Zell am See is a lively and bustling resort situated on the shores of Lake Zeller See, surrounded by green peaks and with plenty to do in the surrounding area. Here is a travel guide and the best things to do in Zell am See, Austria.
We visited the Hohe Tauern and the Zell am See area for the first time a few years ago and later came back again. It is a place that will literally enchant you with its unspoilt nature, friendly locals and endless possibilities.
In this article we show you the best things to do in Zell am See in summer. We’ll also add a tip on how to save money on cable cars and attractions around Zell am See.
To help you plan your holiday in Zell am See, you can download the map at the end of this article, which contains all the tips on what to see in the area.
HOTELS ZELL AM SEE – KAPRUN 😴
These accommodations include a SommerCard, which gives you free access to lifts, public transport and attractions in the area (more info later in the article). All guests will receive their card automatically on arrival. Valid from 15 May to 31 October.
Best Things to do in Zell am See, Austria
Note: Time and distance are calculated in the outbound direction unless otherwise stated.
1. Swimming in the Zeller See
Zell am See is situated around Lake Zeller See, which has an ideal temperature for swimming in the summer months (up to 26 degrees Celsius). There are several grassy beaches around the lake with refreshments, cabins and other facilities.
On the eastern shore of the lake is Strandbad Thumersbach beach, where there is an outdoor pool in front of the lake. Strandbad Zell am See also has an outdoor pool just outside the centre, which also has a water slide and good facilities for families with children.
The most popular beaches can be found on the map at the end of this article.
2. Elizabeth park and fountain in Zell am See
Elizabeth Park is the main city park in Zell am See, which stretches around the western shore of the lake. It has a landscaped promenade, benches, lots of flowers and a fountain that plays every hour and is beautifully lit in the evening.
3. Boat cruise
Boat cruise on Lake Zeller See is one of the most popular activities around Zell am See. The tour takes 45 minutes. Boats leave several times a day in the season from the promenade in the centre and stop at several stations around the lake. Follow this link for current prices and timetables.
If you prefer your own pace and privacy, you can rent a smaller boat, motorboat or canoe and explore the lake on your own.
4. Peak Schmittenhöhe
- Distance from Zell am See: 5 minutes by car or bus
The Schmittenhöhe (1965 m) is a popular peak near Zell am See, from where you can enjoy some of the best views of the town and the lake. There are several viewpoints, a wooden chapel and mountain huts for refreshments.
The surrounding area of Schmittenhöhe offers countless activities – you can easily spend a whole day here. You can visit Schmidolin’s World of Experience with your children – a knowledge theme park, there are playgrounds for children or you can go e-motocross.
From the summit you can continue along the ridge across the mountain landscape – the trail is called Pinzgau and is moderately difficult. You will enjoy spectacular views of the highest peaks in the Austrian Alps. The trail is 6 hours long and then you can take a local bus back from Saalbach.
Or descend back to Zell am See via the Speicher See. It’s a leisurely walk of 2-2.5 hours to the centre.
How to get to Schmittenhöhe, Zell am See
You can reach the top with the modern Schmittenhöhebahn cable car. The lower station is just a 5-minute drive from the centre of Zell am See. Here you can park in the free car park. The other option is to take bus no. 71, which connects the centre of Zell am See and the lower station at Schmittenhöhe.
In addition to the Schmittenhöhebahn, other cable cars serve the area around the Schmittenhöhe. For example, the areitXpress, which can be used with children to the Schmidolin’s World of Experience theme park, or the cityXpress to Speicher See.
Here you will find an interactive map of the Schmittenhöhe, lift prices, opening times and other useful tips.
Read more inspiration on the best things to do in the Austrian Alps.
5. Enzianhütte and Ronachkopf peak
- Distance from Zell am See: 5 minutes by car
On the eastern side of the lake, you can take an easy hike to the Enzianhütte mountain hut. You can reach the top by a narrow asphalt road, where you can leave your car for free right at the hut. The place is also popular with cyclists.
