Spas and Well Being in Austria

Spa in Austria

Just the idea of being in stunning surroundings, with snow covered mountains or lush green slopes all around you, depending on the time of year, is enough to make most people think seriously about going to Austria for a spa break. Yes, Austria is not just good for skiing holidays or the chance to hike through the mountains and across the slopes. A spa holiday may not be the first thing you think of when you’re planning a trip to Austria, but you can be sure that if this is what appeals to you, you’ll have lots of spa breaks and locations to choose from.

Is one spa much like another?

You may think a spa is just a spa, and the only decision you have to make when booking your spa break is where to stay. Should it be near the delightful city of Innsbruck? Or would you rather head for Salzburg? Perhaps somewhere further into the quietness of the mountains would appeal to you, far away from the excitement of the skiers?

Wherever you think about going, you can be sure you will have an impressive choice of spa types to choose from. There are thermal spas, perhaps one of the most familiar spa types of all. Alternatively, and since this is Austria, you have the option of going for the watery wonder of the lakeside spas, or the high altitude delights of the mountain spas. So whatever you want to be surrounded by while you’re away, you can find the perfect spa to do the job.

What are the benefits of choosing an Austrian spa holiday?

The title of this article really says it all. Of course you have the advantage of the scenery and the spa facilities wherever you go. But you also have the ability to take good care of your well being, and different spa resorts have different ways for you to do this.

For example, the Grand Park Hotel is a thermal spa situated in the Gasteiner Valley, and it has a thermal spring pool for you to use. With different types of saunas, a rose quartz steam bath and waterbeds too, you’ll certainly get the benefit of thermal properties here.

Alternatively if you want to explore the delights of a mountain spa, head for the five star surroundings of the Wellness Residenz Schalber in the Tyrol. It describes its offering as holistic and it truly has your well being at heart. The highlight is the ability to swim inside and outside without changing pools – a true experience if ever there was one.

Some spas are built around certain sports, with the idea that your well being is as much about activity as it is about relaxation. If this sounds good to you, check out the Quellenhotel and Spa. Here you can indulge in a game of tennis either indoors or outdoors, depending on the weather conditions. They also have golfing facilities. And when you’re done you can have a dip in one of seven thermal water pools – how’s that for bliss?

So how do you choose the right location and venue for the ideal spa and well being holiday in Austria?

First it is all about location. The mountains of Austria provide a stunning venue for any break, especially when you can take advantage of the freedom to enjoy the outdoor pools and thermal spas. But on the other hand you might feel attracted to the idea of a lakeside spa, with the expanse of water to enjoy. Those wanting the opportunity to play some sports as well as enjoying spa and well being facilities should look for something like the Quellenhotel and Spa mentioned above.

You should also think about whether you are going to stay at the spa or whether you want to do some sightseeing while you are in Austria as well. This might depend on the amount of time you will be staying at your chosen spa. For instance, if I had a weekend to spend in Austria at a spa resort, I’d be tempted to pick the best one I could find in an appealing ‘get away from it all’ location. Why hurry to pack in all the sights as well as enjoy the spa facilities? It would do nothing but make me stressed, which defeats the purpose of going to a spa in the first place.

However if I had a week to spare, I’d definitely book a spa and well being break somewhere close to Innsbruck (a personal favourite, having been there some years ago). I’d have the opportunity to try all the spa facilities as well as having a couple of days out exploring the local area, perhaps with some nice morning hikes followed by an afternoon relaxing at the spa.

Sounds promising, doesn’t it?

Look Back into the Past at Stift Stams

Some sights in Austria are guaranteed to take your breath away. The sight of the monastery known as Stams Abbey (Stift Stams) is definitely one of them. It certainly doesn’t shy away from its surroundings, demanding to be seen and noted even against the backdrop of some of the Tyrol’s finest and highest mountains.

The building dates back to 1273 and now, more than 700 years later, visitors are invited to take a guided tour to find out more about its history. There is a famous distillery here too, giving visitors the opportunity to see where the fruits of the surrounding area end up. And yes, you can purchase a number of items from the nearby shop, including alcoholic drinks and cider vinegar.

It’s worth remembering this is still a working monastery and convent, and as such the monks here can be seen going about their usual business. They run the tours as well as working in the distillery and bakery, and they also take good care of the grounds. A visit to the abbey is definitely an experience you may not have had before; it is a fine way to get an insight into how life is lived in this part of the Tyrol – and has been for centuries.

