24 hours Bad Gastein

A perfect day in Bad Gastein starts early when the town is still asleep. Wander along the serene Kaiser-Wilhelm-Promenade (KWP) to the bottom of the rushing waterfall in the centre of town. Inhale the iconic beauty, fill up on energy and set your day’s intentions.

Continue along the short trail through the woods to the Yoga Plattform (meditate for awhile, if you feel like it) and head up to Bad Gastein’s hot spot Das Regina for breakfast with the most beautiful view of town. Olaf & Jason, the owner and creative director of the design hotel (respectively), usually join me for a pleasant chat and new insights on Bad Gastein.

Next, walk up to the train station, grab a coffee at The Blonde Beans and hop on the bus to our National Park area ‘Sportgastein’. I like to call it the ‘#tinytibet of the Alps’ for its majestic mountains, magical power spots and tranquil solitude. I usually wander for one or two hours. There are a few really old and cozy cabins out there, where locals turn their farm products into delicious lunch dishes. Valeriehaus offers year-round Austrian Gemütlichkeit, a stunning sundeck with panoramic views of the High Tauern National Park and the best „Bauernpfandl“ around.

Back down in Bad Gastein, stroll through the city center  and take in its beautiful abandoned buildings and Belle Epoche architecture. Must see: The Grand Hotel de l’Europe. The potential of „what if…“ gets my mind energized every time. During the summer months, at the sommer.frische.kunst Festival, there are art exhibitions all over town. I definitely recommend swinging by Kraftwerk and the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Promenade for the exhibitions at Pavillon and studio5640. Vanessa’s KWP Concept Store usually has a new homemade jam or schnapps on offer. You’ll regret missing a taste test 😉 Another hub for art and cultural exchange is the bed and breakfast, Hansi Hansi, where I urge you to stay for a truly unique experience.

Is it time for a Strudel yet? Cafe Schuh on KWP is my happy place. Remo, the witty and charming owner, serves my favourite Topfenstrudel in town.

After this sweet treat, you’ll pass the charming old villas (sneak inside and say hi to the hosts at Villa Mühlberger, Villa Excelsior or the Kaiserhof) and sweet views of the Gastein Valley. Take a quick respite at the design hotel heaven Haus Hirt (more coffee and cake, anyone?) and return to nature as the KWP leads through a fairytale forest into the Kötschach Valley. There are no cars – only cabins, mountains, streams and benches to meditate (or kiss) on. The ‘Luis Trenker Trail’ is my favourite of the trails here. For THE best homemade „Weichseltopfenstrudel“ (cherry strudel with soft quark) make sure to stop by the cabin Himmelwand. Equally amazing afternoon treats are offered at Alpenhaus Prossau and Café Gamskar.

For a sweet sunset dinner with another stunning view, hike up to Waldhaus Rudolfshöhe. Owners Jan and Stefan moved from Berlin to Bad Gastein in 2016, took over an old cabin and turned it into a rad place with great design, menu and ambience.

After dinner, walk down a little trail that leads all the way to the Hotel Miramonte. There are usually a few art directors and other creatives hanging out at the hotel bar, so I’d recommend you drop in for a nightcap and enjoy the final view of Bad Gastein before heading to bed or the hot springs.