Zell am See.
Flight from TLV
3h 45m
Best season
ינו–דצמ
Avg temp
13°
Currency
€ EUR · 1=₪3.52
Time zone
שעה אחת פחות מת״א בחורף ובדרך כלל גם בקיץ
Language
גרמנית
Plug
C / F · 230V
Visa
אין צורך בוויזה לישראלים לשהייה קצרה באזור שנגן, בכפוף לתנאי הכניסה העדכניים
Safety
בטוח מאוד; בחורף חשוב להקפיד על כללי המסלולים, מזג האוויר וכיסוי ביטוחי לספורט חורף
Overview
🇦🇹Zell am See
🇦🇹Austria
Zell am See is an Alpine resort where a lakeside promenade, the Schmittenhöhe ski lifts and a charming compact center sit just minutes apart. Israelis mainly come for winter skiing across the Ski ALPIN CARD area and nearby Kitzsteinhorn glacier, or for summer family hikes, panoramic viewpoints, boating and swimming in Lake Zell. Spa hotels and convenient access from Salzburg make it an excellent choice for couples and families seeking nature without sacrificing comfort.
What are you looking for?
Everything for Zell am See, in one place
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Where to stay
Where to stay in Zell am See
Each area and who it suits best.
Zell am See Town Centre
Compact lanes around Stadtplatz, restaurants and bars within walking distance, plus easy access to the lake, train station and CityXpress gondola.
Schüttdorf
A practical, quieter district south of the centre, with supermarkets, parking and quick access to the AreitXpress gondola and the lake's southern shore.
Thumersbach
The quiet lakeshore delivers postcard views toward Zell am See and the mountains, swimming at Strandbad Thumersbach and a village atmosphere away from the centre.
Kaprun
A lively resort town about 15 minutes from Zell am See, with après-ski bars, Tauern Spa and access to the Kitzsteinhorn glacier.
Fischhorn
A rural base between Zell am See and Kaprun, convenient for road trips and rental cars but less suitable for walking out at night.
Year-round weather
Year-round weather in Zell am See
Temperature averages
Real climate dataינו
5°
-4°
Cool
פבר
8°
-2°
Cool
מרץ
12°
1°
Cool
אפר
14°
3°
Cool
מאי
18°
7°
Recommended
יונ
24°
12°
Excellent
יול
24°
14°
Excellent
אוג
25°
15°
Excellent
ספט
21°
11°
Recommended
אוק
17°
7°
Recommended
נוב
9°
0°
Cool
דצמ
6°
-2°
Cool
Most pleasant weather: יונ · יול · אוג
Peak season for Israelis (when everyone goes): ינו · פבר · מרץ · דצמ
Based on a 3-year average · measured in Zell am See · Open-Meteo
This week in Zell am See
Measured in Zell am See
15°
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Things to do
Things to do in Zell am See
On the map
Zell am See on one map
Every spot travelers love — tap a pin for photos, opening hours, navigation and booking.
Suggested plan
A perfect Zell am See itinerary
Day by day, so you can picture the whole trip.
- 1
Day 1
Lake and Old Town
Start around Stadtplatz and the pedestrian centre, continue along the Lake Zell promenade and visit St. Hippolyt Church. In the afternoon, take a lake cruise or rent a pedal boat, then in summer finish with a swim at Strandbad Zell am See facing the Hohe Tauern peaks.
- 2
Day 2
Schmittenhöhe Summit
Ride the Schmittenhöhebahn or CityXpress for panoramic views over Lake Zell and dozens of Alpine peaks. In summer, follow a trail such as the Höhenpromenade; in winter, spend the day skiing Schmittenhöhe and finish with après-ski near the lift stations.
- 3
Day 3
Kaprun and Kitzsteinhorn
Travel to Kaprun and take the lifts to Kitzsteinhorn, where the TOP OF SALZBURG complex reaches 3,029 metres and offers dramatic views and seasonal snow areas. On the way back, stop at Kaprun Castle, then book an evening at Tauern Spa with heated pools facing the mountains.
- 4
Day 4
Kaprun Reservoirs and Sigmund Thun Gorge
During the summer season, use the buses and inclined lift to reach the Hochgebirgsstauseen Kaprun reservoirs, framed by huge dam walls and high-Alpine scenery. Then walk the wooden paths through Sigmund-Thun-Klamm beside rushing water; outside the opening season, replace this day with Tauern Spa and Vötter's Oldtimer Museum.
