Day 1 in Zell am See

Welcome to the picturesque village of Zell am See! Upon arrival, you will go through customs and immigration. Should you opt to purchase a transfer to your hotel; a representative will be waiting for you as you exit immigration. Arrive at your hotel, check in and do not give in to jet lag! There is so much for you to see and do!

Start your afternoon by strolling the Old Town, it is compact and traffic-free. Stroll the narrow streets, admire the old St. Hippolyte, walk along the esplanade by the lake and test the cuisine at the restaurants in the city. In many of them, you will find Arabic dishes, due to the wave of tourists coming from that region, but you will also have other varied options and top restaurants to choose from.

While in the old town, take time to admire Zell am See`s oldest building, the Kasternertum. Thought to be built before the year 1000, the tower now houses the town`s museum. The centuries old buildings in Stadtplatz now house hotels and restaurants, and in summer, a traditional market every Friday is a great place to stock up on local produce and enjoy a Bratwurst and beer.

The Zell am See shopping options are plentiful, too. There are a wide range of fashion, sports and souvenir shops to browse through, as well as shops selling tradition Austrian produce. Bike rentals and outdoor equipment is also available at numerous locations in town.

Zell am See`s town center is also home to a couple of good sized supermarkets, bakeries, butchers and plenty of cafes and restaurants (as mentioned above). There`s also an ice rink and indoor pool which are especially popular on rainy days.

When night approaches, make sure to check out the light show on the lake. The show takes place a few times a week, and lasts for about 20 minutes. It is the ideal way to relax by the lake at the end of a full day in the beautiful mountain resort.

End your day relaxing over a delicious meal at one of the many top-notch restaurants in town. The selection of restaurants and taverns is fantastic; many of them have a common sense of sustainability and rationality. As much as possible, native, seasonal and often organic products are used, which is reflected in the taste and quality of the food.

Day 2 in Zell am See

Depending on the time of year, you`re itinerary while in the Zell am See will vary. While in the winter the ski slopes are the focus, in the summer the breathtaking landscape and the impressive panoramas attract the visitors.

A perfect way to get a good overview of the town and the surrounding area is provided by a boat trip on the Zeller See. Said to be one of the warmest lakes in Europe as it is fed by an underground spring rather than melting snow, Lake Zell is the town`s showpiece and is a great place to unwind. Spending time by the lake is one of the best Zell am See summer activities. There are also regular tours or even cruises on the lake. The tours last about an hour and offer fantastic views of the Kitzsteinhorn, the Schmittenhohe and the massif of the Toten Gebirge.

Another great way to enjoy the beauty of the lake is to stroll or cycle along the lakeside promenade. You can get around the lake by foot in around three hours (it`s a 7.5 mile circular loop) via the promenade on the western side of the footpath on the eastern side. Cyclists will need to ride on the road on the eastern side of the lake but the traffic is not too busy and you`ll pass through a few of the other villages perched on the lake`s shore. Lake cruises are popular, as are a range of water sports, with windsurfers, Stand Up Paddleboards, pedalos and electric boats available for hire.

If you`re here during warmer weather, a hike of the area is a must do! There are several walking and hiking tours, the most popular being Pinzgauer Spaziergant, 9 miles long. This hike route starts in Zell am See and ends in Saalbach. However, there are several options, so it depends on you from which angle you want to look at the lake and all the stunning surroundings. The nearest peak is Mount Schmittnehohe and has 6,446 ft altitude.

Another fabulous way to spend the day in the warmer months is to enjoy some biking. Whether you decide to hop on a mountain bike, a road bike or an e-bike and do 1 mile or a 42 mile ride, be warned it`s going to be at least a medium intensity physical activity. But it is definitely worth it. With a bike you`re sure to cover more distance quickly and see everything you should if you`re only in town for a few days.

And if you`re here in winter, go skiing! Winter sports remain the favorite activity in Zell am See where approximately 85 miles of the runway awaits you. The most appreciated are Schmittenhöhe (6,446 ft.) and Kitzsteinhorn Glacier (10,508 ft.). The most convenient way to get there is to take the cityXpress gondola (about 18 euro adult, 9 euro children), which departs from the center of the village of Zell am See. Being the destination is in more demand for winter sports, cold season prices can be 50% higher than in the warmer season. So, if you are not a fan of these sports, we recommend you go here during spring or summer when temperatures and prices are more acceptable.

Additional Days in Zell am See

If you`re finding yourself with an extra day to spare, you may want to spend a day of indulgence at any of the relaxing Thermal Spa Resorts in Zell am See - Kaprun. Tauern Spa World in Kaprun is a huge wellness complex that features 11 indoor and outdoor pools, 10 saunas and steam rooms, and a children`s spa, as well as activity and relaxation programs. Enjoy stunning views of the picturesque alps as you soak all your cares away.

Alternatively, you may opt to venture a little further afield from Zell am See to explore nearby cities and natural wonders. Only an hour`s drive away, Salzburg is a great day out with its history, baroque architecture, beautiful palace and fantastic shopping.

If you have a car, a must-do is a drive on the Gross Glockner High Alpine Road, a magnificent, panoramic road that twists and turns its way across the Alps in the Hohe Tauern National Park. At the summit, you come face to face with Austria`s highest mountain, the Grossglockner (2.4 miles high), towering over the Pasterze Glacier, one of Europe`s longest and most impressive glaciers. You can take a funicular or walk down to the glacier where you can walk upon the frozen ice. Definitely a unique experience!

Keeping to the ice theme, the Eisriesenwelt (Ice Caves) are located near Werfen, just over an hour from Zell am See. The caves take a bit of an effort to get inside (a 20 minute uphill walk, a ride on Austria`s steepest cable car, at 70 degrees, and then another ten minute walk), but the ice formations inside are worth the effort. Despite being around minus 1°C inside, climbing the paths that take you along some of the 26 miles of ice caves, soon warms you up.

You Last Day in Zell am See

Depart your hotel for the airport for your return home. We recommend that you purchase a private transfer, if so a representative will meet you at the hotel, in time to take you to the airport for your flight out.