Try the Nordkettenbahnen – the Cable Railway

One of the most captivating things about Innsbruck is the contrasts that make it what it is today. There are sweepingly dramatic mountain landscapes, coupled with appealing shopping areas, classic history and a delectable range of coffee shops and restaurants to welcome you in. There is little not to love about it, for sure.

But now there is one additional thing to love, thanks to the Nordkettenbahnen, otherwise known as the cable railway. The railway operates every fifteen minutes, and whatever you may be doing in Innsbruck you should make the time to catch a cable car from there to be taken up the mountain. You’ll travel nearby 1700 metres upwards en route to your mountainous destination, giving you plenty of opportunity to get the camera out to mark the moment.

If you thought there were plenty of photo opportunities in Innsbruck itself, you’ll be met with plenty more as you head up the mountain and rise above the city. Regardless of the time of year you choose to make this journey, you’ll be amazed at the views that unfold above and below you as you creep up the mountain.

The views are stunning when there are blankets of snow settling down below and all around you, but even when the blanket is green with foliage during the summer, it looks quite remarkable. If you are lucky enough to visit during both seasons, you’ve a real treat in store as you witness both landscapes.

Exploring the Kaufhaus Tyrol shopping mall in Innsbruck

There are many reasons to visit Innsbruck, so you don’t really need another one. But just in case you’re not quite sold on the idea of heading to the most charming and vibrant part of the Tyrol, here’s one that might tip the odds.

The Kaufhaus Tyrol is a huge shopping space that is simultaneously appealing, enthralling and very welcoming indeed. Austria in general is known for its coffee shops, resplendent as they are not just with coffee but with traditional Austrian treats and sweets. If you’re likely to shop until you drop, there are plenty of well situated venues to sit down in for a drink and a bite to eat until you get the feeling back in your feet!

One of the best things about Kaufhaus Tyrol is the incredibly welcoming feeling you get as soon as you walk along its streets. The downtown area offers a whole range of shops to cater for every need, all the while sharing space with those delectable cafes and establishments offering parasols, comfy chairs and tables to relax at. If you love nothing better than to watch the world go by, you can watch this particular part of the Tyrol more closely than ever thanks to the well planned area that is the Kaufhaus Tyrol in Innsbruck.

There are many reasons to love Innsbruck, not just to visit it. The newly reopened Kaufhaus Tyrol represents just another reason why this should be added to your (long) list of things to do in the area. 

See some pictures on their Facebook page here or contact each shop individually here .

Enjoy!

Natterer See Holiday Resort

Exploring the Natterer See Holiday Resort



The best holiday means finding the best holiday resort to stay in. Innsbruck is a popular destination for many people in Austria, and if you’re focused on seeing that and other highlights of the country, head for the holiday resort at Natterer See.



The resort is perfect for camping but it also has rooms and apartments if you’re not the type to enjoy bedding down in a tent every night. There’s more than one place to find something to eat too, with the signature See Restaurant topping the list. They’ve also packed in a Pizzeria and there are plenty of spots to relax and eat your meals too. Look out for the pavilions if you’re after a romantic dinner with the one you love.


This is the type of holiday resort you could spend your whole break in, without ever stepping foot outside. But since you’re near the likes of Innsbruck, the Brenner Pass and some of the most charming surroundings in the whole of Austria, it’s worth getting out and about too. It’s just nice to know you’ve got somewhere warm and homely to go back to once you’ve done your exploring for the day. Don’t miss the superb options the Natterer See resort brings you

The Sounds of the Alps

The Austrian Alps form a stunning backdrop to any visit, particularly for a long-running musical set in Austria. Of course, I am referring to The Sound of Music. Set in Salzburg and the Austrian Alps, the majestic scenery adds to this classic musical film. And you can walk, eat, and sleep in it, just as thousands of others have.

Innsbruck is a great destination to start a walking tour. Nestled in the Tirolian Alps, Innsbruck was built around the bridge over the river Inn (bruck means bridge), where travelers could find rest at one of the city’s hotels or inns. To the north of the city are some great hikes and treks in the Karwendel Alpine Park. This can be reached by cable car from one of the resorts around Innsbruck, and day trips are easy to arrange. Buses travel frequently to the outlier villages around Innsbruck, such as Igls, Mutters, or Telfes, where you can enjoy the wildernesses available in Austria.