- 5
Day 5
Krimml Waterfalls or Grossglockner Road
Take a day trip to Krimml Waterfalls and climb the viewing path alongside its three cascades. Travelers with a car from late spring through autumn can instead drive the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, stopping at Fuscher Törl and Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe; both options are seasonal and weather-dependent.
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Budget
How much does Zell am See cost?
Real ILS price ranges, so you know what to expect.
Round-trip flight from TLV
₪900-2,200 (to Salzburg)
Mid-range hotel nightly
₪550-1,000 (double room)
Restaurant meal
₪70-140
Local beer
₪20-30
Cup of coffee
₪13-22
Short taxi ride
₪45-90
Rental car daily
₪180-380 (before fuel)
Daily budget per person
₪450-850 (excluding flight)
Good to know
Good to know before Zell am See
Getting around
From the airport
Salzburg Airport is the most convenient gateway. A pre-booked shuttle to Zell am See takes around 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes and usually costs ₪180-300 per person, while a private taxi is about ₪650-900 per vehicle. By public transport, take a bus to Salzburg Hbf and continue by train to Zell am See, for a total of roughly 2 to 2.5 hours and ₪80-160 per person.
Need a car?
A car is not essential if you stay in the centre and focus on the lake, Schmittenhöhe and Kaprun, as trains, buses and lifts work well. It is worthwhile for families staying in an outlying apartment or anyone planning day trips to the Kaprun reservoirs, Krimml, Kitzbühel or the Grossglockner High Alpine Road; in winter, book a car with winter tires and check whether snow chains are required.
Tips
Check whether your accommodation includes the Zell am See-Kaprun Summer Card, which can cover summer lifts, boat trips and attractions and save a family hundreds of shekels. Bus 660 connects Zell am See, Kaprun and Kitzsteinhorn; evening service and connections to areas such as Thumersbach are less frequent, so check the final departure in advance.
Kosher & Jewish
Chabad / community
There is no permanent year-round Chabad house in central Zell am See, and the town does not have a dependable permanent selection of kosher restaurants. Seasonal Jewish services may operate in the Zell am See-Kaprun area when many Israelis visit, but travelers should not rely on them without direct confirmation before departure. For prayers, Shabbat meals or a minyan, check in advance with Chabad Salzburg and your accommodation.
Kosher food
Strictly kosher travelers usually book an apartment with a kitchen, bring dry goods from Israel and buy fruit, vegetables, eggs and packaged products at supermarkets such as BILLA, SPAR and HOFER after checking certification. Those comfortable with kosher-friendly choices can find vegetarian dishes, simple fish, pizza and salads, but kitchens are not kosher and preparation may be shared. For Shabbat, choose accommodation within walking distance of the town centre and shop before Shabbat begins, as stores close early and many are closed on Sundays.
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Travel insurance
Travel insurance for Zell am See 🇦🇹
A hospital day in Zell am See can cost thousands. Full coverage with Hebrew support.
- Medical + hospital 24/7
- Trip cancellation
- Baggage
- Ski & winter sports add-on
Currency & rates
Live rateCurrency & rates
Quick conversion at today's rate
Convert
You get
351.8
1 EUR
₪3.52
100 EUR
₪351.8
1,000 EUR
₪3,518
Source: exchangerate-api · updated Sep 14 · refreshes daily
Visa & documents
Visa & documents for Zell am See 🇦🇹
What you need before you fly
- אין צורך בוויזה לישראלים לשהייה קצרה באזור שנגן, בכפוף לתנאי הכניסה העדכניים
- Passport valid 6 months
- Travel insurance, leave details for a quote
Local tips
Good to know about Zell am See
- 🏨Without a car, stay in central Zell am See near CityXpress and the station, while skiers seeking easier access and better value should check Schüttdorf near the AreitXpress gondola.
- 🎫In summer, book a hotel that issues the Zell am See-Kaprun Summer Card, as its seasonal inclusions can cover lifts, cruises and attractions and save a family hundreds of shekels per day.
