Bad Gastein
Bad Gastein is a spa town in Austria's Hohe Tauern Alps known for its natural thermal springs and distinctive architecture that clings to the mountain slope. The valley is fed by underground springs that deliver millions of liters of warm, mineral-rich water daily, which fills the town's numerous spas offering baths and therapeutic treatments.
Bad Gastein was visited by Romans and emperors who believed in the healing powers of the thermal waters. In the 19th century, it developed into a prosperous spa town that attracted wealthy visitors and was built up with elegant villas and hotels.
Bad Gastein is known as the Village of Skyscrapers because of its tall buildings clinging to the hillside, evoking the Belle Epoque elegance of Vienna. The narrow streets with historic homes and grand balconies transport visitors to the late 19th century, where a sense of stepping back in time is palpable in the architecture and layout.
The town is conveniently reached by train from Salzburg and offers scenic views of mountains and forests during the journey. Once there, visitors can use local buses and cable cars to explore the area and reach various starting points for hikes.
Visitors can enter healing tunnels in the surrounding mountains where natural radon gas is inhaled in heated chambers to strengthen joints and boost immunity. This underground treatment typically requires several weeks and represents a rare therapeutic practice found in only a few locations worldwide.
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