Zell am See is a tiny, but perfectly formed Austrian city, right by its own perfect alpine lake and nestled in amongst snow capped, and glacier studded, mountains. Since the 60s it’s been an alpine health resort, the kind of place where the air and water feel like they’re probably doing you good. Even the Zeller See lake is known for being healthily drinkable, not just ripe for bathing and boating. As well as drinking the water, people come to hike, ski, cycle, drive around the amazing high mountain roads in expensive, preferably opened-topped, cars and watch other people doing the same. It’s probably no surprise that some of the best places to stay in Zell am See are glamorous alpine chalet-cum-health-resorts, but our Guru’s list also includes several very family friendly hotels and a very reasonable family-run B&B or two.
If you’re here to ski then you might appreciate that this is quite a developed ski resort, unlike most of Austria’s more rustic village resorts. The fact that there’s an impressive glacier just down the road at Kaprun and a gondola link to Vienhofen near Saalbach makes it perfect. The skiing is pretty varied but doesn’t come that close to the town itself.
If you’re here in the summer, or just to experience Zell, then you’ll probably be more interested in the pretty, medieval old town, its Romanesque church and castle. There are also numerous walking routes and plenty of outdoor activities like paragliding, cannoning, sledding etc.. During summer there’s a light show on over the lake most evenings, plus a nightly festival with great food, art and music.
What not to miss
- The skiing up the mountain, while also being in a more developed ski resort down the mountain
- The town itself is well worth an explore, with a beautiful medieval old town with a church and castle originating from the Roman times.
- In the summer there are many festivals to explore, with lights over the lake and also great food, art, and music to immerse yourself in.