Hostels in Bad Gastein, Austria

Bad Gastein is a lovely, small Austrian spa town, situated in the St. Johann im Pongau district of the state of Salzburg. Lying at around a thousand metres above sea level, in the midst of Hohe Tauren National Park and the Gastein Valley, the city is known for offering some of the finest mountain views, as well as a wide selection of indoor and outdoor activities throughout the whole year. Although you would perhaps expect only high-class and expensive accommodations, there are actually a couple of very good Bad Gastein hostel options that you can find close to the train station. As the town gets quite some visitors, especially during the wintertime, it is certainly not a bad idea to make a reservation months ahead. Bad Gastein and the surrounding areas are a popular destination particularly for hikers and winter sports enthusiasts, although there is something for almost everyone. Numerous hiking trails are waiting to be explored; skiers and snowboarders can enjoy the fun at one of the four Gastein's ski areas, and various spa and wellness facilities make up for a wonderful experience. Another reason to visit Bad Gastein is the breathtaking waterfall that is just under three hundred fifty metres high and is is situated right in the centre of the town, but can be admired from different vantage points. Other interesting sights include the suspension footbridge on the Stubnerkogel (Hängebrücke Stubnerkogel), Stone Pine Magic on the Graukogel (known for its ancient pine trees, some of which are almost four hundred years old), Klammstein Castle (Burg Klammstein), Gastein Museum, The Warm Fountains, St. Nicholas' Church (Nikolauskirche from the fifteenth century), Preimskirche (the parish church from the nineteenth century) and Kaiser Wilhelm Promenade. Bad Gastein may not be one of the largest or most recognizable Austrian towns, but it is definitely a great place to relax and get a breath of fresh mountain air.