Recommendations for spa towns in the mountains or near a lake?

Posted by Jennifer (West Virginia) on 04/14/25 12:15 AM

Hi everyone,

I'm a part-time travel advisor seeking advice on behalf of a client who wants a wellness holiday in Austria. I know the country is brimming with options, so I'd appreciate any advice on narrowing down the choices.

The client wants to spend a week in peace, quiet, and fresh air in the mountains or near a lake. Towns that are secluded but walkable would be ideal, as she likes exploring on foot.

She plans to spend her days taking long walks and reading. Hotels with a spa/sauna are also a must.

She plans to fly to Munich or Vienna and will not rent a car. Towns should be accessible by train.

I appreciate any direction you have on areas that would suit these criteria. I really appreciate any help you can provide!

Posted by KGC

Alsenborn, Germany

04/14/25 07:04 AM

1888 posts

While not Austria, the place that immediately came to my mind is Chiemsee. Peace, check. Quiet, check. Spas, check. Easy to walk around, check. Accessable by train from Munich, check. If it was good enough for Holy Roman Emperor's...

Bad Tolz would work too.

Posted by wmt1

04/14/25 08:32 AM

2404 posts

There are hundreds of places in Austria you are looking for. Best would be to narrow down the region.

E.g. https://www.booking.com/spa/city/at/seefeld-in-tirol.html?lang=en-us

Posted by Emily

Vienna, Austria

04/14/25 09:34 AM

5634 posts

I suggest Bad Gastein - https://www.gastein.com/en/gastein/gastein-valley/bad-gastein/

Posted by mchpp

Oberpfalz, Germany

04/14/25 12:31 PM

1454 posts

I'd recommend Pertisau, Achensee again. Next to Naturpark Karwendel. I would not call it a "spa town," but some of the hotels have really grown and have full wellness. You have the lake, the Nature Park, several lifts in the area, Achensee - Tirols Sport & VitalPark, Zillertal half an hour away, Alpbach is acessable. You will have to use some bus transportation to get there and around. There is no old city and it can get crowded and expensive nowadays.

Edit... I just wanted to add some places are ""Textilfrei or naked Spas other than a towel. "Some nicer hotels have both.

There are a few very nice and expensive hotels in Ehrwald and Lemoos. I like the lift up to the Ehrwalder alm and the walk across the golf course between the two towns. The Tiroler Zugspitzbahn is nearby and there are a few small lakes in the mountains and the Eibsee in Germany. A little farther the Heiterwanger See and Plansee too. We have stayed at the Hotel Spielmann with half board several times during the winter months. Have only been here for a drink Hotel Post Lermoos.