This Austrian spa town draws visitors to its mineral-rich thermal waters and Gothic St. Stephan's Cathedral, while its Kurhaus casino adds to the evening social scene.
Baden sits 26 kilometers south of Vienna, where natural thermal springs reach temperatures of 36°C. You can swim in mineral-rich pools at the Thermalstrandbad, listen to classical concerts in the grand Kurhaus, or walk through the Vienna Woods to local wine cellars. In the 1820s, Ludwig van Beethoven wrote his Ninth Symphony while living in the town, and today you can visit his preserved apartment on Rathausgasse.
Thermal Springs and Spa Experience
Baden's fourteen thermal springs contain calcium carbonate and magnesium sulphate, which help treat rheumatism and joint conditions. The main thermal complex has five indoor and three outdoor pools, with temperatures between 22 and 36°C. At the Thermalstrandbad (open May-September), you'll find a sandy beach area, swimming lanes, and thermal pools. The medical center provides specific treatments: sulfur mud packs, thermal water immersion sessions, and targeted physiotherapy programs.
Getting Around Baden
You can walk between most attractions in Baden's compact center within 15 minutes. Trains depart from Vienna's Meidling station every 15 minutes, reaching Baden in 20 minutes. The Badner Bahn tram-train runs from Vienna's Opera House to Baden on a slower but scenic route through the countryside.
Musical Legacy and Cultural Sites
At the Beethovenhaus on Rathausgasse, you can see the rooms where Beethoven composed his Ninth Symphony. Visit Tuesday through Friday (16:00-18:00) or weekends (10:00-12:00). The Kurhaus hosts classical music concerts three times weekly in summer, while the City Theater runs operas and plays from September through May.
Vienna Woods Trails
Start at the Kurpark to access marked trails into the Vienna Woods. The Iron Gate trail (Hoher Lindkogel) takes 3 hours to climb 861 meters, with views extending to the Alps on clear days. Walk the 8-kilometer Wasserleitungsweg path through vineyards to reach Gumpoldskirchen village, where wine cellars serve local Rotgipfler and Zierfandler wines. In spring and autumn, local winemakers sell their wines from temporary stands along the trail.
