Bad Gastein: From the sleepy spa to the creative hotspot of the Alps!

Bad Gastein: From the sleepy spa to the creative hotspot of the Alps!

The train station from 1905, a classicist relic from the time of the K.U.K. monarchy, is a striking entrance gate into this changing world. Bad Gastein was known as "Monte Carlo der Alpen" for a long time, once offered imperial guests like Kaiser Wilhelm I and Sisi a luxurious sabbatical and has now been looking for new creative identity. Hugh Grant himself awarded the location the unofficial name "Good Gastein" and regularly stays in the "Salzburger Hof" hotel. This is just one of many stories about the large number of prominent guests who have lingered here over the years. Otto von Bismarck, Albert Einstein and Franz Schubert are just a few of the illustrious names that the city gave the city of international flair.

creativity and renewal

Thanks to inspiring projects, such as the reopening of the historic Grandhotels "Straubinger" and "Bathing Schloss" 2023, Bad Gastein begins to rediscover its historical charm. Wes Anderson's film "Grand Budapest Hotel" has contributed to bringing the historical buildings into focus and making their nostalgic ambience exciting for a new generation of travelers. In addition, personalities such as Olaf Krohne make a significant contribution to the renewal of the tourist offer by modernizing old hotels and thus bringing a fresh wind into the alpine metropolis.

In the middle of all of these changes, many artists and creative people go into the city. Events such as the "Summer.Frischenkunst" and the art fair "Art: Badgastein" have contributed to the fact that Bad Gastein is now also very popular as a cultural goal. The mixture of traditional elegance and modern understanding of art creates a lively atmosphere that inspires many visitors.

a place with history

The roots of the Gastein Valley go deep into history. As early as 1020, the valley was mentioned as "Provincia Gastuna". Over the centuries, Bad Gastein not only turned out to be an important spa center, but also as a gold digging city, in which mining and bathing culture bloomed alike. Spa guests were already looking for the healing effects of the radon -containing thermal springs in the Middle Ages, and the first mention of a spa guest took place in 1436 - it was Emperor Friedrich III

Through the centuries, Bad Gastein developed against the background of a dynamic social and economic life. Famous visitors and high -ranking guests such as Emperor Franz Joseph I and Archduke Johann contributed to the establishment of the spa business and made Bad Gastein a popular destination for summer fresh people. Despite a slow decrease in tourist popularity since the 1960s, the city has retained its unique charm, which fits perfectly into the picturesque environment.

Visitors who want to explore the culinary offer can choose between different options: the "bathing lock" with panoramic view and international cuisine, "The Comodo" with stylish mid-cotury furniture and regional cuisine, as well as the "Villa Excelior", which invites you to relax with a thermal bath and Wilhler's time. The "Straubinger Saal" and the "Good Pizzeria" are available for traditional delicacies, while the "Café Schuh" is known for delicious whirlpools and Kaiserschmarrn.

Bad Gastein, the charming Alpine Jewel, not only reinvented itself, but today, like never, shines with a creative shine. It remains exciting to observe how this unique place will develop in the coming years.

For more information and a deep insight into the history of Bad Gastein, take a look at , The aficionados and Gastein.com.