and trails above the village can be under snow. Check that the lifts you want are running before you book. The Kitzsteinhorn and the Ötztal glaciers keep some lifts open longer.
Heads up
Snow Can Close the Valley Road
After very heavy snow the road up the valley can close for hours or a day for avalanche danger. Keep a spare day before an international flight in winter.
- Krampus runs — In late November and the first week of December, around St Nicholas' Day (6 December), costumed Krampus devils with bells and horns run through Alpine towns; loud and a little rough, not for small children.