The Enzianhütte serves excellent traditional cuisine. From the cottage, you can then continue on an easy walk into the local woods, where you can enjoy beautiful views of the lake. The path is passable even with a stroller and the whole trip is ideal for families with children looking for an easy route with nice views.
6. Berggasthof Mitterberg
- Distance from Zell am See: 5 minutes by car
Just a short distance from the top of Ronachkopf is the Berggasthof Mitterberg restaurant, where you can sit on the terrace and enjoy a fantastic view of the lake while enjoying a delicious meal.
You can get here by an easy uphill walk on a narrow asphalt road directly from Zell am See or you can drive up here (parking for € 3) and then continue on into the countryside.
There is a wooden chapel next to the restaurant and a playground for children.
7. Kitzsteinhorn Glacier
- Distance from Zell am See: 15 minutes by car or 30 minutes by bus (line 660)
Go on an adventure to Austria’s Kitzsteinhorn glacier, high above sea level at 3,202 metres. This glacier is one of the best places in Austria for skiing enthusiasts… And what’s the best part? You can ski here all year round.
But the Kitzsteinhorn is not just about skiing. You have a wide range of other activities to try. Admire the breathtaking panorama of the Alps from the Summit World 3000 viewpoint, hike the trails or rent a mountain bike and try the local trails. If you are interested in the Kitzsteinhorn glacier, take a look here for more information.
How to get to Kitzsteinhorn, High Tatras
The lower station of the Kitzsteinhorn cable car is located outside Kaprun. If you are travelling by public transport, you can take the regional bus no. 660, which departs from Zell am See, Kaprun and also stops at the lower cable car station. And if you fancy a little more adventure, the bus continues on to the Kaprun dams. For those who prefer to travel by car, there are plenty of free parking spaces.
8. Sigmund Thun Klamm Gorge
- Distance from Zell am See: 10 minutes by car or 25 minutes by bus (line 660)
The fascinating Sigmund Thun Klamm gorge is just a short walk from Kaprun. You can park your car in the spacious free parking lot or you can easily take bus no. 660, which runs directly from Kaprun and Zell am See.
The slope, formed over thousands of years by water from melting glaciers, represents a journey through time. The glacial water slowly but steadily cut through the rock, creating a gorge with waterfalls, deep pools and fast flowing water.
The path through the Sigmund-Thun-Klamm Gorge is about 320 metres long and leads over wooden bridges and footbridges along steep rock walls.
For the latest information on opening times and prices, visit the official website.
9. Kaprun Dams – Wasserfallboden and Mooserboden
- Distance by car from Zell am See: 20 minutes by car or 35 minutes by bus (line 660)
When I first saw the high mountain dams Wasserfallboden and Mooserboden at 1,672 metres and 2,036 metres, I immediately fell in love with the Alps.
Mooserboden is much more than just a dam. At the visitor centre, you will learn more about electricity generation and have the opportunity to take a look behind the scenes of hydroelectric power generation during a tour of the dam.
If you are travelling with children, don’t miss the Stromi Children’s Nature Trail, where children will learn more about the relationship between nature and technology.
The surrounding area offers breathtaking hiking trails, and if you’re looking for something more, try MOBO 107, the highest ferrata on the dam wall. After the day’s adventure, you can refresh yourself in one of the mountain huts.
How to get to the Mooserboden Dam in Kaprun
The starting point is the Kesselfall ticket office, which can be reached by bus or car. Regional line no. The 660 runs from Zell am See via Kaprun to the ticket office at the final station. If you choose to drive, you can park in the parking garage, which is free of charge.
From the ticket office, transfer buses run past the Wasserfallboden dam to the Mooserboden dam. You get off at the largest open inclined cable car in Europe, and then continue by bus through the tunnels to the upper reservoir. Everything is included in one price, so the ticket includes the bus from the ticket office, the cable car and the bus to the reservoir.
