Zell am See
Summer holidays here are great for...
Cycling
Swimming
Water sports
Lakes
Walking
Mountain biking
Where Austria summer holiday dreams come true. Crystal-clear Lake Zell swims, mountain hikes with strudel stops. Pure alpine bliss - no skis required.
- Lakeside lounging with epic views
- Sporty, chilled & fun, all in one
- Aqua adventures aplenty
Zell am See is where Austria does summer at full volume. Glistening lakes, forested peaks, flower-draped chalets - and the kind of fresh mountain air that would have Julie Andrews twirling with joy. Set between the waters of Lake Zell and the heights of the Hohe Tauern mountain range, this resort is as scenic as it is energetic. Mother Nature did herself proud.
From hiking high trails to paddleboarding across the lake, there's something for every kind of holidaymaker. Picnic by a waterfall? Lakeside yoga? Sailing past snow-capped summits? Zell am See delivers all this, and with a charmingly Austrian twist - think brass bands, wooden balconies, and dumplings with everything. Whether you're a sporty solo, a chilled couple, or a family on the go, Zell am See is the perfect blend of relaxation and alpine buzz.
Plus, getting around in summer is smooth, scenic and stress-free. Especially with the Zell am See-Kaprun Summer Card, valid from mid-May to October. It’s issued to guests staying at participating accommodations (we’ll show you which ones), and gives free use of public buses, boats, lake lidos, and all major cable cars. The region also has a separate guest mobility ticket. Win win!
- Lakeside lounging with epic views
- Sporty, chilled & fun, all in one
- Aqua adventures aplenty
Zell am See is where Austria does summer at full volume. Glistening lakes, forested peaks, flower-draped chalets - and the kind of fresh mountain air that would have Julie Andrews twirling with joy. Set between the waters of Lake Zell and the heights of the Hohe Tauern mountain range, this resort is as scenic as it is energetic. Mother Nature did herself proud.
From hiking high trails to paddleboarding across the lake, there's something for every kind of holidaymaker. Picnic by a waterfall? Lakeside yoga? Sailing past snow-capped summits? Zell am See delivers all this, and with a charmingly Austrian twist - think brass bands, wooden balconies, and dumplings with everything. Whether you're a sporty solo, a chilled couple, or a family on the go, Zell am See is the perfect blend of relaxation and alpine buzz.
Plus, getting around in summer is smooth, scenic and stress-free. Especially with the Zell am See-Kaprun Summer Card, valid from mid-May to October. It’s issued to guests staying at participating accommodations (we’ll show you which ones), and gives free use of public buses, boats, lake lidos, and all major cable cars. The region also has a separate guest mobility ticket. Win win!
Zell am See
Activities
Hiking & Walking
From gentle lakeside strolls to panoramic ridge adventures, Zell am See’s hiking scene is a masterpiece of forest trails, flower meadows and glacier views. With over 400km of marked paths and plenty of cable car access, it’s easy to enjoy big views with low effort. Themed trails, family-friendly walks and mountaintop huts will keep legs (and cameras) happy.
- Mystical Forest - A magical woodland walk with fun surprises for younger explorers and fairy tale fans.
- Sissi Circular Trail - Follow in the imperial footsteps of Austria’s Empress Sisi, who walked this 2km trail around the lake back in the day. Leisurely and stroller-friendly, it’s ideal for families.
- Pinzgauer Spaziergang - A ridge-hugging 17km Kitzbühel Alps trail with endless views. Great for seasoned hikers with stamina to spare.
From gentle lakeside strolls to panoramic ridge adventures, Zell am See’s hiking scene is a masterpiece of forest trails, flower meadows and glacier views. With over 400km of marked paths and plenty of cable car access, it’s easy to enjoy big views with low effort. Themed trails, family-friendly walks and mountaintop huts will keep legs (and cameras) happy.
- Mystical Forest - A magical woodland walk with fun surprises for younger explorers and fairy tale fans.
- Sissi Circular Trail - Follow in the imperial footsteps of Austria’s Empress Sisi, who walked this 2km trail around the lake back in the day. Leisurely and stroller-friendly, it’s ideal for families.
- Pinzgauer Spaziergang - A ridge-hugging 17km Kitzbühel Alps trail with endless views. Great for seasoned hikers with stamina to spare.
Cycling & Mountain biking
Zell am See’s biking scene is seriously versatile. Roadies can tackle big alpine climbs, families can cruise round the lake, and mountain bikers can tear up forest trails or coast into an alpine hut for a strudel stop. With bike hire (including e-bikes) available in town and a cycle network that’s smooth and scenic, this is a summer cycling paradise. No Lycra required (but always welcome).
