Sights and excursions
Excursions and places of interest in Salzburger Land
Gastein Valley and more: discover Salzburg during your holiday
There are lots of interesting excursions which await you in Gastein Valley! Learn interesting facts in the museums; when you visit palaces and castles you can take a trip back in time to the year 1803 when Salzburg was an autonomous state, or be amazed at the various natural monuments, such as the ‘Entrische’ cave and the Giant Ice Caves in Werfen.
Excursions in Gastein Valley
Alpentherme Bad Hofgastein
The modern Alpine thermal spring in Bad Hofgastein scores points with its six different adventure and health areas. The glass Sky-Bar with a 360-degree panoramic view which is beyond compare will also enthral you! Multimedia-Erlebnisdom, water slides and geysers, the spacious sauna area which has its own mountain lake, place a completely new emphasis on experiencing Gastein’s domain of thermal springs.
In Relax-World you will find the quiet thermal springs for recovery and relaxation, while families with children will have wild fun in Family World. The hottest village in the Gastein Alps awaits you in Sauna World, and in Ladies World, a unique saunarium, ladies find themselves amongst their own kind. In Sports World, sporty holiday-makers are in the best of hands. In Gusto World, the thermal spring’s restaurant in Alpentherme Gastein, everyone finally gets to meet up! As a guest at AlpenParks Residence Bad Hofgastein, you can get your tickets for the thermal spa at the Residence Reception.
Opening hours and prices for Alpentherme Bad Hofgastein
Alpentherme Bad Hofgastein is open to visitors daily from 9.00 a.m. until 9.00 p.m., and until 10.00 p.m. from Thursdays to Saturdays.
The entry prices quoted are valid until 30th November 2008, and until cancelled.
| Entry prices for Alpentherme | |
|---|---|
| Adult 4 hours | € 20.50 |
| Child 4 hours | € 13.00 |
| Adult day ticket | € 24.50 |
| Child day ticket | € 15.00 |
| Adult 4 hours with guest card | € 19.50 |
| Child 4 hours with guest card | € 12.50 |
| Adult day ticket with guest card | € 23.00 |
| Child day ticket with guest card | € 14.50 |
| Family day ticket 2 adults and 2 children/teenagers Each additional child and each additional teenager free entry with guest card |
€ 67.50 |
| Combi-day ticket thermal spa, sauna and fitness world with guest card |
€ 29.50 |
| Combi-day ticket thermal spa, sauna and fitness world | € 31.00 |
Alpentherme Gastein
Sen-W.-Wilfingplatz 1
A-5630 Bad Hofgastein
Tel.: +43/6432/8293-0
Felsentherme Gastein
A similarly exciting and relaxing offer awaits you in Felsentherme in the centre of Gastein. Relax in the peaceful thermal spring, which has warm thermal water at 32 degrees Celsius, in the re-designed Felsenhalle. You’ll doubtless be impressed by the extraordinary architecture.
The luxury thermal spa which is approximately 600 m² offers numerous attractions, such as a water flow channel, interactive adventure slide, a pool for little children and a rock grotto. It goes without saying that children especially will feel pretty good here.
Sports pool, a relaxing pool and a children’s fairytale pool can be found in the outdoor thermal spa, surrounded by the magnificent panorama of the Gastein Alps. In the fitness area all sports enthusiasts can hone their endurance and fitness on the most modern equipment. The highest point of Felsentherme Gastein is the panorama-Wellness area, which has saunas, a sun world and a naturist area.
| Opening hours for Felsentherme Gastein | |
|---|---|
| Thermal springs from 01.04.2008 | 9.00 a.m. - 9.00 p.m. |
| Panorama-Wellness area (sauna area) from 01.04.2008 last infusion: 30 mins. before closing |
10.00 a.m. - 8.30 p.m. |
| Specialist institute for massage, cosmetics and foot care | |
| Cosmetics: Monday to Friday Saturday |
10.00 a.m. - 6.00 p.m. on request |
| Massage daily Pre-registration by telephone requested: 06434-20213 |
from 11.00 a.m. |
| Panorama restaurant Hot meals |
10.00 a.m. - 9.00 p.m. 11.30 a.m. - 9.00 p.m. |
| Entry prices summer 2008 | |
| The following tariffs apply for adults from 1 April 2008: | |
| Adult 3 hour ticket | € 18.50 |
| 3 hour ticket with guest card | € 17.50 |
| Day ticket | € 20.50 |
| Day ticket with guest card | € 19.50 |
There are numerous tariffs for families, children and special tariffs. Please enquire direct to Felsentherme Gastein. Attractive offers for restorative hours await you in Therme Gastein, with the attractive Wellness offer.
