Zell am See is an Alpine town in the Austrian state of Salzburg that lies on the shore of the lake of the same name below the Schmittenhöhe mountain. Together with Kaprun it forms one of the best ski resorts in Austria, with the Kitzsteinhorn glacier, which guarantees snow from October to June, and the Schmittenhöhe area with two hundred and fifty kilometres of pistes in a linked region. In summer the lake warms to twenty-four degrees and suits swimming, sailing and water sports, and around it spreads the Hohe Tauern National Park, the highest mountain range in Austria. Zell am See is reached from Salzburg in an hour and from Prague by car in five hours; from Salzburg airport it is an hour's drive. You pay in euros. Prices are higher than in the Czech Republic, but acceptable compared with other ski resorts. The best time for skiing is December to March, for swimming July and August.
The places worth your time in Zell am See, and what to expect at each
Zell am See
An Alpine lake four kilometres long beneath the mountains, with good water and a temperature up to twenty-four degrees in summer. Around it are a promenade, beaches and boat services. In winter the lake sometimes freezes and people skate on it.
Tip: Beaches are free and paid; entry costs about five euros. A boat cruise on the lake costs about ten euros. In the evening the promenade is romantic.
above the town
The mountain above the town with a ski area, reached by a cable car from the centre. In winter it is a paradise for skiers, in summer for hikers with a view of the lake and the Alps. At the top are a restaurant and a viewpoint.
Tip: The cable car costs about thirty euros. A day ski pass costs about sixty-five euros. The best snow is in the morning.
Kaprun
A glacier at Kaprun that guarantees snow from October to June, with a cable car up to three thousand metres. There is the Top of Salzburg viewpoint with a view of the Hohe Tauern and the Grossglockner. In summer you can ski here.
Tip: A glacier ski pass costs about sixty-five euros. Take a warm jacket, as at the top it is cold even in summer.
Heiligenblut
A panoramic road across the Hohe Tauern with twenty-six hairpin bends and a view of the Grossglockner, the highest mountain in Austria at 3,798 metres. It is open from May to October. It is one of the loveliest roads in the Alps.
Tip: The toll for a car is about thirty-five euros. Open May to November; drive up in the morning, when it is still calm. Bring a jacket, as it is cold at the top.
Krimml
The highest waterfalls in Europe at three hundred and eighty metres in three stages, in the Hohe Tauern National Park. A trail leads up alongside the falls. It is one of the most visited natural monuments in Austria.
Tip: Entry costs about four euros. The trail up takes an hour and a half. It is loveliest in spring and autumn, when there are fewer people.
Kaprun
An Alpine town below the glacier with the Mooserboden reservoir, a high-mountain lake and large dam at two thousand metres. You get there by cable car or bus. The view of the mountains is superb.
Tip: A trip to the reservoir costs about thirty euros and takes half a day. Bring warm clothes; it is ten degrees cooler.
centre
The small centre of the town with cobbled streets, the church of St Hippolytus and cafés. It is a pleasant place for a stroll after skiing or swimming. Everything is close to the lake.
Tip: Go to a café for strudel and coffee. In the evening the centre is lit.
Werfen
The largest ice cave in the world, about seventy kilometres from the town, with kilometres of ice formations. A cable car leads there and the tour is by lamp. The temperature is around zero.
Tip: Entry costs about twenty euros including the cable car. Take warm clothes. Open from May to October.
Salzburg
The birthplace of Mozart with the Hohensalzburg fortress, a baroque centre and the Mirabell Gardens, an hour's drive from Zell am See. It suits a full-day trip.
Tip: From Zell am See a train runs in an hour and a half; by car an hour. Buy a Salzburg Card for entry to museums and transport.
Photos: Lake Zell — Bestzeller (Public domain) · Schmittenhöhe — Original: Arpingstone at English Wikipedia Modifications: Cornischong at Luxembourgish Wikipedia (Public domain) · The Kitzsteinhorn Glacier — Spiderfox (CC BY 3.0) · The Grossglockner High Alpine Road — Sander Hoogendoorn from Gouda, Holland (CC BY 2.0) · Krimml Waterfalls — Wikimedia Commons (Public domain) · Kaprun and the Mooserboden Dam — Wikimedia Commons (Public domain) · The Eisriesenwelt Ice Cave — Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Salzburg — Jorge Franganillo (CC BY 2.0)
Areas and districts, matched to the kind of trip you are taking
Best for: lake and shops
The area around the promenade by the lake with hotels, shops and restaurants. Everything is close to the cable car. Best for a first visit.
Best for: calm and lower prices
A district south of the centre with guesthouses and apartments. It is calmer and cheaper. A good choice for families.
Best for: glacier and skiing
A town by the Kitzsteinhorn glacier, ten minutes from Zell. It has the widest choice for skiers. Suits skiing.