- Lake Zell Loop - A flat 11km path with picture-perfect views. Great for families and slow rollers.
- Tauern Cycle Trail - Long-distance and low-gradient, with rivers, valleys and epic scenery. Good for touring types.
- Grossglockner Ascent - A legendary, lung-busting road incline for hardcore cyclists who love the glory of the climb.
Zell am See’s biking scene is seriously versatile. Roadies can tackle big alpine climbs, families can cruise round the lake, and mountain bikers can tear up forest trails or coast into an alpine hut for a strudel stop. With bike hire (including e-bikes) available in town and a cycle network that’s smooth and scenic, this is a summer cycling paradise. No Lycra required (but always welcome).
- Lake Zell Loop - A flat 11km path with picture-perfect views. Great for families and slow rollers.
- Tauern Cycle Trail - Long-distance and low-gradient, with rivers, valleys and epic scenery. Good for touring types.
- Grossglockner Ascent - A legendary, lung-busting road incline for hardcore cyclists who love the glory of the climb.
Other things to do
Zell am See doesn’t just offer walking and wheeling - you can fly, float, swing, slide and glide to your heart’s content! There’s plenty of non-hiking, non-cycling magic to fill your summer days, including all types of aqua fun on (and in) Lake Zell. It’s heaven for wakeboarders, kayakers and paddleboarders.
- Lake Zell Cruise - Calm, scenic, and classy. Great for gentle sightseeing and wine with a view.
- Paragliding from Schmittenhöhe - Soar with eagles over the lake and peaks. Perfect for thrill-seekers and view hunters.
- Maisi Flitzer Alpine Coaster - Super-fun sledding on rails with loops and laughs? Sign us up! Perfect for families and big kids.
- Magic Lake Show - All summer long, Lake Zell hosts a magical free light, water, and music show after dark several evenings a week (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays) near Elisabethpark.
Zell am See doesn’t just offer walking and wheeling - you can fly, float, swing, slide and glide to your heart’s content! There’s plenty of non-hiking, non-cycling magic to fill your summer days, including all types of aqua fun on (and in) Lake Zell. It’s heaven for wakeboarders, kayakers and paddleboarders.
- Lake Zell Cruise - Calm, scenic, and classy. Great for gentle sightseeing and wine with a view.
- Paragliding from Schmittenhöhe - Soar with eagles over the lake and peaks. Perfect for thrill-seekers and view hunters.
- Maisi Flitzer Alpine Coaster - Super-fun sledding on rails with loops and laughs? Sign us up! Perfect for families and big kids.
- Magic Lake Show - All summer long, Lake Zell hosts a magical free light, water, and music show after dark several evenings a week (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays) near Elisabethpark.
Where to eat and drink
Austrian soul food meets lakeside lunching in Zell am See’s diverse dining scene. Whether it’s dumplings with a panorama or pizza after a paddle, you’ll eat well - and there will probably be cheese involved. From rustic mountain huts to lively town taverns, there’s a flavour for every appetite and a drink to match. Schnapps, anyone?
- Pfefferbauer - This cute mountain inn serves up homemade classics with a side of warm Austrian hospitality. Set high above the lake with delicious views, it’s made for sunset dinners and cheese lovers.
- Kupferkessel - Casual, comfy, and kid-friendly - with a huge menu. Great for families or indecisive eaters.
- Villa Crazy Daisy - Eclectic, upbeat and lakeside. A top spot for casual après-adventure drinks and fun group dinners.
Austrian soul food meets lakeside lunching in Zell am See’s diverse dining scene. Whether it’s dumplings with a panorama or pizza after a paddle, you’ll eat well - and there will probably be cheese involved. From rustic mountain huts to lively town taverns, there’s a flavour for every appetite and a drink to match. Schnapps, anyone?
- Pfefferbauer - This cute mountain inn serves up homemade classics with a side of warm Austrian hospitality. Set high above the lake with delicious views, it’s made for sunset dinners and cheese lovers.
- Kupferkessel - Casual, comfy, and kid-friendly - with a huge menu. Great for families or indecisive eaters.
- Villa Crazy Daisy - Eclectic, upbeat and lakeside. A top spot for casual après-adventure drinks and fun group dinners.
Zell am See
Maps
Zell am See
Weather average
Average daily high
May
20°C
tempJun
23°C
tempJul
24°C
tempAug
23°C
tempSep
19°C
tempOct
16°C
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