Baden (Austria)

Baden is 25 km south of Vienna. In Roman times it was called "Aquae" and is named in 869. The sulfuric water springs attracts lots of artists and famous people in the 19th century with for example Schubert, Johann Strauß Vater, Lanner, Grillparzer and Raimund. This lead to the economic growth of the city and it has hence many beautiful representative Villa's built during the Biedermeier period.

• Tourist Information Office

  phone: +43 2252-22600-600
  address: Brusattiplatz 3
  Can offer advice on tours and accommodation.

By train

• Train station

  phone: +43 51717
  address: Conrad von Hötzendorf-Platz 1
  Regional trains from Vienna Station Meidling operate every 15 minutes; the train takes 20 minutes and costs €5.40. Use ÖBB's SCOTTY to look up train information online.

• Badnerbahn Tram

  phone: +43 1 90 444 - 53771
  address: Josefsplatz
  Another longer option is the Badnerbahn Tram starting in Vienna by the Opera (Wien-Oper) and also stopping in Meidling. Buy your ticket in advance; people caught without a ticket on the train have to pay a fine of €60.

By car

From Vienna take the A2 highway.

As Baden is a small city everything is within walking distance. The Tourist Information Office offers a free online map for download.

Bus and bicycle

• CitybusThe city of Baden operates three routes Monday-Saturday: Citybus A, Citybus B, and Citybus C, and the VOR (regional transport authority) operates route R. A route map can be downloaded here. Tickets can be purchased at the train station.

• Nextbike

  phone: +43 2742 22 99 01 (hotline)
  After registration (online or by mobile), you can pick up a bicycle at the main train station or the Badener Bahn station, and drop it off at the same or any other Nextbike spot. A map of pickup and drop-off points can be found here (click 'Thermenregion' for Baden); a brochure with map is available for download.

Taxis

• Taxi Kraupa

  phone: +43 664-2409612

• Funktaxi

  phone: +43 2252-88500

• Rauheneck Castle ruinsBuilt in the 12th century, the castle was besieged and rebuilt multiple times throughout its history. The final assault was made by the Turks in 1529, after which it was not rebuilt. It has been open to the public since 1810.

• Rauenstein Castle ruinsAlso built in the 12th century, this castle was also stormed and rebuilt many times. It was finally abandoned in the 18th century due to the 'roof tax', an annual tax based on the surface coverage of the roof.

• Beethovenhaus

  phone: +43 2252 86800 230
  address: Rathausgasse 10
  Beethoven spent the summers of 1821-1823 in this 16th-century house, and composed his 9th Symphony here. Five rooms are open to the public, and original writings, copies of his music, and numerous pictures document the composer's time in Baden. Also on display is a historic fortepiano.

• Doll and Toy Museum

  phone: +43 2252 41020
  address: Erzherzog Rainer-Ring 23
  This annex building of the Biedermeier Attemsvilla houses a collection of over 1000 dolls and toys, from 1760-1950. Tours in German, English, and French are offered with prior arrangement.

• Kaiser Franz Josef Museum

  phone: +43 2252 41100
  address: Hochstraße 51
  This museum has displays focused on crafts, folk art, religious art, as well as weapons and uniforms, and an exhibit devoted to the early history of photography.

• Arnulf Rainer Museum

  phone: +43 2252 209 196
  address: Josefsplatz 5
  The internationally renowned Austrian painter Arnulf Rainer was born in Baden, and this museum hosts rotating thematic exhibits of the artist's work-to-date.

• Rollettmuseum

  phone: +43 2252 48255
  address: Weikersdorferplatz 1
  Housed in the former city hall, this collection illustrates the history of Baden, from the Neolithic period through the Roman and Medieval periods to the 20th century. Particular attention is placed on the Biedermeier period, when the city was the summer destination of the imperial family as well as illustrious politicians and artists.

• Rosarium

  address: Doblhoffpark
  Austria's largest rose garden with over 860 varieties, including specimens named 'Goldmarie' and 'Empress Elisabeth'. The roses bloom twice a year, in June and October.

• Kurpark

  address: Kaiser Franz Ring - at the CASINO
  Baden's popular spa park has 52 ha and is thus one of the largest in Europe. Next to a beautiful landscape, piece and quiet, and relaxation, the spa park also offers numerous historical attractions: a Beethoven temple, the bandstand with daily concerts during the summer, several monuments of artists and emperors, the Undine fountain and a nostalgic park café. The garden is home to a variety of semitropical plants and fascinates visitors with decorative floral ornaments. There is a smooth transition from spa park to the Austrian pine forest of Vienna Woods with its many hiking trails at Kalvarienberg.

• Thermal Baths

  phone: +43 2252 48670
  address: Helenenstraße 19
  In use since imperial days, this is one of the largest bathing facilities in Austria. It has an artificial sand beach, and offers the usual spa treatments as well as sporting facilities.

• Römertherme Baden

  phone: +43 2252 45030
  address: Brusattiplatz 4
  A Roman-style spa open year-round with hot springs and mineral waters.

• Stadttheater Baden

  phone: +43 2252 22522 (ticket hotline)
  address: Theaterplatz 7
  The theater has been in existence since 1716; the current building dates from the Jugendstil era. Plays, musicals, and operettas are staged here.

• Sommerarena

  phone: +43 2252 22522 (ticket hotline)
  address: Arenastraße
  This Jugendstil theater features a glass roof, and is used for summer productions of Baden's annual Operetta Festival. Tickets and programs are available through the Stadtheater.

Schubertiade

phone: +43 2252-81812

This annual five-week festival celebrates chamber music, featuring mastercourses and performances by internationally-known musicians in several venues in Baden and nearby Heiligenkreuz.

Grand Casino Baden

phone: +43 2252 444 96

address: Kaiser Franz-Ring 1

Offers slot machines, roulette, and other classic casino games. Several restaurants are onsite.

Baden Trotting Course

phone: +43 2252-88773

address: Wiener Straße 84

A traditional horse-trotting race course, in use since 1892.

Badener Café Bonbons are a traditional Austrian sweet mostly composed by Café and sugar. They exist in different textures and depending on it either wrapped in pink or brown paper. Each pastry in Baden have their specific home-made production.

• Restaurant Rudolfshof

  phone: +43 2252 209 203 0
  address: Restaurant Rudolfshof Gaminger Berg 5, 2500 Baden

• Hotel Kurpark garni (Bed & Breakfast)

  phone: +43 2252 89104
  address: Welzergasse 29
  A small hotel ideally located by the Spa Park, with guest rooms and apartments available. Free wi-fi, indoor pool, sauna and garden pool.

• Hotel Schloss Weikersdorf

  phone: +43 2252 483 01
  address: Schlossgasse 9-11
  A former palace with foundations dating to the 13th century, this hotel has hosted many Austrian luminaries and royalty. Has an on-site restaurant.

• Hunting Lodge Schönau Castle

  phone: +43 2256 2020 950
  address: Kirchengasse 18, Schönau an der Triesting
  Situated amidst the gardens of Castle Schönau, the castle's former hunting lodge offers 8 beds in three apartments for rent on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. Pets permitted.

Baden lies on the Austrian south railway and highway line (A2) which connects Vienna and Graz. Of course cities on the track like Wiener Neustadt, Semmering, Bruck an der Mur, Kindberg or Kapfenberg are also easily reached.

• Vienna is the capital of the Republic of Austria and by far its most populous city. It is Austria's artistic, cultural, economic and political centre.
• Graz is the second-largest city in Austria. The City of Graz including it's historic centre and Schloss Eggenberg is a world heritage site.