Zell am See is an Austrian town on Lake Zell, south of the city of Salzburg. Its Romanesque St. Hippolyte Church has a distinctive tower added in the 15th century. Trails and lifts lead to the ski slopes of Schmittenhöhe mountain. Southwest, views from Gipfelwelt 3000 panoramic platform, at the top of the Kitzsteinhorn glacier, take in Hohe Tauern National Park and the looming Grossglockner mountain.
Winter (Dec–March): âïļ Skiing, snowboarding, winter wonderland vibes
Summer (June–September): ð Hiking, swimming, lake cruises, paragliding
Spring & Autumn: Peaceful, less crowded, beautiful scenery
Great for both adventure lovers and relaxation seekers
From Salzburg: ~1.5–2 hrs by train
From Vienna: ~4 hours by train (via Salzburg)
From Innsbruck: ~2.5–3 hours
By Car: Scenic alpine drive ð
Closest Airports:
Salzburg Airport (SZG) – ~80 km
Munich Airport (MUC) – ~2.5 hrs drive
Zeller See (Lake Zell) – Crystal-clear lake perfect for swimming, boating, or just relaxing by the shore ðĪ
Schmittenhöhe Mountain – Panoramic views, hiking in summer, skiing in winter ðŋ
Kitzsteinhorn Glacier (Kaprun) – Snow all year round + Ice Arena + Gipfelwelt 3000
Old Town (Altstadt) – Charming pedestrian streets, boutiques & cafés
Elisabeth Park – Peaceful lakefront stroll with swan sightings ðĶĒ
Kaprun High Mountain Reservoirs – Engineering marvel + stunning alpine scenery
Sigmund-Thun Gorge – Dramatic waterfalls and wooden walkways ð
Vogtturm Tower Museum – Learn about Zell’s rich history
Tauern Spa (Kaprun) – Luxurious thermal spa with mountain views ð§
Boat Cruise on the lake – Especially magical at sunset ð
Ski or snowboard on Schmittenhöhe or Kitzsteinhorn slopes ð
Hike or bike the alpine trails – over 400 km of scenic routes ðĩâïļ
Paraglide over the Alps for a once-in-a-lifetime view ðŠ
Take a cable car to the glacier and touch snow in summer! âïļ
Swim or kayak in Lake Zell (very clean & refreshing)
Try Austrian alpine food in a mountain hut (called an Almhütte)
Golf, horse ride, or just unwind at a lakeside spa
Luxury:
Grand Hotel Zell am See – Classic 4-star lakeside elegance
Seevilla Freiberg – Rooms with panoramic lake views
Mid-range:
Hotel Stadt Wien – Family-run, spa included
Alpenhotel Tauernstüberl – Great value, ski shuttle nearby
Budget:
Pension Margarete – Simple and friendly
JUFA Hotel Zell am See – Budget-friendly, family-oriented
Must-try Alpine dishes:
Pinzgauer Kasnocken – Cheesy pasta with onions ð§ ð§
Brettljause – Wooden board with meats, cheese & pickles
Kaiserschmarrn – Shredded pancake with jam
Apfelstrudel, Linzertorte for dessert ðð°
Schnapps or Glühwein in colder months ð·
Top places to eat:
Deins & Meins – Modern Alpine cuisine
Steinerwirt 1493 – Historic tavern with great Austrian food
Kupferkessel – Rustic and cozy, local favorites
Seebar Zell am See – Chic lakeside dining
Villa Crazy Daisy – Popular with tourists for both food and nightlife
Zell am See has a strong alpine identity – skiing, nature, and Tyrolean traditions
Locals are friendly, outdoorsy, and proud of their natural surroundings
You might hear traditional music, especially during seasonal festivals
It’s a family-friendly destination, but also great for romantic getaways & solo nature trips
The area blends Austrian tradition with international tourism, so it feels both authentic and welcoming