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Zell am See walking tour & city guide

A lakeside alpine town under glaciers.

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Zell am See sits on a turquoise lake surrounded by mountains in the Salzburg region. Together with Kaprun, it is a year-round resort for skiing, hiking and lake swimming.

Lake and town

The lakeside promenade and the small old town with its church are perfect for a stroll. In summer, boats and swimmers fill the lake.

Mountains

The Schmittenhöhe cable car offers panoramic views, and the Kitzsteinhorn glacier above Kaprun allows skiing almost all year. The Grossglockner High Alpine Road, one of the most beautiful mountain roads in Europe, starts nearby.

A day in Zell am See

Walk along the lake promenade and take a boat on the Zeller See. Ride the cable car up the Schmittenhöhe for views over the lake and mountains.

Nearby, the Grossglockner High Alpine Road leads to Austria's highest mountain.

Good to know

Zell am See is a year-round resort. The Kitzsteinhorn glacier offers skiing even in summer.

The lake is great for swimming in July and August.

Seasons in Zell am See

Zell am See combines a lake and a glacier in one destination. In winter, the Schmittenhöhe and the Kitzsteinhorn offer skiing, and in very cold years the lake freezes for skating. In summer, people swim, sail and cycle around the lake, which takes about two hours. The old town has a medieval church and a small pedestrian center. The Krimml Waterfalls, among the highest in Europe, are about an hour's drive away.

Top sights in Zell am See

  1. 1

    Lake Zell

    A turquoise mountain lake.

  2. 2

    Schmittenhöhe

    A cable car to panoramic views.

  3. 3

    Kitzsteinhorn

    A glacier ski area.

  4. 4

    Grossglockner High Alpine Road

    A spectacular mountain road.

  5. 5

    Old town church

    The heart of the village.

Food markets & where to eat in Zell am See

  1. Lake promenade

    Cafés by the water.

  2. Old town

    Traditional restaurants.

  3. Mountain huts

    Food with views.

Food to try in Zell am See

  1. Kaiserschmarrn

    Shredded pancake with plum jam.

  2. Pinzgauer Kasnocken

    Cheese dumplings.

  3. Lake fish

    Fresh from local lakes.

Opening hours and prices change often. Please check with each place before you visit.

Plan your trip to Zell am See

Enjoyed the walk? Here is everything you need to see it for real.

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