Bad Hofgastein, Austria

Bad Hofgastein, Austria

Bad Hofgastein Austria

As well as 250 km of pistes (reaching up to 2,700 m in the Sportgastein area), Bad Hofgastein offers one of Europe’s most exclusive and extensive thermal spas, the Alpentherme. It features six adventure and vitality zones spread across 32,000 square metres, with a unique 360‑degree panoramic view of the Alps, a sauna world with a mountain lake, leisure and wellness areas, a multimedia adventure dome, thrilling water slides, geysers and a glass‑fronted sky bar. Bad Hofgastein has a large number of luxury hotels, the largest of which is the five‑star Grand Park Hotel (www.grandparkhotel.at). In addition, the 4‑plus‑star Hotel Österreichischer Hof and Hotel Bismarck have recently been renovated and refurbished. All of these hotels run their own in‑house spas (including pools, whirlpools, saunas and more). Significant investments have been made in the Gastein Valley ski area over the last few years. In the past three years alone, €45 million has been spent on new lifts and piste upgrades. The 2008/09 season saw the opening of the Senderbahn (a new 8‑seater gondola from Angertal to the Stubnerkogel). The 2009/10 season will see the opening of the new Stubnerkogelbahn (an 8‑seater gondola in two sections from Bad Gastein to the Stubnerkogel summit) as well as the GipfelXpress (a new 6‑seater chairlift) in Dorfgastein. In addition to the ongoing investments, a new Schlossalmbahn lift is in the planning stages. This new lift will connect downtown Bad Hofgastein (right beside the Alpentherme) with the Schlossalm summit. The centre of Bad Hofgastein is a picturesque pedestrian zone filled with hotels, luxury boutiques, restaurants, cafés and mulled‑wine stands. The town’s main square is its focal point and often hosts live music. Bad Hofgastein is particularly popular with Austrians, as well as many Russian and Italian visitors, and has successfully maintained its reputation despite the ups and downs of its neighbour Bad Gastein (which is once again seeing major investment aimed at restoring the former glory days of Archduke Ferdinand).
Recommended airport
Salzburg (SZG)
Nearby destinations
  • Salzburg (Region) a 17.46 km
  • Kaprun a 28.97 km
  • Flachau a 30.08 km