Bad Hofgastein is not the same as the neighboring Bad Gastein. However, Bad Hofgastein is a great place during winter and during summer. We got to experience it during the summer and had the best time ever. This town is so cozy and nice, and we ended up going to a concert and eating at a great restaurant. Bad Hofgastein has it all!
Table of Contents
1. Strolling around Bad Hofgastein
All the Gastein towns are different even if they are close to each other. Bad Hofgastein has a cozier city center and a laid-back feeling that the other cities are somewhat missing. Just stroll around the city center and enjoy the narrow, welcoming streets.
Forget about huge stores and shopping malls. Bad Hofgastein is a place where the stores are smaller, and the service is better. You can find a lot of stores here that sell sporting goods. No wonder, since this is a ski paradise during winter. However, summer has a lot to offer here too!
2. Alpentherme Gastein
One of our absolute highlights during our visit to Bad Hofgastein was visiting the Alpentherme. This must be one of the most beautiful places to immerse yourself in thermal baths. Enjoy the warm water as you look at the amazing Alps. This is the best thermal bath in the area. There is one in Bad Gastein too that we checked out, but this one was better.
When entering this place, you also get access to the saunas. We didn’t spend that much time inside the saunas since it was a nudist place (and we are shy Swedes), but the ice room was super cool. For total relaxation, head to Alpentherme Gastein. Don’t miss neighboring Bad Gastein and its dramatic waterfall.
3. Eat vegetarian at Kraut & Ruben
A vegetarian restaurant that has been here for over ten years now and is still super consistent with its food. They have a large menu with both vegetarian and vegan options. The staff is super friendly, and we were lucky because when we showed up, we didn’t have any reservations. However, there was room for us, and we got a table. After sifting through the menu, we ended up ordering.
Mini ordered “Vital” – a salad plate with cashews, oranges, apples, and a yogurt dressing. I chose the Rösti with three different cheeses over baked pear and walnuts. Both of the dishes were super tasty, and we also ordered an elderflower juice. We think that everyone visiting Bad Hofgastein should come here and open their minds to the vegetarian and vegan options that are out there.
Information about Kraut & Ruben
Address: Pyrkerstrasse 3, Bad Hofgastein.
Opening hours: Daily 11.00 – 21.00.
Website of Kraut & Ruben.
4. Watch A Concert With The Philharmonie
During our visit to Bad Hofgastein, we got to watch an amazing concert with the Salzburg Philharmonie. During the summer, a part of the orchestra comes to Bad Hofgastein and offers free concerts for the people visiting the city. Sometimes the concerts are outside in nature, and sometimes they’re inside. When we went there, it was inside the Kursaal. We sat down and enjoyed a fantastic concert.
We didn’t know how much we could enjoy classical music because we did love it. The musicians were world-class, and the whole place was in awe after their performance. We had a hard time believing that a concert of this magnitude could be free of charge. So, if you are in the area during the summer, make sure to check the summer schedule for the Philharmonie and catch a show.
5. Visit the Hotel Blu Gastein
Like a breath of fresh air, this hotel and restaurant is located right in the heart of Bad Hofgastein. It’s hip and fresh and serves the most divine dishes. I ordered grilled cauliflower, and Mini ordered a burger. This place has a terrace outside where you can enjoy your meal and do some people-watching.
While visiting this place, also make sure to visit the roof of the hotel where you can get a nice view of the city center. Grab something to drink and just enjoy your visit to Bad Hofgastein. If you are not traveling by motorhome and staying at a campsite, make sure to book a room at Blu Gastein and spend a night (or a couple) in the center of the city. Looking for more things to do in Austria? Check out our full Austria travel guide.
Information about Hotel Blu Gastein
Address: Kaiser-Franz-Platz 1, Bad Hofgastein.
Website of Hotel Blu Gastein
FAQ: Bad Hofgastein Yes or No?
Yes — Bad Hofgastein has a cozy, laid-back city center with narrow streets, great restaurants, and one of the best thermal baths in the area (Alpentherme Gastein). It also hosts free summer concerts with the Salzburg Philharmonie, making it a great mix of relaxation and culture.
Although they’re neighboring towns in the Gastein Valley, Bad Hofgastein has a cozier, more laid-back city center compared to Bad Gastein. Both towns are worth visiting, but Bad Hofgastein feels smaller and more intimate, while Bad Gastein is known for its dramatic architecture and famous waterfall.
Bad Hofgastein is known as a ski paradise in winter, but summer has just as much to offer — from strolling the town center and thermal bathing at Alpentherme Gastein, to free classical concerts and great local restaurants.
Hotel Blu Gastein is centrally located with great food and rooftop views over the town. For those traveling by motorhome, Bertahof Camping is a good option just outside the city center.
Kraut & Ruben is a well-established vegetarian and vegan restaurant with a large menu, while Hotel Blu Gastein offers a more modern menu with outdoor terrace seating right in the town center.
This trip was part of a press trip! All thoughts and opinions are our own!
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