Bad Radkersburg – Historic spa town

Most people who visit Bad Radkersburg most likely come to enjoy a stay at the spa outside the historic centre. Nevertheless, during several visits we have walked up and down most streets and alleys and become acquainted with idyllic Bad Radkersburg. Within the old fortress walls, which are partly well-visible, you will find a relatively well-preserved historic town centre.

Exploring the old town

Bad Radkersburg is perfect for slow exploration. Notwithstanding, in a 2-3 hours you have seen the most important sights without stress. Naturally, you are drawn to the main square in the middle of town, which is the focal point of life in town. There are several cafés that spread out onto the square, a few shops and several landmarks around. Hauptplatz, its main square also regularly hosts farmer and handicraft markets. Nonetheless, I suggest that you explore the town, and then come back to relax with something to eat or drink.

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Look up

Leaving the main square’s western end, turn left or right into the throughway, fittingly called Langgasse (long street), you have plenty of sights. The buildings are mostly still from late Gothic and Renaissance. Both sides of the street are lined with two- and three-storey town houses. A key tip when exploring Bad Radkersburg is to look up. Many of the interesting features on the facades are on the 1st or 2nd story. One of the more distinct buildings houses the Gasthof zum Türkenloch (Turkish hole tavern). The grey painted house with white and blue decorations stands out. Turn into the Murgasse to continue your sightseeing.

Not a museum

Bad Radkersburg is not a museum, but people live and work here. Morevoer, Murgasse is mostly residential and is lined with lovingly renovated houses. At the end of the street turning the corner, it changes name to Theatergasse. Continue your tour along the Emmenstrasse where you also fin the local museum. Bad Radkersburgs history museum is located in a 16 th century house, and with artefacts starting from the prehistoric era and the roman period. A stroll through the Pfarrgasse and Decanthofgasse, past the Dechanthof, a former residence of the bishop. Arriving back at the main square it’s time to have a coffee, before we explore outside the ramparts.

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Walk around

The small spa town is almost entirely surrounded by defensive walls, which are best observed from the Südsteirische Grenz Strasse on the south-eastern end of town, between the bridge to Slovenia and the round-about. You can have a walk-around on the outside and leave the old town through the gate next to the John the Baptist Church. Most of the space around the town wall is lawns and open to the public. On the eastern side there is a large public car park.

Border town

Bad Radkersburg is a border town. A few steps across the bridge and you are in Slovenia. This border has only been around for a bit more than 100 year, as part of what today is Slovenia formerly was part of the Styria Principality under the Habsburg Monarchy. The small Slovenian town of Gornja Radgona (Oberradkersburg in German) on the other side of the river Mur is largely relatively modern. Schloss Oberradkersburg, which is strategically situated on a hill above the river, is the main attraction of the slovenian town.

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Oberradkersburg Castle

The dazzling white castle from the 1100s has been privately owned since 1991. Nonetheless, the castle is open to visitors and there is a small museum, and a few rooms where you can see some of the castle’s and the regions history. You can also get something hot or cold to drink in the small café in the inner courtyard. Walk straight up to the castle via the stairs directly across the bridge from Austria. If you have had your share of culture and history, a trip along the river is always a delightful past time.

Hiking & biking

The flat landscape along the river Mur lends itself for scenic hikes or familytrips with bikes. Moreover, this part of Austria has plenty of sunshine hours and mild climate. The lush river landscape up-river from Bad Radkersburg is protected, but open to the public. There is a path, running more or less along the riverbanks, which allows you to enjoy the river and its surroundings. Especially on hot summer days, it’s nice stroll in the shadowy forest to escape the heat. Because, it can become very hot in this part of Austria, and we have experienced summer days with up to 38 °C (100 °F). Nonetheless, there are also plenty of opportunities to enjoy nature around Bad Radkersburg as well.

Parktherme Bad Radkersburg

There is no way around the thermal springs that supply the spas with 80 °C (176 °F) hot water from 2000 meters deep. To be able to swim in the thermal water pools, the hot spring water is cooled down to comfortable 34 to 36 °C (93-97 °F) for spa guests. On the west side of Bad Radkersburg there is a small “village” of hotels and spas, in the middle of a large park on the banks of the Mur. This is not only a large recreational park, but an important medical center. In Austria, many people get stays at the spa for rehabilitation, paid by their health insurance. Nonetheless, these places are also open to the public, and many are enjoying a spa weekend here. Here you will also find one of the region’s best pastry shops, Kurkonditorei Bad Radkersburg.

For more info: Bad Radkersburg Tourism

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