Zell am See

Travel Guide
Photo provided by Zell am See Kaprun Tourismus/GmbH Gix Media GmbH
One of the most popular resorts in the mountainous Pinzgau area of Austria, this town attracts more than 1 million visitors each year with its pretty setting and exciting activities.

Zell am See is a picturesque town located on the shore of the Zeller See (Lake Zell) and surrounded by the Hohe Tauern mountain range. Founded by monks in the 8th century, Zell am See is now a chic, year-round resort destination. Come in winter for superb skiing or in summer to cycle along the lake’s pretty shores and take a dip in its refreshingly chilly waters.

View gorgeous Lake Zell’s bright blue alpine waters. Strong mountain breezes make the lake an excellent spot for windsurfing. Wakeboarding and waterskiing are also popular. If you find the lake’s waters too chilly, head to Freizeitzentrum instead. This leisure center has an 80-foot-long (25-meter) pool as well as saunas and an ice rink.

Don’t miss the town’s Romanesque Pfarrkirche (Parish Church), which dates back to the early 12th century. Inside, look for a late-Gothic choir and splendid statues of St. George and St. Florian.

Near the town square, find the interesting Stadtmuseum Vogtturm, a folklore museum inside an 11th-century tower. The museum’s display of old clothing and historic artifacts creates a picture of life in Salzburg in days past. The town center is also home to 16th-century Castle Rosenberg. Once a family residence, the handsome Bavarian-style building now houses the Rathaus (Town Hall).

Take the cable car from the center of Zell am See up the Schmittenhöhe, a 6,453-foot (1,967-meter) peak. The view from the top is one of the best in the Kitzbühel Alps, encompassing the Grossglockner and Tauern granite ranges to the south and west as well as the northern limestone ranges. Four other cablecar lines run up the mountain and are used by winter skiers and summer hikers and bikers.

Reach Zell am See by regular trains departing from Salzburg and Innsbruck. Buses can also be taken, but trains are more convenient because they typically require fewer connections. The town may be extremely busy during peak season. Avoid July and August if you prefer minimal crowds.

HAIDVOGL MAVIDA Zell am See
HAIDVOGL MAVIDA Zell am See
4 out of 5
Kirchenweg 11, Zell am See, Salzburg
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is P6,184 per night from 10 Nov to 11 Nov
P6,184
P7,062 total
includes taxes & fees
Nov 10 - Nov 11
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Zell am See. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and a casino. Popular attractions Schüttlift and AreitXpress Cable Car are ...
9/10 Wonderful! (241 reviews)
"The hotel is in an amazing location and the room and facilities are really great. Perhaps it would be nice if the spa offered a jacuzzi, but otherwise there really was no issue whatsoever."

Reviewed on Jul 28, 2024

HAIDVOGL MAVIDA Zell am See
Elements Resort Zell am See, BW Signature Collection
Elements Resort Zell am See, BW Signature Collection
4 out of 5
Gletschermoosstrasse 6, Zell am See, Austria
The price is P9,377 per night from 2 Dec to 3 Dec
P9,377
P10,574 total
includes taxes & fees
Dec 2 - Dec 3
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Zell am See. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions AreitXpress Cable Car and Schüttlift ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (58 reviews)
"We arrived on Saturday afternoon, and we were greeted by a very nice and helpful receptionist (David), who was super friendly, and gave us advice on what to do. Additionally you get the summer ticket as part of the stay which provides loads of discounts and counts for Public transport as well. The ..."

Reviewed on Oct 21, 2024

Elements Resort Zell am See, BW Signature Collection
Grand Hotel Zell Am See
Grand Hotel Zell Am See
4 out of 5
Esplanade 4-6, Zell am See, Salzburg
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Zell am See. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (416 reviews)
"The staff were all amazing, friendly and helpful. A beautiful old building in a fantastic spot, 5 mins walk from the train station and 5 mins to the picturesque town centre."

Reviewed on Oct 31, 2024

Grand Hotel Zell Am See
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
The House Zell am See
The House Zell am See
4 out of 5
Schulstrasse 12, Zell am See
Stay at this 4-star spa aparthotel in Zell am See. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Ebenberg Ski Lift and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (32 reviews)
"Laundry facility"

Reviewed on May 29, 2024

The House Zell am See
AlpenParks Chalet & Apartment AreitXpress
AlpenParks Chalet & Apartment AreitXpress
3.5 out of 5
Bruckbergweg 1, Zell am See, Salzburg
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Zell am See. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Zell am See-Kaprun Golf Club and AreitXpress ...
10/10 Exceptional! (3 reviews)
Nice hotel but some insect blinds would be nice
"It was a great apartment but the downside is that there is no insect blinds on the windows which resulted in tonnes of flies coming in. We have been killing flies all night long 😑 Apart from that it is very clean and spacious with a big shared garden."

Reviewed on Oct 31, 2021

AlpenParks Chalet & Apartment AreitXpress
Appartements Trinker
Appartements Trinker
3.5 out of 5
LOFERER BUNDESSTRASSE 14, Zell am See
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in Zell am See. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a sauna. Popular attractions Zell am See Leisure Centre and Vogtturm City ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (11 reviews)
"Appartment 7 was so fit for me and my friends. We liked so much the space and especially the kitchen."

Reviewed on Jul 26, 2024

Appartements Trinker
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do