The municipality consists of the two towns of Geistthal and Södingberg. Here you will find tourism centred around culture, history and leisure time. In the rooms of the former municipal office of Södingberg is the Celtic and Roman Museum, which depicts the archaeology of the Söding Valley.
During the hot summer months, families in particular can cool down in the small but great open air swimming pool of Södingberg. The second urban district of Geistthal is above all known to pilgrims on the Way of St. James. The two routes starting in Seckau and in Thal near Graz meet here at the Church of St. James in Geistthal. In addition, hikes onto the Krautwasch and the Gleinalm start from here and cycling enthusiasts who are doing the Lipizzaner tour also pass by here.
In 2024, the municipality of St. Bartholomä was honoured as a ‘Styrian Community of the Future’ for its strong initiatives on the topic of ‘Vibrant town centres - spaces for encounters’. The award was initiated by the Styrian Adult Education Centre. Geistthal-Södingberg took second place in the ‘Municipalities’ category. The large-scale restoration of the book house - this year the bears from the Natural History Museum in Vienna were recreated - has been inspiring visitors for years.