Best Things to Do in Bad Leonfelden, Austria
Are you planning a trip to Bad Leonfelden in Upper Austria? Our travel guide includes the best things to do, tips on accommodation, how to get, when to go, top attractions, activities, and much more.
Bad Leonfelden is undoubtedly not the most visited town in Austria by international travelers. Not only that, it's maybe one of those places you've probably never heard of.
But if you like to see some cute off-the-beaten-path places on your travels to avoid the crowds, then the Mühlviertel region, the northern part of the Upper Austria state, should be on your list.
If you are touring Upper Austria, the chances are that you will visit at some point Linz, which is the capital city of this region. And if you are searching places to visit on a day trip from there, your eyes might fall upon Bad Leonfelden.
However, as we visited Bad Leonfelden from our home country, we took a bit different approach. We based ourselves in Lipno nad Vltavou in South Bohemia on the Czech Republic side of the border and made a bike trip to Bad Leonfelden from there.
We liked the hilly area so much that we've been there a few times already, and we believe that it wasn't our last trip there.
Bad Leonfelden is always a pleasant stop on our trips, and in this travel guide, we would like to share with you more about this place, so you can consider including it in your travel itinerary.
So here is everything you should know about Bad Leonfelden before you go.
BEST THINGS TO DO
Despite its small size, Bad Leonfelden offers plenty of things to do for all types of travelers. The town is located in the heart of the Mühlviertel Hochland, and due to its location, it's great for leisure activities.
From biking, hiking, skiing to cultural events and spa experiences, Bad Leonfelden is sure not short of things to do.
TOWN CENTER
Bad Leonfelden has a tiny historical part that can be easily covered on foot. Almost every house features a small informative board that displays basic info about it.
This sounds like a cool idea, but it's only in the German language, so you need to use a translator to understand the written text.
The most important building is the Rathaus (Town Hall) at the west end of the main square with the cute red towers that really make it stand out. Right next to it stands Pfarrkirche Hl. Batholomäus, a gothic church that dominates the town.
The main square is lined with small stores, restaurants, and cafes that serve their purpose. We wanted to buy some deliciously looking pastry at the local bakery, but we were quite surprised that they didn't accept credit cards. Luckily, there is an ATM at the square.
At the east end of the square, you will find a Visitor Center (Tourismusinformation Bad Leonfelden) where you can find even more information about the area.
SPA TREATMENTS
As Bad Leonfelden is a spa town, it's not a surprise that most of the visitors who come to this town want to enjoy its exquisite spa treatments.
Regardless of whether you stay in Spa Hotel Bründl, Vortuna, or Falkensteiner Hotel and Spa Bad Leonfelden, you will have time to unwind in Bad Leonfelden.
The spa nature of the town brings a lot of local visitors who are looking for excellent health and well-being treatments.
We must admit that lazing around is not exactly our thing, but after a long day on a bike, we could picture ourselves being pampered in one of the town's exquisite hotels.
BIKING
We believe that visitors should spend summer in Bad Leonfelden actively as the area is just perfect. Regardless of whether you bring your own bike or rent it at the hotel, this region full of rolling hills will enchant you.
Bad Leonfelden has plenty of great biking trails that are waiting to be explored.
It's easy to plan your trip yourself, or you can ask at the local visitor center about the best trails in the area.
Be prepared that the surrounding (especially the northern) area of Bad Leonfelden is quite hilly. According to our GPS navigation, the total elevation gain was almost 1500 meters on our 70-kilometer route.
If you are not used to cycling, you might consider bringing an e-bike.
The only thing we didn't like that much was that the bike trails signage was a bit confusing (therefore, use the GPS navigation).
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
SKIING AT STERNSTEIN
If you happen to visit Bad Leonfelden in winter, then you should know that there is a lovely tiny ski resort only a few kilometers north of the town.
While it can't compete with other (relatively nearby) bigger ski resorts such as Dachstein West, Hinterstoder or even Hochficht, it still holds some appeal for some type of skiers.
It's a great place for families with kids, beginners who want to learn to ski (though the slope is a bit steeper than you would expect), or people who like to stay fit on vacation. There is good parking at the lower station with plenty of spaces so everyone should quickly find a spot.
Be prepared that even the smallest ski resorts in Europe are quite expensive. Single-day lift tickets cost €36 per adult.
ERLEBNISWEG MOORWALD
If you are looking for a family-friendly activity in Bad Leonfelden, then head out to Erlebnisweg Moorwald. This forested area with moors is packed with hiking, biking, and nature trails.
Especially nature trails are entertaining for the kids, and you can easily spend a couple of hours there.
And while the town of Bad Leonfelden is not the busiest place in the world, this forest will offer you an even more peaceful experience. Plus, hiking outdoors is great for your health.
