NOTE: This Blog is a compact version of my original article published in Hilton Grand Vacation Gateway Guide. Visit the full article here for details including other HGV articles and resources.
Introduction & Planning The Trip
My wife and I love watching movies and often talk about exploring destinations from classic films. Little did we know that our first trip to the Austrian Alps in the summer of 2023 will take us to a place where Hollywood and alpine charm merge into a real-life tourist destination! In this first of two blog articles about Austrian Alps, we will discuss exploring Bad Gastein, Austria.
We knew the Austrian Alps are not near any major cities like Vienna, so it was a pleasant surprise to find the MONDI Bellevue resort using the HGV website. As part of the MONDI chain of resorts it is available for HGV members. We noticed significant differences in points when booking the resort in a semi-off-peak season like late May, right before the summer rush. We were able to book a 1-bedroom suite for that week that provided comfortable accommodation for myself, my wife and our son Zak.
Arriving at Badgastein with some Sightseeing on the Way
Bad Gastein has been famous as a winter resort since the 19th century. There are 3 key routes to this resort town from nearby major cities.
- From Munich, Germany you can take multiple train connections or take a 4-hour drive south.
- From Vienna, Austria you can take a train via Salzburg or a 5-hour drive southwest.
- From Bolzano, Italy you can take a 4-hour drive via Zell Am See heading east.
With a direct flight from Atlanta, GA to Milan, Italy on Delta Airlines, we opted for the 3rd option. To sleep off the jet lag we had a 1 night stay at a Hilton using our Hilton Honors benefits. Then drove through the scenic Italian Dolomites region before heading to Bad Gastein.
On our way, we found an interesting alternative route straight through the mountains that saved us about 45 mins – a scenic 20-mins “train car” ride for just 25 EURO from Mallnitz to Bockstein. It felt like an exciting adventure, driving the car into a train, boarding as normal passengers for a ride under the Alps, then deboarding with our car and driving to Bad Gastein just 10 minutes away!
Exploring the MONDI Bellevue Gastein Resort
The Bellevue resort is close to the Highway, with an exclusive parking area and easy access via walking tunnels to the resort buildings. The resort staff was very welcoming and provided us with attractions and event information during our stay. The town’s ‘Belle Epoque’ architecture style makes you feel time-travelling back to the past century. The 1-bedroom suite offered plenty of room for the three of us with a kitchen and large dining area and a large collapsible wall-bed for our son Zak. The view of the enchanting town and the surrounding mountains from our balcony was breathtaking.
Exploring Bad Gastein
Our resort was located at the heart of the town. The main entrance was close to restaurants and shops, while the back entrance was a few hundred yards from the famous waterfall in the town center. The parking lot up the hill was near Bellevue Alm Alpine lodge offering panoramic views of the town and ski activities during winter months. The Stubnerkogel Peak next to the train station was a 10-minute walk.
With close proximity to all the attractions, winding walkways and drinking water fountains all over town, walking is the best option to explore Bad Gastein. Keep in mind to wear comfortable shoes, layered clothes that you can take off or put back on, and carry a water bottle to refill around town free of charge. Temperatures between the city streets and the mountain peak can vary up to 30 degrees Fahrenheit! A camera with a steady holder to take pictures and short clips is a must-have accessory here.
Visiting Stubnerkogel in the High Tauern Mountains
Stubnerkogel sits in the middle of Bad Gastein, rising to nearly 8000 feet! For hikers, a lovely trail winds upward to the first cable car stop. For the rest of us, taking the cable car is the comfortable option that climbs to the peak via a short stop in under 30 minutes. You can also drive up through a narrow road in summer months when the weather allows.
Once at the top, enjoy the gorgeous view of the 3 neighboring towns surrounded by 24 peaks! There are multiple observation towers and trails to explore with plenty of benches in between for resting.
The ‘Stubner’ cafe, located at the cable car station, is a perfect stop or start on your mountain exploration with a hearty meal, hot drinks or bakery treats. The cafe connects to the tallest suspension bridge in Austria that you can cross above the clouds while taking memorable pics and clips!
Visiting Historic Castles and movie lore in Salzburg and Werfen
Bad Gastein is located in Salzburg province. This region is featured in many movies and is notable for castles. Classic films like ‘The Sound of Music’, ‘Where Eagles Dare’ and the 2nd season of ‘9 perfect strangers’ tv series were shot in this region. ‘Silent Night’ was composed in a town near our resort!
Salzburg, famous for Salt Mines and birthplace of great composers like Mozart and Hayden, is an hour drive north of our resort. Notable attractions include Hohensalzburg Fortress with a panoramic view of the city, the Mirabell palace and garden, and Mozart’s residence which is now also a museum.
Werfen, a tiny village about 30 mins drive north of Bellevue Resort, features fortress Hohenwerfen perched atop a cliff. This amazing castle is open to public and private tours. The tour includes areas used in the movie ‘Where Eagles Dare’ starring Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood, a trip to the Bell Tower with an amazing view of the village and a Tirolian witchcraft museum.
Other Attractions near Badgastein
Zell Am See, a charming lakeside town by the Austrian Alps, is about 40 mins drive west of Bad Gastein. It’s an ideal stop on the way to ‘Grossglockner High Alpine Road’, one of the top 10 mountain passes of Europe that winds through 300 peaks of the High Tauern Mountain. It features Grossglockner, the highest peak of Austria! In the next article we discuss our visit to this region.
Hallstatt, tucked in Upper Austria’s stunning Salzkammergut region, is known as the “most Instagrammable” village in Europe. Major attractions here include the historic salt mine and Skywalk platform. Hallstatt is about 90 mins drive east of Bad Gastein.
Final Thoughts
We found the MONDI Bellevue Resort at Badgastein to be a perfect base for exploring the Austrian Alps and nearby castle region of Austria. The resort is a perfect balance of comfort, history and alpine living with attentive staff and well arranged facilities like parking, sauna, gym and restaurant. The scenic view, excursion opportunities and family friendly vibe make this location an ideal choice for a summer or winter vacation for couples and families.