Let me introduce you to this small town in Austria. Discover why you should make a stop here and what makes it special.
But first of all let’s explain a very important thing: Why Bad Ischl and not Good Ischl? Yes, in English it is a common joke. But Bad Ischl was not always Bad Ischl. The name of Bad Ischl comes from the river Ischl that flows through the town. The river comes from Lake Wolfgang and flows in Bad Ischl in the river Traun.
Before the town was named Village Ischl, Market Town Ischl until it received its name Bad Ischl in 1906. Bad translation with bath. Many Austrian towns or villages have the Bad in the name because it has natural thermal water. These baths were extensively used for medical treatment back in the day, and some towns, such as Bad Gastein, were famous among the wealthy.
The history of Bad Ischl
Rich from the salt industry
Bad Ischl has a long and interesting history. It was home to the summer residence of the Austrian emperor and still well known for that. The earliest documented mention of the river Ischl, that flows through the town, dates back to 829 after Christ. Artefacts of Hallstatt date back to 400 before Christ and those are displayed at the Museum in Bad Ischl.
Bad Ischl was an important trade route, due to the salt mining of the region. The processing of the salt happened in Bad Ischl, nowadays it is in Ebensee.
With the salt industry also other industries were boosted such as forestry. For the salt production they needed to heat up the salt brine in order to cause the salt to crystallize. For the huge oven they needed wood.
The official salt office was located in Gmunden. Salt trading and daily life were heavily regulated, and travel within and outside the region was difficult. Until 1820 people who travelled to the region still needed a passport. However on the positive note the inhabitants of the region didn’t need to pay taxes, didn’t need to join the military and had medical care.
Healing of the brine baths
In 1830 the healing effects of the brine baths in Bad Ischl were discovered. Multiple spa houses operated around the town. Later on in the 1930s a public health establishment was built which later became today’s thermal bath.
The Trinkhalle is part of the remnant of the spa boom of the 1820-1830’s. The building was used as a bathing center. There they offered guests drinking cures with whey. Nowadays the Trinkhalle is used as a tourist office and for events.
The imperial family in Bad Ischl
Starting from 1848 Bad Ischl became increasingly attractive. The imperial family had a summer residence in Bad Ischl. Kaiser Franz Joseph I. met his wife Elisabeth also known as Sissi in Bad Ischl. The summer residence has an extended and distinctive floor plan in the shape of the letter ‘E’ for Elisabeth.
Because the imperial family spent many summers in Bad Ischl. It increasingly became the center of many festivals. In the 19th century, the emperor brought many wealthy and famous people, as well as artists and politicians, to the little town.
Bad Ischl became an exclusive retreat area for the emperor. The town experienced an economic boom.
However there is also a dark history connected to the emperor’s residence: he emperor signed a declaration of war to Serbia and that started the first world war. Which ultimately led to the fall of the Habsburg monarchy.
Today the emperor’s residence is a museum and the owner of the house, the great great grandson of Kaiser Franz Joseph I., Markus Habsburg-Lothringen, lives with his family in the building.
When to visit Bad Ischl
Actually Bad Ischl is great to visit all year around. The various seasons have of course advantages. In winter it is calmer than in summer. Starting from the end of November you can find a lovely Christmas Market in the town and also in the surrounding towns. From January to March there is not much going on in Bad Ischl, since it isn’t a winter sport destination. However you can reach the slopes of Dachstein West or Postalm from Bad Ischl. For cultural events there is the Winter Varieté that takes place every January or February.
The time from April to June is my personal favorite time. The flowers start to blossom, the temperature is getting warmer and the parks in Bad Ischl are just stunning. Additionally you don’t have the tourist masses of the summer months. Which brings me to July and August. That’s the busiest time of the year. Who can you blame? The lakes around Bad Ischl are the perfect summer escape.
In autumn the number of tourists decreases and the colors of the trees turn golden. Autumn can be great for everyone who can’t handle the heat or many tourists.
What to do in and around Bad Ischl
Bad Ischl is the perfect location for activities in the Salzkammergut region. Because it is located in the middle of the region. Every direction is easily reachable even via public transportation.
First let’s see what Bad Ischl has to offer.
Swimming in Bad Ischl
In summer you have a few possibilities to cool down in Bad Ischl. You can “swim” in one of the rivers Traun or Ischl. The current of the river Ischl is slower and the water is warmer than the Traun. The Traun is really refreshing and ideal for very hot summer days. Additionally, there is an outdoor swimming pool, which is popular for families.
For rainy days or winter days you can relax in the thermal bath, the Eurotherme. There you can enjoy its long opening times – until 12 am.
Outdoor sights and activities
The local mountain of Bad Ischl is the Katrin. You can take one of the retro cable car cabins up the mountain, the top station is not on the peak. It’s still a 20 minute hike up the peak. But you can still do small hiking tours from the top station, especially suitable for families.
Of course you can also hike all the way up the Katrin, which is partly very steep. On the way to the Katrin you pass by the ruin. You can also just walk up the ruin and enjoy the view over Bad Ischl. The walk is around 30-40 minutes, depending on your pace. The ruin is also a great spot for a night hike to see Bad Ischl from above at night.
