Bad Ischl | The Emperor's Villa & Spa in Salzkammergut

In this article, we’ve compiled the most comprehensive information about Bad Ischl and the activities it offers.

The Story of the Town
Recommended Hotels
Weather
Main Attractions
- Emperor’s Villa
- Spa
- Museums
- Cable Car to the Summit
Recommended Cafes
How to Get from Vienna
Additional Essential Information
Recommended Attractions in the Bad Ischl Area

The Story of the Town Bad Ischl

The spa town was established in the 12th century AD and quickly gained special rights as a trading town. The abundant salt found in the area played an important role in establishing its central and important status, and in the 16th century, salt mining and salt evaporation began in this region.

In the early 19th century, a trend of using saline waters for medicinal purposes began. Bad Ischl, which had been known as a salt center for many years, became a popular spa resort attracting many nobles from across the empire.

One of the important figures who came to this area for healing purposes was Empress Sophie, mother of Emperor Franz Joseph. For many years, Empress Sophie was unable to have children, and she would immerse herself in the salt waters hoping it would bring healing. To her great joy, she eventually managed to give birth to 4 sons (known as the “Salt Princes”), and the eldest of them was Franz Joseph, who later became Emperor of the Empire.

Emperor Franz Joseph developed his love for the Lake District, especially Bad Ischl, from infancy, and it’s no surprise that he regularly vacationed in the town for 60 years. Franz Joseph proposed to his beloved Duchess Sisi in Bad Ischl, and the celebrations were held in a magnificent hotel on the riverbanks in the town center. As a wedding gift, the newlywed couple received a magnificent and royal villa in Bad Ischl (Kaiservilla) from the groom’s mother, Empress Sophie. The villa became the summer residence of Franz Joseph and his wife Sisi, and the Emperor always described it as “paradise on earth.”

The frequent visits of the Emperor and his wife to Bad Ischl made the town extremely popular, earning it the esteemed nickname “The Vienna of the Lake District.” Artists, philosophers, and musicians also came to vacation in the town. Important figures like Johann Strauss, Franz Lehár, Sigmund Freud, Alfred Nobel, and Anton Bruckner visited the place, and some even had private vacation apartments in the town.

It’s hard not to notice the town’s regality and its strong connection to the Austrian royalty and aristocracy. In every corner, you can admire the well-maintained buildings with various paintings and decorations, statues of the Habsburgs, and of course, the Emperor’s wonderful summer residence.

A very important historical event that affected the entire world also took place in the magnificent villa. In 1914, the Emperor signed the declaration of war on the Kingdom of Serbia, which was effectively the opening shot of World War I. After the war began, the Emperor left the villa and never returned to it.

A quick tour through Bad Ischl:

Recommended Hotels in Bad Ischl

As you can imagine, there are many excellent hotels and guesthouses in the town. The most luxurious hotel is called Royal Hotel (also known as Eurothermen Resort), and next to it is the town’s large spa. This is a very indulgent and regal hotel. You can read reviews, see photos, and book a room at the Royal Hotel by clicking here.

Another beautiful place to stay in town is the old and impressive Villa Seilern. You can read reviews, see photos, and book a room at the villa by clicking here.

Another luxurious hotel located right on the river is called Goldenes Schiff (The Golden Ship) and offers a pleasant stay with wonderful views and a short distance to the town center. You can read reviews, see photos, and book a room at the Golden Ship hotel by clicking here.

Of course, there are many other places. You can see the full list of accommodation options in Bad Ischl here or check directly on the map.

Weather in Bad Ischl

The Bad Ischl area is relatively rainy, but in the summer months, it’s very pleasant to visit. In June, July, and August, temperatures are comfortable, ranging from 20 to 25 degrees Celsius, and there are many hours of daylight. However, the summer months are the rainiest of the year, with an average of about 17 rainy days. October has the least rainfall, but it starts to get cold. In winter, temperatures hover around 0 degrees Celsius, so outdoor excursions will be less pleasant. A visit to the heated spa in winter is a wonderful experience.