For up-to-date information about Mooserboden Dam, including ticket prices and opening times, please follow this link. The dams are open from early June to mid-October.
If you fancy a hike, the journey up from Kesselfall takes 4-5 hours and covers an elevation gain of about 1100 metres. In high season, a special bus service leaves early in the morning if you are planning a longer hike around the dams. You need to book your place in advance.
10. Kitzlochklamm
- Distance from Zell am See: 15 minutes by car
Head to one of the most beautiful gorges in the Austrian Alps – the Kitzlochklamm Gorge. This picturesque gorge winds around the Rauriser Ache mountain stream and offers fantastic views of the crystal clear water from various bridges, tunnels and viewpoints.
You will receive a safety helmet at the start of your adventure. The trip is also suitable for children. Free parking is available at the entrance to the gorge.
The Kitzlochklamm gorge is open from the end of May to the end of October. For the most accurate information on opening times and prices, please visit the official website.
11. The Grossglockner Alpine Road
- Distance from Zell am See: 15 minutes by car
The main destination of the next trip is the Grossglockner Alpine Road, which takes you through the beautiful scenery of the High Tauern National Park and opens up views of the Pasterze, the longest glacier in the area, lying below the Grossglockner peak. Here you have the chance to visit places that are normally inaccessible to most of us.
The Grossglockner Alpine Road is considered one of the most famous and beautiful panoramic roads. It takes you on a 48 km long stretch that takes you through the national park area between Fusch an der Grossglocknerstrasse in the north and Heiligenblut in the south. In addition, you can look forward to more than three dozen turns and an elevation gain of 1,748 metres.
Shortly before the southern end, turn right towards the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe lookout. Here you will find azure blue lakes, the Pasterze glacier, waterfalls, fantastic views of the Grossglockner and inquisitive marmots.
The Grossglockner Alpine Road is open from May to early November. There are also many long-distance hiking trails, such as the Glocknerrunde, the Venediger High Trail and the Alpe Adria.
Here you will find the latest information on opening times and prices for the Grossglockner Alpine Road.
12. Rauristal Valley
- Distance from Zell am See: 25 minutes by car
Imagine the town of Rauris, where you are surrounded by green mountain pastures and forests. It’s only a half-hour drive from Zell am See, yet you get the feeling that you’ve entered another world. The place comes alive especially in winter, when it is a popular destination for skiers and snowboarders. In summer it’s quiet, it’s peaceful, you’re away from the crowds.
You can just walk through the valley and enjoy the panorama and the sight of the cows grazing happily. Or take the Hochalmbahnen cable car for fantastic views and gold panning. It is an activity that is fun not only for children, but also for adults, and it will give you the opportunity to remember what it was like in the days when people really looked for gold in these mountains.
From the top station of the cable car you can take the ridge route, which offers even more views of the Rauristal Valley.
For more information on opening times and prices, click here.
13. The Weißsee and Tauernmoossee dams
- Distance from Zell am See: 30 minutes by car
Just a short distance from the Enzingerboden power station, near the town of Uttendorf, are the beautiful alpine dams of Tauernmoossee and Weißsee.
For lovers of outdoor activities, this place is literally a paradise, as the area around the dams is interwoven with a network of hiking trails and you can even reach the Tauernmoossee by bike. In addition, you can ski on the Weißsee glacier for a large part of the year.
How to get to the Weißsee
The starting point is the Enzingerboden power station, where you park in the large free car park and take the cable car to the Weißsee. You can get off at the intermediate station at the smaller Grünsee lake after you have climbed the highest elevation by cable car and then continue to the Weißsee dam through breathtaking mountain terrain. Or go all the way up and enjoy a walk around the Weißsee.
More detailed information about the Weißsee cable car can be found on the official website. A mountain hotel awaits you at the top, where you can rest and refresh yourself.
