Zell am See Holidays

Tucked between two mountains and shining Lake Zell, holidays to Zell am See in western Austria really hit the spot.

Old town fun

With a Romanesque church dating from Medieval times, quaint Zell am See – an Austrian town a little way's south from Salzburg – isn't a new member of the alpine crew. Let the kids explore the old stone castles before snapping pics of the brightly hued buildings and feasting on local fondue.

Lake Zell

Swan-studded in summer and frozen solid in winter, this lake perfectly mirrors the twin mountains poised right above it. This swoon-worthy spot has watersports to rival the Balearics – so take the plunge and make a splash. If you're feeling brave, give paragliding a try – it's a favourite pastime of the locals.

Twice as nice

Looming over Zell am See, you'll see the mountainous slopes of Schmittenhohe and Kitzsteinhorn. Summer brings crowds of hikers and mountain-bikers keen to explore the pine-covered hills and plunging canyons. In winter, this hidden gem's the go-to place for skiers and snowboarders. For unforgettable vistas, jump on a cable car and cast your eyes across the horizon.

Out and about

Here are some ideas of things to do when staying in Zell am See:

• Lake bathing
• Boat trips
• Cycle routes
• Waterfalls
• Indoor pool
• Outdoor pool
• Museum
• Fishing
• Wildlife spotting
• Paragliding

At a glance

Hike the snow-capped peaks of the Hohe Tauern mountains
Explore the historic town of Zell am See
Go for a speedy spin on Lake Zell via water-ski

Three beaches

Zell am See has a trio of bathing beaches to visit on the lake – Seespitz, Thumersbach and Zell am See lido. They all have a pretty similar offering, but Zell lido is much closer to the town of Zell am See than the other two.
Zell am See lido

The lido is a great place to take a dip in the crystal-clear waters of Lake Zell. It comes with sun loungers and parasols as well as a solar-heated swimming pool, too. Refreshments can be bought from the onsite restaurant.
Fun facilities

The beach is a thin, sandy strip with stones mixed in, but you can sprawl out on the wide bathing lawn, too. There’s a giant waterslide, a toddlers' pool, a trampoline, boat rentals and water-skiing. Another popular must-do is the 18-hole minigolf course.

Bargain Buys

From April to November, depending on the weather, Zell am See holds a town market in the main square. This is a great opportunity to get some holiday snaps and soak up the vibe. Plus, you might pick up some bargain souvenirs in the form of local and regional produce.
Mid-Range Buys

Zell am See has plenty of shops to wander round, everything from casual clothing stores to fashion-led retailers, plus sports shops and vendors selling unique shoes and accessories.

Laid-back evenings

Choose between the fantastic ice cream stand by the right-hand side of the Hotel Grand, and the waffle stand next to Crazy Daisy’s, which sells freshly-made waffles with a choice of toppings. Enjoy your preferred sweet treat on a gentle evening stroll.
Lively evenings

For a true spectacle, stick around the town until 10pm. Three times a week, the 20-minute-long Magic Lake Show takes centre stage, with an impressive display of water, lights, music and lasers. View the performance from the Elisabeth Park every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.

Eating out

Most restaurants in Zell am See serve a range of international cuisines under one roof. Coffee houses are also a popular choice for a cosy stop. The restaurants and cafés are spread out across the resort – you’ll find a good few between Salzmannstrasse and Loferer Strasse.
Get a taste of the local at Steinerwirt

On the Dreifaltigkeitsgasse is Steinerwirt, a traditional restaurant serving Austrian dishes. The beautifully presented food, wine cellar and sophisticated setting make this a popular stop for hungry folk looking for a bite to eat.
Villa Crazy Daisy is a must-visit

Nearing the lakefront is the infamous Villa Crazy Daisy. It always gets busy, and that’s probably because it’s known for its range of international dishes, as well as its friendly and attentive staff. And there's live music to relax to in the evenings.
Spoilt for choice at Traube Brasserie

Back towards town is the reasonably priced Traube Brasserie. The variety of exotic dishes, from Asian to American, means that people return again and again to experience something different each time – and they're never disappointed. Book in advance to guarantee a table.

On foot

Wander around authentic cobbled streets in the charming, traffic-free medieval town centre or walk down to the waterfront for calming views of the lake.
Ferries

Boats cross the lake from Zell to Thummersbach and run every half an hour between 9.30am and 6pm. Or, if you want to explore the area further, you can catch a round-trip boat that stops off at six locations around the lake. This boat runs once an hour between 10am and 5pm.
Trains

The train station is situated on the Bahnhofplatz 1 near the lake. From here you can journey to Kitzbühel in just under an hour and Salzburg in 1 hour and 40 minutes. These trains run once or twice every hour, so don’t worry if you miss one.
Buses

From the two main bus stops at the railway station and the Postplatz terminal, you can jump on a bus to the nearby town of Kaprun (20 minutes) or Saalbach (30 minutes). Buses are very efficient, with some departing two or three times every hour.
Summer lifts

The CityXpress gondola, the Schmittenhöhebahn gondola and the Sonnenalm gondola are just a few of the lifts that run throughout the summer. Most are open between June and September and run between the hours of 9am and 5pm. If the lifts aren't operating, the resort offers buses from neighbouring Kaprun up to the Maiskogel instead.

Walking

Zell am See is dominated by its beautiful lake, but there are plenty of things to do on solid ground too – 83 walking trails, in fact. The 12km walk around the lake itself is an excellent place to start. And if you get tired, you can always catch the ferry back to town. Summer lifts will whisk you to the Schmittenhöhe and Maiskogel peaks, where a network of marked trails and mountain huts awaits. You can also take the bus to Kaprun and follow the valley paths along the riverside, for wonderful views of the Hohe Tauern National Park mountains.
Pinzgauer Spaziergang

This walk is one of the most beautiful in the Eastern Alps, with incredible 360-degree views over valleys and snow-capped mountains. Catch the Schmittenhöhebahn up and then follow the trail past the Elisabeth chapel. The walk along the top can be tricky, so take your time. At the end, you can choose to take the Schattberg lift down into Saalbach or follow the path to Hinterglemm. From either, you can catch the bus back to Zell.
Ascent up to the Schmittenhöhe

There’s no better way to appreciate the Schmittenhöhe than by getting up close. There are several routes that lead from the base of the Schmittenhöhebahn to the peak – though they can get pretty steep so they aren’t for everyone. On the way, look out for people playing disc golf and try and spot examples of Art on the Mountain. There are also plenty of mountain restaurants to stop at, and the views from the top are well worth the effort.