Zell am See

Travel Guide

Photo provided by Zell am See Kaprun Tourismus/GmbH Gix Media GmbH
Photo provided by © Austrian National Tourist Office/ Andreas Hofer
Photo provided by © Austrian National Tourist Office/ Niederstrasser
Photo provided by Zell am See Kaprun Tourismus/Markus Radlgruber
Photo provided by © Austrian National Tourist Office/ Niederstrasser
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.

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 ¥24,190 per night from Apr 27 to Apr 28
¥24,190
¥27,436 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 27 - Apr 28
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Zell am See. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and a fitness center. Popular attractions AreitXpress Cable Car and Zell am ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (70 reviews)
"Very helpful staff, great location, nice pool."

Reviewed on Feb 23, 2025

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
The price is ¥46,375 per night from Apr 11 to Apr 12
¥46,375
¥51,839 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 11 - Apr 12
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! (431 reviews)
Charme der 1950er bis 70er. Etwas plüschig.
"Kein klassisches Grandhotel in der jetzigen Form, eher 70er Jahre-Stil aber sehr komfortabel, etwas plüschig. Vor allem das sehr höfliche und zuvorkommende Personal ist zu loben."

Reviewed on Feb 5, 2025

Grand Hotel Zell Am See
The Gast House Zell am See
The Gast House Zell am See
4 out of 5
Hafnergasse 4, Zell am See, Salzburg
The price is ¥21,388 per night from Apr 2 to Apr 3
¥21,388
¥24,353 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 2 - Apr 3
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Zell am See. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Zell am See Leisure Centre ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (63 reviews)
"A great site which is so convenient for enjoying Zell!"

Reviewed on Mar 15, 2025

The Gast House 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! (33 reviews)
"Laundry facility"

Reviewed on May 29, 2024

The House Zell am See
Alpine city living by we rent
Alpine city living by we rent
3.5 out of 5
Kirchengasse 1, Zell am See
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Zell am See. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and cable TV channels. Popular attractions Zell am See Leisure Centre ...
8/10 Very Good! (22 reviews)
"Vera is a great host, nothing is too hard for them and they even answered my Whatsapp messages on Sunday (their rest day). I'm so thankful to have found this place. The property has very strong vinegary smell in the kitchen/living area, so strong that we tried to avoid the kitchen as much as we can. ..."

Reviewed on Feb 26, 2023

Alpine city living by we rent
Central Zell am See apartment, Fantastic lake view
Central Zell am See apartment, Fantastic lake view
Zell am See
Book a stay at this golf apartment in Zell am See. Enjoy free WiFi, balconies, and cable/satellite TV service. Popular attractions City Xpress Ski Lift and Zell ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (52 reviews)
Great accommodation
"Accommodation was great, comfortable and convenient"

Reviewed on Feb 3, 2024

Central Zell am See apartment, Fantastic lake view
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.

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Reviews of Zell am See

4.4
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
12
5 - Excellent 57%
4 - Good
8
4 - Good 38%
3 - Okay
0
3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
1
1 - Terrible 5%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

I have been to Zell am See many times. Its charms and its convenience and the skiing keep me coming back!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Too many Arabs there

5/5 - Excellent

Sandra

Beautiful place to relax.

1/5 - Terrible

Verified traveler

We had an exceptionally terrible experience and would not recommend anyone staying here— especially at this price point.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

It’s a good starting point for driving through Großglockner hochalpin Straße

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Zell am See is a beautiful picturesque town, when the weather is nice you can take some breathtaking pictures, and there’s not allot of tourists it’s like a hidden gem.

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