Hiking route to Weißsee, Austria
- Difficulty: medium
- Time: 2-3 hours
- Distance: 6 km
- Elevation: 800 m
- Starting point: the parking lot of the Enzingerboden power plant
If you fancy a longer hike, head to the Weißsee Dam from the car park. Prepare for a 2-3 hour hike with an elevation gain of 800 metres. Follow hiking trail 715, which will take you to the upper dam. The first part of the route is steeper, but the second part will reward you with beautiful views.
Halfway along the route you can make a detour to the Tauernmoossee dam, which adds about half an hour to an hour to the route. Or stop at Tauernmoossee on your way back down.
There are other hiking trails in the vicinity of the Weißsee, both easy and more demanding trails for experienced hikers.
14. Felbertal Valley
- Distance from Zell am See: 30 minutes by car
The Felbertal Valley is located near Mittersill, just a 30-minute drive from Zell am See. The ideal place if you are looking for something low-key or are going on holiday to Zell am See with children.
At the beginning of the valley there is a free parking lot. Just 5 minutes from the car park is the smaller Schösswendklamm gorge, which is easy to walk through in 30 minutes.
From the car park, you can walk to the Hintersee lake, which is about an hour away. The most popular option is to drive to the car park, which is located right next to the lake (parking fee approx. 3 €).
Lake Hintersee is surrounded by Alpine peaks, from which long waterfalls fall into the valley. The trail around the lake is wide, gravelly and easy. It is lined with educational signs and there are several benches and mountain huts by the lake where you can refresh yourself.
15. Krimml Waterfalls
- Distance from Zell am See: 50 minutes by car or 1.5 hours by bus
Even as you drive down Gerlos Strasse, you can see the impressive Krimml Waterfalls, the largest waterfalls in Europe, in the distance.
These cascading waterfalls reach a height of 380 metres and are divided into three levels. All levels are connected by a 4 km long paved trail with 11 stops along the way. You’ll be so close to the falls that you won’t be left with a dry thread.
The higher you go, the fewer hikers you will meet on the trail. You will reach a valley where you can walk to the alpine pastures around the wild river Krimmler Ache. The road is wide, well maintained and suitable for strollers.
How to get to Krimmler Falls
The Krimmler Waterfalls are located just outside Krimml on the panoramic Gerlos Strasse road. It is open all year round and costs €11 (motorbikes €8) in 2023.
Once you arrive here, you will see a large car park, information centre and stalls along the path to the falls. Parking is paid, as is the entrance to the waterfalls. You can find the current opening hours and entrance fees at this link.
From Zell am See, bus no. 670. The journey takes 1.5 hours. Get off at the Krimml Wasserfälle stop.
16. The Gschlösstal Valley and the Schlatenkees Glacier
- Distance from Zell am See: 45 minutes by car towards Matrei in Osttirol
This trip tip is located a little further away from Zell am See, but once you arrive here, you’ll understand why the area is known as the “Royal Valley of the Eastern Alps”.
Gschlösstal Valley – imagine a valley dotted with traditional wooden huts and surrounded by majestic peaks including the Großvenediger, the highest peak of the Venediger group. The dominant feature of the area is the Schlatenkees glacier, which stretches between the peaks and into the valley, although unfortunately it is still disappearing due to global warming.
There are beautiful hiking trails in the area, both easy and challenging, so there is something for everyone. In 4-4.5 hours you can circumnavigate the glacier on the Gletscherlehrweg Innergschlöss.
How to get to the Gschlösstal Valley
The starting point is the paid parking lot at the Matreier Tauerhaus (parking for a maximum of € 9 per 24 hours).
You can continue from the car park on foot or by taxi. It takes about 1.5 hours on foot to Innergschlöss, which is the starting point for exploring the valley. Alternatively, you can take a local taxi from the parking lot of Innergschlöss to the Venedigerhaus. Taxis run every 20 minutes between 8:40 and 17:00 in high season and cost €6 per person.
