Zell am See, Austria: travel guide
Alpine lake resort below the Kitzsteinhorn glacier, for skiing and hiking
Lakeside alpine resort beside the Kitzsteinhorn glacier, a year-round base for skiing, hiking and watersports.
About Zell am See
Zell am See is a small town on the western shore of a clear alpine lake, with high mountains above and the Kitzsteinhorn glacier a short drive away at Kaprun. It works as a year-round resort rather than a one-season stop.
In winter the glacier and nearby slopes bring skiers; in summer there is swimming and sailing on the lake, a promenade for slow evenings and high-mountain walks. The Sigmund Thun Gorge and the Kaprun high mountain reservoirs are easy excursions, and the Vogtturm tower stands in the old centre.
Zell am See suits families and active travellers. The lake is at its best from June to September, with the snow season filling the rest of the year.
- Country
- Austria
- Currency
- EUR
- Time zone
- Europe/Vienna
- Nearest airport
- SZG
Last updated
Top places to visit in Zell am See
Kitzsteinhorn Glacier
glacier · about 4 h · entry €60 (≈ ₹6,400)
Year-round glacier ski and viewing area above Kaprun topping out near 3,000 m, with the Gipfelwelt 3000 platform.
Lake Zell Promenade
lake · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Clear alpine lake ringed by a lakeside promenade for boat trips, swimming and cycling.
Schmittenhöhe
mountain · about 3 h · entry €34 (≈ ₹3,570)
Panoramic 1,965 m peak above Zell reached by cable car, with 360° views of the Hohe Tauern.
Kaprun High Mountain Reservoirs
reservoir · about 3 h · entry €26 (≈ ₹2,720)
Dramatic dammed reservoirs high in the Hohe Tauern, reached by bus and inclined lift.
Sigmund Thun Gorge
gorge · about 1.5 h · entry €8 (≈ ₹800)
Wooden walkways thread a narrow glacial gorge of rushing meltwater near Kaprun.
Vogtturm Museum
history museum · about 0.8 h · entry €4 (≈ ₹430)
Medieval tower housing the town museum on Zell am See's history.
Kaprun Castle (Burg Kaprun)
castle · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Small hilltop medieval castle above Kaprun hosting summer cultural events.
Elisabethpark & Lakefront
park · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Lakeside park with lawns, promenade and views to the Kitzsteinhorn.
Things to do
- Kitzsteinhorn Glacier Experience Sightseeing · 4 h · from EUR 60 per person
- Lake Zell Cruise Sightseeing · 1 h · from EUR 15 per person
- Schmittenhöhe Cable Car & Hike Adventure · 4 h · from EUR 40 per person
- Sigmund Thun Gorge & Kaprun Reservoirs Tour · 5 h · from EUR 45 per person
- Zell am See Summer Watersports Adventure · 2 h · from EUR 35 per person
Day trips and tours
- Kitzsteinhorn Glacier & Lake Zell 7 h · from EUR 99
Where to stay in Zell am See
- Zell Town & Lakefront about EUR 180 per night
Lakeside centre with promenade, shops and cable-car access.
- Kaprun about EUR 150 per night
Village base for the Kitzsteinhorn glacier, good for skiers.
Hotels
- Grand Hotel Zell am See 4-star · EUR 200 to EUR 400 per night
- Hotel Seehof Zell am See 3-star · EUR 110 to EUR 200 per night
- Hotel Salzburgerhof 5-star · EUR 260 to EUR 520 per night
- Hotel Berner 4-star · EUR 150 to EUR 290 per night
- Junges Hotel Zell am See 2-star · EUR 30 to EUR 90 per night
Where to eat
- Mayer's Restaurant Austrian, European · about EUR 60 per person
- Kupferkessel Austrian, Tyrolean · about EUR 26 per person
- Café Feinschmeck Cafe, Bakery · about EUR 12 per person
- Kitzsteinhorn Gipfelrestaurant Austrian · about EUR 22 per person
- Pinzgauer Diele Italian, Pizza, Austrian · about EUR 18 per person
Getting to Zell am See
Nearest airport: Hallstatt (Salzburg Airport) (SZG), about 55 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.
Getting around
- Bus
- Walking
More in Austria
Frequently asked questions about Zell am See
- What are the main places to visit in Zell am See?
- Places covered in our Zell am See guide include Kitzsteinhorn Glacier, Lake Zell Promenade, Schmittenhöhe, Kaprun High Mountain Reservoirs, Sigmund Thun Gorge.
- Where should I stay in Zell am See?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Zell am See: Zell Town & Lakefront, Kaprun.
- How do I get around Zell am See?
- Ways to get around Zell am See covered in our guide: City bus, Walking.
- Which airport is nearest to Zell am See?
- The nearest airport to Zell am See has the code SZG.