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 would be to a place where Hollywood and Alpine charm merge into a real-life tourist destination: Bad Gastein, Austria.
Knowing the Austrian Alps aren’t near any major cities like Vienna, it was a pleasant surprise to find the MONDI Hotel Bellevue Gastein through my HGV Max membership, a Hilton Grand Vacations program that gives Members access to more properties in more destinations such as Germany, Hungary, Mexico and, of course, Austria.
Shoulder Season Saved On Points
As part of the MONDI chain of resorts, the MONDI Hotel Bellevue Gastein is available for Hilton Grand Vacations Members to book using points.
We noticed a reduction in the number of points required when booking the resort in late May, a shoulder season just before the summer rush. We were able to book a 1-Bedroom Suite for that week, which provided comfortable accommodation for me, my wife and our son Zak.
Arriving At Bad Gastein
Bad Gastein has been a popular winter resort since the 19th century. There are three key routes to this resort town from nearby major cities.
Bad Gastein has been a popular winter resort since the 19th century. There are three key routes to this resort town from nearby major cities.
From Munich, Germany, you can take multiple train connections or make the four-hour drive south.
From Vienna, Austria, you can take a train via Salzburg or a five-hour drive southwest.
From Bolzano, Italy, you can take a four-hour drive via Zell am See, heading east.
We chose the third option with a direct flight from Atlanta, Georgia to Milan, Italy. To sleep off the jet lag, we stayed one night at a Hilton property using our Hilton Honors benefits. We then drove through the scenic Dolomites before heading to Bad Gastein.
On our way, we found an interesting alternative route straight through the mountains that saved us about 45 minutes — a scenic 20-minute car-train ride from Mallnitz to Böckstein for just 25 euros. It felt like an exciting adventure —driving the car onto a train, boarding as normal passengers to ride under the Alps, then deboarding with our car to make the drive to Bad Gastein — just 10 minutes away!
Exploring The MONDI Bellevue Gastein Resort
The Bellevue resort is close to the highway, with dedicated parking and easy access to resort buildings via walking tunnels. The resort staff were welcoming and provided information on local attractions and events taking place during our stay.
The town’s Belle Époque architecture makes you feel as if you have traveled back to the past century. The 1-Bedroom Suite offered plenty of room for the three of us and included a kitchen, a large dining area, and a fold-down wall bed for our son. The view of the enchanting town and the surrounding mountains from our balcony was breathtaking.
Exploring Bad Gastein
Our resort was located in 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, which provided panoramic views of the town and ski activities during the winter months. The Stubnerkogel peak, next to the train station, was a 10-minute walk away.
With attractions, winding walkways and public water fountains throughout town, walking is the best way to explore Bad Gastein. Keep in mind to wear comfortable shoes, dress in layers, and carry a refillable water bottle. Temperatures between the city streets and the mountain peak can vary by as much as 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 rises to nearly 8,000 feet above Bad Gastein. For hikers, a scenic 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 in less than 30 minutes. You can also drive up a narrow road in the summer months when the weather allows.
Once at the top, enjoy the gorgeous view of three neighboring towns surrounded by 24 peaks! There are multiple observation towers and trails to explore, with plenty of benches along the way for resting.
The Stubner Café, located at the cable car station, is a perfect stop or start for your mountain exploration, with hearty meals, hot drinks or bakery treats. The café also connects to Austria's tallest suspension bridge, which you can cross above the clouds while taking memorable pics and clips.
Visiting Salzburg And Werfen
Bad Gastein is located in Salzburg province. This region is featured in many movies and is known for its castles. Classic films such as “The Sound of Music,” “Where Eagles Dare”, and the second season of the series “9 Perfect Strangers” were filmed in this region. Also, the Christmas carol “Silent Night” was composed nearby.
Salzburg, famous for its salt mines and as the birthplace of famous composers like Mozart and Haydn, is about an hour’s drive north. 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 a half hour’s drive north of Bellevue Resort, features Fortress Hohenwerfen perched atop a cliff. This amazing castle is open for 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 Tyrolean folk museum.
Other Attractions Near Bad Gastein
Zell Am See, a charming lakeside town by the Austrian Alps, is about a 40-minute drive west of Bad Gastein. It's an ideal stop on the way to the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, one of Europe's top 10 mountain passes, which winds through 300 peaks in the High Tauern Mountains. It features Grossglockner, the highest peak of Austria! In part two of this blog, I’ll discuss our visit to this region.
Hallstatt, located in the Salzkammergut region, is known as the most “Instagrammable” village in Europe. Major attractions here include the historic salt mine and the Skywalk platform. Hallstatt is about a 90-minute drive east of Bad Gastein.
Final Thoughts
We found the MONDI Bellevue Resort at Bad Gastein to be a perfect base for exploring the Austrian Alps and the nearby castle region of Austria. The resort offers a perfect balance of comfort, history and alpine living with attentive staff and well-arranged facilities like parking, a sauna, a fitness center 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.
Key Takeaways
Shoulder Season Travel Maximizes Value: Booking a Hilton Grand Vacations-affiliated resort like MONDI Bellevue Gastein in late May can deliver stronger point value and better availability.
Bad Gastein Is Easy To Reach With Planning: Scenic routes from Munich, Vienna or northern Italy offer flexibility, including a memorable car-train journey through the Alps.
A Walkable Alpine Town Enhances The Experience: Bad Gastein’s compact layout allows visitors to explore restaurants, shops, waterfalls and trails on foot.
Stubnerkogel Delivers Iconic Mountain Views: A short cable car ride provides access to observation platforms, hiking paths, and Austria’s longest suspension bridge.
An Ideal Base For Regional Day Trips: Staying in Bad Gastein makes it easy to explore Salzburg, Werfen, Hallstatt and Zell am See.
FAQs
Q: When is the best time to visit Bad Gastein?
A: Late spring and early summer offer pleasant weather, fewer crowds and better value when booking with points compared to peak travel months.
Q: What’s the best way to get to Bad Gastein?
A: Travelers can reach the town by train or car from Munich or Vienna, or by flying into northern Italy and driving through the Dolomites for a scenic route.
Q: Is it easy to get around Bad Gastein without a car?
A: Yes, the town is compact and walkable, with most attractions, trails and amenities accessible on foot.
Q: What are the must-see attractions near Bad Gastein?
A: Highlights include Stubnerkogel peak, Salzburg’s historic sites, Fortress Hohenwerfen in Werfen, and nearby alpine destinations like Hallstatt and Zell am See.
