Zell am See-Kaprun is suitable for active holidaymakers. Zell am See and Kaprun attract nature tourists and outdoor enthusiasts all year round. Both downhill and hiking are possible in the area.
Zell am See and the neighboring village of Kaprun form a diverse resort in the Austrian Alps, which attracts active outdoor enthusiasts all year round. In summer, the attractions are green mountain meadows and hiking trails, and in winter, alpine enthusiasts head to the area.
The pearl of the Austrian Alps
Embraced by the Austrian Alps, on the shores of beautiful Lake Zeller, lies the small town of Zell am See. The city is a lively and popular holiday destination in both summer and winter. In summer, the area is attracted by hiking trails through the mountain meadows and by the lake, a golf course and cycling opportunities.
In winter, the Schmittenhöhe and the Kitzsteinhorn glacier in the nearby alpine village of Kaprun are popular with skiers. More than 130 kilometers of slopes, modern lifts, a well-maintained ski network and a fast-paced afterski guarantee a successful skiing and downhill holiday.
In Zell am See and Kaprun, in addition to nature and ski tourism, there is also the opportunity to pamper yourself. Zell am See has a high-quality spa with an outdoor pool and sauna where you can relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery. In addition, the restaurant offer in both alpine villages is plentiful and of high quality. If you are interested in history, you should visit the medieval castle of Kaprun.
Zell am See-Kaprun attracts tourists all year round
Austria has a typical European temperate climate. However, due to height differences, there are large regional variations.
In the Zell am See and Kaprun area, summers are warm. The hottest is in July-August. During the summer, the area also rains frequently. Usually the rains are short thunderstorms, not so much a continuous rain lasting several days.
Winters in the area are cold and snowy. Especially on the Kitzsteinhorn glacier, the snow comes several meters. The snow situation in Schmittenhöhe varies greatly from year to year. Due to the altitude differences in the area, there may be bad air at the bottom of the village, but at an altitude of more than three kilometers on the Kitzsteinhorn the sun is shining. A skier should follow the celebrity cameras before heading to the slopes.
Zell am See-Kaprun is the choice of the active mover
The destination in the Alps is especially a favorite for active riders. Zell am See and Kaprun are great places to hike in the mountain meadows and enjoy the joys of winter sports on the ski slopes.
In summer, you can hike in Zell am See on several trails of different sizes. The trails run high in the fresh alpine air between meadows and mountain lakes. On the way you can stop to eat snacks in the alpine huts. Hiking can also be combined with climbing as well as a swimming trip on the lake. It is possible to travel the routes on your own or, if you wish, you can take part in a guided hike. There are also a few winter hiking trails in the area.
Together, Zell am See and Kaprun form a popular ski resort with almost 140 kilometers of slopes. From more than 50 slopes, everyone will find an alternative that suits their own calculation skills. On the Zell am See side, the slopes are well suited for intermediate skiers, while the more experienced and more challenging skier should head to the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier. Between the two lies Maiskogel, which is best suited for families.
Other popular activities include mountain biking, horse riding, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Golfing in stunning scenery
Zell am See and Kaprun are mainly considered as hiking and skiing destinations. However, there are also two full-size golf courses in the area where you can swing your racket in the summer. The fields are suitable for both beginners and more experienced players.
In the spring, the Zell am See-Kaprun Golf Club hosts the International Ski & Golf World Cup, where enthusiasts of the two sports can compete against each other.
Good to know about Zell am See-Kaprun
The area is popular all year round. At times, it can feel congested in need of peace and quiet. Especially during the winter season, be prepared for the fact that there are a lot of people on the slopes. If you plan to travel to the area during the high season, you should book your accommodation in advance.
The price level is almost the same as in Finland. Shopping opportunities are good, especially if you want to buy sportswear and equipment. There is other supply, but more limited.
For history and culture lovers the destination has less to offer. However, Zell am See-Kaprun is just over an hour’s drive from Salzburg , making it easy to combine culture with a sports holiday. Salzburg is known as the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and the main stage of the musical The Sound of Music , among others .
