From starry skies to Alpine peaks, sulphur-rich springs to fairytale forests, wellness in Austria is all about mindful moments spent in nature. We dive into its holistic history and identify the best ways for visitors to unwind outdoors. The idea of wellness in Austria goes far beyond steam rooms and saunas. Harnessing the healing powers of nature since Roman times, the country is well attuned to the soul-nourishing, mind-cleansing benefits of the outdoors.
The small town of Baden bei Wien, just a minute train hop from Vienna, was favoured by the Romans β and later Mozart, Beethoven, Strauss and the Hapsburg royals β for its sulphur-rich hot springs.
Sulphur springs can work miracles on the body, treating everything from skin conditions to stress and rheumatic complaints. Swap sulphur for salt at the Eurothermen Resort Bad Ischl in the Salzkammergut, once a popular summer holiday destination for Viennese royalty.
Bathe in the mineral-rich brine pools, relax in a restorative salt cave and float along a 34C thermal river gazing out on striking mountain views. Brine is said to have numerous health-affirming properties, from relieving pain to boosting circulation. The Eurothermen Resort also features a graduation tower β a blackthorn structure that produces salt by evaporation, so visitors can instead enjoy its restorative properties through inhalation.
Such is the strength of the relationship between nature and wellness in the country, it's no surprise that spa treatments in Austria often let nature take the lead too. Ingredients such as honey, hay, marmot oil and foraged herbs, from arnica to wild rose have long been used to benefit the body. Half the country is blanketed in trees, making it perfect for a stress-busting spot of forest bathing.
