The best thermal baths in the Gasteinertal, cut into the cliff beside the waterfall at the heart of town. The warm, mildly radon-bearing water fills indoor and outdoor pools, with steam rooms and saunas built into the rock. The outdoor pool — heated year-round, with views up to the waterfall — is the highlight. Bring a swimsuit and spend a morning or afternoon; it is one of the more genuinely restorative spa experiences in Austria.
The baths are open year-round, though hours vary by season. In winter the contrast between the outdoor pool and the cold mountain air is especially good. Admission is by the hour; day tickets are available. The entrance is right next to the main waterfall bridge, making it impossible to miss.