FLIGHTS, ACCOMMODATION AND MOVEMENT IN ZELL AM AND KAPRUN
Scheduled flight to your destination
The nearest airports in Zell am See and Kaprun are about 90 km from Salzburg and 150 km from Innsbruck . You can also get there via Munich, Germany . From there, the distance to Zell am See is about 170 kilometers. From the fields, the destination can be reached by bus or train. Both often require at least one exchange.
Traveling from Helsinki to Salzburg and Innsbruck on a scheduled flight often requires one stopover, while Munich can be reached by direct flight. A direct flight takes about 2.5 hours, with a stopover the flight time is about 7 hours. Flight prices vary depending on the season and the number of stopovers. Round-trip flights via Germany are around EUR 120-300 and for Austrian airports around EUR 230-400.
Tour operators also offer flight and hotel packages to the area, which can also be purchased with an airport shuttle. Prices and supply vary according to the season. You can ask for packages at least from Aurinkomatkat.
Diverse accommodation offer
Zell am See and Kaprun are popular destinations all year round. Accommodation is plentiful and everyone can easily find a suitable option in the area.
There are both five-star luxury hotels and modest hostels in the area, where you can book a bed in a shared room. There are also a few campsites, some of which are open all year round.
However, the most popular form of accommodation in the area are the various inns that offer the best alpine atmosphere. The inns can be found from a few rooms to larger and more hotel-like places. Breakfast is often included in the price. In addition, many inns have good facilities for the storage and maintenance of winter sports equipment.
Getting around on site
The centers of Zell am See and Kaprun are quite small and all the main services are easily reachable on foot. There is a bus service between the destinations and the ski lift departures. In winter, the ski bus is free when ski equipment is included.
Car rental is a good option when traveling to Zell am See and Kaprun. You should already rent a car from the airport, especially if you have a lot of stuff like ski equipment. Within driving distance you can admire the beautiful alpine region.
SIGHTS OF ZELL AM SEEN AND KAPRUN
Kitzsteinhorn Glacier
The Kitzsteinhorn Glacier in Kaprun is not only a winter sports destination but also an attraction. At an altitude of more than three kilometers, there is also snow in summer. You can climb the glacier to admire the magnificent mountain scenery and at the same time enjoy the dishes of the slope restaurants. The specialty above is the restaurant area made of igloos. In addition, the nature center provides information on the plants and animals in the area.
Schmittenhöhe mountain
The center of Zell am See is located right at the foot of the Schimittenhöhe. You can easily get up from the village with a cable lift both in summer and in winter. In summer, get up to admire the scenery or hike the trails. In summer, the ferocious ones can also go from above to the hanging connection. In winter, the mountain slopes have 77 kilometers of slopes of different levels, a few of which make it possible to descend even in the evenings.
There are also small inns and restaurants on the slopes of Schmittenhöhe, which are open all year round.
Kaprun Castle
Kaprun Castle is the most famous landmark in the area. Its history dates back to the 13th century. By exploring the more than 600-year-old castle, you can make a time travel to the past and hear stories about medieval knights and castle maidens. There is a large medieval festival held every year in July, when the castle is filled with the music and market hum of the past.
Museums and other sites
There are a few small museums in the Zell am See and Kaprun area that offer a variety for a sports holiday.
Kaprun has the Vötter Museum of Old Cars, where you can find vehicles from the 1950s and 1970s. The Kaprun Museum is housed in a more than 400-year-old house where you can learn about the history of the Kaprun region from the Stone Age to the present day. The Vogtturm Zell am See museum in the village tells the story of Zell am See.
Zell am See also has its own coffee roastery, Tridor, where you can explore the secrets of coffee on a guided tour in the mornings.
THE BEST OF ZELL AM SEE CAPRON
The best slopes
- Kitzsteinhorn
- Schmittenhöhe
- Maiskogel
The best attractions
- Kitzsteinhorn Glacier
- Kaprun Castle
- Landscapes of Schmittenhöhe
- The surroundings of Lake Zeller
The best activities
- Hike
- Downhill skiing and snowboarding
- Relaxation on the lake
- Golf
- Enjoying the restaurant offer