When you’re out and about, especially if you plan to take the cable car up the nearby Katrin mountain, it’s advisable to pack several layers. It’s recommended to wear thin clothing close to the body, and warmer clothing on top, including a rain and windproof jacket. An umbrella in your bag or car is always recommended.

View the updated forecast

Main Attractions in Bad Ischl

For visitors to the town, there are several beautiful and enjoyable attractions awaiting. We’ve compiled the most important information about Bad Ischl’s best attractions here.

Emperor’s Villa (Kaiservilla)

The summer residence of Franz Joseph and Sisi now serves as a museum depicting their lives in the town and showcasing the original items that were in the villa when the royals resided there. The villa’s rooms are beautiful, though not exceptionally so, and compared to the palaces in Vienna, the villa appears somewhat understated. A visit to the villa is only possible as part of a guided tour lasting approximately 45 minutes. The tour passes through the villa’s rooms, where you can see the antique furniture, impressive artworks, and many hunting-related items, which was the Emperor’s main hobby. The tour also showcases the private living quarters and the Emperor’s study, where he signed the declaration of war that started World War I.

Around the villa, there are impressive gardens designed in an English style, with the ancient tea house in their center where Empress Sisi used to dine. The tea house now serves as a photography museum.

Please note: The tour is in German, but you receive a short information sheet in English.

The villa and its surroundings.

Essential Additional Information for Visiting the Emperor’s Villa

Opening Hours: Activity days and opening hours vary almost monthly. Click for detailed opening hours.

Admission Cost:

Child under 7 years old: Free.
Villa Gardens Only:
- Adult: €6.50
- Child (7-16): €5
- Family (Parents + 1 child, each additional child €5): €16.50
Villa Gardens and Guided Tour of the Building:
- Adult: €23.50
- Child (7-16): €10
- Family (Parents + 1 child, each additional child €5): €48

There is also an option to purchase a combined ticket with admission to the Photography Museum located in the garden.

Details on prices on the official website

Official Website
Address: Jainzen 38, 4820 Bad Ischl
Map

Salzkammergut Thermal Spa

The Royal Spa of Bad Ischl is part of one of Bad Ischl’s most luxurious hotels. The spa offers a wonderful combination of relaxation, fun, and great views, and it’s open to visitors even if you don’t book a room at the hotel. On the two floors of the spa, you can enjoy a complex of heated saltwater pools, a sauna area, and a beauty treatment and massage area.

The heated pools reach a temperature of 34 degrees Celsius and are rich in salts and minerals. Inside the pools, there are water jets for muscle relaxation. The pools are located both inside the building and outdoors, so you can enjoy the fresh air and mountain views while sitting in the heated water. Besides the pools, there’s also a luxurious and relaxing jacuzzi with a water temperature of 36 degrees Celsius.

In the spa’s sauna world, there are 6 different saunas. You can enjoy dry saunas, steam saunas, and saunas with aromatic oils. There are also salt steam rooms, infrared rooms, and an outdoor refreshment area. If you want to enrich your visit even further, you can go to the spa’s oriental area called Alhambra, which offers various treatments like a Turkish hammam.

In the pampering and relaxation area, you can book massages and beauty treatments.

For the convenience of visitors, there’s a nice restaurant operating inside the spa, so you don’t have to bring food when visiting the spa.

Essential Additional Information for Visiting the Spa

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday from 9:00 AM to midnight.

Admission Cost for Spa Only (4 hours):

Adult: €28.50
Child (3-15): €22

Admission Cost for Spa and Sauna World (4 hours):

Adult: €36

Please note: You need to bring towels, as towel rental costs €8.50.

