bad hofgastein

Bad Hofgastein is situated in one of the more open and sunny sections of the Gasteinertal, where the valley widens out before rising to the neighbouring resort of Bad Gastein.

Like its more renowned neighbour to the south, Bad Hofgastein is also a spa town, with a thermal bath area as well as an extensive ski resort. But the destination itself is more of a traditional style of Austrian resort, rather than the more historic and "town"-type setting of Bad Gastein.

Elevation: 857 metres

bad hofgastein austria

Bad Hofgastein was originally the main administrative town, market and court (thus the "Hof" in the name) in the Gastein valley.

The position was one reason - it was located on an important trade route through Austria between northern Europe and Italy. Another was the important mining industry situated in the mountains around the settlement.

Once the minerals ran out the town declined until the boom from the thermal baths in the 19th century (along with the more 'adventurous' radon pools) The ski resort was opened in the late 1940s and has since been extended and linked to the neighbouring Bad Gastein area.

Most of the hotel accommodation can be found around the pedestrian centre of the village, although there are some establishments in smaller hamlets up and down the valley.

The Bad Hofgastein ski area is on the Schlossalm and reaches an altitude of 2300m on the western side of the valley. It connects to the Bad Gastein ski area via the Angertal ski centre.
More information about Skiing in Bad Hofgastein

The Gasteinertal (the Gastein valley) is relatively easy to access, with good road and rail connections. The most convenient airport is Salzburg airport.
More information about Travel to Bad Hofgastein

bad hofgastein hotels

Bad Hofgastein has a different ambience from its neighbour Bad Gastein. Both share thermal baths, "Kur" promenades and spa centres, but Bad Hofgastein is far more a typical type of Austrian village with a good mix of luxury through to family hotels clustered around a central pedestrian area.

featured hofgastein hotels

Grand Park Hotel *****
Kurgartenstrasse 26
A-5630 Bad Hofgastein
Tel: 06432-6356
www.grandparkhotel.at

Hotel Zum Stern
Weitmoserstrasse 33
A-5630 Bad Hofgastein
Tel: 06432-8450
www.zumstern.com

The map below displays a selection of five-, four- and three-star hotels in Bad Hofgastein and the surrounding villages, as well as the main ways up into the ski area. (The initial map shows the area around Bad Hofgastein in order to fit the railway station onto it but you can zoom the map in and out by using the controls and also switch between satellite and traditional map views.)