Zell am See in summer – 11 experiences between mountain and lake

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: October 2026 | The Austrian town of Zell am See is perhaps best known as a ski resort, but don't miss experiencing Zell am See in the summer! The town is surrounded by high alpine peaks and is wonderfully situated on the beautiful Lake Zeller See. Here you can take lifts up to the peaks to hike and enjoy the view, as well as sunbathe, swim or take boat trips on the lake.

Things to do in Zell am See and Kaprun – our best experiences

It's easy to think of Zell am See as a ski resort, but we were almost more fascinated by how much there is to do here in the summer. One minute you can be sitting by Lake Zell in shorts and the next you can be standing among snow and glaciers at an altitude of over 3,000 meters.

1. Go up to Kitzsteinhorn – 3029 meters above sea level

This was the great nature experience during our days in Zell am See and Kaprun. Kitzsteinhorn rises to 3,203 meters above sea level and with the cable cars you can go up to TOP OF SALZBURG at 3,029 meters.

For us, the journey up was a big part of the adventure. The higher we got, the more the green alpine idyll disappeared. The landscape became barren, the temperature dropped and finally we found ourselves among rocks and snow. For Helena, who is terrified of cable cars, the journey up was almost an attraction in itself.

At 3,029 meters, huge views of the Alps awaited us. Of course, we celebrated both the altitude and Helena's survival with bubbles – after all, it's important to stay hydrated when you're out in nature.

One of the biggest surprises came as we continued towards the ICE ARENA. In the middle of summer, we suddenly found ourselves on a sledding hill where people from all over the world were screaming, laughing, crashing and rolling in the snow. We definitely hadn't expected that when we woke up that morning.

Read our full experience: To the top of the Kitzsteinhorn in Austria

2. Hike through the Sigmund-Thun-Klamm

After the heights, a completely different nature experience awaited us down in Kaprun. Sigmund-Thun-Klamm is a narrow gorge where water has cut its way down between the rock walls. The gorge is about 320 meters long and in places over 30 meters deep.

You get through the gorge on wooden bridges and stairs that follow the cliff walls above the rushing water. It's not a long hike, but the environment is all the more dramatic. For us, it was also perfect because the gorge was within walking distance of the campsite where we were staying.

When we came out of the gorge itself, the landscape continued around the small green-blue Klammsee. We walked around the lake and when we were here there was also a small restaurant where you could buy something simple to eat or drink. This is an excursion we would definitely do again.

3. Take a boat trip on Lake Zellersjön

After mountains, snow and gushing gorges, we wanted to see Zell am See from a much calmer perspective. We went down to Lake Zeller See.

The boat trip we chose started near the stately Grand Hotel and took about 50 minutes around the lake. We paid a little extra to sit at the top of the boat, which turned out to be the right decision.

From here we could see the mountains, houses, hotels, beaches, marinas and campsites around the lake as the boat slowly took us around. After all the altitude, it was quite nice to have someone else take care of the transport.

4. Swim and enjoy Lake Zell

We never actually swam in Lake Zellersjön ourselves. We have to admit that. However, we saw plenty of others who did. During the summer, the lake is full of life with swimmers, boats, kayaks, SUP boards and people who simply enjoy being by the water. Around the lake there are several opportunities for swimming and activities.

That's also what makes Zell am See so special. You don't have to choose between a lakeside holiday and a holiday in the Alps. You get both at the same time.

5. Climb the Schmittenhöhe

The Kitzsteinhorn isn't the only mountain that beckons above Zell am See. The Schmittenhöhe rises directly behind the town and can be reached by cable car.

We didn't go up ourselves during our visit, but the mountain is one of the obvious options for those who want to combine a view of Lake Zellersee with hiking. There are several trails here and from the heights you get a completely different perspective of the lake and the surrounding mountains. It's also one of the reasons why we would love to return. We managed to do a lot – but far from everything.