The Spa’s Official Website (opens in new tab)
Address: Voglhuberstraße 10, 4820 Bad Ischl
Map

Museums in Bad Ischl

The town has several historical museums dedicated to art and science. The recommended museums are:

Photography MuseumThe museum is located in the heart of the beautiful gardens of the Emperor’s Villa. It is one of the most important photography museums in Austria, displaying collections of historical photographs from various fields.Opening Hours:
- April and October: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
- May to September: 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
Admission Cost:
- Adult: €6
- Child: €3
- Official Website
- Address: im Kaiserpark, 4820 Bad Ischl
Franz Lehár MuseumThis museum is located in the residence of the talented composer. The museum showcases the life and work of the composer, and the building in which it is housed is wonderfully preserved. A visit to the museum is only possible with a guided tour offered by the venue.Opening Hours:
- May to September: Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. In July and August only, also open on Mondays.
Admission Cost:
- Adult: €13
- Child: €2
- Official Website
- Address: Lehárkai 8, 4820 Bad Ischl
Town MuseumThe historical museum dedicated to the town’s development is located in the building where Franz Joseph and Sisi got engaged. The museum presents various exhibitions on culture, history, and folklore.Opening Hours:
- April, October, December: Wednesdays from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Thursday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
- January – March: Fridays to Sundays from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
- November: Closed.
Admission Cost:
- Adult: €10
- Child (up to 14 years old): Free
- Family ticket (2 adults and 2 children up to 14 years old): €16
- Official Website
- Address: Esplanade 10, 4820 Bad Ischl

Cable Car to the Summit

South of the town is an impressive mountain with a variety of hiking trails and panoramic views of the Lake District. The mountain is called Katrin and it rises to a height of 1415 meters above sea level. To reach the summit, you take a closed cable car that departs from the southern part of Bad Ischl.

At the top of the mountain, you can see the wonderful mountains of the area, such as Dachstein, Schafberg, the Hell Mountains, and more! In addition, there are several marked hiking trails. The most recommended trail is called the Seven Lakes Trail. The walk on this trail is not difficult and lasts between an hour and a half and two hours. Along the trail, you can see views of 7 lakes in the area from above. The lakes are: Lake Hallstatt, Lake Wolfgang, Lake Fuschl, Lake Nussensee, Lake Schwarzsee, Lake Traunsee, and Lake Tachinger See in Bavaria.

Besides the Lakes Trail, there are several other beautiful trails with wonderful mountain views. Also, at the summit there is a ropes course suitable for families, as well as a few small hiker huts with traditional Austrian hot meals, live music, and accommodation if desired.

The view awaiting you from the summit:

Essential Additional Information for Taking the Cable Car

Operating Hours:

Late April to the first one and a half weeks of November: Daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Late December to early April: Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Between Christmas and New Year, the cable car operates daily.

Cost (Round Trip):

Adult: €28
Pensioner: €25
Youth: €18
Child: €15
Official Website
Parking: There is a parking lot next to the cable car station. If you buy a round-trip ticket for the cable car, you get a refund on the parking fee.
Address of Ascent Station: Kaltenbachstraße 62, 480 Ischl
Map

Recommended Cafes

The relaxed and quiet streets of Bad Ischl are full of beautiful cafes with a royal and pleasant atmosphere. The best cafe in town is called Cafe-Restaurant Zauner, where you absolutely must try the famous Zauner cake. Another place to try the region’s unique cake is the old Konditorei Zauner. Another highly recommended place is k.u.k. Hofbeisl zu Ischl. There you can enjoy coffee in the morning and lively parties with alcoholic drinks at night.

How to Get from Vienna to Bad Ischl

The journey from Vienna to Bad Ischl takes a little over three hours. It’s quite easy to get there by public transport.

From Vienna, take the train to Salzburg, which departs from the city’s Westbahnhof (Western Railway Station). From Salzburg, take bus line number 150, which arrives at the center of Bad Ischl. The journey by public transport takes almost the same amount of time as driving.