Best for: calm by the lake
A village on the eastern shore of the lake with beaches and hotels. It is quiet with a lovely view. Suits calm.
The nearest airport is Salzburg (SZG), about eighty kilometres from Zell am See, with flights from Prague. From there a train runs in an hour and a quarter. By car from Prague it is about five hundred kilometres; you need an Austrian motorway vignette. A train from Prague runs via Linz or Munich in eight hours. From Munich it is two hours by car.
Salzburg Mozart (SZG) · 80 km
In Zell am See ski buses run and the Zell am See Kaprun Card is valid on all cable cars and buses. In the centre everything can be walked. For trips a car is handy. A train runs to Salzburg and Innsbruck.
Useful apps: Google Maps, ÖBB, Zell am See Kaprun App, Maps.me
Zell am See has an Alpine climate with a cold winter and a pleasant summer. In January it is around one degree, in summer around twenty-three. Snow lies from December to March, on the glacier from October to June. The lake warms to twenty-four in summer.
Best time
December to March (skiing), July and August (swimming)
What to avoid
April and November (little snow, rainy)
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day | 1° | 3° | 8° | 13° | 18° | 21° | 23° | 23° | 19° | 14° | 7° | 2° |
| Night | -7° | -6° | -2° | 2° | 7° | 10° | 12° | 12° | 9° | 4° | -1° | -5° |
| Rainy days | 70 | 60 | 75 | 75 | 110 | 140 | 150 | 130 | 90 | 70 | 80 | 80 |
Austrian Alpine cooking is hearty: dumplings, sausages and sweet dishes. A main dish costs fifteen to thirty euros. People drink beer, wine and schnapps.
Kaiserschmarrn
A torn pancake with raisins and sugar, served with plum compote. The most popular dessert in the Alps.
Käsespätzle
Noodle dumplings with cheese and fried onion, a hearty dish after skiing. Served in a pan.
Tiroler Gröstl
Fried potatoes with meat, onion and egg. A typical dish of mountain huts.
Wiener Schnitzel
A fried veal cutlet, served with potatoes. The best-known Austrian dish.
Apfelstrudel
An apple strudel with raisins and cinnamon, served with vanilla cream. A classic dessert.
Lake trout
Fresh trout from Alpine lakes, grilled or fried. Best by the lake.
Glühwein and Jagertee
Mulled wine and hot tea with rum, winter drinks. They warm you after skiing.
Coffee
€3.5–4.5
Lunch in a restaurant
€15–30
Kaiserschmarrn
€10–14
A beer
€4.5–6
Day ski pass
€65
Lake cruise
€10
3★ hotel (night)
€120–250
Train from Salzburg
€20
Indicative prices that change over time — treat them as a guide, not a price list.
1 day
2 days
3 days
Kitzbühel
35 km · 40 min by car
A famous ski resort with the Streif and a medieval centre. It suits a full-day trip.
Salzburg
90 km · 1 hr by car or 1 hr 15 min by train
The birthplace of Mozart with a fortress and a baroque centre. It suits a full-day trip.
Krimml Falls
45 km · 50 min by car
The highest waterfalls in Europe, three hundred and eighty metres, in the Hohe Tauern National Park. It suits half a day.
December to March, the best snow is in January and February. The Kitzsteinhorn glacier has snow from October to June. A day pass costs about sixty-five euros.
By car it is about five hundred kilometres via Linz; you need an Austrian motorway vignette. By plane to Salzburg and from there by train in an hour and a quarter. By train from Prague in eight hours.
Yes, Schmittenhöhe has good ski schools and blue pistes. The glacier is better for advanced skiers. Instructors speak English.
Swim in the lake, hike, drive the Grossglockner and see the Krimml Falls. Cycling and sailing are popular. The Zell am See Kaprun Card gives discounts.
It is pricier than the Czech Republic: a hotel costs a hundred and twenty to two hundred and fifty euros a night, lunch fifteen to thirty euros. A ski pass is sixty-five euros. Cheaper is accommodation out of the centre.
A card valid on cable cars, buses, beaches and museums in summer. The price depends on the length of validity. It pays off on an active holiday.
Yes, it is safe, with a beach and children's ski schools. Children enjoy the lake and cable cars. In winter and summer there is plenty to do.
By train in an hour and a quarter, or by car in an hour. Trains run every hour. A ticket costs about twenty euros.
Check the latest visa requirements for entering this country. Some nationalities may need to apply for a visa or e-visa before travel.
Check visa requirementsLanguage
German
Currency
EUR
Timezone
Europe/Vienna
Dial Code
+43
Population
9.1M
Area
83,879 km²
Voltage
230V / 50Hz
Driving Side
Right
