The town’s golden age has since passed, but its longstanding legacy is no less visible. Enchanting Belle Epoque hotels line streets cut into a steep mountainside that gives way to a 200-meter-long whooshing waterfall. The stunning grand dames of Bad Gastein have undeniably gorgeous bones but most are uninhabited, bringing an eerie quiet to the fairy tale setting. The most magnificent, the 11-story Grand de l’Europe Hotel, strikes the same note as Wes Anderson’s Grand Budapest Hotel.

With a high Alpine landscape, world-class skiing, and mineral-rich waters once referred to as the fountain of youth, this eclectic but almost-forgotten town teeters on the brink of rebirth. That’s because, over the last decade, creatives have made Bad Gastein their home, vowing to reawaken and renew its spirit.

This town is not for everyone, though. Those seeking five-star amenities in a ski-in/ski-out resort and designer boutiques best travel elsewhere. But if Marfa and Hudson were on your radar before they reached everyone else’s bucket list—and if you’re yearning to discover a place that feels yet-to-be-discovered—read on. Then book a flight to Munich or Salzburg before hopping on a train to Bad Gastein.

Under the arches in the center of town Photo: Courtesy of Elizabeth Wellington

What to Do

Because Bad Gastein is built into a gorge, it unfolds in tiered layers that make the average map tricky to follow. You’ll have to navigate up and down as well as left and right. Meander along the streets that lead deeper down into the valley from the suburban center (with its train station and ski lifts) to the rushing waterfall at the center of town. There’s a peaceful hum to such a powerful stream that’s undeniably soothing. From there, stroll out on Kaiser-Wilhelm-Promenade to take in the Belle Époque jewels from the town’s heyday.