The Bad Gastein waterfall plunges down three tiers, with a total drop of 341 metres, through the centre of town. Its course makes this natural feature part of the townscape. The stone waterfall bridge was built in 1840 and extended in 1927; distinctive Belle Époque architecture also shapes the town. Together, the landscape, bridge and architecture offer different ways to explore Bad Gastein’s local history.
Thermal water and the history of therapy
The thermal water emerges from 17 springs, with a flow of around five million litres per day and a temperature of 44 to 47°C. Radon therapy has been practised since 1825 at the small radon thermal vapour bath in the town centre. The Gasteiner Heilstollen lies deep inside the Radhausberg near Böckstein, in former gold mines; today, a specialised form of therapy is offered there. The vapour bath and the healing galleries thus represent different sites within the history of Bad Gastein’s thermal waters and therapies.
The Felsentherme is situated at an altitude of around 1,100 metres and is one of Austria’s highest thermal spas. Eight different saunas and steam baths across 600 m² offer relaxation with views of the mountains. Details of the facility may change due to renovations. If this area is important to your plans, check the latest information before your visit.
Museum and guided tour
The Gastein Museum covers topics ranging from thermal water and the history of the spa to local customs and the art gallery. Free audio guides are available in English and Italian. If you are planning your visit around one of these language options, check availability in advance.
A two-hour tour run by the Gastein Museum visits a glacial pothole, the historic town centre, the thermal spring park, and the parish and St Nicholas churches. The route thus takes you from a natural landmark through historic parts of town to two churches. Check the published weekly programme before you travel if you plan to join the tour.
Winter sports, Graukogel and other activities
Bad Gastein hosted the 1958 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships. The event marked the town’s breakthrough as a winter sports destination, anchoring its winter sports history in a specific historical moment.
Stone pines grow on Graukogel, some of them more than 300 years old. The Zirbenwanderweg is a 1.5-kilometre circular trail that starts and ends at the mountain station of the Graukogel lift in Bad Gastein. Flying Waters offers a very different kind of activity: a 300-metre ride on rollers along a cable stretched over a gorge. Check seasonal hiking guidance before planning the circular trail, and find out in advance about current visitor access at Flying Waters.
Getting there by train
Direct trains run hourly from Bad Gastein station to Salzburg, Vienna, Munich, Frankfurt, Graz, Zagreb and other cities. Timetables and connections may change, so check the service for your travel date. A direct walkway connects the station with the Felsentherme and the valley station of the Stubnerkogelbahn. Access routes may change during construction work.
More destinations
Discover more destinations: Böckstein, Altenmarkt Im Pongau, Karteis, Lammertal, Untertauern, Sankt Martin Am Tennengebirge, Feuersang, Iglsbach.
Back to the main travel overview: Sankt Johann Im Pongau.
