Things To Do in Bad Reichenhall

Exploring Bad Reichenhall

The climate permits a complete spectrum of outdoor events, from excursions into the mountains for skiing or hiking to tennis tournaments. Gardeners and botanists will enjoy the spa gardens; the sheltered location of the town amid the lofty Alps permits the growth of several varieties of tropical plants, giving the gardens a lush, exotic appearance. There's also a wide choice of indoor activities, from symphony concerts to folklore presentations to gambling.

The great fire of 1834 destroyed much of the town, but many impressive churches survived. An outstanding example is St. Zeno, a 12th-century Gothic church with a later baroque influence. Its most remarkable feature is its painted interior, centering on the carved altarpiece of the Coronation of the Virgin.

Bad Reichenhaller Saltmuseum, Alte Saline Reichenhall (tel. 08651/7002146; www.alte-saline-bad-reichenhall.de), a short walk from the Kurgarten, is home of the industry responsible for Bad Reichenhall's growth and prosperity from Celtic times to today. Parts of the old plant still stand, but most of it was reconstructed in the mid-19th century by Ludwig I of Bavaria. The large pumps and huge marble caverns are impressive. Tours run May to October daily 10 to 11:30am and 2 to 4pm, and November to April Tuesday and Friday 2 to 4pm. Admission is 6.90€ for adults and 4.60€ for children.

Shops are predictably upscale, rather limited in scope, and conservative. Since 1856, Josef Mack Co., Ludwigstrasse 36 (tel. 08651/78280), has been the region's best place for medicinal herbs, many grown in the Bavarian Alps.

Most guests looking for a night out head for the Bayerische Spielbank Casino, Wittelsbacherstrasse 17 (tel. 08651/95800; www.spielbanken-in-bayern.de), which offers roulette, American roulette, blackjack, and 50 types of slot machines. You must show your passport if you plan to do any gaming. It's open daily 3pm to 2am; admission is 2.50€. Men must wear jackets and ties. The theater, also located here at the Kurgastzentrum, site of the casino, is a setting for operas, operettas, plays, ballets, musicals, symphonies, folkloric evenings, and chamber-music recitals. The tourism office keeps a complete list of events and ticket prices. When weather permits, performances are staged in an open-air pavilion. Tickets are 15€ to 40€.