Felsentherme Gastein
Bahnhofsplatz 9
5640 Bad Gastein
Tel.: +34/6434/2535
‘Entrische Kirche’ cave
The natural monument ‘Entrische Höhle’ is a large natural cave in its original state near Klammstein in Gastein Valley. ‘Entrisch’ means ‘eerie’ in English, and it is indeed a little bit spooky in the large halls, with their impressive dripstones and sinter formations. From the Sunday before Easter, until the start of October (except Tuesdays) you can go on a guided tour of the largest natural cave in the Salzburg Central Alps as part of a guided tour run by state-certified cave guides. The ‘entrische’ cave walk lasts around 50 minutes. Please note that even in summer the cave is very cool, some 6 degrees Celsius, so you should consider wearing warm clothing and sturdy footwear!
The guided ‘Große Höhlentour’ is a real experience for genuine cave fans. During the 5 to 6 hours you get to see the ‘Entrische Kirche’ from many perspectives. Please note: the ‘Große Höhlentour’ is only available upon pre-registeration.
It’s around a 35 minute walk via a nature trail to get to the natural cave ‘Entrische Kirche’ from the car-parking area on ‘Bundesstraße’ 167 (the main road) in Klammstein. The entrance to the cave is located at 1040 metres sea level. Of note - the ‘Entrische Kirche’ has for many decades provided very popular wintering grounds for bats.
Information on ‘Entrischen Kirche’ and to sign up for hikes with Richard Erlmoser, state-certified cave guide, Tel.: +43/6433/7695 or Mobile: +43/664/9861347
Klammstein Castle
In Dorfgastein big and small fans of the Middle Ages can conquer Klammstein Castle. The castle buildings which originate from the 13th century are worth a visit in summer and in winter. The medieval castle is accessible via a slip road on the Klammpass at the entrance to Gastein Valley. The museum and exhibition communicates interesting facts to families about life in the castle and in Gastein Valley. Afterwards refreshment in the Knight’s Hall by the open fire, with a hearty snack, or a traditional knight’s meal, is just the ticket. Particularly popular amongst families with children is the treasure hunt afterwards, with ghost walk.
Klammstein Castle is open all year round from 11.00 a.m. until 6.00 p.m. (Closed Mondays). Guided tours of the castle take place daily from 1.00 p.m.
To register and get information contact Adi Ferner Tel.: +43/6433/7603 or +43/6432/6285
Excursions in Salzburger Land
Salzburger Land and the regional capital of Salzburg offer other interesting excursions, which will make your holiday in Austria an unforgettable experience. All sights are easy to get to either with your own car, or on public transport.
Here are a few suggestions – you choose!
- Giant Ice Caves, Werfen: The largest ice caves in the world are sure to impress you. Werfen Ice Caves are only 51 kilometres away from your holiday location Bad Hofgastein; journey time is approximately 50 minutes.
- Hohenwerfen castle buildings: The fortress from the 11th century is very close to the Giant Ice Caves. Of special interest: falconry, theatre performances, and cultural events.
- Rauris: Go on an excursion to the neighbouring valley, Rauris Valley. Gold panning is on the agenda there! You can get to Rauris within 30 minutes by car (31 kilometres from Bad Hofgastein).
- Provincial capital Salzburg: Only 87 kilometres, mostly on the motorway, lie between you when you are on holiday in Bad Hofgastein from the festival and cultural city of Salzburg. Museums and theatres, Hohensalzburg Fortress and the delightful little pleasure palaces of Hellbrunn, the zoo and much more, provide interesting and diverse days.
Whatever you plan for your holiday in Salzburger Land, your ideal home during your holiday are the luxury apartments in AlpenParks Residence Bad Hofgastein. Enjoy the quiet and central location in the town’s pedestrianised zone, the ease of access to the thermal springs, the shops and restaurants in downtown Bad Hofgastein. Just ask! The team at the Alpenpark Resorts will be delighted to be able to put together a non-binding holiday offer for you.
Sights: the history and culture in Alpental Gastein
Gastein Valley has been populated since time immemorial, and on its southernmost side there are two important pass intersections. Even the Romans knew that the healing power of the thermal springs was to be prized and not later than the Royal Court in Vienna under Emperor Franz Josef took a cure in Gastein, the spa Gastein achieved world renown. History can be seen today in the form of artefacts and historical buildings which you can gaze in wonder at during your holiday in Gastein. Once a week Gastein Museum offers an historical tour - your access to centuries of history in Gastein Valley (information and register at Tel.: +43/6434/3488).
During your holiday in Gastein Valley you should pay a visit to the following sights:
- Klammstein Castle
- Gastein Museum Bad Gastein
- Montanmuseum Böckstein
- Pilgrimage church ‘Maria vom Guten Rat’ in Böckstein
- Roman tower in Dorfgastein