6. Discover the center of Zell am See

It's easy to let nature take over your entire stay, but leave at least some time for Zell am See itself. The center is compact and easy to explore on foot, with restaurants, cafes and shops. During the summer evenings there are plenty of people out and about, and when we were here a band was playing in the central square and some people started dancing.

It might not have been quite the same as classic Austrian après-ski. But it didn't need to be. A warm summer evening, the Alps all around and people sitting outside eating and drinking worked perfectly.

7. See Zell am See from Mitterberg

If you want to see Zell am See and the lake from above, there is a fantastic view from Mitterberg. Of course, we decided to drive up with the FREEDOM camper. It worked, phew. But the road winds steeply up the mountain with hairpin bends, so this is not the excursion for those who think a large camper and narrow mountain roads are a relaxing combination.

The road was as wide as a narrow lane on a 15 to 20 degree incline, and it was quite sweaty. When we finally got to the top, we were rewarded with a view of the entire Zellersee and the city. It was a bit hazy that day, so the photos weren't quite as spectacular as the real thing. But we won't forget the view. And maybe not the road either.

8. Take a trip on the Großglockner High Alpine Road

If you have a car or camper and another day in the area, one of Austria's most famous alpine roads is within reach: the Großglockner Hochalpenstraße. The road winds high up through the mountains of the Hohe Tauern and offers dramatic alpine landscapes and views of Austria's highest mountain, the Großglockner.

This is not an experience within Zell am See and we therefore count it as an excursion. But for anyone doing a road trip in Austria, the location is so good that it is worth including in the planning.

9. Eat well in Zell am See – our mushroom and blueberry craving

One evening we decided to leave the simple road trip food behind and have dinner at the Hotel Zum Hirschen. We started with potato soup with salmon tartare and chanterelles. Then Peter apparently decided that there was no upper limit to how many chanterelles a person can eat and ordered a main course with lots of chanterelles in cream and bread dumplings.

I chose homemade pasta with porcini mushrooms, basil and parmesan instead. To finish, we were persuaded to try blueberry dumplings with vanilla ice cream. After that dinner, we had basically worked our way through a small Austrian forest.

10. Zell am See in the evening

After dinner we continued out into Zell am See. Cafés and bars were full of people and live music was playing in the square. It's easy to think that a ski resort goes into a frenzy during the summer, but that's not how we experienced Zell am See. The atmosphere is of course different than in the winter, but the town is alive even when the skis are tucked away. And after a day among mountains and lakes, it's quite nice to end the evening with something good in your glass and people around you.

11. Take a trip to Eisriesenwelt – the world's largest ice cave

If you have another day in Zell am See, one of Austria's most spectacular natural experiences is less than an hour's drive away. In Werfen is Eisriesenwelt, which is considered the world's largest ice cave with a cave system that stretches around 40 kilometers through the mountain.

We visited Eisriesenwelt itself during the same trip to Austria and the road to the cave was already an adventure. First a shuttle bus and a hike through a fantastic alpine landscape awaited, then a cable car – much to Helena’s delight – and then even more hiking before we reached the entrance to the mountain.

Inside the cave, a completely different world awaited. During the guided tour, we walked hundreds of steps past enormous halls, ice formations and mighty ice pillars, while the temperature was around zero degrees even though it was summer outside. This is not a small detour where you stop for twenty minutes and drive on. Expect several hours and bring both good shoes and warm clothes.

Read our complete guide: Eisriesenwelt in Austria - the world's largest ice cave

Where to stay in Zell am See and Kaprun?

Zell am See city centre is best if you want restaurants, nightlife and Lake Zeller within walking distance. Lakeside is best for swimming and views, while Kaprun is a good base for Kitzsteinhorn and Sigmund-Thun-Klamm.

Zell am See with a campervan

We tried to get a place at Seecamp by Lake Zellersjön, but it was full. Instead we stayed at camping Zur Mühle in Kaprun, within walking distance of Sigmund-Thun-Klamm and with good bus connections. It was a good choice! During the height of summer we recommend booking camping in advance.

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