Zell am See Mountain experience and aqua fun on summer & winter holidays
Glacier, mountains, lake - this extraordinary combination awaits you on a holiday in the Zell am See-Kaprun region. The centre of your holiday - be it a skiing holiday in winter or a family holiday in summer - is the town of Zell am See. The charming holiday resort of Zell am See is situated at the foot of the Schmittenhöhe mountain and on the shores of Lake Zell in the immediate vicinity of the Kitzsteinhorn glacier. The town is located on a peninsula: formed by the Schmittenbach stream, it juts into the lake and invites you to enjoy your holiday in the Zell am See-Kaprun region to the full.
From market to town
Over the centuries, Zell am See has developed from a small village into a popular holiday destination. In the 19th century, Zell am See was still a market and was originally called "Zelle im Pinzgau". Presumably because the town soon spread out along the shores of Lake Zell and became the heart of the entire region early on.
The beginning of the triumphant advance of tourism in Zell am See was marked by the construction of the railway line through Zell am See in 1875. With this important connection in terms of transport, the town and the region were developed and became known as a pearl of recreation between mountain and lake.
The town’s name has been "Zell am See" since 1810, and has now about 10,000 inhabitants. The town has far more "temporary" residents during the tourist seasons in summer and winter. Winter sports and especially skiing holidays have long been the main reasons for travelling to Zell am See: However, the clear air and above all the crystal-clear water of Lake Zell and its drinking water quality made the town increasingly popular with summer holidaymakers as well.
From the lake to the mountain
Zell am See is located directly on the shores of Lake Zell, and thus offers a wide range of opportunities to fully enjoy the summer on a Salzburg lake. Swimming beaches, open-air pools, the lakeside promenade and water sports of all kinds will quickly make you forget about everyday life. From the lakeside, you can reach the legendary Schmittenhöhebahn in just a few minutes. It will take you uphill to Zell's local mountain, the Schmittenhöhe, in modern Porsche Design gondolas.
The slopes of the Schmittenhöhe are a paradise for active people in winter and summer: here you will find a variety of opportunities for skiing in winter and mountain and hiking sports in summer. On the pistes, you can ski from the mountain directly into town; in summer, the hiking trails start almost directly behind the pedestrian zone. The view of the town, Lake Zell and over 30 three-thousand-metre-high mountains from the Schmittenhöhe is impressive at any time of year: for many visitors, the panorama is one of the main reasons for coming back to the region for a holiday time and again!
Culinary and shopping experience
Zell am See is not only a natural environment in the immediate vicinity of lake and mountain, the town also offers urban flair, sophisticated shopping and culinary delights. This can be experienced with pleasure during a stroll through the town: The many lovingly restored and well-maintained old houses tell of the town's long history: it pays to look up from time to time as you walk through the town!
In search of new trends, charming souvenirs and culinary specialities, the town becomes a treasure chest: Shopping and culinary experiences await you here. Elegant boutiques can be found as well as traditional souvenir shops and department stores. Tradition and fresh ideas are also skilfully combined when it comes to culinary delights: Modern restaurants meet down-to-earth hospitality, internationally inspired dishes meet traditional recipes and local products. The best way to complement the day is a stop at one of the quaint mountain huts or the trendy bars in town. Eat well, enjoy the cosy atmosphere, go with the flow and enjoy the good life - that's your motto for a holiday in Zell am See!
Top 10 experiences in Zell am See
- Enjoy the top location between lake, mountain and glacier
- Experience a holiday directly on the shores of Lake Zell and at the foot of the mountains
- Ski on pistes that take you into the town of Zell am See
- Hiking trails and cycling routes start directly in town
- Look forward to a first-class shopping experience
- Excellent catering establishments and culinary delights in both summer and winter
- Travel sustainably thanks to perfect rail services with a train station right in the centre of Zell am See
- Lake Zell awaits you with water sports and summer adventures
- From the town to the mountain in just a few minutes
- Stroll through the urban centre of the Zell am See-Kaprun region
