Bad Hofgastein Holidays

Holidays to Bad Hofgastein are brimming with dreamy mountain views, local culture and the quirks of market village life.

Austria, straight up

Bang in the middle between the German and Italian borders of west Austria, Bad Hofgastein boasts plenty of natural wonder. The surrounding woodlands and mountains give you endless scenic views, which are best admired from one of the area's luxury spas, naturally.

Scenic strolls

Snuggled deep in the Gastein Valley, Bad Hofgastein's straight out of a fairy tale. Footpaths take you over rolling hills and through sweet-smelling pine forests. Have your camera ready to take snaps of the soaring eagles overhead and cheeky marmots at your feet.

Toast the seasons

Summer days here mean open-air concerts and bathing in the lake. Come winter, Alpentherme Gastein will be your favourite place thanks to two thermal pools. You'll get your culture fix year-round, with highlights like Angetal Miners' World and the old Medieval fortress of Burg Klammstein.

Out and about

Here are some ideas of things to do when staying in Bad Hofgastein:

• Lake bathing
• Waterfalls
• Open-air concerts
• Tennis courts
• Minigolf
• Wildlife spotting

At a glance

Walk trails once used by gold miners
Make a splash in the thermal waters of a world-class spa
Sample regional delicacies in charming cafés

Top things to See and Do in Bad Hofgastein

BEACHES
SHOPPING
NIGHTLIFE
FOOD & DRINK
GETTING ABOUT
WALKING

Gastein swimming lake

Make a splash in the clear waters of Gastein Valley’s swimming lake, which covers a massive 2.3 hectares. Sitting between Bad Hofgastein and Bad Gastein, next to the Achenpromenade and cycling path, the lake is a popular spot to refresh yourself after a day of hiking or biking.
Lakeside fun

The Gastein swimming lake doesn’t have a typical sand or pebble beach - instead, the water’s edge is lined with large sunbathing meadows. Here you’ll find a beach volleyball court, a diving platform, a range of watersports and a number of fun slacklines to wobble across.
Rest and relax

At the lake, you can borrow parasols and sun loungers to make your visit as comfortable as possible. Kids will be furthered entertained by the slide and sandbox area. There’s a great little café on site, too, for food and drinks.

Bargain Buys

Take yourself off to the weekly farmers' market, which takes place on Thursday mornings in the centre of Bad Hofgastein. Here you can sample and browse delicious produce from the local agricultural scene.
Mid-Range Buys

During the summer months, the town of Bad Hofgastein holds Star:Shopping evenings across several Thursday nights in July and August. Instead of traipsing around during hotter days, the shops in the pedestrianised area stay open until 10pm, for a more pleasant experience.

Laid-back evenings

Potter through the pathways of the pedestrian area on a dry, clear night, window shopping as you go. If the evening is too damp to venture out, enjoy a quiet drink in the comfort of your hotel instead.
Lively evenings

For a bit of live music and a few drinks on a Friday, head to Hotelbar Nortica, just off the lobby of the main body of the hotel. There are all kinds of musical acts, from oompah to rock ‘n’ roll. There’s also the odd open-air summer concert in town, so keep an eye and ear out.

Eating out

The charming streets of Bad Hofgastein are lined with inviting pavement cafés and atmospheric restaurants. Here you’ll typically find the traditional cuisines of the region – a mixture of Tyrolean, Italian and Austrian – though some places incorporate some American touches to their menus. A lot of eateries are located near the Alpen Therme or in the town centre, though you’ll also find some quaint huts up the mountains.
A royal meal at Schlossl Weitmoser

Inside a hilltop castle built in 1530 is Schlossl Weitmoser, a fine-dining restaurant with great views of the mountains. Sample their homemade sweet, Indianer – it’s meant to be amazing.
Meal-free at Kraut & Ruben

For vegetarians, or those looking for something light and refreshing, Kraut & Ruben is a great option for inventive meat-free dishes. All the food is beautifully presented and the restaurant itself is spacious and modern.
Quality local fare at Gastein Alm

Close to the thermal spa is Gastein Alm, a rustic yet modern restaurant offering regional and Italian dishes and top-class hospitality. Their cherry strudel is highly recommended.

On foot

The centre of this old market town is made up of cobbled streets that lead out to mountain trails and paths. You can wander the picturesque pedestrian zone, browsing luxury boutiques, restaurants and cafés, or stop for a spot of people-watching in the main square.
Trains

The nearest station is 3km outside town, around a 45-minute walk, but there’s a local bus that will get you there in 11 minutes. From there you can catch a train to the castle in Werfen (1 hour), stunning Zell am See (1 hour 15 minutes) or Lake Wörthersee (1 hour 30 minutes), or historic Salzburg (1 hour 30 minutes).
Buses

The main stop is outside the Hotel Österreichischerhof and there’s a regular service between the local villages in the valley, including Bad Gastein (11 minutes) and Dorfgastein (5 minutes). Buses are discounted with your guest card and run every day, though times vary at weekends.
Summer lifts

Your guest card also gives you a discount on summer lifts. There are five lifts in the valley that run through the season and you can either buy a one-day or 6-day pass, depending how often you wish to use them.

Walking

A lovely way to start exploring Bad Hofgastein is with a stroll around the town itself, along streets lined with charming shops and cafés. Marked footpaths lead out of the village, where 350km of walking and hiking trails await. Summer lifts will whisk you to the peaks, and you can ramble through flower-filled meadows and peaceful woodland, and past stunning glaciers. If you’re lucky, you might just spot eagles, vultures or marmots. There are also over 50 mountain huts where you can stop to rest your feet and sample homemade bread, cheese and meats.
Böcksteiner Hohenweg

An excellent route for a good-weather day, most of it is gentle but there are a few steeper sections. Catch the bus to Bad Gastein and take the Stubnerkögelbahn up to the mid-station. From there, walk up to the Zitrauer Hichalm and then follow signs down to Böckfeldalm – and take care on the steep parts. A forest path will lead you on to Altböckstein, which is famous for its pilgrimage church.
Graukogel to Reedsee

Take the bus to the Graukogel chairlift and ride it up to the top, before following route 527 around the peak. Turning off onto route 524A and then onto 526, will eventually bring you past Seekral lake and on to Reedsee lake - a beautiful place to stop for a picnic and take in the views. Afterwards, carry on down into the valley, to the Gruner Baum Hotel Village and hop on the bus back to Bad Hofgastein.