One unusual walk we’ve discovered is a herbal walk that starts in Oberau, barely just inside Germany. It features a herb farm, Holzalm Farm, at 3,600 feet, and the knowledgeable expert who accompanies the walk every Tuesday will leave you filled with the knowledge of herbal lore. It’s only a short bus ride from Innsbruck, so it’s well worth seeing if you’re interested in herbs.
Achensee is a lake in the center of Tirol between Rofangebirge to the east and the Karwendel Mountains to the west. This warm alpine lake, fed by a glacier, offers the chance of wonderful nature walks. We got some lovely shots of flora and fauna during our hikes, so it’s a real photography lover’s area. Part of the Tyrolean Eagle walk passes through Achensee, so if you are cycling or walking through the area, spend a day exploring the stunning scenery.

Spas and baths are another attraction of Tirol, which lead to a visit to The Bad Häring Spa Center. Bad, as it happens, just means the town has a spa or hot water spring (i.e., a bath). It’s a sulfur bath, so it has an interesting smell, but the treatments offered were very relaxing—just what we needed after a week of walking.

If you’re up for some mountaineering, the via ferrate (iron road) or Klettersteige offer a great way to explore more isolated mountains without the risk of injury or falling. These routes use iron ladders, maintained ropes, and other methods to make the mountains more accessible to all. While my partner thinks it’s cheating to use a ladder to scramble up the side of a cliff, it does make the higher peaks available to anyone, and experienced mountaineers can always use the traditional (harder) methods of scrabbling up the side of several billion tons of rock. Either way, pay attention to the difficulty of each route, and you can often find extra information in your hotel or apartment about the precise routes and difficulties.

Tirol is one of the most travelled to areas in Austria, so be prepared to find lots of like-minded people trekking with you. It’s a great experience wherever you go, and as long as your voice isn’t as terrible as mine, you can even sing something from the Sound of Music.

Oh Little Town in Austria . . .

Austria is full of little towns where we have stayed and enjoyed the local delicacies. While big metropolitan areas are always fun to visit, both my partner and I grew up in rural areas, which mean we love the little towns and villages that dot Austria’s landscape. Whether we’re staying in a small pension or hotel in a town or have found a zimmer in a village, we find these small clumps of houses really reveal the heart of Austria.

For sheer Austrian beauty, you cannot go wrong with the town of Hallstatt. Set on Hallstatter See, a large lake in Upper Austria, it is one of the most picturesque towns you’ll ever visit. When covered in snow, it looks like a gingerbread house town, although it may be a little salty thanks to the salt mines in the area. These mines serve as one of the town’s tourist attractions, as does the town’s ossuary, a place where the bones of the dead are stored. The reason everyone goes here, though is for the relaxation, the walks, and the views. It’s a wonderful place to be.

Pertisau in Tyrol is a lovely summer and winter village. In winter, it has the great ski slopes that dominate the Tyrolean Alps. In summer, it has access to the lush warm waters of Achensee and the gorgeous mountains around it. It’s not as pretty as Hallstatt, but the food is better.

Feldbach in eastern Styria is a lovely sleepy town set in the rolling vineyards. It has a great mediaeval feel about it, and the castles surrounding it just reinforce that sense of being back in 1200. Of course, the wine that comes out of that region also makes you feel like you’re somewhere in the dark ages, although that could just be the hangover. While you’re there, visit Bad Gleichenberg where there is a spa.

Mürzzuschlag in Lower Austria is always worth a visit as it has some great wild trails and some lovely cycling routes. If you’re interested in railways, there is a railway museum and several other sights. In winter, it has some great skiing nearby, so it’s a fantastic place to eat and sleep between days of skiing. The hotels are often cheaper than their Tyrolean equivalents.

Villach and Landskron in Carinthia have several little interesting bits to explore. The nearby castle, Burgruine Landskron, dominates the local landscapes, and falconers regularly display their birds there. In addition there are a lot of monkeys there, and no, we don’t mean our fellow tourists. The castle holds a collection of macaque monkeys in the Affenberg. When you’re done with the castle, you can explore Ossiachersee, a nearby lake that offers the usual scenic walks and diversions.

Austria’s towns and villages are far too numerous to be listed here, but these are some of our favorites. Hotels and zimmers are usually easy to find, so enjoy your trip to Austria in comfort.

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