17. Bad Gastein and the Stubnerkogel
- Distance from Zell am See: 40 minutes by car
Bad Gastein is a spa town in the east of the High Tatras. Its landmark is the Gasteiner Waterfall, a 341-metre high waterfall that cascades over the cliffs through the forest right in the centre of the town.
From Bad Gastein you can hike to the top of the Stubnerkogel (2246 m). A comfortable cable car leads to the top. You can find more information about the cable car here.
The biggest attraction on Strubnerkogel is the suspension bridge that takes you to the Glocknerblick observation platform, which offers a spectacular view of the Grossglockner, Austria’s highest peak.
Where to stay in Zell am See?
Recommendation: if you plan to use the cable cars and other paid attractions, look for a hotel or guesthouse that offers the Zell am See – Kaprun summer card (valid from 15 May to 31 October).
You will gain a huge advantage that will save you a considerable amount of money. The card cannot be purchased separately, is free of charge and is exclusively for guests staying in the Zell am See – Kaprun area for at least one day.
The card gives you free access to most of the area’s attractions, including the Kitzsteinhorn glacier, the Grossglockner alpine road, the Sigmund Thun Gorge, the Krimml waterfalls, the Schmittenhöhe cable car, access to the outdoor pool in Zell am See, boat trips, local buses and the Kaprun alpine reservoir.
All accommodations below include a Zell am See – Kaprun SommerCard, which you will automatically receive upon arrival. Free parking is also available on site or in the on-site garage.
- Elements Resort Zell am See: Four-star resort with fully equipped apartments, outdoor pool, restaurant and fitness centre.
- The House Zell am See : Luxury aparthotel in a quiet part of Zell am See
- Hotel Latini : Four star hotel with swimming pool, beautiful spa and restaurants
- Pension Margarete : A cosy, alpine hotel in the mid-price range at the foot of the Schmittenhöhe
- Alpenhotel Tauernstüberl : Traditional three-star hotel with restaurant and half board
- Aparthotel Nikolaus by AvenidA : Modern, newly furnished and fully equipped apartments with sauna
HOTELS ZELL AM SEE – KAPRUN 😴
These accommodations include a SommerCard, which gives you free access to lifts, public transport and attractions in the area (more info later in the article). All guests will receive their card automatically on arrival. Valid from 15 May to 31 October.
Zell am See, Austria – map
HOW TO USE THIS MAP: Above you will find a detailed map for the things to do in Zell am See in Austria. Click at the top left of the map to see separate layers with highlighted locations. You can hide and show the different layers or click on the icons on the map to see the names of the places mentioned in the Zell am See guide. If you want to save the map, star it. For a larger version, click on the icon in the upper right corner.
Transportation in Zell am See
Austrian motorways are toll roads and cost €9.60 for a car for 10 days. You can buy an Austrian vignette here.
The maximum speed limit on Austrian motorways is 130 km/h, 100 km/h on roads and 50 km/h in a municipality like ours. However, there are often speed limits.
This was our guide to Zell am See in the Austrian Alps and our tips for hikes and walking routes, things to do in the area. Do you have a question? We’ll be happy to answer it in the comments below. Have a safe journey!
More information about the Alps
AUSTRIAN ALPS: Check out the best places to go in the Austrian Alps, including tips for hikes and walking routes in the area. Tips for the most beautiful places in the Austrian Alps in a separate article, as well as what to visit in the Hohe Tauern.
Or head straight to Tyrol or Lake Wolfgangsee. Other popular destinations in the Austrian Alps are the Dachstein mountain range or the beautiful Lake Achensee.
BAVARIAN ALPS: Get inspired by attractions and hiking tips in the Bavarian Alps.
DOLOMITES: We have prepared a detailed guide with tips on the best hikes and hiking routes in the Dolomites.