Another spot for that would be the Jainzen, it is the mountain from the west entrance of the town. It is a small hike of 1 hour. From there you can enjoy the sunset and the view over Bad Ischl. It’s an ideal small hike for everyone who wants to hike but doesn’t have enough time.
The Siriuskogel is another option for small hikes. If you want to combine culinary and exercise you should go there on top of the Siriuskogel where you find a restaurant and observation tower.
Even if you wanna say in the valley the parks in Bad Ischl are also very lovely. Sissipark has a water playground, many meadows and wooden benches to sit down on.
The Kurpark right in the town has beautiful flower beds and the historical Kongress- und Theaterhaus. The garden of the Kaiserpark/emperor park is only accessible with a ticket. You can walk around the park and enjoy nature on the edge of the Jainzen.
Nussensee
If you think Bad Ischl is the only town in the region that has no lake, you are wrong. Bad Ischl has a lake. It might even be the least crowded lake. The Nussensee is nestled between the woods on the foothill of the Katrin. It is indeed a very beautiful lake far away from the hustle and bustle of the town. You can either walk there, it is a 1 ½ hour walk, take the bus to Bad Ischl Ramsau and then walk up the street or take the bicycle there. The easiest is of course driving if you are traveling by car. There is a parking lot at the lake. To circle the lake it is around 30 minutes, so it is really small but worth visiting.
Culture in Bad Ischl
Bad Ischl has a few museums: Hotel Austria Museum of the city of Bad Ischl, the Lehárvilla, Emperors Villa, Museum and the Museum vehicle technology aviation.
If you want to discover more of Bad Ischl and its history I can highly recommend the museum of the city of Bad Ischl. There you can learn a lot about the history but also about recent events like the capital of cultures. The Leharvilla from the operetta composer Franz Lehár. The Marmorschlössl is another building, in cottage style in the arial of the emperor’s villa. There are seasonal changing exhibitions and events. It can be visited separately. If you like historical buildings you should visit the Emperor’s villa, but don’t take a tour. Because it is mainly in German, not German speakers get a paper with the translation on it.
There is even a digital museum about the Salzkammergut region where you can learn about its history. You can even visit it before you arrive!
Of course you shouldn’t miss the Kaiservilla (emperor’s villa) and the Marmorschlössel. The Marmorschlössel is a little cottage style house in the park of the emperor’s villa. Emperor Franz built it for his wife Sissi. Nowadays there are seasonal changing exhibitions and events. Don’t take a guided tour through the emperor’s villa because it is mainly in German, not German speakers get a paper with the translation on it.
However you can take a guided tour through Bad Ischl, some of those tours include the emperor’s villa.
Cultural Events in Bad Ischl
In Bad Ischl you can enjoy cultural events. Especially in summer there is a lot going on. First you have the yearly town festival. They restarted the yearly fest a few years ago. All the associations of the town come together and be part of the programme on this weekend, usually in the beginning of June. There are live bands playing in the Kurpark. And various amusement rides around the town.
Another rather controversial festival is the Kaiserfest (Emperors Festival). The Kaiserfest is a one week festival around the birthday of the emperor in Mid-August. People get dressed up, a man that just looks like the emperor shows up and a woman who dresses up as Sisis. There is a parade, music programme and much more.
The Lehár festival is an operetta festival from July to August.
During winter there is the Krampus parades in December and the Glöckner parade in January. As well as a Carnival parade during Carnival time in February.
Where to stay in Bad Ischl
In Bad Ischl you have various options of accommodation, from budget friendly options to high end accommodation. For the former there is a youth hostel, or apartments, for the latter there is the Hotel Royal or the new hotel Grand Elisabeth.
Bad Ischl is pretty small so wherever you stay it is probably not too far from the center. However there are some town parts that are a little bit further. It’s best to check the location or description of the location before you book your stay in Bad Ischl.
Restaurants in Bad Ischl
There are many restaurants in Bad Ischl, however you don’t find various cuisines. Let’s start at my favorite: Trauntown. There you can find really good food, higher prices and a lovely atmosphere. If you like exotic foods: there are also two Asian restaurants in town.
At the Siriuskogel restaurant is run by a tv-chef and gastronomer that serves regional cuisines. The KuK Hofwirt and Osteria are also very popular restaurants near the Kurpark.
For small bites there is the modern Café Zweitwohnsitz or a more traditional Cafe Ramsauer.
Or the Bistro Ofenfrisch, Kuchltheater and Börni Börger are ideal for a snack in between.
My personal recommendation is to visit the market in Bad Ischl that’s taking place every Friday morning. There you can get fresh fruits and veggies, cheese, meat, bread, spreads, honey, jam, flowers. Don’t forget your reusable bags. And enjoy the flair of the market.
I hope this guide gives a little overview about the small lovely town of Bad Ischl and you can enjoy your time there.
The author of the blog
Lisi is an adventurous, mostly solo traveler from Austria. She likes to travel slowly, discover underrated countries/regions, and of course, learn about cultures. She has been traveling the world and creating travel content since 2016. With a degree in tourism management and a passion for travel and cultures, she wants to tell stories that inspire her readers and help them travel more consciously.