If you like this moor, you can find plenty of similar places in the Bohemian Forest at the borders with Czechia.
The trailhead to Erlebnisweg Moorwald is south of the swimming pool, and while you can get there easily on foot, there is a small parking lot as well. If you are a budget traveler, you will appreciate that there is no entry fee to the park.
FREIBAD AQUA LEONE
Okay, the moor forest is not the only must-visit place for families with kids. The local outdoor swimming pool with five lanes and a 40-meter water slide also has a beach volleyball court and children's playground.
It's well-maintained, with nice grassy areas and clean facilities.
The swimming pool is open only in the summer, and the day ticket costs €3.90.
BURGRUINE WAXENBERG
Waxenberg Castle Ruins is a historical landmark that lies about 15 kilometers southwest of Bad Leonfelden. The hilltop castle was built in the 13th century, but a lightning strike damaged it in the middle of the 18th century, so the towers you can see today are the result of renovations.
We visited these ruins on a separate road trip to the Mühlviertel region, but if you have a bike, we recommend you cycle there from Bad Leonfelden as the scenery is quite picturesque.
Once we left the car in Waxenberg, we followed the uphill trail that took us in less than five minutes to the castle entrance (well, there isn't any official entrance gate).
You can walk through the ruins, take photos with the hooded guardian statues that will remind you of Nazguls from the Lord of the Rings, see some torture devices, or walk around the ruins from the outside.
The views from the tower are well worth the climb, though a swarm of flies that resided at the top made sure we didn't stay very long.
While there is enough parking in Waxenberg for everyone, it might require some searching in peak times. We had to drive around a bit as most of the spots were taken.
A donation on the tower box suggests you should pay €2-3 per adult for your visit (and it's cash only).
PIBERSTEIN
Unlike Waxenberg, Piberstein is a well-preserved 13th-century castle that sits atop the hill about 14 kilometers west of Bad Leonfelden. The castle is the cultural center in the region and accommodates many concerts, markets, events, or weddings throughout the year.
This is also the biggest downside of the castle, as it's mostly closed for the public. So most of the time you can only walk around its walls. There was a private event on the day of our visit, so we could only admire the castle exteriors.
If you travel long term and have plenty of time, then it might still be worth a quick look. There is plenty of parking space near the castle.
HOW TO GET THERE
Driving to Bad Leonfelden by car is the easiest way to get there. Furthermore, having a car is also the best way to get around Upper Austria. Renting a car in Austria (or anywhere else in Central Europe) is very easy. Similarly, driving in most of Europe is very straightforward and safe.
Just be prepared that some of the side roads are narrow, so drive slowly.
From Linz, you might want to take Road 126 north to Bad Leonfelden. The route is about 30 kilometers long, and it shouldn't take you more than 40 minutes to get there.
From Freidstadt, take Road 38 east to Bad Leonfelden (less than 20 kilometers).
If you are arriving from Lipno nad Vltavou in the Czech Republic to Bad Leonfelden by car, you should travel via Vyssi Brod and Studanky to get there.
Alternatively, drive via Predni Vyton, Guglwald, if you prefer a bit more scenic road. Both routes have similar travel times.
WHERE TO STAY
Bad Leonfelden offers a good selection of hotels for its size. However, the spa hotels in Bad Leonfelden are quite expensive. So if you want to go to this town to indulge in some serious spa treatments, be prepared to spend more money there.
You can find in the town some smaller guest houses of hotels as well, so you don't need to stay in the resort hotel if you don't want to.
Here are the best hotels in Bad Leonfelden.
Mid-Range | Leonfeldner Hof - A lovely little hotel located on the main square, Leonfeldner Hof offers nice modern rooms, a spa area, and an indoor pool. The hotel has a main building and a guest house located less than a minute's walk from there.
Luxury | Spa Hotel Bründl - Relaxation, treatments, wellness, the Spa Hotel Bründl offers all that and much more. This hotel is located on the edge of the town close to the Erlebnisweg Moorwald and features modern rooms and nice facilities.
Luxury | Falkensteiner Hotel and Spa Bad Leonfelden - Located outside Bad Leonfelden, Falkensteiner Hotel and Spa is a lifestyle hotel surrounded by a 4-hectare private park. The hotel features indoor and outdoor swimming pools, wellness, spa, and water world. Rooms are nice and cozy and offer excellent views of the surroundings.
WHEN TO GO
In our opinion, summer is the best time to visit Bad Leonfelden. This time of the year will allow you to experience the best of the region without worrying too much about the weather.
Bad Leonfelden lies at an altitude of 750 meters, and winters can be cold and long here. Obviously, it's the best time to go skiing there, and the spa treatments on cold days might intrigue you as well.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
