Zell am See
This picturesque small town on the remarkably pristine Zeller See lake lies at the foot of Mount Schmittenhöhe and is truly a sight to behold and will leave you smitten at first glance. The historical centre exudes an intimate feel, with as much as 408 km of ski slopes meandering in the vicinity. And if that doesn’t suffice, you can go skiing from October until early summer on the snow-covered glacier Kitzsteinhorn, which overlooks the nearby town of Kaprun.
Gallery
WHY ZELL AM SEE?
- Take a walk through the Old Town and get lost in the hustle and bustle of boutiques, restaurants and tiny shops beckoning you with local specialities.
- Feel glamorous while sipping tea on the terrace of the renowned Grand Hotel from 1896, with a view of the lake.
- Experience unrivalled panoramas at the Mitterberg lookout point.
- Ascend 1,965 m above the lake with a funicular to Mount Schmittenhöhe – a popular ski resort in the winter and a mountaineering paradise in the summer.
- Take your family to the Plettsaukopf nature reserve, which can be accessed by a funicular from the town centre and is the location of Lake Plettsaukopf, which resembles a large blue eye.
Insider’s tip: If you’re inclined to challenging hikes, try beating Queen Sisi’s record! On 8 August 1885, at 1 am, she reached the summit of Schmittenhöhe from the town at the foot of the mountain in a record-breaking 2 hours and 16 minutes. Today, a chapel that was erected in her honour sits atop the mountain.