Zell am See in summer

gaillimh

Hi.

We (family of 4 - two adults and two kids aged 6 & 8) are planning our holiday for 2025 now (departing a June bank holiday weekend for two weeks).

We’re doing a campsite for a week and then looking to go somewhere else for the second week.

Switzerland was the first place that Anne to mind but have read a lot about how expensive it is and wonder if it would also be too full on for our kids.
Zell am See has since caught my eye as seems to have things to do in addition to chilling out (would like a mixture).

I know this is probably more visited in winter time for skiing but wondering if anyone here has stayed there before and would recommend the town and general area?

Thanks in advance.

Levinet9

Hi , I was in Zell am See a long time ago and there was plenty to do and see back then , I can only imagine the town has expanded and there is even more to see and do now. Yes , its a big ski area in the Winter but also has a busy Summer season too.If you stay in a selected hotel you get a Summer Card on arrival for you and your family which gets you free access to some attractions and reduced tickets to others , it also entitles you to a Pinzgau Mobility card which gives you free local bus and local rail travel for excursions. Just make sure that the hotel you are staying in offers the Summer card. Have a look at the link below which will give you an idea of what is available in the area with the card . Best of luck. https://www.zellamsee-kaprun.com/en/experience/summer-card

pavb2

We went there in the summer two years ago stayed a couple of nights in Salzburg first. Plenty of walking and hiking Zell was busy a few day trips out most notably the reservoirs and Kaprun. We stayed in the Romantik hotel.

munchkin_utd

Firstly, yes Switzerland is dear. Their average wage is double that of the rest of Europe, and they pay less tax, so they can well afford high prices for things, and so the prices are indeed high.

Austria though is priced for the tourist so is far more affordable.

Theres good info above but what I'd add is that the cable car companys in certain areas have built kids attractions in order to give families a reason to go there in summer.

Triassic park is a dino themed area on the mountaintop with a crazy glass platform with giant drop https://www.triassicpark.at/de/der-sommer-im-triassic-park.html

Hexenwasser is a watery fairy take themed area on the side of the mountain : https://hexenwasser.at/

Elmis wonderland is a heap of activities/ playgrounds/ naturetrails at the top of a mountain :

https://www.wilderkaiser.info/en/ellmau/info/ellmis-zauberwelt-am-hartkaiser.html

There may be more options but those are the ones we were visited when pottering about that area and they are a comfortable drive from Zell am See.

Banzai600

Stunning part of the world, passed through it a couple of times on Motorbike. Roads re great, safe areas. Lakes are spotless etc. And they dont tolerate the carry on you'd see here with ppl dumping rubbish etc. They behave like normal human beings and not in your face loud etc. Swizterland is great for scenery, dont have kids, but its not that more expensive than rip off ireland.

Garmisch in Germany is a great town, fairly big, lots of restaurants, places to rent etc if you were doing a stay. roads are great, lots of countryside, so may be worth considering a stay. its 1.5 hrs for Memmigen airport. Might be worth looking into. PM me if you're looking at Garmisch, i can point you in direction of reputable loghouse apartment rental. Lots of walking and hiking / mountain bike trails all around too afaik.

if you're driving over there, stick to the speed limit, they dont tolerate ppl who drive dangerously under the speed limit unlike here. Roads are excellent, can be twisty but enjoyable.

pavb2

Yes on our holiday I thought Austria would be a good place to live, so clean, people friendly, our train from Salzburg to Zell on a Friday was free. It’s the sort of place you’d happily pay extra taxes to live as you would get the benefits.

rainagain

Lived in Switzerland for two years and loved the organisation, cleanliness, variety, people and it's ridiculously beautiful almost everywhere you go. Check https://swissfamilyfun.com/10-reasons-why-your-kids-will-love-switzerland/ for info and seat61.com for train travel info. Worth the extra money. Swimming areas (badi) are great value and some have restaurants along with changing facilities.