- 🚆The train from Salzburg is easier than driving for families staying centrally, but a rental car is worthwhile if you plan to visit Kitzsteinhorn, Krimml Waterfalls and surrounding villages.
- 💶Carry at least €50 to €100 in cash, around ₪220 to ₪440, because mountain huts, car parks and smaller ticket machines do not always accept cards.
- 🥾Visit Sigmund-Thun-Klamm at opening time or after 15:30 and reserve ahead in busy periods, as its narrow walkway quickly fills with groups and families.
- ✡️There is no permanent kosher restaurant in town, so kosher-observant travelers should book an apartment with a kitchen, buy clearly certified packaged products at SPAR or BILLA, and bring kosher meat and wine from home.
מאיה רוזן
Senior agent · Greece for 12 years
"To me, Zell am See feels like the Austria you pictured before the trip: a blue lake, snowy peaks and a compact town you can cross on foot. Israelis fall for the moment they reach Schmittenhöhe and see Lake Zell and the Kitzsteinhorn glacier in the same view."
Loves
I love arriving early at the Thumersbach promenade on the lake’s quieter shore, when the water is still and the town is reflected across it. From there I walk to Strandbad Thumersbach, which is usually calmer than the central lido.
Skip
Do not book an isolated hillside hotel solely for the view without checking transport, because every evening trip into town may require a car or an expensive taxi.
Boutique pick
My signature day starts with the CityXpress cable car to Schmittenhöhe, followed by an easy panoramic walk and a picnic prepared in advance. In the afternoon we take a cruise on Lake Zell, then in summer finish with a swim at Strandbad Zell am See and sunset along the promenade.
Client stories
What returning travelers say about Zell am See
"We rode up Schmittenhöhe in the morning, came down for coffee by the lake and finished at the hotel spa, making Zell am See exactly the relaxed romantic escape we wanted."
Noa and Ido, Ramat Gan
Summer couples' escape
"The kids could not stop talking about the Maisi Flitzer coaster in Kaprun, the lake cruise and the snow on Kitzsteinhorn, and in Zell am See we finally found a destination the whole family loved."
The Levi Family, Modi'in
Family Alpine holiday
"We skied all day with the Ski ALPIN Card, carried on to après-ski at Villa Crazy Daisy and ended every evening laughing beside Lake Zell in Zell am See."
Ori, Daniel and Yoav, Tel Aviv
Friends' ski week
FAQ
Common questions about Zell am See
Do Israelis need a visa for Zell am See?
Israelis do not need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days in Austria and Zell am See, but should check before departure whether ETIAS is already required and travel with a valid passport.
When is the best time to visit Zell am See?
The best time for Zell am See is January to March for reliable ski conditions, or June to September for the lake, hiking and Krimml Waterfalls, with July and August being the busiest and most expensive months.
How many days should you spend in Zell am See?
Four to five days are enough to enjoy Zell am See, ride up Schmittenhöhe and Kitzsteinhorn, and add a lake cruise or a day at Krimml Waterfalls, while a full ski holiday is worth a week.
Are there direct flights from Israel to Zell am See, and how long is the journey?
Zell am See has no airport, but seasonal nonstop flights from Tel Aviv to Salzburg take about four hours followed by a drive of roughly 90 minutes, while Munich is a common alternative around two and a half hours away.
How do you get around Zell am See, and is renting a car safe?
Central Zell am See is easy to explore on foot and by trains and buses to Kaprun, while a car is useful for day trips but winter tires, snowy roads and limited parking require extra preparation.
How much does a holiday in Zell am See cost?
A couple in Zell am See should budget around ₪900–1,500 per day for accommodation, food and local transport before flights, with ski passes and equipment typically adding ₪300–450 per person per day.
Does Zell am See have beaches, attractions and nightlife?
In summer, Zell am See offers serviced lakeside lidos at Strandbad Zell am See and Thumersbach, boat trips and Schmittenhöhe, while evenings center on bars and après-ski spots such as Villa Crazy Daisy rather than large clubs.
Is Zell am See better for families or couples, and what about kosher food?
Zell am See suits families with Maisi Flitzer, cable cars and lake beaches, and couples with spas and mountain views, but kosher options are limited so observant Israelis often book an apartment with a kitchen and stock up in Salzburg.